After the first few months following the Day of Awakening, many strong and unknown forces began to make their presence known across various countries.
One of the more prominent nations affected was China.
China has always boasted a rich ancient history of battles and martial arts, with many practitioners leaving their mark over the centuries.
Numerous families and clans trace their roots back to these ancient eras.
For generations, these families guarded ancient techniques and scriptures, preserving them as heirlooms or symbols of their heritage.
However, after the Day of Awakening, these families began to actively use the techniques and scriptures passed down by their ancestors.
They quickly grew stronger, becoming powerful enough to dominate anyone who opposed them.
As their strength increased, so did their influence.
They attracted countless followers who trained under their tutelage.
This led to the current state of China, where four families have become so powerful that they now dominate the country.
A young Chinese man landed in front of an elder who appeared to be in his sixties.
Despite his age, the elder looked no older than forty.
His toned, burly muscles exuded an intimidating presence, and the sword in his hand glowed with intense, sharp spiritual energy known as Qi.
This man was the patriarch of the Zhao Family, one of the four martial families of China.
"You better have a good reason to interrupt my training, Mo," the patriarch said, turning his face toward the young Chinese man.
"Master, I was in Italy and encountered another talented swordsman, far more skilled than Lorenzo Rossi," Mo replied.
"Oh? More talented than Lorenzo, huh? Who is he? Is he a top-level Awakener who could rival our country's best? Is he a member of an organization? What is his level? Tell me everything about him," the patriarch asked, his curiosity piqued.
He was someone who deeply valued Awakeners with exceptional swordsmanship talent.
This was one of the main reasons he became a supporter of the United Swords Guild, providing them with resources, techniques, and skills to cultivate more martial artists.
"He is just a level 26 Awakener, but I believe his true strength far surpasses that," Mo said.
"He defeated Lorenzo with a single blow. Moreover, I don't think he used his full strength. He was too overwhelming... I suspect that despite his low level, he might possess strength rivaling yours, Master." Mo's tone grew fervent, as if he were talking about his favorite actor.
The United Swords Guild wasn't one of the largest organizations on Earth, but it was a formidable force, ranking among the top 100 organizations globally, including major guilds, families, and other Awakener groups.
The guild master of the United Swords Guild, Lorenzo Rossi, might not be the strongest Awakener in the world, but he was certainly in the top 80.
The main reason for his rise was the Qi cultivation method he had obtained from the Zhao family.
Although Lorenzo's level was only 35, his cultivation level was nearing the completion of the third layer of the Body Refinement Realm.
He could utilize Qi, and while his Qi reserves were minimal, he still managed to enhance his sword attacks with it.
Additionally, reaching the third layer of the Body Refinement Realm had significantly boosted his physical strength, making him comparable to a level 40 Awakener.
To defeat an Awakener of a much higher level, who was also a Qi cultivator, while being only level 26, was not something Patriarch Zhao could overlook.
He had to learn more about this individual.
"Did he use Qi? Is he a Qi cultivator?" the Zhao family head asked, crossing his arms.
"Well... I don't think he is a Qi cultivator, but..."
"But what? Spit it out."
"He didn't use Qi, but he used something else. Another type of energy, perhaps? I don't know, but it's definitely not Qi. That I'm sure of," Mo replied earnestly. "He used that energy to enhance his sword with flame element."
"It's entirely possible that he was using another kind of energy. While it might share some characteristics with Qi, it could be fundamentally different. Remember, there are numerous types of energy besides Qi."
"The Saintess of the Vatican, for instance, uses a different type of energy called Holy Power," the Zhao family head explained.
"What did Lorenzo say? Does he know who this Awakener is?"
"No... He's never seen this person before, nor has anyone else. It's truly surprising how such a strong Awakener has gone unnoticed," Mo said, shaking his head.
"Yes, it really is interesting how someone this powerful could remain hidden," the Zhao family head mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
It was worth noting that all the gates that had appeared, as well as the areas already under the control of gate monsters, were closely monitored by the Awakener Society and other major forces on Earth.
These organizations oversaw those entering and exiting the gates and kept a close watch on their leveling progress.
If an Awakener with unparalleled strength for their level emerged, the news would have spread worldwide like wildfire.
This constant surveillance was one reason why high-level Awakeners, especially those affiliated with prominent forces like the Saintess of the Vatican, became so famous.
"Go back to Italy and stay with the United Swords Guild. Inform us about everything that happens there and try to gather as much information as you can about this mysterious Awakener," the Zhao family head instructed.
"We must recruit this person before anyone else does, especially not Italy's Awakener Society. I don't want such a talented Awakener to go to waste by joining their ranks."
"But what if I manage to uncover his identity and he still doesn't want to join us?" Mo asked hesitantly.
"Use every resource at your disposal. Offer him anything he wants," the family head replied, narrowing his eyes.
"If even then he refuses to join us, I will personally challenge him, beat him into submission, and force him to form a System contract to ensure his allegiance to us."
"Master, forgive me for asking, but is it truly so important for us to make him join?" Mo asked, swallowing hard.
"Of course it is. Times have changed. People are growing stronger and stronger, and we have no idea where it will end. The reason the major forces on Earth are recruiting powerful individuals is because of a prediction made by an Awakener with the ability to foresee the future."
"It was foretold that Earth will soon encounter another phase of change, bringing battles and rewards far greater than anything we've faced since the Day of Awakening. To face these thorns ahead, we need strength, specifically the strength of Awakeners. Crossing through these challenges will benefit those who make it through."
The Zhao family head glanced at Mo with a small smile. "As long as we, the Zhao family, stand at the forefront as the strongest, we will reap the largest rewards."
...
The Awakener Society of Italy
The Awakener Society was an organization formed by the government and composed of powerful Awakeners.
Its primary role was to regulate Awakeners, manage existing gates, handle newly appearing gates worldwide, and decide who could enter these gates and who could not.
Each country had its own Awakener Society, named accordingly.
For instance, Damian's country, Italy, had the Italian Awakener Society.
The Italian Awakener Society oversaw all activities within Italy, setting regulations and guidelines on how Awakeners should deal with gates, gate monsters, corruptants, and mutated beasts.
If any organization or guild wished to clear a gate or hunt down a dominion of gate monsters, they were required to obtain permits from the Italian Awakener Society and other major forces within Italy.
Not even the Vatican could bypass this system, as the Awakener Society had powerful Awakeners who were committed to enforcing these rules.
Even if others tried to defy these regulations, they would have no choice but to contend with the might of the society, an endeavor that would cost far more than any potential gains.
The Awakener Society had eyes and ears all over Italy, embedded within every major force.
It was through these channels that the president of the Italian Awakener Society learned about a certain individual who had effortlessly defeated the guild master of one of the fastest-growing guilds in the country.
"So, an unregistered Awakener strong enough to go toe-to-toe with a high-level Awakener has appeared, huh?" The president tapped his fingers on the desk casually.
The seemingly minor action caused dents to form in the desk, and soon cracks spread across its surface.
"Try to find out as much as possible about him. We need to recruit him into our ranks." The president glanced at the Awakener standing before him, arms clasped behind his back.
....
The Wild Phantom Guild.
The Wild Phantom was another rapidly growing guild in Italy, and its guild master was famous not only within Italy but across the globe.
There were two main reasons for this fame.
First, before the Day of Awakening, he was a very popular streamer known for engaging in all kinds of nonsensical antics.
Second, he was the only person to meet the first individual who leveled up and killed gate monsters on their own.
He was the only one who had ever seen that person's face.
It was the thrill and inspiration he gained from that encounter that gave him the confidence to hunt monsters on his own.
Not just him, but everyone who watched the video of that mysterious individual felt a surge of determination to stand against the monsters and level up.
Among the younger generation, the man who streamed that encounter on the Day of Awakening, Eric Walcrown, became one of the strongest.
He went on to establish the Wild Phantom guild, which now ranks among the top 50 guilds in the world.
At that moment, a man burst into Eric's office in urgency.
"Guild Master, we have some information about Awakener Zero!"
The world had already recognized the mysterious individual as the first-ever Awakener to level up, and they had been given the title Awakener Zero.
"What is it?" Eric Walcrown, the guild master, asked, his expression lighting up with excitement.
"Although we have no way to confirm if this is the same person as Awakener Zero, I've received information from our informant in the United Swords Guild."
"Apparently, a mysterious, unregistered Awakener recently entered their guild office, defeated every single member, including the guild master, in a single strike, and left dissatisfied as if he didn't get the action he was looking for."
If Damian were present, he would have punched this lackey and whoever leaked this false information right in the nose for defaming his reputation.
"Defeating a group of powerful Awakeners in a single strike? It's definitely him. Quick, gather more information about him. Find his whereabouts. We have to bring him into our guild as soon as possible and make him our guild master."
Ever since that fateful day, Eric had become a devoted fan of Damian.
He hoped to follow the man for life after proving himself worthy.
That was why, ever since founding the Wild Phantom guild, he had been searching for Damian.
Unfortunately for Eric but fortunately for Damian, he had never succeeded in finding him.