Syth spent some time recovering before he did the other movements which had been demonstrated by the martial instructor. Each time, he noticed his body gradually losing excess fat, his muscles becoming more defined.
"What a fast rate of growth," Syth mumbled, examining his body.
After doing the final three movements, each one as strenuous as the last with internal energy, he took a seat on the floor, completely fatigued.
A few minutes later, Lillias came over, her expression clearly troubled.
"This is really too difficult..." she sighed. "How are we suppose to feel something completely invisible and intangible?"
"It's not so much as feeling it, but to sense its existence," Syth replied with a small chuckle.
"That's more difficult than it sounds..." she let out a breath, looking at Syth who was drenched in cold sweat.
"It seems you've managed to do it, right? I noticed how you were doing the same movements the instructor was doing."
Syth nodded. "My body seems to be more sensitive to internal energy. Though, I can only do one or two of those movements before being on the verge of collapse. However, this method of training is truly amazing. I feel as if my body is becoming stronger from each movement."
He was impressed at how fast his body was evolving. — all from performing a few movements infused with internal energy. The excess fat was melting away, his muscles growing denser, sharper with each motion. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before his body adapted fully, allowing him to complete the entire sequence without needing a single break.
Syth spent the next hour briefly explaining the process of sensing internal energy and the concept of adjusting the breathing method to change how internal energy flows through the body. Although she couldn't see it, her talent was still monstrous.
Through his enhanced perception, he could clearly see the currents of energy moving within her body. With each attempt, she inched closer to fully guiding it through her meridians. At this rate, it wouldn't take long — perhaps a week at most — before she could finally sense the presence of internal energy for herself.
As the two continued talking to each other, that was when a group of people approached them.
They stood out immediately — their clothes were better maintained, their hair not as ragged.
'The otherworlders,' Syth pondered.
Lillias turned slightly, wary.
There were five of them. One walked in front, tall and broad-shouldered. His expression was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp as he sized up both Syth and Lillias.
He said something.
The words sounded like a blur as they were unfamiliar. It was a different language.
Syth and Lillias blinked, confused.
"...What?"
The man looked puzzled for a second, then gestured to someone behind him.
From the group, a girl stepped forward. She had golden hair and warm, bright eyes. She wore a slight smile as she waved politely.
"Hi," she said in English. "You two are… also from Earth, right?"
Syth narrowed his eyes. 'She also speaks English?'
Scrutinizing her appearance and the tall man, he realised both of their identities. He remembered them vaguely from the novel
"Yeah," Lillias answered cautiously. "We're from Earth."
The girl nodded, relaxing a little. "I'm Camilla. That guy who spoke earlier is Leo — he's kind of become our unofficial leader. He figured it was smarter for us to stick together. This place is… harsh. We're trying to come up with a plan to escape."
Syth raised an eyebrow, mildly amused. 'That's just asking to get yourselves killed. We're in the middle of a place which has unheard of methods of killing...'
Lillias glanced at Syth, unsure on how to respond.
Syth spoke, his tone calm but distant. "I see the logic in grouping up. But unity without strength is quite pointless in this place. I don't know if you've noticed, but this world is completely different. The martial instructor alone could wipe out dozens of us...."
That was an understatement. Even if all the slaves grouped up, they'd easily all get slaughtered.
Camilla blinked, her smile dimming slightly. "Well… it's not just about strength. It's about helping each other survive."
Syth met her gaze and shook his head. "Sorry, however, I don't want any part in this group."
Camilla's shoulders lowered slightly, but she nodded. Her gaze shifted to Lillias, who gave a subtle shake of her head. The answer was the same.
"I get it," Camilla said softly. "Still… if either of you change your minds, we'd be happy to have you."
With those final words, the group soon left, each sparing glances at the two, their gazes mixed.
Syth watched their retreating figures in silence, his thoughts quietly turning.
Even with their so-called otherworldly blessings, they were far from invincible. Only the golden-haired girl and the tall man were familiar to him — characters with weight in the story he once read.
The rest likely didn't play a significant role, or died in this place...
But that wasn't his concern.
Right now, he needed to grow stronger — strong enough to survive what was coming.
'Once the killing begins, that's when this place will truly become hell.'
///
Elsewhere, within the cold confines of the inner walls of the Blood Sect, the martial instructor knelt before a grand obsidian door — half-open, revealing only darkness beyond.
From within that void, a presence loomed.
"Speak."
The martial instructor kept his head lowered.
"The new batch has begun their initial training. They were introduced to the foundational breathing patterns and internal circulation."
A pause.
"Will they be ready soon?"
The instructor considered his next words carefully. "Most are struggling to even sense the energy, let alone control it. It would take perhaps two weeks before some of them sense internal energy, and three months before most of them sense internal energy."
A low hum resonated from beyond the darkness.
"Two months," the voice echoed, final and cold. "That's how long before you can allow the disciples to fight them. The new disciples are growing restless from not having killed anything yet due to the lack of battle slaves."
The martial instructor's eyes flickered, but he remained composed.
"Yes, Overseer."
"Good. Let the weak ones die early. The ones who adapt... might be worth polishing."
The oppressive presence receded slightly, signaling the conversation was over.
The obsidian door creaked shut with a final thud, sealing the corridor in silence.
The instructor remained still for a moment. Then, with a deep breath, he stood and left.