That night, the Ha Jin Clan estate did not sleep.

  Torches burned longer than usual.

  Extra guards stood at gates and walls, their shadows stretching across the courtyard. Even the servants whispered more quietly, afraid their voices might invite bad luck.

  Children were kept indoors.

  Weapons were checked.And elders gathered in secret halls to discuss what everyone feared to say aloud.

  War might be coming again.

  A Room Too Quiet

  Meanwhile, in a small room inside the residence…

  Hēi Lang lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.His body was that of a child.But his mind?

  A 29-year-old man who had already experienced enough disappointment for two lifetimes.

  The events of the day replayed in his mind.

  The bandits.Their confidence.Their threats.

  Their certainty that the Ha Jin Clan was weak.

  And worst of all…They were right.

  The clan truly had fallen.

  Hēi Lang clenched his small hands.

  *If they return stronger, people will die.*

  Faces flashed in his mind.

  His mother.

  His father.His siblings.Servants who smiled at him.

  Guards who carried him on their shoulders.

  This clan…

  Was becoming his home.

  And he refused to watch another home collapse.

  Time to Interrogate the System

  His eyes narrowed

  *System.*

  A familiar voice echoed lazily.

  **[System online… against its will.]**

  Hēi Lang almost rolled his eyes.

  *Explain something.*

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  **[You ask many questions.]***And you answer none.*

  Pause.

  Then—

  **[Fair.]**

  A blue screen appeared in his vision.

  Status Window

  **Host:** Hēi Lang (Formerly Kang Jun)

  **Age:** 5

  **Realm:** None

  **Techniques:** None

  **Passive Skill:** Perception Sense

  **System Points:** 0

  **Combat Evaluation:** Needs milk before martial arts

  Hēi Lang twitched.

  *You added that last line on purpose.*[Correct.]*

  He took a deep breath.

  *How did I know the bandits were coming?*

  Silence.

  Then the System answered.

  The Truth About His Ability

  **[You possess a passive ability: Perception Sense.]**

  Hēi Lang blinked.

  *Since when?*

  **[Since before rebirth.]**

  Memories surfaced.

  His old life.

  School bullying.

  Workplace humiliation.

  Dangerous streets at night.

  Constant fear.Constant alertness.

  He had survived not because he was strong…

  But because he sensed danger early.Who might attack.Who might betray.Who to avoid.

  His mind adapted.

  Sharpened.

  Learned survival.

  The System continued:

  **[Your survival instincts crystallized into a passive ability during reincarnation.]**

  A new panel appeared.

  Skill Description

  **Perception Sense — Passive Skill**

  Allows host to:

  ? Sense hostile intent nearby

  ? Detect killing intent or danger

  ? Notice abnormal presence or movement

  ? React faster to threats

  ? Sense emotional tension around host

  Limitations:

  ? Cannot detect highly skilled enemies hiding intent

  ? Detection range limited

  ? Requires mental and energy growth for improvement

  Hēi Lang stared.*So my trauma became a superpower.*

  **[Simplified explanation: yes.]**

  He laughed quietly.

  Life really had a twisted sense of humor.

  Connecting the Dots

  Earlier that day, before alarms rang…

  He felt uneasy.

  Like something wrong approached.

  His mind connected the feeling instinctively.

  Movement.

  Intent.Danger.

  And now he knew why.

  Even in a child's body…

  His instincts remained sharp.

  A Child, But Not Really

  Hēi Lang sighed.

  He looked at his tiny hands.

  *I hate being weak.*

  In his past life, weakness brought humiliation.

  Now…

  It could bring death to people he cared about.

  The System spoke again.

  **[Strength requires time.]**

  *I don't have time.*

  **[You have childhood.]**

  That hurt.

  Because it was true.

  How to Become Stronger

  A new window appeared.

  **Ways to Gain System Points**

  ? Physical training

  ? Breathing exercises

  ? Clan assistance

  ? Emotional bonds

  ? Missions

  ? Acting cute

  Hēi Lang froze.He reread the last line.

  *Acting… cute?*

  **[Host is five years old.]**

  **[Use available advantages.]**

  *I refuse.*

  **[Then remain weak.]**Silence filled the room.

  His pride fought survival.

  Finally—*…Fine.*

  If acting cute saved lives later…

  He would sacrifice dignity.

  This time.

  Only temporarily.

  Probably.

  The Weight of Determination

  Outside, guards changed shifts.

  Wind rustled trees.

  Inside, a small child stared into darkness.

  He wasn't a hero.He wasn't chosen.

  He wasn't gifted overwhelming power.

  He was just…

  Someone who didn't want to lose again.

  So he would grow.

  Slowly.Carefully.Quietly.

  Until the day enemies regretted targeting the Ha Jin Clan.System's Final Attack

  Just as sleep approached—

  The System spoke again.

  **[Reminder: Tomorrow you will be hugged by relatives.]**

  Hēi Lang's eyes snapped open.

  *WHAT?*

  **[Physical affection increases emotional bonds.]**

  *Cancel mission.*

  **[Mission mandatory.]**

  Hēi Lang buried his face in his pillow.

  Bandits.Enemies.Murim dangers.

  All easier to face than…

  Aunties squeezing his cheeks.

  Meanwhile…

  Far away, unseen figures discussed their next move.

  The hidden clan behind the bandits waited.

  Watching.Planning.

  Believing the Ha Jin Clan would soon collapse.

  They didn't know.

  A small storm was forming quietly.

  And storms didn't ask permission before destroying everything