Chapter 2: Wandering

The sword technique Zhou Yan was practicing was named "Fundamental Close-Combat Swordsmanship." It was an introductory martial art with weapons that he had learned from Luo Xuan. According to Luo Xuan, once this foundational sword art was mastered, it would allow for an easier transition into any more advanced sword techniques. For this reason, Zhou Yan dedicated himself to practicing it with great care.

Today, he felt he was in excellent form. After a week of diligent training, it seemed as though he had reached a critical threshold with this introductory technique. The blade moved in his hand with increasing ease, and his footwork had grown ever more fluid. Time passed, and outside the sword hall, dusk gradually deepened into night. His short-sleeved shirt was soaked through with sweat, its color darkened.

It was only after Luo Ke tried a third time to remind Zhou Yan to eat, and was stopped yet again by Luo Xuan, that Zhou Yan, panting heavily, finally began to sheath his sword. His body was drenched, and every muscle and bone quivered with fatigue. After a brief moment of contemplation, he once more eased himself into his preparatory stance. He stood sideways, right hand gripping the wooden sword, the blade resting lightly above his shoulder. The stance was simple, yet possessed a sharp, efficient beauty.

Noticing this posture, Luo Xuan, who was watching from the side, had a subtle glimmer in her eyes.

Suddenly, Zhou Yan lunged forward with a heavy step, his left eye blazing with intensity. This time, his entire sequence of movements flowed together seamlessly, without the slightest pause. He advanced with a straight cut, stepped back for a sweeping slash, lunged forward for a thrust, and retreated with an upward slice. Then, his figure tensed like a fully drawn bow and unleashed a powerful, wide-arching strike in a completely unrestrained motion.

A forward-bow, mighty cleave!

The trajectory of the wooden sword was like the arc of a full moon—swift, fierce, and dazzling.

He had succeeded!

Zhou Yan returned to himself, letting out a long breath. As expected, two messages appeared before his eyes:

[Basic combat proficiency attained. Condition met. Initial "Calamity Realm Walk" will soon activate.]
[Remaining time: 0 days, 0 hours, 4 minutes, 59 seconds]

Zhou Yan fixed his gaze on the sudden information and countdown before him, his mind racing. From the phrase "Calamity Realm Walk," and drawing on his extensive experience reading online novels back on Earth, he surmised that, very likely, he was about to—

—travel to another world again? Or perhaps enter something akin to a "dungeon instance"?

Only, the countdown allowed a mere five minutes, which felt far too little...

At this realization, Zhou Yan thought quickly to find somewhere secluded, lest he be disturbed when the countdown ended. Who knew what kind of transformation this "Calamity Realm Walk" would bring? If the two sisters or anyone else witnessed something strange, it could cause a great deal of trouble.

Just then, Luo Xuan and Luo Ke, who had been watching for some time, approached.

"Zhou Yan, you look exhausted. Stop practicing and come eat!" Luo Ke said, concern in her eyes.

Zhou Yan kept his composure, nodding as he prepared to find an excuse to slip away. On the other side, Luo Xuan picked up her sister's words: "Zhou Yan, it’s not wise to eat immediately after intense exercise. Go take a shower and rest a bit."

The prodigy swordswoman's voice was as clear as a mountain spring, with a hint of cool detachment.

A pillow when you're drowsy—no need to fabricate an excuse to leave now.

Zhou Yan nodded readily. "Alright, I'll go take a shower first."

With that, he quickly turned and made for his room.

After a few steps, Luo Xuan’s voice called after him.

"Zhou Yan, your foundation in swordsmanship is solid. Later, we can discuss the next steps in your training."

He turned back, meeting her earnest gaze, and responded with a smile and a nod. "I’d be delighted!"

Provided, of course, that all went smoothly...

*

Zhou Yan returned to his room. Though the Southern Light Sword Hall was nominally a dojo, it was also the sisters’ home. The compound comprised a main building and an annex; the largest structure, accessed from the courtyard, was the main building, with a training hall on the ground floor and a teaching hall above. Behind it stood a physically separated two-story annex, the sisters' private quarters—three bedrooms upstairs, and the bathroom, kitchen, and dining room below.

Zhou Yan’s own room was not in the annex with the sisters, but rather a storeroom in the corner off the training hall. After Luo Ke took him in, it had been cleared out for him to use as a bedroom. The furnishings were sparse—a floor mat for sleeping, a wooden chair, and a simple cabinet. The sword hall’s finances were tight; the sisters clearly could not provide him with anything better.

Zhou Yan, however, was content. To take in a "memory-less," undocumented stranger like him, and not send him to a government "relief station," was already a tremendous kindness. Otherwise, as a "cross-world undocumented" person, if anyone with authority looked into his background, who knew what calamity might ensue.

He dared not expect too much.

Zhou Yan took the brief time to rest in his chair, the wooden sword he had practiced with still in hand. He had no idea what awaited him once the so-called "Calamity Realm Walk" began. Keeping a weapon at hand might prove useful.

A pity—had he known the time was so tight, he would have made other preparations in advance. Now, all he could do was relax as best he could and face the unknown in optimal condition.

He watched the panel’s countdown ticking down in silence.

PM 08:26...

The countdown reached zero.

The world was swallowed by darkness.

*

Sinking, falling—

As if passing through some invisible boundary.

Zhou Yan snapped open his left eye, and the room of the sword hall was gone.

In his field of vision, misty words slowly appeared:

["Calamity Realm Walk" positioning complete]
[Calamity Realm Number: 532856]
[Depth: 0]
[Calamity Cause: Dangerous Weapons]
[Calamity Realm Overview: Corroded by the Calamity Cause, anything with the concept of "weapon" will enslave its wielder and drive them to kill all uncorrupted living beings. Facing this nearly insoluble calamity, civilization was wiped out in just three days.]
[Primary Task: "Survive" for 6 hours (06:00:00)]
[Additional Task: "Kill" at least one enemy (0/ ?)]
[Exceeding the standard in the "Calamity Realm Walk" will earn a higher evaluation]
[Your "Personal Panel" is now active and can be viewed at any time]
[Your "Fate Gear" has been issued and automatically equipped]
[Your "Talent" has been activated]

As the misty words faded, the requirement to "survive six hours" remained in the upper left of his vision, the timer beginning to tick down.

Zhou Yan withdrew his gaze, thoughtful.

So, had he crossed worlds again, or entered something like a game instance?

And after completing the "mission," would he return to the Southern Light Sword Hall—or back to Earth?

Yet Zhou Yan was in no rush for these answers. What concerned him most were the last two pieces of information he had received.

What was his "Talent"?

And what was this "Fate Gear"?

Zhou Yan instinctively sensed that this "Talent" and "Fate Gear" might very well be the foundation for his survival in the days to come.