Centuries later, on the human continent, civilization lay shattered. The awakened had risen, and mutated beasts roamed unchecked. Four great cities towered above the land, serving as humanity’s final refuge. Ye Chen, a wilderness hunter, gained an awakening ability unlike any other during a hunt for mutated sand rats. Years passed, and Ye Chen now stood high above, overlooking the entire continent. Gazing down at the enemies who craned their necks to look up at him, he sneered and declared, “You are all as weak as sand rats.”
Page (1/3)
Godless Continent, Southern Region.
City of Energy, Market District.
In front of the Hunting Task Office.
A sharp click broke the air as a slightly overweight middle-aged man lit the cigarette in his hand, inhaled deeply, then turned to the young man of about twenty standing beside him.
"Ye Chen, have you decided which task you want to take?" the middle-aged man asked.
Ye Chen, cloaked and silent, held a beast tooth pendant in his palm, pressing it to his forehead as if in silent prayer.
The next moment, he opened his eyes, determination hardening his face. He reached out, about to tear down the task slip with the highest bounty.
But someone was faster. The slip was torn down, folded, and stuffed into a pocket—the hand belonged to the very same middle-aged man.
"I told you to go hunting, not to throw your life away. Do you really think you’re an Awakened?" he scolded.
"Jin Yinghui, you don’t have to worry. My skills are no less than an average Awakened’s," Ye Chen replied with firm resolve. "Winter is coming soon. For the next three months, there’ll be nothing to harvest. Hand me back the mutant sand lizard task slip."
Jin Yinghui flicked away his half-smoked cigarette in frustration, sparks scattering on the ground. He shot a glare at Ye Chen, who refused to listen, then turned and marched into the task office.
Ye Chen was left pouting, forced to choose among the relatively less dangerous hunting tasks posted on the board.
...
A dry, col