Chapter One: The Bystander

Chapter One: The Soy Sauce Runner

Year 2779, Earth

If the ancestors from the early twenty-first century could see Earth as it is now, they would never believe it. It is not that the world, seven centuries on from their time, has become so advanced—skyscrapers rising everywhere, maglev trains the main form of transportation, astonishing high-tech inventions making life simple and beautiful, with no borders between nations, all races blended into a true global village, hunger and cold banished, even faster-than-light ships journeying into space in search of new colonies.

All of this was once the future our ancestors had envisioned, yet reality has turned out to be something quite the opposite.

Desolation. Extreme desolation!

From the sky, if you gaze down upon Earth, you’d find nothing but forlorn wastelands and deserts stretching out in all directions, save for the seas and rivers. It’s almost impossible to find a proper city or even a village. The vast land is eerily devoid of human presence; the glorious sights of the past seem no more than illusions.

It is as if everything has reverted to a primitive age.

The deep roars of savage beasts echo to every corner of the globe. These are no ordinary wild animals but terrifying, fiercely aggressive demon beasts.

In the year 2091, human technology reached new heights. Humanity discovered the theory of alternate dimensions and successfully found a space intersecting closely with Earth in the cosmos. Probes revealed that this dimension was rich in energy—an exhilarating prospect for humankind, suffering then from severe energy shortages.

But when humanity used nuclear energy and dimensional technology to fully connect the two worlds, they were horrified to discover that, alongside abundant energy, the other world teemed with monstrous beasts.

Like wolves upon a new continent, the monsters surged into Earth. Bullets could not pierce their resilient hides, bombs could not kill these tenacious creatures. Though laser and atomic guns were effective, there were simply too few of them compared to the tide of monsters, and some of these alien creatures could even breathe fire, toppling buildings—almost as if Godzilla had become reality.

One Godzilla might be manageable—but countless Godzillas?

These monsters unleashed a cataclysm upon Earth, annihilating civilization in a storm of destruction. Cities became ruins; every corner of the land was stalked by man-eating beasts. The survivors lived in constant terror. In just a few decades, the population plummeted from fifteen billion at its peak to little over ten million, humanity teetering on the brink of extinction.

Hope came from the next generation. Here, the “next generation” refers to children born after Earth connected with the alternate dimension. Humanity was shocked and delighted to discover that these children possessed physical qualities far superior to their predecessors. Some, upon maturing, could easily shatter old Olympic world records. Their stamina, agility, and reflexes were all on a higher level.

Gradually, it became clear that the alternate dimension contained a mysterious force, the source of the monsters’ power—a force that could also enhance human beings, but only benefited the new generation, transformed by this power even before birth.

Though the new humans were still not as powerful as the monsters, they at least possessed some means of self-defense, ensuring the survival of their kind. As time passed, this mysterious force became known as “spirit energy.”

In fact, spirit energy had always existed on Earth, but in minuscule amounts. The first to master its use were the qigong masters of old, though most people then viewed qigong as little more than a mystical curiosity. After the fusion of dimensions, when spirit energy grew abundant, the reality of qigong became much easier to prove, and it was studied in earnest, for it was the means to harness spirit energy. Martial arts supplanted technology as the focus of human progress, and out of necessity, mankind set out on a new path.

Centuries passed. Technology never recovered its former glory, but martial arts flourished in myriad forms. Spiritual bullets and light blades, once found only in ancient comic books like “Yu Yu Hakusho,” became reality. Humanity’s near-extermination was gradually reversed. Through slow, arduous progress, new cities arose, and the global population returned to several hundred million—still far fewer than its zenith.

The ongoing fusion of the two dimensions drastically transformed Earth’s appearance over seven centuries. Mount Everest, once the world’s highest peak, has become a plain, while land has risen from the Pacific to become barren desert. Thus, many new place names have entered the world’s lexicon.

Somewhere on Earth—

A vast forest sprawls across the land, a sea of green when seen from above. Towering trees blot out the sun, many so massive that it would take more than a dozen people to encircle a single trunk. Any one of these trees might have broken what the old Guinness World Records once chronicled. Thick vines coil through the forest like giant pythons; mushrooms the size of pavilions and fan-shaped flowers bloom everywhere; bizarre and exotic life forms abound.

Under the influence of spirit energy, not only humans, but all Earth’s flora and fauna have grown extraordinary. Some creatures have even hybridized with those from the other dimension, giving rise to new species never before seen. So, it’s no surprise if people now encounter beings that once existed only in science fiction films centuries ago.

This forest is called the Forest of Dread, a place not found on any ancient map. For all its beauty, it is a region densely populated by demon beasts—certain death for any ordinary person who ventures in.

Somewhere deep in the Forest of Dread, the roars of monsters and the clash of battle break the silence.

A young man and woman, about seventeen or eighteen years old, are locked in combat with two demon wolves. Because of the spirit energy, humanity’s appearance has also changed, especially in terms of color. The girl, for instance, has a waterfall of blue hair and beautiful olive eyes—features unknown in ancient times, and her beauty is ethereal, beyond the reach of any celebrity or idol, rivaling only the flawless heroines of manga.

Spirit energy has altered not only the physique of the new generation but their looks as well. While not everyone is as perfect as this young woman, the general standard has risen sharply.

By contrast, the boy appears more ordinary—though not unpleasant to the eye, with black hair and black eyes, almost certainly descended from a great nation of the ancient world whose totem was the dragon, as most other peoples with similar features perished in the cataclysm.

Their presence in the Forest of Dread is due to an internship assigned by Weston Academy.

Weston Academy is a junior martial arts institute, roughly equivalent to a middle school of ancient times. Since humanity turned from technology to martial arts, the only compulsory academic subjects are literature, history, and a bestiary of demon beasts; all other courses focus on combat, and a student’s rank is determined by their martial prowess.

The boy’s name is Luo Chen, a third-year student at Weston Academy.

During the battle, Luo Chen yawns in boredom—the assignment is simply too easy.

It’s not because his own abilities are so formidable, but because his partner, Elijie, is overwhelmingly strong.

Already a fifth-level spirit warrior in her third year at a junior academy—a level that would outshine many even at the advanced academies—Elijie makes the task trivial. All Luo Chen has to do is move around the battlefield, occasionally distracting the demon wolves when the opportunity arises.

To use a phrase popular in the ancient internet age, Luo Chen is just here to “run soy sauce”—a mere bystander. This thought depresses him.

To think that a third-level spirit warrior like himself has been reduced to running soy sauce—how tragic! In truth, calling himself “distinguished” is a bit thick-skinned; at Weston Academy, a third-level spirit warrior is only average at best. But this has always been Luo Chen’s way of self-consolation—a nod to the “Ah Q spirit” of the ancient world: a somewhat ironic, but necessary, mindset. Without it, he might have been crushed by the horrors he’d endured during his childhood years as a refugee. Irony aside, this spirit has kept him optimistic and resilient.

Partnering with Elijie is a bittersweet blessing. Though Luo Chen is frustrated to be little more than an onlooker, countless male students would envy his position. Elijie is the academy’s undisputed beauty, the object of every boy’s daydreams (apart from those on Brokeback Mountain). To draw her as a partner by lot is a rare chance to be close to a goddess; for Luo Chen to complain is almost criminal—other boys would gladly beat him to a pulp for his ingratitude.

There’s truth to the saying, “A man and woman working together won’t tire easily.” Luo Chen, with nothing to do, takes the chance to admire his partner’s charms.

Her face alone would suffice, but add her ample, supple curves, her high, round hips, slender waist, and long, graceful legs—she seems sculpted to golden proportions.

Damn the creator for such favoritism! Luo Chen even begins to feel sorry for the other girls.

Modern human physiques are extraordinary, especially among spirit warriors. Their flexibility surpasses even the most dedicated yogis of the old world. Elijie, in the heat of battle, moves with such breathtaking elegance that her very form threatens to burst her clothing. Of course, that’s impossible; she wears specially crafted combat attire, extremely tough, and no matter how elastic her body, nothing is going to tear it open. This, of course, is merely Luo Chen’s wishful thinking.

Normally, no one would dare ogle Elijie so openly, but now Luo Chen has the perfect excuse: “Observing the battlefield, for better cooperation with my partner.” Thus, he’s utterly shameless.

Not that Luo Chen has any real designs on Elijie—not for lack of desire, but from a sensible awareness of his own standing. The line of suitors for Elijie stretches from the front gate of Weston Academy to the back hill; what chance does he possibly have?

Their opponents are two Wind Wolves—a species somewhat resembling ordinary wolves, but half a man high, with red eyes, drooling slavering tongues, and claws ten centimeters long that gleam like blades.

According to the bestiary, Wind Wolves are fourth-level demon beasts, their main trait being speed—their affinity is wind, their swiftness and reflexes surpassing many fifth- and sixth-level beasts. Their primary weapons are their claws and the skill “Rend,” which infuses wind energy into their talons for devastating damage. They lack long-range skills and have only average strength, so they are not especially dangerous to the pair—mainly because Elijie is present. Alone, Luo Chen would have little hope against two fourth-level beasts, having only his legs and a desperate wish for more of them.

Luo Chen plays a supporting role, launching surprise attacks from time to time. The wolves focus on Elijie. Though their abilities are formidable, they can’t match a fifth-level spirit warrior skilled in advanced techniques. Their speed keeps them alive, leaping and darting about, preventing Elijie from finishing them off all at once.

Hiss!

Hiss!

Both Wind Wolves suddenly channel whirling demon energy into their claws, making them spin like drills—the “Rend” skill.

With a thud, one wolf’s strike misses. Elijie nimbly dodges, and the wolf’s claws gouge deep furrows in a tree, splinters flying—a testament to their destructive power.

After unleashing their skill, the wolves grow even faster, attacking Elijie in a frenzy.

Now, for the first time, Luo Chen grows tense. Some demon beasts possess a measure of intelligence; if their strongest skills fail to bring down a human, they may try to escape. Normally, letting them go would be fine, but this is a mission—the wolves’ carcasses are proof of completion. They cannot be allowed to escape.

Luo Chen shifts his focus from Elijie’s exquisite form to the ugly Wind Wolves, a throwing blade ready in his left hand. Stopping a cornered, skill-activated Wind Wolf is not an easy task for someone of his level.

As expected, when their “Rend” fails to harm Elijie, the wolves realize this human girl is no easy prey. With a whimper, they turn to flee.

Luo Chen’s job is to harry the beasts and prevent their escape, but as he sees the wolves, claws spinning, darting toward him, he hesitates. Perhaps it’s best to let them go; there’s time to find other monsters.

But Elijie acts. She extends her sword. A biting chill sweeps forth, dropping the temperature by dozens of degrees—even Luo Chen, fifteen meters away, shivers in surprise.

Fourth-level combat technique—Frost!