Chapter 50 (2/2)

There were my teachers from middle school, high school and university. In addition, some school sunbaes and employers.  In my life, there were always voices and hands pus.h.i.+ng me down from above. Finally, I heard the last voice.

–Give up and submit to me.

It was the first time I've heard this voice. A mysterious voice.  It contained more authority than my father in my childhood. Softer than my mother. The voice made it feel like the owner had everything.

–You are weak.

–Stay still and just listen to me.

I started struggling. But my body didn't move. Numerous hands were holding me down and their voices were speaking in unison. Follow their commands. Say yes. Relax. No, I couldn't relax. I knew how easy it was to entrust my will to the people above me. But, it wasn't an important issue.

…

…….

My elementary school years.

The lessons I had after school. I didn't remember much save the musical instruments. At that time, it was the most interesting and fun thing that I had done. After going a few times, I had to quit the lessons after school. My parents thought it was an 'expensive hobby' and useless.

That wasn't the only thing I remembered.  It was just the oldest memory in my head.

'This isn't something that just anyone could do. If you don't have talent then you'll regret it later. It's better not to look at it.'

That was what my parents said. There was no regret in their words. It wasn't something that could be done as a career, and they doubted that I had the talent. But it wasn't because of my parent's cold evaluation that I spent the next few nights sniffling. It was because I couldn't touch the instrument that had given me so much fun. They just dismissed it, despite the fact that it wasn't what I wanted to do.

–Why are you fighting so hard?

–You won't be able to resist anyway.

Why?

I had been asking myself that same question on the road I had been walking so far. In fact, I answered it several times.  Why fight, when it wouldn't make a difference? In my position, what more could I gain?

It didn't matter.  Even if I had nothing to gain… I might flop to the ground because I had failed miserably.

But this was all through my will.  Only my will. My choice. I didn't want my will to be crushed by someone else. No matter how strong they were, their relations.h.i.+p with me or the rights they had, I would ignore the disgusted gazes from above me. That was it.

I just wanted to climb up.

[The conditions are met.]

[Talent has fully awakened.]

My body twisted.

-…?

The voice sounded confused.   This unlucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

In the end, it was just a worm. I didn't know what its ident.i.ty was, but I wouldn't be adversely influenced by it.

My body started to change. Anyway, this place wasn't real. It was just an illusion. I peeled off the weak flesh. My body grew longer. Rough hairs grew all over my body and claw like nails emerged on both hands and feet.

–What? Why, just…

I turned my head. My snout became longer and sharp teeth bit at the thing around me. The worm shrieked. More hands appeared on my body and tightened the pressure, but I didn't care. My teeth had already reached it.

I just bit. I tore at it with my claws and bit in.

–It hurts! Hurts!

The voice sounded like a little child. This unlucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d. The worm was already caught. I bit it as it cried painfully and struggled.  I didn't remove my teeth, I just continued biting.

Continue. Continue. Continue…

&

”…Ah.”

My eyes opened. I was looking at the ceiling of the incubation room. It was the feeling of returning to my body. I had regained consciousness. Of course, my body wasn't in the form of a beast either.

It was reset.

[Unique Talent – No.099 Underdog:  The conscious overcoming of challenges that are higher than yourself.  Even though you know you can never get it, you are a dog constantly barking at the sun.]

[A correction value is applied when fighting against an enemy whose total sum of abilities is more than twice your own.]

[Complete immunity to all types of mental interference including morale, brainwas.h.i.+ng, oppression etc.]

As I raised my body, I found something wriggling near my feet. It was the worm. It had shrunk quite a lot compared to its previous size. I could hold it in one hand. At first glance, I could see that its life was about to end. It wriggled like a bug that had been sprayed with insecticide.

”…”

Without hesitation, I reached out for it. Unlike before, this time I could touch it.

“Son of a b.i.t.c.h.”  Even though I overcame the situation, I still felt angry about it. I prepared to use strength to crush the worm.

”Don't hate it too much.”

”…”

“It was just ignorant. In fact, it's a pitiful existence. Even though it's a sacred creature, it wasn't born in the arms of a G.o.d.”

A Tellan woman suddenly appeared in front of me. She wore clothing that made her look almost naked. She was s.h.i.+ning with a gentle halo that illuminated the surroundings.

”… You.”

I smiled slightly and relaxed.  The woman was an existence that I knew. I just couldn't believe it.

“You've had some plastic surgery done.”

”Thanks.”

The sun G.o.d… No, the G.o.ddess smiled at me.

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