Snore
Snor-!
Bang!
"Gawain! You bastard, get up already! Your rent is due, brat!" A rough, irritated voice thundered from behind the door.
"Tch! I told you I'd pay you the fucking rent tomorrow, old man! Why the hell did you have to ruin my sle-!" Gawain shouted back, his voice cutting off as his eyes snapped open. Panic surged through him as he sat up, looking around the room.
His heart raced as his mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. The room was an absolute mess—clothes piled up in random corners, papers scattered across the floor, an old cracked mirror leaning against the wall, and a half-eaten pizza sitting on the desk from who knows how long ago.
Gawain's thoughts scrambled to make sense of it all. 'Did... did it work?' His breathing quickened as realization hit him. 'I-I'm back? I'M BACK!'
A wide grin broke across his face as he placed his palm over his eyes, trying to contain the surge of emotion flooding his chest.
"Did you fall asleep again, brat? Huh?" the landlord's voice came muffled through the door, snapping him out of his reverie. "Tch, forget it, just get the rent ready by tomorrow. Disrespectful brat..." The old man's footsteps faded as he walked away.
But Gawain didn't care. As soon as he was sure the landlord was gone, he jumped up, fist-pumping the air with pure exhilaration. "I'm fucking back!" he yelled, his voice filled with disbelief and joy.
He glanced around the chaotic room, the mess that was once just a part of his mundane existence now looked different—nostalgic even. He took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar, stale air of the place and letting it ground him. His hand reached for his phone, lying on the floor among a pile of dirty clothes. He picked it up and cringed at the cracked screen.
"Damn," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. "How could I be so careless and break this damn thing..."
With a sigh, he powered it up, squinting through the fractures as the date appeared. His grin widened. "Last day of the year..." he whispered. "Tomorrow... tomorrow's when it all begins. The world awakens, and the tutorial kicks off."
He let the words hang in the air, the weight of them sinking in. He had one day—one precious day to get himself ready before the chaos began. One day before everything changed. And that one day would be more than enough.
Cracking his back, he stretched out, feeling his body hum with anticipation. "Alright..." he said, grinning to himself. "First things first... let's apply for some loans."
Gawain wasted no time. He quickly downloaded a few loan apps, his fingers moving with precision and urgency. Within minutes, he applied for loans on all of them. Satisfied, he plugged his battered phone into the charger and took a deep breath, steadying himself.
His expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Now, I need to unlock my mana... quickly." The words were barely a whisper.
He sat down, crossing his legs, and took a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts. His mind began to focus, sifting through memories of his past life, searching for the sensation of mana—the invisible energy that once flowed through him like a second pulse.
'How did I sense it before?' he wondered. The process felt distant now, a skill from another lifetime. Slowly, he recalled the way mana felt, how it hummed beneath the surface of everything, like a faint vibration. His mind slipped into a deep, meditative state, his senses dulling as he reached out with his thoughts, searching for that familiar flicker.
'Nope, nothing.' Gawain thought, clicking his tongue in annoyance. In his last life, the tutorial gave everyone the opportunity to awaken their mana on a silver platter. All one had to do, was kill a monster and level up, and bam, you have access to mana.
Right now, the world hasn't awakened. The mana was dormant and not in the flowing state he was used to. That made it quite hard for him to figure out how to even sense that thing.
It took him nearly half an hour, before he felt something familiar. 'There. It is so faint, and so...distant. So sluggish.' Gawain thought, wincing inwardly as he concentrated. 'But it's so much denser and rigid than I expected. It wasn't like this before.' Moving it felt like trying to bend steel with his bare hands.
'This is going to be hard to control.' His chest tightened as he braced himself for the struggle ahead.
Time slipped by unnoticed, each second feeling like an eternity. Almost an hour passed before, finally, the mana stirred. It moved—a slow, forceful rush—surging toward him. Gawain gasped as the dense, viscous energy flooded his body, filling every corner of his being.
"Damn! I need to stop this!" He wheezed out in panic. The mana wasn't gentle; it was overwhelming, chaotic. It battered against him like a flood trying to break through a dam. He realized with a jolt that he was the first mana-conductive thing in this world, and the dormant energy that had been lying in wait for centuries was now rushing into him, desperate to fill the void.
"Calm the fuck down!" Gawain growled through gritted teeth, slamming his palms together as if he could physically force the mana back. His body trembled with the effort, but he pushed harder, forcing the wild energy to diffuse.
'This is bad. I need to continuously push it back to limit the amount in my body. I can't form the first circle with this chaotic mana. My body won't be able to handle it.'
He closed his eyes and slowly began pushing the mana out of his body. Right now, all he wanted, was to create a balance, where he was actively pushing the mana out of body, to counter balance the mana rushing in.
Time passed and finally, Gawain was able to achieve the flow rate he was aiming for. But obviously, he wouldn't be Gawain if his luck didn't shit on him even in his victory.
Cough
Blerh!
Gawain collapsed to his knees, doubling over as he coughed up mouthfuls of blood. The metallic taste filled his mouth, and he wiped the corners of his eyes, feeling the sticky warmth of blood smeared across his face.
"Ah, shit," he muttered, breathless and disoriented. "My eyes... fuck, that was terrible." His voice was raspy as he swiped the blood from the corners of his mouth.
He slumped back onto his bed, his body aching, but his mind began to settle. With cautious intent, he tried to move the mana within him, guiding it through his body. A grin spread across his face as his hand began to glow softly, energy coursing through his veins like fire. His eyes snapped open, gleaming with excitement.
He reached for the baseball bat beside his bed, gripping it tightly. With just a simple squeeze, the bat splintered into pieces, shards of wood scattering across the room.
"This... this is amazing!" Gawain marveled, his voice thick with awe. "I never used mana for physical enhancement before, but this... this isn't too bad at all." He cracked his back and sighed with satisfaction, feeling his body hum with power.
The energy coursing through him had a nourishing effect, like it was healing him from the inside out, restoring his strength far beyond what he ever was in his past life at this point in his life.
"Well, mana sure is potent. It won't take long before we make contact with those short stacks. The world won't be the same for much longer." Gawain muttered, falling back on the bed.
Ding!
The sharp sound of a notification pulled him out of his reverie. He blinked and reached for his phone, curiosity prickling at him. His grin widened when he saw the message.
[Your loan has been approved! Thank you for using our services!]
[Your loan has been approved! Thank you for...]
"Finally!" Gawain laughed, gripping his phone in excitement. "Looks like it's time for a shopping spree."
_____
Krrnh!
Krrhh!
"This. Damn. Piece. Of. Junk! Start already!" Gawain growled, his patience wearing thin. The scooter sputtered in protest, refusing to cooperate. He had forgotten just how awful it was—this old heap had been his ride for six long years. Ever since he was fourteen, he had been stuck with this piece of junk, and if there was one thing he hated more than the Otherworlder, it was this damned scooter.
Krrhh...vroom!
"Hah! Finally," he sighed in relief as the engine roared to life. He took the scooter off its stand and sped out of the garage, feeling the wind rush against him as he navigated the streets of Avalon City.
As he rode, nostalgia washed over him, pulling him back to memories he had tried to forget. Avalon City had been magnificent before everything changed. The high-rise buildings loomed tall and proud, their glass facades gleaming in the sunlight. The streets were impeccably clean, with orderly lanes and vibrant flowers lining the sidewalks. Law and order thrived here, a stark contrast to the chaos that unfolded once humanity awakened. Gawain shook his head, pushing aside the dark thoughts. One thing was clear: he wouldn't let the city fall into ruin this time. Not again.
"Where was that shop…" he muttered, trying to recall its location amidst the flood of memories. He steered his scooter into a quieter lane, scanning the surroundings for any familiar landmarks.
"I think it was around here…" he said to himself, slowly moving across the road when, finally, he spotted the shop he was looking for.
[Blades & Anvil]
"There it is!" Gawain exclaimed, a sense of excitement bubbling within him as he parked his scooter near the entrance.
He hopped off and made his way inside, the bell above the door chiming as he stepped inside, the sound echoed through the quiet store.
"Is anyone here?" Gawain called out as he glanced around, feeling a bit awkward, searching for anyone who might be present.
"Coming!" a sonorous voice replied from the back. Gawain's heart raced at the sound. He patted his chest, reminding himself to stay calm and act normal.
A girl emerged from the back room, wiping sweat from her brow, her face breaking into a broad smile upon seeing him. With a hand resting on her hip, she tilted her head and asked, "Hi! So, what can I do for you?"
Gawain stared at her, momentarily caught off guard by her beauty. 'Wow, she's still stunning,' he thought. The wave of nostalgia hit him like a tidal wave.
Tess Anvil had been one of his closest companions in his past life. And he'd be lying if he said he didn't have a massive crush on the girl. Not that he could help himself, the girl was drop dead gorgeous.
Her fiery red hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her flawless white skin seemed to glow. Those striking green eyes sparkled with mischief, and the familiar mole on her chin was a reminder of the countless memories they shared. He still remembered the day she died, a memory that still haunted him. He remembered how utterly helpless he felt, losing someone who had been by his side ever since the beginning of the chaos.
Snap!
Snap!
"Hello, mister! It's rude to stare, you know? Although I know I'm pretty hot, these titties are reserved for my future hubby, so stop staring," Tess teased, wagging a finger playfully in front of his face.
Gawain laughed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and joy. "Sorry! I didn't mean to… I just—" he stammered, trying to regain his composure. "I'm here to buy some weapons and lightweight armor."
Tess's smile widened. "You've come to the right place! Follow me."
She led him to a display of swords, laying them out for him to see. "These are some of the best we have," she said, her pride evident.
Gawain picked up a few swords, testing their weight and balance as he swung them. After a few moments, he placed them back down. "They're impressive, but I need two heavy, one-handed, double-edged swords."
Tess nodded, her expression shifting as she went to fetch what he requested. "Hold on, I'll see what I can find."
As she rummaged through the stock, Gawain couldn't help but appreciate the vibrant atmosphere of the shop. 'At least she isn't forcing me to help her in that damn forge of hers.' Gawain thought, shuddering at the thought of torture this girl put him through in his last life.
Tess returned with a couple of heavier swords, displaying them proudly. "These are the only ones that fit your description, but they're pricier than the others."
Gawain examined the swords, testing their heft. "They're perfect. I also need two 15-inch hunting knives."
Tess raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "What do you need these for? You're not planning to go all serial killer on me, right?"
Gawain chuckled, a grin spreading across his face. "Even if I were, you're too hot to be on my hit list."
Their laughter echoed in the shop, filling the space with warmth. But then Gawain's expression turned serious as he leaned in closer. "I also need torso, arm, and shin guards made of high-carbon steel, and knee, elbow, and throat guard made of Kevlar."
Tess's smile faded, concern etching itself into her features. "Now you're scaring me. What are you planning to do?"
Gawain leaned in closer, lowering his voice and whispered seriously. "You should arm yourself too. And get one for your sister too."
"Wait, how do you know I have a sister?" Tess's frown deepened, suspicion creeping into her eyes.
"Chill out. It's not a government secret. I've seen her around here with you a few times," he said, trying to mask his nervousness.
Tess stared at him, studying him intently. Gawain sighed, feeling the weight of her gaze. "If you don't want to believe me, that's your choice... but I'll say this: there's nothing wrong with being prepared."
Tess sighed, her brows furrowing as she contemplated his words. "I'll think about it. Just wait here; I'll grab your stuff."
Gawain ran his hand over the blades again, nodding, his mind racing with thoughts of the future, as he ran his hand over the blades.
Tess shot him one last look, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity before disappearing into the back room. 'Is he some crazy edgelord, or does he actually know something?' she wondered. With a heavy sigh, she muttered to herself, "Dammit… I'll wring his neck if he's messing with me."
_____
"...and this is the last one. Þéa ᚠᛟᚱ ᚨᚾᛗᚨᚱ (deflection)," Gawain murmured, his brow furrowed in concentration. He carefully etched the rune onto the surface of his armguards, making sure not to mess it up. He has quite the experience of what would happen if you carve the wrong rune. Let's just say it was not something that he enjoyed.
As he completed the rune, it ignited in a brilliant blue glow before fading into nothingness. Gawain exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders releasing. He fell back onto the bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion pull at him.
"Finally. God, I'm spent," he whispered, eyes drifting to the window. Night had settled outside, the darkness thick and enveloping. He glanced at his phone, the time reading late, and knew he had to act fast. "I should take a shower. It might be the last peaceful one I get..."
He quickly ordered a pizza, the familiar comfort of food a small solace in the chaos that lay ahead. With that done, he headed to the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue from his body. The steam enveloped him, and for a moment, he allowed himself to forget about the cluster fuck looming on the horizon.
After showering and devouring his pizza, Gawain stood in front of his gear, ready for what lay ahead. He put on a soft, long-sleeved white t-shirt and sturdy black pants. Next, he slipped on his torso guard, which was surprisingly flexible. He adjusted the throat guard for comfort and added a black zip-up hoodie for warmth and cover.
One by one, he put on his elbow, knee, arm, and shin guards, each piece fitting snugly. He looked at the two black straps Tess had given him—one for his swords across his back and another for his knives at his waist. He quickly put them on too and placed his weapons in their place.
Once he was properly dressed, Gawain looked up at the clock and saw it was almost midnight. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. "Alright, almost done," he murmured, turning to the mirror.
He stared at the 5'10, raven haired, deep blue eyed brat in the mirror and smiled. He didn't have the scars he had recieved in his last life. And call him narcissistic, but he was not bad looking at all. Although he did look like an emo edgelord right now.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a loud announcement booming from outside.
"ARE YOU GUYS READY?! LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!"
"10!"
"9!"
"8!"
"7!"
Gawain smirked, feeling adrenaline surge through him as he pulled up his mask, concealing half his face and the throat guard. "Alright…"
"6!"
"5!"
"4!"
"3!"
He felt his heart race, anticipation building within him.
"...let's do this."
"2!"
"One more time."
"1!"
[Congratulations! The World Awakening will now begin!]
[The tutorial is commencing!]
_____