From Murim to Metropolis

[At Jin Wook's House]

[Morning sunlight filters through the window as Jin Wook stretches, feeling his weak, fragile body.]

Jin Wook (Determined):

"I can't believe how weak this body is compared to my past life. If I'm to protect my new family, I must grow stronger. I'll start with Qi Refinement, though Earth has such low Qi levels... It'll take time to open all my meridians. Still, I'll do it. In my past life, I reached the Immortal Ascendant stage—I can become stronger than my past-self

Cultivation Stages Summary

Qi Sensing – Sense and absorb Qi.

Qi Refinement – Strengthen body, basic Qi control.

Meridian Opening – Open Qi pathways, improve energy flow.

Core Formation – Solidify Qi into a stable core.

Spirit Awakening – Heighten spiritual perception and Qi refinement.

Earth Master – Manipulate Qi externally, advanced martial skills.

Sky Master – Master Qi control, extraordinary martial techniques.

Grandmaster – Perfect combat ability, internal Qi mastery.

Spirit Sovereign – Effortless Qi manipulation, spiritual senses sharpen.

Saint Realm – Harmonize with nature, elemental control.

Immortal Ascendant – Transcend mortal limits, almost indestructible.

Celestial Monarch – Manipulate reality, legendary power.

Divine Emperor – Peak power, mythical feats.

[Jin Wook's Cultivation Begins]

[Jin Wook sits cross-legged in his room, focusing on sensing and absorbing Qi from the atmosphere. The air feels thin and sluggish, but he persists.]

Jin Wook (Whispering):

"Even this thin Qi... I'll refine it."

[After hours of concentration, his body begins to purge impurities. Blood and dark residue seep out from his skin as he coughs violently.]

Jin Wook:

"Cough... cough!"

[His body is covered in blood, the floor smeared with impurities.]

Knock Knock!

Jin Wook's Mom (Concerned):

"Jin! Is everything alright?"

Jin Wook (Panicking):

"W-wait a minute, Mom! I'm changing my clothes!"

[Hurriedly, Jin Wook cleans himself and the floor, hiding the evidence of his cultivation.]

[Jin Wook opens the door, smiling nervously.]

Jin Wook:

"Everything's fine, Mom. Did you need something?"

Jin Wook's Mom:

"I just heard loud coughing. If you're okay, then rest up. Dinner will be ready soon."

Jin Wook:

"Okay, Mom. I'll come down in a bit."

[At the Dinner Table]

[Jin Wook sits with his parents and younger sister, Xia, at the dinner table. The warmth of their company fills the room.]

Jin Wook's Mom:

"Jin, you should wash up before dinner. You look like you've been working hard."

[They start eating together. Xia eyes her brother curiously.]

Xia (Playfully):

"Brother, are you okay? You look thinner since you came back from the hospital."

Jin Wook's Mom:

"Xia is right. I didn't notice at first, but you do look like you've lost weight. You need to eat more to recover quickly, Jin."

Jin Wook:

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine."

Xia (Teasing):

"Eat a lot, Brother, and become a big, fat guy! Hehehe!"

[Jin Wook laughs softly, feeling warmth in his heart. It's been so long since he's felt this kind of familial love.]

Jin Wook (Smiling):

"Thank you, Xia."

[After dinner, Jin Wook offers to help with the dishes.]

Jin Wook:

"Mom, do you need help washing up?"

Jin Wook's Mom:

"No, Xia will help me. You can head upstairs and rest."

[Jin Wook Retreats to His Room, His Resolve Strengthening]

Jin Wook utilized his medical leave from university to recover his damaged body and regain his strength. He trained tirelessly, and after three days, he successfully refined his Qi, starting the process of opening his meridians. For Jin Wook, this was almost effortless. In just a week, he opened all of his meridians. His transformation was astonishing—his appearance changed from a worn and exhausted state to something radiant, as if he had been sculpted from diamond. His parents were shocked by the drastic change.

Two weeks later, Jin Wook's mother accompanied him to the hospital for a follow-up checkup.

[At the Hospital]

[Nurses in the hallway fussed and stared at Jin Wook, their cheeks turning pink. His transformation was so complete that they didn't recognize him as the patient who had fallen from the fifth-floor roof and had been discharged two weeks ago.]

Nurse (Curious, Looking at Jin Wook's Mother):

"Are you Jin Wook's mother? Are you here for his checkup? Where's the Jin Wook?"

Jin Wook (Amused):

[They don't recognize me...]

Jin Wook's Mother (Pointing):

"He's standing right here in front of you."

[The nurse's eyes widened, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red as she took a closer look at Jin Wook. Her surprise was evident.]

Nurse (Blushing, Stumbling over Words):

"Ma'am... Are you... Are you serious? This is... really Jin Wook?"

Jin Wook's Mother (Laughing):

"Of course! Now, can you tell us where the doctor is?"

Nurse (Flustered):

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Yes, please wait here, I'll bring you to the doctor!, come with me"

[The nurse hurriedly left, still glancing back at Jin Wook, clearly unable to believe the transformation.]

Jin Wook's Mother (Teasing):

"Jin, that nurse took care of you while you were in the ward. She's the daughter of my most trusted friend. Isn't she beautiful? I think you should thank her properly... maybe invite her for dinner?"

Jin Wook (Embarrassed):

"Mom! What are you saying?"

Jin Wook's Mother (Smiling):

"Just a suggestion!"

[At the Doctor's Office for the Follow-Up]

[After the medical checkup, Jin Wook and his mother sat across from the doctor, who was reviewing the results, clearly astonished by Jin Wook's progress.]

Doctor (Incredulous):

"I was amazed by your rapid recovery in the hospital, but seeing you now... it's beyond what I expected. Jin Wook, you're completely healed. Your muscle density has increased, and you've grown taller—these are remarkable signs of recovery."

Jin Wook's Mother (Worried):

"Is it really okay, doctor? There aren't any complications, right?"

Doctor (Reassuring):

"No, there are no problems. It's simply incredible. If you were an average person, recovery from such injuries would have taken six to nine months—maybe even a year. But you've recovered in just a few weeks."

Jin Wook's Mother (Relieved):

"Thank you so much, doctor, for taking care of my son."

Jin Wook (Grateful):

"Thank you, Doctor. And thank you, Nurse, for your care."

[The nurse, blushing deeply, nodded.]

Nurse (Shyly):

"It... It was my duty."

Jin Wook (Smiling):

"If you both have time, I'd love to invite you to dinner, as a thank you for everything."

Doctor and Nurse (Hesitant but Agreeing):

"There's no need, but... if you insist, we'd be happy to join you."

[Dinner at Jin Wook's House]

[On the weekend, the doctor and nurse visited Jin Wook's home for dinner. They were warmly welcomed, and Jin Wook's family expressed their gratitude. The atmosphere was light and joyful, a celebration of Jin Wook's recovery and new life.]

Doctor:

"It's wonderful to see you so healthy, Jin Wook. I wish you a strong and happy future."

Nurse (Smiling, Relaxed):

"Yes, please stay healthy. You've come so far."

[As they enjoyed the meal, Jin Wook couldn't help but feel a profound sense of warmth and belonging. His journey was just beginning, but he knew he wouldn't face it alone.]