The sun rose like fire behind the mountains, its light spilling across the forest that had once nearly killed him. Now, the Shadowfang Wilds bowed before him in silence. No beast dared approach. No whisper of threat stirred.
Lee Jinhyuk stood tall on a cliff overlooking the Black Moon Sect, shrouded beneath a dark-gray cloak. His face hidden beneath a hood. His steps silent. His eyes deadly.
He was no longer the bloated, soft-faced boy they mocked.
> [Level 5 – Complete.
Stats: Strength: 11 | Agility: 13 | Vitality: 10 | Intelligence: 15
Transformation: 90% complete.]
The system's voice rang calmly in his ears.
> [Facial structure fully enhanced.
Muscular frame stabilized.
Qi Veins strengthened.
Hidden Appearance Trait Activated: Heaven's Mirror Physique (Appearance grows with cultivation level.)]
He pulled back his hood near a crystal-clear lake just outside the sect's territory.
The reflection was that of a stranger—but not to him.
Lean jaw. Pale, sculpted features. Sharp silver eyes glowing with restraint. Raven-black hair brushed neatly across his forehead. A faint line of muscle beneath his exposed collar. He looked like a noble heir of a prestigious clan. A prince of frost and shadow.
And yet… the anger in his chest hadn't faded.
It had grown colder.
---
He spent a day watching the sect from afar. Memorizing shifts, guard routes, the flow of disciples. He saw Cho Yul again—smiling, laughing, enjoying his little kingdom. The same young master who had kicked him, spat on him.
And Jinhyuk… smiled.
> [New Quest Available: Make Them Kneel
Objective: Re-enter Black Moon Sect
Options: Stealth / Deception / Force
Reward: System Upgrade, New Technique Slot Unlocked]
> [Recommendation: Use newly awakened identity token.]
He pulled out the item he'd found in his father's hidden house before entering this world: a black jade token with a dragon inscribed on one side.
The system had just decrypted it.
> [Item: Guest Pass – Ghost Valley Emissary
Authority: Equal to inner elder.
Expiration: 7 days from activation.]
A perfect cover.
He wrapped himself in a cleaner, elegant black robe stolen from a beast merchant he'd passed in the wild. Re-tied his hair. Wore a half-mask across his lower face.
He looked like royalty.
---
The next day, he approached the sect gates.
Two disciples straightened at the sight of him.
"You—state your identity," one said, eyes flicking to the jade token now hanging from Jinhyuk's belt.
"Ghost Valley emissary," Jinhyuk said flatly. His voice had changed too—deeper, smoother, colder.
They stiffened. "W-we'll inform the elders."
"No need," Jinhyuk said, already walking past them.
He walked through the sect gates they had once barred him from.
And this time, no one stopped him.
---
Inside, the courtyard was alive with morning drills, disciples practicing martial techniques, elders discussing matters near the lotus pond. Whispers followed Jinhyuk's passage.
"Who is he?"
"New inner disciple?"
"Look at his aura… he's powerful."
And then—Cho Yul.
He stood near the outer court pavilion, surrounded by fawning juniors. His face turned slightly as Jinhyuk passed.
Recognition did not come.
Not yet.
But curiosity… oh, yes. Cho Yul approached, fanning his robe dramatically.
"You're not from here," he said, his voice lined with fake warmth. "And yet you walk like you own the sect. May I ask for your name, honored cultivator?"
Jinhyuk stopped.
He turned his head slowly toward the man who had once kicked him into the dirt.
Cho Yul smiled politely. "You seem familiar…"
Jinhyuk pulled down his mask.
Gasps rang around the courtyard.
His face—undeniably handsome, sharp as blades, refined like a prince. But the eyes… cold, merciless, familiar.
Cho Yul took a step back. "You…?"
Jinhyuk spoke just loud enough for all to hear.
"You should have opened the gate when I asked."