Rain poured over Brooklyn, washing the streets clean of dust and summer heat. The bakery was quiet that night; only the faint ticking of the old wall clock broke the silence. Ethan sat by the window, watching droplets race down the glass. The talisman the stranger left behind rested in his palm, glowing faintly gold.
He had spent three days trying to analyze it, but the system could not decipher its structure. Every time he directed Qi into it, the energy vanished as though absorbed by something beyond his understanding.
[Analysis Incomplete.]
[Energy Source: Unknown.]
[Warning: Attempting further interference may trigger hidden seal.]
Ethan sighed and leaned back in his chair. "A seal, huh? Then that means it's meant to keep something locked—or keep someone out."
The idea unsettled him. Ever since his breakthrough, the world seemed to be reacting. The night air hummed faintly, and even the ordinary citizens felt restless. Something was shifting beneath reality's surface.
He stood, walked to the counter, and poured himself a cup of coffee. The bitter warmth steadied his thoughts.
The door creaked open, and Evelyn stepped in, her umbrella dripping rain onto the floor. "You're still open?"
Ethan smiled slightly. "Only for you."
She laughed softly. "That's dangerous talk, Mister Ward."
She took a seat across from him, setting her umbrella aside. Her eyes lingered on the talisman in his hand. "That looks... strange. What is it?"
"A gift," Ethan said simply.
"From who?"
He paused, considering his answer. "Someone who doesn't like me very much."
Her brow furrowed. "You make it sound like you're in trouble."
"I usually am," he said quietly, almost to himself.
For a while, neither spoke. The rain filled the silence. Evelyn rested her chin on her hands, watching him curiously. There was something about her presence—light, fragile, yet grounding.
Finally, she broke the quiet. "You always look like you're carrying the weight of the world, Mister Ward. Maybe you should share some of it."
He looked at her, startled by the gentleness in her tone. For a fleeting moment, he considered telling her the truth—that he wasn't from this world, that he was cultivating power beyond imagination. But he stopped himself. She wasn't ready. This world wasn't ready.
Instead, he smiled faintly. "Maybe one day."
When she left, he locked the door and turned off the lights. Then he climbed to the rooftop once more. The rain had eased into a mist, and the city lights reflected in shallow puddles. He took a deep breath and sat cross-legged, the talisman resting before him.
"System," he whispered. "What happens if I try to synchronize with the talisman's energy?"
[Risk Level: Moderate.]
[Potential Outcome: Unlocking of sealed memory or external connection.]
[Proceed?]
"Yes."
The talisman pulsed once, faintly, then again—faster. Ethan felt his Qi surge toward it, drawn by invisible threads. His consciousness blurred, and suddenly he was standing somewhere else.
A vast field of golden clouds stretched beneath his feet. In the distance, mountains floated in midair, wrapped in light. A familiar voice echoed.
"So, you finally found it."
Ethan turned sharply. The same stranger from before stood across from him, the golden glow of his eyes softer now.
"Where is this?" Ethan demanded.
"A fragment of memory," the man replied. "The talisman connects us here, in the remnants of the old Qi flow that once existed in this universe."
"So you were telling the truth. Qi really was here before."
"Yes. Long before your kind. Long before the gods of Asgard, even. The energy you wield now is a spark of something ancient that once sustained all realms."
Ethan stepped closer. "Then what happened to it?"
"It was sealed," the man said quietly. "By beings who feared what mortals could become if they learned to cultivate it. They called it balance. I called it cowardice."
Ethan's pulse quickened. "Then I can unseal it. Bring it back."
The man's eyes narrowed. "You speak of dangerous things, Ethan Ward. Even your system exists because that power sensed your soul across realities. If you awaken it fully, this world will change forever."
Ethan's voice was steady. "Then let it change."
The man sighed. "You truly are reckless. But perhaps… necessary." He extended his hand, and a faint spark of light floated toward Ethan.
"When the time comes, follow this current. It will lead you to what remains of the ancient Qi source. But be warned—others will feel it too."
The light entered Ethan's chest, burning with warmth. He gasped as the vision dissolved, and suddenly he was back on the rooftop, rain pouring over him once again.
[New Quest Unlocked: Traces of the Lost Qi.]
[Objective: Locate the hidden source before global war begins.]
[Time Remaining: 2 years, 8 months.]
Ethan stood, breathing heavily. The talisman was gone—dissolved into faint golden mist that merged with his Qi.
He looked out over the city, his eyes sharp and determined.
"So there really was a time when this world cultivated," he murmured. "Then I'll be the one to awaken it again."
Unseen in the distance, a storm gathered over the Atlantic—its lightning faintly tinted with gold. Something ancient was stirring, responding to the faint pulse of Qi returning to Earth.
To be continued.