To A New Path
The pain struck Kai like a hammer at midnight. It originated deep within his core, radiating through his body in waves so intense that he nearly screamed. Clutching his chest, sweat beading on his forehead, he gritted his teeth and tried to make sense of what was happening. The demon's words echoed in his mind: *"A slow decay of your Qi… a constant reminder of the bargain you struck."*
It had to be because he used his Qi today. Completing the frostbloom mission must have triggered this reaction. His lifespan was already limited, and now it seemed even small actions could hasten its decline. After lying still for several minutes, trying to calm the searing agony, Kai sat up with determination etched into his features. "If using my Qi shortens my life," he muttered under his breath, "then I'll find another way."
Leaving the guild felt like the obvious choice. Staying there meant continuing to rely on missions—and by extension, his Qi—to survive. If he wanted to maximize his remaining years, he needed to adapt. He would learn to fight without relying on his cultivation. But first, he needed tools.
---
Under the cover of darkness, Kai slipped out of the tavern room where he'd been staying. The streets of Jadeheart were eerily quiet, save for the occasional rat scurrying through the shadows. His destination? An armory tucked away in one of the quieter corners of the city. Breaking in wasn't difficult; locks were no match for someone who'd spent years sneaking around villages and forests undetected.
Inside, rows of weapons gleamed faintly in the moonlight streaming through the windows. Ignoring the swords and daggers, Kai made his way to the back of the shop, where training equipment was stored. He found weighted bands designed for hand and leg conditioning—a perfect challenge for someone looking to build strength without invoking their inner power. Next, he selected a katana, its blade gleaming with craftsmanship, along with a manual detailing basic techniques. With these items tucked securely under his arm, he vanished into the night as silently as he'd come.
---
Morning arrived sooner than expected, and as Kai prepared to leave for the forest, something caught his eye. A sign hung above a modest storefront read **"Alchemist & Healer."** Curiosity piqued, he entered, hoping against hope that there might be a solution to the curse gnawing at him.
The healer inside looked up from her workbench, her sharp gaze assessing him immediately. "What brings you here?" she asked briskly.
"I've been cursed," Kai replied simply, meeting her eyes without flinching. "Can you remove it?"
Her expression darkened slightly. She gestured for him to sit, then placed her hands over his chest, closing her eyes as if concentrating. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, abruptly, she recoiled, her face pale.
"This… this isn't just any curse," she whispered, shaking her head. "But yes, I can heal you."
Kai's heart leapt briefly before suspicion settled in. "How much will it cost?"
She smirked knowingly. "Let's see how bad it is first." Her fingers hovered over his chest again, probing deeper this time. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she gasped. "This… this is demonic in nature! Far beyond anything I've ever encountered."
"So, you can't help me?" Kai pressed, disappointment creeping into his voice.
"No, not me alone," she admitted reluctantly. "Only divine healers could handle something like this. And they don't come cheap."
Kai frowned. "Divine healers? What are those?"
"They're advanced practitioners who specialize in dealing with curses, demonic influences, and otherworldly ailments," she explained. "They operate outside normal realms of healing magic. But even if you could afford them—which you clearly can't—they wouldn't waste their time on someone like you unless you offered something truly valuable in return."
"Like what?" Kai asked, though he doubted he possessed anything worth bargaining with.
She leaned closer, her tone conspiratorial. "Rare herbs, ancient artifacts, or perhaps an exclusive contract binding you to their sect. Those are the kinds of deals divine healers usually demand."
Kai stood, brushing off his clothes. "Thanks anyway." As he turned to leave, the healer called after him.
"Wait! If you ever change your mind…" She trailed off meaningfully, holding out a hand expectantly.
"Forget it," Kai shot back coolly. "Even if I did need healing, I wouldn't pay you when you couldn't deliver."
Her lips tightened into a thin line, but she said nothing further as he walked out.
---
Word spread quickly among the guild members about Kenji—or rather, Kai—disappearing overnight. Some speculated he'd abandoned ship after failing to meet the mission quota, while others believed he'd gotten into trouble elsewhere in the city.
Meanwhile, at the armory, chaos erupted when the owner discovered the theft. "Who would dare steal from me?" he roared, slamming his fist onto the counter. "That katana is worth more than most people earn in a lifetime! And the weights too? What kind of thief needs those?"
No leads emerged, leaving the armory owner fuming and vowing vengeance upon whoever dared cross him.
---
In the dense woods outside Jadeheart, Kai strapped the weighted bands around his wrists and ankles, wincing as the added bulk slowed his movements almost to a crawl. Lifting a log proved nearly impossible, let alone building a shelter. Still, he persevered, grunting with effort as each motion became excruciatingly deliberate. By sunset, he managed to construct a crude lean-to, collapsing onto the ground afterward.
"This won't be easy," he admitted aloud, staring at the katana resting beside him. Its manual lay open nearby, pages filled with diagrams and instructions. "But I'll master this. Without Qi. Just raw skill."
His journey toward survival—and immortality—had taken yet another unexpected turn. But Kai wasn't one to shy away from challenges. In fact, they fueled him. And so, amidst the rustling leaves and chirping crickets, he began anew, determined to carve out a path that didn't depend on the very thing threatening to destroy him.