Over the course of a months, Jin's training became incredibly intense.
The strict routine he endured greatly improved his physical strength, turning his once pale and thin body into something healthier and a bit more flexible.
His condition improved quickly, and his endurance increased to the point where he could now easily swing the rusty sword and chop 200 pieces of wood every day without much trouble.
Of course, that didn't mean he couldn't get tired. Every night he still collapsed onto the same old shitty bed his grandfather promised to replace… but never did.
During this intense training, Jin's grandfather also taught him a lot about the continent of Marta.
Jin slowly started to understand the geography and landscape of the continent.
Marta contains 21 major cities, each surrounded by many smaller outer villages.
These cities vary greatly in power and status.
For example, Anvil, Jin's hometown, is one of the main sources of medicinal herbs.
Meanwhile Lucaria is the most famous city on the continent.
It is home to the prestigious Academy of the Awakened and the powerful Court of Justice.
The Court is controlled by three major factions.
The Golden Faction, the White Faction, and the Black Faction.
There is also the city of Edoria on the western side of the continent, Edoria is known for supplying seafood across the continent and also provides many cities with gold, shells, and silver used for jewelry and decorations.
Marta is known for its beautiful and diverse landscapes.
Massive mountains rise in the north, their peaks often covered in mist and snow.
Huge plains stretch across the central regions through the northern regions , filled with farmland and lively villages.
The southern part of the continent is known for being extremely dangerous because it is filled with chaos creatures.
The Awakened factions constantly fight to contain these creatures and prevent them from invading the central plains.
Because of this, the southern borders of the central plains have long been battlefields where fights against chaos creatures happen regularly.
However, there are also strange and unpredictable events where gates of chaos creatures appear in the north and other populated regions.
These gates appear randomly across the continent, making the entire land unsafe.
Even so, the factions are usually able to contain most of them.
The gates are divided into different ranks.
The first, second, and third ranks are relatively manageable and are usually closed quickly by the Awakened.
The fourth and fifth ranks are much more dangerous and require the combined effort of many Awakened, including at least one Saint.
Any gate above the fifth rank is called a Disaster Gate.
These are famous for their ability to cause massive destruction.
Closing such gates requires the help of several Saints who must combine their immense power to seal them.
-----------------------------
One quiet evening, under a clear sky, Jin and his grandfather Adrian sat in front of a burning log that kept them warm while they talked.
"Did you know your parents were among the Awakened who graduated from Lucaria Academy?" Adrian said with a smile.
Jin's eyes widened with excitement.
"Oh really? Tell me more."
Adrian nodded.
"Your father was excellent at the academy. He was famous for his strength and for turning chaos creatures into corpses."
Jin clenched his fist in realization.
"Oh… so my dad was basically a butcher of monsters."
Adrian laughed.
"Yeah, you could say that."
"As for your mother…"
Adrian sighed and looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with longing.
"She was a beautiful woman… very beautiful. Just like her mother."
"Your father knew he was the luckiest man alive to marry her."
Jin stared into the fire.
"Was she only famous for her beauty?"
Adrian smiled.
"No. She wasn't just beautiful. She was also a talented alchemist."
"And many men wanted to marry her. Quite a few even fought over her."
Jin sighed.
"Yeah… I can imagine that."
Adrian continued.
"Her creations also helped strengthen many Awakened. She invented mixtures that could easily dissolve those ugly creatures. Can you imagine how incredible that was?"
Jin swung his legs casually.
"That sounds disgusting. I don't want to imagine it."
Adrian chuckled.
"I don't remember exactly how it happened, but somehow your father managed to win her heart. Even though he was an idiot who only knew how to fight."
Jin noticed the sadness on Adrian's face.
"I really miss her," Adrian said quietly.
"I miss her hugs… and the way she used to call me father."
"I still remember how excited she was whenever she invented something new or achieved something at the academy."
"She used to ask me for advice about everything, but…"
Adrian suddenly clenched his fist in anger.
"Those creatures took my beloved Shiro away from me."
"So don't let me see those creatures take you away from me too, Jin."
Jin could clearly feel the sadness and anger in Adrian's voice.
"Don't worry. I won't die like she did. Still… I wish I could've seen my mother too."
Adrian gently patted Jin's head.
"Ah… it would've been wonderful if she were here to take care of you. "
"Raising you little brat is exhausting."
Jin glanced sideways at him.
"What do you mean exhausting? If it wasn't for me, there'd be no one to pick those crops for you every day."
Adrian laughed.
"Yeah yeah, you're right. I'm glad I have you too."
As Jin and his grandfather continued their long conversation, the forest around them slowly grew darker.
A foul smell began spreading through the air.
"Ugh… what the hell is that smell?" Jin said while pinching his nose.
Then they heard the cry of an animal somewhere deep in the forest.
"It sounds like something is happening in the forest, Grandpa," Jin said as he stood up.
Adrian suddenly grabbed Jin's shoulder tightly.
"Break your rusty sword now!"
"Huh? My sword? Why?" Jin looked at him in confusion.
"Just do it. Don't ask why," Adrian said anxiously.
Jin stared at his grandfather in surprise. Something about his expression had suddenly changed.
But Jin obeyed.
"How do I break it?" he asked while holding the sword.
"Swing it with all your strength and say these words."
"I am here, O Immortal Spirit."
Confused, Jin swung the sword and said.
"I am here, O Immortal Spirit."
The sword suddenly shattered and turned into golden dust.
"That's weird… how did that happen?" Jin stared in shock at the place where the sword had been.
Suddenly Adrian's face turned extremely serious.
"Jin…"
Adrian stood up and looked toward the north, his expression dark.
"Listen carefully. No matter what happens, do not follow me."
"Why? What's going on?" Jin asked nervously.
Without answering, Adrian suddenly rushed into the forest.
"What is wrong with this old man? Has he lost his mind?" Jin muttered in annoyance.
10 minutes passed.
His grandfather still hadn't returned.
Jin began to feel more and more anxious.
"I should go check… he won't get mad, right?"
Ignoring Adrian's warning, Jin walked into the forest in the same direction.
He moved deeper and deeper until he finally saw Adrian ahead of him.
"Oh… what are you doing here—"
Jin suddenly froze.
His body stopped moving.
His grandfather was covered in blood.
He was wearing black armor, and a long sword leaned against his body.
"H-heh grandpa… what happened to you !?"
Jin asked with a trembling voice.
Adrian slowly turned his head toward him.
His eyes were filled with fear and disbelief.
"You fucking idiot! Go back now!" Adrian shouted.
At that moment the atmosphere suddenly changed.
Jin felt a terrifying pressure that forced him to collapse to the ground.
He started vomiting.
"Urgh… my throat!" Jin struggled to breathe.
He tried to stand up as every instinct in his body screamed at him to run away.
He coughed violently, trying to move, but his body refused to listen.
Then Jin froze.
A dark figure slowly stepped out of the forest.
In the next instant, Jin's vision was covered in flying blood as a piece of flesh struck his face.
That piece of flesh was Adrian's left leg...