Ch. 4 The Beginning (4)
Junghwa opened his eyes and found himself floating in darkness. He looked at his surroundings and only found a deep dark space.
Huh... I guess I was wrong... This darkness is what many fear happens after death. At least it's better than erasure...
Suddenly, the darkness turned into light, first lighting up under him. Then spreading all around him and over him.
He heard a distant echo.
"Hello?"
His voice also echoed in the large enclosed space. He continues to hear a distant echo of a voice that doesn't sound quite feminine nor masculine.
The voice continues to describe what he feels, thinks, and acknowledges, but he can't quite hear it.
" Hello?.... Who's there!?.... What are you saying?!...." his voice echoed with each question.
What's going on here? This wasn't described in the novel! All they said was that he woke up when he regressed... But then again, I don't have Regression... I just died.
-[ Activating Skill: Regression]-
Huh?
The space around Junghwa began to move down as he moved upwards extremely fast.
" Whaat the fuuu-!..."
.
.
.
Gasp!
With a loud gasp, Junghwa opened his eyes and watched the students' reactions to Mr. Park choking a female student.
I'm back?...
He quickly covered his mouth to cover his disturbing expression.
I'm back!! I can't believe it! I have it! I have it! I have the Regression skill!
Junghwa hides his excited smile under his mouth knowing that this scene is not an appropriate time to smile.
Wait. Wait. I need to calm down...
He took a deep breath and slowly calmed his expression. He turned to his friends with a serious expression.
" Guys... I think I know how we can survive without killing someone."
His friends, who are looking at the broadcast, turn to him with widened eyes filled with hope.
" W-what do you mean, Junghwa? How can we survive this?" Asked Jinsung.
" What can we do, Junghwa?" Said Shinhui without hesitation. This caused Minjoo to look at her, slightly shocked.
Now, that I have their attention, I have to explain it in a way that sounds believable.
" If you look at the mission closely, it says that we need to kill a living organism. Not that we need to kill a human or person."
This should be convincing enough. Although this is out of character for me since I'm usually clueless, but they should be too shocked and scared to think about that..
Minjoo looks at Junghwa, then looks out the window at the panicked students. She takes a deep breath, composing herself.
This could work. I trust Junghwa. I really do.
But...
She turns towards Junghwa, her eyes met his. " Are you sure about this, Junghwa?"
Junghwa meets her gaze confidently and nods.
Her expression softens. " Alright. So what should we-"
" So what should we do then, Junghwa?" Shinhui blurted out, interrupting Minjoo. This action annoyed her, but she said nothing.
" ...Yeah. What she said..." Said Minjoo, slightly irritated.
Junghwa spoke with a serious expression. " There is an organism in this room that is not human and we can kill it."
Junghwa slowly looks down towards the ground. The others followed his gaze, their eyes widened as they saw the rats running around from one corner to another.
Both Minjoo and Shinhui make a slightly disgusted expression looking at the rats. They hesitantly look at Junghwa before Jinsung spoke up.
" This could work. Those are living organisms, and they're not human." He said, slightly excited.
Jinsung began to move into position to jump down, but Junghwa held him back. "Wait. We can't move recklessly. They're fast, so we all have to jump at the same time and land on one. Or else they will all run and hide as soon as one of us get down there."
Alright, everything is ready. Now we just have to make a plan to-
-[ Notice! Time remaining: 1 minute]-
He stood up and spoke quickly. " No time to think of a plan! Everyone get up and jump on a rat! Now, go now!"
Minjoo and Shinhui quickly abandoned their hesitation, they followed his orders and jumped off their stack of mats along with Jinsung and Junghwa.
Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping!
Stomp! Splat! -[ You have killed an organism]-
Stomp! Splat! -[ You have killed an organism]-
Stomp! Splat! -[ You have killed an organism]-
Stomp! Splat! -[ You have killed an organism]-
They each landed on a rat, stepping on and killing it on impact. They all received a notification.
Ping!
-[ Congratulations! ]-
-[You have killed a living organism.
You have gained:
2 Exp.
10 Tokens.]-
...I basically confirmed that Survival of The Fittest has come to life, but this really confirms it.
I'm pretty sure Jinsung made the first kill, so he got 30 Tokens.
" I got 30 Tokens..." Said Jinsung, curiously.
" I got 10." Said Shinhui.
" Me too." Said Minjoo.
They turned to Junghwa, curious to his answer. " Yeah, me t-"
Beeeep!
A loud horn sound interrupted Junghwa. He and his friends look out the window as multiple students screamed from pain and fear.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
" Kyaaa-!"
Pop!
" No, I don't want to-!"
Pop!
" Someone help! Plea-!"
Pop!
The student began to cry out as they watched other's heads exploding, leaving blood everywhere and covering others right before theirs also explode.
" Kyaaa-!"
"Aahhh-!"
" No, please! Just-!"
Pop! Pop! POP!
After the horrifying scene ended, the once lively and clean floors of the gymnasium, now drenched with blood. Although the surviving four couldn't smell it, the stench of fresh blood completely filled the air.
Minjoo, Jinsung, and Shinhui turn away from the windows and each other throwing up from the shock of the gory scene.
Junghwa touches his stomach, as he feels a strange emotion.
I feel... excited. But why? I just witnessed the death of dozens of my classmates.
Junghwa covers his mouth as he sees another rat. It looked bigger, but the rat wasn't a big rat. It's stomach was weirdly larger than the rest.
This rat's stomach is bigger than the rest. It also moves slower than the others.
Stomp! Squish...
Oh...
Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping!
-[ You have killed 10 living organisms]-
-[ You have received 25 Tokens]-
-[ You have received 15 Exp]-
-[ Level up!]-
It was pregnant...
Junghwa thoroughly steps on the rat, his eyes stayed calm while his hand covered an ugly grin.
I hate smiling for this. But I have to for now.
A light shinned in the storage closet and the angel suddenly appeared in front of everyone, but his large wings were gone. Junghwa turned around and looked up with a serious expression.
He spoke joyfully with a smile. [ Hello, survivors, it's great to meet you. My name is Claude, and I will be your manager... Actually, it's more like a supervisor, I'll just be telling you what to do in order to live and stuff so...]
Claude noticed the four survivor's horrified and serious expressions, and quckly stopped. [ Um.. you know what, it doesn't matter- Anyways, you have all thankfully become Vessels. Now, before beginning the next game, you will all need to choose a God Sponsor. When you choose a God Sponsor....]
( Damn it, this guy really sucks at his job. That's why he got demoted to a Helper in the novel. He made an appearance later on and introduced himself as a Helper, someone that helps set up the next Game.
Those guys are at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Shinhui hesitantly raises her hand. "Excuse me.. I don't mean to interupt you, but can you tell us what's going on?"
" And what do you mean when you say we've become "Vessels"?" Adds Jinsung.
Very good questions. Less work for me to try and explain.
Claude's face twists into an irritated expression. [ Stop interrupting me! You humans are all the same! Telling me to shut up, and asking questions about what's going on-!]
He suddenly stops yelling and thinks for a moment. [Actually, that's a good point.]
Claude clears his throat. [Congratulations!~ You're world had been chosen to play in The Main Games! From today forth, you and other survivors will play games that will challenge your physical and limits! ]
[But luckily for you, who are playing the Main Games, you have evolved into Vessels, you are now able to get stronger than you could ever possibly get.]
Claude snaps his fingers, causing the Status Windows of the four friends and one empty one for himself to pop up.
-[ Name:_
Age:_
Sponsor God:_
Stats: Str.:_ Def.:_ Agi.:_ Int.:_ Mag.:_
Passive Skills:_
Active Skills:_ ]-
[ In these status windows, you will see a stats section, passive, and active skill section. The basic stats are strength, agility, defense, intelligence, and magic.]-
Minjoo's eyes widen. " M..Magic?"
Claude smiled. [Yes, magic. Sometimes the skills you earn allow you receive new stats, and stats can help you gain certain skills! That's a helpful tip for you!]
That's not something he should've revealed. No wonder he got fired. I should help speed this up...
Junghwa raises his hand. " Excuse me sir, but what does this "Sponsor God" section mean?"
Claude snaps out of his ramble and slaps his forehead. [ Oh my, I completely forgot! Right!]
He snaps his fingers, then Selection windows pop up.
[ You will now choose a God to sponsor you! These Gods will give you Tokens to use and they can give you skills to use! Remember, after you choose one, your abilities will revolve around the God you choose.]
Junghwa looked down at his selection window.
-[ Sponsor Gods [ Only Titles can be seen.]:
1. Greek God of War
2. Norse God of Mischief
3. Greek God of the Underworld
4. Roman Goddess of Truth ]-
These are some interesting choices.
....
Why do I have a bunch of evil Gods? Is it because of the pregnant rat thing? Damn it...
His eyes widen as he spots the last option.
Roman Goddess of Truth.. Why would she want to sponsor me?... Unless, could it be? Does she actually know the truth?
Junghwa moves his finger over the options. "Which one should I choose?.."
" Hey Junghwa, which one do you think I should choose?" Asks Jinsung while moving closer to him.
Junghwa looks over to Jinsung's blurry screen. His hand subconsciously moves downwards.
Tap.
" I can't see anything on your screen, it's blurry. I think it's some kind of privacy setting."
" Really?" He asks while looking over at Junghwa's blurry screen. " Oh yeah, I can't see anything on yours either! Hey, did you choose one already?"
What?
Junghwa quickly turns back to look at his screen. His eyes widen as he finds his finger pressing on the Goddess of Truth. He grabs the Selection Window, ragefully.
Noooo!! Why her? I could've chosen Hades and be able to control demons and shoot fire or something! But Goddesss of Truth?
What does that get me? I already know the truth!
Ping!
-[ Congratulations! You have chosen a Sponsor God! You are now ready for the next Game!]-
He turns to Jinsung, pinching the bridge of his nose from stress. " Just.. Choose the one that you know and would like to continue using their power."
He looks at Jinsung with a calm expression, holding up two fingers. " Or choose one that you think would see you as a companion. That's it. Two options that I can think of."
This is some bullcrap.
.
.
.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Claude claps as soon as everyone chooses their Sponsor God. [ Good job everyone! Now you can leave this place! Go level up, increase your stats, and find shelter because you'll need it!]
Claude snaps his fingers, and with a bright light and a powerful gust of wind towards the door, he disappears.
Crack! Boom!
The closet door is destroyed due to the powerful wind.
The four friends slowly walk out, but Minjoo, Jinsung, and Shinhui fall to their knees and throw up from the immense stench of fresh blood.
Junghwa stands and covers his nose with his sleeve despite the smell and scene of headless bodies all over the gymnasium. "Ugh.."
I'm slightly used to this smell. Even if it was 5 years ago...
Junghwa shakes his head.
This isn't the time to think about that. I have to keep going.
Junghwa speaks, his voice muffled. "Come on, we have to keep moving."
His friend shakily stand up and walk around the pools of blood.
Crack! Crack!
Junghwa freezes and looks back into the closet, his eyes widen as he sees a scratched up rat jumping on the head of another a scratched up rat.
Junghwa tilts his head while looking at it. He smirks as he sees a tiny Status Window pop up for the rat.
Nice.
He turns around, but he falls face first into a pool of blood.
Thud!
The others turn and look back as he picks himself up, his face completely covered with the warm crimson liquid. He stands up, his eyes look around the room at the bloody scene infront of them before he turns to his friends, wiping the blood off his face.
" Let's keep moving." He says while walking towards them, his face stained with leftover blood.
They all walk past Mr. Yoo's body, and exit through the once blocked door. They stop and look out into the clean hallway, the vermillion colored sky shines through the windows.
They know that most of the classrooms are full of bloodied scenes and headless corpses, so they continue to walk out of the next exit door to their left.
Exiting the school doesn't feel like freedom...
It feels as if exiting one hell and entering another. It will continue to feel this way for while...
Smoke can be seen coming out dozens of places close and far away.
Roooaar!...
Screech!...
Sounds of unknown creatures can be heard in the distance.
The four friends look out at the view behind the school, but all turn to their right as they hear footsteps approaching them.
Their eyes widen as they see Mr. Park twitching and groaning, his eyes reddened. "You kids... aren't supposed to be out here!!"
Fuck.