With that idea clear in his mind, Ian decided that staying any longer in the cave made no sense.
Before leaving, however, he remembered something important.
The corpse of the horned wolf had not yet been fully used.
Aisha he said while observing the horn, claws, and fangs he had separated . Can you use this to improve my sword?
The response came quickly.
High probability of success she replied. These materials contain remnants of biological energy. I can integrate them through a process of structural reconfiguration.
Ian nodded.
Do it.
The black cube emerged from his hand once again. This time, it did not float passively. A series of dark lines ran across its surface, as if invisible slots were opening. The materials the horn, the claws, the teeth, and the sword were absorbed one by one.
Ian watched the process closely.
There were no sparks, no spectacular lights. Everything happened in silence.
Several seconds passed.
Then, the sword reappeared in his hand.
At first glance, it seemed to be the same… but it wasn't.
The blade looked darker, more defined. It reflected the light in a strange way. When he passed his finger near the edge, he felt a chill.
Enhancement complete Aisha reported. Structural resistance increased. Edge reinforced with energized biological material. Cutting capacity increased by thirty-seven percent.
Ian smiled.
Not bad for a start.
He sheathed the sword, adjusted his improvised gear, and left the cave.
The journey began without a fixed destination.
He advanced among enormous trees, collecting plants that Aisha marked as potentially useful. Tough roots, vegetal fibers, strange minerals embedded in rocks. Each find was stored in Aisha's memory for later analysis.
For hours, he found nothing but wild nature.
Until he saw it.
A road.
It wasn't modern. It wasn't paved. But it was, without a doubt, a clearly defined dirt road. Tracks marked constant use, as if something or someone traveled it frequently.
Ian stopped.
Aisha… he murmured.
Confirmed she replied. Artificial road. Frequent use. High probability of traffic by intelligent creatures or domesticated animals.
That made his pulse quicken.
Humans?
Possible Aisha said. But not confirmed. This world presents multiple potential intelligent species.
Ian moved forward cautiously, following the road.
He hadn't gone far when the sound reached him.
Shouts.
Metallic clashes.
Howls.
He immediately crouched, advancing stealthily until the scene unfolded before his eyes.
What he saw left him speechless.
A group of humans was being attacked by a pack of horned wolves, identical—or very similar to the one he had faced before.
But the humans…
They wore nothing like anything he knew.
Long garments, thick fabrics, light armor. Curved swords, spears, bows. No trace of modern technology. They looked as if they had stepped straight out of an ancient painting, something similar to medieval China.
There were carriages.
One smaller one, pulled by enormous horses, muscular, clearly larger than any Earth horse. In the center, a larger carriage, guarded more carefully, was dragged by a creature similar to an ox… but of colossal size, with defined muscles and fierce eyes.
This… Ian whispered. This is real.
Confirmed Aisha said. Humans present. Pre-industrial technology. Bladed weapons and mechanical projectiles.
The wolves were gaining ground.
Ian hesitated for only a second.
He could leave.
But this was his opportunity.
I'm going to help them he decided.
High risk Aisha warned. Unknown language. Possible hostility.
Even so Ian replied. It's now or never.
He drew his sword and stepped out of hiding.
HEY!
His shout was not understood, but it was heard.
The nearest wolf turned toward him… and that was its mistake.
Ian advanced decisively, the sword tracing a clean arc. The enhanced edge cut effortlessly, opening the beast's neck in a single movement. Blood splashed onto the ground.
The humans froze for an instant.
Then, they reacted.
He's come to help! one of them shouted, in a language completely unknown to Ian.
The wolves did not wait.
The battle intensified.
Ian moved with precision, guided by Aisha, who analyzed each attack and transmitted micro-adjustments directly to his brain. He blocked fangs, dodged claws, counterattacked with brutal efficiency.
The humans began to coordinate with him, even without verbal understanding. They flanked, covered gaps, launched synchronized attacks.
Little by little, the pack was reduced.
The last wolf fled wounded into the forest.
Silence returned.
The humans were breathing heavily, some wounded, others watching him with caution… and awe.
They began to speak to him.
Ian understood nothing.
Aisha he said softly. Analyze the language. I need it.
Initiating decoding she replied. Linguistic pattern similar to ancient Chinese. Requires time.
The men surrounded him cautiously, without raised weapons, but alert.
After several minutes, Aisha's voice returned.
Functional translation achieved. Basic level.
Ian exhaled in relief.
One of the men stepped forward.
Who are you? he asked, distrustful. What are you doing in this forest?
The voice reached Ian… translated, clear, directly into his mind.
Ian improvised.
I don't know he replied. I lost my memory. I woke up alone in the forest… I'm lost.
There were murmurs.
The men exchanged glances.
Finally, the same man spoke again.
We are merchants he said. We are traveling to Prado City to sell and trade goods.
Ian memorized the name.
Prado City.
The merchants continued to observe him closely, some with curiosity, others with evident respect after having seen him fight the horned wolves.
Ian seized the moment.
You mentioned something called Prado City he said cautiously. What kind of place is it?
The man who seemed to lead the group stepped forward. He was middle-aged, with a short beard and sharp eyes. His bearing was firm, but not hostile.
My name is Li Wenhao he introduced himself. I am the leader of this caravan.
Aisha translated the name in his mind.
Li Wenhao nodded before continuing.
Prado City is the largest city in this entire region he explained. A center of commerce, cultivation, and transit. It is located right at the foot of the Immortal Sect's mountain.
Ian blinked.
The… Immortal Sect?
Murmurs arose immediately.
The merchants looked at each other, visibly surprised. Some even frowned, as if they had heard something impossible.
You don't know what an Immortal Sect is? Li Wenhao asked, incredulous.
Ian kept a serious expression.
I lost my memory he repeated. I don't remember much about this world.
That seemed to ease the suspicion somewhat, though the surprise did not disappear.
The immortals… Li Wenhao continued, lowering his voice are not ordinary people.
Another merchant intervened, with evident reverence.
They are like gods.
They can split seas with a single movement added another. Fly through the skies as if walking on air.
They say the most powerful can destroy mountains… even the sun… with just their hands.
Ian listened in silence.
Inside, however, his scientific mind was already working.
Destroy the sun with their hands…
That sounds more like exaggeration than reality.
He couldn't help but think that, from the perspective of a pre-industrial civilization, any advanced technology could seem divine. An orbital weapon, a gravitational field, autonomous drones… all of that could fit perfectly into the description of "immortals."
I see… he finally said calmly. I suppose they are individuals with vastly superior abilities.
Li Wenhao nodded, interpreting the answer in his own way.
Exactly.
Ian didn't argue.
Not because he believed in gods, but because he saw no use in contradicting deeply rooted beliefs.
Then he continued, would it be possible for me to travel with you to Prado City?
The merchants exchanged glances again.
Li Wenhao evaluated him from head to toe.
You saved our lives he said. We have no reason to refuse.
Ian relaxed his shoulders slightly.
Thank you.
He took the opportunity to ask the question that truly interested him.
And… how could someone meet one of those immortals?
The atmosphere changed.
Faces became serious, almost solemn.
It's not something just anyone can achieve Li Wenhao replied. But there is a way.
Ian sharpened his focus.
From time to time he continued, the immortals descend from the mountain. They come to Prado City to recruit new disciples… and also servants.
If someone is chosen added another merchant, their destiny changes forever.
Ian frowned.
Chosen… according to what criteria?
Li Wenhao looked at him intently.
Spiritual roots.
Ian repeated the term in his mind.
What are spiritual roots? he asked.
There was silence.
Li Wenhao slowly shook his head.
That… we don't know for certain he admitted. Only the immortals can measure them.
They say some are born with them explained another. Others are not. And those who don't have them… can never become immortal.
Ian nodded slowly.
On the outside, he seemed to accept the explanation.
On the inside, he was more intrigued than ever.
Unknown energy… biological cores… immortals…
This world operates under completely different laws… or under a technology so advanced that I still cannot detect it.
Aisha he thought, store all this information.
Data stored she replied. High relevance for future analysis.