A group of people gathered in a corner of the road watching something; from the looks, one could guess they were here for some entertainment to pass their time.
*Smack* *Smack* *Thump*
But upon close looking, one could see that some teenagers were beating a boy who was also the same age as them. The onlookers found the entertainment they were searching for; instead of helping the poor fellow, they enjoyed his painful screams. Even if some of them dare to stand up for the boy, they can't do anything because they are weak, and this world is cruel to the weak and poor; only the people with power can enjoy the privilege of this world.
A young boy with wavy black hair wearing a black shirt and black pants was the main attraction of the event.
The boy's face is swelling because of the beating he took, blood flowing from his head, and his dress is colored by the mud. There is an expression on his face that says it's a regular day for him; all the beatings and mocking are like a regular 9-5 job for him; it's his routine to entertain these people.
"Stop, that's enough for today; otherwise, we will lose our favorite toy." A grumpy-looking, red-haired, and well-dressed boy stopped his partner, who was kicking the boy in the face.
"C'mon, Roy, you both always take your sweet little time with him, but when it's my time, all of you will always stop me." He bitched, making an annoyed expression while his shoes were rubbing the black-haired boy's face.
"Next time, your turn will be the first. Besides, when you start, you look like you couldn't stop beating him like a madman, and we have an audience for today." the last boy who is the tallest of the group and looking like their leader replied, wearing a mocking smile.
"Tch," he stopped annoyed by both of them, and it looked like today they made a hit movie by gathering this much audience.
They all looked at the boy who was groaning in pain, holding his right wrist, which was painted with his blood. He tried to help himself to stand but collapsed because he badly injured his legs.
They all took out something from their pocket and threw it at him, but the boy felt that they were trying to beat him again, so he tried to lessen the damage by covering his face with his left hand.
"Relax chicken, I told you we will not destroy our top entertainer by killing him. Besides, today I am really satisfied, so here is extra money for you, and we will meet again; see you."
After they left, the boy scrambled to collect the money from the muddy ground, his hands shaking as he rushed to gather it. He cannot afford to waste a single penny here.
Some of the onlookers helped the boy to stand and collect the money; they felt bad for him, and it was the only thing they could do to lessen their guilt.
*Sigh*
After some time collecting the money, the boy sat in a chair, lost in thought. He was an orphan in this world; there was no one he could lean on in this world, but even then he didn't let this weakness of his demoralize him. He thought he could become a pillar for the orphanage that raised him. Everything shattered on that day.
This world has an energy called "resonance," which helps people awaken their powers, and those who awaken these superhuman powers are called awakeners. Everyone can have the opportunity to awaken their powers after reaching the age of 15.
He was loved by everybody in the orphanage; they were all proud of him, thinking he could become someone big in the future. He was very happy when his awakening day arrived.
But in an instant, everything shattered, his hopes scattering into a thousand pieces, each one a stark reminder of what could have been.
He didn't awaken his powers, and for some reason, his soul was cracked, and for that reason, he couldn't absorb resonance.
All those who once loved him started treating him as if he were nothing more than some discarded trash. Their warmth was replaced by a cold difference. His brothers and sisters, who shared the same orphanage upbringing, now turned against him and mocked him relentlessly, taunting and belittling him with cruelty that cut deeper than any wound.
The only ones who stood up with him were his grandma, who found him abandoned in the street and took him to the orphanage, and his little cuties, who, like him, had been cast aside in this harsh world.
*Sigh*
"It's been three years. No use thinking about any of this now. I have to endure this; the orphans need money right now, and I don't want to disappoint them anymore."
Even after all this daily hellish torture, he didn't want them to suffer the same as him. After all, he is a man, and a man can go to any length to protect those precious to him.
"Alan!" an old woman running towards him wearing a simple long black dress with a headscarf and a worried expression and with her 3 little kids running while crying looking at him.
Looking at them His tired expression turned into gentleness.
"Again, Alan, we all told you we would manage something; you don't need to always sacrifice yourself; you already did enough." The old woman said while wiping all the blood on his head and wrist.
"Brother, did it hurt?" A young girl's voice trembled, her eyes swelling because of how much she had cried.
"No, Anna, your brother is strong; they all fled after watching your brother's might." He said while holding the girl, wiping her tears, pinching her chubby cheeks.
"Liar," a young boy said while his finger slightly adjusted his glasses with his index finger.
"Brother, your head is bleeding, your legs are injured, you can't even stand properly, while your wrist is donating blood to the soil." The last boy said who was slightly taller than the former.
"No, I'm not ly-
*ring* *ring*
The sound of a phone ringing broke the moment.
"Hello," a deep voice echoed on the other end, clear and commanding.
"Alan, do you want to do the rift cleaning today? There was a rift cleared, and they wanted our group to do the job. Don't worry, the money is good."
He didn't have to think for a moment to accept this job; right now money is what he needed the most, and besides, it's been a long time since he visited a rift.
"Grandma, I have to go now. Don't worry, I will get myself treated on the way."
His expression said he was really happy. After a hellish day, the only good thing is happening now, and he can't let this opportunity go to waste. Maybe he can earn a bonus, and they can go to eat something in a decent place.
.....
Inside a dark place where even light cannot enter, suddenly a big sphere of black flames started igniting a sinister light. The black sphere had the shape of eyes.
"It looks like it will be a long dreamy night."