I let out a long yawn as I woke up, barely remembering when I fell asleep. The soft hum of the ship's engines served as a strange, soothing alarm. Blinking a few times, I glanced up at the top bunk. Jason was still asleep, his face calm and relaxed.
"Guess his dream is almost within reach," I thought, smiling faintly. He still had a long way to go, but no matter what happened, I was determined to support him.
A loud growl from my stomach pulled me from my thoughts. "Better grab something for us to eat," I muttered, slipping my hand into my pocket. The remaining money was just enough for dinner.
Careful not to wake Jason, I quietly opened the door and stepped out. The metallic corridor stretched ahead, dimly lit and mostly empty. Occasionally, footsteps echoed faintly, but the air felt calm. Unfolding the map we'd been given earlier, I traced a path to the canteen and made my way there, the promise of a warm meal driving my steps.
The canteen greeted me with the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat. The smoky char and rich spices filled the air, making my stomach growl again. I bought four skewers —two for me, two for Jason— and was relieved to find I still had a little change left.
As I headed back, food in hand, I noticed a commotion at the counter. A boy, maybe a year or two younger than me, had bought some meat but didn't have the money to pay. The staff weren't letting it slide, and the tension was thick.
I hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. "Here," I said, handing over the last bit of my money. It was just enough to cover his meal.
The boy turned to me, wide-eyed. "Thank you," he said, his voice heavy with gratitude.
We stepped away from the counter, and he added, "If you need anything when we get to the island, come find me. My room's 213. I'm a native, so I know the place like the back of my hand."
I nodded, surprised but appreciative. "Thanks."
My name's Kelvin," he said with a small smile. I nodded and replied, "Ragnarok. Nice to meet you.
With that, we parted ways. As I walked back to the room, my mind lingered on the encounter. I was broke now, but there was a strange satisfaction in helping someone else.
I made it back to the room, carefully balancing the skewers in one hand as I opened the door. The moment I stepped inside, Jason stirred. He rubbed his eyes, sat up on the top bunk, and sniffed the air.
"What smells so good?" he asked, his voice still groggy from sleep.
I smirked and handed him his share. "Grilled meat. Got it from the canteen. Thought you'd want some."
He grinned, grabbing the skewers eagerly. "Man, you're a lifesaver. Thanks."
We sat on our bunks, eating in companionable silence. The smoky flavor of the meat was as good as it smelled, and judging by the way Jason devoured his portion, he thought the same.
"Alright," Jason said, brushing his hands off after finishing, "let's freshen up and check out the ship. No point staying cooped up in here.
I nodded, already looking forward to exploring. "Good idea. Let's see what this place has to offer."
With that, we quickly got ready, excitement buzzing between us.
We wandered through the ship, taking in the sights. It was amazing. There was a swimming pool that stretched across the deck. A bustling game area was filled with excited voices and the sound of arcade machines. There was even a fully equipped gym tucked away in one corner, but the fee was out of our budget, so we settled for sightseeing instead.
As we explored further, we noticed a booth marked For Ranker Ticket Holders Only. Jason and I exchanged a glance and headed inside, showing our tickets.
The area was stunning. To the left, there was a spacious training zone filled with state-of-the-art equipment, from punching dummies to strength-measuring devices. Further down, we saw a simulation area where people were testing themselves against virtual monsters. The holograms were so detailed they almost looked real.
Before we could take it all in, one of the attendants approached us. After checking our tickets, they gestured toward a hallway. "Head to the orientation hall," they said.
We followed their instructions and entered a large room with a massive flat screen dominating the far wall. Rows of sleek, comfortable chairs filled the space. As we took our seats, another attendant handed us special glasses.
The moment we put them on, the screen came alive with vibrant, three-dimensional visuals. A detailed orientation about becoming a Ranker played before us, immersing us in its world. The narration was clear and inspiring, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and rewards that awaited us.
The orientation also covered what we could do if we ended up with so-called "trash powers." It emphasized that even those with less impressive abilities could still contribute to society, such as by joining the Ranker police. They reassured us that no matter the power we received, there would always be a role we could thrive in.
"I guess this is their way of preventing people from going rogue," I thought to myself as the screen faded to black. It was a subtle but clever move, giving everyone a sense of purpose and belonging no matter their abilities.
After the orientation: Jason turned to me, his eyes shining with determination. "Trash power or not, I'm going to make it work," he said. His voice was firm, but I caught the faintest flicker of uncertainty.
When the session ended, we were handed pamphlets detailing what to expect on the island. I skimmed through it as we walked out. The pamphlet explained that upon arrival, we'd be escorted to the island center, where the colossal Stone Tablet stood.
It also mentioned a unique barrier around the tablet that only allowed those without powers to enter. The moment someone received their powers, a watch would appear on their wrist. This watch would display their rank and provide a detailed breakdown of their abilities.
One part of the pamphlet, written in bold red text, caught my attention: "Under no circumstances should you attempt to re-enter the barrier after receiving your power. The punishment for this is death—not by us, but by the Supreme Being himself."
The gravity of those words made my stomach turn. It wasn't just a warning; it was a reminder of the seriousness of what we were about to undertake.
Then a thought crossed my mind: what if Jason ended up with a trash power? I was sure it would break his heart, shattering his dreams in an instant.