Strange changes had been occurring lately. Bizarre accidents in remote locations were claiming numerous lives, all under mysterious circumstances.
On an old television, a journalist's calm and composed voice reported, "The Prime Minister states that the causes are still under investigation and that he is deploying the country's armed forces to defend remote areas from potential attacks by enemy nations."
"Hahaha! That's rich! The Prime Minister doesn't know the cause? How much you wanna bet it's terrorist attacks, or maybe even the start of a third world war?" a bald old man laughed as he heard the news, speaking loudly to his friend at the bar counter.
"I don't think a war is coming. Something stranger is happening. Didn't you see that high school kid who, overnight, gained the strength to smash rocks with his bare fists?" the other man, a bearded elder at the table, denied with a shake of his head before taking a long swig of beer.
"Nonsense! It's probably just that new AI everyone's talking about. Any video on the internet can be doctored these days." The bald man grinned, amused that anyone would believe smashing rocks with one's fists was real, especially for some random teenager.
With a look of displeasure, the bearded man noticed a well-dressed man in a formal suit who was also drinking a mug of beer next to his friend. He had a well-built physique, short hair, and dark brown eyes. His handsome face, with its curved eyebrows and tranquil eyes, radiated a sense of calm and kindness.
The bearded man looked over curiously and asked, "What do you think, young man?"
The man pulled his attention from the TV and offered a smile to the two old men who were now focused on him. For a moment, he stared into his beer mug, gazing at his distorted reflection in the golden liquid, and said:
"I've heard that great natural disasters are looming for humanity, but that we will certainly find a way to survive."
After saying this single sentence, the man tipped back the mug, downing all the remaining beer.
"Hahaha! That's a funny one, my boy, but if it were a natural disaster, it would've hit us long ago. I've never seen a natural disaster that picks and chooses specific locations." The bald old man slapped his knee, laughing at what the man had said, his face flushed from the drink.
The bearded man remained silent, studying the young man, sensing something unusual about him with an intuition that had guided him since he started building his business empire in his youth.
"Chief, here's the money. If you'll excuse me, I must be going. I have a trip to make." Paying his bill, he departed with a large, happy smile on his face. The man stood and walked with a noticeable limp toward the entrance of the small bar in the suburbs of Concordia's capital city.
"So young and already limping. How sad. Sometimes we should be thankful for the health we have!" The bald man watched the man's difficult gait and shook his head sadly, already thinking of introducing his single granddaughter to this polite and good-humored young man.
"That's life. Not everything is fair. But I found what he said interesting. Maybe we should dig a little deeper into this situation." The bearded man nodded in agreement, narrowing his eyes at the TV.
...
"We're close!" Zion Chen said excitedly to the taxi driver, who was navigating the car up a dirt road that wound through the forest and up a mountain.
"This place is really in the middle of nowhere. Good thing the pay is high. But do you really plan on living out here?" The taxi driver asked, curious to see a well-dressed man with four suitcases moving to this remote village, all while carefully maneuvering the car to avoid scratching it on the branches and bushes lining the road.
"I'm starting a new life. I had an accident, and now I want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the world. It's the rebirth of a new man!"
"Quite poetic. I wish you success."
And with that, the car departed, leaving Zion Chen at the entrance of a village. It was marked by an arch made of ancient willow wood, with the words "Dawn Dew Village" inscribed in golden letters.
He took a deep breath of the fresh local air. It felt as if each breath purified his lungs and brought his mind to peace, allowing him to forget his troubles and traumas for a moment.
"Finally, I can live in peace for a while." With tranquility reflected in his eyes, he observed the lively village, filled with rustic wooden houses that were nonetheless equipped with modern amenities.
There was nothing extraordinary about the village, but it didn't seem miserable or abandoned either. It covered a large area, almost large enough to be called a small town. As it was summer, many people were out doing their chores or simply enjoying their time in this remote place.
The arrival of a stranger quickly drew attention, especially from a group of children at play. A newcomer was a big event for the little ones.
Three children on a swing hanging from a tree near the entrance stared intently at the stranger.
"You think he's another invader?" a little girl in a red dress, sitting on the swing, asked the two boys, rolling up her sleeves with a valiant expression.
"Does it matter? We should just go to Aunt Ya's shop and see if she's made another batch of snacks," a chubby boy with big cheeks replied, shaking an empty snack bag.
"Fatty! Is eating all you think about? That's why you always lose when we play cops and robbers, and you always end up on my team!" complained a thin boy who was pushing the girl on the swing.
"I'm not fat! The teacher said I'm in a growth phase!"
"Sure, growing sideways."
"You want a beating?" The chubby boy shoved the other.
"You're gonna get it!" The thin boy got angry and lunged at him.
THWACK!
Just as they were about to trade blows, a wooden swing was thrown, hitting both of them on the forehead at the same time.
"Marcos! Yuri! No fighting! We're in a dangerous situation!" the girl in red scolded, clearly annoyed.
"Sorry..." Marcos, the chubby boy, curled up on the ground, his eyes welling up with tears.
"Did you have to throw the swing?" Yuri, the thin one, questioned, crying and annoyed but not daring to confront the girl.
"We're all friends and brothers here. No fighting as long as I'm around. You two stay put. I'm going to investigate that man. What if he's an invader!" The girl in red puffed out her chest and commanded, making the two boys nod their heads sadly. She then took off running toward the village entrance.
"It doesn't feel like a village. But considering the land here is prosperous, it makes sense for it to be this size and have above-average technology," Zion Chen thought, surprised by the activity and the houses. Though simple, they had first-rate finishing, all equipped with heaters, and there were small family-owned shops.
Before he could take his first step into the village, a shout caught his attention.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" A little girl in a simple red dress was yelling. She looked like a little fairy with fair skin and green eyes. Her dark, straight hair fell to her shoulders.
"I, Mia Chen, will not let you take a single step without introducing yourself and stating your intentions!" Standing before him with her arms crossed, she proclaimed, her eyes wide as she tried to look serious, a feat at which she failed miserably due to being too cute.
'Same last name, what a coincidence.'
Staring at the girl for a moment, his eyes softened, and a brilliant smile spread across his face. Using his largest suitcase for support, with clear difficulty, he crouched down to look directly into the girl's emerald-green eyes.
"Well now, what an eloquent little lady. My name is Zion Chen, and I've bought an abandoned farm near the village. I'm moving in and will be living nearby," he introduced himself. Mia was surprised by his gaze and smile, which sent a wave of calm through her heart, significantly lowering the child's guard.
Zion Chen raised a hand to greet the little one, but snapping out of her trance, she quickly took a step back with a suspicious look on her face, continuing her little interrogation.
"So you're not an invader, then?" Her suspicious expression only made her cuter.
"Invader?"
Before he could ask about it, a shout interrupted them.
"Mia!" An aged voice called her name, clearly irritated with her. An elderly, slightly hunched man with a white beard and a bald head was hurrying toward the entrance as fast as he could.
"It's the Chief! Don't think you've gotten away. I'll still be keeping an eye on you." Glancing back, she quickly ran off, leaving only a small cloud of dust behind.
"Huff... huff... My apologies, young Zion. Mia is a difficult child to handle. I hope she didn't offend you," the old man said, clearly exhausted and embarrassed.
"Of course not, Chief Li. She seems like a very adorable child, hahaha!" Zion Chen stood up and replied with a laugh. How could a cute child like that be difficult?
"That's good to hear. The last time a visitor showed up, she attacked him with a small sickle... I can't imagine if she had attacked you with your recent injury." Chief Li sighed in relief.
'I guess that was a close call, then.' A drop of sweat trickled down Zion's forehead. He had noticed a small bulge under the girl's dress. Thinking back now, it did look like the shape of a small sickle, the kind used for cutting grass.
"Dad!" A man came running from a distance, the ground trembling slightly with his approach. He appeared to be nearly two meters tall with a powerfully built frame, resembling a giant.
'What a tall guy. He must weigh around 120 kilos.' Zion's brown eyes quickly fixed on the unusual man with great interest.
"Young Zion, this is my son, John Li. Quick, son, grab our new neighbor's luggage. We must show him the village and welcome him. It's rare for someone to decide to move to our little village!" Chief Li seemed excited by the novelty, his mood lifted by the prospect of good things happening.
"You got it, Dad. Hey bro, you can call me Big Li. That's what everyone calls me. Hahaha!"
As they drew near, they greeted each other with a firm handshake. Big Li's eyes widened.
'What a rough, strong hand!' Knowing the newcomer's condition, he hadn't expected such a powerful grip. It even hurt his own hand a little, something that had never happened before in his life, not even outside the village.
"You can just call me Zion." He nodded with a brilliant smile and shook his hand.
"Let's head in, Brother Zion. The village isn't big or luxurious, but everyone here is very kind. You'll like the new environment." Taking Zion's bags, the trio marched slowly forward.
Zion Chen's eyes shone with joy, excited for the new life that awaited him. Even his limp seemed to have no effect on his mood. His steps, despite his condition, were firm, ready for the future he desired.