While cultivating, suddenly Leon’s eyes snapped open. "Wait. Didn’t the system say cultivation speed is 10 Qi per second? Why do I feel like I am absorbing way more?"

Leon looked at the panel. The last two notifications still glowed in the translucent screen.

[You have absorbed Qi.]

[Qi: 1,003,600]

"3600 Qi in this short time? How long did I cultivate? 1 minute? 2 minutes at best?" He paused for a second.

"System."

[Yes, Host.]

"What’s my current cultivation speed?"

[Host’s current cultivation speed: 30 Qi per second.]

"30? Didn’t the system say cultivation speed is 10 Qi per second?"

[The normal cultivation speed of the Mystic Monarch Ascension technique is 10 Qi per second. Host’s Heaven-Devouring Physique level 1 multiplies any technique’s speed by three times.]

"Three times? Damn! This physique is really something. And the system says my body is just at level 1 of Heaven-Devouring Physique. What’s going to happen when my physique levels up too?" Leon’s heart started pounding fast with excitement.

But just as he was savoring the moment, Emily walked up to him.

"It’s your turn now." She said flatly.

Leon looked up. He looked like someone had just splashed a bucket of cold water in his face. But he still got up.

"Sure."

Leon walked out of the cave. When he got out, the cold breeze swept past him, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Urrrggh! This cold is too much." He complained.

[The Host is being exposed to extreme cold.]

[Cold Resistance has increased slightly.]

[Cold Resistance: 6.33%]

"Wish I could accelerate this process. This cold is going to be the end of me, I swear." He clasped his hands and started rubbing the palms against each other.

Suddenly a notification popped up in the panel.

[A random mission unlocked for the Host.] 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

[Mission: A horde of 20 Snow Gnashers is detected at 400 metres southeast of the current location. Eliminate the whole pack within 60 seconds to initiate a lucky draw.]

"Ehhh a new mission, huh? My hands were itching for a fight."

Leon didn’t waste a single second and bolted toward the direction the system had told him.

He reached the location and stood behind a tree covered in snow.

50 metres ahead of him, a pack of monsters were passing from left to right. They looked like large white hyenas. Their bodies were lean but muscular and covered in dirty, snow-colored fur stained with red patches. Their sharp fangs could be seen easily, even from this distance, in the darkness.

"There they are. System?"

[Yes, Host?]

"Are you ready with the timer?"

[Affirmative Host.]

"Then let’s hunt some food."

Leon rushed forward. The hilt of the short sword popped out from the panel. Leon grabbed it while running and yanked the sword out.

Scrrrt! Scrrrt! Scrrrrt!

Each step dug in the thick snow and made sounds. The pack of monsters were alerted. Many of them were carrying chunks of flesh, blood dripping from them. Clearly loot from their hunt.

Seeing a prey charging at them, all turned toward Leon. Those who were carrying food dropped it without hesitation.

Graahhh! Grrrrrhhhh!

Grinding their teeth and fangs, they lunged forward as well.

’These F-class beasts should be a piece of cake for me.’ The first gnasher was already within attack range. Leon swung his sword. The blade reflected the gnasher’s face on it. First white. Then red. Blood splattered as the sword decapitated the first beast’s head.

Two more had jumped and were flying toward Leon, intending to bite his shoulders.

Leon fell on his back. Two upper kicks. Both monsters were hurled upward.

Leon sprang back to his feet and thrust the sword forward. A gnasher was charging forward but the sword pierced its head mercilessly.

Leon yanked the sword out and swung it upward. The two gnashers who were hurled upward were sliced in half.

Leon didn’t stop. He shot forward and moved like a shadow in the darkness.

5!

7!

[00:41]

[00:39]

10!

[00:33]

With each strike, a monster plummeted to the ground. In just two days, Leon had transformed. He was no longer the boy sleeping in class, being mocked for his lack of talent. If his classmates were here, their jaws would have surely hung open.

14!

[00:22]

The remaining monsters finally realized it. They hadn’t stumbled on a prey. They were the prey.

All remaining gnashers turned and started running.

"Think you can run from me? Not so fast guys."

Leon sprinted forward. He ran past a gnasher. His sword flashed in a side arc. The beast collapsed forward without its head.

He reached another one. The gnasher noticed it right away and was about to turn left. But Leon grabbed its throat and pulled it up with ease. Then, like a rag doll, he threw it forward.

The monster cut through the cold air and struck the remaining four who were still on their limbs, desperately trying to escape the Grim Reaper.

Leon stopped beside a gnasher and delivered a brutal punch. His fist slammed on its head and sent its upper half inside the ice.

Dead!

One beast was already on its legs and was about to run. Leon threw the sword. It whistled through the air and pierced through its back.

17!

[00:08]

"No, no, no. My reward!"

Leon forced his body to its maximum limit.

He reached the remaining three beasts and delivered punches one after another.

Blood soaked his fists.

[00:01]

20!

Leon collapsed on his knees. "It was..." His breaths were heavy and broken. His lungs gasped for air. "It was close." But a smile curved his lips.

[Mission complete.]

[Congratulations, Host.]

[You have received a lucky draw.]

A circular board appeared on the panel.

[Do you want to try the drawing now?]

[Yes] [No]

"Of course yes."

The board started to spin. Slow at first, then faster than the wheel of a running bike.

"What’s it gonna be? A new technique? Maybe a weapon? Or another curse eradicator key?" Leon’s mind was buzzing with excitement.

Then the draw stopped. Light glowed as an image popped out.

[Congratulations, Host.]

[You won a lollipop.]

Leon froze. He couldn’t process what he just saw. Then his veins bulged.

His hands dug inside the snow and tore a chunk of ice. He threw it at the panel like a grenade with rage.

"You are doing it on purpose, aren’t you. I am going to kill you." He cursed.