Chapter 13: Ki Control

For the past month, Kai had been trying to figure out a way to control his Ki outside his body.

If he could do that, then he wouldn't have any use for the Knowledge Sea and could save himself from becoming a slave.

However, after a month of trying, he still hadn't figured out a way to use Ki outside his body. This led him to pursue the broken Knowledge Sea, hoping it might spare him from that fate.

"So, you need to use your Ki outside your body for this Herb Weaving skill to work?" Alex asked, a thoughtful expression forming on his face.

"Technically, I need to use my Ki to extract the essence of herbs, but yes," Kai replied, noticing that Alex seemed lost in thought.

"Isn't the D-rank Gift [Ki Control] what you're looking for?" Alex suggested as he set his stats panel to public view.

[Ki Control]

Rank: D

Type: Gift

Perks: Higher Ki Control, Faster Ki Recovery, and Easier Ki Absorption

Description: Allows the bearer to skip decades of hard work.]

"But it just says 'higher Ki control.' Will it even let me use Ki outside my body?" Kai asked, uncertain about Alex's suggestion.

"Don't you know how vague the information on these Gifts is? The reason I think this is what you're looking for is because I know someone who picked this Gift—and he can use Ki outside his body," Alex replied, once again advising Kai.

He had seen the wonders of the D-rank Gift [Ki Control], so he was certain this Gift was exactly what Kai needed to perform his unusual Alchemy skill.

"Can you take me to see him?" At first, Kai was hesitant. However, when he heard that someone had selected the D-rank Gift [Ki Control], he wanted to see with his own eyes if what Alex said was true.

"Sure, I can take you to see him. Just come by tomorrow morning and we'll go to the town's gate," Alex replied. He was free and had nothing better to do, so instead of just telling Kai about the man, he decided to tag along.

"Okay, I'll be here by 7 a.m." Saying so, Kai paid for the muffins and left the shop. He wanted to chat a little longer with Alex, but since Alex was busy helping his father, Kai decided to head back to the inn.

Along the way, he came across an acquaintance.

"If it isn't Kai. Haven't seen you in a while—are you trying to avoid me?" As Kai was about to enter the inn, he heard a familiar voice.

"Sophia… it's not like that. I've just been a little busy lately," Kai answered nervously. He had been trying to avoid her, but he didn't expect her to come looking for him.

"Busy, you say? First, you ran away and started living at the inn because it's near your workplace. Then, soon after, you cut off all contact. Do you know how worried everyone is?" Sophia said in an angry voice.

Around a month ago, Kai started living at the inn because of the distance between the Honey Pill shop and the housing complex. Later, he cut off all contact with everyone at the complex.

"Right, everyone," Kai muttered, his eyes lifeless.

When everyone first arrived in the Ancient World, they were each assigned a random housing complex to live in for free.

The housing complex Kai was assigned had twenty units, and the people were fine.

Kai quickly made friends with them, and everyone got along harmoniously.

However, in the second week, someone who treated him like a brother died at the hands of monsters.

It dealt a huge blow to Kai, and he abandoned any thoughts of becoming a Hunter. Instead, he started learning Alchemy at the Honey Pill shop.

Although Kai didn't join the hunting parties formed by the housing complex members, the people around him kept dying.

Kai couldn't bear the loss anymore and decided to leave.

Half a month ago, when he left the housing complex, only nine of the original twenty members remained.

"If you feel like it, drop by this Sunday. Yara would be happy to see you," Sophia said, seeing Kai remain silent. Then she turned and headed back.

As Sophia left, Kai stood outside the inn as memories of his days at the apartment complex flashed before his eyes.

Everyone was kind, and they looked out for each other. When they ran out of the initial funds provided to everyone, Lu Fang was the first to go out hunting—without telling anyone.

Kai still clearly remembered the worry and panic on everyone's faces when they discovered Lu Fang was missing.

Fortunately, he returned with only minor injuries. The next day, ten people formed a team and went out to hunt monsters to gather funds.

Everything was going well, and for a while, it felt like the World of the Ascension Program wasn't so bad after all.

But then, cold water was poured over their heads when the hunting party encountered a pack of Elite monsters.

Lu Fang and Leo sacrificed themselves to give the others a chance to survive.

That day, hell broke loose for the members of the housing complex—everyone was devastated and angry.

After a day of rest, Thomas organized a second party to go hunting while the rest recuperated from their injuries.

Kai was also included in that party. However, instead of joining the others to hunt monsters, Kai ran away to the Honey Pill shop and signed the contract.

Thinking of the past, Kai sighed deeply and headed inside the inn.

After eating dinner, he returned to his room and slowly drifted into sleep.

[Ancient Calendar: 12 April 0001]

Kai woke up early the next morning. After washing up, he headed out.

Around 6:30 a.m., Kai arrived at the Kato Bakery. Since the bakery was still closed, he banged on the door.

Alex and his family lived on the second floor of the bakery.

Hearing the banging, a window on the second floor opened, and Alex peeked his head out.

"Oh, Kai, it's you. Wait a minute, let me get my things."

Seeing that it was Kai, Alex closed the window and asked him to wait.

Knowing Alex was getting ready, Kai stopped banging and stood by the bakery door.

A few minutes later, the window on the second floor opened again—and Alex jumped out.

"Let's go," Alex said after landing, and the two headed toward the town gate.