They say the God of the Skies protects the weak and brings vengeance upon the wicked.
But that's a lie.
A lie whispered to the weak and helpless to keep them from seeking justice, while the strong mock them from atop their thrones, merciless and untouchable. And all the while, the weak keep praying and praying.
Marvel Sovarl stared up with blood-blurred vision as the gray winter sky hovered above. The first snowflake landed on his cheek, quickly swallowed by the warmth of his own blood.
Today is the day I die.
Poof!
The sky rushed toward him as his body was launched by a brutal strike. Then, just as quickly, he slammed into the ground with a violent force.
Marvel coughed up blood, the metallic taste sharp on his tongue. Screams toppled around him; faint and distant, as his lungs struggled to draw in air. He chuckled.
A Dog-eat-dog world.
A Class-Minus hunter, beaten to death by a Class S. Just another day at the Academy. Normally, he would've crawled to his feet or begged for mercy. But not today.
Today, he was done. Done being the anomaly.
Done being the punching bag.
Done being alive.
Crack.
A final blow to the chest and something inside gave out. He couldn't breathe anymore, and this time, he didn't want to.
The world began to fade. The figures blurred and the screams dulled, or maybe it was his hearing finally going too.
His eyes drifted shut. Blood trickled into them.
And for the first time in his entire life, Marvel smiled a happy smile.
Finally. He was free.
His eyes closed shut and everything went dark and silent. He tried to move, but his hand passed right through his own body. He couldn't feel it anymore, neither could he see a thing in the vast emptiness.
Marvel Sovarl, the class minus hunter, was dead.
A dead laugh escaped his lips, echoing through the void. If he'd known death felt like this—this silence, this lightness, he would've done it long ago.
A few minutes of silence passed and then Marvel frowned,
Well was this it? Just darkness, forever? Wasn't there supposed to be an afterlife or something?
Yes he wanted to die, but not to exist in a void alone for eternity.
His thoughts were interrupted when a harsh, searing light exploded before him, the intensity almost blinding him.
"What the hell…?"
Marvel exclaimed, shielding his eyes with both hands. Was he... being reborn or something? Yes! He knew there was no way he was going to be in this darkness forever. He smiled with glee. He didn't care wherever he was headed to, there was no life worse than the life he lived before.
Suddenly a cursor blinked into existence in front of him.
Marvel frowned as he took a few steps backwards, what was going on? He quizzed, as he stared at the blinking cursor.
Suddenly it began to type.
[System Glitch: Revival]
[Hunter: Marvel Sovarl]
[Congratulations, Marvel Sovarl. By a system's glitch, you have unlocked an unknown skill.]
[Skill Name: Sin Mirror]
You have unlocked the ability to adapt your opponent's abilities when they inflict a deathly pain.
A button appeared beneath the message: [ACCEPT]
The imaginary color on Marvel's face instantly drained, as his eyes stared at the screen before him.
"What… what?! No. No, no, no, this isn't what I asked for. I wanted to die, not get some cursed skill! What kind of twisted god plays games like this?!"
His voice cracked in the dark as he screamed, throwing his hands in the air.
"And what the hell do you mean 'inflict a deathly pain'? You're telling me I have to almost die to activate this? Are you insane?! Haven't I suffered enough, you sick son of a—"
[Accept the skill, or return with with nothing. You have five seconds left.]
5… 4…
He clenched his fists. "Is this a joke?! I don't want your cursed power—"
3… 2… 1…
"Fuck you…"
He cursed and then tapped the button and everything went blank again.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Marvel's eyes snapped open.
The first thing he saw were a pair of bulging blue eyes staring into his own.
He blinked once. Twice. Then sat upright, gasping for breath. His eyes darted around and he noticed he was in his classroom.
What?
The girl with the blue eyes smirked and hopped up onto his desk, swinging her legs in the air.
"Marvel, you didn't deliver the cookies to Everest.'' She spoke, shaking her head pitifully; 'Tsk tsk tsk… looks like you love to be beaten up, I see."
Marvel glanced at her. Hera. He remembered her. Class SSS. Smartest in Class, famous for acquiring the most gemstones for a hunter of her class.
The same girl who'd said the same words… the day he'd died. Marvel's heart beat fast. His head turned sharply to the large classroom clock.
Was today the same day?
May 26th…
Marvel stood up so fast his chair toppled behind him. "What day is it?" he asked, voice trembling.
Hera blinked. "Uh, Monday? 26th of May? Dummy, did you hit your head?"
Hera laughed, chewing on a gum and blowing it in front of him.
If she was correct and he indeed came back to that morning, it was three seconds… three seconds before Everest and his gang walked in.
Marvel turned toward the classroom door. His eyes fixed. His breath shallow.
One. He counted…
Two…
Three…
Swoosh!
The doors burst open. Everest entered, tall and bulk, a sinister smile on his chin. Alongside him were his three goons.
The minute their eyes locked, Everest laugh resonated in the classroom.
"Class minus!" he growled. "I heard you've got a death wish."