The sky cracked, the earth trembles, the mountains and sea changes. An unknown spiritual energy emerges with the changes. The universe space grew farther apart and the planets grew to unimaginable sizes.
Monsters came into beings and Earth became a hot danger zone. Every single human who fails to adapt or awaken becomes a walking dead. Everything completely changes and humanity is sent back down on the food chain. Dungeon bring chaos to the land and living in the new world is painful.
Marking this day, it was August 26. Yesterday, the world have undergone a terrifying change and Jaden had fallen into a dungeon. Today, he survived and came out dirty with grime. A world of desolation greeted him. Just as he breath the fresh air of dirt and mud. The dungeon portal closes as the dungeon no longer supports it.
In front, Jaden looked at the house that withstood the calamity of the earth shuddering change. It was clean, the section under the house move together during the earthquake.
Jaden took refuge inside the dungeon during the transformation. Which is why he did not either end up dead in the stomach of an undead or died during the change. With the induction of spiritual mana from the dungeon, he was able to awaken to extraordinary powers.
In the end, everything came down to luck. Now that the world have change, the only thing Jaden can do at the moment is clear out the monsters within his surrounds and become stronger. For his future survival; he must strive to level up, gather resources, and gather in populous places.
For so long, after coming back through time. Jaden enter the house and he smelled the same homey scent that he thought he had long forgotten. It was the faint sweaty odor of his foster dad, then the sweet scent of his younger sister.
How could Jaden ever forget, he would never forget the smell.
"Da-Dad!? And-and Emily!" Jaden called out weakly and in fear at the doorway.
Hearing the commotion, Emily jumped up from the sofa and ran while yelling out Jaden's nickname, "Daddy, it's Jaddy! Jaddy's back!"
"Jaden?! You're back." A man in his forties called out while peaking out from the sofa.
Right before Jaden, the twelve years old Emily was already quick at his thigh while pulling his hand excitedly. He turns to the small figure and burst into uncontrollably sobs.
Seeing the middle age man, Jaden's eyes became blurry. His voice incoherent, "You-alive. No, I... I mean... I."
Until Jaden voice became a whisper, "I missed you two, dad and Emily..."
By then, Jaden could not control his grievances no more and tears begins to drop uncontrollably. In front of one's own father, abit foster, who would not cry after a decade of loneliness.
In shock, Jaden's dad came over in panic, "Hey bud. Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Relax, let me take a look at you."
With a soft pat on Jaden's head, a warm and soft glow of a faint green light suffuse his head downward. The healing power engulf a layer of green light surrounding him [Healing Touch][50/55].
Although Jaden did not need such treatments, he feel warm at heart. The reality is before him, he was back in time. His dad did not die due to the monster horde and his sister did not fall prey to a damnable cannibal. He is here and they are here, so he have not lost them yet.
And so, Jaden stopped his tears and sadness. There are some 'things' that he needs to address rather than weeping right now.
Just as Jaden remember, 'Crash!' The wooden gate around the house cracked and broke. It was very audibly loud. He was instantly alert and the same for his dad.
Jaden whisper, "Dad." And his dad reply heavily, "I know, son."
"Baby, go upstairs and hide in the closet." Jaden's dad quickly command while patting Emily's back.
"Okay, daddy." Emily nodded in response and made her move to the staircase.
His Jaden's dad turns back to him, "And Jaden-" Before his dad could finish, Jaden interrupted, "Dad, I can fight."
"Jaden, this is not a good time for nonsense." Jaden's dad reprimanded him.
"Dad, trust me." And Jaden continues, "And there is no time."
Like so, Jaden show his [Dark Wisp] tome books. His dad frown, but decided to trust him and nodded. Meanwhile his dad took armed with a beaten metal bat. There was some blood stain and a lingering bloody smell to it.
Judging from the sound, squeaking of foes, outside the door. Jaden could still remember the ratmans attack. His dad and Emily was track down when the two were escaping back home. His dad had to explicitly protect Emily and killed two ratmans while escaping.
Hence, the situation had developed into this event. It was unavoidable. But, this is still within Jaden's expectations.
Ratmans are generally weaker than goblins in terms of health points and resistances. They also were less of a threat than a goblin was, so Jaden was not worried about defeating them. His only concern was their sensitive nose.
Jaden's dad opens the front door to attract the incoming ratmans. Meanwhile he had already finish channeling first spell. As soon as he spot the first target, he did not hesitate at all.
'Whoosh!' [Dark Wisp][8/55]
A bluish skull directly hit one of the ratman in the head [-6HP]. The magic impact directly destroy the entire head and neck of the ratman. This completely alarmed not only his dad but the other ratmans.
'Ding!'
[Lvl 1 Ratman defeated]
[Exp +4][Lvl 2][Exp: 83/100]
[WExp +0][Dark Magic E][WExp: --/--]
Jaden did not let up, taking this chance. He luanch another [Dark Wisp][7/55] at another ratman. A bluish skull landed on its chest [-6HP]. The result of the spell completely blew the entire chest captivity into a bloody mess.
'Ding!'
[Lvl 2 Ratman defeated]
[Exp +5][Lvl 2][Exp: 88/100]
[WExp +0][Dark Magic E][WExp: --/--]
Only when the second ratman was down did the remaining rushes towards the door. However, that slight hesitation on the ratmans part was a heavy consequence.
Before they could make it into the doorway, Jaden launches the third [Dark Wisp][6/55] to the ratman that is the first to the door. The inertia of the ratman trying to dodge to the side [-6HP]. Along with it's running posture causes the ratman to flip an hundred and eighty degrees to the side.
'Ding!'
[Lvl 2 Ratman defeated]
[Exp +5][Lvl 2][Exp: 93/100]
[WExp +0][Dark Magic E][WExp: --/--]
With three ratman down, Jaden's dad gripped the metal bat tightly. His dad swing with full force on the ratman that was able to enter through the door [-1HP]. The damage was minimal, but the knock back was real. Due to how wide the swing was, his dad failed to recover from it.
The second ratman that enter afterward took the opportunity to jumped into a lunge. Aim the arm-length bone spear on its hand and was about to stab Jaden's dad in the stocmache.
Before the bone spear connected, Jaden's [Dark Wisp][5/55] curved past his dad and went straight to the side of the ratman in the air [-5HP]. The blast causes it to fall straight towards the ratman who was trying to recover from the bat swing. Thus causes it to tumble backward again. While the one to cause the tumble, dead, on the spot.
'Ding!'
[Lvl 2 Ratman defeated]
[Exp +5][Lvl 2][Exp: 98/100]
[WExp +0][Dark Magic E][WExp: --/--]
The last ratman to make it through the door received a downward slam from Jaden's dad metal bat [-1HP]. Which causes it to tripped and face palm into the floor. The reach of it's bone spear is like a prick compare to a twig.
The first ratman did recover by then, but Jaden was not any slower too. As it recover, the spell was already casted [Dark Mist][4/55]. Not giving it any chances, the bluish skull hit the ratman squarely on the chest [-6HP].
Taking part of the chest captivity, a section of the doorway was destroyed by the impact. The door hinges also became useless. Making the door almost inoperable.
Taking this chance, Jaden's dad had continued to slam down on the last ratman. Once [-1HP], twice [-1HP], thrice [-1HP], and finally the ratman could not be any deader than dead [-1HP]. The skull was utterly destroyed and small white brain matters were exposed.
Meanwhile, Jaden was striding forward. The battle was not over, however. Just as he remembers it. A soaring fireball flew directly at his dad. But, he was faster. He directly jumped out in front and blocked the attack with one of his arm outward [-1HP].
'Floosh.'
The heat of the moment, Jaden was ready. He had already channeled [Dark Wisp][3/55] before the flume of the flame. The target, was a ratman mage in the distance. A bluish dark skull travelled forward. And, from the impact of the [Flame Spitball], he also flew backward.
"No! Jaden!" Jaden's dad called out.
Everything that happened was in the moment of split seconds and with imperimantive decisiveness. Jaden's dad watches on as the ratman mage head exploded into a bloody mess [-5HP]. Meanwhile Jaden's chest was charred. It was as if time stopped for Jaden's dad.
'Ding!'
[Lvl 5 Ratman Mage defeated]
[Exp +8][Lvl 2][Exp: 6/100][Level Up!]
[Lvl 2/10 -> 3/10][Hp +1][Lck +1]
Hp: 5/6 -> 5/7
Lck: 4/10 -> 5/10
With a zap, time quickly flow and Jaden was caught by his dad. While his dad staring blankly at him. He smile awkwardly, "I'm fine, dad."
Almost a rebuke, Jaden's dad said with relief, "Don't ever do that again, son." While also letting out a deep sigh, his dad continues, "But, good job." His dad awkward compliment stretches in a longer softer tone.
Jaden's dad patted Jaden's head and a green wave of healing energy filling up his entire body [Healing Touch][49/55]. His wound begins to regenerate [+2HP].
Under the warm influence of the healing power, Jaden reply, "Thanks, dad." Then he continues as his dad puts him down, "But, dad we have to move. It's no longer safe here."
"Yeah, it is no longer safe here." Jaden's dad continues and asked, "Where should we go? There are monsters everywhere."
"Dad, I have awakened," said Jaden with a pause. "And you have also awakened too."
Jaden continues, "There are perhap others who have also awaken as well." Pushing on the ideas, "It would be safer in numbers and for Emily."
Though, it is true to an extent. Jaden's true goal was not mingling with others. He had plans to slowly take over some resources point (F Rank Dungeons) based on his memories of the future to improve himself early on. Especially, for his dad and his sister, Emily. His desire to grow stronger have become stronger than ever at this point.
"Not only that, dad. We can become stronger by defeating more monsters." Finally, Jaden concluded his intent.
"You are right, son." Jaden's dad nodded with a small sigh and an emptier eyes. The house left a lot of rememberance and memories. Then, his dad continues, "I'm proud of you, son. You've matured."
How could Jaden's dad not be proud when standing amongst the corpses of ratmans. Five-six dead ratman were proof of valor that Jaden had wielded powerful magic. It only took one magic spell to kill one ratman. Not to mention, the act of killing along with the decisive actions taken. As a dad; even he could not do so, so easily.
Staring at his dad, Jaden could only give an awkward laugh, "Eh-hehe..." While scratching his head and thought to himself. Only if his dad knew what he had gone through in his past future. Only if.
Once the idea was planted, the only thing after was to take action. Rough men are simple creatures like this. There are reluctance and fear of the unknown. But, Jaden knew that his dad is more far sighted and clear headed than this. Perhaps, his dad did have thoughts of moving away as well.
Jaden's dad took action and kicked the ratman that was stuck in between the doorway and slam the door shut. Then turns towards Jaden, "Grab your backpack and stuff some food in it. Meanwhile, I'll go upstairs to get Emily."
"On it, dad." Jaden replied as he already turned away towards his room.
Opening the door to his room, Jaden could faintly smell the frothy odor of his socks in the air. His room was messy with clothings all over the places. He could still remember some pieces of it laying around.
Everything in this room was still as Jaden remembers it. Even after the old age, he still kept the closet the way it is. Locked behind a simple mechanism with foldable mirrors. Looking at his unkempt black hairs, frowning brows, cold blue eyes, sharp nose, and those pursed healthy lips.
Pulling one of the handles, Jaden opens the closet. Inside lay a quite a few clothings split into irregular placements. He grab a jacket off from the side then proceed to get two pairs of underwear. Next, he grabs the backpack on the side next to his bed.
A quick motion and unzip the zipper, Jaden quickly shake all of the content out; various notebooks, books, binders, folders, pen and pencils falls out. The only thing left was the stainless steel water bottle sitting within the poach of the backpack.
Once the bag clings to Jaden's side, with most of things empty did he turn back to hallway. Out of the door, he turns back one more time to look at his distinguished bedroom. Then he closed the bedroom door for good.
By now, Jaden's dad had already found Emily upstairs. Jaden can hear their voices and footsteps from above. By the time that the two walk down the stairs, he had already started to pack can foods into his backpack; can beans, can greenbeans, can tomato soup, crackers, and anything that have a higher shelf life was fitted into the backpack.
Once Jaden's dad and Emily came down the stairs. Jaden had string up the last two bag of bread slices onto each of the shoulder straps. With a single buckle, the sternum straps was well adjusted onto his body. Looking at himself at the moment, he look completely deck out with food. A bit comical, but nesscary for the upcoming days.
"Are you finish yet, Jaden? We got to go!" Jaden's dad holler over by the staircase and the two finally got to the ground floor.
"I'm also done here." Jaden holler back as he beeline to the hallway.
Within the hallway, Jaden saw that Emily was visibly pale with fright from seeing the ratman corpses. This will inevitably happen sooner or later; the sooner that she get used to these common bloodshed, the better for her.
"Daddy, I'm scared." Emily meekly said as she glances around.
Jaden's dad was not surprised and tries to calm her, "Honey, just close your eyes okay."
"B-but, I'm scared." Emily continues, about to cry.
Seeing this, Jaden quicken over to comforted Emily and gently said, "Hey, hey... Look at me, Emily. Don't be afraid, Okay?" With a palm on his chest, then in a slow and calm manner, "Dad and I are here, remember? Dad is brave. I am brave and so are you."
"O-okay, Emily is brave. Ehhehe!" With an innocent smile and lingering tear-dripped eyes, Emily fear begins to washes away.
Jaden smile and his dad also gave him a thumbs up from the side.