”Old man, are you sure I can find him behind this portal?”
An adolescent young man said. His golden Kasaya waddled in the dominant wind, as he redirected a fierce gaze towards the old man. As his gaze grew fiercer so did authority of the wind, a storm brewed in mere moments. The youthful man’s mere presence tormented the wind, bending it to his will.
But the old man, was unmoved by the might of the wind, his presence not even in its path. The mighty storm grazed by him, his coat unmoved. The old man looked to be in his last years of existence, but his gaze was still as youthful as a young mans.
“Ke, Beyond lay a truth, but before you perceive the question you won’t understand the answer”
Ke could not help but frown. His face twitched momentarily before returning to a state of serenity.
This old man never makes any sense.. Was the thought that came to mind.
“Old man, will I be able to return once I am done over there?”
“You must always walk the road until the end, where the next path leads only you can decide”
The old man said without straining any face muscles. He stood as a statue watching into the horizon.
“Old man, you are not very useful”
Ke said as his expression of serenity broke once again. He couldn’t help becoming bitter after not hearing a response to his haughty response. Year after year had he tried to crack that serene mask but not even once had he succeeded. The irritation had only grown as the centuries passed by.
“One day I will crack that mask of yours”
Ke, turned around and steadily walked towards the yellow vortex. Beyond it laid vast green lands, something rarely seen in Ke’s current realm. The borders of the portal blistered as the vision of reality continued to distort. As Ke was only one step from stepping into the vast green lands he turned his head around.
“Well take care old man, try to get yourself a faithful before I return. Maybe that would brighten up that dull mood of yours”
As per usual the old man just did a small almost unnoticeable nod in response. As Ke transcended through the portal, everything turned quiet before the portal hastily collapsed on itself, disappearing into nothingness. Left was only the old man standing on the small but lively small grass hill.
But before the calmness could settle the clear sky’s instantly darkened. Dark clouds came crawling out from the heavens as the quiet atmosphere was replaced by thunder rumbling in the distance. Quick and deadly lightning bolts came crashing down in the surrounding; the peaceful grass caught fire in moments. As the fire continued to ravage the peaceful hill, a deep and calming voice spread in the atmosphere.
“Master An, why did you send him away?”
The old man stood as a statue not flinching even if the lightning bolts came storming down mere meter’s from his body.
“Greed is a vicious curse. This realm does not possess the cure”
The old man continued to gaze into the horizon as the flames of heaven continued to close in.
-
There were grasslands as far the eye could grasp. A small pebble road could be seen in the nearby vicinity and beside it a river that looked like it could flow into eternity. Trees of different colors were in full blossom across the land. Ke could graze small wooden houses to the Far East. The houses all had small fertile land in their proximity that was in use to produce different kind of feed.
“Towards civilization seems like the logical choice”
Ke muttered to himself as he strode towards the east. Vegetation of different kind was in full blooming with the help of the gleaming sun. A sun in terms of size much smaller than his own. Its potency was although still very relevant. The spring weather continued to radiate its life power as Ke continued getting closer to the small settlements. Verdant green grasses, waving in the wind.
Animal of unknown origin ran around the fields. There manner seemed to be friendly and their stature not even a third in comparison to Ke. The altogether friendly atmosphere was something rarely seen in the realm Ke originated from, the peaceful walk in a quiet atmosphere was something even the haughty Ke could appreciate. . Every step brought serenity and self-absorbance, the atmosphere of these peaceful lands held a mythical power penetrating every being.
How could warriors of godly mighty actually develop from such a peaceful land? Was the thought that came to Ke’s mind as he continued forward.
“Hey where are you going?”
A tender high pitched voice called out.
As Ke turned around he grazed the young girl. She was of young age with average stature and appearance. Her braided hair flew in the wind as she took a firm pose.
“Going to the town obviously?”
What a stupid question
“What is your purpose for visiting this part of the country?”
The braided girl continued to hold a concerned look on her face as she stared straight towards Ke. The girl couldn’t help getting suspicious. This stranger’s outfit was obviously not from around here. People across the country had crossed this part but never before had she seen anything as bizarre as what the man was wearing. She therefore decided to confront the stranger, partly for intrigue but partly for the safety of the town. This man might be dangerous was one of the first thoughts that crossed her mind.
“Are my clothes really that weird?”
Ke caught her glimpsing his clothes during several moments of the conversation therefore caught on.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Yes!”
The girl said with a straight face.
“Interesting. Well, bye”
Ke couldn’t bother talking to her any longer. He could sense no strength from her; therefore she was not necessary in completing his quest. Distractions would only hinder him from achieving his destiny.
“Hey, stop!”
“Where are you going?!”
“Hey I am talking to you?”
“Who are you?”
“You can’t!”
The girl continued screaming as she decided to rush towards Kei.
“Stop bothering me.”
Ke said as his patience was slowly crumbling down.
Moments later the girl caught up to Ke. She took a firm position in front of him, determined to set a stop to this mysterious man that continued to walk towards her village.
“I won’t allow you to enter the village!”
“You won’t allow me?”
Ke said as he began clenching his fist.
This woman should know her position.
The braided woman was about to speak up but Ke never gave her the chance as he lightly jabbed towards her chest. This amount of strength should be able to cripple her for life. Ke thought that this would make her more respectful toward him. Obedience and respect could only be obtained through absolute tyrannical strength, was what the world he once walked had taught him.
As the Jab landed on her chest she crumbled backwards before falling flat on her back.
“You won’t be able to get in my away again. Hopefully this will act as a lesson. Do not antagonize random strangers again”
-
“Ouch that hurt!”
The girl screamed out as she quickly rose to her feet. The girl was more irritated then scared as she instantly took up what could only be assumed to be a fighting position.
“You want to fight?!” The girl screamed with a distressed voice.
“Wait, wait, you’re not hurt?”
Ke was completely dumbfounded. She was by all means an ordinary girl with not a single strain of world essence swirling around her. A simple punch without any power would without a doubt cripple her for life; most likely end her life all together.
Could she be a hidden master? But to be able to hide her world essence to this degree. I don’t even think the old man can do that
“Of course I am hurt! My stomach still aches!” The braided girl screamed as her face turned more furious by the minute.
As Ke was going to continue his questioning, the girl threw a vicious kick against the mysterious man’s groin. To her surprise the man didn’t even flinch, instead he was still in what seemed to her in a state of shock. His eyebrows were twitching as he stared into vast space, an expression which only could be caught by the mightiest of observers.
Well that proves that she is definitely not a master. Then what is wrong?
“Stay still for a second”
Ke said with a calm voice.
“What?”
The braided girl was completely dumbfounded by the turn of events. As she continued to watch the mysterious man he surprisingly closed his eyes. She instantly felt that this was her chance, the mysterious man was now completely defenseless even if he had what seemed like an indestructible groin area she didn’t dare to believe he was completely immortal. She furiously threw a fast jab towards the mysterious man’s face, her fist exploded on his face and clear wrinkles of the impact could be seen.
But surprisingly enough the girl felt an even worse impact.
“Why is your face harder than a stone!!”
The braided girl said as she threw herself to the ground in pain. The fist had actually backlashed with almost equal strength. The girl could contain her pain as she began to scream. As she continued to roll around on the grass ground, Ke continued to stand completely still. He didn’t move an inch even after receiving a punch straight to the face.
Moments later Ke slowly opened his eyes with a coy smile on his face.
“The amount of world essence in this world is actually insanely low.”
“What the fuck.. Then how do people fight? Fist punching with muscle strength?”
“Interesting” Ke muttered to himself as he was still deep in thought.
The girl still in pain was slowly but surely regaining her composure. As she stared up and watch the mysterious man suddenly smile she couldn’t help getting startled.
He seems happy that my attack failed. Just you wait I will end you with the next one!
As the girl pushed her body off from the ground getting ready to launcher yet another attack, Ke couldn’t help but snapping out from his daze.
“It is futile little girl”
I need to get to town quick. A world where there is almost no world essence, I must find someone strong and question them..
Ke passed the girl rather quickly as he made haste towards the town. The braided girl could only gasp and watch as the distance continued to grow between them.
How can he be so fast!?
Ke was currently moving what she assumed was at least twice her maximum running speed, obviously the mysterious man’s peaked more and more of her interest.
“Not only is he indestructible, but also extremely fast”
The braided couldn’t help gritting in selfpity for a second before she rose and started running after him.
Even if he is strong, I can’t let him hurt people in the town. That aggressive tendencies will defiantly cause harm.
“Hey stop you thug!!”
The braided girl screamed but her attempts were futile as the mysterious thug was a mere dot in the distance.