Greyhaven was quiet in the early morning.
The sun had just begun to touch the rooftops with a pale orange glow, reflecting off the thin layers of dust that settled over the city's streets. Arthur sat cross-legged on the rooftop of his apartment, eyes closed, feeling the rhythm of his body.
His Rank 1 ceiling had been reached. One hundred Attribute Points, fully optimized. Strength, endurance, speed, recovery, technique mastery—all maxed out for his current rank. The system had made him perfect within the constraints of Rank 1. But perfection at a ceiling was still limited.
Arthur exhaled slowly.
"To grow further… I need a breakthrough," he muttered to himself.
He opened the interface.
[Adaptive Attribute System]
[Host: Arthur]
[Current Rank: 1]
[Total Attribute Points: 100 / 100]
[Punching Force: 100 kg]
[Status: Maxed]
A glowing menu appeared: Rank Breakthrough Options.
Arthur knew a Rank 1 → Rank 2 breakthrough wouldn't be easy. The system had indicated it would require both experience and energy points. Attribute Points alone weren't enough. He would need to accumulate more energy from the outside—through medicines, pills, or Rank 1 & Rank 2 corpses.
Rank 1 sources would give him 1 Attribute Point per item. Rank 2 sources would give 10 Attribute Points per item. But he also knew he couldn't rush the process. Forcing more points into a maxed body without preparation could injure him. The system would allow him to attempt a breakthrough, but the body itself had to be ready.
Arthur rose to his feet and stretched slowly, letting his muscles relax and warm up. He had already begun practicing proper energy circulation. It wasn't enough to accumulate points—his body had to absorb them efficiently. Improper absorption could lead to collapse.
He thought of his family. His parents, his younger brother Leo, and his little sister Mia. They were safe in Greyhaven, and he couldn't risk their safety by rushing into recklessness. The breakthrough had to be controlled.
Arthur left the rooftop and headed to the training hall. Today, he wasn't going to spar lightly—he needed a Rank 2 martial artist to test his limits.
In the hall, Master Kael, a seasoned Rank 2 martial artist, was already waiting. His body radiated controlled energy, each movement precise, calm, and powerful. He was strong, but not arrogant—exactly the kind of opponent Arthur needed.
"You've been practicing alone?" Master Kael asked, his eyes sharp.
"Yes, sir," Arthur replied, bowing slightly. "I want to test my limits before attempting a breakthrough."
Master Kael nodded. "Good. But remember, strength without control is dangerous. Your body is Rank 1. Even a Rank 2 opponent can overwhelm you if you lose focus."
Arthur flexed his fists. The interface displayed:
[Current Rank: 1 – Maxed]
[Punching Force: 100 kg]
Master Kael raised an eyebrow. "You know your Rank 1 ceiling. Good. Let's see how you handle Rank 2 precision."
They bowed, and the sparring began.
Arthur moved first, circling cautiously. He threw a controlled punch, testing his reach and timing. Master Kael sidestepped effortlessly, his own energy radiating like a faint pressure wave. Arthur could feel it brushing against him, a warning. Rank 2 wasn't just stronger—it was faster, sharper, and more controlled.
Arthur adjusted his stance, focusing on energy circulation. Each punch was now not just muscle—it was a controlled stream of power, refined by the system. He could land blows, but they didn't stagger Master Kael. Not yet.
Master Kael attacked with a precise strike. Arthur barely blocked it. The force made his arms tremble slightly. One hundred kilograms of Rank 1 strength was strong—but Rank 2 was stronger, faster, and more coordinated.
Arthur gritted his teeth. He could feel the limits of Rank 1 pressing against him. His body moved efficiently, but efficiency had a ceiling. This was exactly what the sparring was meant to show him. He had to understand his limits fully before trying to surpass them.
After several minutes of controlled sparring, both stepping back to catch their breath, Arthur examined the difference.
Rank 2 wasn't just numbers on the screen. His speed, energy projection, and precision were all magnified. The difference between a 100 kg punch and a 200 kg punch wasn't linear—it was exponential in effect when combined with perfect technique.
"Your body is strong, but you can't fight beyond your ceiling yet," Master Kael said.
"If you try, you'll injure yourself. But if you learn control… you'll survive Rank 2, and eventually, break through to it."
Arthur nodded. The words were harsh but true. He realized the breakthrough wasn't just about Attribute Points. It was body readiness, control, and understanding the next rank's demands.
Accumulating Energy for the Breakthrough
Arthur returned home and summoned the interface again.
[Available Energy Sources Nearby]
◇Rank 1 Medicine: 5 items (1 Attribute Point each)
◇Rank 2 Medicine: 2 items (10 Attribute Points each)
He could use them to carefully push his body closer to Rank 2 thresholds. The system allowed him to absorb points gradually. Overloading was dangerous, but incremental absorption would prepare his body for the breakthrough.
Arthur carefully selected a Rank 1 medicine. The interface guided him:
[Absorption: Initiated]
[Attribute Points Gained: +1]
[Total Points: 101 / 100 – Body at ceiling, excess points stored for breakthrough]
He could feel the energy flowing into him, filling spaces that had been prepared. His body trembled slightly—not from weakness, but from the sensation of pushing against the ceiling. Carefully, he absorbed another Rank 1 medicine.
Another point. Two points stored.
Then he prepared the Rank 2 medicine. The interface warned him:
[Rank 2 Energy: +10 Attribute Points]
[Body Readiness Required]
Arthur took a deep breath, focusing on energy circulation, alignment, and control. Slowly, he absorbed the first Rank 2 medicine. The energy surged like a wave, pressing against his ceiling. His muscles contracted, his bones felt denser. He exhaled, letting the system regulate the flow.
[Attribute Points Gained: +10]
[Body Stability: Optimal]
Arthur felt a thrill. This was more than numbers—it was the feeling of Rank 2 forming inside him. He could sense the boundaries expanding, just slightly, and the system storing excess points for when the breakthrough finally occurred.
He repeated the process with the second Rank 2 medicine. His body trembled more noticeably this time. Energy flowed in controlled surges, and he felt his internal strength growing. The ceiling of Rank 1 was no longer absolute; it was preparing to open.
Arthur stood on the rooftop again as the sun sank lower in the sky. Greyhaven was calm, the streets quiet. He flexed his fingers and tested his punching power. The interface displayed:
[Current Rank: 1 – Maxed]
[Total Attribute Points Stored for Breakthrough: 22]
[Punching Force: 100 kg – Max for Rank 1]
He could feel the energy ready to surge into Rank 2. He wasn't ready to cross fully yet—but the groundwork was complete. His body had been conditioned, tested against a true Rank 2 martial artist, and had absorbed controlled energy to prepare for the breakthrough.
Arthur exhaled, letting his thoughts wander to Greyhaven. The city was small, low-tier, but it was safe. The Void Raiders focused on Aurelius Prime—the Main City—and sent only scouting forces to cities like Greyhaven. That safety allowed him to prepare properly. No rushing, no reckless attacks.
He clenched his fist, feeling the quiet power in his arm. The first gate—the Rank 1 ceiling—was no longer an unyielding wall. Soon, it would open. And when it did, he would step into Rank 2 for the first time.
Arthur thought of his family—his parents, his little brother, and his sister. Their safety depended on him growing stronger, steadily, without mistakes. That responsibility was heavier than the energy surging in his body, but also more important than the thrill of power.
He gazed toward the distant horizon. One day, he would reach Aurelius Prime. One day, he would see the battlefield where the Void Raiders concentrated their strongest forces. But for now, he had Greyhaven, his training, and the preparation for the first breakthrough.
And that was enough.
Arthur smiled faintly, feeling the hum of stored energy in his body. The journey upward had begun. The first gate would soon open.