Daniel stood outside the apartment building quietly, an old duffel bag hanging from his shoulder as the cold evening wind brushed past him.
The corridor lights flickered weakly overhead.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the rusted metal door he had just locked behind him. Then he turned around and walked away without looking back.
The streets of the outer district were far livelier at night than during the day. Small roadside stalls released clouds of steam into the air while drunken workers laughed loudly near cheap bars lit by dim mana signs. Occasionally, awakened mercenaries clad in battered armor could be seen walking through the streets with weapons strapped to their backs.
Daniel blended into the crowd silently, fragments of ancient memories drifted calmly through his mind as he walked. Endless battlefields scattered beneath broken stars. Supreme laws woven into reality itself. Vast civilizations bowing before beings capable of overturning worlds with a single thought.
Compared to the heights he once stood upon, even Monarch Rank experts were insignificant. The current him, however, was weak.
Painfully weak!
'But that will change soon enough,' Daniel thought calmly.
Daniel walked through the bustling streets while quietly organizing his plans for the future.
First, he needed resources. No matter how advanced his knowledge was, cultivation still required energy, materials, and wealth. Origin Stones, monster cores, rare resources, weapons, armor—everything would accelerate his growth during the early stages.
Second, he needed to strengthen this body. His mind retained countless supreme techniques and battle arts, but his current vessel was still too weak to fully utilize them.
And third…
He needed a weapon.
A sword would suffice for now.
Most of the combat arts he remembered were easiest to adapt through swordsmanship, and swords were also the most practical beginner weapon within human cities.
James' figure surfaced in his mind, The Guild Leader of Celestial Dwarves.
Although the man looked rough around the edges, Daniel could tell he was straightforward by nature. More importantly, Celestial Dwarves specialized in forging and physical combat-oriented awakened.
After thinking briefly, Daniel pulled out the communicator the association had distributed earlier during graduation.Most awakened communicators came preloaded with several public contact channels related to the city's major guilds and organizations. It was mainly intended to help newly awakened choose future paths.Daniel quickly found the public contact line for Celestial Dwarves and pressed call.
The communicator rang several times before a rough voice answered.
"Who's this?"
Daniel spoke calmly, "Daniel Williams."
A brief pause followed. Then James' voice suddenly rose.
"What is it brat?"
Daniel ignored the description entirely.
"I heard Celestial Dwarves specializes in forging."
"Damn right we do." Pride immediately filled James' tone. "Best weapons in the entire city."
"I need a sword."
"…That's it?"
"For now."
James snorted loudly through the communicator, "You really are a strange brat. Most newly awakened spend hours asking questions first."
"I don't need to."
Another brief silence followed.
Then James suddenly laughed, "Hah! I like that attitude. Fine then, come by tomorrow morning. I'll have someone show you around the forge halls."
"I don't have much money currently."
"That's normal for newly awakened." James sounded unconcerned. "I've got plenty of beginner-grade weapons lying around. You can pay later if you survive long enough."
Daniel's eyes narrowed faintly, 'This James truly is straightforward.'
"I'll remember the favor."
"Hah, just don't die on your first hunt. That'd make me look bad."
The call ended shortly afterward. Daniel placed the communicator away quietly before continuing toward the transportation district.
The streets gradually became more crowded the deeper he entered the commercial zones connecting the outer and inner districts together. Massive holographic advertisements illuminated the roads while mana-powered vehicles floated overhead constantly.
Eventually, a massive silver building entered his vision— The Awakener Association Branch.
Several armored awakened stood guard outside the entrance while crowds continuously entered and exited the building. Mercenaries, hunters, scouts, transporters, and guild members moved through the association halls carrying weapons and monster materials openly.
Daniel calmly entered the building
The interior was massive. Dozens of floating blue screens displayed mission listings while large queues formed near various counters. Some awakened could be seen arguing loudly over mission rewards while others exchanged monster materials for Credits and Origin Stones.
The scent of blood, metal, and mana filled the air.
Daniel's gaze swept across the hall indifferently. This place resembled countless organizations he had seen across many worlds during his previous life.
Strength ruled everything. Weakness was nothing more than prey. A place where the Law of the Jungle ruled!
He walked towards a gigantic mission board floating near the center of the hall.
[LOW RANK AWAKENED MISSIONS]
[MONSTER SUBJUGATION]
[RESOURCE COLLECTION]
[CITY ESCORT OPERATIONS]
[OUTER WILDERNESS PATROLS]
Most missions required Apprentice Rank minimum at the minimum.
Freshly awakened individuals died extremely easily outside city walls. Still, several beginner missions remained available.
[Assist Senior Hunters — Rank 0 Accepted]
[Transport Monster Materials]
[Outer District Night Patrol]
[Iron Fang Wolf Subjugation]
Daniel's eyes paused on the final mission.
[Iron Fang Wolf Subjugation]
[Danger Level: Low]
[Location: Greyback Forest Outer Region]
[Recommended Rank: Early Novice Rank and Above]
[Objective: Eliminate wandering wolf packs threatening transport routes]
[Reward: 200 Credits + Material Ownership Rights]
A faint smile appeared on Daniel's face.
'Perfect. Iron Fang Wolves are among the weakest mana beasts in existence, but their bodies still contained enough mana to help strengthen my body right now.'
More importantly, wolves hunted in groups, which made them useful practice targets.
Daniel directly pressed his hand against the acceptance panel beneath the mission listing.
A mechanical voice echoed shortly afterward.
[Identity Confirmed.]
[Daniel Williams — Newly Awakened.]
[Mission Accepted.]
Several nearby awakened glanced toward Daniel briefly after hearing the system announcement. Most merely shook their heads.
Daniel ignored their gazes entirely and turned around calmly before leaving the association hall.
The cold night air greeted him once more as he stepped outside. Without hesitation, Daniel began walking toward the distant city gates visible beneath the darkened sky.
Massive steel walls towered over the outer district like sleeping giants while streams of awakened and transport vehicles continuously passed through the heavily fortified checkpoints. Beyond those gates lay the wilderness.
A world filled with monsters, bloodshed, and opportunity!
Daniel's footsteps remained steady as he moved through the crowded streets, his figure gradually disappearing into the endless lights of the city.