The sky is clear and the sun is on its way down, like any other, inside the Kata family - the devoted mother, Mersed is currently arranging the table for it is time for dinner.
"Anak[1], come now. Dinner is ready." I heard a gentle voice inside our humble house. Everytime I see that little shack, which father calls his treasure, my mouth involuntarily twitches.
"Yes Ina[2], I will be washing my hands then I will come over." I shouted back, I stood up and erased the scribbled letters I drew on the soil and went to the artesian well near our house.
It has been months since I suddenly woke up in a different world, and mind you! I was inside a different body too. Whenever I remember how hard this guy's life has been, I have the urge to kick every single stone I see during my walks. I could never believe I am inside a mentally deficient person, ah my head is hurting from all these toughts.
"Anak, what's wrong? Are you hurt? The albolaryo said there is nothing wrong with your body and he also added that it really is curious why you suddenly collapse during your conversation with him." Ina worriedly came over when she saw me grasping my head, and it is the nth time she's telling me those quack-doctor's words, Amang Tsano the Albolaryo.
"Don't worry Ina, there is nothing wrong with my body, I am okay. Maybe I was just tired from playing all day." Well, this body is doing fine but this guys brain is mental. Langya[3], if ever there is an IQ test in this world, this guy's brain won't pass 10 points. Maybe that is an overstatement but you'll only know if you experience it yourself... only heavy cursing can ease your pain.
"Is that so, come on now. Let's go inside and eat." Ina lead me inside our treasured shack, Itay as always will come home late. He is still hunting together with his companions.
"Ina, after I develop this body, I really want to go hunting with Itay[4] inside the Kweba, the cave." Ina's face showed confusion because some of the words I used are unfamilliar. I was accustomed in using two different languages in the same sentence, same as the modern generation where my soul came from - Tag-lish, short for Tagalog-English. That is why even in this world, sometimes, tagalog words slip-out of my mouth.
Oftentimes I consciously control how I speak but whenever I feel excited about something, they just come out on their own.
"Anak, the Cave of Terror is full of danger. There are plenty of strong and powerful monsters inside. I always pray to Bathala[5] that may he guide your father to come home safely. If you come too, I am not sure if he will grant my wishes to keep the both of you safe." My right eyebrow raised up slightly hearing what Ina said.
The Kweba ng Lagim or Cave of Terror which the people of this world calls, from the world I came from it is called a Dungeon. Most of the time Dungeons are a main theme in Anime and Manga, and of course when there is a Dungeon, there are Monster inside. Also a Boss Monster and sometimes, Events. That is what a normal Dungeon is in Anime and Manga.
But the Dungeons here in this world is really far from what I expected it to be...
"Huyo! Huyo, where are you Huyo?"
We looked outside after hearing someone shout this body's name.
"O, it is you Tsago. Come and join us." Mother beckoned but seeing the food on the table, the new comer grimaced and look at me with pleading eyes. I think he is signaling for back up.
"Ina, maybe Tsago already ate dinner... what's the problem Tsago?" I asked. Tsago is the son of that quack-doctor mentioned by mother a while ago, the owner of this body and Tsago are childhood friends. They grew up together and well... Tsago gained wisdom while this body reverted back into his diaper days. Ehem.
"Yari, Ya- Yari! Yari is in trouble!" What trouble, if she is in trouble then why does you face tells me that I am the one in trouble? Yari.. Yari? A! Some memories came flooding inside my mind and I remembered the informations about that Yari. This guy has a long time crush on that girl. I see!
"Why? What happened to Yari?" I asked and I walked closer to him.
Tsago whisphered to me and when I heard the news, I subconsiously looked at Ina. She nodded her head and signaled that I am free to go, Tsago readily pulled my arm after Ina's confirmation.
We quickly ran outside the village aiming for the woods. Some people saw us and I noticed them jeering at my direction while shaking their heads. At first, I was really pissed of about their attitudes but after some time, I just got used to it that it doesn't bother me anymore. It's not that I easily get pissed or anything, it's just that I thought it'll be different in this world. Well, someday... time will come, I'll slap off their jeering faces.
"Tsago! Where are you going? You're with that kid again! You go ho..."
We heard barking sounds and looked where it came from, O, Tsago's father. Tsago's feet ran even faster and I was forced to keep up with him. I looked back, put my tongue out and pulled the lower part of my left eye.
The quack-doctor's face went fire red due to excessive anger but I couldn't savor my victory because I bumped into Tsago's back when he suddenly pulled over, we rolled a couple of times landing between the swarm of teenagers circling what seems to be a...
A round of laughter followed after our dramatic entrance. I heard someone calling this bodies name and I turned my line of sight on that direction.
"A. Wh- What are you doing here, Marahuyo?" A teenage girl ask me, she has some beauty on her compared to the other teenage girls in this place that is why most of the teenage boys wants to court her but for me.. she is not the type of girl that I want.
"Nothing, I thought something happened to you, and here you are.. being courted by another man." After I stood up, I answered her question, Yari.. she's one of the closest childhood friend of Marahuyo, and Huyo is his nickname.
There's a long history about this and that and to cut it short, this body and Yari is supposed to be promised for each other. But unfortunately, after Yari's parents discovered the condition of my body after the accident, they immediately backed off from their promise.
Well, what kind of parents would let their child be married to a mentally deficient person? Even me, if Yari was my daughter, I will not let that happen. I'll give my daughter to someone who can make a proper living.
And that's the story. So right now, I am wondering why, for some reason, Yari is giving me the looks that she is betraying me. The boy beside Yari, who has been on his knees this whole time stood up and eyed me with scorn, I read his lips muttering stupid.
"Huyo, his name is Kanor. He is the son of the Village Chief. I heard that that guy has some bad history about girls, and I think he is eyeing Yari too." Said Tsago.
I don't really care what Yari wants to do with her life but if what Tsago said is true, then that's a different matter. I don't have the feelings this body has for Yari but I have Marahuyo's memories, I can tell that Marahuyo's feeling for Yari is true.
I finally understood where that feeling for being betrayed came from.
"That is wrong! The thing that I only want is Yari's happiness. I, everybody can tell that you can't give that to her. I am ready to fight for her happiness even if it cost me my life!" The boy said while waving his arms around.
"How valiant, for the sake of love.. you are really a role model for us Kanor!" Said one of Kanor's lackeys, how did I know that? He's massaging Kanor's back while praising him.
"Yeah, that's right my friend, he really is a role model for us men. True.. right right.." Said another boy and I think that's the lackey's lackey. How did I know? Ehem.
"Come now Tsago, if they really love each other then I have no objections and I'll just give my blessing to them." I looked around and tried to read their reactions. Most of them has that expression of a child watching morning catoons where they are waiting for the villain to be trashed so that they can have something to laugh at.
Kanor's brows creased, maybe he didn't expect the words I let out. Maybe he was expecting me to go berserk because he is stealing my bride, but no. I don't really care and I don't have the time and leisure because I still have plenty of Marahuyo's memories to scan.
"But Huyo, Yari is supposed to be your wife. Is that it? You'll really let the woman of your dreams go and be with someone else?" Now it is my turn to crease my brows hearing Tsago's words. My dreams? Are you stupid? I don't like her at all, I carefully looked at what this guy's pointing at as my dreams.
She has a shiny and lush hair that reaches her waist and curls at its ends, round jewel like pair of eyes, a slightly thin sharp nose and her passionately tempting lips.
Pass!
A voluptuous body like those FHM models and her biggest asset, that full and round breast.
Take it!
Feeling my gaze, Yari let off a squeaky voice, her face turned red and she coyly crossed her legs. The crease on my eyebrowed leveled up when I saw what she did there and I couldn't stop my mouth from twitching. Bro WTF?
The boy beside Yari coughed and I think he doesn't feel comfortable standing there anymore. I heard poeple whispering here and there, about this and that.. but what really caught my attention is about being poor and being mentally deficient, because it is true.
"Tsago, again.. if they really love each other then I won't stand in their way. And one more thing, I am not a fan of arrange marriage. But, if this girl believes in that, my conscience is clear.. I am not the betrayer here." I did a shoulder shrug and started to move away from the crowd.
"W- what are you saying Huyo, that I am betraying you? N- no, that is not true at all. My parents broke the promise and I am no longer entitled to you because you are sick!"
I stopped walking away when I heard what she said. I can't understand why there's fear in her voice, maybe because there is a lot of eyes and ears here and I guess a rumor might circulate about her being a betrayer. It is really embarassing to be called a betrayer and in this village, nobody would come near you if that happens.
She spouted some nonsense about me being mentally deficient and some BS about her standing in life if ever she marries me, this and that, etc.. etc...
"Ah you people! Nakakapika, putya tumigil kana nga[6]! I don't like you okay? I don't really care if we are destined to be together or not, and besides.. I won't ever accept you being my wife." People were shocked about my outburst but this is not my problem anymore because I don't really care what they do in life. I resumed walking away.
I heard Tsago screaming for me to wait for him and I slowed down my pace until we were side by side, I was actually jittery. I was shocked when Tsago put his arms on my shoulder and he ruffled my hair.
"Aba[7] Huyo, what have you been eating this time huh? I really can't follow your thoughts anymore. My conscience is clear, I am not the betrayer here, bla bla bla.. where did you read that kind of line? Wait, you don't read books! And what's that nakakapikpik?"
Dozens of questions were hurled at me by Tsago but I didn't answer any of them, we continued walking while he questioned and answered himself, his babbling stopped when a sudden encounter unfold right infront of us. The Albolaryo is carrying his infamous patpat[8]!
RUN!
It has been years already since this kind of scenario repeatedly happens, we ran on different directions and luckily, the albolaryo went for Tsago's ass. I sighed while trying to catch my breath when I stopped running. Haaaa, I think Ina is still waiting for me. I need to run for it.
When I reached home, there was a commotion on-going inside our house. I heard someone crying then it was followed by 'this is not happening'. I saw men outside and my guess is that they are here to bring bad news.
Someone noticed me. He slowly walked and stopped in front of me, he suddenly hugged me and after that he handed me a necklace. This is Itay's necklace.
Dang, bro? WTF?
I heard Ina shouting again and I hurriedly went inside. I saw scattered broken pieces of glass and plates and at the center of it was my crying mother. I reached out and hugged her.
I don't really know what to say to her, Marahuyo's memories were only memories.. there was no feelings to it. It was just pictures and scenes, nothing more. I didn't feel anything about the sudden loss. I never knew what is the feeling of having a father, even before coming to this world.. my father left us early and I was already used to it.
Besides those time that I saw Itay in the mornings, before they go and hunt monsters.. there wasn't a chance that we talked about things or shared something about each other, not even once since my soul transfered to this body.
Blank.
I didn't feel sadness. Besides feeling pity for Ina, while I silently watched her cry, that was the only emotion I felt at this point.
"I am really sorry for your loss, it really pains my heart that Rohelyo is gone now. He was a brave warrior. He protected us from danger when our lives are on the line, in the end we survived the ordeal because of his sacrifice. That is why we are indebted to Rohelyo, we won't let your family suffer. Please accept this."
I looked at the man who talked, he placed a small pouch on the table and the other men, one by one followed. Abuloy[9] ha... those things won't bring back Itay's life but that can help us survive for months, nobody in this family brings money home other that Itay and now that Itay is gone...
After recounting the story on how Itay died, there where points in his story that felt 'off', and I am getting this feeling that that is not all there is to it. When Ina asked where Itay's body is, their mouths were sealed.
I shooked my head left and right inside my mind, I think my guess is on point.
When the men left the house, Ina cried herself to sleep... I accompanied her grieving the lost of her husband until she passed out. I went to get a bed sheet, covered her and I walked out of the house heading to the artesian well.
I washed my face and looked at the heavens above.
Did I bring my bad luck with me?
Even in this new world, my bad luck went over too.
Some incidents are happening according to what happened to me in the last world, where there, I was the odd one too.. someone who gets everyone's talksh*ts, the one who is a bad omen. Things are happening, already happened and I think some of those will eventually happen too. I thought this was a reset of my unfortunate fate.
New world, new body, new life.
But I was totally wrong.
I hoped that I can live a different life after discovering that my soul was transfered to another body, but the fact is... maybe bad luck was inside my soul not inside my body.
I stopped looking at the heavens, what can my fury do when I don't even know who is to blame? I don't want to hate myself because it is only I, who can help myself.
Tsk.
Hmmm?
Itay's necklace suddenly dropped without reason, I was going to pick it up when it suddenly flashed with a bright light.
Bro WTF?
And it happened, I was sucked into a flashing necklace.
---
[Welcome Visitor from another dimension!]
[I am the Shopkeeper the overseer of this place.]
When I opened my eyes, I closed it because it was hurting from all the flashing light I saw, I heard some noises that I can't comprehend. My brows creased after discovering something or someone is beside a table, and on the table... there were items all over it.
Yow, yow.. yow!
I immediately picked up some of the items that I saw. This things are familiar because it has been years since I was using them. A bottle container with a multi-colored water - Magic Bottle, a small blue vial that holds a blue liquid - clarity potion... and the other items too.
"I can't understand this at all but I think I know what this items are, e? I don't have money on me.. ow, I don't have the gold. WTF?" I noticed some floating objects in front of me when I lost interest because I don't have the gold to purchase the items. It was a green and blue bars hovering at the below-center of my view.
I heard someone coughing and I hurriedly put down the items I picked, I looked at that someone and I was guessing that he/it is not just a simple.. maybe not human. I am not sure.
I don't know why his brows creased, he snapped and I felt and heard an explosion inside my brain.
[You said you know what this items are? My items here are from the Gods, how can a simple mortal like you know what these are?]
"WOW!"
[Excuse me. Again, welcome Visitor from another dimension. I am the Shopkeeper the overseer of this place.]
"Wait, I can understand you?" I confusingly asked, my jaw dropped when I realized that we are using different languages but I can still undertand him and he understands me. Cool! What again? Shopkeeper? Overseer? What is he saying?
And where am I exactly?
I looked around because when I opened my eyes it immidiately went to the items, then I saw those floating object that I am expecting to be the Health bar and Mana bar. Then this dude here who calls himself the Shopkeeper.
I didn't see anything around the place, it was dark and the only source of light is coming from a lamp beside the shopkeeper. Overseer.. maybe you can be called a overseer of nothing. I went over to some parts of the place where the light is not present, my body jumped up when an arm extended and reach for my body. My line of sight went straight to the shopkeeper who is currently being amused by my idioticness.
The arm receded when it touched the light coming from the lamp. I went back in front of the shopkeeper after stabilizing my breathing, I secretly cursed the shopkeeper because he was still giggling while he looks at me.
[This place is the very first floor of the Tower of Endless Carnage where everyone, like you, the Visitor will be put into trials and overcoming that trials will grant the champion a bunch of rewards.]
[As your first trial, just follow the instructions here and lets go start our game inside the Tower of Endless Carnage!]
Before I chuck out curses, because nothing can surpass this games user-friendliness and let us add that overly friendly title of this tower, ha... a shining circle covered me from above and below. The last thing I saw was the shopkeeper's sharp teeth, grinning ear to ear and then I was squashed by the light, guess what? It is a TP scroll!
-----
1. Anak - child
2. Ina - mother
3. Langya - expression, used to show that he can't believe it
4. Itay - father
5. Bathala - God
6. *He said f*** stop it already
7. Aba - expression showing surprise
8. Patpat - long stick usually made of bamboo
9. Abuloy - an offering