I Can Only Cultivate In A Game

He reached down and grabbed the corner of the blanket...

And then, he slowly started to lift it—

Ring!

His wristband buzzed at this moment.

Kairo cursed under his breath, pulled back, and tapped it.

"Halo? Yo."

The voice of one of his warrior buddies echoed through.

"Bro, are you still coming to the arena today? We got a five-on-five set and they're talking trash already."

Kairo grinned. "Yeah yeah, I'm coming. Had to check something weird in the dorm but I'll be there in ten."

He cast one last look at the glowing bed.

Victor's silhouette remained unmoving under the blanket.

Kairo shrugged.

"Must be some experimental technique or something," he muttered.

And left.

---

Back in Ascendant Realms...

Victor had finally returned to his quarters within the Violet Spring Sect. His private residence now had new adornments—markings indicating core disciple status, a small flowing spirit spring for cultivation, and new defensive formations.

He lay on the mat while staring at the sky through the open roof, letting the notifications sink in.

He had done it.

Against all odds.

From mocked outsider to bonafide Core Disciple.

He replayed the battles in his mind with his fingers twitching as if reliving each clash.

And yet...

He couldn't rest yet.

This was only the beginning.

<[ Bounty Increased ]>

...

...

The morning sunlight trickled through the reinforced dorm window, casting a soft glow over the metallic surfaces and illuminating the slight haze that still lingered in the air. Victor groaned as he rolled over in bed with his eyes fluttering open.

It was Sunday.

After the trials—the Furnace, the Mirror, and the Spirit Guardian—he had logged out of Ascendant Realms the night before, mentally and physically drained. But even now, he could feel the residual weight of everything he'd endured still pressing down on him.

His stomach rumbled loudly.

"Okay, okay, I get it," Victor muttered while rubbing his belly. "We need food. Desperately."

As he sat up and stretched, a voice called out from the other side of the room.

"Yo! You've been here since Friday, man," Kairo voiced while peeking out from his seating position up ahead, "Is sleeping all you do?"

Victor cracked a grin. "It's called advanced mental recovery. You wouldn't understand."

Kairo snorted. "You keep calling it that, but it looks more like you've fused with your mattress."

Victor stood and shook the stiffness from his limbs while rolling his neck. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. Hey, have you gotten your custom weapon yet?"

Kairo paused mid-rep. "Of course I have. I'm a Warrior. Everyone's required to get one. Didn't you?"

Victor blinked. "Huh. No. I haven't even visited the weapons unit yet."

Kairo gave him a half-lidded look. "You do realize your weapon is basically an extension of your body, right?"

Victor held up a hand. "I know, I know. I've just been... busy not dying."

"Well, get to it. You don't want to be the only sword user running around with a standard-issue relic."

Victor nodded while already making mental plans. "I'm looking for something... specific. But that's for later. Right now, if I don't eat something, I'm going to faint and become a cautionary tale."

After saying this, Victor proceeded to head out of the dorm.

---

Minutes later, he arrived before the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was enormous—technologically enhanced steel and mana crystal chandeliers hovered above the black marble floors.

Holographic menus floated in the air near entry points, and attendants—both humanoid and AI—moved swiftly across the room.

Victor stared up at the grand sign above the entrance:

FeedHub-11

Multiple floors stretched upward like a luxurious food tower.

He tapped his card to the entrance terminal, and a hologram message appeared in his field of view.

[ Rank Access Verified: B-Rank ]

[ Access Granted: Floors 1, 2, and 3 ]

Each floor had its own flair.

Floor One was standard—wide open buffet-style with energized nutrient meals. Floor Two had elegant booths, ambient music, and server bots that offered meal pairings with nutritional suggestions.

While Floor Three had Soft jazz, hovering platters, and food that looked more like it belonged in a five-star chef's dream.

Victor immediately took the elevator to Floor Three.

The moment the doors opened, aromas hit him with full force—roasted magic beast steaks, herb-infused noodles, and sweetbread drenched in rich honey.

He picked a corner seat by the large window, intending to eat in peace, but a familiar bellow echoed across the room before he could get to the seat.

"VIC!"

Victor turned.

A figure of muscle and excitement tackled him into a massive bear hug.

"Danny!" Victor laughed.

Danny's Berserker arms were like iron bars as he lifted Victor from the ground.

"You're alive! I thought you got assigned to some dungeon camp or something!"

Victor grinned and returned the hug.

But a loud crack rang out.

Danny's back.

"Ghhah—VIC—LET GO!"

Victor blinked and dropped him. "Oops. Sorry. I guess... I got stronger?"

Danny wheezed while holding his ribs. "You think?"

Another voice cut through.

"Well, well. Look who decided to finally show up."

Victor turned and spotted the same person that had left him hanging after an unexpected and brief exchange of saliva...

It was none other than Amara.

She stood a few feet away, dressed casually in a fitted Academy top and dark cargo pants. She looked good. Really good. Her chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, and her brilliant eyes locked onto his for a brief second too long.

"Amara."

"Victor."

Awkward silence.

Victor realised that they really hadn't spoken since the kiss...

Derek followed right behind her. His eyes narrowed as he nodded sharply at Victor. The guy still had that menacing aura—tattoos on his neck, jawline sharp enough to cut glass, and an ever-present scowl.

Victor nodded back, keeping it civil.

They all proceeded to sit at Victor's table.

The food arrived moments later, floating trays settling into place elegantly.

Roasted beef from a magical beast, mana infused rice with shimmering glaze, fruit infused with elemental water—Victor hadn't realized how hungry he truly was until now.

"Man, I've missed you, bro," Danny said through a mouthful of food. "These last few days have been nuts."

"No kidding," Victor said. "Feels like it's been a month already."

Amara sipped from her drink while avoiding Victor's eyes.

"So..." Danny glanced between the two. "You two... talked about anything yet?"