The Superior Farmer: Awakening Light
Chapter 3 — A World That Watches
Renn washed the blood from his hands using a cracked water pipe inside the ruins. The water was cold, but his skin still felt warm from the light.
The Ruin Hound's body lay behind him.
Dead.
"I really killed it…" Renn said quietly.
He leaned against the wall, letting his breathing slow.
Footsteps.
Not heavy.
Not hostile.
Renn turned fast, light flickering around his fingers.
"Easy!" a voice said.
A young woman stepped into view. She wore light armor, scratched and worn from many fights. A spear rested on her back.
"I'm not your enemy," she added. "Name's Lira. Scout for the Border Guild."
Renn didn't lower his guard.
"A guild?" he asked.
Lira nodded, eyes moving to the dead monster.
"That thing is worth good money. You took it down alone?"
Renn hesitated.
"…Yes."
Lira's expression changed. Not fear.
Interest.
"That glow," she said. "You're a Light-User, aren't you?"
Renn stiffened.
"I don't know what I am."
Lira exhaled slowly.
"Then listen. The world outside these ruins is not kind to people like you."
She pointed toward the horizon, where broken towers cut the sky.
"There are kingdoms. Guilds. Sects. And organizations that hunt rare powers."
"Hunt?" Renn repeated.
"Recruit if you're lucky," Lira said. "Capture if you're not."
Renn clenched his fist.
"So what are you?"
"I watch borders. Track monsters. Report threats," Lira said. "And right now, you're a threat… or an opportunity."
Silence stretched between them.
Renn finally spoke.
"I just want to survive."
Lira studied him for a moment.
"Then you'll need protection. Training. And information."
She turned and started walking.
"Come with me. The Border Guild won't hurt you. Not yet."
"Not yet?" Renn asked.
She smirked slightly.
"Depends on how strong you become."
Renn looked at the ruins. At the dead monster. At his glowing hand.
The light pulsed once.
He followed.
Far away, inside a high tower, a man in black robes opened his eyes.
"A new Light-User has awakened…" he said.
"Send observers."
The game had begun.