Steps Into Oblivion

Adam curiously walked toward the strange sounds, completely deviating from his usual path to the fields. The early morning air was crisp, filled with the scent of dew and soil, but it was the rhythmic shouting that pulled him away.

As he approached, the voices grew louder, layered with the sounds of movement—feet striking earth, wood clashing against wood, and instructors barking orders.

He finally reached a massive clearing nestled between the forest's edge and a rising hill. It was almost as large as Bai Village itself. Dozens of young people were scattered across the space, divided into groups.

Most were teenagers or young adults, all intensely focused on their training. Some punched the air with practiced rhythm, others swung wooden swords in precise arcs, while a few trained with more unusual weapons—chains, spears, and even staffs tipped with strange stones.

This answered one of the questions he has always been contemplating since he arrived at Bai village. From the moment he woke up here he had mostly met elders who stayed in the village, middle aged men who worked in the fields, women who tended to the animals, and little children running and playing all around.

It was a sight that contrasted starkly with the serene image Adam had formed of the village. So far, he had only interacted with those elders, the small children, and the fields. This, however, was vibrant, loud, and alive with raw potential.

To the side stood a two-story building with wide open windows. Inside, children barely in their teens—maybe twelve or thirteen—sat in rows, some reading, others writing. It resembled a small academy. Adam's eyes lingered, absorbing everything with fascination.

Before he could move any closer, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and weather-worn features approached him. He wore simple clothes, but his posture was straight and firm, like someone accustomed to authority.

"You must be Adam," the man said with a grin. "Old Bai told us about you as the new addition to Bai village."

Adam stood straighter, caught off guard. "Ah, yes… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I just heard the shouting and—"

Instructor Shen laughed heartily, waving a hand. "No need to apologize. Curiosity is the first step to growth. You're welcome to watch."

Just then, Shen's sharp eyes caught a boy slacking in his training. He immediately turned and roared, "Liu Han! What did I say about focus? Do you really think I can't see you? You slack one moment, you lose a limb the next! Back to work!"

The young man yelped and returned to his drills with renewed vigor. Shen turned back to Adam, his expression softening.

"You were on your way to the fields, right? Don't let me hold you up too long."

Adam nodded, thanked him politely, and made his way toward his usual duties. But his mind wasn't in the fields. All day, even as he hauled baskets and tilled the soil, his thoughts returned to the clearing, to the sharpness of the movements, the focused determination of the young warriors, the power in their punches.

A longing stirred in his chest.

He remembered the panther, the snake, the wolf. He remembered dying. More than once. And that strange power inside him, the darkness that absorbed death.

This world wasn't peaceful. No matter how calm Bai Village appeared, danger lurked just beyond its borders. And if he wanted to survive… he had to grow stronger.

That evening, after finishing his work earlier than usual, Adam returned straight away to the house he shared with Old Bai. The sun was still hovering above the trees, casting warm golden light across the wooden floor.

He stepped inside and found Old Bai sitting at his usual place by the window, sipping tea and reading an old, leather-bound book.

Old Bai raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Back early today? That's new."

Adam has always been working really hard on the fields, even after being done with his work he'd stay behind to help others with theirs. Only coming back when started to set.

Adam rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… something came up."

The old man smiled knowingly and closed his book. "Well, come over and take a seat. I believe you have something to talk about with thus old man."

Adam laughed nervously. "Was it that obvious?"

Old Bai chuckled. "You had that look on your face, the look of wanting to say something but not knowing how".

Adam nodded. "On my way to the fields this morning I stumbled across a clearing where the youg adults of the village were training."

Old Bai finally realized what Adam was curious about. " Oh, so you've been to the training ground. All youths of the village must go there to train when they hit a certain age."

"I didn't know the village trained so seriously," Adam said, taking a seat beside him. "I mean, I saw some instructors punshing holes in trees using their bare hands, others were breaking rocks with wooden swords."

Old Bai nodded solemnly. "We're on the border of the Forbidden Harthian Mountains. It's not just wild beasts up there—there are monsters. Sometimes they come down looking for food. And in the winter, we also must hunt in the mountains for meat. Every person must know how to protect themselves first and the village at large. Training here isn't a luxury, it's essential for our survival."

Adam was silent for a moment before asking, "What exactly are they learning?"

"I guess you don't remember because of your amnesia, it's called martial arts," Old Bai replied. "But not just the kind that hones the body. Here, we absorb the dark matter in the air—the invisible substance that surrounds us—to strengthen our physical forms. A martial artist's body can become a weapon unto itself."

He leaned back and continued. "There are five stages in martial arts: third-tier, second-tier, first-tier, then Martial Master, and finally Martial Grandmaster. Each tier is a leap beyond the last. And with each step, you gain strength beyond normal limits—and abilities specific to your style."

Adam's eyes gleamed with interest. "So those instructors… they weren't just strong. They were using dark matter through martial arts?"

Old Bai nodded. "You have sharp eyes."

A quiet moment passed before Adam asked, hesitating slightly, "Do you think… I could learn too?"

Old Bai let out a loud laugh. "I was wondering when you'd ask. Of course you can. I was just waiting for your body to fully recover before I brought it up. The last we want is for you to make your injuries worse by overexerting your body. But I guess you are ready."

He handed Adam the book he had been reading.

"You'll need this. It's a beginner's martial guide—teaches body postures, breathing methods, and the basics of absorbing dark matter."

Adam flipped it open and stared blankly at the strange characters.

Old Bai chuckled. "Let me guess—you can't read?"

Adam shook his head, a bit embarrassed.

"No shame in that, you are not the first. Starting tomorrow, you'll spend two hours each day at the village academy learning to read and write. You'll be with the twelve- to fourteen-year-olds. After that, you'll train with the fifteen-year-olds beginning their martial paths."

Adam hesitated. He had already seen how he looks through a reflection—dark hair, piercing blue eyes, lean but healthy build. He looked to be in his early twenties.

"Won't it be… awkward?" he asked.

Old Bai smirked. "Strength isn't measured by age, boy. And no one in this village will laugh at someone striving to grow. We all start somewhere."

Adam smiled, warmth blooming in his chest. "Thank you… truly."

The old man waved a hand dismissively. "No need to thank me. Just don't slack off."

That night, Adam lay in his bed staring at the now familiar ceiling. The house was quiet except for the faint crackle of the hearth. He clutched the beginner's manual to his chest.

For the first time in what felt like ages, he was excited—not afraid, not anxious, not calm, but genuinely looking forward to something.

Tomorrow, a new journey would begin.