"How can you challenge me? You're just an E-level fighter!" The middle-aged man glared at the young man, his voice filled with disdain.
"Level doesn't matter," the young man replied, determination in his eyes. "I won't stand by while you intimidate those I care about."
The tension in the room thickened as the middle-aged man stood from his chair, ready to assert his dominance.
"Listen, kid, I'm on a different level. A C-level fighter isn't someone to take lightly. I suggest you leave before things get unpleasant," he warned, his tone gravelly. "Are you going to walk away, or do I need to show you what I can do?"
The young man hesitated, feeling the weight of the threat, but ultimately stood his ground. "I'm here for my friend, and I'm not going anywhere without her. You can't stop me."
Just as he finished speaking, the middle-aged man lunged forward, moving with surprising speed. Energy surged around him, and he extended his hand, ready to strike.
But just as he was about to reach the young man…
---
In another universe…
A boy around seventeen jolted awake, panting and startled.
"Not again," Jonathan whispered to himself, recalling the familiar dream that had haunted him repeatedly. "That intense man and the brave young man. Who are they?"
Having the same dream filled him with unease, and he spent the rest of the night pondering its significance, but ultimately found no clear answers before drifting back to sleep.
---
The next morning…
The sun illuminated Talac Valley, where residents busily engaged in their daily routines. Like many families in their situation, the Runner family ran a stall in the market, trading goods for gold coins to buy food and other essentials.
Their stall offered various items, including herbs, valley maps, fruits, and vegetables. With the market bustling on this lively Saturday, Jonathan helped his parents manage their stall, eager to lighten their workload.
The marketplace was vibrant and lively, filled with the sounds of vendors calling out to attract customers.
The morning was bustling as Jonathan and his family worked at their small market stand, helping customers and arranging their wares. The stall was modest, stacked with herbs, fruits, and maps, but it was enough to keep the family going—most days, at least.
Suddenly, a group of rough-looking men approached. They were well-dressed, their belts lined with cultivation tools and symbols that hinted at their training. They sneered as they looked over the humble setup.
"Well, well, what do we have here? The Runner family's little market stall," one of the men mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Looks like you're still trying to sell weeds and scraps."
Jonathan felt his face flush with anger, but he kept his composure, knowing any reaction could make things worse. "We sell quality goods," he replied, keeping his tone respectful. "If you're interested, feel free to look around."
One of the men chuckled, shaking his head. "Interested? Please. Do you really think anyone would buy from the likes of you? It's no wonder—you people lack any cultivation talent. No skill, no status. Just nobodies in a market full of nobodies."
Jonathan's father tried to step in, his voice calm but firm. "We're just here to earn an honest living. If you're not here to buy, please leave us be."
But the men weren't satisfied with leaving. One of them knocked over a basket of herbs with a smirk. "Oops. Looks like someone needs to clean up their mess."
Jonathan clenched his fists, wanting to defend his family, but he knew he wasn't strong enough. The men were all trained fighters—he wouldn't stand a chance.
As the tension mounted, a figure in a long veil approached silently from the crowd. The woman wore a flowing cloak that covered her entirely, and a veil concealed her face, only revealing a pair of keen, piercing eyes.
"That's enough," she spoke, her voice calm but commanding. The men turned, surprised by the unexpected intervention.
"And who might you be?" one of the men sneered, sizing up the stranger.
Without responding, the veiled woman raised her hand, and a wave of energy rippled outward, forcing the men to step back. Her power was undeniable, and the men hesitated, sensing that she was no ordinary market-goer.
"Leave this family alone," she said, her voice unwavering. "Or I'll ensure that you won't be welcome in this market—or any other."
The men looked at one another, grumbling as they weighed their options. One by one, they stepped back, muttering curses under their breath as they retreated into the crowd.
Jonathan and his family watched in awe and relief as the woman turned to them. "Thank you," Jonathan said, his voice filled with gratitude. "We didn't know what we'd do."
The veiled woman simply nodded, offering a small, reassuring smile that was barely visible beneath her veil. "You're stronger than you think," she replied softly. "Remember that."
With a final glance at the family, the mysterious woman disappeared into the bustling market crowd, leaving Jonathan and his family wondering who she was and why she had come to their aid....