Chapter 1: The Hardworking Young Man Named Jax
I am always afraid of souls.
They are creepy creatures and not all people can just see them. Even if some of you can, you won't be able to touch them. They are intangible and can pass through all things.
They can't be killed physically.
No, there's no way to kill them. They can only be driven away or be sealed forever and ever through unordinary means.
But if that's the case, why would I fear them?
Since physical matter can't truly touch them, they won't be able to touch physical things either, right?
The problem is my imagination.
What if they can enter my dreams and drag me into sleep paralysis, or even worse, eternal slumber?
What if souls can possess people and do something unimaginable to their bodies? Like using people's bodies to act like crazy or commit crimes?
What if souls can devour the souls of the living so that they can use their bodies that have become empty vessels? Then they can copy their talents, abilities, and memories so that they can imitate their character and personality.
What if...
Sapak!
Jax was still in the midst of his scary thoughts when, suddenly, something heavy hit the back of his head. That brought him back to his senses as he recalled that he was still in the midst of digging out a tree stump.
In surprise, he was just about to see who suddenly hit him, but then someone suddenly wrapped an arm around his neck.
Then a cold and indignant voice sounded next to his ear, "Hey, you brat. Why are you just standing idly here?! Are you implying that you're just going to rest all day while we are working here tirelessly?!"
Jax shifted his gaze, and he almost jumped up in sheer terror when he saw the one who had just spoken.
Fortunately, he immediately regained his senses. He almost thought that this creepy bastard was a ghost.
Standing there right beside him was a middle-aged man around 40 years old. His face uglier than a ghost's. His name was Eliseo. If not for this damned bastard, then his job would have been a lot easier.
Looking at his face, Jax could see a wide smile surfacing on his lips. That face alone could really creep the hell out of him. He could immediately tell that this man was only up to no good.
''You, why did you hit me suddenly...?'' Jax replied as he gritted his teeth and cursed him inwardly.
How hypocrite.
Jax knew full well that while he was having a hard time digging out tree stumps, this man was just there whistling under the shade of a certain tree with his hand sticking to his waist and the other holding a cigarette.
He could still endure the arduous work and the scorching heat of the sun. However, the constant taunts of this man were getting harder and harder to deal with.
But since that guy was hot-tempered, Jax couldn't just retort to him carelessly. What he wanted was to work peacefully, not some random trouble.
Just how would he drive this man away this time?
''What's going on here? Why are the two of you causing such a fuss instead of working?''
Things were just heating up when a cold voice suddenly sounded nearby. The two of them could immediately tell who had just spoken.
Jax knew that another ghost-like bastard had appeared.
''Oh, Mr. Berto! Right timing. I have some matters to report to you.'' Eliseo immediately turned to face the person named Berto. He was their supervisor, so he was acting rather respectfully. With a wide, but cunning smile overwhelming his face, Eliseo went on, ''I found this brat spacing out while we were working our ass hard cutting down trees and putting them in one place.''
''So, I decided to give him a little piece of advice as what he's doing will definitely anger you.''
''What?! Is that true, you brat?!'' Mr. Berto retorted as he threw his furious gaze on Jax.
''W-what?! That's definitely...'' Jax was just about to explain things, but halfway through his words, something he didn't expect happened.
Swoosh!
Sapak!
A palm, swift and heavy, came rushing right into his face. It forced him to avert his gaze away and swallow his words instead.
''How dare you lie when I clearly saw you!'' Eliseo's cold voice then soon sounded, his lips curled up in utter repugnance.
Jax gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He didn't even say anything yet and this guy dared to...
Just because he was enduring it as he hated troubles, this guy was persistently getting on his nerves — thinking that he was afraid of him? Damn, if not for his promise to his girlfriend, he would have gotten into a fight already.
''So, that's true, huh?'' Mr. Berto decided as he nodded his head in realization.
Jax looked at Mr. Berto, his thoughts deep and wary. He knew that this crazy bastard was more unreasonable than Eliseo. He would definitely listen to him even if it was obvious that he'd just made things up.
Mr. Berto, on the other hand, fixed his gaze on Jax. He tightened his grip on his cane and narrowed his eyes like he was eyeing for prey. Then...
Swoosh!
He thrashed his cane against Jax's face. The force was heavy enough to cause a resounding thud and forced him to spout a mouthful of blood.
''How dare you look at me with those trashy eyes? If you don't want to get fired, hurry up and work!'' Mr. Berto snorted coldly, his lips curved up in disgust.
Jax gritted his teeth again. But he forced out a smile as he replied respectfully with his head bowed down, ''Yes, Mr. Berto. I'm deeply sorry for what I've done.''
Getting fired and losing a job was never his option. He must endure it no matter what.
''Hmph! Trash! If I find you standing idly again, you won't end up receiving just a single strike from my magical cane.'' Mr. Berto warned for the last time before he walked away — with his cane supporting him — to see the other workers.
When the supervisor left, Eliseo couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Puahahaha, what kind of pussy are you?"
Jax couldn't help but glare at the other party. His eyes were sharp and fierce, he was on the verge of losing his cool.
''What are you looking at, kid? Tired of living, eh?'' Displeased, Eliseo immediately stopped laughing as he threatened the other party instead. He grabbed Jax's collar, ready to give him a good punch in the face at any moment.
But then...
BOOM!
A loud and terrifying explosion echoed somewhere afar as it immediately caught the attention of everyone working out there.
Eliseo, who was about to hit Jax, suddenly paused. Both their eyes went wide for a moment as they shifted their gazes in the direction of the sudden explosion. Then a strong wind greeted them, pulling their eyes wide open.
That must be the shockwave of that explosion a short moment ago.
What happened? Should they go there to see?
Eliseo was just thinking about it when someone working there suddenly ran and headed in the direction of the explosion.
''I saw something huge that fell from the sky. That must be a huge meteor!'' He blurted out as he left quickly.
As soon as they heard it, the others also ran in the same direction and left their work. That included Mr. Berto. For he'd also taken a glimpse of that thing before it landed on the ground and caused such a loud boom.
''Tch! You're lucky, brat.'' Eliseo snorted coldly as he pushed Jax aside carelessly. He completely ignored him as he also moved with the crowd.
That explosion earlier... That was in the direction of the deeper part of the hacienda, right? Was it really a giant meteor?
''...'' Jax only fell silent even when all the people working there were running away from work. He knew exactly what was in their minds. That they were just trying to avoid working and just use that explosion as a good excuse.
But he didn't care. He ignored them and started working instead. It should be a good thing as well now that things had become a lot quieter.
With that said, Jax picked up his hoe and started digging out the next tree stump.
Their job was to cultivate that piece of land and turn it into farmland for rice plantation. The land was full of trees, so they needed to cut them all down and root them out.
Though the job was difficult, Jax intended to give his sincere work on this since he was indebted to the one who gave him the opportunity to work there.
And that was his childhood best friend, whose father owned an entire hacienda.
When Jax was seeking a job to earn money from, his friend came to him and offered him to work with his father's people who were excavating a piece of land for a rice plantation. That was for a daily wage of 700 pesos — food and water included.
Jax immediately agreed happily. He knew that the work was extremely difficult, but with such a salary, he just couldn't ignore it.
And adding the fact that he was planning to propose to his girlfriend sooner or later, he really couldn't see a reason to reject the offer.
With that in mind, Jax continued to work. However, he had just plunged his hoe into the ground when suddenly...
KABOOM!!!
Another thunderous explosion echoed aloud. This time, it was in the opposite direction to where the village was located. And the explosion was stronger as the ground vibrated even from afar. Not only that, but the incoming shockwave also pushed Jax a step back, causing him to fall into a state of total shock.
''What the hell... Is there a war going on right now?'' Jax gasped. If what he thought was correct, then wasn't he in trouble? But what kind of terrorist was crazy enough to dare cause such a ruckus so openly?
''No, that's not the point here. I should head back right away and see if my honey my love so sweet is safe!'' Jax blurted out as he decided to head back.
However, he had just got up straight when, suddenly, he saw a huge shadow that overshadowed him. Jax was taken aback as well as confused. He raised his head to see what was going on, only to find something terrifying.
THUMP!
But it was now too late. Jax wasn't able to react at all. Something like a huge piece of rock fell right on top of him. He couldn't even bid farewell or say his last words to his beloved.
Everything had just become completely dark. No pain, no screaming, no desperation, no agony, no regret, everything just went completely dark.
As if forcing his story to end there just like that.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone