The moment I confirmed the simulation, the world around me fractured like glass—colors bleeding into nothingness, sound twisting into a high-pitched hum, then... silence.
[Simulation Initiated: Life 1 – Wandering Rogue of the Nether Sect]
I opened my eyes to a completely different sky—stormy, blood-red clouds swirling overhead like a warning. The air was thick with killing intent and the faint scent of burnt incense.
I was lying on a stone floor, shirtless, dirt covering my chest and arms. My fingers twitched, and memories not mine filtered into my head like a poorly installed software update.
I was now... Lei Feng, a rogue outer disciple of the Nether Sect.
A sect known for its cruelty, cutthroat hierarchy, and philosophy of "kill or be buried alive next to your master."
[Primary Objective: Survive to Foundation Establishment Realm.]
[Bonus Objective: Kill at least one Inner Disciple.]
[Time Acceleration: 1 day = 1 year]
[System Tip: Pain is temporary. Trauma is... persistent.]
"Fantastic," I muttered, flexing my fingers as spiritual energy flowed into my meridians like ice water.
Year 1 (Day 1):
I was weak.
Not anime weak where I trip once and awaken hidden potential. Real weak.
Like 'if someone sneezes too hard I might explode' kind of weak.
The Nether Sect had three kinds of disciples:
Outer Disciples — trash that fetched water and got beaten up for sport. Me.
Inner Disciples — murderous prodigies with family backing or dark secrets.
Core Disciples — the ones who smiled while burying your body.
The cultivation technique I'd been given, Dead Lotus Breathing Method, felt like inhaling broken glass. But I endured. I had to.
Every bone broken. Every insult swallowed. Every drop of blood was fuel.
[Pain Tolerance Increased.]
[Minor Mental Fortification Unlocked.]
Year 3 (Day 3):
I killed my first opponent.
A senior outer disciple who tried to poison my water gourd. Sloppy work.
I returned the favor by shoving a talisman down his throat while smiling politely.
His expression when his stomach exploded?
Satisfying.
[Congratulations. You have successfully killed your first cultivator.]
[Reward Upon Return: Poison Resistance (Level 1)]
Year 6 (Day 6):
Foundation Establishment.
A hellish process. Imagine forcing a river through a cracked bowl without letting it shatter. Then light the bowl on fire. And sit in it. Naked.
I survived by chaining myself to the edge of a cliff and meditating under a thunderstorm.
Lightning struck me five times.
The sixth knocked my soul halfway out of my body, and I saw a vision of the System flipping me off.
[Achievement Unlocked: Masochist Cultivator Wannabe]
[Reward Upon Return: Thunder-Tempered Meridian (+10% Lightning Resistance)]
Year 9 (Day 9):
I made it into the Inner Sect by decapitating a weak Core Disciple's little brother. He wasn't happy. Challenged me the next morning during a public duel.
I threw sand in his face and stabbed him with a stolen ice needle. Fair play is for the dead.
The crowd stared in silence. Then someone clapped. Just once. Slowly.
[Cultivation Base: Late Foundation Realm]
[Status: Hunted. Popularity: 0. Infamy: +100.]
Year 10 (Day 10):
The simulation ended.
The world disintegrated again, and I snapped awake in my room at Kuoh Academy. Sweat soaked my shirt. My muscles ached like I'd been bench pressing mountains.
[Simulation Complete.]
[Rewards Delivered to Host.]
Gained:
Poison Resistance (Level 1)
Thunder-Tempered Meridian
Dead Lotus Breathing Method
Spiritual Energy Capacity Increased (Low Grade)
Refined Combat Instincts
[Congratulations. You survived your first simulation. The bar was in hell, but you tripped over it with flair.]
The next day at school, I walked the halls like nothing had changed—except everything had. My senses were sharper, footsteps quieter. Every aura around me left a trail I could track without thinking.
I could smell the faint demonic energy leaking from Rias Gremory even across the classroom.
"Good morning, Akuma-kun," she greeted, flashing that perfectly noble smile.
Akeno gave a small bow behind her, serene as ever. "You're very quiet lately... More than usual, even."
"Sleep deprivation. And trauma," I replied, deadpan.
Akeno laughed. Rias blinked.
Across the room, Issei was loudly debating breast sizes with Matsuda and Motohama. Physics was losing.
[Side Mission Unlocked: Survive One Week Without Punching a Pervert.]
[Reward: +5 Self-Control. Hidden Trait: Patience (maybe).]
I sighed.
One day back, and I already missed the lightning.