Chapter 2: First System Task.
[Ding! Heaven Plundering System Activated.]
Reon Stiffened.
"What…?"
"Someone just spoke in my mind?"
His breath Hitched.
"Heaven Plundering System? Could it be… a System like the one the Protagonist has?"
His mind raced.
If he recalled correctly, the protagonist's system issued Daily Missions, Weekly Tasks, Side Quests, and Main Scenario Missions—each offering System Points that could buy nearly anything from the System Store.
But unlike this one, it never gave choices.
Reon's breathing quickened.
Could this system make him as strong as the Protagonist?
He didn't know. But in a world where Strength was everything, Survival meant seizing any opportunity—no matter how Uncertain.
And right now, this system was his only Hope.
Then, suddenly, a translucent screen materialized before his eyes.
Judging by the calm expression on the Minor Elder's face, it was clear he couldn't see it.
Reon focused on the words unfolding before him.
.
.
[Option 1: Say "Who the hell do you think you are, barging into someone else's room and speaking like that?" to the Minor Elder.
Reward: A Beautiful Black Coffin (Common-Grade).]
[Option 2: Say "I refuse to accept this! I haven't done anything; it was Xue Taiyang who was responsible for everything! And I am another soul residing in his body."
Reward: A Beautiful Blue Coffin (Common-Grade).]
[Option 3: Say "I understand, and I will reflect on my actions in Frost Mountain Cave."
Reward: A Protection Item (Uncommon-Grade).]
[Option 4: Fight this man to death.
Reward: A R.I.P Ticket (Rare-Grade).]
.
.
Reon's eye twitched.
"You want me to confront him about barging into my room? Am I brain-dead?"
"That man could crush me with a mere flick of his finger!"
"I'm not so eager to court death."
His gaze darted back to the first reward.
"A... Coffin?"
"A beautiful... Black Coffin?"
"Are you seriously gifting me a luxurious resting place for my inevitable death?"
You Crazy Lunatic!
He turned to the second option.
"And this one practically screams 'Embrace your demise.'
What am I supposed to say? 'I'm not Xue Taiyang, just a soul that hijacked his body'?
Yeah, right. Even if he believed me, he'd probably execute me on the spot just to be sure."
Then, his eyes landed on the fourth option. His lips parted in disbelief.
"Fight him… to the death?
Against a man who's likely at the Peak Stage of Foundation Establishment Realm?
Are you joking?
Even if I had full control of this body, I'd last less than a second!
And what's the reward?
A Rare-Grade 'Rest in Peace' ticket?
If I die, I won't even have a chance to use it! I'd already be at peace—permanently!"
He exhaled sharply.
That left only one option.
The third choice was the Safest—and more importantly, it came with a Protection Item.
He had no idea what kind of protection, but in a world where even spirit chickens could end his miserable existence, any protection was better than none.
Reon clenched his jaw.
"I choose Option 3."
[Ding! The Host has selected the Third Option. Please complete the mission to receive the reward.]
Taking a steady breath, Reon spoke.
"I understand, Elder, and I will take time to reflect on my actions in Frost Mountain Cave,"
His voice was calm, measured.
The Minor Elder blinked, visibly taken aback.
This was the same Arrogant disciple who had caused endless trouble among his peers?
The same Disrespectful fool who had provoked the wrong opponent and ended up like this?
Yet now, he stood there—silent, composed, bowing his head ever so slightly in acknowledgment of his punishment.
No protest. No resistance.
The Elder studied him closely.
Was this the same Xue Taiyang? The boy who had once looked down on Minor Elders like himself, never offering so much as a nod of respect?
And yet…
That slight bow—humble, almost reverent—was an act unheard of from an Inner Disciple, especially from him.
It was enough to make the Minor Elder hesitate.
For years, disciples like Xue Taiyang had looked down on the likes of him—those who failed to ascend beyond the Foundation Establishment Realm, doomed to serve as Minor Elders, overshadowed by the prodigies of the sect.
He had long since grown used to their arrogance, their sneers.
But now?
This disciple, notorious for his rudeness, stood before him with quiet humility.
A spark of admiration flickered in the Elder's eyes before he quickly buried it beneath years of discipline.
He failed to realize the truth—that the Xue Taiyang before him was no longer the same.
That another soul had taken his place.
Instead, he believed that humiliation had changed the boy.
That being crushed by his junior had forced him to reflect. That he now sought Strength in Earnest.
For the first time, he truly looked at him.
His limbs were fractured, crudely wrapped in flimsy fabric, without even a trace of Healing Marrow Cream, the most basic medicinal salve used for minor injuries.
The sight stirred something unexpected within the Elder.
Without a word, he reached into his sleeve and flicked his fingers.
A small, glistening pill shot toward Reon.
Instinctively, he caught it, his eyes widening as the rich scent of herbs filled his senses.
"This..."
"This is a Mid-Tier Grade-2 Healing Pill," the Minor Elder said, his tone unreadable.
"Take it. Rest for a few hours, and your wounds will heal."
Reon stared at the pill, his heartbeat quickening.
A Mid-Tier Grade-2 Healing Pill.
A far superior curative compared to the Lower-Tier Healing Marrow Cream.
A rarity even among the top Outer Sect disciples.
Reon was stunned.
In the original novel, this same Elder had Despised Xue Taiyang's behavior. He had even broken his remaining arm, leaving him crippled and humiliated.
And yet… now?
He had given him such a Precious healing pill.
Could it be… that his unexpected display of respect had changed something?
The thought was absurd—yet here was the proof, resting in his palm.
A spark of realization ignited in his mind.
In a world where strength dictated everything… perhaps there were moments when humility wielded its own quiet power.
Reon tightened his grip around the pill. Then, with unwavering sincerity, he bowed once more.
"Thank you, Elder."
The Minor Elder observed him for a moment before nodding.
"Good. And next time, do not act so impulsively."
With that, he turned, his robes billowing as he prepared to leave.
Reon watched as the Elder Rose into the sky, his silhouette becoming smaller against the horizon.
And in that moment, as the Elder glanced back one last time, a single thought crossed his mind.
"This boy… has changed. It's as if he's an entirely different person."
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"It seems there's much to look forward to in the near future."