Su Xing, now sixteen and already standing at a height of 178 centimeters, had grown into a frame that spoke for itself. The vocational school's meals and his constant training had done their work—his body no longer looked fragile, but strong and balanced, like someone prepared for what lay ahead.
And now, that same boy stood before the teleportation train. The massive machine pulsed faintly with energy, its sleek design humming as if alive, waiting to swallow its passengers and send them across space. This was the gateway to the First God's Sanctuary.
"Finally… it's time for me to level up," I whispered, a small spark of excitement slipping into my voice as I stepped inside.
The train was crowded. People filled every row, some gripping blades that gleamed under the light, others wrapped in robes lined with strange markings, the kind that probably doubled as defense gear. Each face carried determination, nerves, or quiet anticipation.
I found a seat and sat down, trying to steady my thoughts. It had been a long time since I had read the novel. The details of what would happen first were hazy in my memory. But I knew one thing—once I experienced it with my own eyes, the pieces would start falling into place again.
The last fifteen days had been nothing but drills and lessons. I had learned the basic attack forms, the most common defensive stances, and enough survival tips to scrape by. But all of it had come at a price. Every Levo dollar I had saved over the years was gone in an instant.
And worse—I didn't even have a weapon to my name.
"Fuck… how am I supposed to manage like this?" I muttered under my breath, fingers curling into fists.
My thoughts wandered back to the story I remembered so well. Han Sen got his ass handed to him by a primitive copper-toothed rhino beast. Although he barely survived the farce.
'Seriously… I should keep my eyes open for those things,' I thought, my gaze drifting around the cabin. The people seated beside me looked calm, some even eager. Their blades and robes glimmered faintly with energy. Meanwhile, all I had were empty hands and the weight of my own determination.
Then, without warning, a strange ripple ran through my body, as if the air itself had shifted. The ground beneath my feet seemed to hum.
A deep metallic clang echoed through the train, and the heavy gates began to slide open.
One by one, people stepped through the gate. The moment they crossed, their bodies vanished into the abyss beyond, swallowed by a lightless void. My throat tightened as I watched. For a second, I wondered if I should really follow.
I forced down a gulp, steadied my breath, and finally stepped forward. The gate swallowed me whole.
When my vision cleared, I wasn't in the abyss anymore. Instead, I found myself standing in a small room. A single bed rested in the corner, with a plain wooden table nearby. A fireplace stood against the wall, and a few basic cooking appliances lined a shelf. It wasn't spacious, but it was enough to live in.
"So this is the random room assigned to me, huh? I remember reading about this…" I muttered, half amused.
I was still taking it all in when a strange sound echoed in my head, sharp and sudden—like a chime breaking the silence.
Before I could react, glowing text flashed into existence before my eyes. A translucent screen hovered in the air, words forming line by line.
---
[INFO PANEL]
Name: Su Xing
Age: 16
Race: Human
[Lightning Arts — Phase 1] [New]
Static Steps (Lv.1) — A burst-movement technique that channels lightning through the legs, allowing the user to dash short distances faster than the eye can follow. Leaves faint static trails that can reveal movement patterns to sharp opponents.
Proficiency: 0.0%
Lightning Body (Lv.1) — Channels lightning through the skin and muscles, briefly hardening reflexes and dulling impact damage. Prolonged use causes muscle fatigue and burns.
Proficiency: 0.0%
Lightning Fist (Lv.1) — Focuses lightning into the fist to deliver a charged punch that shocks and damages on impact. Stronger against unarmored foes, but may strain joints if used recklessly.
Proficiency: 0.0%
Storm Sense (Lv.1) — Heightens awareness of electrical currents in the surrounding area, allowing the user to detect movement, energy signatures, and incoming attacks faster. Overuse can cause headaches and disorientation.
Proficiency: 0.0%
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.
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[LOCKED SKILLS]
Chain Lightning (???) — ???
(Condition: Successfully strike 4 enemies with the same lightning attack.)
Eye of the Tempest (???) — ???
(Condition: Meditate during a thunderstorm or while under heavy lightning pressure in battle.)
[Lightning Arts — Phase 2] [Locked]
Information: err_24
Note: Reach level 5 in every skill except the locked ones to unlock.
---
I stared at the glowing screen in front of me, my jaw slightly open.
"…Static steps, lightning body, lightning fist, storm sense…" I muttered the words under my breath like I was reading out some kind of cheat code.
A stupid grin spread across my face before I could stop it. "Holy shit… I actually have lightning powers. Like—real lightning. Not a game, not a story. Me?"
I clenched my right fist, staring at it as if sparks would suddenly appear. Nothing happened, of course. My face twitched with embarrassment. "Tch, figures. What am I expecting, thunderbolts on command? Calm down, idiot."
Still, I couldn't help but feel my chest tighten with excitement. Lightning Fist. Just the name made me want to throw a punch at something. I raised my hand again, slower this time, and tried to focus. I pictured electricity flowing through my arm, crackling at my knuckles. For a split second—just a faint spark—like static from touching a doorknob, popped between my fingers.
I jumped back. "Woah!" My voice cracked, and I laughed at myself, running a hand through my hair. "That… that was real. Damn, that was actually real!"
I sat down on the edge of the bed, still grinning like an idiot. "Okay… okay, calm down. You're not a superhero yet. You don't even know how to throw a proper punch without breaking your wrist."
But deep inside, I couldn't shake off the thrill. For the first time since I came into this world, I actually felt like I wasn't just surviving.
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "…Guess I'm really gonna have to figure this out. Lightning powers, huh? Su Xing, the pizza-boy-turned-human-Taser." I chuckled at my own dumb joke, then sighed.
Still… my hands wouldn't stop shaking. Not from fear. From excitement.