Everything changed. While the world continued like normal, everyone could feel something off. That feeling in your gut when you''re going down a roller coaster. The pain from your ears popping while on an air plane. The sickness you get when on a rocky boat.
That sensation when you''re underwater and don''t know which way is up. That sense of paralysis when your mind awakes before your body, or when familiar things begin to feel unfamiliar. For approximately 5.35 seconds, every single thing on the planet felt these sensations, as if something had snapped open for the first time in a long, long time.
But life went on and this phenomenon was buried under the currents of daily life. Little did they know that the world would change beyond their understanding.
And in a remote village, a young boy was born, held tightly in his mother''s embrace, his father and 3 tiny heads surrounding the two.
"What should we name him, dear?" The mother asked.
The man smiled. "His name shall be Monzu. He will bring luck wherever he goes and hope to whoever he meets."
"Welcome, our little Monzu. Grow up big and strong, okay?" They said together.
---------------- 15 years later
Sengcha''s senses refocused onto his brother, who was calling his name.
"Sen. You good?"
Huh?
"Oh. Yeah, I''m alright. Just zoned out," he replied.
It happened again.
Tahan was not convinced. "It happened again, right?"
"How''d you know?" Sengcha answered.
"Call it a feeling. How bout we head back. We can come back tomorrow."
Sengcha shook his head. "I''ll be okay. We''re almost done here anyways. Let''s just map out this area quick."
I should be fine for now.
"Alright." His brother finally said.
Not long after, Sengcha and Tahan finished up their last notes and packed up to go back to the village.
That''s the last of it. At least for today. Time to go back.
"Let''s get going, Tan. It''ll get dark soon, we have lots of ground to cover."
Tahan gave a nod of approval. "Let''s go."
The world was coming to an end, or so it felt like it. The ground shook, the skies rumbled, and all communications were silenced. We were cut off from the rest of the world, a mere speck in comparison.
Creatures of fiction, abominations defying all common sense.
They began pouring out of the ground, forming into dungeons that spread like a virus.
When they surfaced, the area around them became their domain. However, we could not get close. Too many monsters had broken through the surface.
And so here we are. Surrounded by dungeons on all sides, forced to hide to survive, constantly staying vigilant and taking actions to conceal ourselves and steer clear of dungeon territories.
"Finally back. Come on. The others are probably waiting for us."
Tahan was right. When they made their way past the entrance to the village, concealed by a thick patch of vines and leaves, there were a few children sent to wait for them.
"Tan! Sen! Finally!! It''s time for tonight''s story. Hurry, hurry. You''ll miss it!!"
Tahan broke out into a smile. "Last one''s a rotten egg!"
----------------
"... and so, never forget to ask for protection from the benevolent spirits of the land." Sitting in the center of a small fire was Elder Gev, finishing his story.
The children were either in awe or terrified, all huddled together as tightly packed as they could manage. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
Elder Gev was a great story teller. He could turn a small ant into a mighty warrior. And he could impart wisdom in ways that remained dormant until being met with adversity.
The children loved him and would listen to his stories every night he was able to get out of bed.
"That''s it for tonight, kids. Work hard tomorrow. I have a feeling something special is going to happen."
The elder got up with great difficulty and limped to his home, a simple straw and thatch structure.
After murmurs of resistance, the children finally began to head to their homes, too.
Tahan and Sengcha waited, around 12 children stayed back with them. "Is everyone here? Haichi?" The oldest of the kids nodded back. "Ok. Good. Let''s all head back."
These were the orphans. Children we found alone and desperate while we went from village to village. Despite the harsh environment, there were many of them before the trial even after the war. Now, they were few and far between.
The group reached the orphanage and began to settle down. When the two brothers got all the children to sleep, they left the building.
"Hey, Sen. Let''s stop by May''s. She might be able to help with your situation."
After come contemplation, Sengcha agreed. "Alright, fine. I''ll go."
Maybe it''s time to tell the truth. About the visions and the dreams.
On the way to the herbalist, the duo shared small talk and banter.
"Sen, did you hear what little Pa said. I am the most popular person in this entire jungle."
"I wouldn''t be so proud of that. The only people that believe that are the children. I fear I may not live to see you wed."
"I could say the same for you!" Tahan threw back.
"Any woman would agree to marry me. Women like a guy that''s mysterious and laid back. As long as I make a move, no woman would decline."
"Sure, sure. We''ll see about that. But for now, we have matters to deal with." Tahan gestured for Sengcha to enter May''s small hut. "Come on. You can''t delay this any longer."
I know.
Without a word, Sengcha entered the doorway.
-----------------
"You are feeling the effects of the call. It happens to every person chosen to become a shaman. I suggest meeting with Elder Wang. He is the most masterful among shamans in the village." May turned to face Sengcha.
Sengcha''s emotions were in flux. "What does this mean?"
"The path of the shaman is not simple nor will it be easy. You can become a traditional one or branch out and define your own style. The difficulty is found in deepening one''s spirit. You don''t have to be afraid. Elder Wang can explain more than I. Again, I recommend you go to see him as soon as you can."
"Thank you, Elder May. I''ll see to it that Sen follows your advice. Have a good night."
"Of course, dear. Good night."
What should I do, now?
----------------
"I have been expecting you, boy. The call has beckoned you for half a year, you''ve done well to delay the inevitable. It isn''t possible to live long while in this limbo. Either you accept the call or you deny it. Please choose for your own wellbeing. There is no wrong path. But let me give you some advise as a fellow shaman. Declining the call will allow you to live a normal life but you will give up more of yourself than you realize. Those senses of yours. They are an extraordinary gift, an expression of your spiritual body. By refusing the call, you are agreeing to give it up, at least to an extent. On the other hand, accepting the call will enhance it. Every aspect of your spirit will be refined over time and you will see a part of the world that no one else can. The only downside is that you will bear the burden of our predecessors. Until you embark on this path, I am not allowed to speak on this subject. Just know that our history is far more complex than you can ever know. The forces that we work with exist on an entirely different plane. Elder May, may have mentioned this but the path of a shaman is not so simple. Some resonate with the spirits of the dead and are drawn to guiding them to their next lives. Others work within the domain of living spirits. But there are rare off-shoots of these two styles. Warrior shamans that dominate their enemies in both the physical and spiritual planes. Healers that fight against Death''s generals. Legacy Shamans that commune with specific ancestral spirits and call upon their powers. Fate Shamans that peer into the machinations of time. Cursed Shamans that are plagued with demons that offer a promise of all mighty power. The list is inexhaustible by there is one thing that all shamans share: The power to perform miracles. Our history is long and in it, all manner of shamans have surfaced. You are chosen for a reason. Do not be so quick to run from your purpose. I have said my piece. Take some time to think of what I''ve said."
"Thank you, Elder Wang. I will consider your words."
All I ever wanted was for life to be simple. But my life has been anything but that. In order to create a simple world, I will need extraordinary power. I want to be a powerful shaman. One that can mold the world into my greatest masterpiece.
In response to Sengcha''s resolve, the call asked a single question: "Will you accept the call?"
Yes.
The constant whispers and prickles vanished, replaced by a silence Sengcha had missed. His senses surpassed the possible, the curtain between reality and spirit falling apart. The world had changed in his eyes and was no longer as it had been.
In shimmering letters, something appeared.
[Congratulations. You have broken past your limitations, awakening a piece of Truth within yourself. You have gained limited access to the Statos System, a construct powered by a fragment of Infinity. Look within yourself to see what you are. A unique circumstance grants you your path in advance.]
Despite his confusion, Sengcha never felt so sure. He glanced within himself and saw something he hadn''t expected.
[Sengcha Tsang - Awakened Human]
[Title: None]
[Path: Creation Shaman]
[Mind - 5]
[Body - 2]
[Soul - 10]
[Arcana - 1]
[Traits]
[Enhanced Senses - Unique]
[Skills]
[Spirit Sense - Stage 1]
[Spirit Molding - Stage 1]
This is... me.
"Did you accept the call?" Tahan and Elder Wang say in unison.
"I... did."
"That''s fantastic, boy. The first order of business is to have a senior shaman induct you through a ceremony. Then, you must find a teacher. If I didn''t already have a few pupils myself, I would have volunteered to guide you. Unfortunately, agreeing to teach you with my other responsibilities would be selfish. I can recommend you to someone. He''s a rather isolated man, tends to follow his own path. He owes me one, though. Here, a map to his sanctuary. It''s a bit far out but you''ll be fine. No one knows this jungle better than the two of you. Instead, I can officially induct you as a shaman. Get ready."
"Thank you, Elder. My brother is forever in your debt."
"Don''t mention it. So long as you become a respectable shaman, the debt can be considered paid. Learn well."
Sengcha took the initiative to speak up, this time. "I will, Elder Wang." Then he and Tahan bowed.
"Here is a letter specifying how to find him. Try to leave as soon as you can. But make sure to read the letter first. It''s been a pleasure. I have high hopes for you. See you again." Elder Wang turned around and left the room, bringing back some shaman instruments to induct Sengcha as a new shaman.
Then, he began the sacred ceremony.
------------------
I''ve been walking for two days in the wilds. The note said only I could see the master shaman so Tan had to stay behind. I should be reaching it anytime now.
The area was extremely dense. Without his senses, Sengcha would have gotten lost. Unexpectedly, he reached a dead end. In front of him was a rocky cliff, with moss and vines covering it thickly.
The note said that when my path reaches the end, I must not look to see the path. I''m pretty sure thst this has something to do with my new skills.
Sengcha activated [Spirit Sense], his vision expanding to encompass the spiritual plane. He skill felt as if it was a part of him, feeling familiar and working perfectly. As expected, the cliff vanished, revealing an unnatural clearing with a small bamboo building at the center.
He approached it and called out. "Is anyone here? Hello?"
"No." Came a sound from behind him.
What the fuck!
Sengcha jumped away in surprise as a chill crawled up his spine. "Who are you? And how the hell did you get behind me?"
The short man, who had a face full of messy hair, smirked back at him. "I''ve been following you for a while now. Thanks for the snacks by the way." Sengcha saw an empty bag of his rations in the man''s hands, who tossed it back to him.
"Wasn''t half bad. Could have been less dry, though. I had to drink all of your water." He then proceeded to pull out Sengcha''s flask, which was now empty.
"H... how?"
The man''s face turned serious. "You''ve got decent senses. Almost found me out a few times. But you''re too inexperienced. You think having good senses is enough to spot every little thing. You''re mistaken. My physical senses are far inferior to yours, yet I had you under my thumb. It''s quite simple, actually. You only pay attention to changes at the micro level. All I had to do was show you what you wanted to see."
Sengcha remained silent, shocked by the revelation.
"Oh, don''t be so surprised. This is quite a simple task. Anyways, who are you. Did Elder Wang send you?"
Sengcha came back to his senses. "Yes, he did."
"So you wish to learn from me? Do you know what that means? I''m a Hunter Shaman. We track and kill beasts that have been possessed by evil spirits that on rampage through human settlements. My job is to maintain nature. Well, at least before the trial. But I failed. Monsters attacked in droves, I couldn''t do a thing. Do you really wish to learn from a failure?"
Sengcha looked into Kahj''s eyes. "There was nothing you could have done to stop it. Please, teach me Master. Sengcha Tsang wishes to learn from you."
A special look entered Kahj''s eyes. "I accept. Let''s get started."