Reborn with the SSS-Rank Creator System-Chapter 9: Killing Intent

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

"Nine hundred ninety-eight... nine hundred ninety-nine... one thousand..."

"Huff."

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He had just completed 1,000 handstand pushups—each performed with heavy rocks strapped to his back. With a forceful exhalation, he stood, letting the stones thud to the ground.

It had been two years since Theos left his home each day to challenge himself in the nearby forest.

At 12 years old, he stood at 5.6 feet tall, his lean yet powerful frame reflecting his unwavering dedication. Every muscle fiber was visible beneath his skin, tightly packed and sculpted from years of relentless training. His body, though not overly bulky, was a perfect balance of agility and strength—built not just for power, but for efficiency in battle. Bright red eyes burned with fierce determination as he stretched his arms, feeling the tension of his well-tempered muscles.

"Another day, another thousand," he muttered, rolling his shoulders. The forest around him was quiet at this hour—most beasts either asleep or lurking deeper within.

Theos glanced toward the dense canopy overhead. After two years, he was "only" at the 6th layer—a fact that would astonish most, given how "quickly" or "slowly" people thought Bone Forging should be. But Theos had chosen an exacting path, one that demanded immense patience.

For most cultivators, Bone Forging typically takes only around six months to complete. Yet here he was, still tempering his bones. Now at the 6th layer of Bone Forging—a shocking realization for anyone who understood cultivation.

But for him this was his third bone forging. His first completed Bone Forging in only three months, a fairly normal timeframe for a genius. But the second time, when he decided to reforge every part of his skeleton, it had taken nine grueling months. And now, in his third attempt, it would likely take at least another year to complete—a direct consequence of tempering his bones three times, pushing them beyond their natural limits to ensure unparalleled strength.

The reason for doing bone forging multiple times was simple—Theos was following the path dictated by the Origin Chaos Cultivation Tome. The tome explicitly required him to forge both his bones and muscles at least twice, ensuring that his body could withstand the overwhelming energy absorption required in the Spirit Gathering Realm. He had initially intended to stop after the second cycle, but when the time came, something within him—his instincts, or perhaps his very soul—refused to accept it. His heart urged him to go even further, to forge his bones a third time, pushing beyond what even the tome had dictated. Where others were satisfied with a single forging, Theos refined each cell meticulously, walking a painstaking path that demanded immense patience but promised a foundation unlike any other.

Theos had pushed past what most cultivators would consider normal, but his instincts told him it was the right choice. If strength was the only thing that mattered in this world, then he would forge himself into something no one could break.He dusted off his palms, feeling the residual energy thrumming through his limbs.Satisfied with today's training, Theos said "status"A black translucent screen materialised in front of him.

___________________________________________

| [ STATUS SCREEN ] |

|--------------------------------------------------|

 Name: Theos Redheart 

 Species: Human (Superior) 

 Age: 10 years 

 Title: ???? (Locked), Reincarnator 

 Cultivation Technique: Origin Chaos (????)

|--------------------------------------------------|

 Cultivation Stage: Bone Forging (6th Stage) ??? 

 Strength: Muscle Forging (6th Stage) 

|--------------------------------------------------|

 Spirit Root: Primordial Grade 

|--------------------------------------------------|

 Talents: 

 • Supreme Eyes (SSS) – Upgradable 

 • Master of Every Art (SSS) – Upgradable 

 • Energy Manipulation (SSS) – Upgradable 

|--------------------------------------------------|

 Skills: 

 • Basic Dagger Mastery (Stage 1) 

|--------------------------------------------------|

 Unique Skills: 

 • ????? (Locked) 

|____________________________________________|

Content with his status and strength, he dismissed the screen with a flick of his hand, his eyes filled with quiet determination.

With this much strength nothing could challenge him anymore so for the past month he started to sneak out of the area for better training and fighting. Each evening, he would gather his supplies and explore areas near his village.

This day was no different. After finishing his pushups, he walked past the familiar tree line, stone in hand.

"Alright... Let's see where I end up today" he would whisper, tossing the stone lightly into the air. Wherever it landed, he took that direction as his cue.

"East again, huh?" A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe I'll find something interesting today."

Within half an hour, Theos covered 20 kilometers, breezing through the forest thanks to Bone Forging–enhanced speed. Each footfall landed softly on the mossy ground, barely leaving a trace. As he ran, he activated his Supreme Eyes, narrowing his gaze as the world shifted before him.

Energy flows became clearer—the rhythmic pulsation of beasts hiding in burrows, the slow, almost imperceptible breathing of animals concealed behind trees, and the faint traces of movement several meters ahead. It was then that he spotted it—a deer, grazing in a clearing, its aura calm and weak. His stomach rumbled. Perfect timing.

Something caught his attention—a flicker of movement at the edge of his vision. He narrowed his eyes, focusing beyond what normal sight would allow. A deer, grazing in a clearing, its form glowing with weak energy. His stomach rumbled. Perfect timing.

Just as he prepared to strike, his vision darkened for a split second—a shadow, faster than his normal perception, disrupted the air itself.

A Level 2 Stage 6 Abyss Wolf exploded from the darkness, launching itself at the unsuspecting deer. The beast's fur absorbed light unnaturally, blending into the dim surroundings.

Theos felt his heartbeat quicken, not from fear, but from thrill.

"Ha. Looks like I found more than dinner." He cracked his knuckles, adrenaline coursing through him.

The deer bolted, leaving him and the wolf alone. The beast's luminous yellow eyes locked onto Theos, its hackles raised, fangs bared in a silent challenge.

Theos exhaled sharply. He had faced wolves before, but this one was different. Abyss Wolves were natural assassins. Silent, lethal, and incredibly fast.

Theos initiated the fight this time. With a flex of his legs, he dashed forward, his speed creating a brief gust that disturbed the leaves. The wolf reacted instantly, twisting its body mid-leap, narrowly dodging his first strike.

Theos smirked. "Good reflexes."

The wolf lunged again, claws aimed at his throat. This time, Theos activated his Supreme Eyes fully. The world slowed, every minute movement becoming crystal clear. He saw the shift in the wolf's balance, the slight flick of its tail before it struck.

Anticipating the attack, Theos twisted at the last second, snatching a handful of dirt and flinging it into the wolf's eyes. The beast let out a sharp snarl, momentarily blinded.

Not wasting a moment, Theos leaped high, his body twisting mid-air. He brought his fist down with crushing force onto the wolf's spine. The ground trembled from the impact.

The Abyss Wolf yelped, its body jerking from the unexpected assault. But it wasn't done. It staggered up, its injuries slowing it but not stopping it.

Theos rolled his shoulders. "Tough one."

The beast growled lowly, circling him now, moving more cautiously. Theos, still in the heightened perception of his Supreme Eyes, noted the subtle shift in its muscles—the way it favored its left leg slightly. It was injured, but still dangerous.

The wolf lunged again, this time feinting its strike. Theos barely dodged in time. A sharp claw grazed his shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood. He gritted his teeth. First blood to the wolf.

His Supreme Eyes pulsed. His mind adjusted, his body responding even faster.

The next time the wolf attacked, Theos was ready. He ducked low, feinted left, and delivered a devastating elbow strike directly to the wolf's spine—this time, fully shattering it.

The wolf let out a choked snarl before its body collapsed. Theos stood over it, breathing softly.

He watched as its glowing eyes flickered before finally dimming. It was over.

Theos wiped sweat from his brow. "Without a proper weapon, I'm relying mostly on brute force," he admitted. "But for now, it works."

He skinned the wolf meticulously, his movements precise and methodical. Stripping the hide clean, he set it aside, knowing it could be useful later. Over a small fire, he cooked the meat, letting the smoky scent mix with the damp forest air. The meal was simple and unseasoned, but it filled his stomach, offering much-needed warmth against the evening chill.

As the sky darkened, the forest transformed. The distant howls of unseen predators mingled with the rustling of nocturnal creatures awakening from their dens. Theos chose a sturdy tree, one with thick branches that could support his weight, and climbed effortlessly. Nestled within its embrace, he leaned against the trunk, letting out a slow breath. The world stretched before him, a sea of darkness dotted with distant flickering stars.

His thoughts wandered. Would his parents be worried if he returned late? He knew his mother would—her intuition was sharp, always sensing when something was amiss. His father, though less expressive, would surely have questions. The thought of home brought a rare flicker of warmth to his chest. He'd be back by morning. If all went well.

His muscles relaxed, the exhaustion from the day's battles finally catching up to him. Nestled among the thick branches, he let his eyes drift shut. The cool breeze whispered through the leaves, lulling him into a deep, undisturbed sleep.

But fate, as always, had different plans.

"AAAAHHHhhhhhhhh!"

A sudden, piercing scream echoed through the forest, jolting Theos awake. His eyes snapped open, his heart pounding as adrenaline surged through his veins. Without hesitation, he sprang forward, leaping effortlessly down a ten-meter drop and landing on the forest floor without a scratch. His leg muscles coiled like powerful springs as he launched forward, leaving behind deep cracks in the ground from the sheer force of his sprint.

Within moments, he covered a distance faster than ever before, driven by an instinctual urgency. His Supreme Eyes activated, sharpening his vision and perception, allowing him to navigate through the dense forest effortlessly, every obstacle clear as day.

Then, abruptly, Theos halted. Concealed by dense foliage, he crouched behind a thick bush, peering through the leaves at the scene unfolding before him. His heart skipped a beat; shock and fury surged within him, turning his normally cheerful demeanor into cold, simmering anger.

Several hours earlier,

A group of six young cultivators from a nearby sect had set up camp deep within the forest. Among them were three young men and three young women, each wearing distinctive white robes embroidered with silver patterns, clearly marking them as disciples.

Luke, a tall, broad-shouldered youth with short black hair and sharp, arrogant eyes, smirked confidently as he moved closer to Lila, a young woman with gentle features, vibrant green eyes, and long chestnut hair that cascaded softly over her shoulders.

"Brother Luke, thank you again for accompanying me and my friends on our mission," Lila said gratefully, arranging branches for the campfire.

Luke smiled charmingly, placing a casual arm around her shoulder. "There's no need for thanks, Lila. We're from the same sect. We should help each other."

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Lila gently removed his arm. A fleeting memory surfaced—just weeks ago, Luke had helped her when she twisted her ankle during training, carrying her back to camp without hesitation. She had believed then that he was someone she could trust. But now, something felt different. His touch lingered too long, his eyes held something unsettling.

"Yes, of course. I'll gather some more firewood," she said, trying to shake off her unease.

As she walked away, Luke's pleasant expression twisted into a dark smirk. Under his breath, he whispered maliciously, "Just wait, bitch. Tonight you'll scream my name till dawn."

Luke motioned subtly to the other two boys, who quickly joined him in a secluded corner of the clearing.

"Listen carefully," Luke whispered, pulling out a small pouch filled with pale powder. "I'll put this paralysis powder in their food. Once they're immobilized, we'll do whatever we want. No one else will hear them scream out here."

The two accomplices nodded eagerly, their eyes gleaming with twisted excitement.

They began preparing the meal discreetly, laughing and chatting loudly to mask any suspicious movements. Luke stirred the stew carefully, sprinkling the paralysis powder beneath the layer of vegetables so it dissolved unseen into the broth. Just as he finished, one of the girls unexpectedly turned her head toward them, her eyes narrowing.

"What are you whispering about over there?" she asked, a trace of suspicion in her voice.

Luke's fingers tensed for a fraction of a second before he smoothly switched to a confident grin. "Just complaining about how bland this stew is going to be without proper seasoning," he said, exaggerating his frown as he tossed a handful of harmless herbs into the pot. "Unless, of course, you'd like to take over cooking duties?" He gestured toward the bubbling pot.

The girl hesitated, then let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "No thanks. I'd rather eat than cook."

Luke gave an easy chuckle, subtly wiping his palm on his robe, ensuring no trace of powder remained visible. He moved effortlessly, occasionally making playful remarks to maintain the illusion of a friendly gathering, but beneath the surface, he knew they had barely avoided an early disaster.

Soon, everyone gathered to eat. Lila hesitated, still feeling slightly uneasy around Luke, and delayed touching her food. But her friends eagerly dug into the meal, unaware of what had been done. After a few bites, the two girls began swaying, their limbs going limp as confusion overtook their expressions.

Lila noticed their strange behavior immediately. "Hey, what's happening? Are you two okay?"

There was no reply, only blank stares. A chill ran down her spine.

Luke smirked darkly. "Bitch, you didn't even eat the dish, huh? No worries—I'll have you just like this."

Horrified, Lila leaped up to help her friends, but Luke moved swiftly. His palm struck her cheek hard, sending her sprawling to the ground. Blood trickled from her lips as she trembled in shock. Luke loomed over her, his presence overwhelming. He was in the Muscle Forging Realm, far beyond her strength in Bone Forging.

With a casual flick of his hand, Luke signaled to his two accomplices. "Take them somewhere else. Make sure they don't interfere."

The other two boys grinned wickedly and grabbed the remaining girls, dragging them toward the opposite ends of the clearing. Their muffled protests and terrified expressions were ignored as they were forced into separate corners. Whispers of struggling, desperate pleas, and cruel laughter filled the air, amplifying the overwhelming dread that settled in the clearing.

Lila's heart pounded in her chest. She fought back tears as she turned her gaze toward her friends, who were now completely isolated. She had trusted Luke once, believed in the camaraderie of their sect, but now all she could see in his eyes was hunger and cruelty. She knew no one was coming to save them—except perhaps herself, if she could find a way.

"Please, Luke... why are you doing this?" she pleaded desperately, scooting backward across the dirt.

"I already said it—we help each other," Luke sneered, advancing slowly, his smile turning predatory. "This is you helping me."

Behind her, the rough bark of a tree halted Lila's retreat. Luke reached forward, gripping the fabric of her robes, ripping them apart effortlessly, leaving her shivering in only her lingerie. She screamed desperately into the darkening forest.

Just as Luke leaned forward with a sickening grin, licking his lips eagerly, rustling leaves drew his attention sharply to the left. He paused, eyes narrowing.

"Who's there?!" Luke snapped, his body tensing.

For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the whispers of the forest. Then, from the shadows emerged a young boy—Theos—his crimson eyes blazing with a cold, unyielding fury that pierced through Luke like a blade.

"Step away from her. Now." Theos' voice was calm yet charged with an authority that seemed to suffocate the air.

Luke turned fully toward him, sneering arrogantly. "And who the hell do you think you—"

Before Luke could finish, a wave of killing intent radiated from Theos, making the bully's confident facade waver. He instinctively took a step back, his expression faltering slightly as he felt the tangible pressure emanating from the youth before him.

Moments earlier, behind the bushes, Theos had stood frozen, his heart hammering with rage. His mind raced wildly, unable to accept the horrific scene unfolding before him. Something snapped in him. A black energy, started leaking out of him. The cheerful, optimistic boy was nowhere to be found; in his place stood a cold avenger, forged by injustice.

He knew he couldn't hesitate. Activating his Supreme Eyes, he saw clearly the energy radiating from each of them—Luke's powerful, dense aura marking him as the strongest. But Theos didn't care about the gap between them. At this moment, he would protect her, no matter the cost.

Lila stared wide-eyed at the young boy who had emerged from the darkness. Her heart pounded with a fragile hope, even though logic whispered that the stranger was just a child. Yet something about him felt different—dangerous, unyielding, powerful beyond what his appearance suggested.

The other two boys stopped their violent acts, their hands frozen mid-motion. The entire clearing held its breath, awaiting the confrontation between Luke and the mysterious boy.

Luke scoffed again, regaining his bravado. "Kid, walk away now. Or you're gonna regret it."

Theos took a deliberate step forward, the air around him thickening with his growing killing intent. His voice was a whisper, but it echoed clearly.

"I promise you this," he said softly, his red eyes burning with an unsettling intensity, "If you move even one step closer to her, you'll wish you'd never been born."

Luke hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his features for the first time. Behind his bravado, fear was starting to creep in. Something primal in his instincts screamed that this boy was not bluffing, that challenging him now might be the worst mistake he'd ever make.

Theos' fingers curled into fists, spirit energy crackling subtly around him. His breath steadied as he took another step closer, his Supreme Eyes locked unwaveringly on Luke, daring him to test his resolve.

For the first time, Luke felt genuine fear—and something deep inside him whispered that he was facing not a mere boy, but a force he could not hope to defeat.