Sitting there, dazed. He pinched his cheek so hard that nerves popped out.
"Sh*t! What is this!? Ascent gift? Abilities?" The moment he blurted out that word, the screen changed.
[ You have chosen *Abilities* as a reward. Please wait as we calculate your ascent performance - 3%]
"No! It's a mistake, I don't want the abilities. Let me see the gift options again!" Albeit it's already too late.
[ Please wait as we calculate your ascent performance - 42%]
In less than 2 seconds, the screen turned 100%.
[Congratulations! You have acquired a × Ascent Ability "Fleet Footwork" ]
Suddenly, a ray of light illuminated the cave he was in. Shocked, he tried to duck to the sides but the ray followed him at great speed and entered his chest.
"GET OFF ME, GET OFF!!!" He screamed as he thought this will be the end.
The last time he saw that kind of light, a bunch of monsters massacred his father and mother. It was ingrained in his whole being from that moment forth. He will forever repulse at the sight of the light.
Suddenly, the screen appeared again. A new part was added to his profile.
[ *Abilities*
Fleetwork Maneuver - You have tapped into your inner potentiality and can now move 1.5x faster based on the limit of your body. ]
His chest trembled. He saw light from all over his body with the torso, legs, and feet being the brightest.
He can feel an unexplainable power and knowledge being ingrained on his whole being. He feels ecstatic, its like the feeling when you're a child and was given the first sweets of your life by your parents.
'Parents..."
[The light gives power. The light is retribution.]
'Never forget the pain you're feeling right now Ransom King.'
[Humanity is bound to perish due to its inner evil. We're just blight.]
'Make rage your inner essence, integrate your shadow and make it your weapon.'
[The light is the embodiment of the hypocritical nature of human beings. We deserve this.]
'No!'
The sudden thirst for power is fighting to control his mind.
He knew it within himself that if he has no anchor, he'll fall into the depravity of his inner demons.
He might just fall into the abyss of light.
...
He fought and fought against the thoughts. It's impressive for someone at his age to have significant control over their mind. The constant bullying and the nightly battle with suicidal thoughts helped him at this moment.
Finally, some time passed and the thoughts vanished. His mind is clear of them now.
And like a sudden baptism, he became aware of his true situation. He has to accept the fact that his parents have died and he was all alone in this forest together with the goblins. The 'Light' has given him the opportunity to annihilate them.
'In a sense, they're the true blight. Earth belongs to humanity, this Island belongs to me. Tomorrow afterwards, I'll do anything to get stronger and survive. This is true life! I'll survive.'
Deep within Ransom's soul, he was waiting for this moment. For his daily life of suffering to bloom. For the world to change overnight.
...
Woooshh! Roll. Tumble.
The ray of the golden sun shone through Ransom's sweat. He woke up early in the morning to check his body condition.
'It's true, I thought what happened yesterday night was a dream but I became faster. I have more control over my body now. I can roll and tumble like those action stars and have become more flexible. I seriously can't believe it.'
He tried scaling the 3-meter slope and he did it with no difficulty. At the top, he saw the familiar forest he escaped from that night.
'I think the crash site is there.' He thought as he gazes at the trees.
'Wait for me there f*ckers.'
He quietly climbed the tallest tree he can find. As he thought, the crash site is 2-3 kilometres far from his current location. It's too far for him to see any activities in that area.
'From now on, that area will be the north.' He made a mental note.
At the South is the pit. It's a pretty large pit, just how did a pit like that appear on this flat island? He can't see any mountains or volcanoes here. Maybe he should find a larger tree and see if he can find the sea.
He threw his gaze at the West. He squinted his eyes to observe any remarkable things there.
'Hmmm, are those fruit trees? I think that one is mango! The other ones? Hmmm... That's a Santol, right? Yes! Yes! Good!' This is the first time on the island that he showed a genuine smile.
He knew how to light a fire, he was taught by his late uncle when he was 10. But the smoke will attract the goblin's attention, thus cooking is prohibited for him... At least not until the damn goblins have been wiped out.
What's in the East? He can't see anything directly in the east. It's all trees and bushes. Disappointed, he climbed down.
His second concern is food and water. The water from the cave will never be able to fill his thirst from its minuscule amount. He needs more water... Not just for a bath, but it's human nature to feel weak when he/she has no control over one's needs, food, water, clothes, or shelter.
'Still, there are fruits I can identify. I must still be in the Southeast Asian region.'
At this point, he's beyond hungry. It's a miracle that he still has power to move around despite days of not eating.
'The reinvigoration from the *Blessing* won't last long. I have to secure my food.'
He looked around and saw a tree branch as thick as his arms. 'This will do.' He thought as he snapped it from the tree with all his might.
After that, he climbed down the tree, then headed to the pit and starts grinding the end of the branch to the rough stones of the wall. He's sharpening it.
The +2 Stat points he threw at strength helped a lot here. Even so, It took a lot of effort to make the end sharp enough to pierce.
'Okay, let's do this. I just have to gather some fruits and then return. Let's pray I don't encounter any wild animals.' He sighed.
Giving a last resolute look, he calmed himself and scaled the slope.