The mines were hungry.
Like something ancient.
Something that could eat a tank full of slaves and still want more.
The Primordial Crystals didn't give two fucks about anyone's life.
They were dangerous, Cute and Poisonous.
Killing innocents who had no hope of awakening.
I understood things the hard way.
My pick was already swinging before I was in control. Muscle memory. My body knew the rhythm better than my mind.
Then a loud crack.
A piece of crystal broke loose. It sliced me before I could react.
But I was already used to the pain.
Another crack.
Then more. Little pieces of the evil crystal falling around me.
I felt a sense of peace. No nagging from the 36,000 souls. They were expecting this. They weren't getting involved.
I entered the moment. Knowing not to ask questions. Not to destroy the quiet.
My hand moved on autopilot. Another crack. Pick it up. Start everything over.
The overseer came. Observing. Looking around.
Ensuring the slaves got no fishy business going.
His whip was shaped like a ghost rider's. Instilling fear without a single move.
My body continued on autopilot.
Then a ding.
My body locked up. Every muscle seized. I couldn't move.
Something was changing. Evolving.
Whatever you gamers love to call it. A divine bell inside me had snapped.
Had enough of my pathetic life.
Another ding.
The 36,000 souls broke their silence.
Wow, brat. Did you hear that?
I did. I'm confused about everything myself.
I was motionless. Too much happening in my head.
The other slaves went about their work. Speeding up.
Moving in rotation. Hoping to finish their quota.
A serene voice echoed. One voice. Gold colored.
[Initialization of Divine God System complete.]
I was completely confused.
[Detected host: Shàonián Wánměi. Age: 14. Status: Slave. Cultivation: None.]
[Consumed Primordial Crystals total: 12,547.]
Still lost. But it felt like I was on the right path.
[Reached threshold. First Chime Activated.]
[Reward: Amplification of physical body Tier 1.]
[Reward: Candidate can face off with Pulse Awakening cultivators and make it out alive (with injuries).]
[Caution: Host is still human. Being able to fight cultivators while not being one brings unwanted attention.]
The 36,000 souls exploded.
Are you saying this brat has some fight in him against a tier 1 trash? Wow, baby, that's progress.
He ain't a pushover now. Try and find out?
With this, be low-key. Don't bite above your pay grade.
This is massive for all non-cultivators.
Alright, silence. Don't overwhelm the poor boy.
Cold blood dripped as my arm gripped the pick.
I had a punching level against first-level cultivators. I wasn't completely helpless.
My death rate dropped 80%. But avoid fights. Protect only in dire situations. At risk of injuries.
It was more than anyone could ask for.
The warden came through again. Inspecting.
I gave him a hard look. Truly saw him. He was a problem.
I could punch him out of existence, but I'd be wounded.
The overseer was only at the 3rd stage of Pulse Awakening.
By raw brutal force and power, I could injure him. Kill him with a suitable weapon.
Just straight. Nothing else. No flying swords or whatever.
I returned to my default setting. Cold oozing blood. My brain chose to ignore it.
I was paying attention to my surroundings.
Thinking: if 12,000 crystals did this, what would 25,000 do? The system used tough love.
An insatiable hunger for crystals was brewing.
I became an overachieving worker.
That night, I retreated to my cell. Looked at the stars.
Started making plans and calculations while others slept. Dreaming. Getting refreshed for another day of overwork.
The math ran automatically. Number of days and weeks to get 25,000 crystals.
Then I remembered. The overseers had massive stockpiles. They sold some. Stored some.
I had to get more. At all costs.
[NEW SIDE QUEST: Acquire 500 crystals today by all means possible.]
[Reward for job done: Tier 2 physical amplification.]
[Special reward: Survive up to 6 tiers of Pulse Awakening.]
[Time limit: 30 days.]
[Failure: Unable to fulfill. I will deem you unworthy and go into sleep to rid myself of the shame of a pathetic candidate.]
My heartbeat increased. Fast. Like a house on fire. A hunger for power. For strength. To become a force of nature.