Arion's Nexus System : The Coded Warrior of Nova

Martial Novice

As he savored the last spoonful of his meal, Arion contemplated the concept of martial levels in this world. The system had classified him as a "Martial Novice," a designation that had baffled him from the beginning. He hadn't received any martial arts techniques or training despite the years that had passed.

With a sigh, he muttered to himself, "I thought being a 'Martial Novice' meant I'd at least have some basic martial skills by now. But all I have are these attributes that keep increasing."

Arion knew he wasn't alone in his confusion. He had heard tales of prodigies who reached the pinnacle of martial arts and ascended to the rank of "Martial Master" in their early years. It seemed that, despite his unique circumstances, he was still at the very beginning of his journey as a martial artist.

He pondered the vast hierarchy of martial levels in Nova, each one representing an awe-inspiring level of power and mastery. It was a ladder that seemed insurmountable, yet Arion couldn't deny the burning desire within him to climb it.

Arion had spent years in Nova, slowly adapting to the mystique of this martial world. He had grown accustomed to the peculiarities of the system, the tantalizing glimpses of power it offered, and the mysteries it shrouded. However, there was one aspect of this world that continued to elude him—the elusive concept of Inner Energy.

As he practiced his martial forms in a secluded clearing near his cabin, Arion often found himself frustrated by his inability to sense the Inner Energy that flowed through the martial artists of Nova. It was a vital element of their martial prowess, an invisible force that empowered their techniques and allowed them to achieve superhuman feats.

Arion knew that, according to the system, he was still classified as a Martial Novice, and his attributes, while above those of an ordinary human, hadn't yet reached the threshold required to become a Martial Apprentice. The absence of a talent attribute made him question his innate potential.

Arion continued his daily routine of training in solitude, deep within the lush, vibrant jungle of Nova. The verdant canopy above provided a sense of tranquility that he had come to cherish. Yet, on a particularly clear morning, as he executed his martial forms, he felt a subtle disturbance in the air.

His senses on high alert, Arion halted his movements and scanned the surrounding foliage. It was then that he sensed a presence nearby, a presence that seemed to materialize from the very essence of the jungle itself.

A figure emerged from the shadows, his demeanor grave and unwavering. His piercing gaze bore into Arion, devoid of warmth or empathy. It was clear that this stranger was not here to make friends.

"Who are you?" Arion demanded, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.

The stranger remained silent for a moment. His expression was one of simmering anger, as if he carried the weight of a lifetime of grievances.

"I am Jude," he finally replied, his voice laced with bitterness. "And I couldn't care less about who you are. I have a score to settle, and you will be a tool to help me achieve it."

Arion's grip on his sword tightened, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. "What do you want from me?"

Jude's eyes bore into Arion's soul, devoid of emotion. "I have a plan, and you will play a part in it."

Arion's skepticism gave way to unease.

Arion's uncertainty was gradually replaced by a burgeoning curiosity. "What plan?"he asked.

Jude's lips curled into a sinister, unsettling grin as he spoke, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and a smoldering desire for vengeance.

"And I've been watching you for more than five years, Arion," he continued, his gaze unwavering and tinged with a cold intensity that betrayed a long-held obsession.

His voice grew colder and more calculating as he declared, "You may not know it, but I've kept your true nature a secret, Arion."

Jude's eyes gleamed with a sense of power and control. "Now, you have a part to play, and you will play it."

With a final, chilling statement, Jude's voice carried an air of inevitability and menace. "You don't have a choice, Arion. Whether you cooperate willingly or not, you will serve my purpose."

His eyes bore into Arion's, devoid of any empathy. "I suggest you think carefully about your decisions in the days to come."

Arion hesitated, his heart pounding with uncertainty. "What do you want me to do?"

Jude's face contorted into a humorless, unsettling expression, a twisted smile that sent shivers down Arion's spine. "I will help you join my sect, a prestigious one at that. In return, you will assist me in my quest. Follow my lead, and I will reveal the details to you in time."

Arion weighed his options, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "What if I refuse?"

Jude's gaze turned steely. "If you refuse, Arion, I will reveal your true nature as a hybrid to the world. You will be hunted down, and there will be no place for you to hide."

Arion's heart sank as he realized the stakes of this ultimatum. With a heavy heart and a sense of resignation, he nodded. "I accept."

Jude's smile held a hint of triumph as he turned and vanished into the jungle, leaving Arion with a profound sense of unease.

The path he had chosen was now set, and he was bound to a destiny that held both promise and peril in the extraordinary world of Nova.

As the dense jungle foliage swallowed Jude's retreating figure, Arion found himself alone once more, left to grapple with the weight of the decision he had just made. The eerie silence of the forest settled around him, broken only by the distant calls of birds and the rustling of leaves.

With trembling hands, Arion lowered the hand that had instinctively reached for his sword. A mixture of emotions coursed through him, but fear was no longer the dominant force. Instead, a spark of something long dormant within him began to flicker to life.

Arion had experienced fear before, but it had been different. On Earth, he had been the harbinger of terror, the embodiment of domination, looking down upon trillions of people as if they were mere pawns in his grand game. The fear he had inspired had been a weapon, a means to an end.

Now, standing in the heart of Nova, facing the enigmatic Jude and his cryptic plans, Arion realized that this fear was different. It was a fear experienced by those who had once been his enemies, a fear that had fueled his dominance on Earth. The roles had reversed, and Arion was no longer the one inspiring fear—he was the one feeling it.

But instead of paralyzing him, this newfound fear ignited a different emotion within him—excitement. The prospect of unlocking his Inner Energy, of gaining the power to rival the martial masters of Nova, filled him with a burning passion. It was a passion he hadn't felt since the moment he was born, a passion that had lain dormant within him for far too long.

The thought of being pushed to his limits, of conquering the challenges that lay ahead, made Arion's heart race with anticipation. He had lost hope of ever conquering this world as he had Earth, where the allure had faded after a few years of dominance. But the threat posed by Jude and the tantalizing promise of unlocking his potential had rekindled that fire in his heart.

Arion couldn't contain his excitement. His laughter echoed through the jungle, wild and untamed, as he proclaimed, "Hahaa ha! This world is interesting, Jude. Maybe this world will be fun."

With every step he took, the weight of his decision transformed into a sense of purpose. Arion was no longer the fearful novice; he was a martial artist reborn, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead. The prospect of unlocking his Inner Energy and the unpredictable journey that awaited him filled him with a renewed sense of determination. Nova was no longer an insurmountable challenge—it was an opportunity, a playground for his long-dormant desires, and Arion was ready to play.