[Yes.]

  “Oh no, no!” Yun Jin replied, shaking his head firmly. “I decline. Power isn’t free, and I’ve seen what happens when people take shortcuts. I don’t trust you that much, mysterious floating text.”

  The system flickered briefly, unperturbed, before displaying a new message.

  [It is not power in the direct sense, but knowledge, unique traits, or tools. Skills, items, and classes purchased provide potential, but mastery and effectiveness depend entirely on the user.]

  Yun Jin’s lips pressed into a thin line. He tapped a finger against the hilt of his blade, pondering the response. The explanation didn’t seem dishonest—but he’d seen enough demonic martial artists fall into ruin to stay cautious.

  “So, you’re saying you’re just... teaching me?” Yun Jin asked, voice skeptical. “That’s it?”

  The system responded promptly:

  [Correct. Skills and items are based on rank rarity. Knowledge is provided, but usage, discipline, and growth are the user’s responsibility. The Shop offers no shortcuts—only possibilities.]

  Yun Jin stared at the screen a moment longer, then let out a short, sharp laugh.

  “Why didn’t you just say so earlier?” he said, grinning. “Knowledge, huh? That’s different. Knowledge is always welcome.”

  He crossed his arms, his expression growing pensive. “But still, you say there are no shortcuts.” His tone hardened. “What’s the catch?”

  The screen flickered briefly before displaying:

  [The system’s primary purpose is to nurture challengers for harder challenges.]

  Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. “It does give me real battles,” he murmured, lips twitching into a faint smile. “I suppose it checks out.”

  A glowing list unfurled before him in the dim air. Yun Jin noticed three separate categories: Classes, Skills, and Items. His eyes first drifted over the Classes:

  [Classes:]

  -Arcane Blade Master (Rank S – 100 Points): A legendary hybrid class blending swordsmanship with elemental magic.

  -Shadow Assassin (Rank A – 75 Points): Specializes in stealth and precise, critical strikes. Unlocks advanced infiltration and assassination techniques.

  -Necromancer (Rank B – 50 Points): Summons and controls the dead, wielding forbidden necrotic arts. Unlocks dark mana manipulation.

  -Mage (Rank C – 25 Points): Focuses on elemental spellcraft and manipulation, a versatile caster class.

  -Barbarian (Rank D – 20 Points): Excels in raw power and relentless offense, sacrificing finesse for devastating physical attacks.

  -Warrior (Rank E – 10 Points): A foundational class offering basic combat proficiency and physical durability.

  Yun Jin’s gaze paused on Arcane Blade Master, reading the description with faint intrigue. “That’s not so different from what I do now,” he murmured. “But I haven’t earned a title like that. I want something new.”

  He continued scanning and settled on Mage. Curiosity sparked in his eyes. “Magic, huh? I’ve never touched it before.”

  He tapped on the Mage class.

  The system answered instantly with a description:

  [Mage (Rank C) purchased.]

  [Initializing mana circuits. Synchronizing with user’s qi reserves…]

  A strange sensation coursed through Yun Jin’s body. It was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant—like unlocking a door he’d never known existed. A faint hum resonated deep inside, followed by a steady pulse.

  [Mana Circuit Initialized (Rank E-): The foundation of magic. Allows the user to channel mana for spells and techniques. Efficiency and reserve size depend on circuit rank.]

  Then, more text:

  [Qi and mana are two expressions of aura, the universal energy. Qi is tempered and internalized within the body, while mana flows outward, shaped and directed by the magic circuit. Strength depends on reserve size, circuit quality, and control.]

  [Elemental Affinity: Light (Rank E-). You are attuned to the element of light, granting potential access to its magical properties.]

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Interesting…” Yun Jin’s gaze flickered.

  What can I do with it? he wondered.

  Curiosity pushed him to experiment. Guiding the wild flow of mana through his circuit, Yun Jin focused on his palm. At first, it was erratic and unruly, but as he steadied his breathing and channeled his precision, the energy compressed.

  With a sudden surge, a bright flash of light burst from his hand, flooding the dark battlefield with brilliance. He shielded his eyes, momentarily blinded by its intensity.

  As the glow faded, Yun Jin’s lips twitched into a faint grin.

  “Let’s see what else you got,” he murmured, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

  [Skills:]

  -Mystic Eyes of Revealing (Rank S – 100 Points): Grants the ability to perceive auras, hidden energies, spiritual presences, and concealed objects.

  -Phantom Clone (Rank A – 75 Points): Creates a solid projection of the user for combat or misdirection, retaining 50% of the user’s physical abilities.

  -Weapon Mind (Rank B – 50 Points): Establishes a connection with weapons, unlocking hidden potential and enhancing combat synergy

  -Lightfoot Technique (Rank C – 25 Points): Enhances agility for faster movement, better evasion, and complex footwork.

  -Aura Quicken Pulse (Rank D – 20 Points): Improves aura regeneration for a brief period, aiding recovery in battle.

  -Basic Swordsmanship (Rank E – 10 Points): Provides fundamental sword techniques for beginners.

  [Items:]

  -Fragment of the Fallen World (Rank S – 100 Points): A fragment of a destroyed world core, capable of creating a personal dimensional space tied to the user’s soul.

  -Celestial Iron Sword (Rank A – 75 Points): A mastercrafted blade forged in a dying star’s heart, tempered with molten mithril, and honed using diamond scales.

  -Starfire Dagger (Rank B – 50 Points): A sleek dagger forged from rare starfire ore. Its blade glimmers with faint embers, channeling heat-based techniques.

  -Runestone of Vitality (Rank C – 25 Points): A carved stone that boosts natural healing and endurance once attuned (permanent).

  -Whetstone of Endurance (Rank D – 20 Points): Permanently enhances a blade’s sharpness and durability, increasing lethality.

  -Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E – 10 Points): A sturdy, reliable iron blade suitable for training or combat.

  Yun Jin’s gaze halted on Weapon Mind under the Skills section.

  “Communicate with weapons? Unlock hidden capabilities?” he mused, a faint smile forming. “I’ve always treated my blade as a companion, an extension of myself. This… could be interesting.”

  He tapped the choice without hesitation.

  [Weapon Mind (Rank B) purchased. 50 Points deducted.]

  A ripple washed over his consciousness. The presence of his sword at his side grew clearer, more vivid, almost as though it recognized him at last.

  Yun Jin curled his fingers, testing the connection. The faintest echo of understanding seemed to flow back to him.

  “A good choice,” he murmured, pleased.

  Now 25 points remained. His keen gaze scanned the items next. It settled on the Iron-forged Shortsword.

  “Simple, reliable.”

  He didn’t need anything fancy—power lay in the wielder, not the tool.

  [Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E) purchased. 10 Points deducted.]

  A flash of light materialized the weapon. Yun Jin reached out, gripping the hilt. It felt sturdy and well-balanced.

  This will do nicely.

  [15 Completion Points remaining.]

  Yun Jin glanced at the shop list, noting the leftover points. He felt no rush to spend them. Better to hold on to them for something that truly caught his interest.

  “Hmm… with all these skills, I wonder if I…”

  Yun Jin shut his eyes, letting the world go silent. Inwardly, he focused on the two distinct energies within him:

  Qi and mana—two facets of aura, the universal life force.

  Qi was tempered and internal, cultivated by refining outside aura within the body. Mana was outward, drawing in energy and expelling it externally.

  He frowned slightly in concentration. Mana’s strength relied on three things: how large the user’s reserves were, how efficient their circuits, and how well they controlled the flow.

  The magic circuit served as a conduit, determining how much energy could pass and how precisely it could be directed.

  “Channeling Qi into the blade to connect with it—that’s martial arts 101,” he muttered.

  He guided Qi into the weapon’s structure, just as he had countless times. The sword hummed softly, its weight shifting as the energy bonded with its core. But now it felt different.

  With Weapon Mind, he sensed every fraction of the blade, as though it truly merged with him. It was no mere instrument—it was part of his own being, moving in perfect sync with his will.

  “Qi flows inward,” he murmured. “Then mana flows outward.”

  Time to explore the unknown. Yun Jin turned his focus toward his newly formed mana circuits, sending the energy out, coating the blade like a shimmering film.

  The process was delicate. Gradually, mana blended with the Qi suffusing the blade, pulsing outward in steady waves.

  A soft glow radiated from the sword—pure white, like moonlight trapped within the steel. The radiance pulsed gently, calm and unwavering.

  He opened his eyes, a spark of satisfaction flickering in them.

  [You have unlocked a skill: Aura Blade (Rank D-)]