Chapter 2: Year Zero
Vanta attempted to summon his abilities, but a strange resistance, a blockage deep within, prevented their manifestation. The giant praying mantis, its form now revealed as the miasma receded, lunged. With a desperate cry, he used his hands to block the attack, his left hand instinctively overlapping his right. The impact sent him flying, his body slamming against the rough bark of a massive tree.
He groaned, pushing himself upright. His left hand was nearly severed, a ragged wound just below the wrist; a broken rib stabbed at his side with each breath. Blood dripped, staining the lush green foliage. But even as pain lanced through him, his sharp instincts, honed over years of survival, remained alert.
The creature before him – a colossal praying mantis, its chitinous exoskeleton gleaming under the dappled sunlight – was an Erosion, a corrupted animal twisted by some dark mutation. Unlike the monstrous beings of legend, Erosions were once living creatures, now warped into grotesque parodies of their former selves. The best strategy: a swift, crushing blow to the head.
As the mantis launched another attack, its scythe-like forelegs a blur of motion, Vanta reacted instinctively. He ripped off his belt, the leather surprisingly strong, and used it as a makeshift weapon. Each strike was a near miss, the razor-sharp limbs a constant threat. He felt the sting of several cuts, but he refused to yield.
He found himself backed against the massive tree, its rough bark digging into his skin. The mantis lunged, its forelegs catching in the thick branches. With a powerful leap, Vanta wrapped the belt tightly around the creature's neck, pulling with all his might. The sickening crack of snapping bone echoed through the jungle.
"Thank heavens it was only a Phase One Erosion," he gasped, collapsing to the forest floor, sweat mingling with blood. The pain, previously muted by adrenaline, now surged through him in a wave of agony.
As he lay there, catching his breath, something fell from his pocket – his student ID. As he picked it up, it transformed into a worn leather-bound book, his name embossed on the cover: Vanta Black.
He remembered Shasha's words and flipped through the book. The pages contained instructions:
Welcome to Blueblood's Year Zero. Your first task is to acquire the Xue Sense.
Storage:
Map: >
Vanta stared, disbelief etched on his face. The Xue Sense – a powerful ability requiring years of dedicated training – was his first task? Was he to waste years in this desolate jungle?
He frowned, noticing the remaining pages were blank. He touched the "Storage" section:
« Food items: 10
Health items: 5
Clothing items: 6
Weapon items: 3
Random items: 9
Storage item capacity: 50 »
"Not bad," he muttered, using a health item to instantly heal his wounds, leaving only a dull ache. He equipped the weapon items: a short sword, sturdy leather boots, and a protective breastplate.
He opened the map, only to find a small circle representing his current location, with a few nearby landmarks. The rest was blank.
"What the hell?" he grumbled, switching the book back into his ID and tucking it away. The bitterness was a heavy weight in his stomach.
He climbed a tall tree, the sun high in the sky. The jungle was eerily silent, save for the rustling leaves and occasional insect chirps. To the west, he spotted a stream. He noted the distance and prominent landmarks before descending.
"This place is strange," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I have to be careful. Where there's water, there's no telling what kind of monster lurks nearby."
His supplies were limited; he needed shelter before nightfall. Just as he began to search, a hand touched his shoulder, a jolt of icy fear running down his spine. He spun, leaping back, only to see a girl standing there.
"Is this some kind of trap?" he whispered, his eyes narrowed, suspicion etched on his face.