In a very small room with a single bed, lying on it was a black-haired boy of around ten years old.
He was sleeping deeply.
The boy slowly opened his pitch-black eyes.
He saw an elder sitting on a chair beside the bed, arms crossed on the mattress and head resting on them. Loud snores escaped from his nose.
He had white hair, and wrinkles covered his entire face.
The boy stared at him silently.
After a while, the elder slowly opened his eyes and rubbed them before letting out a long yawn.
Then, he looked at the boy and said in surprise, "You're finally awake."
"Who are you?" the boy asked.
"I'm the Village Chief. I found you unconscious on the outskirts of the village," the Village Chief replied. "What were you doing there that made you faint?"
"I don't remember," the boy said with a pained expression as he tried to recall.
"Hmm? Do you know your name?" the elder asked.
"No."
"Not good," the elder muttered. "Until you remember, I'll call you Desper. You'll live with me for now."
...
Beeeeeeeeeb…Beeeeeb...
"WHAT?!!" Desper woke up, horrified by the sound coming from the small circular board called watch.
"Aghrrr…" he growled, as the sudden movement triggered pain in his body.
He slowly reached for the watch on the table. Holding it in his hand, he had no idea how to stop the sound.
"How do you stop this thing?" Desper grumbled.
But after five seconds, it stopped on its own.
Desper sighed and placed the watch back on the table.He felt a warm sensation on his cheeks.
"Tears?" Desper was surprised when he touched them.
He lay back on the bed, thinking about his dream.
'So, I lost my memory when I was ten years old, and then again eight years later. What an irony,' Desper laughed in mockery.
'I must get stronger,' he thought.
Desper widened his eyes in surprise. He didn't know why, but he felt a strong desire to get stronger.
'I need to get my memories back to understand everything.'
"Good morning, Desper."
Suddenly, a voice came from the door.
Desper turned his gaze toward it. A handsome man with brown hair and dazzling blue eyes was standing there.
'So handsome,' Desper thought.
"Good morning,…" Desper tried to return the greeting but he forgot the man's name.
"Darek. My name is Darek. Don't forget it, please," Darek snapped in annoyance.
"Sorry about that," Desper apologized sincerely.
"You've lost all of your memories. It's not that strange to forget my name," Darek said, looking down with a sigh.
"Anyway, come with me. It's time for your lecture." Darek pulled Desper's arm.
"Lecture?" Desper asked in confusion.
"Yes, there's a lecture every month for new disciples," Darek explained. "In it, you'll learn how to start your path as a cultivator. It's a very important lecture, so let's go before we're late."
"Could I take a bath or change clothes first?" Desper asked. His clothes were torn and burnt, and he smelled terrible.
"No, we don't have time. Just come and don't worry about trivial things," Darek said, pulling him out of the room.
Desper felt the gentle cool breeze brush against his face and the soft rays of the rising sun. He took a deep breath and felt as though life had returned to him.
"That's refreshing," Desper said in delight as he walked beside Darek.
They passed by many buildings, ranging from small to huge.
They also passed many people wearing the sect's uniform: orange robes with irregular black lines like tiger stripes.
Some whispered, some spoke loudly, but most were looking at Desper and Darek as they walked by.
"Who's that guy? And why is he walking with Darek?"
"They're heading toward the lecture building. I heard Darek is the Elder's assistant this month."
"What? How lucky are the newbies this time!"
"Hey you, brat! Keep your filthy clothes away from Darek!" someone shouted at Desper in envy.
"Hmm?" Desper was surprised for a moment. Then he looked at Darek and found no reaction on his face.
Desper smirked at the man and moved closer to Darek.
The man clenched his teeth in anger.
"You're quite famous around here," Desper murmured.
"Kind of. If you work hard, you'll be famous too," Darek replied with a smile.
"Why don't you tell me about the sect or cultivation?"
After losing his memories, he didn't even know the basics.
"For the sect, I'll take you on a tour and show you the sect," Darek replied. "As for cultivation, you'll learn about it in the lecture."
"Instead, let me tell you some basics about our world."
"Why does everyone hate becoming a cultivator? Because we're constantly fighting against death, either from ferocious monsters or Spoiled Cultivators."
"Monsters… Spoiled Cultivators…" Desper seemed to know these words, but couldn't recall their meaning.
Darek kept smiling as he explained.
"Monsters are terrifying creatures that feed on humans to grow stronger. They're powerful that only cultivators can fight them face to face. They enter our world through something called Spatial Cracks."
"Spoiled Cultivators are those who use the abilities of monsters. But these abilities slowly consume their minds, driving them into madness. They become more monster than human. "
Desper listened carefully to every word Darek said.
"Both have their shares in killing people. But Spoiled Cultivators usually target other cultivators and don't harm ordinary people, while monsters spare no one. So, monsters are the greater threat."
"Our mission, as cultivators, is to fight both and kill them, or be killed by them"
Desper gave him a confused look.
"How can you keep smiling while talking about these things?" Desper asked.
Darek stared at him for a moment, then—
"HAHAHAHAHA…" He burst into laughter. His body trembled, and his smile widened unnaturally.
"That's because, unlike anyone else, I like these things. I love fighting so much. The warm sensation of monster blood on my hands fills me with euphoria. Their screams quench my thirst," he declared, licking his lips.
"My dream is to die on the battlefield, feeling cold despite the warm blood covering me, my sword piercing a monster's heart, and my other hand choking a Spoiled Cultivator's neck. With a smile on my face, I'll leave this world."
"Wouldn't that be amazing?" he asked, looking at Desper.
Desper stared back in shock, momentarily speechless.
A chill ran down his spine.
"Ha… ha…That's… special," he finally managed, forcing a smile.
'Freak,' he screamed inwardly.
"Hahaha," Darek laughed again. "You don't need to lie. I know I'm a freak. But that's my nature, and I love it."
"Anyway, back to our main topic," Darek said, regaining his composure. "Monsters and Spoiled Cultivators are the main reason why cultivation has become a nightmare for everyone."
"Every sect is responsible for protecting its territory. By *territory*, I mean the cities and villages around the sect. Disciples are scattered across this area, waiting for a Distress Signal to rush in and eliminate the threat which is usually monsters."
"Many disciples have died doing that, so people began refusing to join sects. They preferred peaceful lives under others' protection," Darek said with a sigh.
"That weakened the human forces. The sects lost disciples and couldn't protect their territory anymore."
"Monsters faced less and less resistance, eventually, they could enter cities, slaughter everyone, and leave without a scratch."
"Humanity faced extinction. That's when the higher forces acted," Darek grinned. "They set a new rule: If you awaken your Origin, you must join a sect. If you refuse, you're not allowed to stay anywhere under any sect's protection."
"If you don't want to join a sect, you must leave its territory and leave the safe zone. Out there, you'll face countless monsters and Spoiled Cultivators, and eventually, you'll die."
Darek finished and looked at Desper.
"What do you think about their decision?"
Desper thought for a moment.
"They made the right decision. Even though it's unfair for cultivators to risk their lives for others, but if they don't, there won't be a future for anyone."
He rubbed his chin. "But… there must be some cultivators who break the rule and hide in cities and villages."
Darek grinned widely. "You're absolutely right. That's why the higher forces made another rule:If you're caught breaking the first rule by hiding in a city despite awakening your Origin, you will be punished, and the punishment is death."