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

Luna stalked a pack of wolves as they migrated across the river and into a section of the forest. Their pups were carried by their mothers, their black fur shimmering in the sun. She was downwind, careful to use her Qi to suppress her scent.

The air shimmered around her as she laid low. Her heart was thudding in her chest as the twenty odd wolves left. She had nearly walked into them before she caught their scent. That and the blood coming from a few of their maws was still fresh. Their kill was no more than a quarter of a mile away and she could already smell more Forsaken feasting on its remains.

Nerves settling, she started walking again. These were sights that she had never seen before. The living breathing world of the Forsaken. Their young and pregnant that walked the world. Families and a hierarchy of strength. It was terrifying to know that she was no match for most of the monsters.

Slipping through the trees, she continued to walk closer to the wasteland. She still had days to go before she reached the edges of the forest, but she had learned from the Forsaken. There were hollows scattered all over the forest that they used for shelter. She had claimed many of them over the last few weeks, surviving on river water and fresh meat.

The fiery wind of the nights didn't harm her as she survived. Scents she never knew existed brought her happiness as she traveled. Fish swam in the rivers, their black bodies ripe with tasty flesh. The bears were more than happy to catch them, even if their massive bodies couldn't fill up on them alone.

Relaxing as the day passed by, she found serenity in a world she didn't know existed. Air Qi cycled through her body, hiding her scent as it pulled in signs of danger from around her. Sounds, scents, and tastes danced around her. It was perfect and everything she dreamed of.

Never before had she been so thankful that her village chased her off. If they hadn't, she didn't think she'd ever have the courage to leave.

Thank you, Elder Brim. For once, you proved your worth to me.

Smiling internally, she picked up her pace. She needed to find a hollow before night came. She needed to meditate and grow closer to forming her core.

James wiped the black blood from his face as his arms sealed and healed over. Clawed feet had nearly torn his arm from his body, but his reserves had pulled it back into place and Regeneration finished the work. Hunger was building in his body as he returned to the streets. The vultures were on the ground, eyeing him with interest as he stepped to the side and gestured to the building.

"There's nearly a dozen in there. Have fun."

Screeching, they hopped past him and into the building. One of them cocked its head at him before bowing and joining the others.

This makes me question what the Forsaken truly are. They seem more intelligent than I ever thought possible.

With only a few lingering behind, he began his hunt again. The lizards would be easier to kill than the monstrosities in the apartments. He was tired of their tentacles and sharp claws. Even if he had grown a small amount from killing them.

His soul was growing in strength, taller flames flickering into his body. I wonder what I look like to others.

Running a hand over his arm, he felt compacted muscles that reminded him of those that tempered their bodies. He was growing physically stronger, and his body processed his soul, creating new skills that he never knew existed. The energy flowing through him was powerful and felt boundless. It was far beyond the Aether that he used to cultivate.

Focusing on his surroundings, he frowned as he felt the ground start to shake. Dust fell from the buildings and his eyes widened as he heard something mooing.

Scanning the area, his heart started to race as the sound of a creature stomping started to draw closer. A screech filled the air before a gurgled cry went out. A second later, a lizard was hurled across the street from the intersection, exploding against a building.

"What the fuck…" he murmured.

He didn't have to wonder for long as a minotaur walked around the corner and huffed. Steam escaped its nostrils as it eyed him.

"Well, shit…" Raising his sword, he judged the soul of the monster. It stood at least eight feet tall with hulking muscles and hoofed feet. The ground shook as it walked towards him, its pace picking up. The fire burning inside it was stronger than anything else he had encountered in the area.

Calming his breathing, he watched the remaining pavement shatter as the monster nearly reached him. Flowing his feet across the ground, he shifted out of the way while slashing at the passing minotaur, only for his blade to bounce off its flesh.

Eyes wide, he noticed the smallest of cuts on its hardened flesh. The soul of the monster flooded its muscles as its horns crashed into the building behind him. Rubble crashed to the ground as the weird tentacled monsters screeched.

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"It's here…Flee…"

The sound of clawed feet raced away from the windows as the Forsaken rushed further into the apartments.

If they are that scared, what chance do I have?

Keeping his stance low, he made sure his center of gravity was as perfect as he could make it. Sword in hand, he watched the minotaur turn back towards him, flames escaping from its mouth.

Why the hell can it breathe fire?

Swallowing hard, he started circling to the side as the monster started to charge again. It was clear it could only run in straight lines, but the shaking ground nearly made him lose his balance.

Siphoning its soul was his only option and he latched onto the beast. It roared in pain as the stream of fire seeped into his body. His soul ate it up quickly, brightening and growing.

Seconds turned into minutes as they danced in the street. The flame in the creature slowly started to dim, but he knew he would have to last for many more minutes before it died.

Everything was going fine until he tripped over a piece of asphalt and fell onto his back. The minotaur didn't hesitate to charge him. Rolling, he felt a hoof come down on his arm, crushing and ripping it off. Blood spurted from his stump as he screamed. No matter how much resistance he had to pain, he couldn't stop the phantom pain of his limb from wrecking his mind.

The monster slid to a stop as it turned back to him. Flames started to build in its mouth and his eyes widened. Rolling across the ground, he felt rubble and sharp stones pressing into his armor just before a jet of flames roared across the street.

Heat washed over his body, but the flames barely missed. The section of the street looked glassy as the minotaur stopped. Climbing back to his feet, he summoned his sword with his off hand and stepped to the side as the monster reached him. Guiding the horns away from his body, he activate Soul Strike and burst the minotaur as best he could.

Its soul ruptured and a large section siphoned into his body. The withered remains of the monster's soul made it slow as blood oozed from its body. A weak moo came from it as it started to back away. Growling, James charged after it, leaping into the air.

Turning, the monster tried to flee when his feet connected with its back and knocked it to the ground. Slashing across its back, he watched its flesh part the smallest amount before starting on fire. His soul burned its body as its energy slipped away. The last minute of the fight was weak as the minotaur thrashed before falling still.

With its death, its hide weakened and he was able to part it easily. Snorting in annoyance, he dismissed his sword. His reserves started regrowing his arm and he could feel the endless hunger reclaiming his mind.

Kneeling next to the monster, he bit into its muscular back and ripped a chunk of flesh away. Chewing a few times, he swallowed and felt the pit in his stomach soak it up. Blood pooled from the wound and he quickly sucked it down before coming up for air.

Bite after bite, he inhaled the food as quickly as he could. His soul settled and was stronger than ever as he finally felt full.

Body resources full. Time until reserves are full: Three hours and fifty-nine minutes.

Souls absorbed: Soul Strength: 3.2

He had gained a decent amount for defeating the minotaur. He may have lost his arm, but it was already back and for the first time since arriving, he tasted beef. It was a delicacy that the vultures were already eyeing.

Standing with a tired body, he started walking back towards his shelter. "It's all yours."

The vultures flapped past him and descended on the monster. As he walked away, he could hear flesh being ripped apart. It was no different than when he ate the monsters himself.

The sun was setting by the time he returned to his shelter. The walk back was quiet and peaceful. The hounds were nearly hunted to extinction in his area and they fled him if they did run into one another.

Closing the door behind him, he pulled off the lizard leather and added it to the brine. It would be the last day he could use it before he would need to dump it and start a new mixture. With that thought in mind, he knew it was time to start learning how to make soul water. His energy had replenished over his return and he was more than ready to work on a new skill.

The smell in the room was atrocious and bothered him more than normal. With a grunt, he walked to the stairs and descended. He hadn't been down into the tunnels since the bats, but he had nothing to lose by returning to the large room he had found before.

Pulsing red lights followed him as he walked. The darkness didn't bother him as he felt heat wash from the holes in the ceiling. The burning heat barely reached him as he continued.

The dead bats were still where he left them and they smelled of rot. He knew he didn't care and stepped over them. Entering the large room, he scanned its interior and frowned at the melted holes in the ground. The remaining crates were destroyed or empty and not worth his time.

The tunnel continued on the other side and he knew he could likely find another entrance in the city if not maybe something more exciting. Now wasn't the time to explore, however.

Sitting with his legs crossed, he closed his eyes. He didn't know where to begin to create a new skill. He knew what water Aether was, but it wasn't like there was any in the area. If he had a river or rain, he could touch on it, but alas, he didn't have anything nearby.

Rubbing his chin, he thought back to his mother. She always claimed water was always in the air. It was a part of the world, even if it was too weak to hold any Aether.

If only I could pull on that water. But would my soul create it, or just gather it? How long would that take?

What he needed was for his soul to create the water from its energy. Manipulate the world like it did with his soul. Convert pure energy into something new.

Sighing, he started focusing on his soul. He could feel the energy inside him flowing through his muscles and tissue. His organs were stronger, bones harder to break, and skin impervious to mortal weapons. But it wasn't enough. It didn't help him solve his problem.

Minutes passed as he swirled the energy in his body. He pulled it to his finger tips and tried to push it out of his skin. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help it escape. It wasn't Aether. It wasn't meant to exude from him. But it was still an extension of him. He needed to understand it and use it.

Summoning his sword felt like breathing. Soul Strike was like a snap of his fingers. It was instantly there. Siphoning souls was no harder than a passing thought. Everything was part of his very being. Even using it in crafting felt easy as he manipulated the materials and bound them together.

Shaking his head, he fell onto his back. Creating water was going to be much harder than he anticipated. With a grunt, he slowed his breathing and drifted off to sleep. He had time. Plenty of time to learn.