I slowly opened my eyes to morning sunlight spilling through the hotel window.
I yawned, stretching my arms and legs wide.
I’d just woken from another vision—the shadowed figure performing the first move of the Void severer.
This was the second time it had happened, so I figured it must occur every time I slept.
But then something important hit me—something seriously important.
The orb.
I shot upright, scanning the room in a panic.
I didn’t even care that I’d nearly bled out before passing out—that wasn’t the priority right now.
My worry deepened as I searched the hotel room.
Did I actually drop it before teleporting?
No, I was sure I’d clung to it the whole time.
Had I just been dreaming?
Did the heist even happen?
My phone—where was my phone?
I scrambled to find it so I could check the date.
But when I looked at the desk, relief washed over me—the Orb of Purification sat there, its sphere-like shape resting on a white towel.
I exhaled in relief, a smile spreading across my face.
I jumped out of bed and grabbed the orb, excitement surging—only for my excitement to vanish a second later.
The beautiful, glowing orb had a small crack spiralling around it.
I frowned.
Did I drop it?
I tapped the sphere, testing its strength.
No, it was far too sturdy to break from a simple fall.
Then how did it crack?
I clicked my tongue in frustration.
If this thing doesn’t work because of a crack, I was going to lose my mind.
I didn’t care if it was some random bystander—someone would die.
With that thought, I concentrated the essence in my body and felt it spread through me before flowing into my arms, obeying my will.
I poured the essence into the orb without hesitation.
Instantly, the orb split wider—the tiny crack spreading.
My essence, which had been pouring into the orb, reversed and rushed into my arm.
A stinging sensation shot through me, but it was followed by warmth and relaxation, like a well-deserved massage.
I closed my eyes, lost in ecstasy as the sensation flowed from my arms to my shoulders.
It filled every part of me—veins, bones, skin—every inch felt alive all at once.
When it hit my spine, I couldn’t help but let out a groan of pure pleasure.
The sensation was so overwhelming, my knees buckled, and I collapsed backwards onto the bed.
When it reached my head, my body temperature spiked.
Sweat and impurities poured out of me, soaking the bedsheets.
I barely noticed; I was lost in a state of euphoria I couldn’t describe.
Five minutes passed before the sensation faded and I lay motionless on the bed.
When it was over, my body glowed a deep, radiant orange.
In that moment, I felt whole—like a missing piece had finally returned.
The glow faded; my eyes fluttered open.
New knowledge filled my mind—my Aspect had evolved.
I grinned with satisfaction.
I didn’t know my Aspect’s exact rank, but it had to be around 5 stars—and even as a 5-star, it would be considered the cream of the crop, almost as good as the MC’s.
But that wasn’t even what excited me most.
What really mattered was that my Aspect fit me—perfectly.
As I got out of bed, I realized how sticky and clammy my skin was.
I glanced at the bed, now an absolute mess.
Black liquid had seeped into the sheets, making the bed look like it had hosted a wild party.
Then the stench hit me, and I grimaced, pinching my nose in disgust.
“Oh god, please tell me that didn’t just come out of my body.” My stomach lurched at the smell, but luckily I had nothing to throw up.
“My Aspect can wait.
This can’t.”
I hurriedly went to the phone and requested cleaners for my room.
Then I left the door open, sprinted over to the bathroom, and took a long-needed shower.
I took a towel and wrapped it around my waist, then walked over and grabbed a toothbrush.
I smeared the blue, white, and red toothpaste on my blue toothbrush and heard the cleaners outside cleaning and complaining about the room.
I didn’t pay them any mind; instead, I scrubbed my teeth with my toothbrush and looked up at the mirror.
But what I saw made me drop it to the floor.
My face, which was—objectively—handsome in my completely unbiased opinion, looked completely different.
My jawline was sharper, my amber eyes now a deep orange, and my skin glowed faintly while my obsidian-black hair clung to my forehead, almost covering my eyes.
I wasn’t just handsome—I was breathtaking.
I literally forgot to breathe when I saw my reflection.
If I hadn’t been staring at myself, I might’ve thought I’d switched teams—but Seraphina still existed, so that was out of the question.
Jokes aside, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
I looked nothing like I had an hour ago.
The difference between my old self and now was like comparing an average guy to a supermodel—and I’d never been close to average.
I wasn’t even being narcissistic—it was just the truth.
My face could make models jealous.
Okay, enough self-obsession.
I was unbelievably delighted by the sudden boost in appearance, but I could stand here and admire myself all day.
I freshened up and put on black jeans and a designer long-sleeved shirt that probably cost more than someone’s monthly rent.
I checked the time—three hours left before I needed to be at the academy.
I went to the hotel’s living room.
“Okay, let’s try out my new Aspect.” Without hesitation, I channelled essence through my body.
My essence started glowing around me, just like it always did when someone activated their Aspect.
But instead of the usual amber glow, my essence burned a deep orange—just like my eyes.
I activated my new Aspect.
Apex Perception Eyes: Instantly, the world shifted to black and white as my pupils narrowed to slits.
Every sense sharpened, but what hit me hardest was how heightened my perception had become.
I already knew the ability’s effects; information about an Aspect is sent straight to your mind the moment you gain it.
But that didn’t dampen my excitement at all.
Apex Perception Eyes also had an additional effect alongside the extreme perception: whenever I was in a battle and was about to get critically hit, my perception of time slowed down—the more critical the attack, the slower it moved.
And if it was a killing blow, time would almost completely stop for me.
It was incredibly powerful, but naturally, there were drawbacks.
It drained a massive amount of essence every time it activated, so I couldn’t just spam it to slow time.
But that didn’t change how overpowered my eyes were. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
I could perceive weaknesses, movement, emotions, intent, essence, even time itself—though not entirely at will.
If it involved perception, I figured I could theoretically bend it to my will.
Even if I couldn’t now, future evolutions might unlock that power.
Just imagining all the absurd benefits fired me up even more.
I deactivated my Apex Perception Eyes.
There wasn’t much I could do with it right now, and I didn’t feel like unconsciously observing every detail in my room.
Besides, I needed to save my essence for the entrance exam in a few hours.
And I had another thing on my mind, so I pressed my hand to the left side of my chest and squeezed hard.
“Hey, brat, let go.” A commanding voice echoed in my mind.
“Come out, Hokoria,” I commanded.
For once, Hokoria didn’t protest—she materialized before me.
Her black hair flowed down her back, perfectly matching her black dress.
She narrowed her eyes at me.
“You’ve changed, boy.”
“I have?
I mean, I know I have, but what specifically changed?”
“Your face, obviously.
You look less stupid now.” I sighed inwardly.
Why did I expect a compliment from this prideful spirit?
Pushing aside her lack of emotional awareness, I asked what was really on my mind.
“Back at the vault, when I used your ability, was that your first curse?”
Hokoria paused to consider before answering.
“It was.”
“So, do you mind telling me exactly what it does and how it worked?”
“Tsk.
Do I look like your mother?
Figure it out yourself and don’t bother summoning me.” But before she could disappear again, I clamped my hand around my chest.
I felt the pain but ignored it.
“Tell me,” I demanded.
Hokoria’s mismatched eyes stared daggers at me.
I realised that whenever I pressed my hand to the tattoo and gave a command, Hokoria obeyed—maybe that’s why she didn’t want a master.
“My first curse uses the user’s pride and forges it into killing intent.
The stronger your pride, the stronger the intent.
Now let me sleep, brat,” her authoritative voice rang through the room.
I let go and watched as the spirit vanished.
I exhaled, only then realising I’d been holding my breath.
So my pride could be turned into killing intent?
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t good.
Still, it felt a bit lacking compared to the curses and blessings of the other legendary swords.
I sighed and flopped onto the bed.
Three hours left.
In just three hours, I’d take the entrance exam—and I was determined to claim the Black Star position.