"I was just an average-looking nerd, the target of everyone's jokes because I was on a scholarship and couldn't even afford cafeteria food. I didn't have any friends, and even the kids who were teased themselves made me their new target to feel powerful again. It didn't matter if they were girls or boys, everyone seemed to enjoy picking on me. My life sucked," I, a seventeen-year-old boy with glasses, muttered to myself.
Lying on the hard concrete, my wounds were still oozing. Feeling defeated, I gazed up at the clouds and wondered why I was born into such a miserable existence. I thought maybe I'd be better off dead, but I didn't have the courage to end it all.
"Hey, loser!" a boy with green hair and eyes, dressed in the same uniform as me, called out.
"This jerk coming towards me is Bong," I thought silently, as my swollen lips made it hard to speak. My mind was my only refuge.
Bong's father was a major sponsor of the school, making him untouchable. The teachers turned a blind eye to his misdeeds because of his father's influence.
After all, he wouldn't be around forever, so what harm was a few years enduring his mischief? He was the one who destroyed my life, shattered my family. But, as usual, he wasn't alone; he had a group of followers always trailing behind him.
I attempted to stand, but my legs gave out before I could even take a step. It wasn't my choice to fall; it was the result of a metal bat striking my thighs. I collapsed once more, with Bong looming over me.
"You worthless piece of trash! Where did you think you were going?" Bong spat out angrily. I had no clue why he despised me so much; he could have anything he wanted, so why focus on me?
I may not be the most attractive person, and my clothes may not be as fancy as theirs, but I didn't deserve this treatment. Yet, if enduring this was the price of an education, maybe it was worth it. Perhaps that's what I told myself because deep down, I knew I was a coward.
I couldn't defend myself, even if I wanted to. Like all bullying, it began with words that cut deep, then escalated into something far worse.
I was the one even the bullied kids picked on, which was quite ironic. I felt like a punching bag, surrounded by laughter. That bat could easily have shattered my legs.
"I don't know where you came from, but you should just disappear. Worthless people like you don't deserve to exist," Bong cursed at me. I had heard every form of verbal abuse imaginable, to the point where I had grown numb to it.
As warm liquid dripped onto me, I looked up to see that his lackey was urinating on me. I didn't know how to react as their urine seeped into my wounds, stinging painfully. All I could do was laugh—it was the only response I had, and my laughter grew louder.
"Looks like he's lost it!" one of the lackeys sneered.
"Do you find this amusing?" Bong demanded, irritated by my laughter. In response, I laughed even louder. They could do whatever they pleased, but they wouldn't dare to go as far as to kill me.
If I could endure this torment and move past it, maybe I could have a better life.
"Pass me that bat," Bong ordered, and though his lackey hesitated, Bong snatched it from his grasp.
"Do you find this amusing, you little punk!" Bong shouted. I couldn't comprehend why a boy his age could be this consumed by rage.
I felt the bat crash down, almost splitting my head in two, blood pouring out. "H-Hey, Bong! You might kill him!" one of the lackeys interjected. They seemed to lack any trace of human empathy.
The impact was more severe than I first thought; I couldn't string together a single coherent thought. Then, the bat struck again, and this time, I could sense blood seeping into my brain.
"Am I going to die?" I pondered silently as Bong continued to land more blows before his lackeys finally pulled him away.
"This is bad! We have to go now!" I recognized the voice—it was Jun. He was one of the bigger guys, and his father worked for Bong's father; they had been childhood friends. Unlike Bong, Jun didn't actively participate in the bullying, more of an onlooker. However, his inaction didn't absolve him of guilt.
I felt the life drain from my eyes, my heartbeat slowing to a crawl.
Perhaps death wouldn't be such a terrible fate; I was utterly exhausted and longed for nothing more than to drift into a peaceful slumber.
Suddenly, a notification appeared:
[[Candidate selected! The Gods have deemed you a worthy candidate!]] I was perplexed by what this meant. I knew my end was near, but this could have been a hallucination brought on by my fading consciousness.
[[Do you wish to reincarnate and seek revenge? Y/N?]] The message asked.
Despite realizing I had nothing left to lose, accepting such an offer seemed like a sign of my deteriorating sanity. Yet, the mere mention of vengeance, even if it was just a fantasy, stirred something within me.
I couldn't resist and chose to embrace the opportunity presented before me.
At least in my final moments, I wouldn't be burdened with the shame of leaving without the prospect of retribution. However, that hope was short-lived as my heart ceased its beat mere seconds later.
[[Vessel found!!]]
[[Reincarnation in progress!!]]
[[Reincarnation complete!!]]
"Huh?" I muttered to myself.
My body felt brand new, and to my surprise, my vision was crystal clear.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I discovered not only was I stunningly beautiful, but I also stood well over 6 feet tall.
[[The Goddess of Beauty has granted you her blessing!!]]
[[A message from the Goddess of Beauty: I have bestowed my grace upon you, and to maintain it, you must undertake 3 beauty trials of my choosing.]]
I read the message, unsure if this was reality or if I had completely lost my mind. Nevertheless, it felt perfect.
I decided to embrace this illusion and ride the wave of delusion for as long as I could!
"Freaking bring it on!" For the first time in my wretched existence, I saw a glimmer of positivity.