Leon looked around. "Uhhh! How can I leave this place?" He mumbled.

He was wondering how to return to the real world. But just then...

A sharp pull behind him. Before he could react...

The space itself rippled like water and swallowed him whole.

Everything went black.

Leon opened his eyes again. He was back in his room. Sweaty clothes clung to him tightly. But his breathing was steady.

"The things I just experienced... was that for real or just that same dream ending in a different way?"

As the question formed in his mind, the familiar panel shimmered into existence before him like a hologram.

[Host: Leon Bale

Cultivation Rank: Body Refinement Realm — Level 5

Physique: Heaven-Devouring Physique — Level 1

Bloodline: Nil

Soul Status: Nil

Special Ability Awakened: Nil]

Leon’s lips slowly curved into a smile. "It’s... It’s real."

Excitement. Relief. Disbelief. All were there.

He felt the surge of power. His body was light, his sight clear and focused. And his mind? Calm. Focused. Sharp.

But before he could fully savor the moment...

Knock! Knock!

"Brotherrrrr! Did you already fall asleep right after coming from college? Waaake upp. Otherwise don’t cry when the food gets cold."

A familiar voice. It was soft, melodious, but authoritative.

"Coming!"

Leon quickly walked toward the door and pulled it open.

A beautiful girl around fifteen or sixteen was standing there. Her arms were crossed and left eyebrow raised.

"I knew it! You were totally sleeping! Aren’t you supposed to either study or wor....."

She couldn’t complete. She froze for a moment.

Her face turned slightly red. "W-what were you doing...?"

"Just working out." He replied with a smile.

It was his sister, Jenny.

"Work out? You aren’t on steroids, are you?" The girl asked with scrutinizing eyes.

"Huh! Steroids?" Leon was surprised. Then... He playfully pinched her nose. "Are you stupid? Go prepare the lunch. I am coming."

"Humph!" The girl pouted but didn’t say anything. She headed toward the dining hall but didn’t forget to steal one more glance. ’People can change like that overnight? Even if not steroids, something fishy is surely going on.’ She thought.

Leon walked back inside. He grabbed a towel and was about to go to the washroom.

But suddenly... He stopped.

His eyes darted toward the dressing table mirror. Something urged him to look closer.

He stepped back and slowly walked toward the mirror... And then...

He completely froze when he saw his own reflection in the mirror.

"This... this is me?" He stammered.

The person in the mirror looked like a totally different person. Sharp eyes. Clear skin. A face brimming with vitality. And the body? Sweat-soaked tunic clung tightly to him, outlining every single muscle. They were defined and perfectly shaped. His shoulders were broader, chest tight, and his abs packed.

It wasn’t just an improvement. It was a transformation.

"It’s like... I’ve become someone else entirely..."

Shock, excitement, and disbelief swirled inside him. The new Leon Bale stared at himself — a stranger with familiar eyes and a promising future.

And for the first time in years... he didn’t hate the man in the mirror.

After spacing out for a while, Leon finally walked into the bathroom and took a comforting shower. When he finished, he began putting on his usual clothes. But, they felt tight right away. The sleeves clung to his arms, stretched over the newly formed muscles, and even his shoulders strained against the fabric.

Not wanting to go out looking like that, he searched through his drawers for something looser. Eventually, he found an oversized set of clothes and put them on. The sleeves hung all the way down to his elbows, and the rest of the outfit was loose, too.

"Now this looks normal," he chuckled softly and headed outside.

His sister was placing the dishes on the table. As Leon stepped out of his room, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

Leon pulled out a chair and sat on it. She also sat down across from him.

"How are your classes going, Jenny?" Leon asked as he started eating.

There was no response. Leon was puzzled. He looked up and found Jenny was staring at him in a daze.

He waved his hand in front of her face. "Hello? Mam? Are you there?" Leon chuckled.

She snapped out of it. "What are you doing? Eat your food," she said quickly, looking slightly flustered. She started eating as well.

Leon smiled. "How are your classes going?"

"They’re good," Jenny replied this time.

"If you need anything, just tell me," Leon said. ’I’ll start earning soon. It’s time I ease her burden a little,’ he thought. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Nope. I have everything I need at the moment. You don’t need to worry."

Leon sighed softly. He knew she lacked many things, but given their situation, she didn’t want to burden him. She was always like that — thoughtful.

"Did you visit Mom?" Jenny asked.

"I didn’t have time today. Let’s go see her tomorrow after class. I will come to pick you up and then we can go together."

"Sure."

The meal ended quickly. After chatting for a while, Leon returned to his room.

For some reason, Jenny felt that her brother had changed. He seemed more lively today — almost different. There was a subtle shift in the aura around him. Though she didn’t understand what had happened, she felt genuinely happy for him.

After Leon left, she began cleaning up, humming softly to herself.

Meanwhile, Leon returned to his room.

"What’s next? That person said I’m still not strong enough. And before I can enter the gates, I need to complete a mission," he muttered.

"System?" he called.

The panel shimmered into existence immediately.

Before he could even ask anything, lines of text began appearing.

[Mission: Eliminate the pack leader and all monsters within the gate.]

[Gate Location: Follow the route marked on the map to reach the designated area.]

[Mission Unlock Time: 30:00:00]

[Rewards:

Monster Cores

Heaven-Grade Curse Eradicator Key]