It was a hell of a way to die. Murdered, by the only people I had ever trusted. It hurt, more so than the physical wounds they gave me.
Their bloody faces blurred as I began to lose consciousness.
I wanted to shout, to scream, but nothing came out. Everything faded away to a blinding white light. Is this the end? I thought to myself. No. This can't be?!
My ears rang, and my vision blurred into focus the only thing besides a blinding white light, a screen like apparition
What?
[You have failed the game!]
[A friendly hand reaches out and grants you a
What? What's going on? I'm dead right?
[Do you accept?] It asked again, as if urgent.
What was the harm. I was dead wasn't I? "Yes?" I spoke, but no sound came out.
[Hidden quest!]
[Clear Conditions:(Become The Strongest) (Change the Future and save humanity)]
[Rewards:(Survival!)]
[Penalty:(Death!)]
[Do you accept this quest?].
[ Yes/No]
Second chance? Save Humanity ??Hidden skill? I had so many questions, but again I answered yes.
More screens flooded my vision.
[System Starting..]
[calculating…]
[Healing wounds!]
[Returning to the start!]
[Removing skills and stats]
[calculating]
[Welcome to the past!]
Everything faded away and when I finally opened my eyes, I found myself in a familiar room. It was a small room, simple with a bed and a desk. Clothes were thrown about the floor, piles of manga next to the bed.
My childhood room?
I recalled one of the messages [Welcome back to the past!]
The past? Just how far in the past? I worriedly hurried to the bathroom, just a door over. I sighed, relieved to see that I was at least in my teens. I think.
I squished my still round face. I was quite cute as a kid. Long, dark curls encircled my face, making my light eyes pop. My scars-wich I had been quite proud of, now replaced by perfectly clear skin. I seemed to really be back.
I had an unsurprisingly weak and flabby body, but at least I was skinny. I thought I had been more built in high school, but I guess it's just been a childish notion I'd given myself.
"Jaye!" Called the stern but soft voice of my mother. "You're going to be late for school! You better be up!"
My eyes watered. I never thought I'd hear her stern voice again, and I rushed out to see her. There she was in the kitchen holding out my school bag for me. Her soft brown hair, tied up in a loose ponytail, wispy hairs flying about. She wore a white blouse and black slats, dressed for work. I took the bag from her, dropped it on the floor, and hugged her tight. Her warmness made me want to cry, but I tried to hold back tears.
She seemed surprised but hugged me back. After a long warm hug, she pushed me off. "You need to get to school, you'll be late at this rate! Go get dressed," she ordered. I reluctantly returned to my room to put my uniform on.
"Hey, Mom, what's today?" I asked on the way out.
"Tuesday."
"No, I meant the date."
"Oh, Well," she checked her phone. "It's the thirteenth"
"It's April?" I questioned.
She nodded, annoyed. "Yes. Now hurry, you're going to be late."
Right. I said my goodbyes and hurried out. I double-checked the emblem on my jacket. Choice High. I only went there for about a year, before the dungeon break near my home and I was forced to join a military school, as a ward of the state.
April 13, 20XX, A Large E rank dungeon broke in the emoty house down the block. My mother died that day.
(Somehow I managed to get through the day, the memories coming back to me as if it was only yesterday I'd attended this school.)
I needed to awaken and save my mom.
There are two ways to awaken.
1) By chance.
2) Kill a monster. Killing a monster would forcibly awaken me.
Obviously the 2nd option was more practical. I was low on time. However the only way to encounter a monster right now, would be to enter a dungeon - which would be extremely dangerous. Or go to the association. However that costed money, and money I didn't have.
I needed weapons. Unfortunately- the only weapons that worked on monster were made from monsters. Or found in dungeons. A normal kitchen knife might work on a level F monster but it wouldn't be very useful.
The dungeons should all be level F, as they were all blue, meaning as long as I awakened quickly and kept my cool, I should be able to solo the dungeon. I planned to take care of the portal next door by myself, It would be risky, but i hoped my years of experience would keep me alive. And, once I awakened, I would have my skills back.
I packed a jacket a water bottle, a knife, a lighter, and anything else I could find that might be useful.
I hurried out leaving a note for Mom so she wouldn't get worried, and after making sure no one saw me, I broke a back window and climbed in. I wasn't wasting time with this. Who knew how long it'd take me to solo the dungeon, not to mention if I'd even survive.
The house was empty. Void of everything except a couple thin curtains, and in one of the small bedrooms, a large blue portal, about the size of a grown man. The Gate was unnerving and gave off an unsettling vibe. Unawakened, I seemed to be more sensitive to the portal than usual. I clutched my pack tightly to me and took a deep breath before stepping through. My stomach churned And my head spun but It ended as soon as it started.