Isekai Murim In The Apocalypse

Aziel sprang to his feet, ready to bolt, but his escape was abruptly cut off. A small group of scholars—young men clad in the same uniform—blocked his path. Their expressions were tense, eyes flickering between him and the figure who had intervened moments ago.

"Gao Minzhe, now isn't the time for your misplaced acts of kindness," one of the scholars sneered. "This kid needs to be taught a lesson before he grows into a full-fledged criminal. If you won't punish him, I will—"

The scholar's voice faltered as Gao Minzhe suddenly unleashed a chilling wave of energy. The atmosphere grew thick, saturated with an oppressive bloodlust that sent shivers down their spines. Their bodies stiffened involuntarily, as if instinct itself demanded submission.

"I already told you he's free to go," Gao Minzhe stated, his voice eerily calm. His lips curled into a cold smile. "If you still insist on stopping him, be my guest."

The weight of his presence was unbearable. The scholars exchanged uneasy glances before hastily stepping aside, clearing the path without further protest. Their earlier bravado had evaporated in an instant.

Aziel hesitated for only a moment, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple as he glanced at Gao Minzhe. The older boy met his gaze with a knowing smirk. Without another word, Aziel turned and ran.

Yet just as he was about to disappear into the crowd, something made him stop. He twisted around, his breath still unsteady, and without warning, hurled a coin pouch straight at Gao Minzhe.

Gao Minzhe caught it effortlessly, eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"Keep it," Aziel called out, his voice firm. "I don't need it."

Then, without another glance, he disappeared into the bustling streets, his remaining pouches securely in hand.

—

'This should be far enough…'

Aziel's breath came in ragged gasps as he slowed to a walk. He cast a wary glance over his shoulder, scanning the street for any pursuers. None. He exhaled sharply, allowing the tension in his body to ease.

The world around him buzzed with life—merchants shouting prices, footsteps against cobblestone, the occasional laughter of children—but Aziel ignored it all. His focus was locked onto the ethereal blue screen hovering before him, its text glowing with an otherworldly light.

[Quest complete!] [Would you like to receive the rewards? (Y/N)]

Aziel hesitated for only a moment before speaking. "Yes."

A sudden pulse of energy surged from the screen. Sparks of electric-blue light crackled in the air before the screen shifted, morphing into four floating cards. They hovered before him, each adorned with the same intricate lantern emblem at the center—an unmistakable eastern influence. Despite their ornate design, they were otherwise blank, waiting.

[Please select a reward.]

Aziel's gaze flickered to the notification above the cards before settling on them. No one else around him reacted. Just like before, he was the only one who could see this strange phenomenon.

Without hesitation, he reached forward, tapping the card directly in front of him. At his touch, the card rippled like disturbed water before lifting slightly. A soft glow emanated from it as text materialized.

[+4 Stat Points.]

Aziel's hair rustled in the breeze as he read the reward, trying to decipher its implications. Before he could fully process it, the remaining cards suddenly revealed their own contents.

[+1 Spin For Cultivation Technique Manual Roulette.] [+1 Spin For Pill/Elixir Roulette.]

The first two rewards were utterly foreign to him. What was a cultivation technique manual? What was an elixir roulette? The words held no meaning, yet a strange curiosity gnawed at him. However, before he could dwell on them, his attention snapped to the last, yet-to-be-revealed card.

Unlike the others, it remained blank.

Aziel frowned. Was it broken? As the thought crossed his mind, fine cracks began to spread across its surface. A golden glow seeped through the fractures, brightening with intensity. Something was inside—something waiting to be revealed.

The card trembled before shattering like fragile glass, dispersing in a flurry of shimmering fragments. What remained in its place was a single, gleaming golden card.

[The Key To Return.]

Aziel's breath hitched. His fingers twitched as he instinctively reached for it.

'The Key To Return... That has to be it. That has to be my way back!'

But as his fingers grazed the card, it dissolved into nothingness, vanishing along with the unselected rewards. His heart sank for a fleeting moment, but he quickly steadied himself. This was it. The confirmation he had been searching for.

'I knew it. I knew this strange screen was connected to me being here. As long as I choose the golden card next time...'

A name surfaced in his thoughts, stirring something deep inside him.

'Anais… Just wait a little longer. I'll return to you soon.'

His focus shifted back to the floating card still present—his chosen reward. As he watched, the text on it faded, and in its place, a new interface materialized.

[Aziel Oxblood.]

[Race: Human.]

[Cultivation Realm: Realmless.]

[Level 1 (0/50)]

[HP: 43%]

[Internal Energy: 0/0%]

[Strength: 2] (+)

[Agility: 3] (+)

[Stamina: 2] (+)

[Sense: 2] (+)

[Qi: 0] (+)

[Stat Points Available: 4]

Aziel's pulse quickened at the sight of the interface. It was structured, methodical—like something straight out of a game. But this wasn't a game. This was real.

His eyes scanned the various stats, noting words he recognized alongside others he didn't. 'Cultivation Realm'—he had heard that term before, back at the arena where the fighters battled. But what did it mean?

'Level.' That was familiar. Even in the apocalypse, games were still popular, and levels often indicated progression.

But 'Qi'—that was entirely unknown to him. It had been mentioned at the arena as well, but he had no idea what significance it held.