The sun bore down on a city that stretched out like a symbol etched into the earth. It illuminated the curved rooftops of simple wooden houses rising from every corner and warmed the stone-tiled streets lined with exposed stalls.

  Its main roads, wide and straight, cut across the territory like a spear, heading toward the central square where the sound of a small fountain echoed together with voices and laughter.

  Every street branching out from there seemed to follow a silent order, and at the end of each, large residences rose behind stone walls serving as a second line of defense after the enormous outer walls that surrounded them, their silhouettes dominated the horizon like sentinels.

  Noah managed to get through the closed gate without much trouble, just by knocking a few times and asking them to open up. The heavy, long creak accompanied the opening. The guards who did so had incredulous looks on their faces and their bodies shuddered. Surprise, fear, and doubt, all kinds of emotions filled them. They stepped aside and let the young stranger walk through without saying a word. Despite his confusion at their reactions, Noah didn’t ask them anything either.

  He noticed a few of them dispersing in different directions, as if they were off to urgently report something.

  It’s clear this is a very small city, but is that really enough reason for such a fuss over a single visitor...?

  He walked along the noisy streets, observing everything and stopping by one of the stalls along the way. He wasn’t hungry, which still felt odd to him despite all the time that had passed. Yet, his desire for something to eat was stronger.

  The stalls didn’t offer much beyond food, just some handmade accessories and simple wooden furniture. And even an old man...? He ignored that and continued on with his skewer in hand. Clothes were sold in small shops that he guessed were also the homes of the sellers or owners.

  Maybe because the things they sell are more essential, they’re in better condition than the others...?

  Finally, Noah realized something odd about the language people were speaking, and that he, without even noticing, could both speak and understand it naturally. A benefit of the system which, before bringing him to that world, had transferred the most essential information to his mind, carving it in. The letters looked strange, almost like symbols difficult to describe, but his eyes could understand them at a glance.

  Do even the beasts speak this same language? Or in the information you gave me, was there anything about their language as well?

  [The Stellar Demon Wolf spoke to you in the universal human dialect, it’s thanks to that you could understand it.]

  [But yes, there are some other languages included in your initial information.]

  Universal language...

  He continued walking, stopping at the central fountain where he sat down. Watching the life of that place made everything clearer through his eyes. It was obvious, almost ironic.

  Hmm, I think now I understand why the guards reacted the way they did. This city isn’t just small, it’s isolated... a prison from which they probably can’t leave. Surrounded by walls that are themselves surrounded by beasts that prevent any kind of approach or escape.

  He ate the last piece from his skewer.

  Despite the laughter and the natural way they live, they must be horrified inside. Afraid of tomorrow and uncertain if they even have a “future”... It was foolish of me to come here. What’s the nearest city from here? I’ll stay only a few days, until my body recovers, and then I’ll leave. I don’t want to be with these people, trapped in a cage.

  [The nearest city is about 70,000 kilometers to the north.]

  ...Why do I get the feeling that the more I walk, the further things seem to get from me?

  [There aren’t many big cities toward this side of the continent.]

  [I should say that even the largest ones are only medium-sized, at best.]

  Noah thought for a moment.

  Thanks to the Forest of Demon Beasts...? He guessed.

  [That too.]

  That too? So there are even more problems around here?

  He remained seated, thinking about what he would do. There were no inns here, after all, there’d be no reason for one, so he wouldn’t have anywhere to sleep. Noah considered finding any random spot to build something simple to stay for a few days. According to the system, his cultivation base was a mess, so he thought he’d use the time to repair it while in that place. He knew he’d get to any other place faster if only he was able to use Qi to strengthen himself.

  Sighing, he stood up and stretched. The sun was already setting when he finally decided to start doing something.

  These people have been staring at me for a while now... Will they keep it up until I leave?

  Turning toward the north, he passed an extravagant building and walked down the street, looking for an open space free from houses where he could build a small shelter.

  He sighed.

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  This is so annoying. Maybe I should try talking to them, and...?

  Suddenly, a drop fell on his hand.

  Noah looked up, confused. He was sure the weather had been fine just a moment ago... or was it? Could he be mistaken, and had the dark clouds always been there, hanging over his head? Had the rain been about to fall all along, and had so many guards been running through the streets and alleys even before his arrival? Had he always been on that rooftop where, without any warning, a knife sliced by his face...?

  What is happening—?

  — He’s over there! — a voice called out to him — I told you someone was following us, why didn’t you check more closely?

  Following? Who? Me...?!

  He slipped into hiding, crouched over the tiles while trying to make sense of his situation.

  System, what’s going on? Who are they?

  [...They’re the kidnappers of the girl you were going to help.]

  Me? Help?! Why the hell would I do that?! And why does your voice sound so strange...? Damn, why is my head buzzing—?!

  A new blade pierced the roof, slashing through his clothes but leaving his skin untouched.

  Bastards, I didn’t do anything to you—! Or did I...?

  He couldn’t remember. The pieces didn’t seem to fit, and this didn’t feel like the place he should be.

  Or was it...? Hell, why can’t I remember?!

  With an unfocused punch, the house beneath him collapsed. Noah spun in the air, regained his balance, and turned toward the direction where the men who attacked him seemed to be. They trembled under his gaze alone.

  Then, gagged and tied on the ground, he saw a woman so beautiful she didn’t seem real. Her long white hair spread across the floor, and her body was so mesmerizing that, even seen only in profile, it was enough to leave anyone speechless. Her face was the main point, flawless, perfect, calming Noah’s mind. The buzzing ceased.

  This is ridiculous... Who is she?

  [She’s the daughter of one of the most important families in this city.]

  After a moment, the pieces started fitting together in his mind. Now the guards' desperation when running everywhere made sense, as did why he’d be there, helping someone... it felt strange, but justifiable in this case. Being the daughter of a noble house, helping her might turn out to be useful. Yes, that must be it.

  — W-Who are you?!

  As soon as his fingers touched the ground, he rushed at the trembling group. The first kick planted one man’s leg into the ground at a strange angle. Hot blood splattered. Noah realized he needed to hold back more, seeing his strength was greater than he’d thought. The others fell to his simple blows without much resistance; they lacked strength and technique. The feeling was nostalgic; something he hadn’t experienced in ages, his old pastime.

  Huh? What—!

  Qi flowed uncontrollably and without warning inside him. His fist tore up the ground and sent everything nearby flying. Strange bone-cracking, vibrating sounds echoed inside him, not from without.

  Damn, I didn’t use Qi, so why—!!

  Pain erupted, engulfing his being. Flashes of golden light flickered before his eyes, growing closer. What were they? Were they attacking him? If so, he needed to defend himself, but...

  Everything faded to black.

  How much time had passed? Noah didn’t know. Was he awake or still unconscious? Perhaps dreaming? His eyes wouldn’t open, and not a single finger of his body would move. Still, the raindrops seemed worthy of note. They fell on him, making his muscles twist uncontrollably and his bones grind together, like loose shards. That pain was proof enough he was alive and awake. However, what had happened before remained a mystery in his mind. The system gave no answers; in fact, it had stopped replying at all. So, all Noah could do was wait, either for help from someone who chose to give it or for the moment his body would finally obey his commands again. But how long would that take? He didn’t know...

  The scent of wet earth became familiar, and the pain from the rain showed no mercy. Noah felt as if his bones were vibrating, getting ready for something beyond mere pain. However, when he heard the water vibrating with footsteps, he realized someone was coming closer.

  The ground near him shook as if someone had suddenly dropped down.

  — B-Boy, are you okay...? — said a delicate, gentle voice, soaked with sobs and tremors.

  Noah felt something approaching his face, then moving away, whatever it was.

  — Please, wake up...

  Something warm touched him, differing from the cold rain. Tears? But why would she cry for a stranger? He didn’t understand, so he preferred not to dwell on it. After all, if he did, it would only make him angry. Like the rain, those things also made his bones vibrate. More importantly, he knew that girl wasn’t alone.

  — Let me see him, my daughter. — came a deep, calm voice, drawing nearer.

  A man knelt beside Noah and, after inspecting his condition, let out a long, heavy sigh.

  Noah felt the hesitation, and his anxiety rose.

  — How is he, papa...? Will he be okay?

  A long, heavy silence followed.

  — I don’t even know how he’s still alive... — he finally said — Every bone in his body is broken. His muscles... twisted. I really don’t understand... Maybe... Maybe it’s best to end his suffering.

  Noah froze.

  What...? I saved your daughter, and that’s how you want to thank me?!

  He struggled, pushing himself as hard as possible to move even a single finger. Nothing happened. With no bones to respond, it was impossible. But his eyelid obeyed.

  His eyes opened, and what shone in them was not fear, but anger, anger that vanished as quickly as it appeared.

  Rising, the man instinctively backed away. Those eyes were... strange. Not just in shape; they didn’t seem human at all. Threatening and dangerous. A part of him said to destroy Noah before it was too late.

  — No! — shouted the girl, interrupting her father, who had already reached for his sword, and drawing Noah’s attention, who immediately forgot what he had been thinking — He got hurt because of me, I can’t let that happen. I... I’ll take care of him until he recovers.

  What...?

  The two looked at each other.

  Her father hesitated.

  — But... — he started, then stopped. Continuing might bring regret later on. He sighed. — Fine, let’s go, Isadora. Your mother is very worried.

  The girl nodded, and before going ahead, smiled at Noah.

  The feeling he got was strange. Warmth. Comfort that seemed to dull the pain in his body. He felt he shouldn’t get used to it.

  — And don’t do that again, you hear? — her father warned — If you want to leave, let me know. I’ll go with you myself.

  — Okay, daddy... Sorry...

  In silence, Noah watched everything. However, seeing a father raise his hand to comfort his daughter, not to punish her, was his limit. He no longer wanted to look, nor feel envy and anger for things he tried so hard to forget. So, he closed his eyes to see no more.

  He felt his body being lifted from the ground gently, but not by hands. It was something that didn’t require contact to work. Yet, he didn’t bother to know more right now.

  Isadora’s father, however, kept glancing at Noah all along the way. Something was wrong; he sensed it. The destruction seen around was far beyond what someone with such a pitiful amount of Qi as Noah could cause. Even the kidnapper who fled was only at the initial stage of Qi Refinement, so he couldn’t have collapsed so many houses and opened the streets.

  Is he... hiding his real cultivation level...?

  But no. Having examined the boy’s body personally, he was confident that couldn’t be true.

  Is that outsider... him? Then, have they already found out? Or did someone tell?

  — Daddy, what are you doing? Let’s go.

  — Oh, yes... — he smiled, or tried to — I was just thinking about something I forgot to do...

  But when he looked at Noah, the smile vanished.

  If it really is him... could he have come from a sect?

  The rest of the walk was silent and, for him, tense.