Akira's POV
So this is how it would end for me. Memories of my past life fleeted through my head as I tried to grasp where it had all gone wrong.
I was innocent. The boy who only wished for everything good. And I tried to be good.
I did everything I was asked without hesitation. Three jobs a day all to provide for my sick mother. Handled everyone's tedious work for the meager pay they offered. Hell, I did everything.
And what did I get in return?
Pain. Endless torture and pain.
The boy who once dreamed of a better life now lay under the harsh patters of the rain. I felt my life slowly seep out of me as every memory played out in my head.
The raindrops mixed with the blood as I watched them flow away tog B ether. Strength seemed to have eluded me as I gazed at the sky.
The weather seemed to be angry at something. Perhaps it was angry for me. It might have been the only way I could console myself.
What would my mother do? My father had left us with practically everything we had left. His family practically kicked us to the curb. And my mother had worked herself to the point where she developed a terminal illness.
I was a living prodigy. The freak with the high IQ. And yet, I had dropped out of the most prestigious school where I had gained a scholarship.
I went to a college downtown all for the sake of staying close to my mum. I worked every sort of menial job I could lay my hand on for us to survive. And even at that, I still managed to attract the worst kind of circle.
And it so happened, this morning was the worst experience. I was to give an assignment due next week to a senior's lackey and I had walked in on them beating up another junior.
A normal human would have turned around and left. But I was far from that. Despite my puny nature, I had faced the bullies head on giving him a chance to escape. And thus, they directed their anger to me.
I took the hits, hoping it would all end there. But I never expected that I would be mercilessly thrown down from the rooftop while their laughter boomed.
I landed with my head first. And then the rest of my body followed suit. The pain was sharp and agonizing as I felt my entire body shake from within.
The only injuries I could feel was the crack on my forehead, a few broken ribs and the pool of blood I was currently lying in.
Was it absurd, to wish for a second life?
If I could have one, I would have my revenge. I would grow stronger and stronger. Until there's no one there to hold me back. I will have the power to protect my mum. And no one, not even the universe will hold me back.
I felt my life trickle away from me slowly as I imagined the life I could have lived.
I closed my eyes as I saw my mothers smiling face. What a weird way to leave her. But there was nothing else I can do as I closed my eyes and surrendered to the eternal sleep.
****** ******
[Congratulations host. You just leveled up to F Rank. Target: Migrate to a new world after death. Status: Complete. Perks: Immunity to common illnesses. Weapon awards: A Rank Mini Dagger]
What the fuck!!!!!
I jolted up from the hospital bed as I glanced at everything around me in fear. I should be dead. And not figuratively. But actually dead.
I glanced around at the structure of what seemed to be an hospital. What was happening and how am I alive?
[You died in Planet Earth and ended up here. This is Planet Dune]
"Who said that?" I picked up my pillow and swung it around trying to find the person replying. But no one was there.
"Crazy. I am going crazy"
I looked around one more time as I tried to organize my thoughts.
[Goodluck finding something only you can hear]
"Who freaking said that?!!!"
Wait, now that the words struck me, the voice was literally in my head. Am I now a psychopath?
[Not quite]
I heard the voice once again as a floating screen popped up before me. And while I was trying to hold in the fear, the screen multiplied to three.
What the actual fuck?!!
[Welcome to Dune. A planet you must have heard of at least once in Earth. Your spirit failed to give up a fight after your death which made you end up here. Your first mission on Dune: Go to an A rank gate and slay the head of the beasts you are to stumble upon. Perks to receive: A healing potion to be used at your own will. Weapon Award: An invisibility cloak]
"What is happening and who are you and why are you answering in my head?" I was trying to survive a panic attack and this stranger in my head is here throwing questions at me.
[I am your system. Activated the minute your soul landed in this world. You already have the memories of yuye previous body owner who ended up with the same fate as you in this world. In this world, there are five ranks. F rank, D rank, B rank, A rank and the most superior of all, S rank.
The S ranks are the most untouchable ranks and they are very rare to find. In the past five centuries, only one individual has managed to scale through to the S rank. An individual you are likely to meet one day.
Your goal is to beat every other hunter there is. Advance in power. Make yourself stronger and use your gifts to stop the invasion of the demons over the planet.
In a situation where you fail your mission, your soul is taken back to earth where both you and the Akira of this world are to suffer in limbo.
And another mission of yours, is to protect your mother in this world. Your time starts now]
The screens in front of me all disappeared at once leaving me alone to sink in my thoughts.
I had heard of Dune. It was my favorite book back in my world. I had imagined myself here. A more powerful version of myself.
I waved my hands in the air as I let all thoughts sink in. This all felt surreal. And weird. And wonderful at the same time. I turned my head and found a mirror beside me. I walked towards the mirror, my eye stuck on the reflection in it.
A silver haired boy, probably in his early twenties. He looked puny. But still had a bit of flesh compared to me.
But now, this puny boy was me. I raised my hands to touch my new face when an angry yet worried voice boomed into the room leaving me startled.
"Where is he? Where is my boy?"
The angered lady made her way to me as she engulfed me in a huge bear hug.
"Don't do this again. You hear me?"
The lady angrily told me off but I wasn't the bit interested in her words.
She had my mother's face. And with the memories I had recollected so far, this was my mother in this world too.
"Mum" I mumbled, unable to believe I would utter these words again.
"Oh my baby" She hugged me once more as we both fell to the floor, tightly holding each other.
I let out a tear drop unable to hold the emerging feelings inside me.
I held onto her tighter than ever as I remembered my vow before dying.
For her sake. For her sake I would take control of it all. I would fulfill whatever task I was thrown. For her sake, I would change this world until it was safe enough for her.
All for her sake.