"Hey Abel, are you okay?"
Snapping me out of it was a roughed-up Philip.
"Yeah.. yeah I-I'm fine just a little wowed is all."
Noticing my wonderment Phillip smiled at me
"Yeah, it's not every day you get to see an ability."
"Ability?"
"Yup, that flash of light was Joe's ability. I've only seen it one other time." laughing to himself a little he started to reminisce "I remember just how shocked I was when I first saw it. I mean abilities are pretty rare nowadays"
Suddenly interested in what this old man started to say I asked some more questions.
"They are?"
Giving me the look you would a country bumpkin he started to explain.
"Yeah, only about 20% of Mana humans have abilities."
"What makes abilities different from regular magic and skills?"
"Well, each specific ability is unique to the person. Unlike magic and spells that cost mana to use. Abilities are different. Each unique ability has its own cost." Seeing my confusion he smiled and tried explaining in simpler terms. "Let's take Joe for example. Joe's unique ability is called flash. It allows him to emit an intense burst of light. But the cost of his ability is that he loses all reason and goes on a mini rampage."
Chuckling to himself a little Phillip continued "It's a practical ability all things considered but the cost and the inability to control it makes it a liability. It's why he only uses it as a last resort "
A look of understanding appeared on my face
'Ah, that makes more sense.'
Smiling at me Phillip changed the subject.
"Anyway Abel, I came over here to ask if you'd like to help me dissect the goblin corpses."
Extremely interested in cutting up real-life monsters I jumped at the opportunity.
"Yes!!"
"Hehe, I like your enthusiasm. Follow me."
As we walked across the cavern I saw Joe instructing and yelling at all the other miners
"Everyone split up and start mining those crystals. I want all of them in bags by the time I wake up from my nap."
Cracking his knuckles and giving the miners a cold smile he continued
"And I swear to god if I catch any of you old-timers sneaking crystals I'll give you a bigger pounding than that green freak over there."
All of them nodded in response and started getting to work.
He took one last look at them. Then turned around and walked towards us grumbling to himself.
When he reached us he looked me up and down. Then sent Phillip a questioning gaze.
Phillip smiled at Joe coyly
"I'm having him help me dissect the goblin corpses. Need the hands,"
Giving Phillip a 'are you serious face Joe just let out a defeated sigh and walked past us.
'I guess that counts as approval.'
Smiling to himself Phillip led me to the body of the large goblin. He grabbed the head and flipped the body's front side up. He then left and went to go grab something.
Coming back he tossed me a bucket and some vials, then began his lecture.
"Now the first thing you need to know for any dissection. Blood collection. When you're dissecting goblins or any monster with blood. Make sure you always bring a couple of vials to collect some. It also doesn't hurt to have a bucket for entrails and other useless innards."
"Do you need the blood for something?"
"Well, monster blood is a necessary ingredient for alchemy, science-related research, and potions. So most alchemists, scientists, and witches pay top dollar for them."
Phillip grabbed a vial then took out a knife and stabbed the large goblin in the side. Green blood started pouring out of the stab wound he made.
Not wasting a second he started collecting all the blood in the vial.
As he capped the vial he suddenly became serious again.
Phillip looked me straight in the eyes. "Remember Abel every monster corpse is a treasure chest. You just need to know how to open it. Dissection is an art and a very useful skill. The difference between a rich man and a poor man isn't the quality of their tools but how they use them."
Then as soon as it came his seriousness left replaced by his usual goofy uncle routine.
"Now lesson Two!!"
'Is he bipolar?'
"Skinning a monster! When skinning a monster it's important to keep it intact. If you can't, its value plummets. Make sure you try to cut as carefully as possible, so you don't cut or tear the skin. Now watch me carefully."
Phillip picked up his knife again and cut a straight line from the head of the goblin to the groin. Then he started cutting sideways and before I knew it he was standing there holding a large piece of goblin flesh.
'Wow'
"And that's how it's done!"
He then laid the skin on the ground carefully. After making sure it wasn't wrinkled he walked over to the other goblin corpses picked one up and tossed it to me.
"You try."
I caught it and flipped it backside down. I then pulled out my knife and some vials.
"Alright, first the knife." I took the knife Phillip gave me and stabbed the goblin in the same spot as he did. Blood started spraying everywhere as I hurriedly tried to catch the blood in the vial.
After filling a couple of vials it was time for step two. 'A cut from the top of the chest to the groin.' Taking the knife out again I did my best to cut from the top of the body to the groin
The line was a little shaky from my inexperience but I felt it was pretty good for a beginner.
'Now time to finish him off!'
I took the knife and cut the monster by the waist. When I was finished I was left with a long strip of goblin flesh.
Seeing my completed product Phillip started complimenting me.
"Whew, good job kid. Pretty decent for your first time."
I'd be lying if I said It didn't feel good. I smiled a little then gave Phillip a look that showed I was ready for more.
"Hmm, you want to go again huh? Well, I don't see the harm in it. Here's a good one." He took another goblin corpse and tossed it my way. "Try not to hurt yourself and remember to keep your hand steady while skinning."
"I will thanks."
"No problem, alright I'm going to go help the others. I'll be back in a bit."
When I gave him the okay signal he walked away and left me to it.
'Time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.' Ready to immerse myself in work I grabbed my knife and was about to stab the corpse. When a little red ball hit the side of my leg.
"Huh. What's this"
Curious I picked it up and started examining it. It looked like a large red marble with something inside it. When I looked closer in I saw what could only be described as a bundle of energy.
I was about to put it back down when all of a sudden I heard a voice from my finger.
[Analyzing compatibility of {Red Goblin core} as a fuel source]
[Scanning in progress...]
[Scanning complete! Adequate fuel source detected]
[Commencing absorption]
'Did this ring just talk? '
Shocked I looked down at the glowing ring on my finger and watched as it proceeded to suck the red marble toward itself. I looked on in awe and horror as the center of the ring opened up and swallowed the marble whole.
"What the fuck did I just watch."
[Absorption process complete]
[Energy refilled….Commencing bonding ceremony]
"OUCH!, little shit pricked me"
[Blood of host confirmed….]
[Welcome Abel Vulcan… Complying with previously established soul fusion and awakening protocol….. We shall begin shortly…]
[Commencing awakening protocol…Estimated completion time…. 4.27 minutes]
[Please Brace Yourself and good luck!]
[3…]
"WAIT!! What the hell do you mean 'Brace Myself' you can't just say that and start counting down!"
[2…]
"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit" I grabbed whatever I could find and tried to hide under it.
[1…]
"Fuck come off!!!" desperate I started pulling as hard as I could to get the ring off, but it was useless.
[0]
In the end, I did what it told me to do and braced myself. Thank god I did, because as soon as the timer hit zero The ring pumped something into me and I was hit with soul-shattering pain and euphoric pleasure.
My body was set aflame on the outside and the inside. I felt an intense heat rush through my body burning everything it touched along the way. But at the same time, It felt like I was sitting in a hot tub and the fire was soothing my entire existence.
Overwhelmed by the conflicting feelings Of pain and pleasure I let out a blood-curdling screech
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGHHH"
After I let out that scream I started vomiting this gross black slime-type substance. It didn't just come out of my mouth though. All of my pores started oozing this substance but just as they'd leave my body the fire would burn all traces.
Startled, All the miners dropped their pickaxes and looked in my direction. Phillip and Joe were no exception. As soon as they heard me they rushed to my side.
....
"What's wrong with him!?!"
"Let me check" Joe started to examine my body. Discovering what was happening Joe let out a gasp
A Concerned Phillip urged him "What is it!?!"
Stuttering a little Joe answered Phillip's question
"I...I think he's awakening."
A look of pure shock dyed Phillip's face. It took him a second but he collected himself. Growing serious again he asked Joe.
"Do people normally combust when they awaken?"
Bewildered, Joe gave Phillip his best guess.
"Not normally but It's probably a side effect of forcefully awakening."
Phillip was more confused than before "What are you talking about?
"Well, when a normal human is injected with a powerful being's mana, it has the possibility to awaken them. There's a slim chance that their mana pathways could be cleared of impurities and become reinforced enough to contain mana. It's one of the only ways to awaken a regular human. It's known for being incredibly painful and having a ton of side effects."
Phillip was beyond surprised, "How did he get injected with such potent mana? Is there a powerful being around here somewhere?"
Joe just as confused responded with a shrug.
Even more concerned than he was before Phillip asked Joe "Will he survive?"
Joe saw the look on Phillip's face and grew a little reluctant but eventually told him.
"The chance of success is 0.01%. H-how did this happen? I thought because of all the deaths, It was outlawed by the union years ago."
Phillip looked at Joe with a somber look on his face.
"Is there anything we can do?"
"Pray."
...
'FUCK!!! This fucking HURTS!! Stupid Godamn RING!!'
Trying to distract myself from the pain I started swearing like a sailor. It felt like I would die at any second. Unknown to me my entire existence was undergoing a metamorphosis. From one that couldn't stand any type of energy to one that could.
There was a particularly painful feeling coming from my heart as I could feel that there was an abundant amount of energy gathering there. As if it was Forming something.
After 2 minutes I started to break down. All the pressure and pain were just too much for me. I was growing weaker by the second while beginning to pass out.
My mind was so exhausted that I started to see illusions. I could see The grim reaper in a dark robe holding a giant scythe while beckoning me to the other side.
Seeking any type of relief I was tempted and started moving toward them. I was so close to the light, to the afterlife but as I reached out to take death's hand, I heard a voice from behind me,
"What a disgusting child. This world has no place for the weak and the talentless. You should do yourself and the rest of us a favor and kill yourself."
Terrified of the familiar voice I slowly turned around and saw an old nun. Seeing her malicious and evil smile I knew who she was in an instant. How could I forget one of my main tormentors? Sister Sarah The Head of the orphanage where I was raised.
She fixed her eyes on me and began lashing me with more verbal assault. "I can't believe I even let you in, in the first place. You are nothing but a waste of food and air. If I knew then what I knew now I would've thrown you to the wolves."
Being confronted with her again I started to hyperventilate. That wasn't the end though as I heard another voice to my right.
"I can't believe I have to share the same Air with trash. You make me embarrassed to be human. What am I saying? You aren't human, you're living feces."
Looking to my right I saw another face I'd hope to never see again. Lucas the leader of the group of bullies who tormented me throughout my whole childhood. Just seeing his cold and arrogant gaze again sent shivers down my spine.
I thought it couldn't get any worse. I was wrong. I heard a voice from my left this time.
"I can't believe I wasted my time talking to you. From now on don't speak to me. We don't know each other and we never have."
Moving my head again I saw her. My biggest scar. The person I feared meeting the most. Marcy, my first friend, and my first love. She was looking at me as if I didn't exist. As if I was just air to her. That our time together meant nothing.
Seeing her was the straw that broke the camel's back. Being reminded of all of those horrible and traumatic memories I let out an enraged roar.
"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!!!"
Hearing my outburst, all three of them started laughing
"Hahahahahahaha"
Desperate for it to stop I cried out,
"WHAT DO YOU WANT!!!"
The laughing instantly died and Lucas spoke up
"I want you to die"
When he said It, Sister Sarah and Marcy started to agree
"That's a great idea you should just die,"
"It would be even easier if you killed yourself."
Hearing what they said I ground my teeth and clenched my fists.
"Why should I have to die for you? All I ever did was try to live. I never picked any fights, I never insulted anyone, and I've never even talked back! WHY DO I HAVE TO DIE!? WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG!?!"
When I screamed I felt an intense burning emerge from deep within my soul. Without even looking I could tell what it was. A small flickering flame.
"Just Because I'm weak? Just Because I don't have Mana? Just Because I have no talent? BULLSHIT!"
While I was talking It was getting larger and becoming more destructive. The more my rage grew the more the fire did too.
"You've never done anything for me so I'll never put up with your shit EVER AGAIN!!! FUCK YOU! I REFUSE to die!"
At my declaration, the growing fire became an inferno and shot out of every orifice I had. When the fire burst I got the feeling you normally would when you released something you've been holding in for years. An otherworldly pleasure shook my entire existence. The Burning just felt right as if it was always where I was supposed to be.
The fire spread out around the whole area and consumed all it had. The fire began to burn all three of my nightmares to cinders. Looking in a raged glee I watched as their flesh fall off their bodies and they let out pained screams.
A satisfied smile grew on my face.
When each of them turned to ashes and the only thing left was an endless sea of fire I was pulled back into reality.
...
[Awakening protocol complete. Congratulations!]
Shooting up In shock and exhaustion, I listened as the voice congratulated me. Realizing i was safe relief flooded into me
'I did it, I survived.'
Looking up at the familiar ceiling I let out a huge sigh. I shifted my gaze to my side and saw Old man Joe and Phillip staring at me in joy and disbelief. I was so relieved and grateful to be alive until I heard,
[Beginning Soul-Fusion protocol. Estimated time until completion is 48 hours.]
[Making host unconscious for a smoother transition]
[3....2]
"Ah fuck me"
[1]