[Bone-Iron Constitution – Level 3 (2217 / 3000)]
The morning after Mira's warning—and borderline flirtation—Arin woke up in the medical shed, smelling like fermented blood, old herbs, and disappointment. His swollen eye had shrunk a little, but one of his toes still pointed 37 degrees to the left.
Progress, baby.
He grinned.
Ding. [EXP Bonus: Emotional Recovery - +3]
[Bone-Iron Constitution – Level 3 (2220 / 3000)]
"Nice. Pain... and healing pain? This system's either a masochist or a fitness instructor."
The door burst open.
"Fools! Idiots! Egg yolk-brained degenerates! WHO PUT LEECHES IN THE TEA?!"
The voice belonged to the Sect's most underpaid, underappreciated, and under-slept medic: Elder Paiku. He was 4 feet of fury with the personality of an exploded kettle. Behind him trailed a chubby, red-cheeked disciple with crumbs all over his robe.
"He said they were raisins!" the fatty whined.
"Raisins don't squirm, Boji! Raisins don't scream when you chew them!"
Boji—the sect's resident food hoarder, self-declared 'Spiritual Chef', and walking jellyball of joy—pouted. "It's called exotic cuisine. You wouldn't understand."
Arin chuckled, then groaned. His ribs remembered last chapter.
Ding. [Minor Fracture Irritation: +2 EXP]
[Bone-Iron Constitution – Level 3 (2222 / 3000)]
Boji noticed. "Yo, you're that masochist, right? The one who levels up by getting pounded?"
"Arin. And yes. Pain is my protein."
Boji plopped down beside him, unwrapping what suspiciously looked like a bun stuffed with something that moved.
"Name's Boji. My cultivation technique's called 'Stomach of the Heaven's Beast.' Basically, I eat. A lot. And sometimes burp spiritual fire."
Arin blinked. "…You burp fire?"
"Yeah. Killed a chicken once. Accidentally barbecued it mid-prayer. Sect leader cried."
Before Arin could respond, a timid voice whispered at the door.
"H-Hi… I brought the pain ointment…"
The girl was tiny, wore oversized sleeves, and avoided eye contact like it was poison. She tiptoed inside, tripped over the threshold, and face-planted next to Arin's foot.
Boji: "That's Yui. She's new. Shy. Can communicate with spirit rabbits. Or so she claims."
"I-I can!" Yui said defensively, her cheeks flushing. "They just don't always… reply."
Ding. [Emotional Disturbance Detected: +1 EXP]
[Bone-Iron Constitution – Level 3 (2223 / 3000)]
Arin smiled politely. "Thanks for the ointment. I'd apply it myself but I'm not sure my spine bends that way anymore."
Yui squeaked and ran out.
---
That afternoon, a summons bell rang.
All outer sect disciples gathered in the arena. Stone seats, dusty banners, and the ghost of respect long since lost.
Elder Roga stood in the center, his robes billowing, his face like someone had just insulted his turtle.
"The Outer Sect Tournament begins in one week," he declared. "Any disciple may register. Even... the punching bags."
Everyone turned to Arin.
He waved cheerfully.
A stone hit his face.
+3 EXP.
[Bone-Iron Constitution – Level 3 (2226 / 3000)]
"But beware," Elder Roga continued, "for this year's tournament will include a guest sect… and their chosen champion. The Thunder Fang Sect's prodigy: Huin Thorne."
The name sent ripples through the crowd.
Whispers.
"That's the guy who crippled five people with one palm."
"He trained in the Death Gorge for 8 months!"
"Didn't he make a girl confess by hitting her dad?"
Arin: "…Bold strategy."
Mira appeared beside him, silent as fog.
"You should join."
"Me? I get EXP by getting hit, not by doing the hitting."
She looked amused. "So provoke the right people. Provoke him."
Arin stared. "You want me to fight a demonic prodigy with thunder fists and daddy issues?"
"Yes."
"…You're into me, huh?"
Mira said nothing.
But her smile was sharp.
---
[System Notice: New Mission Available]
Tournament Arc: Step 1
Objective: Register for the tournament.
Bonus Objective: Insult at least 3 prodigies during sign-up.
Reward: +200 EXP, Skill Fragment (Unknown), ???
Failure Penalty: Title Upgrade – [Masochistic Maniac] becomes [Flirtatious Fool] – Charm MAX (Female Only) for 3 Days
Arin sighed. "System, I swear if you make me sparkle again, I will eat rocks."
Ding.
[Mission Accepted. Good luck, Prettyboy.]
---
Let the blood-soaked comedy begin.