The sun set over the jagged peaks of the Blackstone Mountain Range, casting long shadows across the sprawling village of Dusk Hollow. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the distant howls of beasts echoed across the valley. In this isolated corner of the world, far removed from the bustling cities and powerful sects, life was simple for most. The villagers spent their days cultivating the land, hunting in the nearby forests, and living in relative peace. But for Lin Ze, this tranquility was suffocating.
At twenty years old, Lin Ze was a mere farmer's son, ordinary in every conceivable way. He wasn't particularly tall or muscular, nor did he possess any great talents or charm. His only remarkable trait was his insatiable curiosity and a quiet hunger for something more—something beyond the confines of Dusk Hollow. He had heard whispers of the great cultivators from distant lands, those who could summon firestorms with a flick of the wrist and command mythical beasts to do their bidding. Lin Ze dreamed of such power, but in reality, he was nothing more than a boy with big ambitions and no means to fulfill them.
That evening, as he finished his chores in the fields and prepared to return home, something unusual happened. He felt it first—a faint pressure in the air, as though the very atmosphere around him had thickened. His skin prickled with an inexplicable sensation, the hairs on his neck standing on end. Something was coming. He glanced toward the dense forest that bordered the village, his instincts screaming at him to run, but his feet stayed rooted to the earth.
A low growl shattered the stillness, and then, through the trees, emerged a massive figure—a creature of nightmare. It was a dire wolf, its fur as black as night, its eyes glowing with a malevolent red light. The beast was larger than any wolf Lin Ze had ever seen, its fangs gleaming like daggers in the twilight. It was an apex predator, and it had set its sights on Dusk Hollow.
Lin Ze's heart raced. There was no time to run. The villagers would be no match for such a beast. He needed to protect them. Without thinking, he grabbed the nearest tool—a pitchfork—and raised it in defense. His hands trembled as he clutched the handle, but his fear was overshadowed by a surge of determination.
The wolf lunged toward him with a ferocity that sent a wave of terror through his body. Lin Ze could feel the ground tremble as the beast closed in, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow. A flash of instinct overtook him. He swung the pitchfork with all his might, striking the beast's side. The sharp metal glanced off its thick fur, barely leaving a mark.
The wolf growled in irritation and swung its massive paw, sending Lin Ze flying through the air. He crashed into a tree, pain exploding across his ribs as the air left his lungs. He gasped for breath, his vision blurry, but he could still see the wolf advancing, its maw opening to reveal rows of deadly teeth.
This is it, Lin Ze thought, the taste of death on his tongue. He was powerless.
But just as the beast lunged at him, something extraordinary happened. A sudden surge of energy coursed through Lin Ze's body, flooding his veins with an unfamiliar heat. His vision cleared, and the pain in his chest dulled, replaced by a strange clarity. The world around him seemed to slow even more, as if time itself had been stretched thin.
Without thinking, he reached deep within himself and called upon that strange energy. His body responded, his muscles coiling like a spring, and in an instant, he was on his feet, facing the wolf. His hands gripped the pitchfork with newfound strength, his body moving with the precision and speed of a seasoned warrior.
The wolf charged again, but this time, Lin Ze was ready. He sidestepped the creature's attack, moving with a grace he hadn't known he was capable of. With a swift motion, he thrust the pitchfork upward, piercing the creature's throat. The wolf let out a strangled howl, blood spilling from its wound as it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Lin Ze stood over the beast's body, breathing heavily, his mind racing. What had just happened? He had never fought like that before—never even imagined that he could. The power he had felt, the surge of energy—it was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
The world around him felt different now, as though reality had shifted just slightly. He could hear the faint hum of energy in the air, like a distant melody calling to him. The air tasted different, charged with an unfamiliar vitality.
As the last remnants of the wolf's aura dissipated into the atmosphere, Lin Ze felt a sudden, sharp pain in the back of his head. He stumbled, his vision flickering, and fell to his knees, clutching his skull. The pain grew more intense, a pressure building within his mind. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped.
A voice echoed in his thoughts.
"System Initialization Complete."
Lin Ze's breath caught in his throat. What was that? The voice was cold, mechanical, yet strangely... familiar.
"Welcome to the Forbidden System, Host. You have unlocked the path to ultimate power. Congratulations."
The voice paused, and for a moment, Lin Ze wondered if he was hallucinating. But the sense of the system's presence was undeniable. It was as though something vast and ancient had taken root inside him.
"Your first quest is now available. Defeat the Dire Beast of Dusk Hollow. Reward: 1,000 system points. Additional reward: Knowledge of Forbidden Arts."
Lin Ze blinked, the words floating in his mind like a dream. He had heard of cultivators who could absorb the essence of beasts and unlock new powers, but this was something entirely different. A system? And Forbidden Arts?
He could scarcely process what was happening, but the weight of it all pressed against him. His life had just changed in ways he couldn't yet comprehend.
The voice continued.
"Please choose your first ability: 1) Strength of the Beast. 2) Shadow Step. 3) Flame Tongue."
Lin Ze's mind raced. Strength of the Beast sounded like something he could use immediately. Shadow Step could make him faster, more elusive. But Flame Tongue... that could give him an edge in combat.
Before he could make a decision, a sudden flash of images filled his mind. He saw a dark, cavernous realm—a place filled with ancient treasures and terrifying creatures. He saw beings of unimaginable power, their bodies crackling with energy, and a hidden path to transcendence. He saw a figure—his own face, but older, wiser, and infinitely more powerful. The figure was standing at the edge of the Forbidden Realm, an overwhelming force emanating from him.
The vision ended abruptly, and Lin Ze was left reeling, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Choose now, Host," the voice said again, more insistent this time.
With a steadying breath, Lin Ze made his choice.
"Strength of the Beast."
The air around him seemed to vibrate as the system's energy flowed into his body. Lin Ze felt the power surge through him once again, his muscles expanding, his senses sharpening. The beast inside him—the one that had awoken with the system—roared to life. He could feel the primal strength coursing through him, more raw and untamed than anything he had ever known.
He stood up, feeling his newfound power. The dire wolf, now reduced to a carcass, seemed like a distant memory. But this was only the beginning.
He had no idea what lay ahead, but one thing was clear—his life would never be the same again.