Bab 2: The Untainted One (Rewritten)

"..."

I waited.

"..."

I waited again.

"..."

By now, I expected to have awakened in a peculiar white space, welcomed by angels ready to lead me to a world of peace where I wouldn't have to suffer.

"..."

Once again, I waited ready to be greeted any moment now.

I had steeled my mind for the pain that was to come before death.

I mean, I can't imagine it being anything but agonizing to have my body shredded into several pieces.

"..."

Relic Theophilus Alderman. If You Don't Hurry And Get Out Of Here, You Really Will Be Shredded By Whatever Beasts The Dead Carcass Of The Pak-Rat Attracts

"Dead?!".

I exclaimed, surprised.

Without a moment forgone, I opened my eyes to see the Pak-Rat that should have torn me to pieces, fallen to the ground dead with what looked like a black rod stuck through its skull.

"Ho-

I was so surprised I could not even bring myself to finish.

My Advice? Focus On The How Later And Work On Getting Out Of There, Fast

It is the second time I have been advised to leave the place. I didn't know why, but I sprung into action.

My fears were tightly tucked in as I placed my hand on the Pak-Rat's head, holding within a corner of my heart that it was not completely dead and could awake at any moment.

I could feel the coarse fur on my palm, wet and moist in a concerning way.

Mustering all the strength I could, I pushed the Pak-Rat by the head and attempted to push the rest of the body out of the hole so I could have a way out.

To my notice, the Pak-Rat wouldn't budge no matter how much pushing I did.

Figures. I am sixteen with the body of an average-sized teenager. Five-five, slim, and in no way muscular.

What was I hoping to achieve with a stature like that, move an adult human-sized rat?

Ridiculous indeed.

You Won't Get Anywhere Doing That. Infuse Your Force For Physical Reinforcement

"Force?! You mean the weird thing that somehow got me out of this?!".

I had been taught the first time on what to do.

Feel the pulsating core beside my heart, and then just like how I know to open my eyes I convinced myself I could get stronger from the pulse.

As I did so, the pulsating core opened up, I felt it as a cold sensation began to spread through my body. The origin stems from that pulsating core.

As it covered every cranny of my body, I felt myself invigorated. My muscles refined, my skin hardened. It was as though I was becoming invincible.

Just like moving my legs to walk, again I pushed the head of the Pak-Rat. This time, I got the desired result.

By applying pressure, I pushed the dead Pak-Rat out of the hole and managed to open the escape part.

Once I was out, I was bothered less by the rays of the sun I was basking in and just bolted east of wherever I was.

"Huff! Huff!

"Now do you mind telling me what the hell is going on".

I questioned after running a distance I presumed would be safe away from whatever reason I had to run from.

When A Pak-Rat Is Dead, Its Bodily Fluid Releases An Alluring Odor That Attracts Other Predators

If You Had Stayed Longer, The Place Would Have Been Cramped Full With Dangerous Corrupted Beasts Of Higher Rank

At Your Current Level, It Is Much Too Dangerous To Confront Such Corrupted Beasts

I don't know if I was getting praised or insulted. It matters not which one it is.

"I am not asking about that. I mean I am grateful that I was able to escape that kind of danger thanks to you, but that is not my point.

What I am asking is how the hell is there a rat of that size?! This is not Earth Is it? I mean if it was, how come nobody had discovered a rat that big and ferocious?".

One thing I am sure of is my ability to stray away from danger.

I am the kind of person who only needs to hear to know it is dangerous and to know to not stay anywhere near there.

So wherever this is currently, I am sure it is not a place I would have waltz in on my terms if I knew how dangerous it is or that an animal like the Pak-Rat resides in it.

My point here is, that this place is probably not dangerous. Unless of course I was brought here unconscious.

Now, if it was the former, that would mean the location is somewhere easily accessible to anyone.

If that is the case, an animal like the Pak-Rat would so easily be discovered and be made knowledgeable to the public at large.

But, if it was the former?...

Wait a minute!

Yes. This Is Not Earth. This Is The World Of Arthdal And You Relic Theophilus Alderman has been Chosen To Be A Relic That Will Steer The Advancement Of A Particular Race's Civilization

...

I knew from the get-go that something wasn't right. I just did not have the time to pay attention.

For example, how did I come to wake up trapped in a hole made by a giant rat?!

The last thing I recalled... I believe it was me on a bus, a school bus with other students like me.

To be precise, it was an excursion aimed at impacting the field of science research on I and my classmates, from a particular subject we were offering.

At the time, the bus was especially rowdy as to be expected when one brings together mischievous students in one place.

While the others were discussing, polluting the air with their loud voices, I was by the side, looking out the window to enjoy the view.

It is not every time I get a chance to go on a long-distance trip, and I wasn't exactly the type who had a lot of friends at his beck and call.

There were a few of them but we weren't close enough to share seats and start up a baseless discussion.

So right, most of the time I was always on my own doing things at my leisurely pace.

Moving past that, what happened next was?... I think it was an accident!

I am not exactly sure what was it, but the bus I was in came tumbling over.

Before the tumbling part, something happened ahead that caused panic and had everyone standing up. At the time, my seat was far off from the driver's seat so I couldn't see what it was.

All I remembered was the student standing up and then the bus tumbling over. The bus must have run over a car.

After that?!...

I think I saw something flash my way moments after the tumbling and the bus was rolling in the air.

I don't know. My mind wasn't exactly focused on that. I was more preoccupied with how to survive in a rolling bus. Or if I could survive in a rolling bus.

Is that it?!...

Could I have died from that?!