Enter Beast World: Starting Anew Without a Protagonist Halo

[Warning: This book contains scenes that depict gore and sexual violence. If you are not comfortable with this kind of thing, please skip this book altogether. Read at your own risk.]

[Disclaimer: People, places, and concepts (EVERYTHING) are based on the author's imagination and any resemblance to a real object is just a coincidence. Descriptions that you may not find agreeable are also mentioned. REMEMBER: This is a work of fiction, and the author has nothing against anyone. Reader discretion is advised.]

Chapter 1: What the hell is this place?

After reaching adulthood, the females of Blue Planet are randomly selected to be transported to another star.

I don't know what kind of criteria the planetary system used but for some odd reason, I, who was just out to buy the limited-edition cake of 'Strawberry Lane' had been chosen, still wearing my baggy shirt and pants.

Some would call it 'fate' while others call it an 'opportunity', but I like to call it 'curse' instead.

Why?

Because I didn't want to be here in the first place!

Think about it.

Why would I want to go through all the troubles of venturing somewhere unknown when it's already rough living through the day in a 'perfectly normal' human society? 

Isekai?

Transmigration?

That's bullshit!

This is obviously a forced abduction!

Just a moment ago, I clearly remember myself standing in line together with a bunch of teens who were taking their time taking pictures and chatting with each other awaiting their turn to enter the cake shop.

Now, here I am still standing in line, a very long line; the only difference is that I can see countless enormous horizontal bridges that are parallel to one another. Like overpasses that extend further than my eyes could reach, filled with women held in captivity.

There was no roof nor walls, just a myriad of bright stars that illuminated the dark cosmos.

"Look in front."

The deep voice of a man veiled in black fabric, guarding us, females, from the side spoke and nudged me to proceed walking like some kind of inmate going to a trial.

I furrowed my eyebrows in discontent but looking at his wide and big stature under the silver-plated armor, I'd rather think twice. For he can certainly crush me in just one swift move of his thick burly arm. So, I decided to keep my cool and reluctantly let go of his crude actions.

"Silky hair… petite body… and blonde hair…"

A man wearing the same veil except for his garb reminiscent of a cleric, examined the girl in front and started describing her features. He scribbled on the holographic window as if taking note of what he had observed. 

The same thing happened to the following girls after the blondie. As things went on, I noticed that the girls were ushered to two different destinations.

Everyone here seemed to have distinct origins based on our clothing, complexions, and physical features. Other than the ones who had pointy ears and long silky hairs that I found bizarre; I think everyone is quite normal.

However, one thing is for sure. We are being branded like goods and examined by our quality. Girls with skin impurities like pimples, scars, moles, and freckles as well as things that do not meet the standards of beauty, are all guided on the left path.

Whereas those with impeccable appearances, like the ones with slim waists, huge buttocks, and poreless jade skins, are brought to the right section.

And eventually, it was my turn to be judged.

"What is this?" The man blatantly sniffed my neck and then stepped back in disgust. "Oh, Goddess! Why did the Stellar System send in a smelly, fat, and ugly thing that cannot even be considered a girl!" He pointed at my face and continued his revilement.

The man continued grumbling, "Err, what's with the dry and oily skin? The only passable thing is your long black hair, it's not even that silky." He flicks my hair with his finger and splits a few strands to check its coarseness.

I just keep quiet. Well, it's true. I smell unpleasant because I have been waiting in line under the scorching sun in front of the cake shop. I'm also fat and have many pimples.

I wanted to say that it's in the genes and my mom had the same pimple breakout during her teens and not because I'm unhygienic but what's the point of explaining?

He already judged my appearance! Why? Is it a crime to look like this? Do I have to be good-looking first in order to get other's approval for my existence and get their permission to breathe the same air?

What a rubbish!

He fiercely stamped a red mark on the hologram and a printed document came out of it which he then put on the left conveyor. As expected, my destination is on the left gate.

In Blue Planet, it was common knowledge that once every century, a handful of females will be selected. Perhaps, it is due to having the awareness that even if I was taken here by surprise, I guess I'm a little accepting of the unordinary happenings surrounding me right now.

According to the elderly, those chosen ones are granted a new life. Maybe it was so good and luxurious that made them never want to come back to our world again. Although most of it was just hearsay and cold assumptions riddled with people's fantasies.

Personally, I think that those are nothing but plain nonsense. As a matter of fact, there's not a single testament or record of those who were chosen because no one ever came back to tell her tale. There's only the 'system notice' showing a countdown timer all over the world proving that it really exists and is happening. 

No one knows what will happen from here on out, but right now, I just feel a little exasperated seeing how things unfold before my eyes. To think that there would still be discrimination even in this place.

The same revolting beauty standard that plagues my world is so evident even here that they had to segregate people like the accumulated trash in a bin.

So, this place works like the purgatory, eh? Where people are judged 'equally' by very 'fair' standards before being sent to heaven or hell.

"Please step inside the magic circle." 

I only realized that we had already reached our destination when the guide spoke. My feet came to a halt in front of the carved circle on the marbled platform designed with intricate symbols I couldn't recognize.

The guide looks at me impatiently as if urging me to make it fast. I was contemplating what to do when the guide pushed me inside. Making me fall into the ground.

"Hey―"

I couldn't believe it. Not the fact that he rudely pushed me down to the platform, it was his hands that previously crossed along his chest, covered by the oversized loose sleeves of his black clothing. 

I―I saw it. His arms were covered with a thick scaly skin!

Before I could react, the man or is he a man? The creature pulled a lever and the thing he called a magic circle shone a creepy bright red.

"Wait―ah!"

The blinding light burst out like fireworks.

I had to close my eyes and cover them with my hands in order to protect my vision. It all happened just for a brief moment.

Suddenly, I felt the temperature drop, and a cold gust of wind touched my nape causing all the hair on my back to rise.

The sound of birds' hoots and the eerie howling of wolves that previously weren't there, entered my ears.

When I opened my eyes, I instantly wished I didn't. 

"W-what the hell? Where am I―uwaak! Buwaak!"

As soon as I witnessed the grotesque scene unraveling before my eyes, a strong smell of rotten meat surged through my nose causing me to throw up a bile. 

"Argh!"

Bones and blood stains are out in the open like it was a normal sight. My mouth fell agape, I was screaming in my head, not a sound coming out of it.

The gnawing sound of flesh getting torn off from the bone, and blood-churning echoes of bones crushing between its teeth terrified me to my core. It was accompanied by sounds of screams and aggrieved moans.

I was afraid but something in me wanted to see what was happening behind those walls. With trembling hands, I walked as silently as possible to avoid detection.

Before I could reach the actual chamber, a shadow of a giant monster with huge tusks embedded in its lower jaw holding a huge chunk of meat in one hand and chewing with gusto was reflected on the cave walls! What struck me witless was the thing under its thighs.

When I leaned my head to see what it was, a large bipedal monster with the head of a bald swine inked a semblance. Beneath it is a maiden barred from any form of clothing.

Bound by a collar extending to the ugly creature's clutches, she was squealing like a craze mare in heat. Rammed by the monster's shaft not anything like a human's thing.

"Please stop―Angh!"

The desperate stifling cries of the girl made my head spin. I held my breath and covered my mouth in disbelief. Afraid to make a noise that would attract the monster. Tears of terror and distress flowed like a stream.

I knew it. I knew it!

There was a reason why no one came back!

What the fuck is wrong with the system?

What the hell is this place?

I know that all the myths created by those people are just nonsense, but I didn't expect it to be this bad! This is a fucking scam!

There's no way an unknown 'system' would abduct people without their consent just to give them a better life in another world. I just knew it!

Fate?

Opportunity?

To hell with that!

Those damn elderlies don't know anything at all!

Good and luxurious life? This kind of life is horrendous and might be the shittiest!

Of all places why did I have to be sent in the mouth of a lecherous predator? That damn guide!

I took a step back.

I feel sorry for that girl, but what can I do to help her? Get caught also and divide her load?

As if that would make her situation any better! Shit! Call me anything you want but this is too scary for me too! Being violated like that! 

'I'm sorry but I can't help you. I―I just can't!' I spun around ready to leave this hellhole.

I must flee from this place! Even if I crawl my way out and die in the process, I will get away from that damnable creature!

I, Atasha Brythe, will never let a darn monster get a hold of my body and make me suffer the same fate as that unfortunate girl!