Lightning king

Following the shopkeeper, Jack was led to the far corner of the shop, where a pile of metal scraps lay scattered. Some pieces resembled poorly crafted weapons, while others were strange, unidentified objects with odd shapes mixed in.

Jack knelt, sifting through the pile. The weapons were crude—blades chipped, handles splintered. Worthless junk.

He moved further into the corner of broken swords and dented shields , until his eyes landed on something unexpected.

A seed .

Roughly the size of his palm, it shimmered faintly with a metallic sheen covered in what seems to be rust. Intricate patterns, like veins, ran along its rusted surface. The longer Jack stared, the more something stirred within him a familiar hum beneath his skin. His dormant purple lightning, which had been silent for so long, crackled faintly to life.

Why now?

Jack's heart pounded as he reached for the seed. His hand trembled, his fingers brushing its cool surface.

The closer he got, the stronger the pull. The lightning within him surged, responding to the seed's energy.

And the moment Jack grasped it, everything changed.

A cold, blissful energy flowed through him, weaving into his body like a gentle stream. His consciousness shifted.

He was no longer in the shop.

Before him loomed a massive, swirling purple cloud.

Jack recognized it instantly.

His soul. His essence.

The cloud, once chaotic and unstable, began to change. It condensed, transforming from vapor into liquid—molten lightning, thick and vibrant. Jack marveled at the sight, feeling it fill the cracks in his soul, soothing the chaos that had plagued him since his arrival in this strange world.

But suddenly, a voice shattered the serenity.

"I'll buy what's in his hand."

Jack's eyes snapped open. The blissful feeling vanished, replaced by a hollow ache.

Standing before him, wearing his ever-present serene smile, was Lei Han.

Jack's grip on the seed tightened.

"I got it first," Jack growled, his voice low and trembling with anger.

Lei Han's smile didn't falter.Taking out a pouch

"I'll pay fifty gold for it," Lei Han said smoothly.

The shopkeeper's eyes widened in shock. Fifty gold was an outrageous sum for what he believed to be worthless scrap. His greedy gaze flickered between Jack and Lei Han.

"Deal!" the shopkeeper blurted out, rubbing his hands together eagerly. He turned to Jack, his smile twisted with greed. "Young master, I must ask you to return the item."

Jack's grip tightened further. His heart pounded in his chest. I won't let it go.

The lightning within him crackled faintly. His hand refused to loosen.

Seeing Jack's defiance, the shopkeeper's smile soured. His patience wore thin. "Young master, please return the item," he insisted sharply.

Jack didn't move. His body refused to obey, the seed feeling like a part of him now.

The shopkeeper's frustration boiled over. He reached out, trying to pry Jack's hand open, but no matter how hard he pulled, Jack's grip wouldn't budge.

He's strong.

"Give me the item, or I'll call the city guards!" the shopkeeper threatened.

Jack's face twisted in unease. He hadn't meant to cause trouble, but he couldn't let go. The seed felt like it belonged to him,like it was waiting for him.

The shopkeeper sneered. "Fine! I'll get the guards myself."

Before he could storm out, Lei Han stepped forward, pulling out a heavy pouch of coins. He placed it in the shopkeeper's hands, the clinking of gold instantly pacifying the man.

Satisfied, the shopkeeper backed off, leaving Lei Han to deal with Jack.

Lei Han's gaze remained soft, but a sharpness glinted beneath it—a predatory gleam behind the gentle mask.

"Will you hand over my item now?" Lei Han asked politely.

Jack stood his ground, glaring at Lei Han with unyielding resolve. His hand stayed locked around the seed, his fingers trembling with barely contained fury.

Lei Han's smile faltered. His tone grew colder.

"I would like you to return my item."

Jack didn't move.

The softness drained from Lei Han's expression. His mask cracked, revealing the darkness beneath—a side he rarely showed in public.

"Very well."

Before Jack could react, Lei Han closed the distance between them, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder.

The pressure hit instantly.

An overwhelming, crushing force bore down on Jack, making his knees buckle. Pain shot through his body, spreading from Lei Han's iron grip.

Jack screamed as the agony tore through him. His hand trembled, and the seed slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground with a faint metallic thud.

Lei Han's smile returned, colder now.

"That's better."

Jack crumpled to the floor, clutching his broken shoulder. His heart pounded, his mind swirling with rage and confusion. But one thought stood out clearly.

I won't forget this.

Lei Han bent down, picking up the seed with careful fingers. He held it briefly before it disappeared into the black ring on his finger.

"Thank you for your cooperation," Lei Han said smoothly. Without another glance at Jack, he turned and walked toward the exit, his steps calm and measured.

Jack sat trembling on the floor with tears in his eyes, purple lightning flickering faintly around him. His emotions swirled—anger, humiliation, and desperation mixing into a chaotic storm within him.

As Lei Han's figure disappeared, Jack clenched his fist, gritting his teeth, a manic grin creeping across his face.As if he had lost something precious.

"I'll get it back," he whispered.

"No matter what it takes."