Sleeping had been difficult, with Drakon and Thalassa loudly celebrating their victory through the night. But years of martial arts training had taught him how to master his body and mind, including when to sleep and when to wake. He had rested just enough.
The first thing he did was check his stats.
Name: Li Wei
Previous Name: Alex Carter
Age: 18
Class: Unawakened
Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Strength: 14 (+0.1)
Agility: 16
Endurance: 11
Intelligence: 17 (+0.1)
Wisdom: 14
Charisma: 16 (+0.1)
Luck: ???
Skills:
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Dual Memory
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Fast Learner
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Language Comprehension
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Swordsmanship (Rank 2)
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Fire Affinity (Rank 2)
- Flame Arc (Rank 1): Channel Fire Affinity to unleash a horizontal flaming slash. Deals fire damage in a wide arc.
Perks:
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Reincarnator’s Insight
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Adaptive Physiology
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Enhanced Growth Rate
Reputation: 50
Title Gained: Beastslayer
All of his core stats had increased by at least one point since completing the quest. Strength and Agility had improved the most, each gaining two full points. He had also gained a new skill: Flame Arc (Rank 1). He could now channel his Fire Affinity to unleash a horizontal flaming slash, dealing fire damage in a wide arc.
"Defeating enemies and completing quests give a much higher boost. Faster progression," he muttered as he considered the system. "Training and negotiation give minor increases, but the big leaps come from action and achievement."
He had to get stronger. Strong enough to change this world. Strong enough to repair what had long been broken.
Luckily, he was not without help. Dual Memory. Fast Learner. Language Comprehension. Reincarnator’s Insight. Adaptive Physiology. Enhanced Growth Rate. Passive skills and perks that would ease the path forward, helping him grow faster than anyone else.
His only concern was his Endurance. Still his lowest stat. Still within normal human levels. If he wanted to lead troops and fight long battles, he needed to build stamina. Perhaps he needed specialized training. Specialized exercise to push his stamina to the limit so his Endurance can grow. That would come later.
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For now, he cycled through martial forms. Coiling the Earth-Serpent. Rising Crane Greets the Storm. Tearing the Mountain Veil. Movements that had once taken weeks to learn now came easily. His body remembered them instinctively. They no longer gave him obvious stat boosts, but they kept his technique sharp.
Later that morning, he met with Drakon and Thalassa. Drakon wore the smug expression of a satisfied man. For once, the grim-faced warrior looked almost cheerful. He had clearly enjoyed the night with his wife.
"We weren’t too loud, were we, young master?" Thalassa asked with a mischievous grin. She was half-dressed, her bronze armor still in her hands, her toned stomach and long legs bared to the breeze. Her physique was perfection carved in flesh, a living sculpture.
"You were loud enough for everyone to hear," Li Wei replied honestly.
"You could have joined us if you wanted," she teased, fastening her armor piece by piece. She spoke like it was a joke, but her gaze lingered on Li Wei longer than it should have. Drakon didn’t seem to notice.
"Maybe later," Li Wei said, brushing it off. He had more pressing matters today. The hunt for the Rakshasa den continued.
It was late in the afternoon when Mei Lin returned from scouting.
"I found it," she reported grimly.
The Rakshasa den was carved into the side of a rocky ravine. A cave system layered with filth and cruelty. The air stank of blood, decay, and old smoke. Misshapen weapons were scattered across the ground, forged crudely by monstrous hands. Banners stitched from human skin hung like trophies. Skulls of men, women, and children were mounted on pikes. Cookpots, blackened by fire, still carried the charred remains of bones too small to belong to adults.
"Burn everything," Li Wei said. His voice was steel. "Then perform a cleansing ritual."
They torched the den. Flames roared and black smoke rose into the sky.
There was one thing Li Wei did not destroy. The treasure.
A pair of battered chests held a glittering hoard. Gold ingots, silver coins from multiple kingdoms, rare gemstones, and ceremonial weapons inlaid with jade. There were ivory carvings from the southern kingdom of Kalagarh, silken robes from the far west, and even a crimson phoenix medallion from the imperial court. Spoils stolen from hundreds of victims.
Rakshasas did not trade as humans did. But like magpies, they hoarded anything shiny.
Li Wei examined the treasure and weighed his options. In the end, he chose generosity.
"My father, Li Baotian, gave me the authority to command this expedition," he told the gathered soldiers. "That includes any spoils we find. I will be sharing this treasure with all of you."
"Li Wei! Li Wei! Li Wei!"
Their cheers echoed through the ravine, louder than war cries. Soldiers chanted his name, their loyalty not just earned by command, but by coin. Even Drakon grinned wider than usual. Mercenaries respected power, but they loved gold.
Thalassa’s eyes gleamed when Li Wei placed a ruby the size of a quail egg into her hand.
"A stone of fire for a warrior of flame," he said.
"Thank you, young master," she replied, her fingers brushing his, lingering longer than they needed to.
Mei Lin received a silver-inlaid dagger, light and balanced, perfect for a scout. She bowed deeply in thanks, her eyes shining.
Brother Fatong accepted a pouch heavy with coins and rare incense. He laughed heartily as he tied it to his belt.
"You are a generous man, young master. May the heavens grant you a long life, many wives, and more children than you can count!"
Li Wei smiled but kept the most valuable items for himself. A rare sun jade pendant that radiated warmth. A lacquered scroll case lined with imperial seals. A dragon-scale relic blade, its edge still keen. These were not just trophies. They were tools for survival, bargaining chips, and symbols of growing influence.
By his estimation, the treasure was worth more than two thousand gold taels. Enough to equip a private army. Enough to hire seasoned mercenaries, bribe fickle nobles, or feed three thousand mouths through a harsh winter. Enough to make his father take notice.
Enough to begin changing the world.