Lillia to Treize - Volume 1 Chapter 8 — No Other Choice

Living on the streets of Orchard's Reach, Sen never dreamed about becoming a cultivator. He barely even knew what cultivation was, let alone wanted to do it. When fate intervenes, though, he finds himself the disciple of a cultivator. Like all who find themselves on the path to defying the heavens, Sen will have to decide what kind of person he wants to be and what kind of mark he wants to leave on the world.

Zhou Xu, who had just graduated from college, suddenly received a call from his father.

“My son, since you have grown up, there are some things that a father should tell you.”

Zhou Xu: “Dad, how do you speak in a succinct manner? Half white or not, what TV series are you watching?”

“My son, it’s a showdown for my father. For my father, you are a giant of the devil. You are the son of the devil.”

Zhou Xu: “…Dad, I’m hanging up, I’m busy.”

“Wait, there’s one last thing. Aren’t you too young? Your mother arranged a blind date for you. See you.”

Zhou Xu: “Who is it?”

“Like you, the devil goddess at the opposite door.”

- Description from novelbuddy

Facing extinction, humanity seeks salvation in the Astral Verge, a dangerous dimension accessed via portals that threatened to wipe out the entire planet.Few years later, aspiring recruit Daniel Vance enters the Verge for his final assessment, hoping to Awaken a Talent and secure his future. While others gain common abilities, Daniel secretly Awakens the mythical SSS-Grade Talent: [Soul Assimilation]. This allows him to absorb essence, enhancing gear, gaining stats and EXP from slain creatures, and crucially, absorbing attributes and skills from fallen Awakened.Witnessing the swift death of the arrogant Jaxon Rex, Daniel makes a grim choice: he assimilates Jaxon, gaining his first skill, [Kinetic Pulse]. This sets his path: scavenging the aftermath of others’ battles. He enhances gear and, after achieving his first kill on an injured beast, waits patiently to assimilate two more fallen recruits, acquiring [Quick Step] and the invaluable passive [Aura Sense].Starting as average, Daniel rapidly gains power in secret, enhanced gear, multiple skills, and boosted stats , far exceeding his peers while remaining outwardly unremarkable. He navigates the lethal Verge alone, using its inherent dangers to fuel his growth, wrestling with the moral cost of his unique, overwhelming power.