Liam''s Perspective


    I stood reborn in the depths of the Huge Pit, steam rising from my renewed flesh. The transformation had been beyond agony, beyond death itself. Yet here I was—whole, alive, and something entirely new.


    Looking down at my hands, I marveled at the subtle glow beneath my skin. Energy coursed through my veins like liquid lightning. I felt light, powerful, unstoppable.


    ra approached cautiously, her eyes wide with wonder. "Liam? Is that really you?"


    I smiled. Even my facial muscles felt different—tighter, younger. "It''s me."


    "You look..." she trailed off, struggling to find words.


    I knew what she saw. My body had beenpletely reconstructed. The lightning had burned away years of hardship and suffering. The scars that had marked my journey were gone, reced by unblemished skin. I felt at least a decade younger.


    "Different?" I offered.


    "Amazing," she whispered. "Your face... it''s like you''re someone else."


    I reached up and touched my cheeks. Smooth. Firm. The persistent stubble I''d always battled with was gone. My hair felt thicker, darker.


    "The Grandmaster realm changes more than just power," I exined. "It reshapes the body to its optimal state."


    ra pointed to my chest. "And that?"


    I looked down. A faint blue light pulsed beneath my skin, directly over my heart. The mark of thunder absorption—proof that I had not just survived my tribtion but had mastered it.


    "A souvenir," I said with a slight grin.


    Voices echoed from above. They were getting impatient.


    "I need that mask," I told ra, holding out my hand.


    She hesitated. "But you said—"


    "Just temporarily," I assured her. "I need a disguise until I''m ready to reveal myself."


    Reluctantly, she handed over the ancient mask she''d found. Its dark surface seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Perfect.


    "Stay close," I instructed as I secured the mask and pulled my hat low. "It''s time to greet our audience."


    With ra at my side, I began the ascent. Each step felt weightless. My power had increased at least a hundredfold, and I could sense everything around me with preternatural rity.


    The climb that had taken effort before was now effortless. We reached the surface in moments.


    ---


    Four figures stood at the edge of the pit. Sammy Ashworth paced excitedly, nked by Glenn Talbot and two others I didn''t recognize. One clutched a bleeding stump where his hand should have been. He''d clearly tried to interfere with my tribtion and paid the price.


    "Finally!" Sammy eximed as I emerged. "Where is it? Where''s the Dharma Treasure?"


    I helped ra out of the pit before straightening to my full height. Even with my face concealed, my presencemanded attention. The group fell silent, suddenly uncertain.


    "Sammy Ashworth," I said, my voice carrying a new resonance that made him flinch. "You made me a promise."


    Confusion flickered across his face. "Do I know you?"


    "You should. Your memory seems conveniently short."


    Sammy''s expression hardened. "Listen, friend. I don''t know who you are, but I''ve been tracking this treasure for months. Whatever you found down there belongs to the Ashworth family."


    Iughed quietly. The sound sent visible shivers through the group.


    "And what would you offer in exchange?" I asked.


    Sammy''s chest puffed out. "The gratitude of the Ashworth family is no small thing. We could use someone of your... talents. ept our patronage, and you''ll want for nothing."


    Glenn Talbot stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "Or we could just take it. There are four of us and only one of you."


    I smiled beneath my mask. "Is that what you believe?"


    ra moved closer to me, sensing the tension. I ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder.


    "I''m afraid I must decline your generous offer," I told Sammy. "But I am curious—do you remember a promise you made to a man named Liam Knight?"


    Sammy''s lip curled. "That failure? What about him?"


    "You promised him rewards for finding this pit. Yet here you are, ready to im everything for yourself."


    "Liam Knight is nothing," Sammy spat. "A desperate, pathetic man clinging to delusions of importance. If he''s sent you to advocate for him, you''re wasting your time."


    His dismissive tone would have stung the old me. Now, it simply amused me.


    "I see," I said softly.


    Sammy stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Now, the treasure. Hand it over, and we can part as friends."


    I allowed him to approach. When he was within arm''s reach, I moved—faster than human eyes could track. My hand closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease.


    Gasps erupted from the others. Glenn Talbot reached for a weapon, but froze when my eyes locked with his.


    "What''s happening to your friend there," I said calmly to Glenn while Sammy choked in my grip, "is what happens to men who break their promises to me."


    "Put him down!" shouted the man with one hand. "Do you know who you''re dealing with?"


    I loosened my grip just enough for Sammy to suck in a desperate breath. "Glenn Talbot," I said, still looking directly at the burly treasure hunter. "Tell me about Evelyn Norton."


    Glenn''s face went white. "Who?"


    "Evelyn Norton. The woman whose map you stole. The woman who died in these mountains because of you."


    Glenn''s shock gave way to a callous smirk. "That foolish woman? She was too weak for this profession. If she couldn''t protect her discoveries, she deserved what she got."


    ra gasped at his cruelty. My fingers tightened around Sammy''s throat again.


    "Wrong answer," I said.


    The fourth man, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward. "I am Saul Holt, representative of the Veridia City Martial Guild. Whatever your grievances, they can be addressed through proper channels. Release Mr. Ashworth immediately." <strong ss="frag-5c9c57">This<i ss="node-sep"></i>chapter''s<i ss="node-sep"></i>true<i ss="node-sep"></i>source<i ss="node-sep"></i>is<i ss="node-sep"></i>My<i ss="node-sep"></i>Virtual<i ss="node-sep"></i>Library<i ss="node-sep"></i>Empire<i ss="node-sep"></i>(*).</strong>


    I turned my attention to him. "The Martial Guild. Always arriving exactly when it''s convenient for the wealthy and powerful."


    Saul''s eyes narrowed. "Your aura... You''re no ordinary cultivator. Who are you?"


    I dropped Sammy unceremoniously. He copsed, gasping and clutching his throat.


    "Someone who''s tired of men like you thinking your positions ce you above consequences," I replied.


    Glenn''s hand inched toward the de at his hip. "Show your face, coward. Or are you afraid we''ll remember you?"


    "Afraid?" I echoed, genuine amusement in my voice. "No, Glenn. I want you to remember me. I want you to remember this moment when you realize exactly how badly you''ve miscalcted."


    Slowly, deliberately, I reached up and removed my hat. ra watched with wide eyes as I ced a hand on the edge of the mask.


    "Your face..." Saul whispered, sensing something familiar in my posture. "Who are you?"


    I pulled the mask away, revealing my transformed features to my enemies.