*FWOOSSH*
The world became hazy as I dove headfirst into the grey mist below. The frost bit instantly as I made contact.
"N-not what I-I ex-expect-ted"
I could barely hear anything through the constant whistling of wind.
My head turned to the side. The force of the air stream was forcing my mouth and eyes to open. It made looking down impossible.
But with great effort I was able to raise my shivering arms in front of me— a futile effort to block the winds.
*WOOOOSH*
"...Crap"
It didn't take long for my arms to give out from exhaustion. Though it did buy me enough time to think of a better solution.
Which was far simpler in hindsight, I reorient myself— which was surprisingly easy with the wind dragging me along.
With a sudden twist of my body, the world turned for a moment.
I was now falling on my back. The air still curved to whip my face, but it was weak enough now that I could keep my eyes closed with slight ease compared to before.
*HWOOHHH*
*Flap*
*Flap*
Though 'ease' was relatively since I was still struggling to keep them shut. I compromised and decided to simply squint. It kept my eyes moist while I still had the ability to see… somewhat anyways.
'...Oh no.'
I brought one of my hands close to my face. A thin layer of ice was forming on its surface. Which could only lead to one thing.
'...Hypothermia.'
I grimaced at the thought. My teeth started to chatter, while my shivering intensified. I could feel my sense of touch slowly going numb. The first ones to go were extremities exposed to the wind
*FWOOSSH*
The haziness of my surroundings suddenly disappeared as I broke through the cloud layer.
"...woah"
The view was…breathtaking.
Layers upon layers of clouds filled my vision, their contours highlighted by what little lights pierced from above.
Unfortunately the scene only lasted for a fleeting moment before I was engulfed again in a gray haze.
*WOOOOSH*
'What the!?'
I was startled as a tingle ran down my spine as my back was suddenly soaked.
The effects were instantaneous.
The cold winds bit deeper, the shivering increased while my body instinctively curled, trying its best to preserve warmth. All the while waves of drowsiness surged through my mind.
I was assaulted on two fronts. The world doubled while black spots formed at its edges
"Krrrhhh."
I winced as I bit my tongue to stay lucid. The sharp pain was enough to shock me to wakefulness.
*HWOOHHH*
Again the world cleard as I passed through a cloud layer. This time though it was different as I could faintly see a blurry structure that tapered down towards the ground.
'...a mountain?—wait'
My heart raced as realization hit me like a truck. I uncurled as fast as I could, my body felt stiff. but with a few attemps a was able to generate enough force to twist myself to face the ground.
Even as my arms rose to shield my face, the wind wafted in through the gaps. Stinging my eyes as I struggle to get them to focus on what was infront of me
*FWOOOOH*
'Come on, come on'
Then—
*Ting*
The screaming winds stilled to a drawn hum. The back of my head burned as time once again crawled at a snail's pace.
Without wasting a beat I took in the sight in front of me. I was falling above a mountain.
Directly below me was an opening at the center, my heart dropped at the realization.
'Where was I supposed to land?!"
Through my limited field of view I saw nothing but mountains and flat plains, there were a few streams here and there but even from this high up I could tell they were too shallow to break my fall.
My thoughts raced for a solution—an answer—something. But there was nothing.
I could do nothing…Nothing but watch.
Watch as time crawled back to normalcy
Watch as the ground draws closer and closer as the seconds pass.
'…I'm going to die'
The realization of death felt…anticlimactic.
There was nothing here, no stakes, no questions, not even a chance to live. It was just...Death.
Even through the hopelessness my Insticnts still flaired as I neared the opening.
My limbs were still stiff—Still shivering.
But nonetheless they moved as I curled myself into a ball— Knees to my chest, head bowed, while my hand shielded my nape.
I felt the world tumbling as I suddenly started to spin. Yet I couldn't do anything about it. I simply closed my eyes—and braced for impact.
*PLAFH*
*Crack*
"...Arghkk—KKAHHHH!"
A guttural scream left my throat as the impact sent waves of pain through my body. A sharp sting bloomed on my right shoulder as it took the brunt of my landing.
The impact knocked me out of my braced position. My eyes snapped open as I felt my momentum stop, only to be greeted by a blurry world as I tumble through the air again.
My limbs flailed instinctively, searching for solid ground But there was nothing— I started falling again.
*Thud*
*Crack*
I felt the wind get knocked out from me as my mouth opened to a silent scream.
White flashed in my eyes while my back violently arched upwards. I tensed for a moment before slowly laying down on the ground. There was a lump at the back of my hips, but I ignored it for now.
"HUUaggh-HaagHHH"
*Gulp*
"huuaghh-HAGghhh"
My chest heaved while greedily breathe through my mouth. Meanwhile my mind took a mental note of my body. To sum it up I was shivering, drenched, and in agony.
Yet none of those were the first of my concerns.
"H-how...agh...am…I-I...still, alive?"
My voice was hoarse as I asked no one in particular. I couldn't move— shouldn't move. Too many things were broken, I couldn't risk making it worse.
Even through the swearing pain I tried to assess myself.
I couldn't feel most of my body, but I could still move them to see which responded.
I knew it was stupid but I had to know. So I wiggled my limbs one by one. It was painful, Yes. but the results were surprising.
'Urgg…no compound fractures—how'
My mind was still reeling, not from the fall, but from the fact I'm still in one piece. Ive seen patients being rushed from a caracident. Though it wasnt a fair comparison I should't even be in one piece.
I closed my eyes and took deep and heavy breaths, shelving everything up for now as I focused entirely on relaxing my body and mind.
*Inhale*
*Exhale*
*Inhale*
Pain rippled through me with each heave, still I persisted until I felt my heart beat slowed and my mind eased.
The world was clearer now. I could see the depth of cloud formations, the way they slithered slightly above me.
My eyes squinted as something caught my attention. There high above me were glistening spheres—they were small, almost imperceptible if not for the light refracting off of them.
'...Frozen…Rain?…'
I tried to crane my neck for a better lock. but it was no use, they were too high up.
I gave up and simply stared.
Time was lost to me as I laid there for god knows how long.
Breathing.
Staring.
Half-dead.
I didn't know when, but my senses had already dulled as I came back to awareness.
'Im paralyzed?!'
I couldn't even panic, my body wouldn't respond. I simply watched in silent horror as the world moved rapidly around me. It was like watching one of those time lapse videos.
From above I watched the constant writhing of clouds, sometime later their colors shifted as splashes of gold and orange broke through the gray monotony.
A familiar sensation crept through me…Like ants crawling through my blood vessels.
I felt my bones shift while my muscles spasmed beneath my skin.
Panic rose as I feared that He was somewhere nearby— He wasnt. And slowly I began to relax again.
"Thank…God"
*Crack*
*Krrrshk*
'...this feels so…morbid'
The discomfort soon faded. The searing pain slowly subsided, turning into a constant ache. Before disappearing entirely.
After which warmth spread through my body, relaxing my tense muscles while kicking the cold away and stopping the shivering.
I felt comfortable again. So much so that I almost fell asleep after this…this process.
But I quickly clench my jaw, and balled my fist as hard as I could. I needed to stay awake. I was in some unknown place.
My mind was screaming for sleep. But doing so like this made me feel paranoid.
A short shock ran through me as time began to slow down. It wasn't accompanied by the Ting or the burning sensation at the back of my head.
It was just my senses realigned back to reality as I slowly grew aware of my surroundings.
I blinked as I felt my senses come back to me. Then slowly I got up and sat upright.
Taking a deep breath I felt… refreshed and like lightning my hands shot up as I began to pad myself down, checking for injuries
'Huh.. no bleeding, no bruises…nothing'
Apart from torn fabric everything was normal. And honestly I was still surprised that I actually survived the fall over the actual healing process. Damp sure, but I was alive nonetheless
"Am I… still human?—huh?!"
I was stunned for a bit as I heard my own voice. Now that I had time to unwind I could hear it properly.
"I sound younger now"
Apart from my voice I also felt the fabric of my uniform being somewhat loose.
"What happened to me?..."
My mind tried to back track but everything beyond that weird void were fragments.
'Arg…Apartment, game, then—game?... what game'
I struggled to even comprehend what little fragments I could remember.
I sighed. Shoulders slumping forward, before rising with another sigh.
My gaze wandered on my surroundings. In front of me was an elevated platform, glancing at the right I saw two sets of stone stairs. While a tall gigantic spike rose next to a dead tree from my left.
Yellow moss swallowed stone while the same colored grass grew everywhere It could.
"Is this place abandoned—"
My thoughts were cut off as my head snapped towards the looming head of a dragon.
I stared at it for a moment, then did a quick sweep of the surroundings before glancing back up again.
A feeling of familiarity swept through me as I stared deeply at the sculpture's head.
"Where have I seen you before?"
Minutes passed.
My gaze drifted from its open maw to the sides—at the darkening skies above.
"...Its getting late now"
The orange glow piercing the grey skies was intense, it was also dimmer than when I fell.
*Crack*
*Pop*
Joints cracked as I stood up, not from pain. But because I've been laying still for far too long.
"…my hip feel brand new"
After stretching for a bit I closed my eyes. I could still feel the foreign energy coursing through me. I shivered as I became conscious of it.
It was the same feeling as when that, Thing was doing who knows what to my body. But this time I could somewhat manipulate it. If I focused hard enough—I could actually move it…it was satisfying.
I became entranced with this feeling of…oneness with myself? It was Indescribable.
*Ting*
The back of my head burned.
I was somewhat getting used to this ability of mine, but I had no clue how it worked. All I knew was that it triggered whenever I perceived danger.
'...why now?'
My eyes were still closed. I couldn't see, my mind was racing when—
The world flashed as a golden circle manifested in my mind's eye. It moved pulsed around me and where ever it went the contours of the surrounding were revealed
'Echolocation?!'
I focused on that golden ring. confused as to how I did it.
'How?—Energy!'
I concentrated back on the energy in my body. I felt it moving on its own, gathering then pulsing as another ring of gold expanded outwards.
The images became sharper as I focused my sense on the expanding rings. I could still feel them as they left my body. Though they dissipated a short while later.
It was then that I felt something behind me. An image surfaced, it was a blob of chaotic lines, yet what intrigued me most was the energy converging in front of it.
It, too, was golden. It expanded, surged, then condensed. It felt similar to mine.
'What is that—'
My eyes widened as the ball of energy launched itself…towards me.
I felt time crawling back to normalcy.
Instincts flared before conscious thought— Legs anchored themselves as I pushed my body aside, just in time as something whistled past my ear.
Everything had already happened before my eyes could open. Yet I had enough time to see what it was— a sphere of golden light. It was the size of a baseball. Glowing, but not blinding.
*Sizzle*
It landed not far from me. I watched in surprised horror when it hit the paved stone. It didn't just damage it—it slagged everything touched, forming a circle of molten rock.
My breath hitch as I turned to face what threw it.
'...behind me'
There below another set of stairs, I saw something standing in the middle of the stone platform.
'A…monster?'
It was short. childlike.
My eyes landed on its head. It was big compared to its body, so much so it practically leaned forward as it waddled closer to me.
It had no face, just a smooth mask with holes exposing the luminous ball it had for a head. The mas extended, twisting up wards to form a crown of ridges. Like a fungus.
A jagged golden star was embedded on its torso glowing and pulsing. Covering the entirety of its chest.
Its legs were short and stubby, while its arms dragged along the stone pavement.
In all honesty I would have found it cute if it wasn't trying to kill me.
I snapped back to reality as its hands circled In front of its chest— forming another ball of light
I was startled after seeing how fast it accelerated with my own eyes.
"Crap!"
*Ting*
The world slowed again as I felt my body move on instinct.
But this time instead of side stepping… I did a somersault.
'huh—what—why?'
I was stunned by my sudden acrobatics prowess. I almost slipped when I landed.
"Woah!"
*Tap*
*Tap*
*Tap*
My body tensed as I back stepped, while my head moved towards the monster in front of me… it was tapping its feet in frustration.
Seeing my chance, I quickly turned to the left and bolted up the stairs.
I glanced back to see it jump in surprise before waddling up towards me.
'Hmm…as long as I dodge the balls it's practically harmless'
I stopped walking halfway through the upper platform. There was another set of stairs in front of me. I frowned.
'Should I turn back?'
I was debating whether to head up to get a vantage point, or go down and try my luck finding a local.
*Sigh*
*Ting*
The world slowed as I thought back on the monster.
'Should I deal with it first or just run past it?'
I felt energy condensing behind me again.
I didn't even bother to turn around. I was confident as I sidestepped to the right.
*Vhmmm*
I froze mid step, because instead of the ball of light—A searing beam shot past me.
The world tipped as time eased back into motion. My body tumbled, turning a dodge into a sideways dive.
*Thud*
*Thwack*
"Argk-AHHHHH!"
A guttural scream echoed within the stone cavern as I held onto a cauterised stub. My left forearm fell not far beside me.
My nose stung as tears ran down my eyes.
I struggled to get up using my right arm. I wobbled slightly from the imbalance. My jaws clenched as I did my best to ignore the searing pain.
I quickly turned. Anger bubbling within me as I saw that Vermin jumping in joy
"You little piece—rrgggh—RAHHH!"
I snarled as I dashed forward.
'Why did I—'
I couldn't understand, It was illogical, I should have run away.
'Then why…'
"RAAAAHHHH"
I screamed in anger as I charged, the Filth had the gall to stand still as it charged up another shot.
'N–no, turn back we—'
[No.]
I heard a voice echo within the recess of my mind. It was angry—seething at the Audacity of this—thisInferior being.
*Ting*
The back of my head burned while fear and anger fought for dominance within my mind— Rage won against cowardice.
Everything was numb as I was forced to roll with the punches.
My mind snapped back towards the energy coalescing in front of me— I didn't waste a second this time.
My body crouched, legs bending. Right arm to the ground as I slid low to the left.
I expected another beam attack but it was just a ball this time. It whistled by, completely missing me.
I took advantage of my bent position, I felt energy surging to my knees before I launched myself with explosive force.
The world blurred as I found myself face to face with the damn Vermin.
"Die!"
[Die!]
*Thump*
Its head snapped back as I kicked square on the face. It practically flew as I punted it towards the giant spike in the distance. It crashed onto It at an angle, before crashing towards the dead tree next to it.
*Panting*
I was still frustrated, jaws clenched as I fell to one knee. I felt something warm trickling down my lips but I ignored it.
"Argh…Hiss"
My left arm throbbed in my pain as the wind touched raw flesh.
"…better than bleeding to death"
*Rustle*
*Ting*
"You've got to be kidding, it's still alive?!"
The beam of light caught me off my guard. I was still kneeling—unable to move in time.
Anger bloomed again as my body moved without thought. My right arm rose in front of my then blue lights coalesced from my closed palm.
I watched in fascination as the the lights shifted and condensed into something solid
'A sword?!'
I was stunned for a moment before my gaze shifted back towards the beam. It was growing larger and larger now, as time crawled back to normal speeds.
"Tsk. Damn it all!"
I stopped questioning it anymore. My arm curled inwards. Sword held in reverse grip, sheath flat against my forearm as I braced to block the incoming beam.
*Sizzle*
*Chime*
Light illuminated the dim surroundings as the beam was re-directed upwards.
The force was surprisingly negligible but the damage was irrefutable. A portion of the sheath was slagged, but surprisingly instead of fussing with the blade it just…slid off.
*Thud*
I paused for a moment as I held the blade close, checking its condition. Other than the crimson glow, the blade itself was almost unblemished.
*Rustle*
My vision blurred intermittently, then the tingling feeling came back.
Something moved in front of me— The Vermin lives
"Why won't you DIE?"
[KILL.]
The world numbed, anger surged as I forced my body to move.
*Ting*
The world slowed as it threw a ball of light at me.
I gritted my teeth in frustration.
I wanted to end this, once and for all. Something inside me agreed to that though as instincts flared.
I followed it this time, moving along with it— Learning from it
Energy moved throughout my body, surging somewhere. Not towards my legs, nor arms—But into the sword.
The blade shone as I poured everything I had into before my arm twisted it in a back swing.
The blade sailed upwards diagonally from below.
And within my slowed perception I manipulated the energy as it left the tip.
I made it spin, once, twice, a hundred times. Golden light flashed as a Halo manifested at the tip of my blade.
Time eased back to normalcy just as the halo disconnected and flew.
*Whistle*
It broke at the apex of my swing. Following its trajectory, it rose to the left, before dipping and banking to the right.
The halo met the ball and clashed mid air. It wasn't even a challenge—It simply bisected the ball in half, before curving again, hitting the monster in the distance.
I didn't know what happened next as I collapsed on my knees, head down as I felt the world doubled and lost hold of the sword. Everything was blurry as I saw something drip to the stone floor.
*Clang*
*Drip*
'Ughh…sweat?'
My vision cleared. It was blood.
The anger slowly subsided alongside the adrenaline. My head was in agony whether from the constant time dilation or from extreme exertion I didnt know. All I knew was that my head felt light as I crashed back first onto the ground.
"Arkhh…Fkn—Rocks"
I felt something hit me at the back of my hips. Back arching as I moaned in pain.
I turned to my left side. Being careful not to press on the cauterized stub. Then with my right arm I reached in to remove it. After getting a firm hold I pulled. Before laying flat on my back.
'Huh'
The "rock" felt incredibly smooth and spherical, I wanted to see what it was…but I was just so tired.
Everything ached.
Everything hurts.
I just wanted to go…Home.
"H-Home"
I paused at that word as something shifted within my mind, something i wasnt aware of until now. A heavyness—A barrier that was being lifted.
The world stilled for a moment—Then the memories came flooding in. Not fragmented—Whole. Untampered.
My heart raced as I started muttering incoherantly, thoughts churning as I tried to comprehend everything all at once.
"That w-woman—the goddess…"
"The co-corpse—Rover—Dead…"
"Th-That Thing—Orb—Change—Replacement…"
There were too many memories, too much information— But slowly I began to understand.
"I got isekai'd"
My voice was hoarse as I said the words aloud.
Isekai, a genre of fantasy—a delusion for people who believe the world owes them everything.
An escape from reality.
A dream for the desperate.
A reality I'm about to live in.
I was stunned.
I stared blankly upwards — at the statue of the dragon looming above. I knew who that was.
"...Jue"
Still laying down my head turned from side to the side, taking in my surroundings.
"...im at…the start of the game…"
My hands clenched at the though, I didnt want to believe it I— my attention shifted as I felt something smooth and circular within my grasp.
*Screeech*
My head turned as I dragged it along the stone floor, before lifting it above me. My heart sank as I stared at it
It was a small black device resembling a goard.
"...Pangu Terminal…"
*Thud*
My gripp weaked as it fell beside my head. I already forgot it existed once I caught sight of my open palm—At the tattoo etched horizontal across its center
"A-a…Tacet Mark"
Darkness fell as night descended, everything was pitch black. I didnt care—couldn't care.
My thoughts were still reeling from the revelation that I was…isekai'd, like some high schooler sent into a power fantasy.
But this was different. This isn't China land where I'm the heavenly favoured, this isnt a academy fantasy world where I'm the son of a duke.
This was wuthering waves, not the game—The reality
A post-apocalyptic world filled with monsters. Monsters that could bend reality, that could break the minds of others with a snap of their clawed fingers…Monsters that could eat reality itself.
"I-I'm supposed to…replace the arbiter? To save this world?"
My head turned towards my cauterized limb. The reality of my strength laid bare before me.
"I almost died, to a Common Tacet…Not Overlord, not eve Elite…I—wait"
I realized something. if this was anything like those stories. Then—
"…Then should't I get a boon? A golden finger? A spirit of my ancestor?"
I might be going crazy, but surely I wouldn't be sent here with nothing…right?
A faint hope bloomed in my chest as I began mutterring random phrases. Praying for an answer that there was atleast a silver lining to all of—this— that there's still a chance for a comeback.
"System"
"Status"
"Menu"
"..."
"...Anyone?"
No one answered. Silence reigned around me as the darkness of the night covered my vision— The answer that shattered my soul
And I laughed at that, at the absurdity of my situation. No system, No skills—Nothing.
"aha—AHAHAHA—"
I wasn't a chosen one
I wasn't the hero
I was just me
My laughter continued—Hollow, Scrapping, Soulless, as I stared into the deep within the abyss.
"—AHAHAHA. Of all the people that-that. Thing could have gotten—H–he took—ahahaha—The fucking wage slave—AHAHAHHA…"
I laughed and laughed. Until my throat was raw. Until I couldn't anymore.
In the end, I left whimpering as I fell asleep."
"Please god, let all this be a dream…please…please."