The Awakening Unknown

"City of Minerva"

Ivy sits on top of Minerva's hospital after the mission resulting in 15 severely injured, Ivy was transferred from Athens medical center to Minerva's. With the large numbers of people injured from the mission and children randomly waking ill, they need more doctors by the day. She left her lunch on the kitchen table, resulting in me bringing her lunch here.

She spots me from up top of the hospital building. She excitedly waves at me and jogs down the hospital stairs. Once I make it into the building she was already waiting there as if she's been waiting for hours.

I hand her the lunch that was packed in a large brown bag rolled from the top. And make my leave jogging down the alleys of Minerva.

「New Objective: Reach the Qixia Temple.」

* 1,386 meters away*

The main reason for me coming here was so that I reached the Qixia Temple.

Minerva has many names, from being known as the city of health, medicine. But what people also don't know is the motto here, "Come here and become one with one's truest being." A motto that stands, even for now. Anyone that has come here always says the same thing, they never felt as spiritually connected with Qi before their experience here.

With that much, the system most likely sent me here to better understand and connect with Qi. The only problem is that they sent me to one of the hardest places to enter. "Qixia Temple."

Even with the large population of 186.9 thousand the temple has only allowed a total of 20 people in. But if there's a place that I must go, this one's the best fit.

*1,145 meters away*

I closed a reasonable distance from the temple in under two minutes, I feel out of breath from running from alley through alley endlessly trying to avoid crowds of people.

I leave the last alleyway.

Crowds of people walk past, a beautiful city indeed! Everyone that passes me dresses in luxurious clothing. Compared to Athens, people here seem happy and proud. This becomes an interesting change in the scenery. Nicely carved tiles overlap the ground, making every step a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.

Kids running playing tag with their parents. There are lots of stores around here but unlike Athens, it's not formed with concession stands or all by each other. I glimpse at an old man lying across the road as if he was roadkill. I stroll my way through the crowd and made my way to him.

He sensed my footsteps and instantly jumped up, attempting to pierce my eye. I grabbed his wrist moments away from my eye. But with my stats reset I don't know how long I can hold it. I stare at him with a dark and old gaze, seemingly enough to gape a hole in his attitude.

He's from the Qixia Temple? I take several steps back. Realizing that I mustn't be rude, I instead bowed and apologized for the intimidation.

'No... it's okay, I thought you were someone attempting to kill me again. Haha, You don't have any idea how people came to kill me! What we're you doing here anyway boy? I just don't sense anything from you.'

The old man stood awaiting my answer, I give him a blank stare as I figure what to say. 'When I saw you lying in the middle of the road I thought you were injured. Furthermore, in my coming to help you!' A sudden pause came over the old man, then a burst of laughter came spewing out of him.

'Kid you're the first to ever tell me that, you're not from around here are, you?' he instantly raised his cane in anticipation for something.

'No, actually I'm the Temple of Shao

He lowered his cane and place two fingers under his chin. Then a form of tongue roll as he moistens his lips. He turned his back to me and motioned to follow him.

「Objective Finished: Reach The Shao' Temple」

*0 meters* please note that rewards are pending.

「New Objective: Join Shao' Temple.」

We're here the man persisted. But all that I can see is a giant tree standing in our way. He scruffles through his bag, he pulls out a square pendant, it shines a bright gold. He tells me to place my hand on the top and think the words "We are Qi." the gold pendant begin shiny a bright golden red. This luminous color amazes the man and me aswell.

Suddenly, a vast and beautiful building amassed of nowhere. The man yanks the pendant away and into his pocket. 'Welcome to the temple of Qixia!' The door opened, to a monk dressed in Shaolin fashion clothing. He instantly glances over to me telling me to follow.

A spacious large area, the ground is firmly polished gold. And the pillars are as white as the pearls my mother has. Status of deceased members neatly formed, line in a row to another door. 'What brings you here today?' the monk asked.

Dazed my answer sounded like a broken record, 'I... wanted... to join.'

They stare at me with hopes that I would've said that.

They take me outback to an open field where they trained. Currently, they were meditating.

'This is Qi meditation, to truly become one with Qi you must have the responsibility of beholding it every day. The power of Qi doesn't come very often, in fact, it's so rare that it's believed only the awakened can hold Qi! Yet another lie told by the government. Look very closely, none of these people are awakened. Here we found a way to earn Qi.

Qi mediation! you see Qi is just another form of energy formed even further than the hellions, our ancestors of Qixia Temple created Qi. And with us being so trustworthy 100 years ago thought the same technique to them.'

All of the information gets absorbed and analyzed into the system. I watch as they meditate over a mat claiming to warm them.

'How rude of me, I'm the lead monk here, Monk Xi Lao. And this is Monk Gusty. Nice to meet you.'

I was too busy thinking about Qi, the system, and the other monks to respond quickly. I bow and tell them my name is "Abis Uzun" they seem to be incredibly pleased by my late gesture and made up their minds. 'You'll be here for 4 months if you want to have my second thoughts I advise you to speak now.' I nod to him asking when do I start.

'Tomorrow Mr. Abis, Monk Li Zhang! Suddenly, a pretty monk walks out of another room, she's dressed in monk clothes and a ponytail slicked to back. 'take Mr abis home, he'll be starting tomorrow. And sir pack all of your things like toothbrushes and clothes.'

Monk Gusty hands me a pendant, "squeeze and think of the same words. I do so, and instead of gold, it turns a dark yet bright red. 'The color is represented by one's soul, we'll explain once training begins.'

Monk Li places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes a blue pendant. Then suddenly, I'm home. 'Tomorrow I will come to pick you up.' she suddenly vanished in thin air.

「Rewards Ready」