Bleak Town’s name described it very well, because it was just that, bleak. No vegetation as far as my eyes could see. My nose crinkled in disgust at the sight of those demonic red plants wriggling around like real creatures as I walked about the town, greeting the people—they needed to at least see their new lord. But seriously, who the hell designed this place? It's like Mother Nature got drunk and lost a bet with a horror movie director. Not to mention that poor bird—snatched from the sky like a midday snack for some lizard, but instead of a lizard, it was a flower here, its tongue making quick work. I wondered how it even spotted the bird in all this red mist.

Nature can be a real bitch sometimes, especially in these demonic lands.

You’d think I’d get used to the weird after all the crazy shit I’d seen recently, but nope, this place still takes the cake. Weird, weird, and weirder. I mean, just look at that dude over there. He had purple hair, green skin, and what appeared to be a tail protruding out of his ass, probably. Not to forget the five eyes staring back at me as I smiled and walked past by him, her, them, whatever the fuck it is, wearing those weird ass clothes. And I thought my fashion choices were questionable.

Then there was the lady selling potions on the street corner who greeted me as I passed by. One look at her, and I half expected her to cackle and offer me a deal for my soul. But no, she was just rattling off her potion prices like she was selling groceries. “Care for a vial of Wyrm's venom? Or perhaps a handful of Shadow Spider eggs for a little extra ‘oomph’ in your life?” The lady on the street corner crooned, eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she looked at me. I'll pass, thanks.

Anyways, back to weird. First off, they didn't appear… human, If it already wasn't weird. Each one of them looked like they got stuck in the middle of a grotesque transformation, with wings, claws, and all sorts of oddities sprouting from their bodies. Some even had edgy hair—gods, kill me already. Some were outright inhumane in appearance. Monsters, I’d say. Though that left me wondering, this was demonic land and I used to be a Demonic Cultivator; was I a demon? Not in just appearance but in character?

The answer was simply put—complicated. So, like always, it was brushed aside. There were more pressing matters at hand. Like the fact that these creatures didn't look too happy to see me. So, of course, I needed to move.

The whole town got to see when my stuff arrived. Fair to say there was a wave of noise around town as gawking townsfolk witnessed the arrival of my stuff. People pointed and whispered, especially about Biscuit, my cat Disciple, who assumed the throne imperiously—atop a chair on one of the bundles, or should I say ‘piles’ of my stuff. From what I could see, they had not cared for the fragility of some of the stuff it seems. But hey, at least Biscuit had taken charge of guarding everything, and surprisingly, nothing seemed shattered beyond repair.

I owed that cat a boatload of treats for this little act of, uh, heroism. Now, if only the townspeople could take their nosy noses elsewhere and give me a moment to sort out this mess.

With the servants finally gone and the mansion feeling eerily quiet, Biscuit wasted no time demanding attention. She rolled onto her back, melodramatically yowling for pats. How could I resist those whiskers and pleading eyes? So, I, of course, being the fine gentleman I am, showered her with affection, scratching behind her ears and rubbing her belly as she purred contentedly.

With my cat momentarily satisfied, I turned my attention back to the task at hand—moving my belongings around the mansion since the fucking servants went back. Biscuit, however, had other ideas and decided to become my adorable shadow, coiling herself around my legs and scratching her cheek, as if to say, “Hey, don't forget about me!”

I chuckled at her antics.

Alas, no more scratches or pats for now—I had a new place to set up, and the current arrangement just wouldn't cut it for me. A few hours in, I was huffing and puffing, and I felt pain in places I didn't even know could ache, that was why I slumped on the ground and had been heaving for a bit now, Biscuit meowing in concern at my side.

I cursed, it seemed that my body had deteriorated quite a bit already, and to think it hadn’t even been two weeks since my Eclipse Heart got shattered… A fear-inducing question crawled up my spine and settled deep into my brain, coming out as a quivering breath, exploding out into a scowl and a frown. Is this how I'll die? What the hell will happen to my body now? Will it keep deteriorating until I turn into dust? Will I grow old? Or just wither away like a goddamn leaf? Fuck.

Damn it, I can't handle this anymore… My heart raced, and for the first time since my arrival in this world, I felt as though I was about to hyperventilate. I’d tried to keep my shit together since I got stuck in this crazy world, I had been relatively calmer than anyone would be if suddenly put in my situation, but even I had limits… Fear gripped me like a vice, and I started sweating. I was very scared. My back was slick with sweat and my robes sticking with my sweat didn’t do any better for my psyche than emotions and questions raging in my mind.

I took a few deep breaths and calmed down, pushing all those thoughts, all those questions, fears, everything, into a corner of my mind and mentally putting a lock on that section. I couldn't tell if it worked, but if it did, I would be happy, even if it didn’t, I didn’t want to think about it and just move on with things as I had been doing so far.

After all, I had new Disciples to introduce myself to and teach.

I couldn’t afford to be like this when I could very well be training my meat shields. Or finding a way to recover my Eclipse Heart.

“Anyways,” I huffed, standing up and making my way into the bathroom, “Disciples! Woo! Shut up, brain, stop with your noises, I've got work to do!”

My optimism aside, I let myself melt in the bath. After basking in the bath’s warmth for what felt like either minutes or half an hour, I wrapped a towel around my waist and strolled out. I reached for some clothes, but as I held them, I hesitated. They weren't my usual style; Ryujin's memories were messing with my preferences.

With a sigh, I put them away, surveying with my eyes for another set of clothes—one I would like. Once satisfied with my pick, I got clothed, immediately walking outside and grabbing Biscuit to distract myself. With everything going on right now, dealing with an Identity crisis wasn’t something I was eagerly looking forward to. I figured it could wait, at least for a little while longer; I could ignore it.

It appeared that I had no need to distract myself that long as a knock fell on the door and upon my confirmation, two kids walked inside.

Li Renji, and Wang Kai.

My very own Disciples.

They stared at me wide-eyed, they probably hadn’t expected me to be their master. Though they were quick in schooling their expression and bowing. Biscuit already didn’t seem to like them, with her chest puffed up and a scowl on her face, it was evident she was looking down on them.

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Renji and Kai gulped, their bodies shivering lightly before they bowed deeply.

That appeared to have placated her and she nodded at them, snorting before turning around and walking up to me with a lofty stride. She perched herself on my shoulder, casting a disdainful glance at the two below, who seemed to shrink even further in her presence.

I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Biscuit's head. Her behavior was becoming quite peculiar. I let out a sigh, and to my surprise, it only seemed to make Renji and Kai even more jittery.

“Apologies, Elder Wu!” Wang Kai shouted, “It was not this one’s intention to disrespect if it came out as so!”

“Yes, Elder Wu! The same could be said for this Li Renji!”

“Rise,” I said, eyeing the two who appeared to be sweating under my gaze. This wouldn’t do. If they’re too afraid to even look at me, how will I train them to be my shi— my disciples? This wouldn’t do!

They rose when I told them to, legs still shaking under my intense gaze—which, again, wasn’t my intention but with everything on my mind I just couldn’t control it and it appeared on my face inadvertently. Their flinching was enough of a reminder for me and I schooled my expression into casual impassiveness.

“You are to address me as Master from today onwards,” I declared and the two bowed once more.

“Yes, Master! Disciple Li Renji is at your service!”

“Yes, Master! Disciple Wang Kai is at your service!”

The both of them intoned, leaving me a bit baffled, why the fuck were they acting like some servants who were at my service? A little peek into Ryujin’s mind revealed to me that Disciples were more than just students in the Demonic side of things… and fair to say I was disgusted at a few of those aspects of it.

Fuck man, that’s messed up…

I stared at the two, wondering what to do with them. It would take time to break the ice as they say it. I sighed yet again, too much stress for someone my age, man… Technically, I was an old coot now, too old to be alive to be honest, but I was still alive and this was a bit too much for myself from the Before who wasn’t used to being as fucking old.

It was late today as is and I didn’t want to stress them further so I waved them away to their rooms. There were no servants for now, thus why I moved stuff around myself. I reckoned I wouldn’t be getting my old servants from that old place I ruled. Should I recruit people from this town? Not like I have a choice…

That was for later. Also, wait, fuck my brain; I could’ve used [Inventory] to move stuff around…

My lips thinned into a line and I sighed. As I got to bed that night, I heard a noise and it made me walk towards it. There I saw something very strange. Biscuit had her head stuck in a… jug of sorts, and she was hissing angrily. I got her out of the jug and she tried to—and succeeded—scratching me.

I bolted up with the jug in hand, cursing. Fuck, her claws were sharp. Thankfully, it was just a scratch.

I picked her up even as she flailed about and hissed, trying to walk in the direction of the place I’d found her at.

Lying in bed with Biscuit in my arms, I finally looked through the new notifications that had arrived. I wasn’t too focused on them given my situation these past few days, heck, I hadn’t given my system any attention. Which was kind of bad on my part given that it could very well be my only sense of comfort and road to power in this world. Although, for now, it had yet to show any real use aside from [Identify] which, sadly, couldn’t be used on those stronger than me.

Quest Complete: [Get First Disciples.]

Status: Completed

You are an elder of the Crimson Mist Sect. As you are a Cripple due to unfortunate circumstances, you are fated to die a dog’s death, your only hope is to foster strong disciples. Good luck; you need that.

Success: A Special Reward. Failure: Eventual Death, not by the system, but by your fate.

A reward has been issued: Trinket of the Fallen. The reward has been moved to inventory. You can equip it or give it to someone else.

Hmm, a reward? What is so “special” about this fuggin trinket? Let me see.

[Trinket Of The Fallen]

Type: Accessory Rank: Legendary

Description: A tiny, mysterious bling with a sinister secret. Made from dark, light-absorbing material known as $#I&@, adorned with ancient symbols. Forge in the depths of a long-lost fallen civilization, infused with the essence of fear the Fallen felt when they fell.

Requirements: None

Effects:

It focuses aura on the subject and targets the minds of all who come in its radius, playing on their deepest fears and insecurities, amplifying them to nightmarish proportions. As the trinket's power takes hold, even the bravest of hearts may falter, and the strongest of wills may waver.

Horseshit hax. Fucking cheat. Bwahahaha. What is this? My ‘golden finger’? Too overpowered man, but fuck if I care. The broken the better.

I was surprised—no, shocked, at the grade of this item as well as the bullshit effects. Legendary. Now, I didn’t know or comprehend what it really meant for this world, but I knew that it would be something very good given that it is Legendary. Although I was skeptical now, how could such an item come from a very simple Quest? How did Quests work then? How were rewards given or determined appropriate for a Quest? How did all this work? What was this system really?

I knew I wouldn't be getting any answers from the system as it was silent even after all of my inner ramblings, but I knew that I would just have to find out for myself.

I opened my inventory and equipped the [Trinket Of The Fallen]. If nothing else, it would help me get out of situations just by making people afraid.

That night, as I drifted into sleep I didn’t notice—or failed to notice—a shadow looming over me.