Chapter 4: The Departure AND The Darkness Within

Chapter 4: The Departure AND The Darkness Within

One week had passed since the night of the battle with the magical beast. The wound that should have taken months to heal had vanished, leaving not even the faintest scar on Bhoumik's skin. His body, having absorbed the power from the beast core, was stronger than ever, now stabilized at the Master Realm. He had taken the time to adjust to the surge of power coursing through his veins, testing its limits in the stillness of his small house.

The rumors in the village, however, had not been so quiet.

As Bhoumik walked the narrow paths, picking up what few remaining supplies he needed before his departure, he could hear the whispers. Villagers eyed him with suspicion, some with open hostility.

"That boy's death… you heard what they're saying, right? It was him, it had to be."

"He's always been a curse. It was only a matter of time before he started killing us off."

The truth—that the boy had already been dead when Bhoumik arrived—was known only to the village head Bai Ning and the girl who had asked for his help. She had told Bai Ning the truth, but the villagers refused to believe it. To them, Bhoumik had always been the monster they feared. And now, they had the perfect excuse to drive him out.

Bhoumik ignored their mutterings. It didn't matter.

He had already planned to leave this place long before he began cultivating. The village had been nothing but a temporary prison for him—a place he had tolerated only because he had no other choice. But now, with his strength at the Master Realm and the world beyond waiting for him, he no longer needed to stay in this rotting village.

As he packed his few belongings into a small satchel, his mind was already focused on what lay ahead. He had read the village head's old scrolls about the larger cities, about the sect trials where cultivators like him could test their abilities and rise in power. That was his next step. The village, the whispers, the hatred—it would all be left behind.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

Bhoumik didn't hesitate as he swung the door open, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he saw the familiar figure of Bai Ning standing outside.

The old man had aged even more in the past week, his shoulders hunched and his face lined with exhaustion. He sighed when he saw Bhoumik's cold, abyssal stare but forced a small smile.

"You're leaving today, aren't you?" Bai Ning asked, his voice soft.

Bhoumik didn't reply at first, simply staring at the old man. His expression was unreadable, but the silence was answer enough.

Bai Ning sighed again. "I suppose you have no reason to stay any longer."

The village head looked down for a moment, his eyes filled with regret. "I know your days here have not been kind, Bhoumik. You were never treated with the fairness you deserved, and for that, I'm sorry. But... I ask one thing of you." His voice dropped, becoming almost a plea. "I can see how distant you've become, but there's still a child in you. Don't let the world strip away what little kindness you have left."

Bhoumik's face remained emotionless, but his stare deepened as he listened. Kindness? The world had shown him none of that. Bai Ning's words felt meaningless.

Seeing Bhoumik's lack of reaction, Bai Ning continued with a sigh. "I know I'm not much more than a mentor to you… but I want to give you something." He pulled out two rings from his robe and a small red pouch. The rings were simple, but there was an unmistakable mystical quality to them. The pouch jingled with the sound of coins.

"These rings," Bai Ning said, holding them out, "were left for you by the man who brought you here. He told me that when the time came for you to leave, I should give them to you. They're likely space storage rings, but they're sealed. He knew… you'd leave this village one day."

Bhoumik's eyes flickered with curiosity for a brief moment as he stared at the rings, then back at Bai Ning.

"Take them. They're yours by right, along with this." Bai Ning handed him the pouch of coins and a map.

"I don't want your money." Bhoumik's voice was cold, but Bai Ning only smiled sadly.

"It's not mine, child. It's yours. The gold coins are a gift from the same man. There's 1000 in that pouch, enough to help you get started. The map leads to one of the great cities, where cultivators from all walks of life roam. But be careful—your power as a Master Realm cultivator is nothing there. You'll be as small as an ant."

Bhoumik stared at the pouch for a moment, then took it along with the two rings and the map. He slipped the rings onto his fingers, their weight unfamiliar but strangely comforting.

He opened the pouch and glanced at the large amount of gold coins inside. He scoffed softly and looked back at Bai Ning. "Are you really giving me all your savings, elder Bai?"

Bai Ning chuckled weakly. "That small amount is nothing compared to what you'll need out there. But it's enough to get you started. Use it wisely."

The village head hesitated for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at Bhoumik for what might be the last time. "I won't say much more, Bhoumik. But remember what I've taught you about cultivation—and about life. It's a harsh world, but don't let it harden you completely. Keep your humanity."

Bhoumik's cold stare lingered on the old man. There was no emotion in his expression, but after a moment, he nodded slightly. "I'll try." His words were empty, but they were enough to satisfy Bai Ning.

The old man smiled faintly, nodded, and turned to leave. As he walked away, Bhoumik watched him disappear into the distance, the old figure blending with the village that was soon to be just another part of his past.

---

Bhoumik left his house not long after, his satchel packed with the gold coins, the map, and the rings on his fingers. He didn't look back as he walked through the village, ignoring the hostile glares and whispers that followed him.

He moved swiftly through the forest, his steps light and precise, until he reached the high cliff overlooking the village.

For a moment, he stood there, staring down at the place that had been his prison for so many years. The houses looked small, insignificant from this height. The people who had feared and hated him were nothing more than distant shapes, like ants crawling below.

Bhoumik's cold eyes scanned the horizon one last time.

And then, without a word, he turned his back on the village and walked into the unknown.

The world beyond awaited him.

The deep mountains stretched endlessly before Bhoumik as he ascended higher into their dangerous, rugged heart. The village, with its curses, whispers, and hatred, had already faded into the past. Now, he was alone, surrounded only by the silence of the wilderness and the growling of distant beasts. The isolation didn't bother him. In fact, it was a relief.

Bhoumik's mind was quiet, focused on a single goal: to grow stronger.

He had chosen these mountains for a reason. Few dared to venture this deep due to the fierce creatures and the treacherous terrain. The wild beasts that roamed here were stronger than those near the village. And though they weren't magical like the beast he had slain before, they were powerful enough to push him to his limits.

His muscles ached, and the fresh wounds from training covered his body. But he didn't stop. His Master Realm powers had been stable for a week now, and the mountains had become his personal arena, a proving ground where his strength would be tested daily.

---

Days passed in this grueling routine. The cold mountain air cut through his thin robes as he battled ferocious creatures that emerged from the shadows. His movements were precise and efficient, every punch and kick honed by hours of practice. There were no wasted actions, no hesitation. Each beast he fought fell swiftly, though not without leaving marks on him.

Bhoumik's eyes darkened each time he drew his fists into a battle stance, facing off against yet another wild creature that snarled at him from the underbrush. His martial arts, simple but brutal, were becoming more refined. He no longer relied solely on his spiritual energy or cultivation level—he used his cunning and understanding of anatomy to target weak points, breaking bones and tearing through muscle with frightening precision.

Each time he landed a blow that shattered a beast's body, a cold satisfaction washed over him. It wasn't the thrill of victory, nor the excitement of survival. It was simply the feeling of power—the one thing he could trust in this world.

But with every battle he fought, memories of his past life on Earth slowly resurfaced, creeping in like a poison he couldn't escape.