(Author Note
Hey everyone! 🙏This is your author here!
As promised, I've uploaded this bonus chapter to celebrate our first major milestone — 2,000 views! 🎉🔥Thank you all for reading, supporting, and believing in Han Jiho's journey so far. Every read, every comment, every vote pushes this story forward!
đź”” Regular updates will continue daily at 12 PM, and bonus chapters will be uploaded immediately whenever a new milestone is hit!
💥 Next Bonus Chapter at: 3,000 Views — let's keep this momentum going!
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Once again, thank you all. Jiho's just getting started. And so are we. 🚀)
Today was the day Han Jiho had been waiting for.
His third birthday.
The day his golden finger—the Hyperbolic Time Chamber—was supposed to awaken.
He had been so excited these past few days that even his mother scolded him for laughing in his sleep. But how could he help it? After all, in this world of martial arts, sects, and cultivation, he was about to receive the most broken training tool ever conceived.
"Just one more day… one more day and I grind like Goku for real."
It had been five months since his first trip to the mountains with his father. In that time, he'd learned terrain mapping, herb identification, and how to avoid animal poop with expert-level precision. He even started training with the wooden sword gifted by his father—albeit playfully in front of the other kids to not seem suspicious.
Today, however, was not about subtlety. It was his birthday, and the entire village had flooded to the Han household.
Not out of kindness, of course. No, this was strategic ass-kissing.
Everyone believed Jiho was a genius. A prodigy. A once-in-a-generation talent destined to bring prestige and protection to their humble village.
And fame came with a price.
As Jiho greeted the guests one by one like a tiny noble, he could feel it—those bitter eyes from jealous parents, the clenched jaws of kids who thought they were better.
"Your children can't even recite their names without choking, and I'm over here having internal monologues with comedic timing."
By afternoon, an unfamiliar merchant arrived at the party. He wore rich silks and held a little girl's hand—perhaps 2-year years older than Jiho, with flaming red hair and matching crimson eyes. The moment he saw Jiho, the merchant grinned.
"It's my pleasure to finally meet the Han family and your genius son," he said with a dramatic bow. "Indeed, the rumors were true. He is exceptional. And so, I come with a proposal. I have a daughter—lovely and well-bred. How about an engagement?"
Jiho blinked.
"Oh hell no—here comes the early waifu plotline."
Before anyone could answer, the red-haired girl yanked her hand away and scoffed.
"Father! How could you even suggest such a thing? This poor family? That weak little boy? No thank you! Why not marry me to the village chief's son instead?"
Awkward silence.
Jiho, ever the composed baby sage, gave a polite smile. "Sir, if your daughter doesn't want this, then please respect her wishes. There's no need to force something unwanted."
"Also, I wouldn't marry that attitude even if she were the last beauty in the world. That's future trouble in a kimchi jar."
The merchant awkwardly bowed again and left, looking more disappointed than insulted.
Han Daesik chuckled. "Looks like our Jiho's becoming quite popular. But don't worry, son. We'll never force you into anything like that. You'll choose your own path."
Han Soeun nodded. "Just grow up strong and safe. That's all we wish for."
Later that day, the village chief Shin Xiao arrived with his five-year-old son, Shin Feng—Jiho's first and only friend in the village. The two kids exchanged nods like grizzled old warriors acknowledging a silent alliance.
"Jiho, my dear nephew!" the chief boomed. "I've brought you a special gift—boots made from the hide of an adult mountain boar! Durable and warm. Perfect for exploring."
Jiho took them with genuine joy. "Thank you, Uncle Xiao!"
Then came Daesik's gift: a steel training sword. Polished, heavy, and just short enough for a child to hold with two hands.
"You're still young, but one day you'll need to protect what you love," Daesik said. "This is just the beginning."
The families ate, laughed, and celebrated long into the evening. But Jiho's mind was elsewhere. As night fell and the stars began to shine, his heart raced in anticipation.
🌀 The System Awakens
When the house was quiet and his parents fast asleep, Jiho sat up in bed. His breath caught as a faint gray shimmer appeared before his eyes—a translucent screen, floating in midair.
It had arrived.
[Status Window]Name: Han JihoAge: 3Ability: Hyperbolic Time ChamberCooldown: 7 DaysTime Ratio: 1 Day Outside = 1 Year InsideMartial Arts: None
Tip: To enter the HTC, assume a lotus position and focus. You will remain inside for 1 full day (real-time) or until death.Death inside HTC is not real, but pain will be experienced.
Note: No objects may be brought inside except basic clothes or food. Construction and customization of the realm will unlock later.
A second message appeared:
System Notification:As this is your first time entering, hunger and thirst will be disabled. Environment: White Void.Begin your training.
Jiho's eyes gleamed.
"It's time."
He crossed his legs into a lotus position and exhaled deeply. A sudden pull tugged at his consciousness—and in an instant, his body vanished from the physical world.
Jiho stood in an infinite white void.
Empty. Cold. Quiet.
There were no walls, no floor, no sky—just a blank realm of solitude.
He smiled.
"This... is perfect."
For a moment, he sat in silence.
Then he took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and grinned like a madman.
"Let's start grinding."
End of Chapter 11