Morning came with chaos.
Every news outlet, every radio station, and every social feed screamed the same thing:
> TIER 1 BEAST BREACHES HUMAN DEFENSES.
MILITARY ENGAGEMENT FAILS.
GLOBAL PANIC ENSUES.
Sbu sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes glued to his phone. The video was shaky, filmed from a helicopter — but the destruction was crystal clear.
A creature the size of a stadium towered over what used to be a Nigerian military outpost. Its hide shimmered like molten obsidian, its body pulsing with qi energy.
Tanks fired. Jets screamed overhead.
The monster didn't even flinch.
Explosions swallowed the horizon, and when the smoke cleared — nothing had changed. The beast just kept walking, its roar rattling through the speakers.
Sbu whispered, "They can't even hurt it..."
"Of course not," Lungelo said in his head. "They're shooting iron at a creature born from spirit. Humans always think explosions fix everything."
"Then what will?"
The lion appeared in faint golden light beside him, tail flicking lazily. "Power — not from machines, but from within. Your ancestors knew that once. Before they forgot."
---
That evening, as the orphanage dimmed into silence, Lungelo spoke again.
"Sbu, it's time you learn what your bloodline left behind."
"My… bloodline?"
"Long ago, before the world grew noisy, your ancestors were hunters — not of beasts, but of spirits that walked between worlds. They wielded a sword style forged in rhythm with nature, called Inkemba kaLanga — 'The Blade of the Sun.'"
Sbu blinked. "That sounds dramatic."
"It was. But effective."
Lungelo's golden mane glowed brighter. "The technique was simple at first — movement like wind, strikes like sunlight. But now, with qi flowing again, it can evolve. Let me show you."
---
A shimmering illusion formed before Sbu — a spectral figure dancing through the air with a blade that left golden arcs of light. Each swing hummed, slicing through invisible enemies like threads of silk.
Sbu's jaw dropped. "That… that's beautiful."
"It's lethal, not pretty," Lungelo corrected, though there was pride in his voice. "Qi enhances what's already there. Your body is the engine. Your intent is the blade."
He stood up, gripping his wooden sword. "Alright, teach me."
The lion grinned. "Finally, enthusiasm. Try the first movement — Step of Dawn."
Sbu followed the stance — feet apart, knees slightly bent, sword low. He exhaled and moved. The wooden blade cut through the air, leaving a faint shimmer of qi behind.
Lungelo's laughter echoed faintly. "Not bad, cub. You might live through this apocalypse after all."
---
Outside, thunder rolled — though it wasn't thunder.
The news said the Tier 1 beast was moving south now, crushing everything in its path.
Governments were begging cultivators to help, but the strongest were barely Tier 0.
Lungelo's tone hardened. "They can't stop what's coming. But you can learn to stand before it."
> [System Interface Update]
New Technique Unlocked: Inkemba kaLanga (Ancestral Sword Style)
— Stage 1: Step of Dawn — Movement refinement using 5% Qi flow
Exp Gained: +60
Qi Control Efficiency: 5%
Tier: 0 (Mortal)
Sbu wiped sweat from his forehead, panting but smiling. "Feels like I'm finally getting somewhere."
"You are," Lungelo said softly. "And when that beast reaches the south… you'll be ready to test it."
Sbu laughed weakly. "Let's hope it takes its time."
"Hope?" Lungelo smirked. "Hope is for humans. You're a cultivator now, cub."
---