In the training ground, countless arrows rained down from all directions. A bare-chested figure stood in the center, and the iron arrows struck his body with the sound of clashing metal, bouncing off and falling powerlessly to the ground.
The ground was littered with arrows, stuck in at odd angles, but the figure standing in the center remained unmoved.
His muscle lines were as perfect as those sculpted by ancient Greek artists, with a gray-black metallic sheen on the surface, making him look like a metal statue placed there.
After the last wave of arrows ceased, the 'statue' moved. As he began to move, the gray-black luster on his skin quickly faded, revealing his natural skin color.
"Phew—"
Gusion let out a long breath. That was the end of today's Haki training.
Today marked his twenty-fifth day in the End Space. During this time, apart from training in the arena, he spent his breaks catching up on anime.
He'd watched all the works related to the derivative worlds that low-level explorers might end up in, feeling quite nostalgic about the thriving entertainment culture of the old era.
His attributes and skills had all improved to some extent. His Armament Haki had reached level 4 through his training. All his physical attributes had increased by 1, and his spirit attributes by 2.
What surprised Gusion was that the spiritual pressure training method he learned at the Bleach world could still be used in the End Space. He discovered there were also spirit particles in the End Space.
Gusion thought that the so-called spirit particles were just a term. This kind of energy floating in the atmosphere probably existed in many worlds—called qi in Dragon Ball and probably chakra in the Naruto world for example.
In general, he believed these energies most directly strengthened his spirit attributes, thus increasing his soul source cap. He guessed that spirit attributes were mostly related to soul strength.
…
[Detected: Origin Seed has appeared. According to End Space rules, Pioneers will be prioritized for deployment to the target world to retrieve it. Please prepare!]
Gusion had just finished his shower when he heard the End Space's prompt. He froze at first, then was overjoyed.
He'd been idling in the End Space for half a month; his Mazuko was already itching for action. He didn't expect End Space to throw him a mission so soon.
It even seemed like a special case—sounded interesting. His luck stat must be high!
[As Pioneer 008, you are permitted to know the target world 24 hours in advance.]
[Target World (Derivative): Kengan Ashura]
With the follow-up prompt, Gusion became even more excited. He'd always loved martial arts manga, especially Baki and Kengan Ashura. He never thought he'd have a chance to enter and play with the fighters there.
But after the excitement passed, he found it odd. From what he knew of Kengan Ashura, although there were plenty of superhuman musclemen, in terms of stats, he felt he was still ahead.
From what he knew about End Space, it wouldn't send him to a world he could easily dominate. So, the real challenge must be the Origin Seed.
"End Space, what is the Origin Seed?"
[Checking permissions… Pioneer clearance verified… Retrieving accessible information.]
[There are nine unique Spirit Seeds in the multiverse. The Origin Seed is one of them. Spirit Seeds randomly descend into a world, affecting it during their stay.]
[Absorbing a Spirit Seed grants a unique ability.]
The reply from End Space was brief, with no more info—probably due to insufficient clearance.
But even with just a few sentences, Gusion's simple brain grasped the importance of the Origin Seed. It was… unique, and seemed extremely powerful.
"End Space, what ability does the Origin Seed grant?"
Gusion asked curiously.
[Insufficient Pioneer clearance. Details available after absorbing the Origin Seed.]
Gusion's curiosity was burning—he couldn't wait to enter the Kengan world to look for this so-called Origin Seed.
"End Space, help me upgrade Armament Haki by one level."
Since he was about to enter a new world, Gusion didn't plan to save money. He used up his Small Inheritance Crystal and End Coins.
By the way, he'd trained to level 4 himself, but going from level 4 to 5 still only took one Small Inheritance Crystal—the End Coins cost just went from 400 to 500.
Gusion had little surplus left, mainly because he'd spent 500 End Coins on a paid training ground a few days ago out of curiosity.
…
[Time deemed sufficient. Beginning enhancement for Pioneer…]
A few hours later, Gusion finished his enhancement, checked his gear, and sat on the bed to meditate.
In End Space, every mission world was a new adventure and a new crisis. He had to ensure he entered the mission world at his peak to handle unexpected situations.
[Teleportation commencing…]
With the familiar End Space prompt, Gusion once again entered that hazy white-light tunnel. Everything was blurry except the clear prompt in his ears.
[Locating world…]
[Location successful. Target Derivative World: Kengan Ashura]
[Number of Explorers deployed in this mutated world: 19]
[World's common language has been pre-installed for Pioneer.]
[A suitable initial identity has been arranged for you in the world.]
[Mutated world: world public channel opened. Please monitor the channel.]
[Deployment commencing…]
[Deployment successful. Please review world details and your mission.]
With a strong sense of weightlessness, Gusion felt himself land.
He tried to get up and check his surroundings but found himself wrapped in a straitjacket, with his hands cuffed behind his back.
It was pitch-black; he couldn't see his hand. He was all too familiar with this situation.
Damn it! End Space, this is the initial identity you arranged for me!?
This is your so-called premium treatment!?
Gusion nearly couldn't suppress his urge to complain but decided to check his mission and world details first. Sitting in jail wasn't so bad—at least the solitary cell was safe for now.
[Mission World: Kengan Ashura (Under Mutation)]
[Mission World Type: Special Derivative]
[World Difficulty: Lv.3~7+]
[Warning: Due to the 'Origin Seed,' this world is mutating. Difficulty will continually rise over time!]
World Intro: Money and profit, power and desire, bloodthirsty violence, deadly competition!
The martial arts world is in turmoil; the Kengan Association is undercurrent-ridden, and strong fighters are rising to shine on the stage of life and death.
A mysterious seed has landed, gradually unlocking the fighters' limiters.
Kengan Matches: Hand-to-hand competitions where companies and businessmen bet massive profits and hire fighters to duke it out. Originally a means to settle merchant disputes, it began in the mid-Edo period and continues to modern times.
[Current World Exploration: 0]
[Current Location: Sarashikubi Prison (maximum security for felons)]
[Current Identity: Death Row Inmate]
When Gusion saw "death row inmate," he was annoyed. Reading further, he found his name was still Gusion Paxley.
The background End Space gave him: he was a stowaway from a small country to Japan, got into a fight with the human trafficking gang upon landing, and killed 28 people bare-handed.
After trial, they'd already tried to hang him four times, but he survived, so they transferred him to Sarashikubi Prison.