Tick, tock. The seconds pass by. It’s almost the ordained time.
We stare at each other, analyzing all the possible outcomes of this duel that will decide both of our fates. This man who was once my friend, my indispensable companion who I can trust my back with, is now standing against me with intent to kill. I wet my lips before opening my mouth to speak.
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Ozwaldo. You know that at that moment, it’s the only choice I have.”
At my words, his already angry expression became more distorted as he glared at me harder. “That’s not it, Favus! I know you still have that ‘thing’. You are saving it for yourself, aren’t you? I get it if you really had no other choice, but this…”
I can’t retort to his words. How did he know? Only I am supposed to know it still existed. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at me.
“That’s why this, this can’t be helped, Favus. You’ve betrayed us.”
I replied by conjuring my staff from thin air and grasping it using my left hand. It is a wooden staff with a long body that reaches from the ground to my waist, with a Helix Gem at the end of the staff, swirling with a dark aura.
“So this is your answer to all the things you’ve done to us.”
“That’s right. I don’t want to do this, but if you insist on standing in my way…”
I hold the staff with my both hands, raising it up high. In answer to my call, the aura intensified and spread throughout my body, scattering to my surroundings.
“Then by my name, Favus von Arknaim, will swear to…”
Ringgg!
“Alright class, that’s all for today. Happy holidays!” Our teacher then left the room.
Darn, my concentration was broken. No matter, I still have matters to attend to. I packed my things inside my bag hurriedly, basically jamming it in. I was about to stand up and leave before anyone else but I felt a pair of eyes on me.
“Hey, are you leaving already?”
I look up to see that it’s my friend Adam. “Oh, it’s just you, my lowly servant. Of course I plan to depart right away. Why, dost thou plan to live the rest of your life here?”
He squinted his eyes at me slightly. “You’re talking like that again. This is why I’m the only friend you have.” Hey, that hurts. It’s a critical hit.
“Shut up. Why are you asking anyway? I’m planning to get back home right away so I can grind the Christmas event.”
“Wait, you don’t know? The physical book of TSWoT is announced just now to be released by the author and is being sold already at local bookstores. I was planning to ask you if you would like to buy a book with me.”
I was momentarily stunned. That cat of an author managed to release a physical book? Somehow, I feel proud. I replied to him, “You son of a bitch, I’m in.”
***
“Looks like we’re not the only ones that want that book.”
I glanced around the bookstore and the line is so long. It seems the author has so many supportive fans.
“There’s no other choice, then. We will have to wait in line.”
Finally, it’s our turn. This guy with me is so nervous that I can see his leg visibly shaking. I can understand him, since the book might already be sold after all. Or maybe he is just tired from standing for too long. He needs to do some exercise.
“Only one copy is left.”
Silence.
We stare at each other. We already know what needs to be done to decide this.
“Paper!”
“Scissors!”
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“Hah.” I won.
We leave the bookstore and he’s still sullen from his defeat. I tried consoling him. “Don’t worry, there will be next time.” It did not work, though.
I inspect the book that I bought. It’s kind of thick with it having so many pages. I wonder how many total words this thing has? I opened the first page and it has the author’s signature on it. Looks like the first release books are all signed by the author. I glanced at my friend and looked at him with pity. Better not tell him or he really will smack me this time.
I flipped to a random page and coincidentally, the sentence that appeared is ‘Evan, it’s behind you!’ Of course, I’m not Evan. However, I still looked back just in case. Thankfully I did, because for some reason I see someone in the far distance shouting my friend’s name and rushing towards our direction with a knife.
“Holy shit dude, run away there’s a maniac after you.”
“What do you…”
“ADAAAMMM!”
That was our cue to run for our lives. That bastard is gaining distance, though.
“Hey, what did you even do to that guy?!”
“Hell if I know!”
The guy is just now about three cars away from us. Seriously, I just can’t leave this guy alone or he will die without me. I turned around and threw the book at that guy’s face. “Keep running!”
“But-“
The bastard recovered from the shock and changed his target to me. “You’re his friend? Well… you die too!”
I quietly cursed under my breath and ran towards the road. Surely this guy won’t follow me? In the middle of the road and I looked behind me to check. That was a dumb mistake. He caught up to me and stabbed my stomach before twisting the knife.
This bastard, he doesn’t want to give me a chance at living huh? As my consciousness blurred, I hugged him tightly. It stabbed the knife even deeper but I didn’t care, it’s already too late anyway.
“Let go of me!”
“No can do. Now that this happened, you will perish here with me! Remember my name, for-“
Screeeeech!
We were both hit by a truck. At least let me finish my monologue, darn it. I felt like I was floating freely through space, and at the next second, my consciousness completely blacked out.
***
“Hoy, hanggang kailan ka tutulala diyan?”
A mature voice reverberated throughout the place. I jolted wide awake at the sound. I didn’t realize I was spacing out. I look up to see a woman sitting on a throne with her legs crossed. She has a blonde hair and is wearing an outfit you can only describe as an outfit of a queen.
I squinted at the sight. I turned around and saw a vast expanse of space that I can never see the end of. There’s also a cliff with only darkness when you gaze below.
“Naiintindihan mo ba ako?” She seemed to be asking me something, but I can’t understand, so I just shook my head.
This seemed to be her cue. She waved her hand through the air and something changed.
“How about now?”
I muttered softly, “Where the hell am I?” She seemed to have heard it, though. She chuckled and opened her lips to speak.
“That’s right, hell.”
At her words, I turned around quickly and stared at her, dumbfounded. She continued, “To be exact, ‘The Underworld’. You must have a lot of questions, so I will answer them one by one.”
I thought for a little while. If this is the underworld, then I really must have died. Well, nobody would’ve survived that. I arranged the questions in my mind and spoke.
“Who are you?”
“Shouldn’t you be asking why you are in hell first?” I didn’t reply.
She switched her legs that are crossing each other. “I am the queen of the dead, and you can call me Eresh.”
Wait, seriously? It’s too late now to retract my words, though. She noticed my stiffening up and smiled a little bit.
“Why is someone of your status be meeting a soul of a person like me?”
“Oh, that one is easy. I am here to reincarnate you in a world of sword and magic.”
“Why?”
“Because by taking that murderer down with you, not only you saved your friend’s life, but also dozens of people in the future. After he murders you or your friend, he escapes and becomes an infamous serial killer.”
Is that right? Wait, hold on. Something doesn’t make sense. I looked at her suspiciously. “If I saved a lot of people, then why am I in the underworld?”
She sighed and started explaining. “Actually, I’m not the one you’re supposed to meet. It’s my sister, but she’s currently far away lazing around somewhere, so I temporarily took over her duties of reincarnating people.”
I sighed even deeper than her. “I guess it can’t be helped then.”
“First, let’s check your status. Open your status window by saying ‘status.’”
“Status.”
A game-like window popped up before me.
「
[Status Window]
[Name: Christopher Sterling]
[Characteristic: Good Boy]
[Level: 1]
[EXP: 0/30]
[Passive Skill/s]
[Ad-Lib]
[Distort Spell]
[Incomprehensible Mind]
[Spells Comprehension]
[Active Skill/s]
[First-aid]
[Encourage]
[STR: 5] [INT: 8] [AGI: 6] [FAI: 10] [END: 4]
」
I tried touching it, but my hand just went through. It’s just like in a game. I scanned my status and… wait a second.
I glared at the queen of the underworld who is busy trying to hold back her laughter at my status window. “Hey, what the heck is a characteristic and why is mine ‘Good Boy’?”
She cleared her throat and looked at me straight. “First of all, I will tell you that when people are born here, their skills and characteristics will reflect their soul. Of course, you started with so many skills because you lived already for a few years, therefore honing your soul. You in particular, looks to be a… very good person.”
Hey, I can see your mouth curving slightly upwards. She consoled me, “Don’t worry though. The characteristic can change through your actions. In addition, the skills you learn will be related to your characteristic and your personality as a whole.”
I nod. I need to do something about that characteristic quickly.
“Secondly, I will let you choose three items of your choosing.”
I interrupted her. “Isn’t it common for me to receive a skill instead or something else? My stats and skills are so pitiful.”
“Normally. But the main person in charge is gone, so I can’t do that.”
I sighed again, even more disappointed this time. Looks like I will need to choose carefully.
“First of all, I need a weapon. I ask for a spear like a naginata.”
She then snapped her fingers. It appeared and I caught it using my two hands. I wavered a little bit because of the heaviness. Looks like the culprit is my strength at only 5. Originally, I would’ve asked for a powerful weapon but the underworld seemed to be bankrupt because even skills I can’t receive.
“Secondly, I will ask for a map.”
I need this in order to locate villages if ever I end up in the middle of nowhere.
“Lastly… a change of clothes.”
I’m still wearing my school uniform. This will be too conspicuous whenever entering towns or cities.
“Choose what you like.”
She clapped and a long closet appeared. I rummaged for clothes to wear and… what’s this? Maid outfit? I can hear her snickering behind me. I skipped it and found the one I like after rummaging some more. It’s an outfit befitting of a prince of darkness complete with matching black cape.
“I choose this one.”
“Very well.” She snapped her fingers again like with the naginata and the clothes disappeared, only remaining the one I chose which I already am wearing. Isn’t that just convenient? I put the map inside my pocket and I gripped my naginata.
“That’s about everything. I hope you have a safe journey and farewell.”
I close my eyes in anticipation of the teleportation. I wonder where I will end up? I’m fine with anywhere as long as it’s not nowhere.
A few minutes passed by. Am I there yet? I opened my eyes to look.
The queen of the underworld is looking at me awkwardly.
She pointed behind her and spoke in voice that is almost like a whisper. “Um… budget cuts… I can’t teleport you… walk to the surface using that.”
Of course.
I walked valiantly towards the exit, ignoring what happened a moment ago. Just when I am near the gate of the exit, she added, “Be sure not to look back no matter what happens.”
I stopped, but I didn’t turn back. I walked again towards the exit and raised my left hand in farewell while also to acknowledge her words, my cape fluttering in the wind somehow.
This is the start of a new journey.