"Congrats on your awakening." The awakening consultant man smiled, picking up his pen before signing the certificate all hunters would need to earn the right to raid gates.
"…"
Seriously, congrats? Is he joking or is he serious? Why are you congratulating someone for getting a F rank?
"Thank you.."
I left afterwards, being in the same room with someone like him make me feel sick. Not really, I'm only joking.
But seriously though, being a F rank is not something to congratulate about. That's just telling me that I'll die instantly during a gate break. Was that man secretly congratulating my death?
2nd September, 2050. It has been a couple days after the first gate break. Humans gained abilities due to the outbreak, gaining the strength to easily overpower the monsters and humans alike. Because of that, new jobs were available called the 'Hunters'. Hunters was ranked based on their strength. The highest ever recorded being SS rank and the lowest? F rank. Which is what I am.
".."
"Ugh!" I knocked over the nearest trash can. Why is it that I'm F rank and not something cool like S rank? How am I supposed to earn money now? Seething with frustration, I brought a cool drink to help cool me down.
gulp gulp gulp
"Kuahh Now that's more like it!" I wiped my mouth and stared up at the sky from where I sat.
It has been a couple of days since my friend's death. A couple of days since Korea drastically changed. After that day, I had used up all the money I saved in order to give her a proper burial. I remember that day so vividly..
"Why!..Why is it that you live and not my beautiful daughter?.."
I stood by the door, bringing my gaze down to the ground.
"…"
"Why won't you answer, you brat! If it weren't..if it weren't for you.. then perhaps my daughter would've still be here.." Yuna's mom cried, hugging her arms as I watched the father bring her wife closer.
"The only reason why we've let you stay here was because you were Yuna's friend. If you weren't, we would've long kicked you out." The father stated, rather blunt.
Hearing that, I felt immense anger build up inside of me. I was the only one who had paid for the burial and yet they didn't. Now they want to kick me out? But I stayed silent, remembering my friend's words.
'Hey, try not to anger my parents, okay? I know they're hard to handle but they're still my family.'
"Of course.. Thank you for your hospitality." I bowed my head slightly.
The father, infuriating, sighed before turning away. "Say your prayers and leave out of our sight"
"Of course."
I sighed, placing my soda can beside me. I closed my eyes.
'what would Yuna-ssi do if she were me?' These days, I couldn't help but imagine if I was Yuna-ssi.
If I was her, perhaps I no longer would be in debt. Perhaps I would've been insanely strong like those main characters you'd see in movies..that thought instantly made me mad again.
"Ahh! This is so annoying.." I clutched my black hair in annoyance, ignoring the strange looks the pedestrians gave me.
"Mommy..what is that man doing?" A girl about 7 years old asked. The mother hurried to grab her arm closer, shielding her from my view.
"Shh.. don't let that mad man hear you.." They quickly walked away, as if I would some kind of disease.
The man in question felt his face heat up even more. "Mad man? Who are they to call me such insults!" I grumbled under my breath.
Because of this new hierarchy system that the gates brought along. People who were F rank, like me for example, were treated like dogs getting dragged on the ground.
We don't get much money like the other hunters nor do we get any favorable treatment from them. However, we're at least stronger than regular civilians. So how is it that we're treated even worse than them?
…
'Why do I care? I'm used to these situations anyways..' Even if I had thought that..why is it that I'm growing increasingly frustrated again?
"fuck."
.
.
.
.
5th May 2055.
Five years has passed since that fateful day. A lot i had happened to me then. Such as getting evicted from my apartment and my Job…meaning I had to find a new place to live..again.
I couldn't help but feel as if I'm growing more unluckier every day. No way, perhaps i've been cursed? I immediately scratched that thought.
During these years, I worked as a porter for the gate, helping whatever team I was stuck with get some mana stones.
'Hey, porter! Make sure to grab every mana stones there is. Otherwise, we'd really kill you.'
'Yes, sir!'
Like some loyal dog, I would take every man's stones there was and give it to them in the end. Of course, I took my pay and secretly stole some of the stones there was. That was how I managed to make a living.
And during those times, I went through hardships such as getting beaten up inside the gate by some jealous B-ranks… why were they beating me up for anyways?
'ugh, thinking of that time is making me frustrated..'
I even nearly died to those monsters the stupid team had missed. Because of that, I had to stay hospitalised for a few weeks and the team hadn't even compensated me. I wasn't able to get revenge though, which only managed to piss me off even more.
'why I ought to get my revenge!'
Maybe one day.
After saving up money with my blood and tears was I finally able to get a small apartment. After..what? Like 8 months of sleeping in the alleyways. Finally, I was able to rest more easily instead of wandering through the streets like a lunatic.
I walked to the middle of the room where my precious TV was. This TV had costed me 1,127 KRW. Of course, I spent every last penny I had, but in the end, it was worth it.
I hummed. I wonder what's on the news today? I turned the channel on, switching to the hunter news.
hm?
|Important notice! An S rank gate has appeared near the city Daegu! If you live near here, immediately evacuate to the nearest bunker!|
'S rank?'
Well, I wouldn't have to worry anyways. It's not like I even live there. Besides, those top guilds like Overkill can handle it. I walked to the kitchen except all I did really was take a couple of steps. That was how small my apartment was.
I stopped in my tracks.
Hang on.
I quickly walked over to the small TV and turned on the channel again.
I read the sentence over and over again. I felt my heart flutter for a bit.
Daegu? No way..this picture..isn't this near my home?
Fuck.
.
.
.
.
And that's how I got myself into whatever this mess is. Somehow, the association didn't calculate correctly when the gate break would happen so when I had thought I had enough time to pack up my things. A huge explosion broke out, taking most of the buildings surrounding it with the gate. Along with my house too.
"Not again!" I gritted out. This is the third time I had to move houses! Well..apartments would've been the better term. The point is, I had lost one of my most important valuables.
' My precious TV!'
Even worse was that I couldn't grieve for my ruined TV because I was currently running from a huge A rank bee monster.
'fuck fuck fuck' I'm doomed! It's all over, isn't it? Not long after, I felt my stamina quickly depleting and my body feeling heavier. Somehow, I even felt lightheaded which definitely shouldn't happen.
Wait, what?
My body shouldn't be heavy though, right? I looked down and oh my. A huge gash had appeared on my abdomen.
The pain quickly took over me, I held my stomach urgently, trying to stop the blood from flowing out. 'If only I was an F rank healer instead!' But even then, I wouldn't be able to heal from an A rank attack. Indeed, how crazy was I thinking I could outrun an A rank when I'm the lowest rank there is?
Fuck. I looked back and cursed again. In front of me, approximately 6 metres away, was the bee. It's large head was as big as my entire body with its body covered in spikes.
Is that poison on it? Wow, it seems like I will be suffering a painful death. I can almost imagine it.. my pitiful body stained purple sprawled on the ground like a hopeless baby.. I shivered.
Contrary to my humour, I felt genuine fear. Indeed, who would truly enjoy such death when I haven't even got the peaceful life I've wanted?
The bee raised one of its many legs.. or arms.. and struck me in one go.
I shut my eyes tightly and accepted my defeat. However, my body seemed to move on its own and immediately raised my arms to protect myself from the monster.
'Eek! Have I gone insane?!' I quickly said my goodbyes to my arms first. The sharp needle-like arms came down.
BAM
Something was sent flying. Shockingly, it was the terrifying monster that was about to end my life. I stared in amazement at my arms. Did..did I do that?
"Ha!" Truly, i've never felt better. I felt my mana circulating inside of me, towards where my heart was located. I felt strong. This was the same feeling I felt when I first had my awakening. I marveled over my newfound strength.
At that time, I had completely forgotten about my injury, I was too busy fawning over my arms that I totally forgot that I was literally bleeding to death.
I felt my body weaken instantly. My legs felt like jelly and I collapsed to the ground. Wheezing for oxygen like a dying dolphin. What a truly spectacular sight…
'Dang it…I suppose this is where my life ends? I wasn't even able to truly enjoy my newfound power yet.." And my body took its final breath before stiffening like a rock.
BZZ
[Impossible feat acquired!]
[ You have unlocked the system's shop.]