The Author's POV

Creak— Creak—

As footsteps rushed out, a creaking sound was heard coming from the wooden floor beneath.

A young teen clutching a small soup ran toward a bed in a rundown apartment as a sickly figure lay on it.

There were cracks on the walls, and there were spiderwebs on the corner of the house as dust filled the area. It was not a place where a child should be in.

"Have some soup mother."

Kneeling down, the youth's hand shook as he carefully placed the soup on the shelf beside the bed.

The youth was rather skinny and his complexion was rather pale, but his green eyes shone with ambition.

"M…mother."

Carefully touching the woman that was resting on the bed, the youth tried to wake her up.

The more he stared at her, the greater the pain and void in his heart became.

"B..Brian."

The woman finally awoke, revealing a pair of beautiful green eyes as she touched the youth's cheek.

As her sickly and skinny arm touched the youth's face, it barely remained there before falling weakly onto the bed.

Picking the arm back up, the youth placed it on his cheek.

A bright smile adorned his face.

"Mother, I've got good news for you."

A wave of excitement washed over the youth as he stared at his mother lying on the bed.

"I've finally got a job!"

The youth's voice raised as he thought of the job offer that he received not too long ago.

In a world that was primarily dominated by the strong, those that didn't have strength were not treated well.

Rather, they were considered to be the 'burden' of society as they contributed nothing to the crisis that enshrouded the world.

The youth who was staring at his mother was one of the unlucky few who was born without a talent.

Or rather, he had one, but it was only of the rank level. Just like his mother.

Such talent was a curse in this world, as jobs were scarce. Who in their right minds would hire such talentless individuals?

People with great talents were the only ones able to land jobs since they were able to use their skills to complete tasks faster and more efficiently.

Farming? Why need farmers when you could have an awakened do the same tasks, faster and more efficiently?

Complex calculations? Just a simple skill and they would be able to do it faster and more efficiently.

A tough world greeted the mother and son duo, and they were just one of the many unfortunate ones.

That was until most recently.

"Listen here mom, I know that you're doubting me, but this job is clean. You can trust me!"

As he held tightly onto the sickly figure's hand, the youth thrust his face forward.

"…mom, the pay is really good and with it, I'll be able to finally pay for your medical bills! You will be healed"

Imagining his mother recovering and playing with him like in the good old days filled the youth with excitement.

"Mom, just watch me. I'll definitely cure you."

Feeling a clench of his hand, the youth looked toward his mother who looked back at him with a proud smile.

"I..believe you."

Her weak and frail voice echoed throughout the room.

Biting his lips, the youth squeezed her hand harder.

"Trust me."

***

"Ugh."

lay on the floor groaning

"H..help."

to move. Currently, his body was paralyzed and he couldn't move a single muscle. He could only just barely feel his right foot, but that was just about

inside

'I'm thirsty, I'm hungry.'

worse, it had been quite a while since he had last drank

blurry and he was going in

only I was born

in the midst of his

thing was clear to him, despite his lack of understanding

stronger, he would've never

was experiencing would've never happened if he was stronger or even a little

Never!

Drip—! Drip—!

the room served no purpose as it only heightened the individual's paranoia and

slowly grew

"Akh."

they bled, the individual moved his body with all his

"W..water."

at the moment. Without it, he

"Ukh."

slowly pushed his body with his foot. The

…will definitely make

***

I'm done packing. Let's head

her hands in satisfaction as she headed toward

shook his head and stared into the

aren't leaving him

"Hm?"

Melissa tilted her head.

it was your fault for bringing me here?

"I do."

his eyes and staring

currently

has been staying in the same spot for quite a while. Is she troubled with something? Or is she

"Kevin?"

out of his thought was

his head, he was met with her

"Hm? What?"

you not

at one of the plants in the

you telling me

down for a

to stop Melissa from talking, Kevin raised

go back to earth. But there's a bit of a

don't like the sound

hardened a little

I hear such words, I know there's incoming

his check, Kevin meekly looked at Melissa

'Right on.'

not what you think Melissa. The problem isn't exactly

"Not big?"

Melissa raised her brow.

arms

"Please do tell me."

wore on the outside looked normal, but Kevin knew just how

suddenly dragged into a different planet out

situation would react the

Kevin didn't get angry

to say as he gazed at Melissa. In the end,

the only one dragged here. Amanda and the others

***

days passed,

the fact that Jin and I weren't in opposite

bang the wall with

most exciting routine, but it was better than doing

"Huuuu…"

cross-legged in the middle of the room, I took a

'I'm getting close.'

I was on the verge of reaching the next stage of my

[Body Hardening]