Three swords floated in front of Ray, their edges gleaming faintly as they hovered in place. A broad grin stretched across his face. His collection had expanded in a single stroke of luck, yet none of the weapons showed the slightest intention of allowing him to touch them. Just like Harbinger, the Gungnir's Bane, each sword resisted his approach. The moment his hand neared them, waves of warning aura pulsed outward. Yoider, the Devastation Bringer, reacted even more violently. A thin ripple of sword aura lashed out the instant Ray reached toward it, slicing open his arm and leaving a deep wound that would have maimed anyone else. His body, however, healed almost immediately, the flesh knitting itself together as though nothing had happened. “It figures,” Ray muttered, eyeing the massive blade. “You live up to your name.” He repeated the process he had used with Harbinger. A small cut appeared on his fingertip, kept open through force of will. Drop by drop, his blood fell onto the b

Ray finished balancing his stats and absorbing the energy from every elemental essence stone and shard he had collected. Once he was sure everything had settled inside him, he pulled out a set of clothes from the Gifted Wardrobe, the casual set marked as Special grade. He had received three full wardrobe sets: one for casual wear, one for formal situations, and one meant for battle. What set these clothes apart was their exceptional resilience and their comfort. They could resize and restyle themselves according to the wearer’s preference, adjusting instantly to whatever look or fit Ray wanted. The fabric also had a self-repairing function. If the clothes were ever torn or damaged, they would mend themselves by consuming a bit of the wearer’s energy. Ray picked out the outfit he preferred. Black pants. A burgundy full-sleeve shirt, sleeves rolled up. Black sneakers. Two rings. A piece of jewelry that wrapped around his upper arm like a band. Its true form was actually three swords. A

The moment the system accepted Ray’s Gifted title, announcing him as The Divine Ascendant, the effects rippled far beyond the Gifted Hall. Something stirred across the entire realm of Zuan, the first of the many realms tied to the Tower of Transcendance. Zuan was the starting point. Every Gifted who cleared the first set of trials arrived here, regardless of where they came from. And if anyone wished to leave Zuan and step into the second tower realm, they had to fulfill a list of conditions. One of the most important among them was joining a faction. Factions were everywhere in Zuan. Some were old and deeply rooted, while others had sprung up only recently. Many had been formed by the new arrivals from Earth, Mars, Murim, and countless worlds scattered throughout the universe. Every species and every civilization that awakened under the system’s intervention had eventually sent their rising talents here. The system imposed strict limits on every tower realm, keeping each one balanc

Ray could not help wondering why so many people were gathered in one place. The hall was crowded with an astonishing variety of races, making the environment feel both chaotic and strangely harmonious. It was the busiest section of the Gifted Hall he had seen so far, with more staff and more Gifteds moving through it than any other area he had visited. “This entire section is designated for factions and territory management,” the woman beside him explained. She had noticed Ray’s curiosity from the moment they stepped inside. “Everyone you see here is affiliated with one of the factions operating in Zuan.” Ray had openly stated that he intended to create his own faction. The woman, who had introduced herself as Sera, found herself studying him as they walked. She could tell immediately that he possessed strength and talent far beyond her own. Yet that was not what drew her attention the most. What truly fascinated her was his Gifted title. The Divine Ascendant. The fact that the syst

Sera stared at Ray as if she were seeing something unreal, something she had never imagined encountering. From the moment she first approached him, her innate ability, known as [Window of Fortune], had been reacting with an intensity she had never experienced before. It pulsed within her senses like a beacon, vibrating through her consciousness without pause. The sensation was unmistakable. Her ability had never once misled her, not even in the harshest situations. In this merciless world, where even the smallest mistake could get someone killed, she had survived entirely because of that gift. It had protected her from missteps, danger, and the influence of people who could destroy her life with a single careless decision. But now, in the single hour she had spent beside Ray, the ability had not quieted even once. It continued to buzz as if urging her toward him, pointing at him with the unmistakable warning that she would regret missing this opportunity for the rest of her life. Th