Chapter 1: The Wooden Sword’s Burden

In the desolate expanse of a post-apocalyptic world, where remnants of advanced technology lay scattered amidst barren landscapes, survival was a daily struggle. Amidst this harsh reality, Ye Xiu, a young man in his early twenties, navigated the treacherous terrain with a singular purpose: to care for his ailing mother.

Their shelter was a dilapidated structure on the outskirts of a once-thriving metropolis, now reduced to ruins. The building groaned under the weight of decay, its walls adorned with cracks that whispered tales of a forgotten past. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of dampness and rust, a constant reminder of the world's decline.

Ye Xiu's mother lay on a makeshift bed, her frail body a testament to years of hardship. Her once-vibrant eyes now held a distant gaze, clouded by pain and the effects of a mysterious toxin that had left her paralyzed. Despite her condition, she exuded a quiet strength, offering Ye Xiu solace in moments of despair.

Around his neck hung a wooden sword pendant, an heirloom passed down through generations. Its surface was smooth, worn from years of handling, yet it emanated an inexplicable aura. Ye Xiu often found himself absentmindedly tracing its contours, drawing comfort from its presence.

As dawn broke, casting a pale light through the shattered windows, Ye Xiu prepared for another day of scavenging. Resources were scarce, and the black market had become the primary source for essentials, including the much-needed anti-radiation medicine for his mother. The currency for such transactions was often unconventional, leading Ye Xiu to undertake perilous tasks.

Today, his objective was the extraction of "black crystal ore," a rare and valuable material found within the treacherous "mechanical graveyard." This expanse was a resting place for decommissioned war machines, their hulking forms a stark reminder of humanity's technological zenith and subsequent downfall.

Navigating the graveyard required caution. Automated defense systems, though aged, remained active, posing lethal threats to intruders. Ye Xiu moved with practiced stealth, his senses attuned to the environment's nuances. The wooden sword pendant rested against his chest, its presence a constant companion.

Reaching a cluster of black crystal formations embedded within a fallen mech, Ye Xiu retrieved the pendant, holding it firmly. With a deep breath, he channeled his focus, and the pendant responded, emitting a faint, ethereal glow. Transforming in his grasp, it elongated into a full-sized wooden sword, its blade shimmering with an otherworldly light.

With precision, Ye Xiu wielded the sword, its edge slicing through the dense crystal with surprising ease. Each stroke was deliberate, extracting the ore without triggering the mech's dormant systems. However, with each use of the sword, a familiar sensation coursed through him—a searing pain that traced the path of crimson veins appearing on the blade. The sword's power came at a personal cost, draining his vitality with every swing.

As the final shard of black crystal fell into his pouch, a distant whirring sound reached Ye Xiu's ears. The mech's sensors flickered to life, detecting the disturbance. Cursing under his breath, Ye Xiu reverted the sword to its pendant form and sprinted towards the shadows, narrowly evading the mech's scanning field.

Returning to the black market under the cloak of night, Ye Xiu approached a familiar vendor, a grizzled man with eyes that had seen too much. Placing the black crystal ore on the counter, Ye Xiu awaited the customary appraisal.

The vendor's gaze shifted to the pendant around Ye Xiu's neck, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. "That pendant," he murmured, leaning in closer. "It's not just any trinket, is it?"

Ye Xiu tensed, his hand instinctively moving to conceal the pendant. "It's a family heirloom," he replied cautiously.

The vendor nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Be careful who sees it. Items like that can attract… unwanted attention."

Exchanging the ore for the precious anti-radiation medicine, Ye Xiu made his way back home. The vendor's words echoed in his mind, fueling a growing unease. As he administered the medicine to his mother, watching as her breathing eased, he resolved to uncover the truth behind the wooden sword pendant and the legacy it carried.