"Accept..?"
The words floated before Kaito's fading vision.He could barely hear Mira's screams anymore.The world was dimming,sounds fading.The sound of his heartbeat was the only the he could hear,it was loud and slow,completely delayed.
[Do you Accept or Reject?]
Kaito didn't understand. It looked like hallucination ,like one of those cruel tricks the dying brain played before everything went black. But the words were clear,simple to read and waiting for a response.
He started at them his blood continuosly escaping his body. Mira tried to stop the bleeding but it was pointless,she's crying over her brother's fallen body.
"Accept… or reject?" his thoughts read the floating text"What kind of question is that…"
Memories of his lfe flashed before his eyes,his mother's tired smile, his father's distant stare, his sister's laughter,Haruka's smiling face. The house where he up.
He remembers the time Tokyo was under attack by a gigantic corrupted core spirit,infrastucture fell,people die,he was there but did nothing to help,a memories where a child cried under a fallen wall that crashed her legs,begged Kaito for help,but he ran away.
His hand clutched weakly "I am always weak…" his thoughts ran. "Always watching people die because I couldn't do anything."
"I told myself I will get stronger,that next time, I will protect them. That next time, I will fight."
"And look at me now."
His heart started to beat slowly.It would be so easy to close his eyes to let the cold take him,that the pain and noise would end.That he would finally rest.
But then Mira's voice snapped him. Desperate screaming,crying out."KAITO! DON'T YOU DARE DIE!"
He snapped back to reality.
Don't die? How could he not? He was bleeding out, powerless, useless. The kind of person the world forgot.
Another voice rose calm,collected and manly.
If you dont have a role try something like protecting those who matter to you.
His trembling right hand reaches for the screen.
"I don't know what this is," I don't care if it's a dream, a curse, or a lie…" His neck tights as he forced his dying body to move. "But if it means I can fight… if it means I can stand again…"
I've been weak long enough,"He stood up with determination starring at the frozen entity "I've lost enough!"
Mira kept crying.
"Kaito,what are you doing,you are badly hurt."
He remembered his father's disappointment-You're not strong enough to protect anyone.He remembered the day Mira shielded him from a blast, her arm burning as she screamed in pain while he stood frozen.
"I was afraid," his tears mixing with blood. "Afraid to fight.Afraid to lose.Afraid of how worthless i am."
"But fear never protected anyone."
"Fear never saved a damn thing."
"I don't want mercy. I don't want forgiveness."
His voice became, raw and furious. "I want strength!"
"I want the strength to protect them!" he shouted. "To tear apart anyone who dares take them from me again!"
"I don't care what I have to give up,"If it takes my soul take it. If it damns me then damn me!"
"Because I will never let this world decide my worth again."
The system waited for an answer before him.
"I'm not asking to be a hero."
"I just don't want to be the one left behind anymore."
He closed his eyes.
Then, with the last of his breath, he said:
"I accept."
The house exploded in light.
Whoosh!!
The air around him warped,shadows stretched,his body floated recklessly.He felt weightlessness.His head held up high,bluevisible energy seemed to be cycling across him.
[SYSTEM REBOOTING]
[Vital signs Stabilizing]
[Core Energy Initialization:ERROR-Correction Initiated]
His body jerked violently.His eyes wide open in shock.His pieced body was completely healed,not even a scratch remained.
"What the-"
The corrupted core spirit sensing Kaito's presence,let out a distored howl.It lunged again.
Core energy surged through Kaito,his eyes were glowing blue.
[Tutorial:Active]
[Welcome,Player]
[Objective:Complete the tutorial]
"Complete the tutorial!?"
The text faded,then reappeared
[Warning:Corrupted Core Spirit detected nearby.]
[Engage tutorial sequence to learn combact basics.]
Before he could ask himself questions.The corrupted core spirit darted towards them.
"Hey sis,find a place to hide,i think i got this."
As she ran to find cover another text appeared.
[Action Tutorial-Step 1:Movement]
[Instruction:Dodge incoming attacks using your reflexes]
[Move:Use your physical instinct]
Kaito's body reacted instinctively,he rolled sideways as the creature expected to smash him with two of its hands.
[Sucess:Attack Dodged]
[Exp Gained 5]
It rose it's left arm,this time swaying faster.Kaito jumped backwards.He felt as if his body was lighter,faster,sharper and almost preemptive.
[Step 2:Blocking]
[Instruction:Use your arm or objects around you to block incoming strikes]
It once again attacked,it's hand shape formed into claw like shape.Kaito's instincts kicked in,grabbing a nearby chair using it as a sheild.
[Success:Attack Blocked]
[Exp Gained 10]
[Step 3:Skill Activation-Double Flash]
[Instruction:Activate skill to instantly traverse space in short bursts.Use to dogde or attack]
[Requirement:None-Due to tutorial session ]
[Key Binding:Enforce your legs with Core energy temporarily]
[WARNING:Current time limit is 2 seconds due to your low level]
"Two seconds huh??'
The corrupted core spirit attacked again,Kaito's legs felt lighter,his vision split between the present and what would be the next moment.He dashed forward,then backward in an instant leaving multiple afterimages around the house.
It faltered.
[Success: Double Flash Executed]
[Exp Gained 15]
Again it attacked but recklessly it's arms driving towards Kaito.Right now it's Kaito's time to shine,he instantly moved with alarming speed reaching for his head,smashing it on the ground,pressing his hand,squeezing it's face ,breaking it apart like a compressed egg.
Screak!!
It vanished into mist.
K-kaito...what just happened?"his sister Mira asked crawling off under a sofa that fallen upside down,she had been hiding under it.
"I have no idea"he replied as he looked nerveously at his hands.
[Enemy Defeated]
[Exp Gained 40]
[Level up:1-2]
[Core Energy: 0-3%]
"Wait...For real??
"Brother are you sure you are okay."
"Hey Mira,can you see this"he asked while pointing at the floating system infront of him.
"Huh,see what?she tilted her head sideways "what are you talking about."
Thought so,she can't see it.I guess no one can see it besides me.And not only that i took down corrupted core spirit,if this is a dream,i don't want to wake up.
Bam!
Mira punched Kaito"s nose.
"STOP IGNORING ME,YOU BABBON"
"Ouch that felt too real"holding his bleeding nose.
"What are you going on about again,you destroyed the place."
"Why blamming me it's the creature's fault."
"Classic now where are we going to sleep?"
"Why asking me"
"You are the older one."
Outside the house,the city was busy,neon lights shone bright across the tall buildings,people walked continuosly with purpose,too busy to even notice the incident.
"Hey Mira"his voice low and calm.
"What?!"she answered lazily.
"Lets go to that love hotel you always wanted to visit."
"Finally...It's about time"she replied with excitement
Up in the sky,the full moon shone brighter than always.