Phase 1 part 1

[ Somewhere on the continent E ]

'I can't let them get me'

I spoke inside my mind, not daring to look back. With several wounds on my body, I rushed through the dark alley.

"Shit!"

I muttered under my breath while running for my life, but suddenly tripped over a small rock.

'Hi, my name is K'yan Regin. You may be wondering why I am running or whom I'm running from. I'll tell you in a minute.'

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[Part 1]

"CATCH HIM! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!"

A boy shouted from a distance. It was too late, I had already been surrounded by them, the group of upper-class students.

"Well, well, well, look who's finally been caught. Our lovely K'yan."

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME? WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?"

I shouted in anger, pain, and agony as tears formed in my eyes, flowing towards the ground.

"A freak like you doesn't deserve to even exist in our society."

This is not new, I've always been bullied by the same group of kids because I was from a lower generation of one who believed in the existence of the sun. But this time. They took it too far.

One of the kids, Beak Su, stomped on my chest with pressure that I coughed up blood. Almost choking on it. But they didn't let go.

"Please… let me go…"

"We're just getting started, dumbass."

He said while kicking me in the face.

I could barely whisper a few words, but they didn't stop; instead, they beat me up even more, maybe trying to kill the last bit of life I had within me. I crippled myself up.

'This is it. I'm not going to survive this time.'

Blood flowed into the dirt.

"Loser."

One of the kids scoffed, watching me bleed. Pleasing their minds.

'I just wanna go home.'

'I feel cold. Can I have a break? Just for a minute?'

Because of my excessive bleeding, my body was drenched in blood, stopped moving, and stopped reacting to their actions. I lay there motionless, not even flinching. Thoughts stopped appearing in my mind. Maybe it's time I get rest.

"Um.. Beak? I think you took it too far man. He's not even moving."

"Yeah… Um, what if he dies? He's not even moving. I'm scared."

His companions spoke tremblingly as they saw me in my condition, completely still at my place not even breathing.

"Don't be such a pussy. Who cares? He's just another peasant, not much greater than a dog pissing on itself."

Beak spoke as he shook off blood from his shoe. A satisfied smirk tugged right under his lips.

"Let's go boys."

He ordered his group and turned to leave. Leaving the motionless body of mine to rot.

'What a shame…'

A voice I don't recognise spoke inside my head.

Watching you die like this. I can't believe you're him. You're…'

The voice faded as if it knew who I was or what I am.

'Host-006 Live.'

Like a command sent to me from someone I didn't know. I gasped, opening my eyes, panting, breathless like air couldn't reach my lungs. Yet I screamed at my peak.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

My body felt immense pain at this moment. My heart felt like it was about to explode. My skin tightened around my muscles and bones like they were shrinking. When suddenly-

"Wh- what's happening to him?"

Beak and his minions exchanged fearful glances as they saw my body glowing in blue light.

"BRO I THINK WE SHOULD RUN!"

Terrorized, one shouted. And before they could run away.

Chunks of hard crystals emerged from the ground, trapping every single one. Slowly, their entire body was found inside a crystal chamber-like structure, sealed air-tight.

"Wh-what's going on-"

Before anyone could finish their sentences I snapped.

The chambers detonated like bombs turning them into sheer crystal dust. It happened in a flash. The impact was so dense that it nearly caused a small earthquake. And the next thing I remember was-

My eyes fluttered open.

"K'yan! K'yan! Oi wake up!..."

A familiar voice woke me up. My heart was beating at a speed that felt like my chest was about to burst. It felt like I was drowning in my sweat, breathless.

"That dream again?"

I couldn't hear anything properly; her voice sounded distant, as if I weren't even there. As my vision cleared I could see it was her, Cassie, my roommate.

"Yeah, it's just…"

I nodded, just barely able to speak a few words, my throat felt dry. With my hands shaking uncontrollably I hardly took a sip of water.

"Listen, K'yan, I know it's hard for you, but that happened… no one died. Okay? Stop worrying over it."

Pointless to explain. No one ever believed me when I told them about this, like it just never happened but I know. I am sure it happened, Beak is real, those kids turned to dust before my eyes. I'm sure the crystals have to do something with me. But whenever I try using them again, they never show up.

"Come on, we have to go, the graduation ceremony starts in half an hour."

'Yes, today I will be escorted to the Scout Regiment Hunter. After spending 4 years of training as a hunter, it's time, it's time for me to step foot in the world I've always wanted to.'

I splashed my face with water, as I looked directly at myself in the mirror in dim light, my face was blurry. Messy hair looked foreign, and the facial features seemed unknown. I've always felt something was wrong. Like I don't belong in this body.

'Strange, it feels different again.'

Pretending not to care, I prepared myself simply. I don't need to wear anything fancy, not like I had a choice to. Nonetheless today I will be assigned as a Scout member. Finally, I will be able to set free from this prison.

Cassie was waiting in front of the door. She looked different today… but not just today every day it seems like everything around me changes. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

"That's it? You're wearing that on this special day?"

She spoke while giving me her usual glance. Besides her, I don't think I have any other person to call a friend, anyway, so it was valid to take her opinion seriously, but I don't care that much about appearance.

"Meh, I don't feel like going all fancy pants."

I said sarcastically, putting my hands in my pockets.

"Ugh, whatever, let's go already, I'll be late because of you, smartass!"

"Yeah, yeah, slow down."

I locked the door behind me as I still heard her nagging about yesterday. Which I don't remember.

'Wait yesterday? What happened yesterday?....'

Putting all the hazy thoughts behind us, we started walking towards the auditorium.

"So Cassie, what are you planning to do? After you graduate? What class will you choose?"

"There are a few classes I would like to go with but I'm thinking I will choose the Medic class."

She said without a blink.

"Hmm suits you."

"What about you K'yan?"

"Me? You know, the Scout Regiment."

"Yeah, I anticipated you would choose that."

While having a brief conversation we both reached the auditorium. An old man in his late 70s, the old director, Baron K. was giving a speech.

"Today is a very proud day for us, as you all know, today is the day you will get to shape yourselves for the future. For the betterment of your souls, may you shine like the rays of the Sun. Our facility tried its best to categorise your paths for the future. May the gods above the heavens be with you."

As he finished his speech, all the students lined up to confirm their registration for the path they were taking. Cassie went towards the medic section and I went to the Scout Regiment.

As my fate suggests, my number was, at last, a perk of being the weakest, I guess. Around three thousand students were able to pass out this year so it was obvious that the line would go this long.

I was minding my own business but then one of the student candidates bumped into me. It felt like it was done intentionally. But I didn't mind it.

"Sorry didn't see that-"

"How dare you touch me, you insolent brat?"

He spoke angrily, breaking my sentence, and before I could speak, he had already pulled up by my collar. All of the eyes present there now focused on us, and some were muttering to each other.

"UGH, let me go, I didn't do anything."

'Damn this bastard, I can't move.'

"Do you know who I am? Kid?"

He sounded like one of those upper-class students. The ones who don't care about saving people, who just want to show their wealth and power for fame and popularity.

"I am in the top 10, Gunnar Voss, of this association and you dare to talk back to me?"

He threw me on the ground like a trash bag. As he looked down and spoke.

"Top 10, my ass. Just because you are into 10 doesn't mean you get to push people whenever you want."

I fucked up. I messed with someone I shouldn't have.

He then proceeded to kick me in my chest, flinging me into a wall nearby.

I crashed hard like I've been shot from a cannon. The concrete wall broke from the impact, as bits and pieces flew all over the scene. Dust covered my body like fog.

"You pathetic dog. It's because of people like you that our society doesn't progress. Nothing more than human waste."

I stood up, barely, with my feet on the floor. I raised my fists together and formed a hand-to-hand combat position. As the dust cleared I looked at him. Trying to note his every movement. Yet he just stood there like a menace. Like I was his prey.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

He laughed violently, mocking my position.

"You really think you can beat me with those few tiny hands of yours?"

He charged at me. Fast. And before I could react or block, he had already invaded my space, punching hard on my chest again, same spot. If it wasn't for my ribcage I would've already had a hole in my chest.

He then proceeded to grab my hair and slam me to the ground multiple times. I could feel every time he slammed the intensity just kept increasing.

A few guards noticed the scenario. But didn't try to come any closer.

"H-help me-"

I tried calling for help but even they didn't dare to come close to the top 10, Gunnar Voss.

"No point in asking for help. You're dead."

The ground picked up my blood-soaked face as I thrashed and grabbed his hand. Pointlessly trying to let go of his grasp. As he was about to toss me away, suddenly something clicked.

My eyes went white and blue lightning emerged from my body. The ground felt the pressure. The floor cracked, and small chunks started flying upwards. I felt a sudden power rushing through my veins that I had never felt once in my entire life.

My body started covering itself with Crystals like armour.

"Wh- what are you doing, you brat?"

I grabbed and twisted his hand that held my collar like folding and crushing a piece of paper.

"AAAHHHH, What the hell did you do you BASTARD!"

He screamed in pain, backing away quickly clutching his broken hand.

"Tell you what? I'll finish what you started."

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[End of chapter]