Chapter 3: Ruined World (2)

The dead cockroach falls on top of the trees causing some of the branches to break off.

Liu Kai was calm about what just happened. He feels enlightened after accessing his skills. It felt strange to him that his body was able to execute all of those movements like it was well-trained for it.

"This is so weird." Liu Kai said as he ogled his own body. He glanced over to Jin Chow and started to walk towards him.

This action prompted Jin Chow to back away and shouted. "Don't come near me, you're a freak."

Giant cockroaches are one of the weakest creatures that emerged after the catastrophe, but for it to be defeated with a single blow, it was still mind-blowing to the ordinary survivor.

"What year is it right now?" Liu Kai asked.

"K2." Jin Chow answered.

When the 10th World Monarch created the domains, He devised the 'Alphanumeric Method', a new method in counting the years. The year A1, the year The Domains were created, marking the start of a new era. Then proceeds until it reaches Z1 then goes back to A2 then B2 then C2 and so on.

The World's Monarch had absolute authority over everything and absolute power over anyone. The 10th World Monarch believed that if they keep the same tradition, somewhere down the line, someone will use this power and authority for their benefit.

So, he unselfishly stripped himself of absolute power and divided the authority to 7 Domains. Everyone tried to oppose his idea of changing the tradition but that was his last absolute order.

Domains were created, to have more control over smaller groups of people, making it easier to keep peace and order. Unlike before, where they only had just one Monarch for the whole world.

Everyone panicked at first with all change that happened but that didn't take long. It quickly turned out to be the start of prosperity in all parts of the world. The creation of The Seven Domains was considered to be the greatest event in all of history, also called The Year of A1.

Each domain, consisting of multiple countries, has its own rules implemented by their respective Monarchy based on their needs. The Monarchies are also responsible for the commercial of all of the businesses and everything related to exchanging products to all the countries in its territory.

Monarchies have their very own Monarch that will be held responsible for all of its people. It is also their job to keep implementing rules and regulations to make sure that everyone will be safe, keeping peace and order. However, rules change from time to time to cater to the majority of people's needs.

The Monarchy, responsible for its domain, must sustain all of the people's needs as they cannot seek help from other domains. So they need to control the population of its people, sending people to different agencies. A great example would be the agricultural agencies which have a big impact on food resources.

It's being taught in school and everyone knows about it. Even Liu Kai that was always bored with his life showed interest when it comes to the Domains History Books and the Life of the Last World Monarch which was the 10th World Monarch. After that, all of the successors can only be Domain Monarchs.

This was how Liu Kai remembered the world.

His accident happened in the year I2, meaning he was asleep for 2 years.

"So I was asleep for 2 years whole years!?" Liu Kai said.

"So you were asleep the whole year of J2? So that's why you don't know what's going on. How did you even survive?" Jin Chow was perplexed by what Liu Kai said.

"I'm the one asking the questions here. Explain everything that happened while I was asleep." Liu Kai said in a threatening tone.

"Alright, relax." Jin Chow started to explain.

"The year J2, when The Great Catastrophe happened. A powerful earthquake, which lasted for 30 minutes, killed millions of people and that this phenomenon made all of the countries converge.

The seas that separated the countries vanished and the sudden changes 'caused chaos. Even the Domain Monarchs weren't prepared and didn't know what to do with the changes in the World's Geography.

Everyone thought that the 10th World Monarch would rise and lead all of us, including the 6 Domain monarchs. Yet to our surprise, he went missing. All hope seemed to have been lost. However, people took to his teachings that acted as a guide. He taught us that everyone should be dependable and to do something to help. That's why everyone worked hard to contribute to the restoration of their world even if he wasn't there to guide us.

Discovering that most of the people showed signs of inhuman abilities that made their life easier, everyone worked very hard to restore peace and order and return to their old lives. But before they can completely recover, almost a year after the catastrophe, creatures like goblins, dwarves, and large bugs came from an unknown origin. Slimes were also found but they were pretty harmless.

The Monarchies think that the invaders are all coming from the right part of the world since they found out that all of the Domains converged in 7 different locations on the left part. But they still haven't found out how most of the people had abilities after the catastrophe.

Everyone was properly educated and lived their lives to the fullest for a long time, so they also badly want it back. With this kind of mindset of the people, it won't be hard for the Domain Monarchs to supervise everyone."

Based on Jin Chow's explanation, everything changed in the year J2.

*****

"Is it all true?" Liu Kai asked him.

"What do you mean?" Jin Chow was puzzled by his question.

"Your whole story."

"You saw a giant cockroach yourself." Jin Chow assured.

"That's true, but I can't just blindly believe everything." Liu Kai debated.

"Suit yourself. The sun is going down, it's not safe here in the forest. We need to look for a place to hide during the night, let's go." Jin Chow informed as he got up to move.

"Are there Giant Insects wandering around here?" Liu Kai fretted.

"Not that much but if we're unlucky, something might see us and we'll be dead for sure. Don't get cocky just because you killed a giant cockroach, that's one of the weakest bugs." Jin Chow explained.

"Then what are you doing here?" Liu Kai asked.

"As you can see, I'm a Knight apprentice from the Monarchy. We've been asked to explore this place to expand the human territories." Jin Chow told him as he exaggeratedly waved around his armor.

"We? I don't see anyone with you. Were you left behind?" Liu Kai asked.

"We were raided by a roaming Giant Centipede and..."

"...I was the only one that survived." Jin Chow explained. Wearing a grim expression as he remembered what happened.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to –" Liu Kai sincerely apologized but he got cut off.

"It's fine! Don't worry about it." Jin Chow interrupted.

"If you say so. Oh! I know a place to hide."

"Where?"

"I'll tell you later. Do you have something to eat? I'm starving." Liu Kai holding his stomach as it growled from hunger.

"That..." Jin Chow nods and was tried to say something but hesitated.

"What is it?" Liu Kai asked.

"Do you remember that Giant Cockroach you just punched?" Jin Chow reminded.

"Don't tell me that..." Liu Kai points to the direction the dead insect fell.

"Yes, that's right. Those bugs became another source of food after they appeared. I know it's surprising for you but we don't have a choice." Jin Chow told him.

"Is there no other option? How do we even eat that?  Isn't it dirty? It looks disgusting." Liu Kai hurled.

"To answer your question, we will burn it to kill the bacteria and remove the liquid parts in its body."

"You've eaten one right? How did it taste?" Liu Kai asked to have some idea and prepare for what's to come.

"You have too many questions. Just help me find it." Jin Chow retorted.

"Just answer the question! Or I won't try it." Liu Kai demanded.

"Then don't! Don't you know that insects are highly nutritional?" Jin Chow growled.

"I know, but it's disgusting." Liu Kai cringed.

Jin Chow left and looked for the dead Giant Cockroach but Liu Kai followed behind.

"Why are you following me?" Jin Chow was still irritated bu his actions.

Liu Kai then stopped walking. Jin Chow glanced back at him to see what was going on.

"Why? Did that hurt your feelings? Are you a cry baby or something?" Jin Chow jested.

"No not that. I have a question… Can you see this?" Liu Kai points his finger in front of him. He asked if Jin chow could see the hologram-like screen, which prompted more information.

[Your skill Berserk's after effect will now commence]

2 points will be added to Power.

points will be deducted to Agility.

[Alter is activated]

2 points will be added to Agility instead of deducted.

[Stats updated]

[Status Window]

Agility: 7(+2*)

Power: 4(+2*)

Stamina: 10

Mentality: 15

Durability: 7

Perception: 3

*Permanently added.