NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: The old man by the fire
I folded my hands, staring intently at the glowing interface of the system before me. Its holographic display shimmered faintly in the dim light of my small, cluttered room. The words on the screen were clear, yet the weight of their meaning felt almost unbearable.
"This is my chance to take revenge," I thought, my jaw tightening. "But starting out now will only end in an early death."
The system had revealed the truth to me, a truth I had long suspected but never fully understood. My parents, both once revered as heroes, had been betrayed by those they trusted most. Their downfall was orchestrated by a group of S-rank cultivators, individuals so powerful that their very names struck fear into the hearts of ordinary people. And here I was, Ashbourne, a young man with nothing but a fledgling time cultivation and a burning desire for justice.
I sighed, running a hand through my disheveled hair. The system's cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind, reminding me of the harsh reality.
[Host's current cultivation level: D-rank. Probability of success against S-rank targets: 0.0001%. Recommended course of action: immediate training and self-improvement.]
I clenched my fists. "I have to start out on a journey to train myself enough, and understand the ideologies of this world," I muttered under my breath. The path ahead would be long and treacherous, but I had no other choice. Revenge wasn't just a desire, it was a necessity. For my parents. For myself.
---
In this life, my name is Ashbourne. I was born into an average family, though my parents were anything but ordinary. My father, a hero of great renown, had dedicated his life to protecting the weak and upholding justice. My mother, equally formidable, had fought alongside him, her strength and wisdom earning her a place among the elite. Together, they were unstoppable, until the day they weren't.
My father died in action, betrayed by those he once called comrades. His death shattered my mother, leaving her a hollow shell of the woman she once was. She quit her duties as a hero, retreating into herself, unable to cope with the loss. Eventually, she was admitted to an asylum, her mind too fractured to face the world.
I visit her every day, sitting by her side as she stares blankly at the walls, her once-bright eyes now dull and lifeless. It's a painful reminder of what was taken from us, from me. I manage the house alone, working odd jobs to pay the bills and keep a roof over our heads. It's a hard life, but it's mine, and I've learned to endure it.
---
One evening, as I sat in the quiet solitude of my home, I made a decision. I couldn't stay here any longer, wallowing in grief and stagnation. If I wanted to avenge my parents and my self, I needed to become stronger. Much stronger.
I approached my landlord, a kind-hearted man who had always treated me with fairness and compassion. "Landlord," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil within, "I will be going on a pilgrimage. Can you rent out the apartment on my behalf? We'll split the money in half."
He regarded me with a mixture of surprise and concern. "A pilgrimage, Ashbourne? That's quite sudden. Are you sure about this?"
I nodded, my resolve unwavering. "I have to do this. It's the only way."
He sighed, his expression softening. "Very well. I'll take care of the apartment. But be back soon, or the new tenants might settle in for life."
"I will," I promised, slinging a small bag over my shoulder. It contained only the essentials, a change of clothes, a few provisions, and a small keepsake from my parents. Anything more would only slow me down.
---
I set out at dawn, the first rays of sunlight casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets of my hometown. My destination was a small town named Judíos, a place known for its breathtaking scenery and rumors of powerful cultivators. It was said that a lone hero, an old man with unparalleled knowledge of time cultivation, resided there. If the rumors were true, he could be the key to unlocking my potential.
The journey was long and tedious, but I pressed on, driven by a singular purpose. As I traveled, I couldn't help but reflect on my life, the loss, the pain, the unrelenting desire for justice. It was a heavy burden to carry, but it was mine, and I would bear it no matter the cost.
---
When I finally arrived in Judíos, I was struck by its beauty. The town was nestled in a lush valley, surrounded by towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of bustling activity.
Judíos was far more developed than my hometown, its streets lined with vibrant markets and grand buildings. Heroes walked among the people, their presence a testament to the town's prosperity. They were treated with reverence, their contributions to society rewarded with wealth and comfort.
But I wasn't here to become a hero. I was here to learn from one.
---
Following the directions I had been given, I made my way to the outskirts of the town, where the old man was said to reside. The path led me through dense forests and across babbling brooks, the tranquility of nature a stark contrast to the turmoil within me.
As the sun began to set, I spotted a faint glow in the distance. Drawing closer, I saw an old man sitting by a crackling fire, a pot of stew simmering above the flames. His face was weathered, his eyes sharp and piercing, yet there was a kindness in his gaze that put me at ease.
"Excuse me, sir," I called out, my voice hoarse from exhaustion. "Could you help me out with some water?"
He regarded me silently for a moment before rising to his feet. "You shouldn't be out here on your own," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "What are you out for?"
He returned with a basin of water, and I drank deeply, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat. "I'm looking for a man," I replied, wiping my mouth. "They say he reached the Apex of time cultivation. I would like to learn from him."
The old man's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Hmmm. What cultivation did you acquire, sonny?"
I hesitated, weighing the risks of revealing my abilities to a stranger. But something about him felt… different. Trustworthy, perhaps. "I have the time cultivation," I admitted, handing him the empty basin.
His reaction was immediate. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed almost… stunned. Time cultivation was rare, a gift bestowed upon only a select few. To encounter someone with such an ability was extraordinary.
"I see," he said slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. "If I do see that old man, I will immediately relay it to you."
I sighed, disappointment washing over me. It seemed my journey had hit a dead end. But just as I turned to leave, the system chimed in, its voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
[System Appraisal: Old Man Jakens, the Apex Time Cultivator.]
My eyes snapped to the holographic image displayed by the system, then back to the old man. He looked startled, his expression shifting from surprise to something akin to… recognition.
Before I could react, he raised a hand, and the world around me froze. Time itself seemed to stop, the flames of the fire suspended in mid-air, the leaves on the trees unmoving. I was trapped in a bubble of stillness, unable to move.
"You are Old Man Jakens," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "What is that thing? A system? It's impossible to awaken a system at such a young age. You've had to have gone through a life-threatening event to awaken one."
I remained silent, my mind racing. How much should I reveal? How much could I trust him?
"Now that you know my identity," he continued, his tone grave, "you must keep it a secret."
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Only on one condition."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
"Train me as your student."
For a long moment, he said nothing, his gaze piercing through me as if weighing my very soul. Then, with a sigh, he released me from the time capsule, the world around me springing back to life.
"You look like a lost boy who has something he wants to accomplish," he said, his voice softer now. "That's the only reason I will help you."
A wave of relief washed over me, mingled with a fierce determination. This was it, the first step on my path to revenge. With Old Man Jakens as my mentor, I would become stronger. Strong enough to face the S-rank cultivators who had destroyed my family and my life. Strong enough to bring them to justice.
As I stood there, the fire crackling between us, I felt a spark of hope ignite within me. The journey ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but I was ready. For my parents. For myself. For the future I was determined to reclaim.