Episode 7: Power That Moves Without a Step
Inside her cozy, dimly lit shop, Rhea sat cross-legged on a cushion made of Starwoven Silk, her eyes closed, the world outside entirely forgotten.
A storm of power simmered beneath her skin.
> System Notice: Inner Core Expansion – 92% Complete
Condition: Stabilized
Next Threshold: Tier 2 Evolution Available
Her hands trembled—not from fear, but from the sheer pressure building within.
"I need to let some of this power out," she whispered, her breath fogging slightly despite the warm room. "Or I'll explode like a spicy dumpling in a sealed box."
Fizz snorted. "That's a very disturbing image, boss."
"Disturbing or not, I have to vent this energy," she muttered, opening her eyes. "But I'm not going outside."
Fizz floated nervously. "How do you test your strength if you don't fight anyone?"
She smiled. "I don't need to fight someone… I'll fight somewhere."
She waved her hand.
> Skill Activated: [Virtual Realm Simulation – Training Mode]
Environment Chosen: Forgotten Battlefield of 10,000 Beasts
Opponent Level: Adaptive Phantom AI (based on user's energy signature)
In an instant, the shop around her dissolved like smoke, replaced by a broken battlefield lit by twin suns. Giant bones littered the ground. Skulls of ancient creatures lay shattered beneath her feet.
Wind howled, and in the distance, something roared.
The simulation was incredibly real. The pain. The heat. Even the scent of scorched earth.
Fizz's voice echoed faintly. "This place is terrifying. You really chose this to warm up?"
Rhea didn't answer. She raised her hand.
> Weapon Equipped: Mirror Bow of the Echoing Void
Skill: Phantom Arrows – Active
Three glowing arrows formed around her, vibrating with compressed energy. She pointed forward—
—and the ground exploded.
From the dust, a creature charged: twelve feet tall, made of molten stone and screaming shadows.
Rhea's eyes sharpened. No fear. No hesitation.
Fwoosh!
Three arrows flew. One missed. One grazed. One struck the creature's chest—
—and triggered a chain reaction.
> Skill Link: Echo Chain – Triggered
Result: Triple Damage, Explosive Feedback
BOOM.
The phantom beast burst apart in a cloud of smoke, dust, and broken simulation code.
Fizz whistled. "Okay, that was… brutal."
Rhea's chest rose and fell slowly. She could feel the energy circulating through her, smoother than before. Her control had sharpened.
"Next," she said softly.
The battlefield shifted. New enemies emerged—phantom versions of high-ranked power users from the real world. Sword saints. Flame dancers. Mind mages.
She faced them all.
One by one.
All while seated in the safety of her untraceable shop.
And when it was done, the battlefield dissolved, and the shop returned around her—warm, quiet, peaceful.
> System Report:
Simulation Complete
Total Combatants Defeated: 27
Efficiency Score: 97%
Reward Unlocked: Skill Upgrade Token (1)
New Title: [Shadow Duelist] – You win battles no one sees.
Rhea smiled, sweat dripping down her forehead. "I think I'm getting the hang of this."
Fizz clapped with his tiny wings. "And no one even knows what you're becoming."
"Exactly," she whispered. "Let them watch rankings. Let them chase glory."
She glanced at the market panel—new requests had come in. More buyers. More praise for the unknown shopkeeper.
But none of them knew that behind the market's best items stood a girl whose power now rivaled their leaders.
A girl who had been mocked for having a "useless" shop skill.
And she was only just beginning.
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To be continued…