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."

a figure lay on the

"H..help."

murmured quietly as he struggled to move. Currently, his body was paralyzed and he couldn't move a single muscle. He could only

trapped inside of his

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

it had been quite a while since

was blurry and he was going in and out

was born with more

the midst

him, despite his lack of

he been stronger, he would've never found himself in this

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

Never!

Drip—! Drip—!

sound from the corner of the room served no purpose as

eyes slowly

"Akh."

bled, the individual moved

"W..water."

water at the moment. Without

"Ukh."

bulged on the side of his face, the figure slowly pushed his body with his foot. The only part

…will definitely

***

packing. Let's head back

patted her hands in satisfaction

shook his head and stared into the

aren't leaving

"Hm?"

Melissa tilted her head.

before that it was your fault for bringing me here? You

"I do."

staring at

was currently looking

the same spot for quite a while. Is she troubled with something? Or is she just

"Kevin?"

his thought was Melissa's

his head, he was met with

"Hm? What?"

not hear

at one of the plants in

about? Are you telling me that there's no way

for a

Kevin raised his hand and gazed in Amanda's general

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

the sound of

hardened a little

I hear such words,

of his check, Kevin meekly

'Right on.'

you think Melissa. The problem isn't exactly

"Not big?"

Melissa raised her brow.

arms together

"Please do tell me."

smile she wore on the outside looked normal, but Kevin knew just how angry she was

be suddenly dragged into a different planet out of

would react the way

why Kevin didn't get angry

struggled to find the right words to say as he gazed at

weren't the only one dragged here. Amanda and

***

assault, three days passed, but nothing really

the fact that Jin and I weren't in opposite rooms anymore, the routine was

and bang the

the most exciting routine, but

"Huuuu…"

sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, I took a deep breath and my chest heaved up and down

'I'm getting close.'

that I was on the

[Body Hardening]