"The only thing that can't die is death, but everything must be claimed by death. However…" a low exhale echoed in the silent room as a voice said with conviction:
"I must change the pattern! I can't be claimed by death!"
Saying this, the youth pushed himself up from the bed.
His face was still pale and filled with exhaustion, and even as he staggered to his feet he could feel a wave of dizziness crash through his head.
"Mr. Sunless!" a nurse who was outside the room quickly rushed inside and walked up to Sunless. "You can't be walking or your condition might worsen!"
Sunless glanced at her with his pale moon silver eyes and shook his head before muttering under his breath in a ragged voice.
"I have to. Today is the day of the awakening and after today, the fate of me and my sister will be uncertain. It's unknown if we can last for a year."
Saying this, Sunless pushed the nurse to the side and staggered to the bed beside him.
There, lying atop the bed, was a young lady who looked to be around the age of fourteen.
She had pale silver hair that lay in loose strands atop the bed, blending perfectly with her flawless, pale face.
"Sister," Sunless whispered and softly caressed the unconscious girl's face.
Sunless was truly unfortunate.
He had reincarnated into this world sixteen years ago, and being a transverser he thought his life was pretty much set.
But life flipped him the middle finger.
His father died a few years after his reincarnation when he was just five.
And his mother abandoned him and his sister after his father's death.
Thankfully, he had a little sister, but at the age of ten he realized he had been diagnosed with an incurable disease.
It was a disease that had been passed down through his family line, and since there was no cure, Sunless had barely a few years left to live.
Normally, he would have roughly ten years, as this was the same amount of time his father lived after discovering the sickness.
But because he and his sister had to scavenge for food daily through begging or straining their bodies to do menial chores, they had far less time.
With no cheat and no family to help them aside from his sister, Sunless had tried holding on to life for as long as he could.
At least until the day of the awakening, which was today.
"Sister, I promise to awaken as a warrior, explore the spirit continent, and obtain a heavenly treasure to heal you!" Sunless' eyes were burning with ambition.
He bent down and kissed his sister gently on her forehead before staggering out of the hospital.
"Hey," Sunless ignored everyone as he stepped out of the shabby hospital and alighted a moving taxi.
"To the martial sector," Sunless said the moment he reached.
"That will be a dollar," the driver said with a smile.
Just as Sunless nodded and was about to enter—
Bang.
A whistle shot through the air and the next moment a fist landed on his right eye.
Sunless felt his already dizzy mind spin violently from the sudden attack.
Turning in a daze, he noticed a youth dressed in a mafia black suit with five lackeys surrounding him.
"Useless brat. Where's the money you borrowed from me the other day? Do you think I give a fuck about your hopeless background?"
As he finished speaking he signaled to the others behind him.
"Deal with him."
The lackeys showed fierce expressions and before Sunless could realize what was happening, all sorts of attacks rained down on him.
Some of the lackeys threw punches, while others stomped on him.
Sunless struggled to defend himself.
Curled up like a cooked shrimp, he could only cover his head and parts of his ribs so he wouldn't get any more injured than he already was.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
The attacks continued for a few minutes before the youth, Jake, snorted and gestured for them to stop.
He bent down at the already bleeding Sunless and searched his clothes, ultimately taking out a few tens of dollar notes.
"Pathetic," he spat at Sunless. "You better get my complete money before the week runs out, or I'll be coming for your life next."
After he finished speaking, he made a sign of cutting his throat, then turned around and left with his goons.
Left alone, Sunless' gaze was somewhat lifeless and a flash of killing intent appeared in his moon silver eyes.
That was the last money he had on him.
Sunless felt his eyes go blurry as he once more staggered to his feet, moving only through sheer conviction.
"Hey, dude. You entering?" Seeing Sunless limping forward, a voice interrupted him.
Sunless turned around and noticed it was the driver from before.
Surprisingly, he hadn't left.
Sunless paused briefly then sighed. "I have no money on me."
The driver shrugged, glancing at him casually. "Get in. Ride's on me."
Sunless fell silent for a few seconds. Knowing he couldn't refuse the offer, he could only voice out his thanks.
"Thank you." As he spoke he entered the yellow taxi.
"Don't mention it." The driver shrugged, then turned up the music in his car to lighten the mood.
Meanwhile, still clutching his ribs and having difficulty breathing, Sunless glanced out through the window.
An old man in a suit casually handed out a bundle of cash to a young girl as they stepped out of a hotel.
It seemed they just had an 'appointment'.
The car soon drifted past them and on the street was a man seated with a bowl in his hand begging for money.
He crawled toward a couple only to be kicked away.
Along the way Sunless watched scenes like that play out.
The rich having the best in life…
While the poor remained at the bottom.
Sunless' eyes stayed emotionless as he watched everything calmly.
Gradually, the car slowed to a stop.
"We're here," the driver interrupted Sunless' wandering thoughts.
"Thank you for the ride." Sunless was extremely grateful as he stepped down from the vehicle.
He bowed politely toward the driver.
"Haha, don't mention it kid. I hope you awaken as a warrior!" the driver waved at Sunless before speeding off.
Sunless watched the car vanish into the distant corner and he clenched his fist before turning to the massive building behind him.
It looked like a magnificent building built with reflective glass that bounced the light of the sun outward.
Sunless could hear the chatter of voices coming from within.
Taking a deep breath, Sunless pushed the door open.
…
Inside the spacious room was an orb located at its center on an elevated stage.
The moment Sunless entered he noticed everyone's gaze was fixed on the stage ahead, and even the two guards stationed there didn't seem to notice his entrance.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sunless sneaked in and sat beside the row of students.
Meanwhile, his mind was also drawn to what was happening on stage.
A girl dressed in a mini skirt with a casual crop top stood on the stage with her hand gently placed on the orb.
Orb of awakening.
That's what they called it. Sunless stared at the peculiar orb that seemed to contain starlight within it.
As the lady placed her hand on the orb, a slight chill spread through the air.
Finally everyone seemed to release their breath and their eyes were filled with amazement.
"She really awakened an element!" a youth beside Sunless sounded astounded.
"Not only is she a warrior, but she possesses an elemental affinity making her a top notch genius!"
Although Sunless was puzzled by their words he didn't ask and continued watching everything play out.
"Congratulations, Victoria, on awakening a martial element. Your future is truly boundless!" a middle aged man on stage praised warmly with a faint smile.
Victoria grinned and bowed slightly. "Thank you."
From her expression it was evident she was extremely excited.
With a pleased expression she walked back to her seat at the front.
"That should be all for today. With that we will conclude—"
Just as the middle aged man was walking forward to announce the end of the awakening for the year, Sunless cleared his throat and interrupted him.
He stood up and limped slightly toward the stage, trying to steady himself.
Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd.
"Who is that young man? He looks so messily dressed!"
As though seeing an annoying fly, an irritating feeling spread among the youths gathered.
"He doesn't look like he's supposed to be here either!" another youth exclaimed.
"But since the guards let him in, he has to be among us." Some were confused since they hadn't noticed Sunless before.
And the guards, unwilling to admit their mistakes for fear of losing their jobs, just kept silent.
Sunless walked up to the stage after limping under the watchful stares of the crowd.
"And who might you be?" the middle aged man looked through Sunless without recognizing him.
"I'm… Sunless."
"Your name?" the man questioned.
Sunless nodded.
The man frowned for a moment before spitting coldly, "Get on with the process and don't waste my time."
Sunless nodded, ignoring the man's rude tone.
He hurriedly increased his pace and walked up to the orb in the center before placing his palm atop it.
There was a brief silence in the room and the orb didn't radiate any fluctuations in the least.
In shock, Sunless felt his knees weaken as he collapsed to the ground.
Normally in such a state Sunless should be in despair…
His life was destined for destruction after all.
He had failed to awaken as a warrior.
However… in Sunless' line of sight was a unique line of words.
It had finally arrived.
His golden finger.
Sunless felt his vision sway and the adrenaline he had been running on all this while finally drained away.
The next instant he fell to the side, unconscious.
Yet there was a contented, happy smile plastered across his face.
[Ding! Congratulations on coming in contact with the Origin.]
[You have received the blessing of all gods!]
...
Author's Note: The new book is out! Add to your library and give me a powerstone or two. Thank you!