Some boys dreamt of fame. Elian dreamt of waking up with a Talent.
Any Talent.
Oftentimes he wished that world would revert to the time before dungeons. That wat he might have had a fairer chance at life.
As the black fluid entered Elian's mouth, a foul taste and disgusting semi-solid texture caused him to retch.
"Endure it! You wanted a talent did you not? Do not waste a single drop!"
Ugh, this crap smells like garbage and feels like I am eating compost.
Yet ignoring his own body's desire, Elian raised his head to allow the concoction to flow smoother. Every millimeter that it passed burned. As if he ingested fire, slowly the boy's body began to heat up.
"Cough, I finished it, mas…"
As he wiped his mouth, Elian suddenly felt his legs give out. Without warning his field of vision began to fall.
Eh? What is going on?
His eyes immediately darted to the one who saved him. Bianca's divine face had a complex expression. She bit her lower lip and tightened her jaw. Yet her eyes showed a sadness Elian could not understand.
As he lay on the ground, she walked forward and crouched beside him.
"Elian. In a few moments you will feel pain worth a thousand deaths. As you are, I cannot use you, so I will have you reforged. The price of power is sacrifice. If you truly wish for it, then by my command. Survive. Only when you survive can you hate me afterwards."
For the first time since they met, Bianca's voice lacked its usual arrogance. In its place was exhaustion and seeming bitterness.
I was the one who got tricked. Why are you the one who sounds so devastated? Why do you look so lonely?
The boy who could no longer speak simply looked at his master. While he understood her decision, it didn't feel good to be lied to. But what was done, is done.
As he contemplated how to complain it came.
Pain. Immense pain.
"ARGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Savage howls resounded. Elian clawed at his chest, as if he could rip the pain out with his bare hands. As if someone placed burning hot coals into his heart, it began to burn. The boy saw his skin bubbled then fall off like sheets of red snow.
But then a powerful frigid breeze blew. With the cold air came relief. Elian looked towards the source only to find his master. She had a tense expression as she brought her hand down.
Once again a pleasant chill drove out the pain. But then Elian heard something unexpected.
Crack. The sharp crunch sounded close. Almost as if it was he himself who made the sound.
The boy looked down and noticed his midsection now charred black had a huge fracture.
What?
Then from the gash, a bright orange liquid began to ooze out. Elian, watching himself bleed molten metal, began to hyperventilate in horror He could feel his stomach burn but what he saw was something that caused him to go afraid.
When Elian tried to push himself up another crack followed. Terrified, he raised his arm—no longer flesh, but dulled metal.
This is my arm?
From out of the cracks the same molten liquid poured out. Pain assaulted his senses everywhere it cracked. And whenever parts of his new body fractured, the burning sensation would follow.
It hurts.
And just when the pain became too unbearable a cooling wind would bring comfort and relief. The source? The cold and heartless master who had a tense expression.
How cruel. If you want me to hate you don't make such a face.
Bianca lied to him. She tortured him. Yet when he remembered how she died alone, broken and forgotten, Elian knew. There had to be a reason for her drastic decision.
For it was the same woman who reached out to help him. The only who needed him. And the savior who promised him a new future beyond being a defect.
The cold wind Bianca sent showed her concern. It gave just enough comfort for Elian to keep his sanity. As if encouraging him not to give up. Despite the agony, he was not alone. She was right there with him.
And for now. That was enough.
Feeling that he had adapted somewhat, Elian turned to his side. Like boiling oil, or dripping wax candles, liquid fire shifted all over his body. His chest and right thigh cracked with the simple movement. More pain ensued. But Elian didn't stop.
Instead, the boy took a deep gulp of air and did the unthinkable.
He rose. Shaking, blistered, furious—but standing.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STAY DOWN!"
Against his master's wishes, Elian sat up, then raised his knee. Grunting through the pain, he slammed his foot down and pushed himself up. A shockwave followed that rocked the small tomb. Due to the immense heat from Elian, the frozen garden around him began to melt.
Why Elian wanted to stand up he didn't know. But all he wanted was to stand beside his master. It was a foolish emotion. It made no sense. But the boy didn't want to see his master stand all by herself.
It was the first time he defied Bianca's will. He didn't care. All the boy knew was that he never wanted to see such a sight ever again.
For an unknown period, Elian's ordeal continued. What felt painful slowly began to dull. That which cracked began to flex. Soon, there was no longer any fluid flowing out of Elian's body. The cold breezes also stopped somewhere along the way.
The boy who focused on enduring pain began to feel drowsy when his body adjusted. But as he didn't wish to bother his master he just closed his eyes and kept silent.
That was until, Bianca's melodious voice, called to him.
"Elian."
Bianca's voice sounded so kind and affectionate. Like a wife rousing her lover from his slumber.
"Elian. Wake up, the process has completed."
The boy opened his eyes and laid them on his master. She had a faint smile, beaming with satisfaction—was it pride? It reminded Elian of his mother.
"Well done. Now, call on your status."
At the clear directive, Elian began to feel emotional. Only those who had talents could call out a status window. As among the defects, the boy had countless dreams of being able to see it. The word reminded him nothing but ill feelings. But seeing Bianca's face, he followed.
Pursing his lips, Elian Reed, called out, "Status Window."
Only unlike before, something flashed within his eyes. A blue screen came out and began to displace things for him to see.
___
Name: Elian Reeds. (M)
Talent: Adamant (S) | Driven (S) | Forged (SSS)
Lvl: 1
HP: 100/100 | MP: 10/10
Strength: F | Intelligence: F | Agility: F
Job: Civilian
__
"Of course. Two Talents. No wonder they misjudged you."
"What?"
"The vial you drank only would have given you the talent Forged. This means that Adamant and Driven are both something you already possessed. Both are also S ranked. Impressive."
I had two?
At the realization, Elian couldn't even comprehend it. Without his intent, tears suddenly began to fall from his eyes.
So I wasn't a defect. I wasn't.
Before Elian could even digest the information, Bianca suddenly turned behind her.
"Perfect. It was about time for them to find this place. Elian. The enemy approaches. Fight them"
Sounds of something scraping along the edge of the cave resounded. A part of the wall collapsed to reveal red colored monsters. The red ants' shrills echoed as they began to exit their hold.
"Me? I can't fight—I'm level 1!"
But despite Elian's complaints, his master smiled and answered coldly.
"No one cares. Now go. Time to grind."