Chapter 105: The Core Dilemma

[4th May]

Ding!

A notification popped up in front of Rey, who was just thinking about finally taking a long-awaited shower.

He immediately checked the system, sensing that this notification might bring a major shift to his foundation.

[System has detected the host's mana levels reaching the minimum frequency required to build a Mana Core.]

[The host is advised to create it before advancing to the next power realm.]

[Failure to form the core may damage the host's foundation and result in loss of control over higher-level mana.]

[

Warning

: Delaying core formation while harboring such high mana levels may cause internal damage.]

"Now what's this supposed to be?"

"Oh, it actually came at the right time. Honestly, if it didn't, I was sure you'd just skip that stage like an idiot. Thanks for this, System."Aiden, who had been dormant inside him, suddenly popped out and glanced at the notification.

"Huh? So now I've gotta form a core? They never mention this kinda stuff in novels! How am I supposed to do that?!"

"You dumb monkey. Still thinking life is the same as those novels you read? Can't you just live like a normal person?"

"Was my life

ever

normal after

you guys

showed up?"

"I'm not talking about that! And besides, don't you have

us

? Can't you trust us even once? We're literally here to help you, yet you doubt we even know the

basics

."

"But weren't you the one who said you wouldn't help me anymore?"

"Sigh... I said we won't help you

in battle

, not with this kind of stuff. Do you even use that muscle-brick head of yours to think?"

"But still—"

"Shut up."

"But—"

"Shut. UPPP."

(┬┬﹏┬┬)

Rey just nodded pitifully and dragged himself to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Aiden started planning how to help Rey form his core.

He needed to understand the current environment and find a suitable location.

As he went to work, a far greater storm was brewing outside.

All across Lumina City, an intense, covert search was underway. Hidden gangs and higher-ups were being mobilized to find the notorious thief—

The Raven Blade

.

His name had surfaced only a few days ago during a mysterious incident, prompting full surveillance across the affected district. Oddly enough, that area happened to house the remnants of the former Duke's family—supposedly innocent and not worth disturbing.

Little did they know, the thief they were looking for was right under their noses.

Meanwhile,

Darius

, the man most humiliated by the incident—both physically and in terms of reputation—was in his office, seething with shame.

A group of investigators stood before him, demanding answers.

"So Mr. Darius, we'd like to hear everything. Details, timelines, descriptions. Who was the intruder? We need a full report if we're to find him."

"I'll tell you, but I swear—if this leaks to the public, you're dead."

"It won't, sir. This stays internal. Please, go on."

Darius took a deep breath.

"So, what happened was… I was asleep when I got a call from my assistant that someone had broken into my office. I immediately ordered our men to surround and capture the intruder as I rushed to the center…"

He continued, deliberately omitting details that sounded too fantastical—like the darkness that consumed everything, or the eerie hands.

No one would believe that.

"…and after that, he vanished. Took my hand and weapon with him. My guards arrived too late."

"Hm… so you're claiming the thief was a biologically-enhanced warrior?"

"Yes. I'm absolutely certain. He regenerated damage

instantly

. Not even an Acolyte or Disciple rank can do that—he did it twice. His blood was pitch black, and it barely spilled despite the injuries. It wasn't… normal."

"Alright. We've noted everything. You can rest assured—the city's already sealed. Nobody enters or leaves without checks. We'll find him."

Darius suddenly smashed his fist into the desk—

crack!

The entire table split in two.

"Rest assured?! I've been

disgraced

! A mere thief took my arm and humiliated me with a Stage 2 greatsword I couldn't even wield properly!"

The investigators stepped back in fear.

"Sir, please—calm down. We'll find him. I promise."With that, they left, leaving behind a stressed, fuming Darius.

Meanwhile, the one responsible for all this chaos?

He was currently lazing on his bed, fresh out of the shower, munching on snacks.

Jasmine and Emmy had already left for their own tasks, while Aiden was still busy scanning something.

"Aiden, you've been at it for hours. What

are

you doing?" Rey asked, half-asleep on the bed.

"I'm trying to find a suitable place for you to form your core. Damaging your already weak foundation is not an option. The sooner we do this, the faster we can move forward in training."

"So, did you find a spot?"

"Yeah. A good one. But... it's outside the city."

"How far?"

"Eh… just about 10 to 12 kilometers."

"Oh, that's not too ba—wait. WHAT?! 10 to 12 kilometers?! Are you crazy?! My mom's

never

gonna let me out for something like that! What do I tell her?'Hey Mom, mind if I go form my mana core outside the city?' and she'll be like, 'Sure, son. Don't forget your sword and bag.' Huh?!"

"You idiot. Use your brain! This is about your

foundation

. If that's at stake, lie a hundred times if you have to!"

"But you

know

how scary my mom is! She'll kill me!"

"Then sneak out. We'll leave after dinner and be back by early morning. Simple."

"…Hmm. Maybe we can try that." Rey finally gave in after thinking it over. He checked his phone—his sister would be home in a few hours. It was already approaching evening.

He decided to study a bit while he had time. His final exams were scheduled for the 15th of May, and he was seriously behind.

Time flew. His sister came home and went to her room. Rey studied a little more, then took a short break, flipping through TV channels. Nothing interesting.

Just as he was about to turn it off, he landed on a news channel.

It was about

him.

Reports from Lumina City and nearby areas stated that surveillance was underway to track down a thief who broke into the Martial Center. All nearby towns were being checked, with even forest zones under investigation.

Rey was surprised at how discreet the official search seemed. Clearly, most of the effort was happening in the shadows—

underworld style

.

After a few more random segments—including one about a new Martial College being built—Rey got bored and headed upstairs.

As he unlocked his room and entered, his eyes landed on something still lying on his bed.

The small

safe-box

he had snatched from the Martial Center.

"Hm. I should open this and see what's inside," Rey muttered, picking it up.

Just then,

Victor

popped out, eyes shining.

"Kid! Rude! Opening treasure

without

me? I'm the treasure freak here!"

"I haven't even opened it yet!"

"Still! Betrayal!"

"Yeah, yeah. Go pout in the corner. I'm opening this."

"Wait! I'm joining you!" Victor declared, floating next to him.

The box was covered in zero matter. Zero scanned it thoroughly, then started manipulating her matter. Within seconds, a key was formed in front of him.

Rey tried it on the safe, but it didn't open.

Turns out, a passcode was also required.

His brain froze—he hadn't expected

that

.

Just then, his shadow expanded unnaturally.

A dark, elemental hand emerged… holding a slip of paper.

Confused, Rey took it. A seven-digit code was written on it.

He keyed it in—and

click!

The lid opened slightly. Both Rey and Victor leaned in, eyes wide.

And when the lid finally revealed what was inside…

Both of them were left

speechless.

What lay within wasn't just unexpected—it was

unbelievable.

To Be Continued…