The Legend of Lingpeng

From the window, the sky was consumed by darkness, stars flickering beneath the crescent moon, decorating the heavens in their full glory.

It was picturesque.

“Ugh!”

Lucy straightened, her body aching as blood seeped from the freshly etched tattoos. The pain was sharp, but she bit her lip, refusing to scream and alert the neighbors.

In the end, it had been worth it.

Wiping sweat from her forehead, she exhaled deeply, her eyes tracing the glowing marks on her body. The tattoos, a blend of geometric and traditional patterns, radiated a faint greenish-blue light, their edges tinted with dark lavender.

[‘Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique’ influence snakes through your skin.]

The notification flashed before her eyes as she traced the faint constellation patterns on her right hand. A shiver ran down her spine. The markings resembled a creature stalking its prey, almost alive as if the constellations could spring from her skin at any moment.

Anyone who saw the glowing tattoos would be captivated. The intricate traces of the astral constellation adorned her body, but as Lucy checked her reflection in the mirror, she noticed something odd—the trace extended from her forehead down her right eye, then curved toward her neck near her ear. The pattern was strange but unmistakable.

The “Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” had succeeded. The faint glow came from her subconscious use of the technique, as the traces absorbed mana from the air.

Her comprehension of mana flow had deepened, but both her mind and body were exhausted. She admired the way the traces drew energy through her circuits to her core, even when the technique wasn't fully active.

The “Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” was an automatic mana absorption system, and its traces covered every part of her body. But another detail stood out. When Lucy lifted her shirt, she saw the traces gather at a specific point on her abdomen, where her "Core" was located. After hours of grueling effort, she'd finally reached this stage.

She had nearly bled out in the process. Rubbing the blood away with a hot, wet cloth, she tried to soothe her fatigue, the warmth easing the sting. The night was pitch-black, lit only by the soft glow of the moon, but she had persevered, practicing the technique without food, water, or rest. A single mistake in the pattern would have reduced the technique's efficiency—or worse, cost her even more blood.

But she hadn't faltered. There was a strange confidence within her, as if not just from herself, but from Alberto. His guidance had been precise, leading her through each step and stroke.

[Trace

Type: Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique

Rank: S

Completion: 90%

Proficiency: 0

An automatic mana absorption system, its traces covered every part of the wielder’s body. It functions in three modes: active, passive, and standby. By manipulating the atmosphere, it artificially absorbs mana through breathing.

Condition: Currently in “passive mode”]

Lucy grabbed a jug of water, putting a few into a mug and gulping it down as the cool liquid soothed her throat. She wiped the sweat from her cheeks, welcoming the chilly night breeze from the window as it cooled her bruised body. A quick glance at the moon told her it was past midnight.

After a few snacks, Lucy settled back into her lotus position. It was time to practice the “Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” and absorb mana from the atmosphere. This was her first test run in this life.

Her eyes briefly shone before closing. The Trace around her body hummed softly, glowing in a greenish-blue gradient. Her heartbeat quickened, her breathing steadied, and energy pulsed through her veins. The soft glow flickered along the geometric and traditional patterned tattoos on her skin.

[“Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” detected. Syncing with “Traces.”]

[Synchronization in progress.]

[Synchronization complete.]

['Passive mode' has shifted to 'Active mode.']

[Mana absorption rate: 75%.]

[Duration: 10 minutes.]

[Countdown started.]

As the voice echoed in her mind, Lucy marveled at how the status window functioned. Being a “Transcender of genders and time” had its perks. This trait was more useful than she'd thought.

Her concentration deepened, and her awareness of the world around her faded. The greenish-blue glow of traces around her dimmed, flickering softly before fading and vice versa. 

Time passed, and the moon shifted in the sky. Hours slipped by as Lucy remained in her trance, absorbing mana, her focus unwavering.

— — — — — 

CCRRACCKKLE! CCRRUUNNCH! 

An awkward sound sent shivers down Lucy’s spiritual spine. Her mana stat was only at 11, yet she could feel turbulent waves of mana swirling through her energy circuits and gathering in her core. Inside, her body trembled, while outside, only a flickering greenish-blue glow accompanied the fading sound.

Despite the unsettling noise echoing within, there was nothing she could do to stop it. The sensation came from deep inside, and her body was undergoing a fundamental transformation. Pain tore through her, making her twitch uncontrollably. Although she had absorbed the mana, her body struggled to adapt to the overwhelming flow as it coursed through her circuits, filling her muscles and veins.

Lucy clenched her teeth, blood seeping from the corner of her cherry-red lips. It felt like countless needles pierced her insides, disassembling her very structure. Goosebumps rose across her skin as the pain subsided, replaced by the eerie sensation of her energy pathways expanding. It was as if spider webs were forming, widening her circuits to accommodate the thick waves of mana.

Her veins bulged, and her legs—still in the lotus position—felt numb and restless. A bizarre warmth spread through her, like hot water pouring into chilled muscles. Frosty vapor leaked from her mouth, adding to the strange sensation.

At that moment, Lucy knew exactly what she needed to do.

“Let’s build and expand the pathways,” she thought.

The sensations in her body grew stronger, but she pushed thick waves of mana from her consciousness into her energy pathways. Slowly and methodically, she expanded each one. Her muscles stretched and contracted, her bones began to reforge, and her veins unclogged, speeding blood and mana circulation to every corner of her body.

With each cycle, her once-tense body began to relax. A saying echoed in her mind: “Something good happens when one least expects it.” The thick waves of mana circling her erupted, burning fiercely before she diffused it through her body again, completing another cycle.

Her heartbeat stabilized, her breathing grew steady, and Lucy sensed a shift inside. It was a success.

Though the method seemed complex, it allowed her to regulate and adapt her body to retain the high waves of mana from the atmosphere. She circulated the mana through every part of her being in multiple cycles.

Normally, this process wouldn’t happen this way. However, by expanding her pathways, she improved her ability to absorb high waves of mana without disrupting her existing mana circulation.

Each method served a different purpose: one expanded her pathways for better retention, while the other circulated mana efficiently. Gradually, Lucy sculpted her body into an unparalleled adapter for high waves of mana. As frost escaped her mouth, warmth filled her heart.

“Finally, half of the pathways have been adjusted and expanded,” she thought.

She flowed faint waves of mana through her pathways, inspecting them. They felt sturdy and well-expanded. Lucy guessed this was enough for now, especially with the countdown nearing its end.

‘But how long has it been?’ she wondered.

Her bones had stopped creaking, and the pulsing waves of mana in her veins ceased. Sensation returned to her legs, and the restlessness vanished. Not only were her pathways sturdier, but their quality had slightly improved.

The reasons for these changes were clear. It had been a while since she had practiced these methods. Out of all the pathways in her energy circuit, only half had been expanded. Since the technique’s effectiveness was proportional to the amount of mana absorbed, progress was slow. Still, Lucy knew it would take just a little more time to adjust the rest.

Despite the gradual progress, Lucy was pleased. After a deep breath, she opened her eyes, feeling refreshed. Though subtle, her eyes looked different from a few hours ago, and her physique seemed slightly altered. Has she grown taller? Or was it something else entirely?

[Countdown completed.]

[Synchronization has been reduced.]

['Active mode' has shifted to 'Passive mode.']

[75% of Mana has been absorbed.]

["Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique" has been deactivated with "Traces."]

As the messages flickered before her eyes, a multicolored mist shimmered faintly around her—the high-density mana in the atmosphere was visible to the naked eye.

Could it be that her adaptation to the high waves of mana had increased her comprehension of atmospheric high-density mana as well? If so, absorbing only 75% of the mana was no disappointment. It was impressive that she'd already secured what she needed.

Her body had grown taller, now better able to handle the atmospheric mana absorbed through "Trace."

The changes were subtle, almost unnoticeable unless someone examined her closely. Yet Lucy could feel them. Despite the slight discomfort of growing 10 cm taller, she recognized the shifts in her body.

[You have learned to utilize Trace efficiently and adapt to atmospheric High-Density Mana.]

[Trace proficiency has increased by 5%.]

[Your physique has strengthened significantly due to Atmospheric High-Density Mana Adaptability.]

[Strength: 12 → 15]

[Agility: 14 → 17]

[Endurance: 15 → 19]

[Mana: 11 → 16]

[Senses: 9 → 15]

[Trace
Type: Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique
Rank: S
Completion: 90%
Proficiency: 0% → 5% 

An automatic mana absorption system, its traces cover every part of the wielder’s body. It functions in three modes: active, passive, and standby. By manipulating the atmosphere, it absorbs mana through breathing.

Condition: Currently in "passive mode."]

Not only had her physique improved dramatically, but her stats had also surged. Even her "Trace" had gained some proficiency.

All in all, it had been a profitable experience. The pain and the hunger gnawing at her stomach now seemed like a small price to pay. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, cheeks, and neck with a towel, the cool night breeze refreshing against her skin. She stretched her torso and neck, adjusting to the changes in her body.

But the status window wasn’t done. More messages appeared before her eyes.

[The power of Trace has merged with your Core.]

[Opposing High-Density and Low-Density Forces are fusing to increase Trace completion.]

[Compatibility in progress.]

The greenish-blue tattoos spiraling across Lucy’s body converged at a specific point on her abdomen—where her Core resided and began to pulse vigorously. A sharp pain erupted from deep within, doubling her over. It felt as though she might vomit her very soul. Saliva slipped from her lips.

Just when the agony seemed unbearable, it eased. The night air felt soothing now, calming her mind.

[Compatibility successful.]

[Synchronization successful.]

[High-Density and Low-Density Forces fusion successful.]

[Completion has been granted.]

[Trace

Type: Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique

Rank: S

Completion: 90 → 100%

Proficiency: 0% → 5%]

Wait—Lucy was stunned. Her eyes shot wide open at the large message flashing before her. Slowly, she stood up, still trying to process it.

She couldn’t believe it.

Wait, what did she just read?

— — — — — 

Collapsing onto the soft, welcoming bed, Lucy felt exhaustion flood her entire body as if she were sinking into its warmth. The thought of taking a bath tugged at her mind, along with the hunger gnawing at her stomach, reminding her of the meal she’d brought back from the Academy. A few mouthfuls of water would ease the dryness in her throat, and only then would she allow her eyelids to finally drift shut, surrendering to the pull of sleep.

But before any of that, her instincts took over, and with a thought, she summoned the Status window to check on her updated self.

[Name: Lucy Lingpeng.

Level: 1

Race: Human 

Class: None.

Stats 

Strength: 15

Agility: 17

Endurance: 19

Mana: 16 [Traces]

Senses: 15

Trait 

He Who Transcends Genders and Time

Skill 

[Void Eye]

[Trace — Completion: 100% — Condition: Currently in “passive mode”]

“What a change,” Lucy whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. After the searing, agonizing pain she had just endured, this transformation felt surreal. Who would have believed it? Not even she had expected this outcome. The Trace’s completion, which had stubbornly eluded her even when using the 'Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique,' had somehow been triggered when her “core” merged with the “traces.”

It was an absurd, almost impossible achievement. Even in the vast expanse of Monsterized Knight Alberto’s knowledge, there had never been mention of such a phenomenon. It felt as though she had stumbled upon something ancient, something that defied the rules she thought she understood.

It wasn’t just a simple phenomenon judging by the system’s messages, there’s more to it.

Trace

The “Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” harnessed the energy of one’s sea of consciousness—called Trace—by engraving schematic tattoos that absorbed mana from the atmosphere automatically. 

This technique had elevated Alberto to the pinnacle of monster kind, requiring deep comprehension, mental fortitude, physical strength, and considerable time and effort. Even so, Lucy could recall memories from her past life as Alberto, when she had merged the angelic, winged dove of the Heavens and cultivated the holy power of the Twilight Breathing Technique.

The Dragons and Demons, however, drew their strength from the Seven Formation cardinal points of the world.

Alberto, a Monsterized Knight and the Warlord of Monsters had sought all knowledge. He made the fateful decision to merge two techniques that were never meant to be combined—like oil and water. Yet, through this reckless union, the “Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” was born.

But something didn’t add up.

Wasn’t the “Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique” supposed to draw mana only from the atmosphere using the Seven Formations of Dragons and Demons, with the Twilight Breathing Technique of Angels as its foundation? That’s how Alberto had understood it. He reached the peak of Trace, tapping into atmospheric mana so extensively that he created new abilities. His mana density grew until he ascended to the rank of Transcendent, even managing to battle the Great Wizard using only a clone. He thought he had mastered the technique.

But he had been wrong.

The Seven Formation of the Dragons and Demons was a singular form, exclusive to their genes and traits. It embodied Darkness and Neutrality. Likewise, the angelic, winged dove of the Heavens cultivated the holy power of the Twilight Breathing Technique, evolving only through traits specific to Angels.

Yet when combined, they formed Trace.

At least, that’s how Lucy understood it now. 

The opposing forces were somehow balanced within her, merging with her core due to her unique trait. Anytime she used mana—whether a trickle or a torrent—the Traces flared to life, pulsing in different patterns to optimize the output. It worked like a temporary reservoir, storing mana efficiently without damaging her body.

Her status window displayed this, showing how the Traces reacted whenever she manipulated her core mana in unknown ways. An unknown way? Right, a deeper path Lucy hadn’t yet uncovered. 

She was certain of it.

Perhaps… just maybe, her output could exceed the limits of her Mana stat. 

Maybe. Or maybe not.

If that were true, it would shatter all reason. No matter how deeply she searched her past memories as Alberto, nothing like this technique had ever existed.

It was unprecedented. Unimaginable.

A shiver ran down her spine as she prepared her meal—her stomach kept growling, demanding attention.

And so, she was making noodles, and after pouring hot water into the bowl, she watched as the ingredients mixed, releasing tendrils of steam. With a few twists of her fork, the meal was ready, the aroma rich and enticing.

Lucy took a bite, the noodles sliding effortlessly into her mouth. The taste was divine, though the heat and spice left her gulping down water between bites. Even as sweat dripped down her face, she didn't stop until the bowl was empty.

After drinking more water, she prepared a bath. The faint steam curled into the air as she let her hair down, a few strands falling across her forehead. Slowly, she sank into the warm water, the heat soothing her aching muscles.

Her mind continued to race.

Could Trace evolve into something greater? Could it unlock new abilities?

In Alberto’s time, he had been the only one to create and master the technique. Its mysteries remained hidden, as most powerful beings saw no need to explore further. Why search for something new when their foundations were already solid?

But Alberto had been different. As a Monsterized Knight, he was just average in the food chain. He could compare with the Royal Monsters like the Orcs, Ogres, Trolls, Liches, succubus… and more. When the chance for greater strength appeared, he took it—no matter the cost even if he had to sell his soul to become a servant to a Royal Monster, a pawn of a Dragon or Demon, or even a punching bag for an Angel. And in doing so, he grasped and merged the technique and mastered it.

Lucy exhaled slowly, her thoughts spiraling.

What if...

What if Alberto had only understood Trace at a limited level because he was a Monster, despite reaching the peak of the technique?

If that were true, then perhaps by transcending genders and time, and becoming Lucy in this present life, she could unlock an even higher level of comprehension.

Her eyes widened at the thought. Her heart raced.

Could this be the true form of Trace?

If she cultivated this higher form if she learned the weapons techniques buried within her, not only would she surpass her current self by leaps and bounds, but also her past self. What once seemed impossible now felt within reach.

Excitement surged through her veins as she rose from the bath, water dripping from her skin. She dried herself quickly, letting her hair fall freely, and slipped into casual clothes. The thought wouldn’t leave her mind.

When she first regained Alberto’s memories, disappointment in her human body weighed heavily on her—especially since she was now female.

A lower being. Though her body had grown stronger physically, mentally, and magically, it would eventually reach its peak and plateau. That had been her limit.

But now, with the trait granted by the Akashic Records for transcending genders and time, she saw a new path to strength. While she had doubted she could ever reach Alberto’s former heights, the potential growth of Trace gave her hope.

Lucy clenched her fist.

With Trace’s evolution, it might not take as long as she once feared.

It wasn’t impossible anymore.

She had already walked the path to the pinnacle once—though with less comprehension. Now, with a deeper understanding, retracing those steps seemed more precise, though still challenging. The human body was fragile, after all.

Lucy collapsed onto her bed, feeling relaxed and at ease. Her eyelids flickered as a deep yawn escaped her.

‘I’ll perfect the Seven Formations of Twilight Breathing Technique... and Trace,’ she thought briefly as her fist slowly unclenched. 

“I’ll become the richest Adapter in the world.” Her words slowly faded. 

It was an unexpected goal, one even Alberto might have laughed at. Yet, a small smile played on her lips. After all, only the strong could protect the riches they accumulated.

If one was going to dream why not dream big?

As the moon shifted in the sky, Lucy drifted into a deep sleep. The Traces flickered faintly, passively absorbing mana as her heart brimmed with anticipation for the limitless possibilities that awaited her.