Chapter 2: Torment The Tormenters
Darkness enveloped my vision. I felt a feeling of suffocation engulf me, my ears and nose clogged. I frantically moved my hands and feet. They moved, but it felt as if they were being restricted by something.
I wasn't bound.
But it felt like I was.
They weren't metal chains or collars. But it was as if the world itself was preventing my movements… It was akin to pressure. At that moment, I attempted to breathe, only to be met with a cold sensation creeping up my nose.
I coughed uncontrollably, pain and suffocation settling. At that moment, I realized what had happened. I was under water… In a deep ocean, it seemed.
Water seemed to seep into my existence, the gurgling noise stirring the anxiety in my stomach. My heartbeat increased dramatically, my hands and feet flailing around as I attempted to prevent the inevitable…
I would drown.
But I thought I had already died?
Was this Hell?
Several thoughts flashed across my mind, but I couldn't place my finger on it. The ocean was vast, and I could only aimlessly wander, holding my breath, awaiting the conclusion of the three minutes I had.
But I didn't find solace.
[You have drowned.]
*
My eyes opened for a second time. This time, my body wasn't wet. It enjoyed the rays of sunlight, pleasure seeping into my existence as I rejoiced. Had I finally arrived in Heaven? Was this it?
Bam!
Instead of the embrace of the Angels, I instead felt a fist connect with my cheek. Intense pain spread across my face, blood rushing to the area, causing it to turn crimson. My eyes shot open.
Instead of a paradise, I was met with the scenery of a University Campus.
'What?' I wondered, my head aching as I attempted to piece together the situation. It was confusing. Why was I at the Dystopian Institute Of Science and Technology? The University I attended several years ago…
I thought I'd never see it again.
I never wanted to.
I felt sympathy for the weakness of my own body. It felt so heavy. My uniform was stiff, and my bones were soft. I gritted my teeth, crawling to the side while trying to make something of the situation.
The ground was hard, and the scent was fresh, as if it had just rained.
As my eyes regained clarity, I saw the face of a devil. A boy that went by the name of "Reggie Newmont" stood before me, his broad shoulders the size of three people. His physique was massive, compared to a regular youth.
He wore a compression shirt on the verge of tearing, with a tiny backpack that contained no books. His face was rather average, with his only redeeming factor being his eyes, which sparkled red.
A peculiar color.
"Usually, you wince and cry in pain," said Reggie, massaging his knuckles while chuckling. He glanced at the two boys beside him. "It seems he's gotten used to this. We should move on to something more… intense."
The two lackeys giggled like little girls.
Reggie dug into his uniform pockets, retrieving a tiny yet incredibly sharp weapon. It was a dagger, silver and sparkly, capable of slicing almost anything and everything. It was a dangerous item for a University Student.
However, Reggie seemed unperturbed, as he slowly brought the tip towards me.
That little bitch. I'd never forgotten what he'd done to me over those years. Anger surged within me, but I couldn't act rashly. Under the influence of such a weak body, I couldn't afford to expose myself to danger.
I needed to wait… And then strike at the precise moment I received an opportunity.
As the tip of the knife approached, I pretended as if I was terrified. My eyes widened, crimson streaks extended from the ends of my sclera. I raised my hands to defend myself, and Reggie's smile widened.
However, instead of the dagger registering a tiny cut on my flesh, it instead fell to the ground. I twirled my legs–the most I could–to strike Reggie's hand as hard as possible. He retreated, wincing in pain.
The lackeys backed away in surprise, while Reggie's eyes ignited in rage.
"Who do you think you are, you fucking c*nt?"
Such a cliche moment, I thought. I hadn't realized at the time, but the so-called 'villains' of the world were so cringy. They weren't scary, but funny at times. But I couldn't think of such things at the moment.
I had larger matters to worry about.
Had I fucking regressed?
It was mindblowing to even think about.
Reggie recovered in no time. As expected of a full-time bully. Before he could strike, however, I dove for the dagger, extending my arm as I practically crawled across the ground. His lackeys attempted to block me.
One of them landed a kick on the abdomen, while the other tried to grab the dagger. I resisted the urge to collapse in pain, twisting the dagger in a way that injured the other lackey. As drops of blood trickled down the dagger, the screams of Reggie's lackey reverberated across the empty Campus.
It was a both a comical and a dark scene.
The 'me' of this time period would have never been able to stomach the scene, but I was enjoying it. To torment my tormenters was quite satisfying. I suppressed the urge to let out a chuckle.
The uninjured lackey rushed my way, veins bulging from his forehead. The injured one drowned in self-pity, having retreated to a safe distance.
One enemy down.
I held the dagger tightly in my hands, excitement bursting from my heart. A second chance at life… how lucky was I?
I would not waste it…
I would change everything…
No matter if it's a Whisperer Star or a Guiding Star… I would destroy them both.
And Leonard…
He didn't know what was coming for him. Before he could morph into the traitor I knew… I had to kill him.
With that thought in mind, I swung.
A few minutes passed, and two corpses lay on the ground, their heads detached from their bodies.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone