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JeonJa

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For the four of us the safe house was too small, and since it did not have many quilts and sheets, the guests had to sleep on the bare floor. I did feel bad for having nothing to give, my own sheets dirty and smelly, yet they didn't mind. Jiner was actually happy that I was letting them stay with me.

The safe house had a few bags of grains and some medicinal section in one corner, but that was the limit to it. There was a small wash basin but the water taps weren't working, hence it was just for show. Reason why I had to go to the stream everyday, thank goodness there was some spare soap, or else I don't know what I would have done. I liked to live in a hygienic space, although it was difficult to be so sophisticated when I had little to nothing on me. I was barely surviving.

Toga and Jungaba were already asleep, much to my surprise. Wasn't it cold in the house, it wasn't insulated and had only a single living space. So it wasn't hard to tell that the house was just a mere shelter against rain and snow, nothing more. I had heard my father once say he had build it for storage purpose but still it could be used as a safe house. I think he was still working on it, that is why some of the planks and nails were kept in one corner when I first arrived here.

I already knew that our farm was taken by the neighboring farmers, it no longer belonged to my family. It was as if we never existed.

I had thought the villagers were nice, the children were kind, but that was just a mere illusion.

"Why so serious bunny boy?" Mister Jiner asked me from his perch. His eyes were closed but I knew his senses were focused on me. From the small opening on the upper wall of the cabin, strong moonlight shone through, highlighting the handsome features of the man. He was truly a beauty, and I think he knew it too, for the way he moved gracefully indicated the fact.

"None of the villagers helped me when my family was in danger. They all shunned me... I t-thought they were nice... because of them my family is dead. If they had come with me to help, my brother and parents would still be alive. I am a coward too, I just watched." I was angry with myself, with life in general, but the self hatred in me was eating me alive. I felt so helpless, vulnerable and a totally useless existence. "Why didn't they help me?" I half shouted scathingly, ignoring Toga and Jungaba who were sleeping right next to me.

Jiner chuckled, "You are crying about that?" he sounded bitter, but his voice was calm and gentle. "Most of the populace fears Alphas, so they try not to meddle in their affairs. I think you already know why they didn't help you. My condolences boy, but the world is cruel. If you don't have strength, you won't survive. And I am amazed that an omega like you survived for so long."

"I know that," I said slowly, my anger dissipating into thin air, reality was too harsh to learn.

"Did your family have some issues with the alphas?" Jiner asked softly, I think he was trying to be careful with me, as if afraid I would break. Maybe I really would.

"No, not that I know of any. My p-parents were farmers and t-they were very kind." I gulped down my emotions, trying not to cry again, which I had been doing a lot lately.

"How many alphas were there, were they too strong?"

I looked at him in the eye and told him the numbers, "30-40."

His mouth parted with shock and his eyes were wide after hearing the number. "So many?! Are you sure?"

I nodded, "They were killed by another wolf that I ran into."

"Let me guess," he started, "that wolf was the one you thought I was?" He was clever enough to put two and two together.

I nodded again, and he sighed. "I haven't seen so many alphas together at once, packs are what they lead, packs of betas, gammas and so on. So many alphas can't stay together, their pride and instinct won't allow them to. It is alarming though..."

I had nothing to add any further so I just closed my eyes and prayed for sleep to come, hoping I wouldn't have nightmares again.

Silence engulfed us and I lost track of time, falling asleep eventually.

--

The next morning came and I was woken with a kick to the gut. The culprit was none other than Toga, looking pleased with himself. And next to him stood Jungaba, smirking. But Jiner wasn't that amused. A frown was marring his face as he watched me.

"That is not how you wake up kids To To." he scolded his younger brother, reminding me greatly of my own brother.

Toga pouted, "But he himself wanted me to train him like that, I had asked him before."

Jiner's frown deepened as he looked at my still huddled form, "Are you trying to punish yourself, To To can be very strict and harsh with his approach. I don't even know why he took it upon himself to teach you, he is bad with his pupils."

"I deserve it," I said in a small voice, not daring to look up at the standing man next to me. My eyes were hidden with my bangs.

"Then you are not fit to be taught. Those who don't respect themselves are worse than scum."

I flinched at his words but I knew I was a 'scum', I was trying to stay alive for my family's sake but I deserved the bad treatment for my betrayal to my family. Only if I had brought help they would still be alive.

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I winced as a kick sent me flying back against the wall, a pitiful whine escaping me even though I tried to stay silent. I cracked open one of my eyes, only to find Jiner glaring at me, his handsome features morphing into animalistic ones, I could see his fangs appear in between in lips and his eyes sharpening at me. I shivered unconsciously, he looked so frightening.

His darkening eyes and aura warned me of how troublesome my declaration was.

"Are you stupid... boy," he barked, making me flinch again, "You are still alive for a reason bigger than moping around pitifully. Become strong so that you could live. It was not your fault that your family died, the world is a cruel place to live in. I hope you understand that. What happened was unfair to you but now what. Will they be happy to see you like this... your family?"

"But if I-"

"No! No buts. What if I was strong, what if I had brought help, what if this and what if that. All of that negative thinking is what you need to get rid of." Jiner paused letting his words sink. "You are alive, so be happy you got a chance to continue living for your loved ones. Stop pitying yourself and most of all stop blaming yourself."

"But what can I do?" I shouted back at him with desperation, my body hurt with all the mental and physical pain, but what could I do.

"Yes that is a question isn't it. Your revenge has already been taken, the culprits are already dead, but now you have to think what you want to do with your life."

"I want to live for my family."

Jiner hushed me, "Yes that you know, but is living like this the best you could do? Do you want to live all your life trying to blame yourself for what you couldn't control... or couldn't change."

"Then what can I do?"

"Survival isn't the same as living. When you live you have a purpose that far surpasses just survival. Your purpose of living is what you need to think about."

I looked at Toga and Jungaba who were listening to our conversation and I noticed they looked impressed by what Jiner said. And in the end I was too. Jiner's words helped with my troubles, what he said was right.

"I don't know what I can do," I must have looked pathetic but I really had no clue to what I wanted with life. And I no longer had any want to become a farmer, like I had wished earlier.

"Is there something you hate about this world?"

I nodded, eagerly waiting for what he had to say, it was like he had an answer to my every problem. And I felt hope take root in me for the first time after the demise of my family.

"Then bring a change in this world."

I looked at Jiner with dejected eyes after hearing him, "But why would they listen to me, I am an omega."

"Oi Oi, didn't I say ya could become strong if ya want to be? Do ya forget things so easily?" Toga butted in, his lips pouting at me, as if I hurt his pride or something.

"But it's still impossible isn't it mister. I can't change the whole world by myself, the people will still fear alphas and gammas would fear betas... it will just continue, like I feared some of the village kids just because they were betas."

"Well, then make everyone doubt their beliefs." Jiner said with an optimistic smile.

"Huh?" I tilted my head in confusion. It was very difficult to grasp them when they talked in riddles, they were adults, I was still a kid, how can I understand any of it.

"If they see an omega beat an alpha, what do you think the people will think?" Jungaba asked me this time, he clearly ignored Jiner and Toga, who were both eager to tell me their views.

"But there are so many alphas, and if they aren't bad, then what's the point of fighting them?"

He smirked, "Have you heard of Challenge Arc fest?"

I shook my head, I had never heard such things before.

"Every two years there is this competition held between the races, where the alphas win every time, there have been instances of betas winning too, but alpha hook the spot. Do you understand what I am saying."

"Yes."

"Then want to show them how strong you are omega boy?"

I nodded sharply, waiting for what he had to say next.

Jungaba clearly grinned at me, amused by my jumpy excitement to hear him. "Then participate in that competition. Win and let everyone know that an omega won the race. This world only values those who have strength and are powerful. Show the world that anyone can achieve that power if they have the will. One win and you can topple the whole system."

My eyes widened as determination filled me, the hope blossoming. I still doubted I could do that, but how interesting it would be if I could.

"But," I mumbled, "I want to know who rules this world?"

I know everything worked on rules, my father always preached about how difficult it was to rule the territories, and as far as I knew, we lived in the territory called Soe. He said he never had met the leader who ran the packs around and I understood little about it, but I grasped enough to know that each territory was very big and probably had a leader of some kind.

"Why do you want to know that... JeonJa?" Jungaba asked me, baffled by my sudden change of interest.

"Can I rule this world?"

A silence engulfed the cabin and I realized how unrealistic I was talking, so I back peddled, "I mean I cannot b-but I want to know. Just-"

Toga suddenly started laughing and soon the rest followed. I just stood there hanging my head low, wondering why I suddenly had such a thought.

When the occupants had calmed down some, I peeked at them and saw Jiner still stifling his high pitched laugh. That mister was seriously too fluctuating, just like his brother Toga. But it was good to hear laughter around, it reminded me of home.

"Why do you want to rule this world JeonJa, it's a very big goal you have there. And so suddenly?"

I shyly looked away from Jungaba's unflinching eyes, "I thought that if I could rule this world then I could help people become strong too, I could make them understand that alphas don't rule the place, every one can be...um..."

"Equal?" Jiner helped, and I nodded frantically. "Yes."

"Then you have to challenge the most powerful leader of all time to take the reign from him." Jungaba told me seriously, though still amused, "The ultimate alpha is the one who is said to lead all the leaders of the territories. He is the true alpha, an immortal omnipotent being."

"Imoral?"

Jungaba snickered, "Immortal, meaning one who lives for many years, infinite years to come. He doesn't die even if injured. And he has power unmatched. Do you really think you can win against someone like that?"

"I... don't know." I told him frankly, I really didn't know if I could beat someone so powerful, it was like a dream. "But... at least I could try."

"This true alpha is like a myth," Jiner started, when Jungaba just took to staring at me, "a fairy tale character only heard of. Almost none have seen him but everyone knows about him. He only makes as appearance when his rule needs to be exercised. It is very difficult to get to him or even catch a glimpse of him."

"Then I will find him and make him fight me. Then I can rule the world right?"

Everyone chuckled, "Sure kid, yer wish, yer dedication. But let me tell ya," Toga paused for effects, "Don't lose yer will even if ya lose to him. Although finding him in itself is a huge task."

"Don't worry mister, I will find him. I am good at finding things, my brother always told me that."

"Sure, but do ya even know the name of this alpha guy. I suggest ya always find the name before ya go off to challenge someone, anyone. It is proper manners and etiquette ya follow."

"You know his name mister?" I asked him hopefully.

"Almost everyone knows it kid. It's Jia Jamen."