A Price for Healing.
Leon gazed at the glowing screen before him, eyes wide with incredulity. A slow smile crept onto his face until it became a full-blown smirk.
"Finally. my cheat has arrived."
His voice rang through the empty room. He laughed at himself, a giddy, boyish sound rising from his throat. With a soft hum, he rose and stretched, his sculpted form lit by the golden light filtering in through the great windows.
"I'm not surviving in this world—I'm going to rule it."
Whistling a cheerful melody, he went to the bathroom, eager to rinse away the remaining weariness and begin anew. The bathroom, as everything else on the duke's property, was extravagant. Marble flooring, gold-edged sinks, and a wide round tub sculpted from obsidian stone sat in the center, steaming water already overflowing with a delicate herbal scent twining in the air.
Leon undressed with a casual air, his robe falling off his shoulders and gathering at his feet. Stepping into the bath, he slipped on the edge and stumbled clumsily.
"Shit—!"
Splashing, he half-fell into the tub, water spilling over the top. For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a sigh of bliss, he relaxed into the warm water, letting it massage his muscles.
With the heat creeping through his flesh, Leon leaned against the railing and rested his forehead on the brim. His brow furrowed in concentration.
"So. the System informed me that I need to collect a harem in order to become stronger. But." He looked down toward the portion of his anatomy which had long provided inner anguish to previous Leon.
".how the devil am I going to do that with this pathetic manhood?"
He winced at the sight of his flaccid manhood bobbing in the water. The recollections of the old Duke's life brought back memories of the irreversible affliction—erectile dysfunction—that had tormented the old man. It was part of the reason that the old Leon never wed or had lovers.
"But I'm not him anymore," Leon grumbled, determination shining in his eyes. "System, are you there?"
[Yes, Host.]
"You told me I have to build a harem to become stronger… but this body—how?"
[Affirmative. The host has a congenital malfunction. But if the host wishes, the System can fix the body.]
Leon's heart missed a beat.
"You can… cure it?" he asked tentatively.
[Yes, Host. But fixing the body costs.]
Leon squinted. "What type of cost?"
[A complete-body healing process will reset the host's cultivation. Current stage: Grandmaster… to Mortal.]
Silence ensued.
His eyes opened in shock. What memory he retains from past Leon based on such memories in Galvia power level – cultivation divide in seven level: Mortal, Novice, Master, Grandmaster, Monarch, Grand Monarch Conqueror. And the Grandmaster level… one of the highest posts in Galvia. Few made it to that level in a lifetime. It had been the best resource the former Duke had left behind.
He hesitates little but he considers but what was the use of that strength if he could not utilize the System?
He gritted his teeth. "If I heal my body, with the System's assistance, I'll come back. Faster. Stronger. No bounds this time."
There was a long silence before he made up his mind. "Do it. Heal me."
[As you wish, Host. Initiating the healing process.]
A green light surrounded his body, throbbing with heat and life. A buzzing ran through his limbs, then a jolt of energy shot through his center. Leon moaned quietly, sensing the change. His muscles spasmed, his joints cracked, and his body seemed to rejuvenate from the inside out.
Then he glanced down.
".Oh?"
His eyes widened as he saw his previously-dead manhood slowly begin to rise, thickening and lengthening to a proud six inches.
"HOLY SHIT," he drew in, the combination of awe and elation slamming into him like a speeding truck. "It's Heal!"
He bellowed out a laugh, bouncing in his bath like he'd just bounced off the surface of the pond. Not just was his brokenness fixed, But then. he thinks something else resolved within his body. An unexplainable lightness. He scowled and grumbled, "System… was that all?"
[Healing complete. Host's internal injuries have also been mended. Cultivation has been reset to Mortal.]
Leon grunted. "Yeah… I can feel it. I'm weak as hell now compare to when I arrive in this world."
Nevertheless, he couldn't help but deny it. He now feels whole as a man.
"System," he said once more. "You never gave me a starting gift. Where's my bonus?"
[Host has one pending System Bonus Gift.]
"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?"
[Host did not ask.]
"…Tch. Fine. I'm asking now."
[Would the Host like to open the System Bonus Gift?]
"Yes!"
A golden glow of a treasure chest before him, slightly shining. A question followed.
[System Bonus Gift – Open?]
[Yes / No]
Leon chose [Yes] immediately. The screen flashed and then another question popped out:
[Choose one:]
[1. Receive Forgotten Knowledge of Galvia OR
2.Receive a Random Skill]
Leon thought. With his cultivation reset, most skills would not be applicable yet. Knowledge, however…
He remembered the ten blank points he had remaining. "System, can I spend blank points on buying skills?"
[Yes, Host.]
"Then it's settled. I'll take the knowledge."
[Wise decision. Knowledge Transferring now.]
[Processing… Downloading Knowledge.]
Abruptly, a deluge of information invaded his mind. Ancient history, theories of cultivation, lost secrets of his family, hidden planes, and forbidden arts—his mind was overspilling.
He gasped a few minutes later, cradling his head as the deluge of information swept across all reaches of his awareness.
A few agonizing minutes passed before he reclined in the tub, breathing, chest falling and rising.
"…That. was intense."
[Note: Because of low cultivation, parts of the knowledge have been sealed. Unlock condition: Grand Monarch Stage.]
Leon's eyes flew open. "What?!"
[It is for the Host's safety.]
"Oh, don't you even try that crap now!"
[System only has Host's best interest in mind.]
Leon grunted and rubbed a damp hand across his face.
".Fine. I'll get there sooner or later. Just don't keep any more surprises, okay?"
[No promises.]
".Tch. Asshole system."
Having bathed, Leon exited the bathroom and rubbed himself down using a soft towel. He crossed over to the wardrobe and began to put on a loose ensemble of night wear. A satin pair of black trousers and an open-neck white shirt, one that he did deliberately leave open halfway to display his chest. The material was light, good for sleeping in, yet also presented him in a roguishly dignified manner.
As he fastened the waistband, he noticed a small mirror in the corner of the room. Curiosity struck. He walked over and looked at his reflection—and froze.
".Holy fuck."
A breath escaped him.
"I'm… I'm handsome!"
He turned his head left and right, inspecting every angle with awe.
Long, thick raven-black hair surrounded his pale but smooth face. His golden eyes glowed softly under the light of the room. Bony brows, a finely sculpted nose, and a powerful jawline gave him the appearance of a statue of a long-forgotten god.
Leon blinked. Then smiled.
"If I were on Earth, I'd be an idol—no, a legend," he breathed.
The door creaked open with a soft click at that moment.