Stalker

"Stubborn"

The only word that came to mind whenever he thought about the blacksmith, who was, in all certainty, a blacksmith.

He had expected to see him engage in many activities—maybe see his family or drink at the tavern like the rest of the villagers do—but no, hammer and anvil, day and night.

His workshop often received buyers eager to purchase some of his items. Each time, he offered one-word responses while hammering ceaselessly. He would tell customers a number, and they would then drop the coins on the table, which he wouldn't check to see if it was the right amount.

Observing him, Zhihui realized that the blacksmith—who he found out was called "Roland" but didn't think was his actual name—seemed to have no friends or family. Apart from his hammer and anvil, he rarely interacted with anyone.

*CLANG *CLANG* *CLANG*

In Roland's workshop, you mostly heard the clinking of metal, the muffled thud of burning coal, and occasional sizzles. It was all work and no play—no laughter, sighs, or frustrations. Just the constant sound of a hammer hitting anvil. He wondered if Roland ever thought about anything else.

At first, Zhihui believed Roland just loved his job on top of being a hard worker. But as the weeks passed, his curiosity grew. It couldn't be that simple.

How could someone be so single-minded? He'd head to the bakery with a grumpy face, as if annoyed at having to step away from his workshop just to eat. Then come back with a big hunk of stale bread, sit on a stool, eat fast, and doze off, only to wake up half an hour later.

Before starting his craft, -which Zhihui liked to call 'Stubborn Blacksmith Arts', Roland's weathered hands, familiar with the weight of both dreams and hammers, caressed the cold surface of the anvil.

With purpose etched across his face, he rose and gripped his trusty hammer, striking the red hot metal.

It was him and his hammer against the world.

Being the only blacksmith in the village, Roland had a reputation among the villagers. Many midwives also spoke of the man's attractiveness.

Once, a daring young lady with a cute face and hourglass figure entered his workshop. She browsed around the store, pretending to have trouble finding what she was looking for while making flirtatious remarks.

But she left with irritation, as Roland never took his eyes off the anvil. Zhihui thought maybe Roland had a Sage Mode skill; his concentration was that crazy.

What piqued Zhihui's interest the most was his determination. He certainly knew the blacksmith had a goal, but what that goal was, he just couldn't see deep enough to know...

...

Zhihui remained in a lotus position, seated outside the blacksmith workshop. He stayed in that same spot for the last three months. He had learned of Roland's routine, and he reckoned the man would leave to see the miners soon.

He was right. A couple of moments later, the clamors of metal banging against metal stopped, and Roland emerged from the workshop.

With a deep breath, Zhihui stood up slowly. "Master was right," he said. "People truly are more than what they seem."

'During this time, I've learned a lot about you, Roland,' he thought with closed eyes as his face turned dismal. 'We're like best friends now, but you're still keeping secrets from me.'

**'Mind Split'**

*ZZAP* 

[ Mind-Spilt { Soul Skill} {LVL 1}

Allows the user to divide their consciousness into two distinct streams of thought, effectively doubling the speed of thoughts and catapulting them into a heightened state of multitasking.

{ lvl 1: Each mind has half the mental capabilities of the main mind }

Like a chess grandmaster simultaneously contemplating multiple moves against two different opponents.

At higher levels, the Split Mind skill enables a greater level of mental dexterity and mastery. And Increases the mental capabilities of each mind. 

{ Cost; Mental Energy } { Cooldown: N/A } ]

[ CAUTION! ] 

[ 15% UNKNOWN VARIABLE 353 INTERFERENCE ]

[ PROCEED? ]

'Proceed'

In the ethereal realm of Zhihui's mind, a dazzling cube appeared, its majestic form rotating with an otherworldly elegance.

At first, the cube's rotations were deliberate, each face etched with ancient runes that seemed to pulse with dormant energy.

Then, a subtle transformation occurred, as if the very essence of the cube resonated with an invisible force.

The cube responded with heightened fervor, its rotations evolving into a vertiginous whirlwind.

The runes, once dormant, erupted to life, dancing in a mesmerizing choreography that painted the mental canvas with arcane brilliance.

He endured the searing sensation of his mind being forcibly wrenched apart, the pain didn't persist for long though, as soon after he experienced a magical feeling.

In his mind, there now seemed to be two people—well, three. He could control both of them, but at the same time, he could only control one.

It was like a man with no arms suddenly growing a left and right arm; he could move both of them simultaneously, but moving his right arm wouldn't make his left move.

'Weird' 'Weird' 

Both of his minds thought, 'This skill is more taxing than I predicted, but it'll work.

'Let's begin' 'let's begin'

He had one of his consciousnesses channel his Qi. During these three months, Zhihui had been using sage mode once each day as he spectated Roland, giving him a more refined control of his Qi compared to before.

His meridians pulsed with excitement, emitting a vibrant grey Qi from his body.

The remaining mind began to focus on himself; although he couldn't peer as deeply into himself as he could when using Sage Mode, it was enough to get close.

Inside his soul space, he saw a cube revolving majestically, glistening with bright blue hues, and not too far from it, waving at him with a sadistic smile was...he didn't want to mention it.

'Become empty...empty...okay...' After thinking about this, he let go. He began doing what he did best, forgetting everything. While he had not developed any brain mutation yet, he still recollected the sensation of losing his memories every day, so he tried to recreate it.

He imagined himself as a picture painted on a canvas. Looking at the painting of his life that could only be described as chaotic, an eraser appeared and obliterated everything.

He removed all semblance of his being from within that picture, and as he did, he felt a change within him. After clearing his mind to a point where it became a blank canvas, he thought of Roland.

During the course of three months, he had come to know a bit about his blacksmith friend: his facial expressions, the movement of his chest when inhaled and exhaled, the way he walked, his posture, the sound-tone of his voice,

his vocabulary, the burn marks on his arms, the callouses on his hands, the occasional grunts he would release whenever someone entered his store, plus many other details that a stalker of three months would know. 

He began painting everything that he had seen in the last three months. feeling that he had filled the canvas with all his knowledge on Roland, he ended the Mind Split skill.

The majestic cube within his mental space slowing until it reached a gradual spin. The runes on its surface lay dormant once again. With a relaxing sensation his mind reassembled itself.

Surprise washed over him as he opened his eyes. 'Woah, this is kinda..' His skin had turned a deep gray and became slightly translucent. He felt lighter, but that was not all; deeper within him he felt a sense of detachment. 

As his body shimmered, undergoing ethereal changes. The once-solid form became a fully transparent, grey mist, embodying an otherworldly essence. 

The familiar intangibility he knew so well returned, but this time, it felt different—more condensed, more substantial. 

No longer on the brink of vanishing, he exuded an aura of resilience, as if impervious to external forces.

Qi surged around his misty figure, swirling in a mesmerizing dance before coalescing into a form. Bones took shape, and muscles formed. The envisioned image of Roland materialized into reality—the legs, arms, torso, and even the somewhat attractive yet grumpy facial expression.

The once-grey mist gradually transformed into a human with a peachy complexion, short brown hair, and an uncanny resemblance to Roland. 'It's an imitation at best, the air of resolution and determination he has- I couldn't recreate it'

'Put side by side even a kid could tell who's the fake, sigh its an improvement though'

As the dissipating smoke revealed the fully manifested man, gasps echoed through the onlookers. Villagers, who had witnessed the entire mystifying spectacle, couldn't conceal their amazement.

Murmurs of astonishment and awe rippled through the crowd, leaving them in awe of the magical transformation they had just witnessed.

During these three months Zhihui had not gone unnoticed, often some of the midwives would offer him a place to stay for the night, or give him food and a few copper coins.

He would always reject the invitations but would accept the copper coins and food. His cute smile would warm their hearts encouraging them to offer more hospitality. Much to the envy of the other peasents.

Many suspected he had a relation to Roland, either he was his son, or wanted to be his disciple and just would not give up.

"Whoa, did you see that? that kid just turned into Roland!"

 "I thought I'd had too much ale, but nope, we all saw that right?"

 "SEE! I told you! that kid is a strange one, late at night, whenever I leave the tavern, I see him in that same spot, he's only a kid but never sleeps! and there was always a grey mist around him"

"Are you sure you were not just drunk and seeing things?"

"Me?! drunk?! not even ten thousand barrels of ale could make this great-

-Could he be a cultivator with strange arts?"

"No, when do cultivators ever come to our town? even then, I've never heard of cultivators who could transform-no, this kid..

is a magician..."

"A magician?! like in the legends?!"

 "Should we be worried? I mean, magic and all. What if he turns into a dragon next?"

"Idiot, if he could turn into a dragon, he would have already, that kid has been lingering outside Roland's workshop for months, there's clearly some relation, if he had such strength, he would have already settled the business with him!"

"That's true..."

 "Imagine the possibilities! If he can turn into Roland, who's to say he can't turn into a beauty with huge breasts!! If I were him I would transform and-" the middle aged man suddenly fell silent as multiple gazes with expressions full of disgust and disdain fell on him.

"..."

"Don't look at me like that!"

pointing towards one of the other men beside him before continuing

"Bai Jun, I know you were thinking the same!"

...

"..Brother..you-.." the one named Bai jun chuckled inwardly as he wore an expression of disbelief.

"..-.you should leave.."

'Traitor' He thought. Blushing with embarrassment, he walked away feeling ashamed.

 "But I wonder, what does he plan to do?"

Amidst the noise, Zhihui may have found amusement in the chaos, perhaps engaging in light banter or discreetly reveling in the transformative act. However, in this moment, he had shed the persona of Zhihui. Roland, now dominant, held no regard for the trivial musings around him.

Staring at the entrance of the workshop, he thought to himself;

'Stubborn Blacksmith Arts'