DUNGEON 1

Inside the hospital room, there was a calm and peaceful atmosphere, like a little oasis amid the bustling world beyond. The walls were painted in a gentle shade of pale green, giving off a feeling of tranquility. A large window, draped in sheer white curtains, allowed sunlight to gently spill into the room, creating warm patterns on the floor. The soft hum of medical equipment blended together, creating a soothing backdrop.

In the middle of the room, Li Si rested, looking serene amidst the sterile environment. The bed, dressed in crisp white sheets, cradled her with a touch of comfort. A gentle beep from the heart monitor added a rhythmic quality to the room, almost like a quiet melody.

Standing nearby, Xin displayed a deep concern in his young eyes as he earnestly spoke with the doctor. The doctor, donning a crisp white coat, emitted an air of expertise.

"How is she?" Xin inquired.

The doctor took a moment, his eyes fixed on the clipboard in his hands. "The examinations and tests have shown that your mother's body is in complete health. There are no signs of internal injuries." He paused, as if grappling with how to continue.

Xin's gaze was unwavering, awaiting the doctor's full assessment. "And?" he inquired.

The doctor hesitated, aware of the difficult truth he was about to share with the young boy. "I'm afraid our current technology hasn't been able to pinpoint the exact cause of her unconsciousness," he continued, trying to find a way to make it understandable for Xin. "We call this condition 'Nexus Trance.' It's the term we use for those who have been rendered unconscious by the particles released during the portal break's impact."

Sensing that there was more to the story, Xin allowed his emotions to overwhelm him, and a single tear escaped his eye. The doctor, witnessing the young boy's struggle to hold back his emotions, felt a pang of sympathy. The government has shared information with the medical association, but this information hasn't been widely spread yet.

"In fact, what I need to tell you is..." the doctor began, struggling to find the right words to convey the gravity of the situation.

The doctor realized that the intricacy of his explanation might be overwhelming for Xin due to his young age. Nevertheless, the doctor recognized the significance of instilling hope in the child, which motivated him to disclose the information.

As Xin absorbed the information, tears welled up in his eyes, reflecting the weight of the revelation. "We're not giving up, Xin. We're determined to find a solution, to help your mother," he reassured, offering a fragile glimmer of hope.

With that, the doctor left the room, leaving Xin standing by the door, wiping away his crocodile tears. "So the tower is the only way," Xin muttered to himself, contemplating the doctor's words. "According to him, the government gathered information from the 'Drifters,' those who disappeared without a trace during the portal break and eventually returned. They were transported to other worlds, worlds brimming with magic and mystical creatures, and most intriguingly, these worlds had colossal towers similar to the one we've seen here."

"Each tower has multiple floors, and the monsters within grow stronger with each ascending floor," Xin continued, piecing together the information. "And the most important detail: the cure for Nexus Trance lies within these towers. If I want to awaken my mother, I have to venture into these otherworldly realms, conquer these tower floors, and find the elusive cure."

"The issue at hand is... How on the nine heavens and eight hells do I get there? I don't have money" Xin pondered aloud.

"Sure, I can run fast, but let's be real – I'm not Saitama, able to reach the moon in mere seconds by taking a leap of faith from the ground," Xin chuckled, recognizing the absurdity of such a notion.

"To make matters even trickier, where am I going to find food in the middle of the ocean, aye? Perhaps I'll stumble upon a school of fish serving a buffet, and they'll invite me for a feast. Or maybe a friendly dragon turtle will emerge from the waves and share some seaweed snacks."

"But jokes aside, it's about as likely as catching a phoenix napping in a haystack. In reality, I'd be a famished little fish before I even reach the tower!" Xin remarked.

"But here's the real kicker, even if I miraculously pulled that off, they're never going to let a kid waltz into a tower full of deadly creatures. With all the buzz about the tower's significance, not to mention the government's watchful eye, it's almost a guarantee that they've got guards posted at the entrance," Xin concluded.

Xin's mind snapped to attention when he sensed the subtle vibrations around him, accompanied by an eerie otherworldly sound that sent a shiver down his spine. The commotion outside grew louder, a cacophony of voices filled with panic and fear. "The portal," Xin whispered. He rushed to the window, gazing at the portal looming in the distance. Though not dangerously close, the looming presence was well within striking distance, monsters could easily spill into the facility if this situation wasn't handled swiftly.

He didn't have the luxury to simply watch as chaos unfolded. He raised his hand, and a protective barrier materialized around his mom, a shimmering shield safeguarding her from the impending danger.

As if in response to his actions, a message materialized before him, words glowing in the air: "You have gained a new skill: Qi Barrier." A moment of realization dawned on Xin – the system recorded skills he acquired in the present. He nodded to himself, and promptly shifted his focus back to the pressing matter.

Xin assessed the window quickly. It seemed just the right size for him to slip through. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves, before making his move. With a leap that was more controlled than reckless, he propelled himself out of the window, avoiding the lethal plummet to the ground below.

Mid-air, Xin's agile instincts kicked in. He twisted his body, altering his trajectory, so that he landed on the building's wall instead of careening downward. His fingers clung to the rough surface as he skillfully used the wall to guide his descent.

As he neared the ground, Xin extended his hand forward, channeling his inner energy through his palm. A subtle shimmer of energy formed, acting as a cushion, gradually reducing the speed of his descent. The landing was a testament to his mastery of qi control. In mere seconds, Xin's feet made contact with the ground, and he executed a flawless landing, his body absorbing the impact with remarkable grace and control.

Amidst the unfolding chaos, Xin's gaze fixated on the diverse assembly of awakeners, each adorned in unique attire, sprinting with determination towards the menacing portal. A thought flickered in Xin's mind, recalling the military presence that had safeguarded the hospital merely half a week ago. "So the military has been replaced, huh?" Yet, as his attention shifted, he noticed a figure within the rushing throng, their clothing reminiscent of a military uniform. "Never mind, I guess I was wrong"

His lithe frame surged through the crowd of determined individuals, leaving a trail of motion-blur in his wake, a testament to his lightning speed. The sea of faces blurred as he darted forward, a streak of purpose amidst the frenzied rush.

With a sudden deceleration, Xin's nimble form came to a halt as he faced the nightmarish creatures emerging from the dreaded portal. A horde of monstrous entities stood before him, grotesque forms illuminated by the eerie glow of the breach.

"They're just monsters, Xin, get a hold of yourself," he whispered in his mind, shaking his head to dismiss the haunting memories.

Without hesitation, Xin lunged towards the nearest goblin, his movements as fluid as a dancer's grace. His attack was like lightning, a swift strike aimed precisely at the creature's core. The goblin never saw it coming, Xin's arm piercing through with deadly accuracy, emerging from the other side. The shock of the first strike reverberated through the group of goblins, their twisted faces contorting with surprise and fury.

With clubs raised and malicious intent in their eyes, the goblins charged at Xin, hungry for revenge. However, Xin knew how to use his surroundings to his advantage. As the goblins closed in, he bent his knees, coiling his body like a spring ready to unleash its force. With a sudden pivot of his feet, he spun in a precise circular motion.

His hands formed a diamond shape, a focus of power that radiated with his qi. As he spun, his hands became like blades, a whirlwind of precision slicing through the goblins. Their guts spilled out in a gruesome display, leaving them incapacitated.

"I miss my blades," Xin muttered, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. He was a formidable force even without a weapon, but the familiarity of a weapon in his hand held a special place in his heart.

In an instant, a memory surfaced in Xin's mind, a fragment from the status window he had glimpsed earlier: "Creation." Xin's lips barely moved as he whispered the word to himself. His imagination conjured the image of a distinctive dual-bladed weapon, but what held utmost significance was the concept of balance. Amidst the turmoil, the equilibrium of the weapon consumed Xin's thoughts like a burning ember.

"Balance, balance, balance, balance, balance, balance, ∞..." Xin was on a repetitive loop, chanting like a broken record. It seemed like he was trying to convince the universe, or perhaps himself, that balance was the ultimate secret to everything, as if he had cracked the code to life: "Balance, balance, balance, balance, balance, balance, ∞..."

A dark radiance began to emanate from his hands, coalescing into a sublime manifestation. Swiftly, the luminescent glow transformed, materializing into two exquisite blades—the form of ancient emei piercers, forged with a grace that held echoes of a forgotten era.

The light encasing the newly-formed daggers shimmered, cascading like shards of crystalline ice, revealing the gleaming emei piercers, with an ethereal sheen, each intricately detailed, and their familiarity brought a genuine grin to Xin's face. "Hui and Huai, I'm so happy to see you again" Xin talked to the daggers as if they bore spirits of their own. Hui and Huai, when combined together formed the word destroy.

But his attention swiftly shifted as his senses absorbed his surroundings. An unexpected transformation had occurred – Xin was now garbed in a sleek black xiaofu, beautifully embellished with striking red and gold accents. As if by magic, his hair had grown longer, cascading elegantly around his shoulders, and he now sported a pair of pendant red earrings.

Time compressed into a heartbeat as a relentless goblin charged at Xin, propelled by a savage frenzy. Xin's senses honed, his body moved with the grace of a warrior forged in battle. His arm ascended with the swiftness of a striking viper, an elegant parry that deflected the goblin's club mere inches from Xin's head. Capitalizing on the momentary disruption, Xin pivoted, a whirlwind of calculated action. Simultaneously, Xin's other hand guided the dagger with masterful precision, a lightning-fast thrust aimed unerringly for the goblin's head, delivering a swift and decisive end to the creature's aggression.

As the awakeners closed in on the battleground, their attention was immediately drawn to a lone child bravely facing a horde of menacing goblins. "It's a kid! We can't leave him there," declared a male awakener, his broadsword gleaming in the sunlight, his attire a stylish blend of modern casual wear, including a jacket. The rest of the awakeners quickly shared his concern, increasing their pace to lend aid. A female awakener, donning a hoodie and knee-high boots, her bow held firmly, pulled her hood over her head to shield her eyes from the glaring light. She squinted, raising her hand to her forehead for a better view. "He's wearing a traditional robe, it seems," she remarked.

Upon reaching the battlefield, they were taken aback by the astonishing scene that unfolded before them. The red-haired kid, clad in an old-fashioned robes, displayed a remarkable prowess. Xin appeared to vanish, only to reappear moments later with a deadly display of combat, blood spattering his clothes as the goblins fell to the ground in defeat. His cherished weapons, Des and Troy, shimmered, leaving the awakeners in awe.