the great reincarnation of the vengeful godslayer

YUHAN POV : 

"..."

"Hmm..."

[You're getting close, Master. Just four more days of training like this, and you'll likely awaken your Aspect.] 

Byeok spoke with excitement, quite unlike me, utterly drained and on the verge of collapsing. "Likely?" Really? Does this guy even understand the suffering I've endured for three months because of him? 

Behind Byeok's innocent facade hides a relentless demon. For three grueling months, I refined my soul with no rest, no pause—just endless, torturous training. 

In exchange, I had the privilege of sending Byeok outside the chamber to gather intelligence about the domain. 

As expected, since my departure, Zhao Chen Li, Tien Mei, and Tien Yuan have done nothing but fret over me, bursting into tears every time my name is mentioned. 

Xiu Baok? She's been drowning her sorrows in food and alcohol. She's the one who sent me here, yet she's among the most devastated by my absence. 

Yang Fan Li, at least, remained cheerful and lively, showing maturity I could appreciate. And then there's YuXiang Jun, completely indifferent as usual, dedicating himself entirely to his training. Honestly, that guy is an idiot and will likely stay that way till the end of his days. 

But I didn't send Byeok to spy on how my allies were doing. No, my focus was far more critical: gathering intel on my half-siblings, specifically those participating in the tournament. To stand a chance against those bastards, I needed to know them inside out. 

Though invisible to the naked eye, Byeok's spiritual presence is palpable to skilled alchemists, so he had to tread carefully. Even so, he managed to collect information on ten of my siblings. 

The first twelve ? No real threats, not worth my time. But the remaining three? They're the ones to watch out for: 

Ha Zhou Baok – A gluttonous monster of raw muscle. The younger brother of Xiu Baok, he's a formidable Jiâ with awakened powers. Known for his brute strength, he's a juggernaut capable of taking down ten opponents single-handedly. His abilities remain unknown, but caution is imperative. 

Ha Zhao Han – A reserved and shadowy figure, Byeok uncovered little about him. However, rumors say he specializes in poison, likely inherited from his mother, a master of a poison-wielding clan. He's almost certainly a Sō. 

Ha Yu Yan – The most talented, yet the most immature. She wields a unique combat style blending dance and devastating kicks. Her power likely centers on fire, and she's either a Sō or a Zhì, though my bet's on the former. 

Three threats, each formidable in their own right. Still, once I awaken my Aspect, none of them will stand a chance. 

---

The three months flew by as I immersed myself in the grueling routine, and the day of awakening finally arrived. 

[Today's the day, Master! You'll awaken your Aspect !]

"Yeah, yeah. But what do you think it'll be? I bet I'll be a Zhì or a Sō. What's your guess?" 

I asked Byeok, my excitement barely contained. But the spirit simply covered his mouth, stifling a laugh, his body trembling with amusement. 

[You'll see soon enough, Master, but I can guarantee your reaction will be... amusing!]

Perplexed but undeterred, I nodded. His help over the last three months was invaluable, after all. The moment had come. 

I took the final pill from the pouch Xiu Baok had handed me three months ago, placed it in my mouth, and swallowed. 

"Bitter as always…" I muttered, a faint smirk tugging at my lips. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I closed my eyes, calming my breaths, slow and steady. 

Minutes passed like hours. The atmosphere grew heavier, an unfamiliar weight pressing down on me, unlike anything I'd encountered before. 

One minute. Two. Ten. Twenty. Nothing seemed to change. But then, heat bloomed in my chest, my heart racing, lungs gasping for air. My spiritual core began spinning uncontrollably, a storm of energy surging within me. 

It wasn't pain. Not quite pleasure either. It was... overwhelming. 

My consciousness teetered, but I held on. The energy intensified, consuming every fiber of my being until, finally, the core exploded in a brilliant purple flame, flooding my body with an unimaginable force. 

As the sensation subsided, I opened my eyes. 

"Byeok… what's happening to me?" I asked, staring in disbelief at the radiant aura enveloping me. 

[Simply put, Master, you've awakened]

"Wait, you mean...?" 

[Yes! Congratulations—you've become an alchemist!] 

Stunned, I looked at my hands, the magnitude of my achievement finally dawning on me. 

"But how do I know what my Aspect is?" 

[Why don't you try interacting with something in the room?] 

I turned to the empty sacks in the corner where my nutrient pills once were, raising a hand toward them. 

What happened next left me speechless. 

"I'm a..." 

---

Back at the royal banquet... 

As the family's eyes bore into me, the patriarch, Ha Zhan, finally broke the silence, raising a hand to quiet the murmurs in the hall. 

"Welcome, all, to the 1,950th Royal Banquet of the Ha Family. As is tradition, this banquet will be crowned with a tournament among my youngest children..." 

His gaze fell on me, heavy and expectant, his expression brimming with condescension. 

I met it with a confident, provocative smirk. Don't worry, old man. I'll leave you and everyone here utterly speechless. 

We soon arrived at a grand stone platform, bathed in the light of a full moon. The setting was breathtaking, the perfect stage for the battles to come. 

An elderly man took center stage, clearing his throat before addressing the crowd. 

"Welcome, everyone, to the—" 

A loud crack interrupted him as he doubled over, clutching his back. 

"Oh dear... I seem to have overdone it..." 

Despite the absurdity, the crowd maintained their serious demeanor—except for me, who exchanged a sheepish glance with YooXiang Jun. 

Another announcer took the old man's place, introducing each contestant. My name drew gasps from the audience, their shock evident. 

My first opponent was Ha Kon Zhoug, the 25th son. A non-threat, barely capable of basic alchemy, with no Aspect to speak of. I didn't even bother using a weapon. 

"Heh! You think your flashy entrance will save you, bastard? Don't think for a second you'll get out of this alive!" 

The gong sounded, and Kon Zhoug lunged at me, blade aimed straight for my chest. 

Effortlessly, I sidestepped his attack, countering with a swift, elegant motion that sent him flying out of the arena. 

Silence fell over the crowd, every gaze locked on me—some slack-jawed, others wide-eyed, struggling to process what they had just witnessed. 

"Well then," I declared, smirking confidently. "well..it was pretty easy"