Slap!
Ouch!! Maximilian winced internally as he slapped himself on the face with both hands.
I thought that would hype me up but it didn't. Well, nevermind. I've got to stay focused. Fifteen months is a long time, but Nico is strong. I'm sure he would have done well for himself.
Maximilian stretched, adjusting the clothes around his body, cracking his shoulders and wrists and ankles. It should have felt like he hadn't moved in a long while, but after eating and walking around the room a bit, the only discomfort he felt was akin to waking up in a bad sleeping posture.
Nico must have felt so lonely, thinking I was dead. I need to find him as soon as possible. Quick checklist, meet the guy granny Suki said I should meet, find out clues to my brother's whereabouts and leave. That's simple enough— what the hell is this thing?
Maximilian paused his pacing around the room, finally paying attention to the blue light that had been filtering in through the corner of his eyes.
I noticed it when I woke up, but I've been so busy panicking and comprehending waking up from a fifteen month coma that I didn't get a chance to pay it any mind.
The blue light looked like a cube, just hanging at the corner of Maximilian's gaze. He turned his head around a few times but it always remained at the corner of his gaze, just out of view but still present.
How do I make it vanish?... Maximilian wiped his eyes but nothing happened. He focused, squinting to see if he could get a better glimpse. Once he willed his focus, his vision zoomed in, or maybe it was the cube that suddenly got magnified.
A blue icon appeared before his gaze, transparent, yet he could see everything on it with crystal clarity, like it was imprinted upon his mind instead of just his vision.
— ●[Maximilian Sullivan]● —
Level : 0 [[0%]—————————100%]
Archetype : Force [???]
Techniques :
﹂ —
Skills:
﹂ Supernatural Condition
Metaverse: [Locked]
Karma Points: 0
— ●[Maximilian Sullivan]● —
Woah… this is… what is this? It looks like a video game. Like character information but it's about me? Most of these terms are unfamiliar. Archetype? Force? Metaverse?
Maximilian rubbed his eyes once again, but the window remained in his view. Recalling Mitsuki's words, realization dawned on him.
This must be one of the changes Granny Suki talked about. I'll have to ask about this. Maximilian waved his hand through his vision a few times, watching as it passed through the glowing blue window. His attention shifted to the window, he walked towards it, staring outside into the horizon.
The sky was back to normal, but the land beneath it was still a canvas of devastation. Maximilian's heart ached at the thought that his brother was somewhere in this horror, without his protection.
Hang on, Nico. I'm coming for you. Maximilian clenched his fists as he headed for the door. Standing outside, waiting, was a chubby youth in glasses. Although he looked like a nerd, there was something intimidating about him.
The duo walked on in silence, floor after floor, and the lower they went, the younger the people around. Some were even holding weapons; Swords, Spears, Bow and Quivers, garbed in armour.
Funny to think that a few days ago, these people would either be laughed at for cosplaying at that age, or arrested for wielding weapons in public. Now this is the new normal… fifteen months actually… I can't believe I was asleep for that long.
The chubby youth led Maximilian to a gathering of youths. Each one of them dressed like they were about to go to battle, and a young muscular man who seemed like the leader of the group was speaking and pointing at a crude map on the table.
"We'll have to avoid these regions marked in red, the cartographers haven't been able to decide the rank of the monsters in those regions but the speculation is that they are at least Copper level."
"Monsters?" Maximilian murmured in disbelief. All eyes fell on him immediately. He almost took a step back, although they all looked roughly around the age range, they were more like hardened warriors.
Did I say that out loud?
The muscular youth looked from Maximilian to the chubby youth beside him. "Care to introduce your friend, Murphy?"
"Aunt Suki asked me to bring him to you. He's the sleeper in Ward 9." At the mention of ward nine, everyone's gaze really focused on Maximilian. The muscular youth raised a brow, approaching the duo.
"Looks like sleeping beauty decided to wake up. We were beginning to think you had become hollow." Maximilian furrowed his brows, understanding yet not understanding what the youth was saying.
"Suho." He added, reaching for a handshake. When Maximilian reached out, he clamped his hand shut and pulled him closer, "You should know better than to shake strangers, Snow white." he spoke into Maximilian's ear. The latter's attention was on the tuning fork shaped spear strapped to Suho's back.
"I think if you wanted to arm me, you would have when I was 'peacefully' sleeping in your ward." Maximilian replied absentmindedly before pulling his gaze —reluctantly— from the spear. He looked at ghe muscular youth, Suho, and sighed,
"Look, I'm grateful for all you've done but I need to find my brother. Gr– Aunt Suki said you might be able to help me."
"Aunt Suki will break your bones if she knew you called her Grandma."
"I didn't!" Maximilian protested but Suho gave him a knowing look. "I corrected myself." he added in a low voice.
Suho looked at Maximilian for a moment then sighed. He placed a hand on Maximilian's shoulder and pulled him along as they walked. Behind them, Murphy joined the youths around the table, some vegan discussing, others moved around with practiced coordination.
"Let me give you a quick rundown of what you missed. The sky cracked, meteors fell down, everyone was comatose. People woke up to find they had powers, but with great powers comes..." Suho looked at Maximilian to complete his speech,
"Responsibilities?"
"Monsters. Powerful, terrible monsters that came from the meteor. Many died, many will still die. Including you if you leave to find your brother." Suho pulled them to a stop, his eyes trained on Maximilian's, waiting for the latter's reply.
"So... The blue icon?"
"Yes. Everyone has that. We are now like characters in a cosmic video game, except when you die, you don't respawn." Suho gauged Maximilian's reaction, the boy was silent but he didn't seem to be in shock or in panic. "You are not laughing so I'll take that a good sign."
"Granny Suki told me I'd die if I left. She didn't seem like someone who would lie. As my benefactors, the least I can do is give you the benefit of doubt."
"You called her granny—"
"Suho, thanks for the advice, but I still have to find my brother. The existence of monsters just makes it more urgent. He has been living in this hell for fifteen months without me. He must have been through a lot." Maximilian smiled sadly for a moment before continuing, "Please, how do I find him."
Suho's expression turned serious for a moment before he sighed in exasperation, "They never listen." he muttered. "Come with me." Suho gestured, leading Maximilian back to the table. Only five youths remained, all of the geared up for battle.
"Introduce yourself." Suho demanded when they arrived. This time, although all eyes were on him, Maximilian wasn't as shook as he was before.
"Maximilian Sullivan. I'm—"
"No need for that, any additional information is useless. This isn't the earth you once knew." Murphy interrupted. Like the others, he had changed into battle gears too. "Murphy." he added.
"Kazuya." the youngest looking in the group introduced. He was an average boy with black hair and deep whirlpool like eyes.
"I'm Rhashan, the face of the party." a brown haired youth reached out for a handshake. He had a bronze skin tone and a charming smile. He looked lanky, but his grip was strong. Maximilian nodded, his gaze resting on the last two members of the party. Both females.
"Willow," the first girl nodded with a smile, she had shoulder length blonde hair, a pretty face and unsettling eyes. She gestured at the girl beside her, "This is Midori. She's not much of a talker."
Midori gave a slight wave. She has pale skin, very long black hair that reach past her back and a disposition that made people unable to look away. Maximilian stared for a bit before Suho's voice pulled him out of his trance.
"I usually don't do this, but you seem stubborn when it comes to you brother. So, we'll have a little practical session." Suho walked back to the group, a spear, a sword and a bow and quiver in hand. He placed them all on the table.
"You know what they say; seeing is believing. Experience is the best teacher. Don't trust any creature in the apocalypse...blah blah blah."
"What?" Maximilian furrowed his brows as he chuckled.
"Pick your poison," Suho gestured at the three weapons, "You are now a part of this Hunting party."