Broken Core [LitRPG • Cultivation • Post Apocalyptic • Romance]

Sitting on the roof as the last, lingering traces of burning wind washed over him, James had furrowed brows as he looked out over the city. His new guest had woken up many times, sweating heavily as the heat washed through the building, something that he hadn't had to worry about. His entire supply of water bottles were empty and he realized that he would need to move her underground at night.

If she's staying behind, then I need to move soon to get her food. I could probably harvest more of that snake for a quick breakfast, but she would probably want something fresher.

Running a hand through his hair, he sighed. I wish I understood her better. If she wasn't so scared of me, I bet we would get along.

His dreams had been depressing as his mind whirled with her words. The aura he gave off. The energy around him shifting the world. How strong was he?

Can I even compare myself to cultivators? I'm still human, right?

Soft steps by his side pulled him out of his thoughts. Luna sat by his side, her knee touching his as the sun finally rose.

"You kept me safe," she said softly.

He nodded, but didn't say anything as his mind kept wandering back to the same questions.

"I'm sorry," she said suddenly.

"For what?" he questioned without looking.

"You're just trying to help. I'm scared," she added. "Whatever power you use terrifies me. You lost your core, but you are still this powerful, and don't pretend that it wasn't a recent gain."

"It wasn't," he admitted. "I was dropped here by my sect after they destroyed my core. I found a way to survive."

"By stealing energy from the Forsaken?"

Finally turning to her, he gave her a tired smile. "I can steal energy from any Forsaken, or even people."

Shivering, she quickly scooted away. Catching herself, she sighed. "Sorry…"

"It's fine." His gaze sunk to his lap. "Is everyone going to react like you?"

"I don't know." Scooting back to his side, she hesitantly wrapped her tail around his back. "If you can't contain that energy, you'll likely terrify everyone you come across."

Resting his face in his hands, he closed his eyes. When a hand started rubbing the back of his neck, he tensed.

"You didn't ask for this power, did you?" she asked.

"No," he whispered. "But I need to survive."

"I understand." Still rubbing his neck, she added, "you can practice with me. I'll help you temper your aura. I don't understand what you are using for power, but it radiates from you like a vicious storm that calls for death of anyone that approaches."

Removing his hands, he glanced at her. "That doesn't make me feel better."

Shrugging, she smiled. "You need to hear the truth."

Before he could respond, her stomach growled, and he chuckled. "I should find you something to eat. Sadly, I'll need to venture to another section of the city for that."

Holding her stomach, she sighed. "I'll be fine. I'll cultivate to keep myself busy while you are gone. I can sustain myself for days on Qi."

"I can see your ribs," he stated with a blank expression. "You are going to eat as much as I can stuff down your throat."

Closing her eyes, she shook her head. "Why do you care so much?"

"Why wouldn't I?" he countered. "To me, you are just another soul in need of help. That's all that matters."

Rubbing his neck again, she smiled. "I still don't think you are human. Maybe human shaped, but you are something more."

Raising his brow, he felt her tail waving against his back. Returning her smile, he started to stand. Stretching he turned his attention towards the warehouses and factories in the distance. "I'll be back soon. I'll stop by for lunch and dinner as well."

"I'll be here. Can you refill the bottles before you go?"

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"Yeah." Hopping off the roof, he entered the shelter and started pouring water into the bottles. When he heard a gasp behind him, he glanced back and found Luna staring with wide eyes.

"Water Qi in the wasteland?" she murmured.

"No," he said. "Something different."

"Something you can't tell me."

"Yes." Moving through each bottle, he quickly refilled them before moving back to the door. "Don't push yourself. I don't want to come back to find you collapsed."

Picking up a bottle, she looked over the white water. "I'll behave. But I'm going to join you soon. I need to show you that I can fight."

He didn't respond as he left. Hurrying down the streets, he watched as the vultures took to the air and followed. He kept a steady pace as he crossed the city and circled around the city center. Even more houses and apartments were passed in favor of reaching the small industrial area, or at least one of them.

Along the way, the Forsaken he passed fled as he relaxed the hold on his flame. Within minutes, he reached his destination and started scanning the buildings. Warehouses were collapsed and broken, showing shelves and crates in their interior. Machines and conveyor belts laid in heaps or still stood through the test of time. Rust covered everything as he searched for signs of life.

The vultures circled overhead, watching him closely. Walking slowly, he continued to scan the streets as he spread out his senses. Something smelled of acid as he listened to the ground sizzle. Glancing at the road below him, he found that it was pitted and slightly corroded, but not enough to explain the sounds he was hearing.

Summoning his sword, he walked to the intersection and glanced down the left street. Creeping along the ground was a blob of green substance with a raging white flame in its body. The ground smoked behind it and they both came to a stop.

What the hell are you?

He got his answer soon enough as the blob jumped into the air, closing the distance between them in a flash. Throwing out his free hand, he latched onto the Forsaken and started draining it.

Jumping back, he watched it crash into the ground, shattering stone as a wave of acid washed over the area, leaving behind a layer of slime that looked slick and dangerous. Smoke rose from all over as he swallowed hard.

This is going to be a hard fight.

Activating Soul Strike, he winced as its body exploded. A huge chunk of its soul entered his body, but the remainder broke apart, scattering all over the street. Suddenly he was facing off against a dozen smaller blobs.

Latching onto all of them, he frowned. Their souls were sucked into his body, but not fast enough as they all jumped at him. Midair they extended tendrils of slime and lashed out.

Swiping his sword through the tendrils, he felt their acid splash over his body as they broke apart. His skin and armor burned and ignited as their bodies were washed in soul flames.

Screaming in pain, he quickly started wiping his eyes and face, clearing them of smoke as his Regeneration kicked in. The odd green flames that were burning his body were snuffed out as his own flames devoured the blobs. Their souls burst apart, flowing into him as they became inert.

Seconds passed before his flames flickered out, leaving behind orbs of jelly that had turned from clear green to solid apple looking objects. Frowning, he felt the last of his wounds heal as he stepped forward and picked one of the orbs up. It felt solid and he brought it to his mouth. Biting into the flesh, he felt his body protest the food as he didn't need it. Still, he sampled the taste and moaned in happiness. The orbs tasted like sweet apples with hints of spice.

Picking up three of them, he held them in his arms. Whistling, he called for the vultures who happily started eating the rest.

"I'll be right back," he told them. "A certain wolf needs to eat."

Bowing their heads, the vultures went back to their food. Stepping away, he raced back to his shelter and found Luna sitting on the roof with her eyes closed. She sniffed the air as he approached and her eyes sprang open.

"What the hell happened to you?" she gasped.

"New Forsaken," he announced. "It tried to melt me." Handing over the orbs, he watched her face twist in confusion as he looked over his newest notifications.

Soul absorbed: Soul Strength: 5.28

Corrosion Resistance: Level 6/10

His Soul Strength increased by a good amount. It wouldn't take very many blobs to see it increase to the next level. His Corrosion Resistance also went up by one, meaning they really hurt.

"These are amazing!" Luna shouted through a mouthful.

"Swallow before talking," he admonished. "And I'll bring you more for lunch."

Nodding, she happily bit into another. "I think I'm getting used to your presence! Your energy is washing over me, but feels welcoming now."

Frowning, he looked at his soul and didn't feel any different.

I wonder why she feels welcomed. I'll still need to practice pulling it in. But this is a good sign, right?

Luna happily munched away as he jumped off the roof. He had hours to grow stronger, and he wanted to reach the next level before the end of the day.

In the distant city of Settling Stone, named after its guardian sect, the people rejoiced as another festival was underway. The farms had brought in a bountiful harvest and the streets were lined with merchants and food stalls. The city squares had music and bright lights as people danced and sang.

Four members of the Settling Stone Sect stood apart from the crowd. Their weapons were freshly sharpened, and their dantians full as they stood at the gate of the city. Their elder believed they needed more training and set them off to the wastelands. Their only goal was to survive six months in the wasteland and reach Core Formation stage before coming back.

Everyone knew that the wastelands were perfect for cultivating the high levels of Qi. But they were dangerous. Very dangerous. Each of them had a supply of healing pills and potions. Two of them had spent their entire fortune on scrolls to teleport them back to the city. The other two had bought back up weapons and armor, knowing that theirs would likely be destroyed at some point.

With grim expressions, they took their first steps outside the gate for the first time in years. They walked past the fields and open plains below the mountains. The outer walls stood tall in the distance with even more cultivators on guard.

All of them were nervous. They had trained to fight since they could stand, but would they be ready for the Forsaken that called the wastelands home?