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In a certain sect's herb garden, the peaceful sound of silence emanated. However, this peace was disturbed by a muffled groan from a man on the ground, bleeding profusely.

"W-why...why is it like this..."

The boy said as he lamented silently, slowly dying from the grievous wounds on his body.

The boy was a disciple of the Golden Dragon Sect, a prominent sect that ruled over the Goldenridge City for thousands of years. The sect was full of geniuses and ancient masters, however, this man was an exception. He was considered trash among the disciples. His greatest achievement? - being at the 3rd Level Mortal realm.

In this world, only the strong are respected and revered...and because he wasn't...he paid the price.

"I-if only...please, one chance...give me one more chance!"

The boy pleaded to the heavens as he stared into the sky longingly. A few seconds passed, and he was no more...

...

Suddenly...a rainbow-hued, bright light illuminated the peaceful night for a split second, then...gone. With it, shockingly, the motionless man springs to life, and his grievous wounds faded instantaneously as if the situation he was just in was a lie.

"Agh! Damn...what the hell just happened?"

The boy suddenly jolted up, then checked his body for injuries.

"Haaa, that dragon was so brutal...thank the gods I activated that artifact in time...if not, I would've been done in for sure."

The boy said as he sighed in relief.

"What is this place? Have I been teleported?" 

He thought as he studied his surroundings with a confused look. He was just in the middle of being barbequed by an S-class Dragon as far as he can remember, but now he is in a garden with some...weird looking plants.

"Junior! What are you doing here at this time of night!"

Suddenly, an elderly man wearing a gold-colored robe appeared behind him.

The man looked at the elder and was eager to ask some questions. He wanted to know where he was and lucky for him, the stranger happened to find him here.

"Hello sir, may I please ask you where is this place? I was just doing a quest in Farcol Wastelands when-

The elder, however, wasn't listening and just glared at him as if he was very unsightly, then interrupted him.

"Tch, it's just you. Get back in your pavilion now, lest I break your limbs for loitering!"

"What's with this old man..."

The man thought to himself. His name was Ezio Walhein. Even though he wasn't a particularly strong adventurer, he had faith in his charisma, although this time, it seems that it didn't work. But what grabbed his attention was not the threat, but the fact that the old man seemed to recognize him - which is strange because he had never seen this strange old man before.

"Oh, you seem to know me, sir... Sorry, but I just don't know where I am right no-"

"Unfilial bastard!" 

As soon as the elder said that, he waved his hand as if he was slapping Ezio on the face. Ezio then went flying and landed heavily on the ground.

"Fuck, this old man is strong!"

Ezio thought to himself as he wiped the blood from his lips. Never did he expect that this old man would be this strong...his rough estimate was that this old man might be B or even A ranked just by the way he controlled his mana!

"Next time, it will be your arm. Don't make me cripple you and get the fuck out of my sight!"

The old man said as he waved his sleeves, shooing away Ezio as if he was a dog.

"Damn you old man, like hell I'd take anymore of this shit from you!"

Ezio thought as his eyes became sharp, glaring at the elder as if he would snap at any second.

"Eh?"

Ezio almost blurted out loud. He tried to activate his skill [Enhance Physique] just like he always did before a fight, but it didn't activate no matter how much he willed it.

"Damn, what the hell is this?!" 

Ezio then looked at his status window. What's in it made his face contort in utter bewilderment.