Earth. Year 2136
[Enlightenment Era]
It's been almost a hundred years since humans have 'awakened' new powers. The so-called 'enlightenment' pushed humans to the next evolutionary phase without needing millions of years to pass.
This new power has given human cultivation!
Cultivators at certain realms can lift trucks, outrun a train, fly above the clouds, deflect bullets with their bare skin, and much much more!
However, fate as we know it is unfair. Not every human has the chance to be enlightened, to become a cultivator.
The world has been more divided than ever. Classism back then was about the rich and the poor, but now, it's about who's enlightened and who's not.
Poor those who are 'ordinary'.
They are disregarded and treated like air. No longer like the humans they are supposed to be. The worst part? They couldn't do shit about it!
Injustice and abuse of power are common. The most powerful have used this flawed system to rule the Earth.
And I love it!
Once I've reached the highest cultivation realm, I'll be able to do anything I want.
I can live the most comfortable life. Live in the grandest mansion. Control nations at my whim. Marry all the beautiful women. Eat the most delicious food. I will be king!
…
Oh, how naïve my thinking was.
After all, I'm just ordinary.
The moment I turned fifteen, the age of enlightenment, was the moment all my dreams shattered.
Was it karma? Does heaven know my plans?
I don't think my goals are evil, though. Yes, they may be vain, selfish, and earthly desires. But that's human, isn't it?
As an ordinary, I was at the bottom of the chaste along with these losers. I may have learned martial arts and fought back, but there's a limit to physical strength.
That's where I am right now.
***
In a suburban area…
A group of five middle school students surrounded a fellow schoolmate.
"It's over! I've reached the second stage of the Body Tempering Realm!"
A tall, rough adolescent stepped into the encirclement and taunted the young man in the middle with excitement.
"No little martial arts technique of yours can overcome pure raw power!"
In response, however, the young man just glared. As if saying 'stop blabbing, bring it on'. His arms lifted in defense.
The others flinched, seeing the young man take a martial form.
In the past few months, they were having trouble with this arrogant brat who doesn't know his place. Even though they are now official cultivators, reaching the first stage of the Body Tempering Realm, they were still being beaten by an 'ordinary' person, a non-cultivator!
This brought shame to their group, and thus, they always came to him to get revenge and restore their names as proud Body Tempering cultivators.
Despite this, shockingly, they always fail.
This young man seemed to have a great martial master behind his back. Not only is his strength above average among the non-cultivators, but he also has great techniques.
However, upon learning that he has no backer, they became more aggressive. Today, the leader of the group seemed to be more talented than people first thought.
In just less than a year, he had already stepped into the second stage of the Body Tempering Realm!
Now, they are excited to finally put an end to this exhausting farce and humble this non-cultivator.
Accepting the challenge, the leader of the group swung his fist towards the young man.
The group in the encirclement gasped.
"What speed!"
He was almost twice as fast as before. This insane jump in power can only be seen in cultivators. Non-cultivators will have to work for years and master the same movement just to have this improvement.
This is reality - the difference between a cultivator and a non-cultivator!
"He's almost as strong as you, isn't he, Liam?!"
There was another group nearby. There's a group of three female middle school students and one male named Liam.
The seemingly leader of the female group mischievously and flirtatiously wrapped her arms around the male student, pushing her cleavage onto him.
"Yeah, that's the level of the second stage of the Body Tempering Realm."
Liam smirked as if he didn't take the flirtatious blonde's comment seriously.
However, as they were commenting on the delinquent leader's speed, the young man reacted and deflected the attack.
He groaned, feeling like he had been hit by a heavy rock thrown at him instead. Nerves popped out of his neck, but he kept composed and didn't counterattack yet.
The delinquent leader didn't stop as he let out a barrage of punches. Yet, all those attacks were either deflected or parried, none connecting solidly.
"Here! Keep defending yourself, little pussy!"
After countless punches, the delinquent leader paused for a breather.
"Haa…"
His face flushed not just from fatigue but from embarrassment, too. Their middle school's 'top dog' was watching along with some pretty girls.
The delinquent leader wanted to show his strength by beating this infamous non-cultivator. He thought he was a genius, hitting two birds with one stone. He gets his revenge and impresses Liam, plus some pretty girls.
After all, their target was once the top of the food chain before they all reached the 'age of enlightenment'. Not too long ago, Liam was under this young man. Currently, though, there's a huge gap in their position.
The delinquent leader was shocked to find that the fight wasn't one-sided. A non-cultivator was about to last this long against a Body Tempering Cultivator at the second stage!
"Don't mess with me! Fight back!"
Feeling the anger rush through him, the delinquent leader used all his strength with this one swing of his fist.
'Even if you block this, it's over!'
The young man's eyes turned sharp.
Here's the chance.
The young man went with the flow and grabbed his opponent's arm.
Before the delinquent could realize he had fallen into a trap, it was too late. Although his strength is greater as a cultivator, his weight didn't change much. With this much inertia, he was easily lifted from the ground.
The overbearing delinquent leader was mercilessly thrown into the stone wall headfirst.
Thud*
All witnesses physically cringed from the sound and the sight.
The delinquent leader's eyes comically spun. Soon, he fainted, never to wake up for the time being.
"This…"
The other delinquents were speechless.
The non-cultivator won again. This time, against a Body Tempering Cultivator at the second stage!
"Huu…"
However, the non-cultivator's win was far from flawless. He was tired and full of bruises. Blood dripped from his lips. Each strike from a cultivator at the second stage of the Body Tempering Realm was heavy even for his tempered body. He couldn't help but tremble from pain.
"Waa… that was pathetic."
"Hahaha, I'm feeling second-hand embarrassment. Imagine getting beaten by a non-cultivator after reaching the second stage of the Body Tempering Realm."
The girl laughed at the delinquent leader's epic failure.
On the other hand, Liam had a different reaction. It's true that the delinquent leader was just blindly swinging his fist with no semblance of technique, but that should be enough to beat any non-cultivator, no matter their proficiency in martial arts.
'Jasper, it's been years since we've seen each other. I thought I left you in the dust!'
He considered this young man, Jasper, his rival back then. The top dog didn't expect that he would feel the same after becoming a cultivator.
Realizing this, he felt bitter.
"What are you doing? Stop this embarrassment and teach this guy a lesson!" he shouted.
The rest of the delinquents snapped back into their senses.
That's right. Although Jasper won, he seemed to fall at any moment. This is their chance!
Liam's shout became the trigger for the group's concentrated attacks.
There was no fair fight to begin with. They all went in and threw a punch or a kick whenever there was an opening.
"Hmph…"
Not wanting to stay for any longer, Liam stood up, "Let's go."
"E-eh? Where are you going?" the flirtatious blonde and the other two girls were confused. The scene was just about to get good.
But before he turned away, Liam caught a glimpse of Jasper's hateful glare towards him. Goosebumps spread throughout his body.
Realizing he felt fear from a non-cultivator, Liam's ego took a big hit as it turned into anger.
"This trash!"
Liam decided to stay for a little longer, wanting to see Jasper be beaten and hopefully quench his annoyance.
This, however, didn't go as planned.
"How… how is he able to do this?" The pretty blonde muttered under her breath.
All of them felt like they were hallucinating.
Jasper should be on the ground by now. But that's not the case at all!