"Ugh..." I lay on the ground gazing at the sky. Bits of cold snowflakes sprinkles my body.

Hajin takes out two flat cups and another jar of wine, sitting beside me with the jar raised.

...

I pull myself up and takes the jar, pouring wine for him and myself.

"Let me reintroduce myself, junior, I'm Namgung Hajin, a core member of the Namgung clan. How much of the Murim do you know?"

"I know about the nine great sects and five esteemed clans. That is all," I reply.

Hajin takes a sip from the cup and sighs. "Sorry about that. I'm currently a fugitive so I had my guard up."

"I understand."

"So what do you want to know?"

I take a sip of wine. "Blegh!"

Strong Liquor!!

"*Cough* *Cough* ahem..."

"Not a frequent drinker?" Hajin asks.

"Yes sir. Anyways, I want to know why the Martial Artists invade my world."

Hajin stops to ponder how to explain.

"...A tragedy befallen on my world. A demonic purple mist emerged one day at the edge of the continent and slowly spreaded across the land. Anyone who came into contact turned into monsters out for human blood. Martial Artists are no exception, and unfortunately, became even stronger monsters difficult to kill. They retain their Martial Arts and acquire incredible physique complementing their style. We started to call those the Nether Monsters and the Corruption Mist."

Nether...Monsters?

No way...why does it remind me of that fist monster I fought?

Hajin takes another sip. "Faced with a continent wide enemy, every factions came together, orthodox or not and attempted to resolve the situation. Nothing worked. No matter what everyone did, the Corruption Mist continued to spread. In addition, many blinded by greed used the mist as a weapon. No one was safe. Eventually, Cheonsang Clan, a branch clan of the Kunlun Sect, came forward with a prophecy; A revelation."

He points to the head. "They claimed to be communicated with constellations and acquired an ancient method: Soul transmission to this world by reincarnation using the upper dantian. In this world, there lies a solution to our tragedy. That's the prophecy. Thus, the ritual sent every patriarch, elders, and core members of each major clan and sect into this world with one elder from Cheonsang."

He sighs. "A year passed after reincarnation before we could find and gather everyone. From then, we had two objectives: Find the Tears of The World rumoured to grant anything and establish some contact with the Murim. After a fruitless search for many years, we eventually abandoned the first objective and moved to migration to this world. We had no choice, survival was a priority. But those greedy martial bastards tasted top honour and reverence. They refuse to give up such luxuries so easily. Somehow, the plan distorted into conquering this world. Fortunately, it is no easy task; This world has many variables like magic. I opposed the plan and here I am, a fugitive wanted by those bastards."

I see...that sort of explains everything in the future.

...

"Sir, there was a monster I fought before traversing here." I start to describe the appearance of the creature.

Hajin grows slightly pale. "No way...the Corruption Mist does not exist here. How can the Nether Monsters cross over? Don't think about it. Anyways, what do you plan to do now that you know of our existence."

Stolen novel; please report.

I raise my brow and look at Hajin. He reciprocates my reaction as he holds the cup to his mouth.

"What do you mean? There's not much I can do. I only wish for my family's peace and prosperity..."

Even with this power bestowed by luck, I can only do so much as an individual. The continent of Vasteaira is wide and far, a mere influence of me can't win everything.

To be completely honest, my objective is one without honour and grace. I plan to earn enough money and power after saving my father and closed ones to live somewhere far away with my family and with little influence from the war. Maybe I might migrate to the dwarfs territory. As for the elves...no...they will be hostile against humans in the future.

Because eventually I cannot be the one to end the war, I don't know how. The hero will. The boy in that cabin.

"I know it's cowardly. But if I can make such an impactful change, I wouldn't be here trying to save my subordinates. I can't be the shadows and neither can I be a saint that guides the light in the dark," I say.

Hajin grows silent. He puts down his cup and sighs. "In a way, I'm the same. I'm passing on everything I know to a young child that holds the weight of this world when he should be playing with other children, laughing in ignorance. The joy of a childhood is a treasure."

"A luxury, you mean. I don't know how it is back in your world but it's very fortunate for a child to be danger free."

Hajin stares at me, his gaze poking through my skin. "Both are the same thing."

"Y-You are right, sir."

...

"Let's make a deal. I can pass on my knowledge to you but I want you to take that child out into the world. Let him experience life and death outside of isolation. To be honest, he is an insane prodigy, absorbing everything at a frightening pace. I've never seen anyone like him, not even in my world."

Take that boy out...?

...

That's...

No, I don't want the future to change regarding that boy. I don't know what consequences might erupt. Besides, if he leaves early and dies, the whole timeline will be destroyed. I'd rather he stay and train more before leaving.

"My apologies, Sir Namgung, I'm...running out of time. I need to get back and check on my father. He may be in danger. I appreciate everything you've done for my subordinates." I stand up and bow. "Thank you very much."

He sharpens his gaze and sighs. Afterwards, he pulls out a bottle from his trousers and pops out a pill. "Eat."

...?

"EAT," Hajin repeats himself.

"...Y-Yes sir."

I take the pill and inspect it visually. Nothing unusual on the exterior and I sense mana within the ball.

Forced by Hajin's terrifying presence, I force the pill down my throat.

!!!!!!

An immense ocean of mana enters my spiritual roots.

Hajin push me down onto the floor, forcing me to sit, and he sits behind me. He places his palm on my back and channel my energy, aiding the circulation.

"Focus all of the energy to your lower dantian!!"

I did as told, opening the dam to my lower energy core and the energy spurts through the lifted resistance. Hajin's manipulation, created a guideline for where the energy should flow. I simply direct all the energy around my energy core and concentrate it in high volume.

Eventually, tranquility overwhelms my body like a transcendent massage. All tension and anxiety escape and my head clears up, releasing ripples of ethereal energy emitting from my body. The luminous energy dances in curtains of changing colours around the vicinity and boasts an impressive display.

"Heave...Ho..." My breathing stabilises. All energy emitted rushes back into my body.

I can feel the mana...around me. Every particle. Every structure. If I focus, it's possible to control individual mana. My mental capacity spiked and with that came...

I open my eyes and stare at the mountains on the horizon. My heightened senses feel natural now, no headaches to endure, no drawbacks.

So this is the Formation Realm.

"It feels good, doesn't it? I've cleared your meridians as a side, your body should feel like a smooth tunnel with no impurities," Hajin says.

It's true! Circulating mana is a lot faster and easier.

"Was that...a breakthrough pill?"

Hajin nods. "Created by one and only." He points to himself. "Unfortunately, you are a demonic cultivator or I might pass down some energy to you."

...

"Uh thank you sir," I say.

"Yeah yeah. Oh by the way, you have one month," He says with a smirk.

One month?

!!

I feel my heart throbbing for a moment, jolting discomfort rings through my body.

"Take care of your business and come back. Or the parasite I placed in the pill will kill you."

!

"Why did you-"

"I don't care. If that creature you came across is really a Nether Monster, I need that boy to grow stronger even faster. To do that, he needs to leave this mountain. One month is all I can give. Go."

Tch...damn it. That boy will eventually leave this mountain but I don't know how or why. Maybe some other poor soul stumbled upon this location in the future.

...

"I won't forget this," I turn to descend the mountain, not hiding my bloodlust.

"You dare show your ill intent?" Hajin shouts at my back.

"Fuck off! You need me alive anyways!" I reply.

Haah...jeez.

Whatever, what's done is done. Let's not get so worked up.

For now, focus on getting to my father.