The air inside the city walls was cool and still, laced with quiet energy.
Zashirmiq sat cross-legged on a simple mat in his room, shirtless, grounded. His breathing was steady, controlled. With each inhale, he absorbed the ambient energies, guiding them through his body. He didn't just sense them; he understood them: how they flowed, how they strengthened him, even if only a little at a time.
After about fifteen minutes, he rose and stepped into the small lawn behind the house. There, he began his exercises, slow, controlled movements that helped him adjust to his recent level-up. With each repetition, his control improved. Power settled deeper into his muscles. He continued until the sun crested the horizon.
Inside the kitchen, he set up a simple self-cooking breakfast while he took a quick shower.
When everything was ready, he packed the food and headed to Amina's house. They shared breakfast in silence for a few minutes, a small sense of normalcy grounding them.
"I'm feeling a lot better now," Amina said at last, brushing hair from her face. "I can go with you starting tomorrow."
Zashirmiq shook his head gently. "Take one more day. No rush. It'll give me time to get familiar with the new skills and powers."
She smiled softly and didn't argue.
After breakfast, Zashirmiq set out again, this time heading deeper into Tashmir.
His and Amina's houses were in the outer district, home to many low-level users and poorer residents. The area was already buzzing. Small carts rolled by carrying vegetables or tools, and people in basic gear headed out for low-risk missions. Despite its simplicity, the district was under the direct protection of the City Lord, ensuring no one caused trouble openly, even if the residents weren't powerful.
Deeper in lay the market district, Zashirmiq's destination for the day and the place he used to work before his system activated.
Beyond the market was the inner district, where the wealthy and high-level users lived. The buildings were sturdier, larger, and far better maintained.
At the heart of the city, furthest from the wall and most heavily protected, was the agricultural zone, its lifeline. There, crops and medicinal herbs were cultivated, and the city's primary water source was safeguarded. Each of these three zones. market, inner, and agricultural, had a Vice City Lord responsible for its safety and governance.
As he moved further in, the scenery changed. The market district buzzed with energy. Signs in bold script and glowing glyphs advertised potions, armor, and more. Vendors shouted offers. On one side, an open square displayed chalked array diagrams for sale. On the other, market enforcers stood watch, silent and alert.
He stopped in front of a modest but well-maintained shop tucked between two stalls.
"Twin Ember Creations"
A chime rang as he stepped inside.
"You're late, and you missed yesterday too," Hira said from behind the counter, adjusting a simmering flask lid. Her tone was gentle, but concern flickered in her eyes. "Everything okay?"
Before he could reply, another voice called out.
Hina walked in, wiping her hands on a towel. Her gaze locked onto the sword on his back, then met his eyes. "You activated your Nexium?"
Zashirmiq gave a small nod. "Yesterday."
They both rushed toward him with wide grins and, without hesitation, hugged him.
"Finally!" Hina laughed. "We're so happy for you."
Zashirmiq's arms stayed around them, steady. The twins, one on each side, leaned in closer, their embrace lingering. A quiet warmth settled between them, unspoken but understood.
Zashirmiq gave a small smile. "It wasn't planned. Just... happened fast."
"You always keep everything inside," Hina murmured, bumping his arm. "You don't have to."
Slowly, they pulled apart, reluctantly.
"I suppose this means you're done working with us..." Hina said, her expression dimming. "You're behind everyone now. Even though we don't want you to leave... you should. Level up, fast."
"Maybe so," he replied. "But I'll still visit. I was and am part of this shop. And it's not like I can leave either of you behind. We're a team."
Their cheeks flushed slightly, but they both smiled.
"Thank you," Hira said. "We feel the same."
They shared a quiet pause, memories hanging unspoken between them: long days refining artifacts, brewing, laughing, dreaming.
Then Hina turned and brought out a dark armor with faint flame patterns. "Here. Heat-resistant. Can block hits from Hollowed Humans under Level 10. Should be enough for now. But stay away from beasts. I'll refine something better once I find better quality ore."
"And this," Hira said, placing a pouch on the counter, two green vials and three shimmering blue ones. "Standard healing and stamina boosters. Fresh."
Zashirmiq bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you. Truly."
"Don't thank us," Hina said, voice firmer now. "Just survive. Make it count."
After saying goodbye to the twins, Zashirmiq headed toward the wall. Sara, as usual, greeted him, and he passed her with a nod. Once outside, he looked around and headed north. Soon, he found a Hollowed Human. As always, he used his Insight skill on it.
Hollowed Human Status
Level: 7
Energy Type: Primal
But with the armor provided by Hina, he was a lot bolder today and decided to engage it. He rushed toward the Hollowed Human, and the creature, noticing him, charged as well. In the next second, Zashirmiq appeared behind it and swung his sword to remove its head. But this time, the difference in strength and level was much greater. The Hollowed Human's speed and reaction were faster than his. Just before the sword could hit its neck, it turned, and the blade struck its shoulder instead.
Zashirmiq pulled his sword from the creature's shoulder and dashed backward as blood dripped from the wound he had inflicted.
The Hollowed Human followed without giving him time to breathe and slashed at him with its claw. The armor protected Zashirmiq, but the force of the attack pushed him backward until he slammed into a wall. The impact was too powerful for the already crumbling structure, and it collapsed.
The Hollowed Human didn't give him time to recover and attacked again. This time, Zashirmiq managed to block the strike with his sword as he stood back up on his feet.
The fight continued as the Hollowed Human, driven by instinct, kept attacking without pause. Sometimes Zashirmiq blocked with his sword; other times, he was pushed back, taking the hit. Thankfully, the armor shielded him. But as the battle dragged on, Zashirmiq began to notice the attack patterns and found better ways to counter them.
After a few minutes of a one-sided battle where he could only defend or take hits, he finally saw an opportunity. When the Hollowed Human lunged again, Zashirmiq sidestepped instead of blocking. As the attack missed him, he swung his sword through the creature's chest from behind and kicked it away. The Hollowed Human fell, blood splashing.
It stood again, but the injury had caused heavy blood loss, slowing it down. Zashirmiq dashed back, increasing the distance between them. The Hollowed Human charged once more, but this time Zashirmiq teleported behind it and swung his sword at its neck. The strike landed cleanly, beheading it.
[Enemy Defeated]
Energy Absorbed
Nexium Coins Obtained: 70
Once the battle ended, Zashirmiq stood there, breathing heavily as he recovered and reflected. He had been too reckless. Taking on a Hollowed Human five levels above him had been a serious risk. If not for the armor, he would have died.
Still, the battle gave him valuable insights. With his current strength, he could easily fight anything under Level 5, and with the armor, he could hold his own against enemies under Level 10. But in those cases, it was better to use teleportation to escape rather than waste energy fighting.
This had also been his first battle that wasn't a sneak attack. He hadn't landed a quick kill from behind, it was a drawn-out fight. It taught him how to read enemy movements, predict attacks, and use his sword more effectively.
Zashirmiq sat on a nearby pile of rubble, recovering his energy while replaying the battle over and over in his mind.
Once recovered, he continued hunting. With a better understanding of his limits, things became much easier. He focused on fighting only Hollowed Humans at Level 5 or below, avoiding anything stronger. His Insight skill proved invaluable. It let him gauge targets and avoid dangerous fights.
Later in the afternoon, after slaying another Level 5 Hollowed Human, the long-awaited notification appeared.
[Enemy Defeated]
Energy Absorbed
Nexium Coins Obtained: 50
Primal Energy Level Up: 2 → 3