Slumbering Sloth

After a bit more conversation with Brunus and Kayala, Vikram excused himself. Kayala, with a mischievous grin, had made it clear that if he didn't show up in the training hall regularly, she would personally ensure he got a more "personalized" greeting. The implication was enough to make Vikram uneasy, as her methods were reputed to be particularly intense.

Although it was true that Vikram had a tendency towards laziness, his reluctance to train also stemmed from a deeper issue: he was abilityless. In a world where everyone around him wielded fantastical powers, his lack of abilities made him feel vulnerable and out of place.

The pressure from the gazes of his peers in the far center of the hall was a constant reminder of his inadequacies.

As he walked, Vikram's mind wandered to the other notable figures he had seen in the hall: Vold, Elen, Alex, and the guy who had raised his hand to question Kayala.

From the snippets of conversation he overheard between Alex and Elen, it seemed Kayala was giving the questioning guy special attention—presumably not the kind he would enjoy.

Despite Vikram's efforts to fit in and improve himself, he was surprised to find that the guy who had piercings on his nose was antagonistic towards him. The hostility was palpable, and Vikram found it perplexing. He couldn't pinpoint why this guy had such a grudge against him.

Shrugging off the tension, Vikram reminded himself that he wasn't there to make friends with everyone, especially those who didn't care about him.

His naturally arrogant personality made it easier to dismiss such hostility. However, he couldn't completely ignore it, as the guy seemed determined to stir up trouble.

From what Brunus had mentioned, Vikram knew that this guy was from one of the Socially and Educationally Backward (SEB) classes, a classification rooted in India's history.

These classes had been historically marginalized and disadvantaged, facing systemic discrimination and exclusion in old times.

The government had made numerous efforts to uplift these communities, providing reservations in education and employment to improve their opportunities.

Vikram understood the historical context and the importance of these measures, but it didn't explain why this individual held such animosity towards him.

Vikram was deeply frustrated by his open hostility. He understood the historical suffering of the SEBCs and the disdain they often faced from those of higher social standings, but he couldn't condone the guy's attitude towards him. It wasn't fair, and it certainly wasn't justified.

Determined not to let his anger show, Vikram pushed his emotions aside. His focus shifted back to his immediate goals: improving his abilities and finding a way to overcome his limitations.

The thought of his cursed body, marked by {Broken Fate}, loomed large in his mind. This curse had always been a hindrance, but he was eager to experiment with his 'other body,' which he believed held untapped potential.

Realizing he had been too caught up in recent events to check his status, Vikram decided it was time to review his panel.

He pulled it up, scanning for any changes or new information that might provide insight into his condition or a potential breakthrough.

[Name: Vikram Rathore]

[Titles: Nil]

[Existence Rank: Pre-Existence]

[Cultivation: Nil]

[Soul Memoirs: Revoked]

[Soul Manifestations: Revoked]

[Trait Cord: {Broken Fate}{Tyrant's Fate}{Slumbering Sloth}]

After reading two times carefully, Vikram found that his Rank had changed, and there was no {Old Man's Kindness} in his status panel. That was all the things that he noticed after two glances, but when he revised for a third time, there was really something different from the previous setting, and that was the {Slumbering Sloth} Trait Cord. 

Previously, it was...

{Slumbering Sloth: You dream realistically too.}

But now, it was...

{Slumbering Sloth: You dream too realistically...}

...

Vikram sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and realization. After his conversation with Kayala, he finally understood that he wasn't truly abilityless.

The abilities others displayed were manifestations of their Trait Cords, a concept that had matured during their trials. In Vikram's case, his ability was intrinsically tied to his own Trait Cord, albeit in a more subtle and complex manner.

Determined to explore this newfound understanding, Vikram shook his head to clear his thoughts. He opened the door to his quarters, jumped onto his bed, and immersed himself in the game once more.

Upon entering the village, Vikram swiftly eradicated all the imps that threatened the peace. With the area secure, he settled inside a small, abandoned shack and sat cross-legged, ready to meditate and focus on his breakthrough.

As he delved deeper into his meditation, Vikram felt an intense surge of energy within him. His blood began to boil, turning increasingly violent as it coursed through his veins.

His skin flushed a deep red, a stark contrast to his usual complexion. He gritted his teeth, determined to push past his limits.

The sensation was both excruciating and exhilarating. Vikram could feel the boiling blood pushing against the boundaries of his physical form, demanding release.

He channeled every ounce of his willpower to maintain control, forcing his blood to boil over the limit.

Vikram's entire body shook with the intensity of the process. His muscles tensed, and his bones felt like they were on fire.

He focused on the energy within him, visualizing it breaking free from the confines of his cursed body. The sensation was akin to shattering chains that had long held him captive.

The blood boiled up and rushed forth towards a ceiling that was inside his body. It broke through the ceiling, and Vikram was elated...

Only for a moment though...

Because the moment he broke through, he felt an unholy momentum press down his body. His body suffocated inwardly and blasted from within into bloody pieces. 

[You have been slain.]

"Sigh, to think that that curse would follow me into even this body." 

Vikram was certain that the overwhelming force he encountered during his breakthrough was a manifestation of his curse, {Broken Fate}. The intense pressure and violent energy were unlike anything he had experienced before.

"But the situation is not that bad... for now," he muttered to himself.

He had anticipated complications during his breakthrough, which was why he sought guidance from Kayala and Brunus. Their insights had been invaluable, but Vikram understood that his recent attempt had failed for more than just the influence of {Broken Fate}.

Firstly, he recognized that he was missing a crucial component in his cultivation process. There was an essential element or resource that he hadn't yet discovered or integrated. This missing piece was likely the key to stabilizing and completing his breakthrough.

Secondly, his current cultivation was inherently unstable. As he reviewed the numbers and details on his status screen, Vikram compared them with the conventional cultivation practices he had learned about. The discrepancy was clear; his approach needed refinement and stabilization.

Determined to find the missing ingredient and stabilize his cultivation, Vikram began to formulate a plan. He knew he needed more information and possibly rare resources to succeed.

Vikram understood that his recent breakthrough was possible because he had touched the precipice of the other side. This was a critical insight he had gained through his conversations with Kayala and Brunus and his own observations.

Those who reached the precipice of the next realm or stage had the potential to successively progress further rapidly, if they had the capability. However, the process came with a significant risk: their cultivation would be extremely unstable at the moment of breakthrough.

Reflecting on this, Vikram knew that to stabilize his cultivation and ensure a smooth transition, he needed to focus on balancing his stats. From his previous attempts and the guidance he received, it was clear that achieving a uniform stat value would be crucial for a stable breakthrough. Specifically, he needed to raise all his stats to the value of 5.