Chapter one: The disappearance of the prodigy

I was pleasantly surprised to find that taking a stroll by the bridge at night is truly relaxing.

"Doctor, is there any solution to remedy this? We are on the verge of the nationals!"

Even though it doesn't prevent the intrusive thoughts that disrupt my sleep at night.

"It's alright, my son. I have obtained a new job to fund your tuition, so just concentrate on your studies and don't worry about anything else."

I'm still waiting to hear back from the interviews I attended. Although it's been a while, I understand that employers have many better applicants to hire.

‘I'm so proud to have earned this medal, senior. Thank you for guiding me.’

It's wonderful to have a reliable junior who can stand in my place when needed but I can't shake the feeling of jealousy that I feel toward him. I'm disgusted at myself for feeling this way, but I can't help it. Whenever I see him standing in my place, I can't help but feel like a failure. I'm ashamed of these thoughts and feelings, so I've been avoiding him and the club room entirely. 

As I gaze up at the sky, I can't help but notice how it's less vibrant and hazier than it used to be.

I should go back soon. Mom would probably yell at me. If she found out, I was out this late. 

Just as I was about to leave, I caught sight of a silhouette standing on the bridge's railings.

'This bastard'

I charged toward the person while yelling. 

“Why are you doing this? Even though I lost everything, I'm still aiming for my dream, just because the world said to just give up. I will keep shooting for it!” 

I tried getting the person down, but when my hand was about to touch the person, my hand felt nothing, making me get off my balance. I tried holding on to the[ railing to brace myself, but I missed the handle which caused my entire body to hit the guardrail, making it creak.

‘ohh **** …’

Then it snapped.

Even as I fell, my eyesight faltering, I could make out the smile of the person who watched me plunge into the cold, dark water.

I should have listened to the bull**** talk show in the morning. That Sagittarius would have very terrible bad luck.

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***

My mind was a blank slate, and I couldn't remember how I ended up on the ground. I didn't know how long I had been unconscious. When I tried to sit up, I realized that my eyes wouldn't cooperate. They were open, but everything was pitch black. I rubbed them furiously, hoping to restore my vision, but it was no use. As I lay there in the darkness, tears streamed down my face. I didn't know how long I cried, but I could feel the dampness on my cheeks, and I knew that my tear ducts were still working. The world was dark and silent, and I was alone in the void. I had never felt so helpless.

My mind couldn't comprehend the depths of my situation, and I found myself repeatedly trying to wake up from the nightmare that was my life.

I heaved myself off the ground and stood, wobbling unsteadily for a moment before regaining my balance.

I tried calling for help from nearby people, but no matter how hard I yelled. Nobody answered me back. 

So after a while, I decided to explore. It's probably a dumb idea to walk around without eyesight. But I couldn't stand still any longer. 

I started to walk forward but after 10 minutes. The silence was starting to get to me. I hadn't encountered anyone or anything along the way. No birds chirping, no leaves rustling in the breeze. It was as if I were the only living thing in a desolate, lifeless world.

“999…

 1000 meters”

I find myself confined in a box that is only a kilometer in size, and there doesn't seem to be any way out. I look around, but there are no openings or objects inside, just smooth walls that stretch endlessly.

I started to think that I got kidnapped, but I quickly abandoned that idea. The kidnappers have no benefits to doing this.

“This place has nothing to do. I don't know how long I've been here. But any longer will drive me crazy!” 

But when I say that. The walls that I couldn't see started to have cracks.

But it wouldn't take long until I find that out.

Crash

“What was that?

Long after the crash, I started to hear water pouring in. Eventually, I felt the water in my feet

I panic and tried to go to the water source to block it.

I started to notice that other walls have water leaks too

“It's super f***ed”

The wall didn't last long soon after. The entire room is collapsed.

I tried to grasp for air before being engulfed in water.

I attempted to swim upwards with all my might, but before I could make any progress, something snagged my shirt. Suddenly, I was being dragged in the opposite direction. I fought back with all my strength, but the force that was pulling me was far too powerful to resist.

Cough cough

“Oh, this is my first time catching a human in this lake.”

***

Are you feeling comfortable? 

“Yes,” the fisherwoman can see the boy shaking from the cold but she sure dried him properly. So it's probably a mental thing the fisherwoman assumes 

The old fisherwoman tried to hand him a cup of hot water. Seeing the boy was unresponsive   Then, belatedly they realize what was wrong with the boy.

A fisherman grab the boy's hand and tried guiding it to the cup of water

The boy thanks the old woman for the help but his heart was not full of gratitude, instead was shame and helpless...

 “So what's your name, boy?”

“Kaus."

"Are you giving up on yourself Kaus do you want to succeed even though this world is unfair?"

"No… I want to succeed for my late mother who supported me all alone. I want to be the proud son, for my juniors and coaches cheer me on"

"That the spirits"

Then Kaus felt a force on his forehead. Then not long after he felt that his brain is being poked by arrows in all directions.

"Endure."

Kaus didn't know what the old woman did but he wasn't in incredible pain. He would cuss at this old lady

Sweat forms on Kaus's forehead. He tried biting his tongue to redirect the pain but it was too much. Then another more sharp pain in the center forehead.

Then the pain finally stopped. Kaus felt a breeze of relief to their entire body. Then suddenly multiple colored "auras" rush into Kaus's head.

"It's completed. You lasted longer than I thought"

"You Ha-" but before Kaus could purely cuss the old lady. His entire body completely loses its momentum and then his mind went completely unconscious