Clank*

Clank*

The sound of metal hitting the rocks. I've heard it too many times now that I've become numb to it.

Since it is the only sound that exists in this cave, I hear nothing.

That is why there's nothing in this life except for the pain that I feel from every lash.

Except for the everyday hunger that eats my stomach.

Except for the darkness that my eyes are used to.

Except for the hardship from carrying these baskets full of rocks.

There's nothing in this life except for the pain that I feel when I see my mother gets beaten up

...

He has no name yet, only a number. Slave 434 was the name he was called in the cave, nothing more.

"It's morning and it's time for you slaves to work again! Wake up!"

A thin young man, full of bruises and scars woke up from the kick of one [Outsider]

"Do you not hear me!?"

"E-eh... eh!" that was the only words he can mutter as he tried to cover for his still-sleeping mother beside him.

"Useless ugly slut! If only you didn't get pregnant then you would still have energy for work hehehe!"

While the other [Insiders] wake up and get to work, the mother and son attract the Outsiders.

"I'm surprised that 235 is still alive. I thought she would die after that fun we had back then. Until now I wonder who's the father between us all?"

"Don't care. She should've died for bearing a boy instead of a girl. Tsk! Working here is pretty boring and 235 is the only one that has sufficient looks. Hayss... I miss those days..."

"Give it up, just go to a brothel later."

"Do you think this work pays us that much?... Hm? Still not awake? Stupid brat!"

"Eh! Dwon't!" the young boy called Slave 434 had his broken teeth that made him unable to speak properly.

"Don't get on my nerves, little piece of shit!" the Outsider raised his leg and swung it towards the crying young boy.

"Ugh!" but even though he felt like puking blood, it didn't stop there, "Ah! Sob...! Argh!"

The other Insiders didn't even spare a glance at this as this continued for a long while until-

"W-what are you doing to my son!?"

"Mommy..." filled with blood and bruise, the young man cried.

"Hu-! If you didn't wake up, I would've killed your child... haha... hahaha... this is tiring..."

'The day began with this again.' inside his mother's embrace, the young boy cried but coldly thought.

'If I don't cry, they will surely beat me up till I die. Only tears keep them satisfied. Sorry for deceiving you too, Mom...'

The day continued as the young boy carried the rock-filled basket over his shoulder. In front of other Insiders, he wore a statue-cold expression. Even if the weight grinds on his wounds or even if his body would feel like giving up, he still wore that face.

Only in front of the Outsiders does he cry. And only in front of his only family does he puts up a face filled with emotions.

"Son, do you know that there is a world outside this?"

"Rweal'y?"

"Yes... don't tell this to anyone, okay? But your mom was not born here, I was from the Outside..."

"W-woah"

"Yes, hehe, and I think you are old enough to understand this but there are people like us outside and they are all very very strong..!"

"Mommy, how?"

"It is because, in every person, we have the power to [Connect] You just have to concentrate and Connect to anything. For example, this rock."

'Connect? This is the first time mom talked about this.'

"It is hard and sturdy, right? So if you Connect to this rock, your body can become hard and sturdy too."

'That's a thing? I think Mommy had already turned crazy.' the young boy gave a sad smile.

"What? Don't believe me? In the future, you can try it too. Unlike the others here who are completely talentless, I came from the outside and was brought here as punishment. I bore you so you should have enough talent. However, wait until you are old enough, okay? Absolutely don't try it!" his mother hushed.

"Why....?"

"Because if you are not ready, the [Connection] may be placed wrong. Just like this rock, instead of being strong and sturdy, you may become lifeless instead... like a statue."

'Statue? What's that?' the child tilted his head.

"Oh, you don't know that hehe... you're so cute."

"Hehe... Mommwy is kyot too!" the young boy eagerly whispered.

"Hmm~ really? Hehehe- but oh, and also, the wonderful thing about this power is that... you can [Connect] to anything you want to."

"Huh? I can conek to Mommy too?"

"That sounds wrong... but yes!" his mother then solemnly warned, "And don't use it to Mommy, okay? Use it to other things that will get you stronger. So that, in the future, you will be able to prove that you don't belong here. But only try your first [Connect] once you're at least thirteen, okay? You're only eight so you may fail."

"Mm-hm..."

"Good boy... so here's your Mommy's reward... I know that breakfast is not enough for your growing body." the mother then lifted her shirt, revealing something like a shriveled fruit.

"..." although the young boy said that, he proceeded to fill his almost empty stomach, "O-okay..."

"Hey! 235 is doing it again HAHAHA!"

"Seriously!? Where does she get that energy from!?"

'Mom... stop... but I'm sorry, you're right. The breakfast was never enough.' the young boy clenched his eyes. He also wanted to close his ears but couldn't.

'Do you know? This is one of those times that I really feel like crying...'

'I swear... I swear! I will take you out of here!'

He could only bear with it when he hears his mother.

"Grow healthy..."

Slave 434 had great ambition for a mere slave.

But four years later...

Clank*

Clank*

I still don't hear the metal hitting the rocks. I could only hear one thing.

"Useless slut!... Hm? She's not moving anymore..."

What?

What have you done?

"Mom?"

I took it for granted.

I thought it would stay the same until I get us out of here.

"Oops, looks like she finally gave in."

Oops?

"What oops?! Who will clean this up!? You don't pull back your kicks, do you!?"

Kicks?

"Sorry, sorry! Let's make the kid do it."

Sorry?

"You're horrible... hey, 434, clean that dead mommy of yours."

Dead mommy?

I looked at her and confirmed that she is no longer breathing.

There is nothing in this life except the love and care mom gives me. Now... she's gone.

I...

...

...

...

There's really nothing in this life now.

Strangely, I don't feel sad... or even anger.

"Mom..."

A year had passed.

I am finally thirteen years old. All this year, I have been thinking... is there anything worth Connecting to?

So what if I successfully [Connect]?

So what if I get strong?

So what if I get out?

So what if I get a new life outside if I still feel nothing?

This life has nothing else for me without my only Mom. But... is this the only life we will have?

What if there's another? Could I meet my Mother there again?

I just want to say thanks...

[Connect]

Connect me to the afterlife.

"I don't want this anymore." I muttered as I try it for the first time.

But nothing happened. However, I didn't stop. Even if I lose consciousness and overwork myself, so what?

I don't feel the pain anymore.

I connect and connect in every free time that I have.

Mom said that I need to concentrate and focus on that something I'm trying to connect to. But what is the afterlife? How can I imagine it?

However, I didn't stop.

Two years later...

In my head, I saw that the ceiling was blue and had white things floating on it. In the middle, there's a ball that is so bright my eyes hurt from looking at it. It is just like a torch but much much brighter.

Is this the afterlife? It was just a flash in my head but that's progress.

So I didn't stop.

Five years later...

I can't see anything. Can't hear, can't smell, can't feel... I can't taste my own saliva anymore.

Oh yeah... that Outsider seemed very angry today and bashed my head.

I'm finally dead.

Finally, mom.

Finally...

[Connection Established]