Chapter 1: Awakening Stuck?
In an old, cramped room, a young figure panted, wiping sweat from his body, clearly having just finished a workout.
"Sigh..."
"Why is there still no change?"
Xu Chao was troubled.
He gazed at the panel information that appeared in his mind:
[Name: Xu Chao]
[Origin merging... Supernatural Ability Awakening Progress: 99%]
"Damn it! @#￥%$%---"
...Xu Chao was a junior at Star Sea Base City's Polytechnic Institute. Because he hadn't awakened a Supernatural Ability, he couldn't apply to a Martial Arts College in his third year of high school, so he could only choose to apply to a Liberal Arts University.
For an entire semester, his awakening progress had been stuck at 99%... Xu Chao hadn't dared to tell anyone about the panel appearing in his mind!
Its appearance was due to a trip during his third year of high school's winter break, when he and his parents accompanied a caravan to a nearby Base City for his sister Xu Yufei's wedding.
On their return journey, they encountered a Spiritual Energy Tide eruption. The caravan was attacked by a frenzy of monsters, and the accompanying martial artists desperately protected everyone, breaking through the encirclement, but still suffered heavy casualties.
His father, a Third-Tier Martial Artist, was severely injured after desperately unleashing his power to protect his wife and son.
At a critical moment, a top human expert happened to pass by and saved everyone; otherwise, it would have been difficult for anyone to survive the situation!
It was at this time that Xu Chao suddenly awakened his Supernatural Ability, and it was the SS-grade Endless Devouring... Just as he was excitedly experiencing his newly awakened Supernatural Ability.
No one noticed that a mysterious, unknown fragment from the Spiritual Energy Tide struck Xu Chao, rushing into his brain, and he himself fell into a coma... When he woke up a week later, Xu Chao checked his awakened Supernatural Ability and his expression immediately changed drastically!
His awakened SS-grade Devouring Supernatural Ability was gone... There was only the panel in his mind and the information displayed on it:
[Name: Xu Chao]
[Origin merging... Supernatural Ability Awakening Progress: 1%]
Misfortunes never come singly! There was even worse news.
The genetic lock, which had opened due to the awakening of his Supernatural Ability, had closed again!!
In other words, he, Xu Chao, had once again become... an Unawakened!
...His father, Xu Jianye, had been hospitalized with severe injuries three years ago, exhausting the family's savings and even selling their house, barely saving his life.
But their family couldn't afford the high follow-up treatment costs, so they could only choose to recuperate slowly at home!
To save money.
Their family chose to rent a house in District 25 of Star Sea Base City. It was close to the edge of the Base City, the rent was cheap, and most of the people living there had financial difficulties.
Just five days ago, Xu Chao, who was still attending university, received a call from his mother, Wang Lihua.
She said his father was critically ill and urged him to come back quickly.
After the hospital's full efforts, his father had now passed the critical period.
After waking up, his father, fearing the cost of the hospital, again strongly requested to return home to recuperate slowly... His thoughts returned, and he had to face the cruel reality.
He checked the time; it was 10 PM.
Just as he was about to open his room door to go wash up, he heard his parents' quiet yet intense conversation from the living room, and his steps paused.
The two-bedroom apartment they rented was very old and simple, with poor sound insulation.
"Lihua, give up. I don't want to drag you down anymore!"
"Xu Jianye, what nonsense are you talking about? We've persevered for years, how can you say give up just like that?"
"If you hadn't risked your life to protect our mother and son, you wouldn't have been so severely injured."
His mother's muffled sobs could be heard.
"I also hate to leave you, but there's no other way!"
"What has our family's life become these past few years, just for my treatment?"
"Where did the money to save me this time come from? Did you go to Rough translation: Scarface Zhang again for a loan?"
"I know our family truly has no money. The old brothers in the Hunting Squad have helped us a lot these past few years, but they aren't well off either; their money is earned with their lives, it's not easy."
"And then there's our daughter Yufei, their household's two incomes aren't high, and they've given us a lot of money these past few years. Their life is also very hard!"
"My body is a bottomless pit that devours money. Don't struggle anymore, or this family will be dragged down by me."
"Besides, if you borrow from Rough translation: Scarface Zhang, what kind of people are they? They'll suck you dry. Our family will be in big trouble if we get involved with them!"
"Lihua... give up..."
"That way, you and Xiao Chao can live a little better. Don't let Xiao Chao suffer with us. He can finish university properly, but now even his tuition for next semester is still unsettled."
"Give me a release, and give everyone a release!"
His father's suppressed, low voice came from outside the room. Although Xu Chao couldn't see him, he imagined his resolute face must be streaming with tears at this moment.
"No... I won't..."
Then came his mother's low growl, as if afraid of disturbing Xu Chao in the room.
"Jianye, don't give up, please!"
"Just hold on a little longer, you'll get better, we'll get through this difficulty."
"I heard from Old Li from your Hunting Squad that there's something called 'heart of willow wood' in the Hunter Association that can cure you. I'll find a way to get it."
"'heart of willow wood'? That thing costs at least 50 million China Yuan. Where would our family get that much money!"
"There will be a way! There will be a way..."
His mother's murmuring whisper came again... This was clearly another unpleasant conversation. Xu Chao had heard his parents' 'arguments' like this several times over the past few years.
He had originally intended to open the door and leave, but he withdrew his hand from the door.
He sat back on the bed.
Unknowingly, tears had already covered his handsome face.
"Awakening! I must awaken as soon as possible."
"Only by awakening and becoming a martial artist can I solve the family's predicament and save my father."
Xu Chao clenched his fists tightly, secretly vowing.
He did not continue out of the room, not wanting to disturb his parents at this moment.
Lying on the bed, he silently pondered again.
It was now 50 years after the Great Nirvana Era, and countless powerful monsters roamed the Wilderness Zone outside the Base Cities... Every so often, a wave of beasts would attack human Base Cities, and there were even cases of monsters lurking into Base Cities to hunt humans!
It could be said that humanity's current situation was extremely grim.
In this era, martial prowess reigned supreme; only by becoming strong could one protect oneself and one's family.
After the Great Nirvana Era, high school students on Blue Star generally had several choices after graduation.
Awakeners, having opened their genetic lock, could cultivate Breathing Techniques to continuously grow stronger and attend Martial Arts College.
Unawakened, however, could only diligently study cultural knowledge and attend liberal arts universities.
Most Liberal Arts University students could only find jobs that barely made ends meet after graduation, but Martial Arts College graduates were different.
The military and various forces vied for them, or they could become free martial artists, join Hunting Squads, and even hunting monsters outside could lead to a very good life!
Due to the re-closing of his genetic lock, Xu Chao could only attend a Liberal Arts University, ultimately enrolling in the second-rate Liberal Arts University he was currently attending—Star Sea City Polytechnic Institute.
It was also thanks to Xu Chao having previously awakened that his body had undergone spiritual energy modification, and his physical fitness reached Quasi-Martial Artist strength.
So, he found a part-time job as a sparring partner at a martial arts gym in an area close to the school.
He went every weekend, two hours a day, which covered his living expenses during university and lightened his family's burden.
Tomorrow was Sunday, and he had to go to the martial arts gym for his part-time sparring job again.
He had finally found this job, and he couldn't lose it.
His father had been discharged from the hospital and was being cared for by his mother at home.
Tomorrow morning, I have to go to the martial arts gym and also return to school; it's time to ask the teacher for leave.
As he thought, he slowly fell asleep... The next day, he woke up and exercised for another hour.
It was generally difficult for ordinary people to awaken after high school, but he could see the panel in his mind, knowing he would definitely awaken, so he kept exercising.
After washing up, he ate the breakfast his mother made and sat with his parents for a while.
Xu Chao packed his backpack and left.
He went downstairs and walked out of the dilapidated neighborhood.
He looked up at the gloomy sky, feeling like it was about to rain. He had to walk through several long streets and alleys to catch a bus.
Star Sea Base City is one of China's eight major Base Cities, covering a very large area with a total of 31 municipal districts and a population of approximately 50 million. The first five districts are the core areas, where every inch of land is precious, and only extraordinary people can live there.
And since the Great Nirvana Era, over 50 years have passed. Humanity on Blue Star experienced its darkest hour, then the establishment of a new order, with the population sharply reduced to less than 2 billion. China's eight Base Cities combined have less than 400 million people.
Xu Chao's family lives in District 25, which is considered a suburb.
His school and the martial arts gym where he works are both in District 20, requiring over 2 hours of travel by car to reach.
Xu Chao skillfully navigated through the streets and alleys. It had started to rain, and his shoes and trouser legs were already wet. Occasionally, a clap of thunder boomed overhead.
He tightened his grip on his umbrella and quickened his pace. The nearest bus stop to school was just through another alley.
To save time, Xu Chao usually chose shortcuts, which were mostly less-frequented small alleys.
Just as Xu Chao turned a corner and was about to enter the next alley, a 'kacha... kacha...' strange sound entered his ears, and he inexplicably felt a pang of fear!
A faint hint of blood wafted into Xu Chao's nose. Although it had been diluted a lot by the rain, his enhanced nose, thanks to his Quasi-Martial Artist physique, still caught the scent.
"Should I turn back?"
Xu Chao was conflicted. He felt a sense of unease! But turning back meant a very long detour.
After a moment of hesitation, Xu Chao decided to go and see. If he found anything amiss, he would immediately run!
Then he took out a dagger from his backpack and held it in a reverse grip. This dagger was a gift from his father on his 18th birthday.
With the dagger in hand, his courage grew somewhat! Xu Chao cautiously walked forward. Upon entering the alley, the scene inside came into view.
The alley was empty. The source of the sound came from behind a pile of garbage about ten meters ahead. A few meters away, there was a sewer drain, and the manhole cover lay scattered on the side... "Since I'm already here, I'll go take a look!"
Xu Chao boldly crept forward. As he slowly approached, his heart beat faster and faster, until he saw what was behind the garbage pile. His hairs immediately stood on end, and cold sweat instantly poured down... He saw a monster over 2 meters long rummaging for food in the garbage pile. Its entire body was covered in grayish-black fur that glowed faintly, and its two crimson eyes just happened to lift and meet Xu Chao's gaze, revealing a fierce glint. Its gaping maw showed sharp fangs.
There was a horrifying wound on its lower abdomen, still bleeding. It was currently supporting its body on three legs, its left hind leg unnaturally twisted, clearly broken.
This was a severely injured rat-type monster...