Family system

I walked forward, the crunch of gravel underfoot echoing faintly in the silence. It had been a while since my last real fight, but the familiar weight of anticipation settled in my chest. With a thought, my sword materialized in my hand, its gleaming blade reflecting the faint sunlight. I let my arms hang naturally at my sides, adopting the easy posture. But my mind was ready for any unexpected attacks.

While I have not used it much, I am one of the best swordsmen in this universe due to the system shop. I am the best swordsman, but only in technique because my power is lacking so much that it holds back my swordsmanship.

I crossed the line that was on the ground, the threshold of the sleeping beast's territory, and immediately saw a flicker of movement. The bird's massive frame shifted, a twitch of its enormous talons breaking the stillness. I stopped twenty meters short, my hand tightening on the hilt of my sword.

The bird stirred fully, rising to its full height slowly but intimidatingly. It towered over me, its shadow stretching wide. It stood at least six meters tall, its wings spreading far enough to block out a small patch of sky. Its feathers shimmered a deep, ominous purple, fading into white along its underside. Its necks were thin yet steady, coiling with a disturbing grace as its eyes fixed on me.

Then it shrieked.

The sound was deafening, a cry of fury that rippled through the air like a punch. Mana in the area shifted violently, responding to the bird's rage. Swirling currents of energy gathered around its massive form, forming a vortex of wind and pressure that whipped dust and debris into the air. A small tornado coiled protectively around it as it moved toward me.

I stood my ground, sword in hand, my grip slightly tightening. I wasn't afraid. I didn't need to be. As the beast took deliberate, earth-shaking steps, I watched it carefully, analyzing every movement. Its talons slammed into the ground with each step, leaving deep footprints that scattered loose rocks.

I tuned out the world around me, focusing solely on my target. The bird and I were the only two things that existed now, the rest of reality fading to a dull blur. The space between us evaporated in my mind, leaving only the inevitability of what would come next.

The bird took one final step, crossing into my range, and in that instant, instinct took over. My body moved, springing forward in a blur of motion. The wind roared around me, the bird's swirling tornado a barrier I ignored as I executed the first of my sword forms.

"Eclipse Requiem."

I quietly spoke the name of my sword technique. The air grew heavy as we both confronted each other.

I shot forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat, my blade poised to strike head-on. The beast reared back and screeched so loud it felt like a thousand needles digging into my ears. It raised a talon the size of a boulder and swung ferociously. My sword arced downward to meet it.

But the clash never came.

In the blink of an eye, the bird's talon passed through me—no, through an afterimage. The faint shimmer of my figure dissolved into the air like smoke, leaving the beast swiping at nothing.

Suddenly, I was there again, this time darting around its side. My blade cut a sharp crescent so close to its wing that I could feel the rush of displaced air. But before my strike could land, the bird turned with impossible agility. Its beak, sharp as a spear, shot toward me faster than I could react. Stay updated via empire

There was a flash of light.

Pain erupted in my chest, a white-hot shock that drove the air from my lungs. I staggered back, blood flowing across my shirt. My sword slipped from my grip; the bird's triumphant screech swallowed its metallic clang. It loomed over me, a victorious predator savoring its prey. My vision blurred, the edges dimming as I crumpled to my knees.

I heard whispers—distant, indistinct. Memories? Regrets? My breath caught, and for a single, agonizing moment, I thought it was over.

Then, the world shifted.

The bloodied figure of me wavered like a reflection on rippling water. My form shimmered and dissolved, melting into the air. The crimson-stained ground vanished, replaced by pristine dirt as if untouched by conflict.

The bird froze, its victory screech caught in its throat.

I was behind it now. My true self. My real self. My blade, gleaming with an unearthly light, was already descending.

"Got you," I murmured.

The strike landed with a burst of radiant energy, a clean arc that seemed to cleave the air. The bird uttered a strangled cry, its massive form crumpling under its own weight as it fell to the ground with an earth-shaking thud.

I stood tall, unscathed, as the dust settled. The afterimage of my feint dissolved completely, leaving only the victorious gleam of my blade and the defeated shadow of my foe.

"Eclipse Requiem," I whispered again, sheathing my sword.

I smiled at the beast, whom I easily overpowered. The sword technique is one of the first sword forms that I created when I bought supreme swordsmanship from the system some time ago. It is a powerful technique that utilizes speed and precision. I had to be fast to make after images and feints, and the precision was there to make sure that I used the after images at the right time.

The bird's strike had hit an illusion—a gift of the dream divinity perfect for catching powerful monsters off guard. I turned around and saw two different doors standing there waiting on me again. Both were closed, but as I walked closer, they slowly opened the way for me, and their names lit up.

Now, I had two different choices. I could choose between the door of dreams or the door of healing. Those were the two options I had, and it wasn't a difficult choice. I walked towards the door of dreams because Eleanor had said that I could advance my dream divinity here, so I think it has something to do with this door.

I walked inside and looked around. The scenery didn't change much, but there was a change. There weren't any monsters around, only a big white cat sleeping in the middle. When my eyes landed on it, I lost my composure at how cute it was.

Normal cats were cute enough, but this enormous, fluffy creature was a sight to behold, peacefully sleeping in the middle of the clearing. I slowly walked forward because I didn't want to disturb its rest. I walked closer and closer until I was finally right next to the ball of fluff. While I didn't want to disturb it, I couldn't hold myself back anymore.

Unable to resist, I leaped onto the cat's massive body and wrapped my arms around it. Its fur was impossibly soft, and I sank into it like a warm, fluffy cloud. When I finally returned to my senses, I looked at the big cat's face, hopeful that it was still sleeping, but to my fear, it looked at me with a weird face. I smiled awkwardly at it before it shook its body to get me off it.

I got off the cat and stepped back, guilt written over my face. It stared at me with narrowed eyes, then snorted dismissively before turning its head away. I let out a wry chuckle. I had offended the fluffball, but it had to be my ticket to the next realm if it was the only living being here.

"Sorry for my rudeness," I apologized. "My name is Jack. What can I call you?"

The cat ignored me completely, stretching out its massive body as it sprawled in another spot. I did not want to let its indifference bother me; I stepped forward again, my hand instinctively reaching out to touch its soft fur. I was lost in pure bliss again when my fingers sank into the fluff. The texture was indescribable, like sinking into the most luxurious cloud imaginable.

The cat hissed in warning, its body tensing, but its mood changed when I began to rub the side of its enormous belly. A deep purring sound rumbled from its chest, and the massive creature relaxed under my touch. I found myself grinning as I rubbed its sweet spots, the rhythmic vibration of its purrs filling the air. For a moment, I was utterly mesmerized by its fluffy magnificence, my mind struck by what could only be described as a lightning bolt from the gods of cuteness.

I shook my head, forcing myself out of the trance. Composure. I needed to regain my composure. No matter how divine it was, this wasn't the time to lose myself in fluff. I slapped my cheeks and looked back at the cat's face, now purring contentedly; I softened my voice and asked again.

"What is your name?" I spoke gently, not wanting to risk souring its mood again.

The cat's golden eyes flicked toward me, displaying less annoyance than before. It tilted its head slightly as if considering whether I was worth answering. After a long pause, it finally opened its mouth, its voice low and smooth.

"My name is Nyx."

Her voice stunned me. It was beautiful, but it had a certain power. This was no ordinary cat.

"Nyx," I repeated, wanting to remember this fluffball's name. "It's an honor to meet you. Can you help me reach the next realm?"

Nyx yawned lazily, her sharp teeth glinting in the light, before fixing me a look that could only be described as a mix of amusement and disdain. "That depends," she said, her voice carrying a faint purr. "Can you prove yourself worthy of my assistance? Or are you only good for belly rubs?"

I blinked, taken aback by her sudden response, then laughed nervously. "I suppose I'll have to prove myself, won't I?"