Chương 112: Reject Humanity, Embrace The World 1
You know how some people seem so open-minded, even though they've barely taken a step outside their city?
Like they've seen the entire world, but have never even left their home state.
I was the opposite. I couldn't stand staying in one place. I had nothing; I came from nothing.
But I'm not here to complain.
Especially not now.
As I looked up into the sky and saw an endlessly expanding sea of stars, I wondered how the hell I got here.
And what the hell happened to my beard?!
---
**(One Hour Earlier)**
*Creak* *Creak*
Hearing the bed creak, I looked to my left and saw all the "get well" cards I had received. They brought a smile to my face. Most of these kids I hadn't even seen in years, but even now, they remember to send things to this old man.
*Cough!* *Cough!*
Sitting up in bed, I looked around and saw a few of the kids sitting in the chairs next to me. Placing my hand on one of their heads, I thought about how I ended up here.
Years ago, I was as young as these brats. You wouldn't believe it, but the ones sitting around the bed are probably some of the biggest troublemakers I've ever met.
Always running around the orphanage, messing with both adults and kids alike. When one wasn't trying to kill the other, they were drawing pictures on each other's faces with permanent markers.
I wouldn't change any of them. They're all perfect in their own way. And for anyone out there who can read my mind, no, I don't mean in the PDF file kind of way.
Lifting the ones who were sleeping on the floor onto the bed, I slowly—painfully, I might add—headed to the restroom. Looking at myself in the mirror, I looked older than dirt. Hundreds of wrinkles, not just from age but from stress, and I couldn't even count the gray hairs.
Placing my hand over my face, I made sure to check my beard for anything. Because as much as I've aged, I've grown a magnificent beard. I can't seem to retain hair on top, but I can definitely grow some on my face.
Green eyes stared back at me, and I remembered everything. I was born just after we joined the war in Europe—at least the first time they called it the "war to end all wars." Probably the best joke I've ever heard.
Those were the hardest years of my life. They didn't exactly have great places for orphan kids like me. So, I'll admit, I was alone. I didn't have anyone, and I didn't know anything.
So when I was offered military service instead of prison, I joined without a second thought.
People always say they want to see the world, and I definitely saw it—from the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam. I've got enough scars to show it.
My insides probably look like someone threw all my organs into a blender. It's a wonder I even lived this long. But I owe it all to the U.S. healthcare system. When you've got cash, you can get care for almost anything.
Honestly, I was tired after all of it. I wouldn't say I regretted it, but I was definitely exhausted. So when I got home, I did something I always promised I would. I made a place not just for myself, but for the kids with nowhere else to go.
I watched them grow from brats to older brats. Most of them turned into working members of society, some didn't. I was always there to help. Hell, some of them even came back as caretakers.
Watching these kids grow up to be successful is probably the greatest thing I've ever seen. I've witnessed the beauty of brotherhood, been to a decent number of art shows and museums, but nothing beats seeing your kid take their first steps or get an A+ on their first exam.
But I'm definitely running on fumes now.
After getting dressed, I noticed some of the Rugrats were already awake. Putting on my game face, I walked over and sat on the bed.
"Are you gonna be okay?" one of the boys asked, and just as I was about to feel touched, another one had a different question.
"Can we have ice cream today?" Kids, I tell you.
Picking up one of the smaller ones, who woke up earlier than they should've, I gave them a nod. They didn't start cheering because I could already hear my aides groaning in annoyance.
But they can't blame me when the kids start bouncing off the walls.
Making sure I was holding the kid right, I led the ducklings out of my room, and one of the older assistants met me outside.
"You alright, Pops? You didn't seem 100% yesterday." Giving him a smile, I reached out with my other arm and pulled him into a headlock.
"As you can see, I'm all right as rain. Just a bit tired, is all. By the way, I promised the kids they could have some ice cream today. We got any?"
*Sigh* "Pops, you really shouldn't spoil them."
"Why the hell not? I spoiled you when you were here. Why can't these kids enjoy it?" Besides, there's no point in fixing what's not broken.
He slipped out of the headlock and shook his head in amusement. After handing the little girl to him, I grabbed my cane from outside the door. As I walked down the hall, I saw the living room full of all the children trying their best to re-create *The Hunger Games*.
As soon as I entered the room, they froze and sat on the couches, which totally didn't stroke my ego, but I digress.
"Morning, everyone. Now, which one of you painted my cane again?" None of them said anything, but they all glanced at one of the younger kids. He looked worried, but I just laughed.
"It's alright. I'm not mad. Besides, I was looking to get a new cane with a different color anyway. You saved me some money."
After sitting in my chair, they all headed over to have breakfast.
Some said grace, and I watched them eat with smiles on their faces. Just watching them be happy was enough.
After some of them finished eating, they came to sit on my lap. One even fell asleep, which I blamed on the others for keeping him up all night.
One of the younger boys who sat on my lap looked up at me and asked, "You okay, Pops?" I gave him a small nod as my eyes began to close. I guess I didn't get enough sleep last night.
"I'm alright, just resting my eyes..." The kid did the same, taking a hat from the rack and putting it over his eyes like me.
It was so quiet. It was perfect.
It was so quiet I didn't even hear my heart stop beating.
---
I felt nothing. And as I floated there in the void, I was at peace.
But then I saw what looked like a gigantic being in yellow armor, gleaming with a golden hue. As he looked down at me, I had never felt more naked in my entire life.
But there was no laughter, no judgment. He smiled at me, and I smiled back. As he placed his hand, larger than a planet, under me and pulled me upwards, he summoned four orbs of light that entered my form. As they did, I felt... more.
Soon enough, I found myself floating amidst nothing. Yet I felt bloated, like I needed to release something. So I did. And all I saw was light.
---
**(Current Time: Planet ???)**
When I woke up on solid ground, I looked around and saw a world so foreign it seemed like something out of those fantasy novels the teenagers read.
It was an immense valley, larger than any city I'd ever seen. A thick layer of mist hung in the air, and the mountains nearby scraped the skies.
What struck me most was how quiet it was. Another strange thing: I had woken up completely naked. The only thing I had was... a frying pan?
It looked like any normal frying pan, but it was something.
What's even stranger was that when I looked up, the stars weren't the ones I remembered. In fact, some seemed to be coming into existence as I watched.
Before I could think of what to do, a small box appeared next to me. I admit, I'm a bit impulsive, so I opened it. Inside was what looked like golden Jell-O.
To say I was unimpressed would be an understatement. But before I could do anything, it jumped into my mouth.
While I tried to spit it out, it ignored me and crawled down my throat. Before I could try to pump my stomach, that feeling of power returned. As knowledge flooded my mind, I realized what had happened.
Taking a step forward, I realized this wasn't just a normal planet.
I *was* the planet.
It explained why I wasn't freaking out. I was the start of it all.
I was my own Big Bang.
Sitting down next to a log, I focused my mind. And I'm not ashamed to admit I shed some tears, knowing I couldn't help those kids anymore. Maybe I'll find my way back, but by then, they might be dead and gone.
But they wouldn't want me wallowing in self-pity. I set up a system meant to exist long after I passed. My assets and the rest of my wealth were divvied up among those I trusted.
It was truly a new beginning. An entirely new universe.
But... what the hell is cultivation?
*Essences Used: Divine Egg, Essence of the Overpowered Xianxia Protagonist Starter Kit, Homemaker, Healer*
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