'Ah, I'm going to die….'
Those were the thoughts my mind kept repeating while hanging on for my life.
'I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die.'
That's right. I'm so despicable for not noticing early. Yet, I've refused to accept the reality I've always seen. Why couldn't I just end with this life of mine?
I wanted to beat my old self that such a dream couldn't be possible. I wanted to make them realize that it wasn't possible in the first place. I… I wanted them to understand that to become something we admired for our whole life, what was never a possibility to be accomplished in the first place.
Maybe I really didn't notice, I just didn't see the signs fate had left for me. Perhaps I only lied to myself that the reality I wanted would be possible. Maybe I just wasn't aware of everything, nor my surroundings. I have been blinded by pure fantasy.
I tried to grip my fist, but it was no use. I don't have the energy to do it. I cried. What did I expect from this world? This is a world where superhuman understanding exceeds possibilities. A world where fantasy becomes reality, means those with absolute power rule over, where the weak are absolute below them. In the end, we've nothing but useless beings to them…
***
As Alan was repeatedly getting beaten up by AmoeStar. Standing from a distance, the hero that goes by the name, One-Eyed Patch, only stood a distance from us, laughing. Alan didn't like the situation. Not one bit.
You may wonder how the hell is he alive after all this beating? The strength AmoeStar possesses may not be much, but has enough to beat a group of strong men. He may not be able to kill someone but his strength is definitely out of the ordinary. Enough to send a normal person into a coma.
Chest, stomach, and every part of Alan's body hurt like hell, it's a relief that AmoeStar doesn't possess any more superhuman strength or anything that's physically related.
Time was running out. Alan's consciousness was quickly fading away, his vision was getting buried by the millisecond, he won't survive any longer if he keeps things on like this. But what can he do, against a supernatural being? Run? No, a weak physical body like his won't be enough for him to hold.
'Is this how it's going to be? Is this how I'm going to…. die?'
Was this the final decision he was going to make? Just for saving a stranger's wife from two rotten scums? He wasn't some honorable soldier who sacrificed himself to some strangers. Or having the determination to preserve justice in society. In having to choose the wise decision, a sacrifice needs to be made, and what that sacrifice had come was himself, Alan.
For the husband and his wife to escape, Alan chose to take the woman's place, leaving them fleeing, Alan stayed behind. What Alan did may seem 'heroic', but in situations like this, would someone have stepped up to help? The answer is no. Well, the answer was quite obvious.
'If… only I were awakened as an ability user… could things have gone out differently?'
Pow!! Thwack!!
AmoeStar punches were getting more deadly and more firm. He wanted to kill Alan fast so he doesn't have any suspicion from heroes on the lookout. Of course, if the married couple were to come back and convince the police or even report to the Special Hero Agent Association, there won't be any evidence to prove his crimes.
So, what would they do? AmoeStar would clear up the evidence in one scoop. He smirks, after he's done with this, he'll be able to roam free again in the crowd unsuspectedly .
Thwack!!
This punch reawakened Alan's consciousness, as he got a hold of himself and strengthened his right hand. He made a fist and with full force, he launched it towards AmoaStar's face.
Crack!!
Unexpected by the incoming blow, AmoneStar felt something warm dripping on his lips down his clothes. His eyes turned wide.
"Blurrarrhhh!!"
He covers his nose screaming in pain with both hands letting Alan go. This was an opportunity for him and probably the only one that'll even come up. If he hadn't come up with something… he'd probably have been dead by now.
"Y-you… bloody b*stard! I'll kill you!! AmoeStar threw in a fit of rage. To think an unawakened like Alan was able to pull a stunt like that. No, the real question is, how was he able to pull it off? AmoeStar gritted his teeth.
"I'm going to kill you, you hear me!!" He yells. Before he launches himself at Alan, the hero who was watching not from afar, stops him by the shoulder from behind. AmoeStar turns his gaze at him. "What." His voice was cold, hinted with rage.
"Calm down," One-Eye said. "before you do any more harm to him. I'd say you finish things up with your skill. I told you earlier if only you had used it earlier, we wouldn't be wasting our time on this crap. Remember, we still got to meet up with "them".
"Huh?" AmoeStar smacks his hand from his shoulder. He turns his body at him. "Don't tell me what to do One-Eye! I'm going to do things my way!" He leaned closer to One-Eye, and pointed at him.
"Just because you were assigned as captain of squad "Unthre" other than me, think you could boss me around? To hell with that bullsh*t!" He yells at him.
To hell with the people that he thinks could boss him around. He finally has the chance to get stronger than ever. By joining an organization that would offer him special treatment for him to become stronger, he could finally repay those that mocked him for years! There's no way in hell he'll make the same mistakes in the past.
'I still can't forgive her…' A woman with bright, beautiful orange hair and a kind face appeared in his mind. 'I-I… can't back down now.' AmoeStar's face showed no remorse.
He turns his back to Alan, as he takes the first step towards him, a bright and shiny blade pierces his back. One-Eyed stabbed him from the back of his chest.
AmoeStar didn't have time to react to the attack. He felt bitter in his mouth. He was pierced through.
"Bluahh… y-you… One-Eye… why? AmoeStar's voice shook weakly, accompanied by the sound of blood dripping. Tears start to appear in the corner of his eyes.
One-Eyed doesn't reply, but rather gives a cold look.
'Cough… you b*stard… cough, cough… Amelia… I'm sorry I couldn't be a better… husband… and a father…'
AmoeStar slowly closed his eyes, a small scenario played in his memory, he and his wife, Amelia, were planning to have a child soon. They both smile happily. Finally, he takes his last breath as the cold darkness swallows him whole. The hero, AmoeStar, has died.
One-Eyed takes his sharp weapon and tosses AmoeStar's body to the side and puts back his dagger on its sheath. AmoeStar's body drops to the ground heavily.
Thump.
After the whole scene with the two heroes, Alan puts his guard up. One-eyed was surprised by this, Alan had the chance to run away from the alleyway.
"I'm surprised," He says. "why haven't you run away from here? You had the chance, yet you refused. Why, if I may ask?"
Alan flinches. He swallows his saliva. "It won't matter if I ran or not. I know my limits as a human being. You could've struck me down, even if I were far away from here. Besides, I don't have the energy to run, not in the least. You saw what happened didn't you? After all, I'm just a powerless human."
One-Eye smirked but quickly gave Alan a serious look. Both Alan and One-Eyed then shift their gaze followed by a couple of voices shouting coming out not far from them.
"Playtime is already over villains! Show yourself and come out with your hands!"
One-Eyed turns his head back at Alan. "How clever. I never thought you would use the 'employment' button. What a mind you have there." One-Eyed looks at the ground where Alan is standing. Multiple cracked black pieces of the button have been spread where Alan is standing.
"But I question myself this, do you truly think they'll come to help before I slaughter you? I mean think about it, many people hate— no, the world loathes people like you."
"..."
"Cat caught your tongue?… Well, it won't make a difference." One-Eye then takes out his sharp blade from its sheath. He points at Alan. "Alright, since I'm not like that AmoeStar guy. Be thankful I'll make this quick and less painful for you."
He raises his blade, ready to cut Alan, a small click was heard not far from the alleyway, some has already arrived.
"I won't ask again. Surrender quietly and come out with both hands." They come through the alleyway with firearms.
One-Eye ignores them. As he swings down his blade towards Alan's chest, a blue light shines through the alleyway and hits him with strong force as smoke builds up.
"Tch."
One-Eye blocks the attack with his blade, pushing him back.
"Oh? You managed to block my attack? Here, how about I send you another one!"
Another blue light strikes at One-Eye. Producing another small mist of smoke.
A group of men dressed in black suits then appear behind the person who's fighting One-Eye.
"Hey i-isn't that One-Eye? Why is he fighting Matthew— huh?"
"Stand back, this guy's tough."
Some of the men in black were shocked, while some grew nervous. The pure pressure of these two is incredibly heavy. Just the two of them, the area around them starts to crumble.
"Now your chance! You over there, hurry and start running!" Matthew called out to Alan.
Alan tried his best running towards them. One-Eye doesn't let him take the chance. He waves as the pressure from his hand clears some of the smoke from his sight.
"I won't let you."
"Sh*t!"
Before he even gets the chance to grab Alan, Matthew shoves his hand and punches his chest.
"Oof!"
He collides with the wall.
"Hurry!" said Matthew.
Alan continues running with all his strength until he then sees a woman with a worried face from afar.
"Alan!"
Alan's eyes widened. Amelia was sprinting towards him. Tears dripped from his eyes. He collapses.
Amelia's speed increased for just a moment, catching him. "Alan!" She brings him to her arms up close and checks the pulse on his neck.
"D*mn it. His pulse is fading."
She takes a look at his body, covered in blood and bruises. Most of his face was purple, as for his body, bones were broken like glass.
"Is he your friend you've been talking about a lot? That's quite nice. And he is one of the unawakened ones as well. I'm quite surprised."
Amelia turns her head towards a calm and relaxed voice behind her.
"Yes, he's a very… good and caring friend." Her cheeks flushed, revealing a refreshing smile, but her smile didn't last long.
"That's the first time I've seen you smile. This is very unexpected."
"Stop with the silliness, hurry now Matthew. You deal with One-Eye. I'm going to perform a special skill the world hasn't seen yet."
"Hmm? Like what exactly."
"Something that I've been keeping a secret for a while. You'll see, now go and capture One-Eye."
"You don't gotta tell me twice."
Matthew then powers himself up, lighting both his hands. He then charges towards One-Eye, where the smoke still hasn't disappeared.
As Matthew leaves for battle, Amelia lifts Alan and quickly leaves the alleyway.
She leaves the battlefield, for her and Alan not to interview. She then carefully placed him on the ground.
Closing her eyes as her hands hovered on Alan's chest. 'Now, let's start with the process…'
Soon, a bright green light emits throughout his body, his injuries started to heal, going from top to bottom.
'This much will do, at least for now.' Amelia pulls out her cell phone and dials a certain number.
Riing, riiiing…..
They quickly picked up.
– "Thank you for calling our company's number, what can I do for you, our dear customer?"
"Ryan, it's me. Anyways, I'll cut to the chase, I want you to do a small favor for me."
– "Oh? And what would that be, Miss Ava."
"I'm going to bring a friend, and I want you to take care of him for a few months. Since I'm working in the Hero Association, I won't be having the time to check on him. Is that alright?"
– "...That's fine, but you owe me one for this. I've been busy these days lately and haven't gotten to eat at my favorite restaurant. These past few days have been killing me. Yeah, I take care of him."
"Really, I appreciate it."
Amelia hangs up.
Amelia turns to Alan and picks him up gently. She then carries him toward a black car, placing him in the back seat. She gets in, buckles her seat belt, and takes one look at the special agency and the hero Matthew.
'Just what in the world is going on right now.'
With not much to think about left. She drove off and left the place where Alan had first encountered the first-ever incident.
***
'Don't you think it's quite unfair… Alan? Don't you think being a normal person, living a normal life is enough already? Many wish they could live a peaceful life like yours. Why didn't you just give up already?'
'....'
'You're so foolish. Why are you so eager to be a hero? Isn't it better than just hearing people yapping about you? Tell me, what is the significance of being a hero? What makes them so special?'
'....'
'Answer me, Alan. Don't you think your human life is better off giving up? Everyday, humans strive to achieve something greater, once they've completed that course, they want more. Soon '
'Shut up…'
'Do you really have hope for humans? What do you get in exchange? Do you even have the need to trust their fake kindness, their affection for the world isn't real. They're lying to you, Alan. Their human nature isn't real. Everything you just experience is all a dream. Wake up, Wake up, Wake up…'
'.....I said shut up."
'Does such kindness really exist in this universe? Or is it just pure sorrow that one feels for one's self? Do you even need to comprehend your understanding of living in a world where the weak bow their heads down, while the strong proceed to grow stronger and more ruthless?'
'I shut the hell up!!'
'You should already understand, there isn't any hospitality or generosity for you, nor for other humans that are treated the same as you. You said it yourself, Alan, those who overthink are just associated with empathy. Allowing them to care for others.'
'...'
'Don't worry Alan. These were only just the midpoint of what you experienced. There's more where that came from. Meeting you soon will be enough. I'll see you later….'
It was then, a voice of a female he had never heard of before resounded within his head.
[You have met the requirements for the Secret Quest: 'Obligated by Doubtfulness and Outcome']
'Requirements? Secret Quest?'
The voice ignored his questions and continued regardless.
[You have acquired the right to become a Player. Will you accept?]
'Acquired what exactly? Player, what is that anyways?'
What could it be? Throughout his life, something that's free always means a jackpot for him. But, what could this thing even offer him anyway? This seems more different than anything else.
'No, besides all that, where did that voice even come from? First I… what happened before this?'
[There isn't enough time left for your decision. You have 0.5 seconds before your unconsciousness fails and your heart will stop beating if there is not an answer. Will you accept]
Things are starting to wrap around Alan's head. But how can he believe such a thing? Could this be a hallucination he's viewing?
Then, if he did, could this be a second chance for him to accept? Then might as well.
'... What good would it do.. I'm sick of this life I'm living. But if I were given a chance, then perhaps I shouldn't let's get this go by. Fine, I accept then. '
There wasn't a need to utter. He only simply thought about it in his head. The voice of the female replied immediately to him.
[Congratulations on becoming a 'Player'.]
FLASH!!
A blinding light soon wrapped through the darkness, at that exact time, he lost his consciousness.
***
He opened his eyes.
He saw a white ceiling with bright white lights lined up. He feels the sensation of a hard mattress against his back.
'A… hospital?'
The aroma of a hospital stung his nose. Alan raised his upper torso, he took a look around the room.
'Is this really a hospital? Both the aroma and scent of it are similar…'
He placed his hand on his chest and felt the vibrating beating of his heart. Coming from there, there was still a beating.
'I… I'm alive?'
The air around him felt lighter and even airier. Most people were fatigued and heavy-head whenever they were in the hospital.
It felt weird, seeing how badly he got beaten, shouldn't he at least be supposed to be a little exhausted, no?
'What the hell is even happening right now…'
The situation was completely bizarre. First, he lost his consciousness, then inner thoughts questioned himself and now some weird message appeared in his head.
'My body is healed up. This… is very unusual.'
Alan could've sworn that his body was beaten up badly. His bones were broken, while his skin was turned into purple bruises. It would've taken at least a month for his body to fully recover.
'Was it all a dream then…?'
Could he have been dreaming things, then…?
"Ah, I'm glad to see you doing fine. Yeah, the room does have the atmosphere of a hospital, but I promise you it's not. Well, the important part is that you've finally woken up…"