Ash's heart pounded like a war drum. Each beat echoed in his ears, drowning out everything else. His breath came in short, sharp gasps. The cold air of the dungeon burned his lungs.
Von's massive hand grabbed his chin. The fingers were rough and callused. They moved across Ash's cheek with a twisted gentleness that made his skin crawl. Ash's stomach turned. He wanted to throw up.
"Mmm... such a beautiful face," Von whispered. His voice was thick with excitement. "Pale skin, soft lips. The perfect Blood Cauldron." His eyes gleamed in the torchlight. They reminded Ash of a wolf looking at fresh meat. "I've struck the jackpot."
Ash jerked his head away. The chains around his wrists bit deeper into his skin. Sharp pain shot up his arms. He kicked out with his bare feet, scraping them against the rough stone floor. But his struggles did nothing. Von didn't even blink.
The man's strength was like nothing Ash had ever felt. His grip was iron. Behind Von, two women in dark robes crept closer. Their eyes moved over Ash's body like hungry animals. Like wolves circling a wounded lamb. They didn't try to hide it.
Ash's pulse thundered in his ears. Panic clawed at his chest like a wild beast trying to escape. He couldn't breathe. The air felt thick, heavy. The chains held him tight. His new body was weak, unfamiliar. Nothing like his old one.
He was trapped now.
The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. He was nothing in this world. A toy. A lowly prize to be won. His blood boiled, but his body wouldn't move. Fear had frozen him solid—fear of being weak, vulnerable, susceptible to being used as a plaything.
But in that moment, something shocking happened.
[DING!]
[Yin-Yang Furnace System Binding... 25%... 50%... 75%... 100%... Successful!]
A voice exploded in his head. It was mechanical but femininely so. Sharp and clear. It cut through the fog of panic like a blade through silk. Ash blinked hard, his vision swam.
[Host Identified: Ash Yagami]
[Soul Grade: Transcendent — Rebirth Protocol Engaged]
[Cultivation: None
Status: Blood Cauldron Slave]
A golden screen appeared in front of him. It floated in the air, see-through but bright. Shockingly, only he could see it. The others had no reaction to its abrupt appearance.
Lines of text glowed on it. They told him about his new life. Ash stared at it, his mouth dry. His heart skipped a beat.
"A... system?" he whispered. The words barely left his lips.
His mind flashed back to his past life. All those nights on his grandma's couch. Reading manga. Watching anime. Dreaming of superheroes with special powers. This was it. The stuff of his wildest dreams. Now it was real.
The voice continued, cold and sure.
[Welcome, Ash Yagami. You have been selected by the Yin-Yang Furnace System.]
[Mission: Absorb Yin. Devour Yang. Convert into Power. Seduce. Conquer. Transcend.]
[Fate has branded you a furnace—now turn the world into yours.]
[To view your Status Window, command: "System."]
Ash's lips twitched, a grin tried to break free.
A system. A golden cheat. Power. Hope. A way out of this nightmare. He wasn't helpless anymore.
The thought sparked something in his chest. A flame of defiance. It burned brighter with every word the system spoke.
He could survive this world. He wasn't helpless anymore.
But before he could get even a second to rejoice—
"Come to daddy," Von growled.
The giant man yanked Ash off the ground like he weighed nothing. Even standing, Ash's head barely reached Von's shoulders. The man was a mountain of muscle and malice.
Von's dirty hand traced down Ash's collarbone. His touch was slimy, invasive. It sent waves of disgust through Ash's body.
Ash's fingers clenched into fists. His nails dug into his palms. He wanted to burn this bastard alive. Tear him apart with his bare hands.
But even with the system's voice in his head, he was still chained. Still weak. Still trapped. He needed time to grow. He needed strength. A way to turn this power into something real.
His eyes darted around the room. Looking for an opening. A crack in the nightmare closing around him.
Then, like hyenas fighting over a carcass, the two girls pounced in.
"I saw him first—he's mine!" the one with cherry-red lips snapped. Her voice was sharp, possessive. From their arguing, Ash caught her name. Briar.
"You're joking," the blonde-haired woman spat back. Her eyes flashed with anger. "I marked him before you even stepped inside!" This one was Arla.
"Shut up, both of you," Von growled. His voice was a low rumble that shook the stone walls. "He's mine. Back off." His grip tightened on Ash's arm. The skin bruised under his fingers, and the chains rattled.
Ash stood frozen between them. The chains bit into his wrists. His heart hammered against his ribs. The three argued like spoiled children fighting over a toy. Their voices rose higher and higher. Sharp and heated. Dripping with lustful greed.
The air around them shimmered. Ripples of energy crackled between them. 'Mana', Ash realized. The power of this world. They were strong. Far stronger than him who was just a ordinary mortal.
The thought made his stomach twist. But the system... the system was his edge. His chance to turn the tables.
SLAM!
The iron door suddenly exploded open. The sound crashed through the chamber like thunder.
The other captives flinched. Their chains clinked as they shrank back into the shadows. Ash's head snapped toward the doorway. His pulse spiked.
A tall woman stepped inside. Her black robes swirled behind her like storm clouds. Her face was sharp and elegant. Beautiful but cold. Like a blade forged in moonlight.
The pressure she gave off was crushing. It pressed against Ash's chest, making it hard to breathe. Her presence silenced the room. The air grew heavy with her unspoken authority.
Her eyes swept the scene. Cold and probing. Missing nothing. "Why the fuss?" she asked. Her voice was sharp as a whip crack. "What's going on here?"
The three disciples froze. Their argument died in their throats. Von's smug grin melted away. Sweat beaded on his brow as he straightened. "G-Greetings, Outer-Court Elder Anya," he stammered.
He bowed low. His chain clattered against the floor. The two women followed suit. Their heads dipped in unison. Their earlier bravado was gone.
Anya's gaze flicked over them. Sharp and dismissive. Then it landed on Ash. Her eyes widened for just a moment. A crack in her icy mask. But she covered it quickly. "Such an appearance," she muttered. Her voice was barely audible. Then she cleared her throat. Her tone became firm again. "You were fighting over a slave?"
"Yes, Elder," Von said quickly. His voice was tight with nerves. "I claimed him first, but these two—"
"I'm not interested in your squabbles," Anya cut him off. Her words sliced through the air like a sword. She turned. Her gaze locked onto Ash with an intensity that made his skin prickle. "I currently lack a suitable Blood Cauldron."
The room went dead quiet. Von's smirk froze on his face. His skin went pale. The two women exchanged glances. Their faces showed shock and resentment.
"Elder?" Arla ventured. Her voice was uncertain.
Anya ignored her. Her eyes never left Ash. "Briar," she called. Her tone left no room for argument.
"Yes, Elder Anya," Briar replied. Her voice was clipped. Her cherry-red lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes burned with barely held back frustration. But she didn't dare argue.
"Unshackle him. Take him to my quarters. Now."
Briar's jaw clenched. Her fingers twitched like she wanted to fight back. But she knelt down. Her hands trembled slightly as she worked the locks on Ash's chains.
The metal fell away. It clattered to the stone floor. Red welts marked his wrists where the chains had been.
Ash stood up. His legs were shaky. His body was still getting used to its new form. He was free—for now—but he stayed careful. His eyes moved between the disciples and the elder.
As Briar led him past the three, their faces told the whole story. Von's jaw was tight with rage. Arla's eyes were narrowed with hate. Briar's lips curled in a silent snarl. But inside, she was thinking bitter thoughts. 'Shameless, Elder Anya...' The edge in her glance was sharp as glass.
Meanwhile, Ash kept his face blank. Inside, he was thanking whatever gods were listening. He'd been saved from Von's clutches.
This world was full of predators. But the system in his mind was his weapon. He'd play their game for now. Pretend to be weak. Let them think they had won.
But soon, very soon, he'd make them all regret crossing his path.
Ash smiled inwardly. Let the game begin.