Kane could hear the steps of the boss monsters that almost shook the cave. Judging by the weight of its every step, it seemed like the hydra was a gigantic monster just like what he read in the books. He wiggled his body so that the rope would loosen up but he was getting impatient as he heard the steps getting closer to him.
He moved his body and arms harder, attempting to just cut the rope with the stalagmite’s rough edges. He didn’t mind the cuts that he received from moving his body frantically, he was more focused on getting out of there on time or else he would lose his useless life.
“Argh!” He groaned in pain when he got a deep cut on his back. “Why am I the only one getting cuts instead of these ropes?” He mumbled in frustration. His heart was beating wildly when he heard that the Hydra’s steps were getting faster and closer to him.
Kane flailed his arms harshly and the rope was finally cut. “Those puppet b
Kane opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar white ceiling. Where was he? Did he come to the afterlife? He laughed at his own joke but he immediately grimaced when his side hurt from laughing a little. Was going to the afterlife supposed to be painful?“What’s wrong with you?” Erin’s voice echoed so he looked to his side and saw her disheveled hair, worry was written all over her face. “Are you hurt somewhere?”Kane shook his head. “I was just surprised that I’m still alive…”“Don’t you even dare to joke about dying! Did you know how worried we were because you used yourself to distract that boss monster?” Her teary eyes made him feel bad.Though he had the thought of dying for them, he didn’t think about what they would feel. It must’ve been a burden to think that someone could’ve died to protect them.“I’m sorry…” That was all h
“Stop acting like a silly child and get inside!” Erin pushed him with an annoyed expression. It took her a few days to convince him to get himself re-assessed. Why was he suddenly chickening out?Kane could feel Erin pushing him forward but his feet were rooted to the ground. He could feel his hands tremble as he remembered the emotions he felt that day. He could vividly remember what happened as if it was just yesterday. What if something like that happened again? Would he really like to be slapped by the reality that he was weak and worthless?“Can we just go back?” Kane asked Xander since Erin seemed to be so hung up with him getting a re-assessment.“No way!” Xander pulled the stick of his finished lollipop and threw it away. “Our dear Erin wanted you to go. So, you must go.”Seriously? Why were they dragging him against his will? Their persistence was amazing.In the end, Kane had no choice but t
“If you’re done with your pranks, why don’t you just go and register to the Awakening Center instead of wasting our time here?” the assessor said and took his phone. “I’ll inform the center, so you better go there. We can’t have an accidental awakener to be left unregistered.”Kane heard the dial tone on the assessor’s phone and he sighed when he started with the conversation. Since it already came to that, he had no choice but to bring himself again to the awakening center.He could hear his inner self groan in frustration. How did he even end up in such a mess? Why did he have to do such uncomfortable and bothersome things again?With his shoulders dropped, he left the re-assessment room and went to meet with the others who were waiting in the lobby. He sighed and shook his head when he saw Xander trying to disturb Erin while reading. They looked like normal college students, ones who were seemingly childis
“Please look here!”“Will you allow me to have an interview with you?”“Are you going to hold a press conference?”Flashes of camera. Crowds of people. Mics and recorders pointed towards him. Anticipating expressions of people waiting for his reply.Gustav couldn’t even frown lest he would be judged before he could open himself up. Since his cousin told him not to show any uneasiness in front of other people, he kept his face blank and looked around to avoid giving in to his emotions.As he looked to the side, he saw a man who seemed to be just around his age who wore a natural poker face. He couldn’t stop to think that it would’ve been nice to be him since he didn’t need to force himself to hide his emotions.The guy was followed by a familiar pair so Gustav furrowed his brows. It seemed like the two were chasing after the guy and Erin seemed to be calling out to him.Out of
Kane entered a fast-food diner, aware that the two were still following him. He sat at a table in the corner near the door and waited for the two to arrive. Truthfully, he didn’t know how to take the information that was just revealed to him a while ago. They made it seem to be so simple but it would never be that simple. Two years ago, he waited to be accidentally awakened just like his brothers. He wanted to be an accidental awakener because there was a higher probability for them to awaken an active ability. However, he lost hope when his father finally dragged him to the awakening center and asked for a manual awakening. For him, it was the most humiliating moment of his life. How could he not feel that way when all his life, he had always been praised for being outstanding in everything he did. Whether it was quiz bee, sports, or martial arts; he always made sure that he would stand at the top—and he always did. When his eldest brother was accidentally a
It was a dark night and the humid air made Kane’s skin feel sticky. He could feel his heartbeat fast as he was welcomed by a familiar forest. The trees, the almost muddy ground, and the familiar cave gave him the goosebumps.“What am I doing here?” he mumbled as he looked around looking for the people that he was expecting to see in that kind of situation.But he didn’t see anyone. He was all alone inside that familiar place and he could feel his anxiety rising up. He slightly trembled when he heard the familiar sound of footsteps coming from the cave.“Here we go again with the sound of footsteps that only I can hear.”He started to run but the footsteps just grew louder and closer. He ran and ran but the longer he did, the closer the sounds became as if it was chasing after it and soon enough it would reach him. He stopped in front of a dead-e
Kane went to school and he was welcomed by the two on the gates. He sighed but he didn’t ask them to go away since he thought that it would be better for him to be with them so that he could watch over them. It would be bothersome if the unconfirmed assessment result would turn into a rumor.“What’s the time for your classes, guys?” Erin asked as she looked at her wristwatch. “Mine’s nine.”“Ten.”“My class would be eight but since I wasn’t in the mood yet, I’ll just attend my ten o’clock class.”“That’s nice! We should hang out first!” Erin suggested with a smile.Kane felt that what they were planning so he decided that no matter what they choose to do, he would turn and go to the library instead.“Should we go eat before we go to our respective classes?” Xander asked the two.Bingo.“I just ate.” Kane
He could hear the hydra’s growls as it started chasing after him. Why was he in that place again? He could feel his heart beating wildly as he ran. The heavy steps and the humid air.The hard-to-see terrain because of the darkness of the night.He groaned in pain when he tripped from a root. He immediately stood up and tried to run as fast as he could with his limping foot.He checked his ability cool down and let out a sigh of relief when he realized that it was done with it. He was about to activate his ability but the hydra’s foot almost stomped on him. He dodged but he ended up losing balance and rolling on the ground.“Ah!” Once again, he found himself jolting up from his seat. He didn’t even notice that he fell asleep in the middle of the class. “This is getting annoying,” he mumbled.He looked around and noti
Dio decided to spend his last day in Arnea City in a very productive way-- to stay inside his room and sleep for a day. He was set to do it though Blur had been whining to go around the city before they leave.He had no choice but to go with Blur or else, he would keep chanting on his head. His hands were inside his pocket while blur was on to of his head as they strode along the market streets.‘Are you having fun?’ He asked his bond through telepathy.‘I think it would be more fun if I could eat some meat.’Dio could imagine his bond grinning from ear to ear when he entered a tavern. “Please give me 4 sets of meat dishes. Just pick the best selling ones.”‘Dio, are you rich?’ Blur’s voice sounded excited as he looked around.‘Maybe? My grandfather left me a lot of money.’He rested his head on the table and closed his eyes. He just wanted a peaceful sleep but he was being push around by a pet. Since when did he become a pushover?‘I’m not your pet.’“Yeah. Whatever,” he mumbled agai
“Dio. . .”The voice that he knew so much called out to him. He smiled as he held his mother’s hand and gently tugged her dress. “Mother, I saw a very beautiful flower over there!”His mother let out a soft laugh before following his lead. They stopped at the corner of the garden then the he pointed at the budding flower.“Look at how small it is, mother!” He was delighted to show it to her and he was happier when her mother tousled his hair.“It’s a beautiful budding flower, just like Dio.” His mother gave him a gentle smile.His brows furrowed in curiosity. “Like me?”His mother nodded. “Just like Dio, this flower will grow to be amazing.”“Will I be someone amazing when I grow up, Mother?”“Of course. Dio was born to be someone strong and amazing, after all.” His mother gently touched his cheek. “Will you promise me that you’ll be someone whom the weak can depend on?”He smiled cheerfully. “Of course, Mother. I’ll grow strong to be someone who will take the side of the weak and not
“Uhmm.” The lady fidgeted before she took the courage to hold the hem of Dio’s shirt. “Can I at least know your name? I am Cassandra, the youngest daughter of Duke Riva.”The sun was already up and they were nearing the entrance where the gates were located. Cassandra wanted to know the name of her savior before they depart. She wanted to make sure that she would be able to repay him if ever they would meet again.“My name is Dio, my lady.” Dio looked towards the direction of the western gates where knights were coming back and forth. “Perhaps, did you run away from your knights?”Cassandra blushed as she looked down in embarrassment. “Will you keep it a secret?”Dio nodded. “I guess this is where we depart.” He turned towards the gate to Arnea and started walking but he stopped when Cassandra tugged on his shirt.“T-thank you for saving and protecting me.”Dio looked back and stared at her for a while. “You are quite timid for a noble.”“Do you need a reward? I could arrange for it.”
After the topic of his light-colored hair, an awkward silence ensued between the two of them as they walked towards the entrance not knowing that a disaster was waiting to fall upon them. Unfortunately, even though the lady basilisk let them go; another one was waiting right around corner. Without making a noise, the smaller basilisk which happened to be the younger brother of the lady basilisk that guarded the mountain bit Dio on his shoulder.“Argh!” Dio groaned in pain when he failed to dodge the surprise attack. He immediately pulled her to the other side to evade the serpent-like beast.Dio held his bleeding shoulder and the lady’s hand trembled in fear as she panicked not knowing what to do. Dio gritted his teeth, the pain coming from the clash between the basilisk’s venom and his healing abilities made him feel wobbly.“W-what should I do?” The lady exclaimed as she tried to wipe Dio’s blood as they ran.“Calm down,” Dio said in a hushed voice as he pulled her to hide behind a
After jumping off the tree, Dio followed the direction of the voice until she saw a lady who seemed to be the same age as him. She was slowly dragging herself backwards as the basilisk in front of her slowly moved forward.“Help me… Help me… Help me…” The girl continued to mumble.Dio stared at the girl who was no more less than a noble. Her ripped dress looked like something that was used to be on display at the capital’s boutiques, her fair white skin which was touched with shallow cuts probably caused by the branches when she ran, and her red hair with a gray hue signified that she was indeed a noble lady.He shook his head when she saw how the lady’s body trembled in fear but still managed to contain it in front of an S-class beast before he stepped out to show himself.“Excuse me,” he said to catch the attention of the lady as well as the basilisk.The lady probably noticed him since his voice was loud enough to resonate in the area. Her eyes grew wide as she lifted her hands to
It took Dio a few more days to collect himself. Knowing fully well that he wouldn’t die easily unless he commit suicide, he decided to just continue what he had been doing-- walking without moving forward. Besides, it wasn’t that bad to comply with his grandfather’s last request: live on.Dio found himself staring at his grandfather’s grave once again. This time, he was neat-looking and well prepped. Unlike the past days when his body hasn’t been washed and covered with sweat, dirt and tears.“Should I go on an adventure?” He stood up and put his hands on his pocket. It was more of a question for himself than to Archie. Dio lost motivation to continue living but he remembered his grandfather’s words.“I need to get moving, Gramps. Please rest in peace.” He bowed in a ninety-degree posture before leaving. As he turned his back on his grave, he felt a pang in his chest. Just the mere thought of leaving the place where he spent his days with his grandfather tore his heart into pieces.He
Dio opened his eyes and he saw the dark sky above him. He looked around and realized that he was still at the alley where the boys left him. He touched his side and felt disappointed when he felt the dried blood but the stab wound was completely healed.His restoration ability was something that he inherited from his mother. It would be hard to kill him unless his heart or brain was crushed or he suffered from too much blood loss that his restoration wouldn’t be able to keep up. Though they can heal and regenerate, they could still feel the pain.“What a lousy bunch. They couldn’t even do a good job of killing me,” he mumbled as he stood up. His stomach grumbled when he smelled the aroma of grilled meat just right outside the alley. He sighed before moving his feet and walked towards the store.“2 chicken skewers, please.” He took out 4 copper coins from his space ring and gave it to the vendor. The vendor gave him his order and he went on his way. Once again, he let his feet walk aim
Dio threw the shovel to the side after he finished burying his grandfather’s remains. He sat on the ground with his legs crossed as he stared at his grandfather’s tomb. He played with the ring on his finger, the last thing that his grandfather gave him, as he sighed repeatedly.“Heir apparent.” He sighed after reading the letters carved into the ring. If it was the reason why his grandfather wanted him to live on, then it would be useless. He threw everything away that day and nothing was left for him to live for.He poured mana onto the ring and a magic circle appeared in front of him. He already expected that it would be a space ring, yet his lips curved upwards when he realized that he was right. He peeked at the contents of the dimension storage and he shook his head in disbelief. In the end, his grandfather prepared everything for him to live a good life. It was obvious with the stack of gold and jewelries that he found inside as well as the amount of high-quality potions that he
While Dio was on an adventure with Matt, Archie was preparing something. He was putting the gold bars he collected for more than eight years to a spatial bag. Then he moved to the medicine cabinet and moved the highest quality magic and health potions as well. After putting a couple more items necessary for survival he then entered his room and opened a hidden door under his bed. He opened a chest full of magic crystals and lastly, he took a twin dagger hidden in the chest and moved them all to the bag. He opened his space ring and put the bag in there with a sigh.“This should be enough,” he mumbled as he put the ring on his pinky finger.He went back to the store when he heard a sudden knock.“I hope you’re ready.”“I’ve been waiting for you.” Archie let out a dark smile.“Dio!” Matt called out to the kid who was suddenly attack by a canis. They were just a few meters away from the heart of the forest when a pack of canis attacked them.Matt kicked a small canis who stood on his way