I wonder what Young Master Ian is doing right now, especially since he ordered me not to disturb him at all today. I’m kind of bored though,’ Tracy thought, lying comfortably on her bed in her white pajamas.

​’The Miss did send me with young master here to accomplish a specific mission, but with the him always being so busy, I haven’t found the right time yet,’ she thought. Her face suddenly flushed a bright red. She grabbed a soft pillow, covered her face with it, and rolled around on the bed, breathing heavily. "The Miss really sent me on a difficu—"

​"AAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!"

​Before she could even finish her sentence, a powerfull scream echoed from the room directly opposite hers.

​"That came from the Young Master’s room!" she gasped. Reality instantly dawned on her. "Young Master!"

​Tracy dashed from her bed, rushing to her door in a panic. When she stepped out into the hallway, she hesitated for a split second, unsure if she should barge into Ian’s room without his permission. She quickly glanced down both ends of the hallway and saw four heavily armored estate guards sprinting toward the room as well.

​"AAAAAAHHHH!" Another piercing scream tore through the heavy oak door.

​Throwing caution to the wind, Tracy aggressively pushed the door open and dashed inside.

​"Young Master... what happened?!" she shouted.

​Her eyes widened in horror. Ian was sitting on his bed in a lotus position, tightly gripping his own knees. His muscles were trembling violently, and thick veins bulged against his pale skin as if he were fighting to keep his balance. He was gritting his teeth so hard they looked like they might shatter, desperately trying not to scream again.

​"Y-Young Master?" Tracy stuttered with a deeply worried expression, taking a cautious step toward him.

​The heavy footsteps of the four guards finally arrived at the door, and they quickly piled into the room, their eyes locking onto the agonizing sight of Ian.

​"No... get out... right now. Argh!" Ian choked out, his voice laced with terrifying pain. He tilted his head down, his golden eyes squeezing shut as he heard their approaching footsteps.

​"But Young Master, you are—"

​"Get out now!!" Ian yelled, cutting Tracy off. She immediately stopped in her tracks, but the guards behind her insisted on moving forward.

​"Young Master, you look severely hurt! Please, let us take you to the estate doctor at least!" one guard yelled, reaching out toward him.

​As the agonizing pain in his bones peaked, a faint, boiling red glow began to radiate from Ian’s throat.

​"I SAID GET OUT! DON’T MAKE ME SAY IT AGAIN!" Ian roared, but this time, his voice was terrifyingly different. It sounded like two deep, ancient voices perfectly overlaying each other, echoing with an oppressive, monstrous weight.

​Just hearing that voice caused the air in the room to turn freezing cold. Everyone inside began shaking on the spot, but Tracy was struck with the most profound fear.

​’What is this?! I can’t move... I don’t want to die!’ Tracy panicked, her eyes trembling as she stared at Ian. The suffocating pressure radiating from his body made her feel as though she were staring at a terrifying, non-human apex predator.

​"Miss, get out of here!" one guard yelled at Tracy, his voice cracking with panic.

​"..." Tracy couldn’t even respond; her legs were completely locked in fear.

​"Dammit, she isn’t moving! You, grab her and get out of here!" the guard yelled at his partner. Driven by sheer, instinctual terror, the guard unsheathed his steel sword, his hands shaking violently as he pointed the blade toward Ian to protect himself.

​"And you should leave too," a calm, authoritative voice suddenly echoed from the doorway.

​Vincent stepped into the room, his sharp eyes taking in the chaotic scene. He immediately glared at the terrified guard. "And stop pointing that thing at the Young Master."

​"But Sir..." the guard tried to protest, his sword still trembling.

​"You guys really don’t listen, do you? Leave. Now," Vincent commanded, his expression turning deadly serious.

​"Y-Yes, Sir," the guards quickly replied, grabbing the frozen Tracy by the arm and dragging her out into the hallway.

​"Oh, and I almost forgot," Vincent added, stopping them before they closed the door. "The Young Master doesn’t want anyone in here. Guard the door from the outside. If I hear even a single whisper of this incident circulating around the estate, I will hold you four personally accountable. Understand?"

​The guards hastily nodded, looking down at the floor as they pulled the door shut behind them.

​’Now then, Young Master... is this the new technique that the Family Head and everyone else are practicing? The one that has everyone locked inside their rooms?’ Vincent thought to himself. He casually pulled up a wooden chair and sat down at the table near the door, quietly observing Ian’s struggling form. ’Whatever this power is, I don’t sense any demonic energy coming from it, at least.’

​’Thank God Vincent sent everyone outside. Now I can concentrate without any interference,’ Ian thought, his mind entirely focused inward. ’But damn, this is ridiculously painful. How long is this going to take anyway?!’ The violent red glow continued to shine, illuminating his bones for three agonizing minutes. Finally, the red lines slowly began to darken, transitioning into a deep, black.

​’It doesn’t hurt anymore, I guess its done now. The pain is completely gone, and a really nice, cooling sensation is taking effect,’ Ian sighed in relief, relaxing his posture on the bed.

​He slowly stood up on his sweat-soaked mattress, testing his strength by opening and closing his fists. ’All my bones are still physically cracked, but I don’t feel a thing at all. The cracks are perfectly filled with this ,dark energy.’

"System," Ian muttered.

​Instantly, the familiar translucent blue panel materialized in the air in front of him.

​[Name: Ian Thorne]

​[Age: 17]

​[Lifespan: 73]

​[Martial Arts: None]

​[Cultivation Arts: Abyssal Dragon Jaw Forging Technique]

​[Martial Stage: First-Stage of Dragon Jaw Forging Technique]

​[Prosperity Points: 15]

​[Prosperity Shop]

​[Notifications]

​[External Members: 4/20]

​’First-Stage, huh? I thought it was going to be called the Early Stage again, like last time. Maybe it’s only this specific technique that uses numbered stages,’ Ian pondered, staring intently at the floating screen.

​"Seeing that you are just staring blankly at mid-air, I take it you are finally done?" Vincent’s voice suddenly broke the silence.

​Ian jumped, nearly falling off the bed. He looked over to see Vincent casually sitting at the table, watching him.

​’Shit... shit... shit... I completely forgot he was still in here!’ Ian panicked internally, his golden eyes wide with shock.