"Let's do it. What could possibly go wrong by entering the realm of the Sword Empress?"
I mused to myself as I stood before the entrance of the Sword Empress's legacy realm.
In the game, the Sword Empress was the strongest mortal, second only to the First Hero. She was also a Transcended Star Mage—someone who wielded sword and magic like extensions of her own will.
This hidden realm is also her grave. In the game, the player unlocked this part of the story in the mid-game and learned from her when she was on the brink of death.
As the shut-in I was, I tried to save her in the game but it was impossible back then. But now that I have the system, anything is possible with enough C.P.
(Yes, you can buy anything you want from the shop. But you can't afford the good stuff. Because guess what? You're still broke.)
I heard a feminine voice filled with mockery in my head.
"Yes, yes, you are right, Pixia. I'm broke now, but wait until I reach the academy. I will get so many CP that even you would be shocked. I mean, with my absurdly handsome face and perfect body, which girl wouldn't fall for me?"
(With that delusional confidence, Host, you might actually fail on purpose just to enjoy the drama. Also, you are still broke. Just Handsome.)
"Ouch, that hurt!"
In this world, people become adults when they turn 16. I'm also an adult and 6'2 in height and a face so absurdly handsome that even I can't believe I look like that. My body is also perfect, athletic, and compact.
Pixia—the updated version of my system, which had gained a full personality when I reached the Expert rank a year ago, was like the female version of me if I were sarcastic, bossy, and a perfectionist.
(Which I am, thank you very much.)
Ever since she came online early, she's been... helpful. Annoying, but helpful.
I also used my free coupon to get the same bloodline as my physique, whose process was as painful as the last time.
(Good thing you didn't pass out like before, or I would have needed to go inactive again.)
Ignoring her, I also bought a elixir which grants me infinite stamina.
I also used my coupons for sex shop and bought the perfect technique and all knowledge on the art of se—Ahem. I mean culture.
(It means that you are just a pervert.)
Reaching Expert rank at 15 was no small feat, but with my physique which grants me perfect harmony with all forms of energies, and my overpowered skill Devour and Synthesis, I had steamrolled through any enemy in my path.
I checked my current status earlier this morning and it was insane:
---
STATUS
• Name: Ravin
• Age: 16
• Race: ????
• Vitality: 987
• Strength: 952
• Agility: 923
• Defense: 921
• Stamina: Infinite
• IQ: 140
• EQ: 170
• Mana: Incalculable
• Charm: 999+
• Luck: 200
• Stat Points: 52
• Rank: Expert+
• Potential: Limitless
• Bloodline: ???????? Functions:
Perfect Adaptability: You can adapt to any and everything. (Passive)
Elemental Overlord: You have perfect affinity with all elements. (Passive)
??? (Locked) (Active)
??? (Locked) (Active)
• Physique: ????????
SKILLS
• ???? Rank:
1.) Devour and Synthesis
• God Rank:
1.) Charm
2.) Acting
3.) Cooking
4.) Singing and Music
• Legendary Rank: 1.) Void Step (Synthesized): You can use this ability to instantly teleport short distances. Maximum Range: 5 meters. Cooldown: 30 seconds. (Active) – Additional Effect: Ignores physical obstructions during teleport. Enemies cannot track movement unless their perception surpasses yours.
• Unique Rank:
1.) Battle Instinct (Synthesized): You can predict danger thanks to your instincts and read the flow of battle. (Passive)
Grants +30% reaction time and partial foresight in combat. Cooldown:30 secs. (Active)
2.) Mental Fortress (Synthesized): You cannot be trapped in illusions or manipulated. Immune to all mental tampering, charm, or mind control. (Passive)
...
CP: 350000 (350k)
---
My race changed when I got my bloodline, but I can't do anything about it so I have moved on. Also, I got most of my CP from Alicia and a little bit from flirting with girls.
"Not bad for a former shut-in gamer, huh?" I smirked, brushing off some dust from my black coat. The entrance to the legacy realm shimmered before me, like reality itself was being torn and sewn back together repeatedly.
(Host, your narcissism is growing faster than your stats. Do you want me to subtract CP every time you admire your own reflection?)
"You wouldn't dare," I gasped sarcastically.
(... Would I?)
I ignored her. "Time to enter the grave of legends."
As I stepped through the shimmering veil, I felt the shift in mana instantly. My surroundings turned desolate and eerie, the air heavy with ancient power and something else… despair.
Skeletal remains of long-dead warriors were scattered across the cracked stone grounds. Sword marks were everywhere—walls, floors, even bones cleaved clean in half.
The deeper I walked in, the more oppressive it became. At the center of a grand hall, atop a throne made from swords of her fallen enemies, sat the person I had come to see.
The Sword Empress—Synthia Virelle.
She looked… almost like a statue. Her once-glorious long crimson hair was now dull and tangled. Her skin was pale, barely clinging to life. One arm was missing. Her clothes—once royal battle garments—were in tatters. Yet even now, the sheer majesty of her presence forced me to take a step back.
Her eyes opened. They were yellow, sharp, and filled with contempt. "Who dares… trespass in my realm?"
Whoa. Even dying, she was hot as hell.
"A humble fan," I grinned. "Well, actually, I'm here to save you. And maybe flirt a little. You know, win-win."
"...Are you mocking me?" she spat, trying to rise, but her body gave out.
(Host, I detect her soul is severely damaged. Her physical body is also in critical condition. We need to give her an elixir right now to prevent her soul from being damaged beyond repair.)
"I didn't come this far to fail again." I opened the shop.
System Shop > Potions > Healing > Soul & Body Restoration
There it was.
[Elixir of Transcendent Restoration] – Restores soul, body, and grants divine potential. Price: 1,000,000 CP.
Yeah, no. I had 350k.
Then I found it.
[Elixir of Lesser Rebirth] – Fully heal the physical body. Restores fragments of the soul enough to stabilize the patient, but may remain unconscious and weakened. Price: 300,000 CP.
It would keep her alive. It wouldn't fully restore her soul, but she wouldn't die either.
"Pixia," I said, gripping the elixir that had materialized in my hand, "How risky is this?"
(You'll drain most of your remaining CP. And she may wake up furious. She's known for hating weakness—even her own. You're basically about to nurse a wounded tiger with anger problems.)
I crouched beside her. Her breathing was shallow, her gaze slightly more focused now.
"You... fool…" she whispered. "Why… are you... trying to save… me…?"
"Because in my eyes, you're not just some relic. You're the Sword Empress—the one who defied the Gods. And most of all, it's because I hate bad endings."
I uncorked the elixir.
"And, well," I smirked, "you're definitely harem material."
She blinked slowly, confused.
"Don't worry, I'm amazing with women. This'll be just fine."
I brought the elixir to her lips.
And just before I poured it in—
Her fingers moved.
Her eyes widened.
"You dare—touch me, a dying sovereign, with such irreverence?"
I blinked. "Wow, your pride is stronger than your pulse."
"You insolent brat," she snarled weakly. "Even in death, I command more honor than any of your pitiful kind. Did you come here to rescue me for your… amusement?"
"Nope. I'm doing it for three reasons: One, because I can. Two, because you're way too badass to rot in this place. And three, because you look exactly like the kind of tsundere warrior goddess who would eventually fall for me."
Her glare intensified.
"Fall… for you? Me? I have slain kings who made less of a fool of themselves than you."
"Yeah, but I'm not a king. I'm me."
A pause. Even she didn't know how to reply to that.
I shrugged. "Look, you can yell at me all you want later. But for now, just stay alive. Please."
Then I poured the elixir into her mouth.
And as the light surged through her dying form, the Sword Empress trembled—not from weakness, but from something long forgotten.
Hope.