First Cultivator of the Philippines

Jiro sat at the dining table, nervously stirring his bowl of soup while his grandparents watched him with concern. The upcoming school tour was all anyone could talk about, but for Jiro, it came with an extra layer of complications. His wounds from previous encounters with supernatural creatures were still fresh in his grandparents' minds, and they were understandably hesitant.

"Are you sure about this trip?" his grandfather asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You've been acting strange lately, Jiro. Coming home late, covered in dirt, and now this tour? It sounds dangerous."

Jiro nodded earnestly. "I'll be careful, Lolo. It's a school-organized event. There will be teachers and lots of other students. Besides, it's a great learning experience."

His grandmother sighed. "We just want you to prioritize your safety. If you're going, you need to promise us you won't do anything reckless."

"I promise, Lola. I'll stay safe," Jiro assured them, though deep down, he couldn't promise that entirely. His training had taught him that danger often found him, even when he wasn't looking for it.

Jiro continued his training in the woods, determined to master his newly acquired skills. His movement technique, Phantom Prowl Steps, had become second nature. He could now dart between trees like a shadow, his steps so light they barely disturbed the fallen leaves. His Flame Fist Technique, on the other hand, required precision and control. Each fiery punch left scorch marks on the trunks, and his proficiency with the technique was growing steadily.

The scroll had also revealed a spell to blind his enemies. Jiro practiced it carefully, focusing on manipulating his qi into a flash of light that would momentarily disorient an opponent. He felt a surge of pride each time he successfully executed it.

The tikbalang continued to observe him from the edges of the forest. Its tall, imposing figure loomed silently, but Jiro noticed something peculiar. Each time his forehead ached, he felt as though he could almost understand the creature's intentions. It was as if the tikbalang was trying to communicate, though Jiro couldn't yet discern its meaning.

Meanwhile, unsettling news reached the town. Murders were being reported at the Pacific Mall. The victims bore wounds that resembled sword slashes, leading to wild speculation among the locals. Whispers of a serial killer or a violent gang spread like wildfire. The atmosphere in the city grew tense, and additional police patrols were dispatched to reassure the public.

Adding to the intrigue was the influx of foreigners from China and England. Their presence was conspicuous, and rumors swirled about a major event taking place. Among them, Jiro noticed a new transfer student in his class, a blonde girl with an air of mystery. She was strikingly beautiful, her features so perfect that she could easily pass as an actress or a model. Yet her cold demeanor and sharp gaze made her intimidating.

Jiro found himself sneaking glances at her during class, feeling his face flush whenever she caught him looking. "Is this what a crush feels like?" he thought to himself, slightly embarrassed. At the same time, there was something about her that felt out of place, as though she carried secrets as heavy as his own.

In a nearby dormitory, the English transfer students held a meeting. The room was filled with whispers and tension as they discussed their mission. A young knight in training stood at the center, addressing the group.

"The energy readings from the Bicol Region confirm that something significant is there. The swirling qi aligns with the legends surrounding Excalibur. If the sword is truly on the island, we must retrieve it before anyone else does."

Another student, a magician with bright red hair, raised a concern. "What about the locals? Won't they notice if we're poking around?"

The knight nodded. "That's why we're disguising this as a school tour. It will allow us to investigate without drawing unnecessary attention. But remember, we are not to engage unless absolutely necessary. Our primary objective is securing the sword."

The group murmured their agreement, their resolve firm. They had been chosen for this mission, and failure was not an option.

Back in the woods, Jiro felt a surge of energy as he pushed his training to the limit. He was nearing the peak stage of Body Refining and could sense the threshold of the Qi Gathering Stage just within reach. But something puzzled him and his body already seemed to hold qi, even though he hadn't yet reached the next stage of cultivation.

"Why do I have this much qi already?" he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "Is this normal, or is it something else entirely?"

Shrugging off the thought for now, he returned to his training, determined to reach his goal. Meanwhile, back in his room, the scroll on his desk began to glow faintly. Chinese characters appeared on its surface, their golden light casting a warm glow in the darkened space. The words described a pill-refining method, one that could strengthen his qi and accelerate his cultivation progress.

When Jiro returned home later that evening, exhausted from training, he noticed the glowing scroll. His heart raced as he read the new instructions. "A pill for strengthening qi?" he murmured. "Guess I'll need to figure out where to find these ingredients."

As he contemplated this new challenge, Jiro couldn't shake the feeling that his life was becoming more complicated by the day. Between the scroll, the murders, the mysterious foreigners, and the blonde girl, he had more questions than answers.

~~~~~

I stood in front of my grandparents, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. Asking for money wasn't something I did often, but this was important. The scroll glowing in my bag made sure of that.

"Lolo, Lola," I started, trying to sound casual, "I need to go to Manila this weekend. There's, uh, a school project I need to work on. It's cultural, you know, history and stuff."

My grandfather squinted at me suspiciously. "Manila? What kind of school project needs you to go all the way there?"

"It's extra credit," I said, hoping that would do the trick. "You know how competitive school is these days."

Lola, bless her kind heart, reached into her pocket and handed me some cash. "Be careful, Jiro. Manila isn't like here. You have to stay alert."

I took the money, nodding gratefully. "Thanks, Lola. I'll be fine, I promise."

Manila hit me like a slap in the face. The noise, the smell, the crowd, and it was overwhelming. Jeepneys honked, vendors shouted about their goods, and the air was thick with the scent of street food. It took me a while to find Chinatown, but when I did, it felt like stepping into another world. The streets were lined with red lanterns, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted ducks and herbal teas.

I had a list of ingredients to find, courtesy of the scroll. After wandering through the maze of shops, I finally found a tiny, hidden apothecary with jars of strange powders and dried herbs in the window. Perfect.

Inside, the shopkeeper nodded as I handed him the list. While he worked, I browsed the shelves, trying to make sense of the labels I couldn't read.

The door jingled, and a guy in a slick suit walked in. He had the kind of smug face that made you want to avoid eye contact. He was followed by two guys who looked like they belonged in a street fight, not a quiet shop.

The slick guy glanced at me, smirking. "Hey, kid. You look lost. What are you doing here?"

I ignored him and focused on the jars of herbs. Maybe if I acted like he didn't exist, he'd go away.

"Hey, I'm talking to you," he said, stepping closer. "Don't you have any manners?"

I sighed, turning just enough to look at him. "I'm just here to buy something. I don't want any trouble."

He laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "Trouble? Who said anything about trouble? I just think it's funny seeing someone like you in a place like this."

I wasn't sure what "someone like me" meant, but I didn't care enough to ask. The shopkeeper returned with my bag of ingredients, and I paid quickly before heading out. The guy kept talking, but I tuned him out. I had more important things to do.

Later that evening, I decided to take a walk near my hotel. The city felt a little quieter under the streetlights, but I still kept my guard up. As I turned into an alley, I froze. The same guy from the shop stepped out of the shadows with a smug grin, and this time, he'd brought backup. At least six guys stood behind him, all looking like they were ready to brawl.

"Well, look who it is," he said. "Fancy running into you again. You ignored me earlier, and that hurt my pride. I think you owe me an apology."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't have time for this. Why don't you and your friends go find someone else to bother?"

The guy's grin widened. "You think you can just walk away? You've got guts, kid, but let's see how tough you really are."

One of his thugs lunged at me, swinging a fist. I dodged easily, my movement technique kicking in without a second thought. It felt like I was gliding past him as I landed an elbow strike to his ribs. He dropped to the ground, groaning.

The others hesitated, but only for a moment. Soon, they all charged at me. Using Phantom Prowl Steps, I danced around them, delivering quick punches and kicks. It was almost too easy. These guys were strong, sure, but they had no technique. I didn't even need to use my Flame Fist or blinding spell.

Within minutes, the alley was filled with groaning bodies. The guy in the suit stood frozen, his confidence shattered. I walked toward him slowly, picking up my bag along the way.

"You… what are you?" he stammered, stumbling back.

"Just someone who doesn't like wasting time," I said, brushing past him.

I didn't look back as I left the alley. When I reached my hotel, I couldn't help but smile. Manila was chaotic, but it was definitely entertaining.