Robert Maxim stopped a few steps away from Daniel, wooden sword resting lazily against his shoulder.

  “You’ve been getting a little too overconfident lately,” the fifth brother said, eyes narrow with irritation. “Buzzing around like an annoying fly.”

  Daniel didn’t respond.

  Robert sneered. “You should’ve stayed cooped up in your room like the squirt you are. Or did you forget?”

  He leaned closer.

  “The poisoning incident.”

  The words struck before Daniel could prepare.

  For a heartbeat, the world twisted. Not this body’s memory—but his own.

  A banquet hall stained red.

  Two lifeless figures slumped across a table.

  The bitter stench of poison in the air.

  Screams. Fire. Steel.

  A clan erased down to its roots.

  Daniel’s knees hit the ground.

  Sweat poured from his body as his breath turned ragged, chest tightening as if an invisible hand was crushing his heart. His vision blurred.

  No…

  That didn’t happen here.

  That wasn’t this life.

  His fingers dug into the dirt as he forced his thoughts into order. His mentality, honed through countless battles and the collapse of an entire world, surged forward.

  Fear is a memory. Not reality.

  Slowly—painfully—his breathing steadied.

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  The pressure faded.

  Daniel stood.

  Robert blinked, momentarily surprised.

  Daniel lifted his head, eyes calm but cold.

  “It’s not me who’s incompetent,” he said evenly. “It’s you.”

  Robert’s expression darkened.

  “You’ve been stuck in the Sword Beginner stage for five years.”

  The wooden sword flashed. Its tip stopped a hair’s breadth from Daniel’s throat.

  “I could kill you right now,” Robert said quietly, voice sharp with restrained fury. “If not for Father’s wager.”

  At that moment—

  A translucent screen appeared before Daniel.

  Only the back of it.

  Robert saw nothing.

  Daniel’s lips curved into a faint smirk.

  “Good,” Daniel said. “Then this fits perfectly.”

  Robert frowned. “What?”

  “I challenge you,” Daniel continued, voice clear, “to an official duel. One month from now.”

  Silence.

  Then Robert laughed.

  “A perfect chance,” he said, eyes gleaming, “to beat the shit out of you.”

  “I thought so.”

  Daniel tilted his head. “But a duel without a wager is meaningless.”

  Robert scoffed. “And what could you possibly offer?”

  Daniel didn’t hesitate. “One wish. The winner decides.”

  Robert considered him for a moment, then smiled.

  “Fine. Even if you lose, your brain might still be useful someday.”

  He turned away. “Enjoy your remaining confidence.”

  That night, Daniel sat in his room while his mother stood before him, worry written across her face.

  “Why would you challenge your brother?” she asked softly. “You don’t need to push yourself like this.”

  Daniel smiled—a genuine one this time.

  “Don’t worry, Mother,” he said. “I won’t lose to anyone.”

  Her expression eased, though unease still lingered as she left.

  Alone, Daniel exhaled.

  “Even if the system hadn’t appeared,” he muttered, “I would’ve challenged him anyway.”

  The screen finally turned toward him.

  [ Quest: Defeat Robert Maxim in a Duel

  Time Limit: 2 Months

  Reward: ???

  Failure: Loss of sense of touch for 1 day ]

  Daniel stared.

  “Huh?” he muttered. “A time limit… and the reward isn’t even clear?”

  He shook his head. “Whatever. Let’s check the reward from the first quest.”

  How do I receive it? he thought.

  A new window appeared.

  [ Reward available. Please check Inventory. ]

  “Inventory?” Daniel frowned.

  Another screen unfolded.

  Thirty-two empty slots.

  Only one was occupied.

  Mana Refining Pill

  Daniel took it out, sat down, and crossed his legs into a lotus position.

  He swallowed the pill.

  Closing his eyes, he guided energy toward his dantian, carefully compressing and refining it. Time passed unnoticed.

  An hour later—

  Mana: 0 → 15

  Daniel’s eyes snapped open.

  “One pill… and fifteen mana?” he whispered. “If I get more of these, I can truly—”

  He coughed.

  Blood splattered onto the floor.

  Daniel froze, staring at the crimson stain as pain rippled through his body.

  The system said nothing.

  And for the first time since its appearance—

  Daniel felt unease.

  What happened to denial?

  Should I have shown more of the Fifth Brother here?