He tightened his grip on the sword. His health had recovered. Good enough.
He bent his knees, then sprinted—not in a straight line, but in a graceful curve. His body swayed lightly from side to side, each step faster than the last. The trembling of his figure created faint afterimages in the air.
"Activate, Flash Step."
A movement technique he had created in his past life. The system had recognized it and rated it as B-rank martial arts, placing it in the national top ten for three months. But it was incomplete—unfinished. He never had the time to push it further.
This life, he would.
Arcana World Online allowed players to create and refine their own martial techniques. Perfect them through real combat. Strengthen them through understanding.
This time, Shang Zhen had no intention of letting Flash Step remain mediocre.
The Rat King charged again, but Shang Zhen's figure blurred. He slid past its claws and struck.
His sword flashed—not once, but five times in a single heartbeat.
–30
–17
–30
–28
–35
Nearly a third of the Rat King's health vanished instantly.
Shang Zhen grinned. "Not bad. Still rough but not bad."
He quickly drank another healing potion to refill the 5–6 points he lost from poison contact.
The Rat King shrieked, outraged. Its body bulged again slightly, as if hatred alone was pushing its muscles to expand. Then, with a violent stomp, it charged once more—faster, heavier, angrier.
Shang Zhen tightened his grip on his sword. "Got the feel for it now. This time it'll hit harder."
He stepped forward again— And then blurred into motion.
Flash Step. Once again...
The strikes landed in quick, brutal succession:
–39
–36
–25
–36
–28
–50
The final strike of Shang Zhen's combo landed cleanly—six hits in a single breath, the last cut carving out a brutal 50 damage. The Rat King staggered, its HP bar now hanging dangerously near the second-rage threshold.
One more Flash Step would finish it.
But Shang Zhen's legs suddenly felt weak. His breath came out uneven, sharp and heavy. A wave of dizziness washed over him.
He wiped sweat from his forehead and let out a low laugh. "Damn, I pushed too hard."
Using Flash Step once was taxing. Twice was almost overkill. Three times had pushed his stamina to the edge. This fourth attempt was going to scrape out whatever energy he had left. In the early game, players were restricted by real mental fatigue. There was no infinite martial arts spam or mindless combo loops, after alll.
And Flash Step wasn't just any move—it was a high-level technique. Arcana World Online required real mental force to activate complex martial arts. Only when the global player base improved would the system gradually reduce the strain needed.
But right now?
It felt like holding up a mountain with bare hands.
Shang Zhen steadied himself, forcing his breathing to slow. "One more time I can pull off one more."
He raised his sword, fingers numbing slightly from exhaustion.
"Let's end this."
He dashed forward. His body left faint afterimages as he curved through the air—quick, unstable, but still sharp enough. The Rat King didn't even have a moment to react. His blade blurred into motion, and the numbers popped like sparks:
–45
–37
–28
–24
–39
The Rat King collapsed with a final, harsh shriek. Its 600 HP evaporated, its huge body sinking into the dirt.
A soft glow appeared where it fell—loot scattering across the ground. But Shang Zhen barely saw it. The world felt heavy, his head light.
*Ding! [You leveled up]
Two free attribute points were immediately added to his character.
Without even thinking, he shoved both into Luck.
His vision swayed. He crouched, scooping up the items blindly, relying more on muscle memory than eyesight.
Then—
A crisp chime echoed in his ears.
*Ding!
[Your last move has reached the threshold of a self-created martial art. Martial Arts List is now unlocked.]
[System Evaluation: Your technique meets Heavenly Standard — B-rank."
Please name your martial art.]
Shang Zhen didn't hesitate as he replied. "Spirit Cloud Step.
[Publish creator name?]
"No."
System:
"Martial Art Established — Spirit Cloud Step (Heavenly Standard, B-Rank)"
After activation: +30% Agility
Chance to deal (Own Level × 5) bonus damage
Ignores (Enemy Level × 2) defense
Base strike deals 5–7 damage
Critical Rate +20%
When HP < 30%, skill power +20% and grants 10% lifesteal.
Shang Zhen blinked. "It was even stronger than he expected."
Then the system announced again, louder, global:
System:
"First player to create a martial art in Arcana World Online!"
Huaxia National Reputation +1000
World Reputation +200
National Honor +2
A second announcement came immediately:
System:
"First Heavenly-Level Martial Art Creator!"
Huaxia Reputation +1500
World Reputation +300
National Honor +3
A third announcement followed:
System:
"Your national reputation has reached 2500. Title acquired — 'Baron.'"
Shang Zhen's status panel updated:
Title: Baron (2500/5000)
"Not bad." Shang Zhen murmured under his breath.
After all, titles made NPC interactions smoother—doors opened more easily, prices dropped, and quests unlocked. Honor value would matter even more in the future. It was currency on a national scale.
System messages rolled across the world again:
System:
"Arcana World Online officially opens the Martial Arts Ranking Board."
"Any player whose moves are recognized as martial arts may enter the list."
A new leaderboard appeared.
Only one name filled it.
Martial Art: Spirit Cloud Step
Rank: B
Founder: Anonymous
Before Shang Zhen could even smile, another notification slammed into his ears.
System:
"Warning: Your body is extremely fatigued. Forced logout in 3 seconds."
"Wait—"
3
2
1
A flash of white.
*
Shang Zhen opened his eyes, sprawled on his bed. His head throbbed like someone had dropped a boulder on it.
"It hurts."
He tore the helmet off and rubbed his temples. Reality felt heavier than the game. Still, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He got up, reheated some leftover food, shoved down a half-hearted dinner, and dragged himself to bed.
The exhaustion swallowed him almost instantly.
Tomorrow
Arcana World Online would change again.
And he would be ready.