Chapter 2 - I Want to Snap Some Necks, a Bully's Neck
While Carn was still baffled by his current predicament, "Big Mama" continued with the morning announcements. Her deep, commanding voice filled the classroom.
"As y'all know, you're already 10th graders, and you're eligible to take the SAT as long as your GPA is higher than a three. So, y'all kids better study hard and do well on the next exams if you wanna be a damn filthy rich explorer!"
Carn blinked, struggling to process her words.
'Explorer? What the hell is she talking about?'
Mama didn't seem to notice his confusion as she dove straight into the day's lesson. She picked up a thick history book from her desk and began pointing out key events aloud.
"Now, open your history book, page 63. Let's go over the important events. Since the Y2K incident 19 years ago, dimensional rifts randomly open up in our world, and wild beasts from another dimension slip through the cracks. The government's been doin' a fine job keeping them monsters at bay, but we're losing soldiers faster than we can train them. Then, in 2002, the Pope made a prophecy about a series of future events. Take notes, kids, 'cause his prophecy is always on the final exam!"
Carn snapped out of his daze the moment Mama mentioned 'dimensional rifts'. His head jerked up, and his eyes widened.
What did she just say?
Dimensional rifts?
Monsters?
Prophecies?
Was this some kind of joke?
He scratched the back of his head, stunned and confused. This didn't sound like the Earth he knew. Glancing around the room, he caught sight of Malinda. She sat there calmly, focused on her textbook, highlighting key points with a bright pink pen.
'Is this the norm here?' Carn thought, still trying to wrap his head around what was happening.
He could see his other classmates listening attentively. Some took notes like this was the most normal thing in the world. There wasn't a single hint of surprise or disbelief on anyone's face.
'What the hell is going on?!'
…
After the morning classes, Carn remained seated, focusing on the history textbook from the first period. It felt less like a school subject and more like reading a fantasy novel. He found himself absorbed in this new reality, one that didn't seem to match the Earth he knew.
This wasn't his world. He had been born in 2008, but here, it was 2019, and instead of being in the sixth grade, he was a tenth-grader.
Alternate reality?
Transmigration?
The questions swirled in his head. Carn stopped reading and leaned back, crossing his arms, letting out a deep sigh as he tried to make sense of his predicament.
His thoughts drifted back to the vivid dream he had of being a gargoyle, and more importantly, to his memories of the demon lord he had served.
The image of a seven-foot-tall, elderly man with purple skin and antler-like horns surfaced in his mind. Though the background in his memories was hazy, the demon lord's face was clear as day.
In his recollection, the demon lord himself had sculpted Carn from a stone, shaping him into the fearsome gargoyle he would become. The demon lord had even talked to Carn during his creation.
[Pebble, do you know that alternate worlds and dimensions exist? I have a confession. I was once human before I was reborn. You could say I died as a man and reincarnated as an imp. That imp trained so hard that he eventually reached the pinnacle of the Grand Tide. I ruled that world for over ten thousand years... but in the end, no one can defeat death. I wonder if I'll reincarnate again with my memories intact. Will I get a third chance? Pebble, what do you think?]
At that time, Carn had been nothing more than a sentient stone, unable to speak or respond. But he remembered every word. Every moment spent with his creator.
A tear rolled down Carn's cheek as he recalled those interactions. To him, the demon lord was more than just his master. He was his creator, his father, and the reason he had become what he was for a thousand years.
"I understand now, Father," Carn whispered to himself. "Reincarnation, alternate dimensions, different worlds... I get it. That dream wasn't a dream. It was my memory."
More tears fell as Carn closed his eyes, lost in the memory. He still didn't fully understand how he had ended up on Earth again, or how he had once become the demon lord's son in Grand Tide.
But one thing was clear. The dream was no illusion. It was a piece of his past, a piece of the life he had lived.
"Thank you, Father, for raising me and taking such good care of me."
Unbeknownst to him, Carn's tears continued to flow, as the memories of his past life and the love he had for the demon lord overwhelmed him. Lost in his emotions, he didn't notice his surroundings.
Malinda, who had been planning to invite Carn to the cafeteria for lunch, noticed the tears running down his face. Without hesitation, she pulled out a pack of wet tissues and gently wiped his cheeks.
"What's wrong, Carn?! Why are you crying?!" Malinda's voice trembled as she panicked.
Carn snapped back to reality, suddenly aware of the wetness on his face. He quickly rubbed his eyes, trying to come up with an excuse.
"I just thought of something sad," he mumbled.
Malinda's concern deepened. Her words were rushed, and she stuttered slightly, "You… I-I've seen clips and articles from the internet. People have been getting depressed lately. Have you been taking meds? Seen a doctor? Listen, I'm here for you, okay? I'm on your side! No matter how hard things get, you've still got me. Just don't do anything stupid—to others or yourself!"
Carn, taken aback by her flustered concern, let out a dry laugh. "Why are you panicking?"
Suddenly, Malinda's own eyes welled up with tears. "You Alzheimer's dumbass! My sister was like you before she jumped off a building last year! My mom almost hung herself last summer right in front of us! Don't you remember?! They both just got so depressed for no reason… like you! So please, don't be like them. Whatever you have in mind, talk to me!"
Her voice cracked, and Carn was stunned. He didn't remember her, but her sincerity hit him hard. The pain in her voice and the desperation in her plea made her family's situation crystal clear. Her worry was genuine, and her past was clearly tragic.
Carn quickly apologized. "Sorry. Don't worry, I'm not planning anything like that. It's more like… I was thinking of a distant deceased relative?"
Malinda sighed, clearly relieved, but didn't let up. "Well, okay… but don't just start crying out of nowhere like that. Are you really a man? Men don't cry, okay?"
"We DO cry sometimes, though," Carn raised an eyebrow.
"Not in public, you dumb-dumb!" Malinda scolded him. She paused for a moment, and her cheeks turned slightly red. Her voice strangely softened, "If you have to cry… come to my house and c-cry on my shoulders, okay? M-My parents work during the daytime and come home late at night. W-We can talk alone."
Unable to catch the hint, Carn gave her a wry smile. Still, he sensed strange tension in the air. "…Okay?"
Changing his mood, Carn glanced around, hoping to find inspiration to change the conversation topic.
But then he noticed something.
Several of their classmates were watching them. A few of Malinda's friends were giggling and whispering excitedly, clearly entertained by the interaction. Some of the girls at the back of the classroom, however, rolled their eyes in disdain.
Among the onlookers were a few male students, one of whom stood out from the rest. A tall boy from the back of the class suddenly strode forward, and without warning, kicked Carn's chair.
Both Carn and Malinda turned to face the intruder. Carn, as usual, didn't recognize him.
"Jack! Leave him alone!" Malinda yelled.
Jack, the school's resident bully, smirked. At 16 years old, he already stood 175 cm tall, with the potential to grow even more. As a football player and the top quarterback candidate for the school team, Jack was both popular and feared. He was also known for tormenting weaker students.
Leering at Carn, Jack sneered, "Hey, twink! Acting all spoiled in front of your girlfriend again? Man up and stop crying like a little bitch!"
"HEY!!" Malinda shot up from her seat, raising her voice in anger.
But before she could stop him, Jack's hand whipped out. With a smug grin stretched across his face, he slapped the back of Carn's head hard.
PA
The force caused Carn's body to jerk slightly, but he didn't react.
Jack's smirk widened. He leaned in close. His words dripped with arrogance, "Heh! What are you gonna do about it?"
This wasn't the first time Jack had tried to humiliate Carn. Every time, Carn remained passive and never retaliated, which only fueled Jack's bullying. Today, Jack also expected the same reaction.
The classroom fell into a tense silence. Jack's group gathered behind him, ready to back up their leader if needed. Meanwhile, Malinda's friends rushed out of the room, frantically searching for a teacher.
The rest of the students hovered nearby, bringing their phones out to capture the scene on video for social media. Everyone was waiting for Carn to break, expecting him to shrink under Jack's taunts like he always did.
But this time, something was different.
Carn straightened his back, slowly raising his head to meet Jack's gaze. There was no fear in his eyes, only a cold, unyielding calm. His stare felt heavy, like the weight of a predator watching its prey. The controlled killing intent in his gaze sent a chill down Jack's spine, though he'd never admit it.
Carn's mind drifted. Jack's arrogance reminded him of the adventurers who once invaded his father's tomb, seeking treasure and power. The ones he had crushed, their necks twisted in his stony grasp. A thousand years of battle instincts surged within him.
Jack's throat, so soft and fragile, was right there within his reach. Carn could snap it in an instant. The temptation to do so swirled inside him, almost intoxicating.
For a moment, Carn's eyes flickered with murderous intent. He salivated as the hunger to end Jack's arrogance was almost too much to resist.
But then he let out a long, slow breath, forcing himself to hold back. He couldn't lose control, not here.
Not yet.
Seeing Carn gulp, Jack mistook it for fear and leaned in even closer. His smirk widened, trying to press his advantage. "What are you lookin' at, loser?"
Malinda, sensing the rising tension, stepped between them and shoved Jack away. "Jack! What's your problem?! Back off, or I'll tell the teachers!"
Jack scoffed, mocking her. "Boohoo! I'm gonna tell the teachers!"
He shoved her aside. Then, with a sneer, he planted his hand on Carn's head, pushing down, trying to force Carn's face into the desk. "Hiding behind your girlfriend again? Gonna cry like a little bitch?"
But this time, something changed.
Jack pushed, but Carn didn't move. His body remained completely still like a boulder rooted to the ground. Jack's grin faltered as he realized he couldn't budge Carn even an inch.
Carn's eyes fixed on Jack's neck again. The urge to snap it grew stronger with each second. His deep and calm voice finally broke the silence.
"Back off… while you still can... Jackass."