Self Recognition

##READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. THIS IS JUST AN ADVENTURE OF AKIRA DURING HIS RECOVERY.

The dense aura suddenly dissipated, and the man crawled restlessly on the bed. The bedsheet folded and rumples formed as he rolled from one end to another.

"Sota?"

Akira looked at the man confused, not knowing his identity. He scratched his face and rubbed his hair until the man ceased movement.

The sounds of metal hinging, and cotton folding over stopped, casting silence on the area. The man in question, suddenly stopped moving, his head still hanging in the air.

He was in an odd position, facing the negative direction on the bed. You would think he would be recognizable, but his blood kept flowing endlessly.

The man turned towards Akira reluctantly while groaning and stretching.

"Is that you Akira?" he spoke with a low tone.

Akira was surprised that his instructor whom he deemed undefeated, had been bruised and battered to a pulp - to an unrecognizable extent.

He extended his hand, trying to touch Sota, but he immediately cautioned him. He couldn't have his wounds worsening, or blood flow increasing.

He stepped back, observing Sota from a distance. His medical condition was worsening with every passing moment, but Sota somehow kept being positive.

"Don't worry, I'll be okay," he said urging Akira to believe in his recovery.

Soon, Akira brushed off Sota's condition with a cold shudder, while exiting the room. He had just been informed of the existence of Infernal which bothered him severely. After all, the existence of even a single Infernal Being in the country could mean the existence of thousands more in Japan.

He rushed to the lowest floor of the facility, and subsequently, to his home eager to train. His urge to become stronger increased greatly, just by seeing his instructor get immensely damaged by a beast.

"If Sota can't defeat an Infernal, I have to get even stronger than him".

He ran home - which improved his strength - with haste, ready to make improvements in different areas of his body.

Of course, this is easier said than done.

He made his way home, opened the door to his shed, and then, a thought struck him - how would he train?

"The system, maybe?" he thought, still perplexed.

The system was too complex for Akira to understand, let alone utilize it. Different sections in his stats were still unknown to him - his strength.

He spread his palm, attempting a stat check.

[Stats]

[HP: 100]

[Strength: 15]

[Fatigue: 11]

[Protection: None]

[Level: 2]

[Achievements: Shadow Realm Pass (Beginners), Ultimate Destruction, Shadow Realm Pass: Newbie, You can't do more than a dead body]

[Skill: Stats (Activated), Destroy (Activated), Sensory Attack (Activated)]

"My strength? What's that?"

The ambivalence in his thoughts progressed, and eventually, he concluded them with a concrete solution.

"Why not forget about the stats, and train? Once Sota's healed, I'll go on more missions and learn more about it."

He turned to his makeshift bed and fell on it to relieve stress.

"Ouch, that hurts. I always forget, it's not too comfy."

He massaged his head gently and rolled to his side. He positioned his legs and body in an enjoyable position and continued his thoughts.

He kept thinking until he was transported into the dream realm.

***

The birds chirped, and he looked out a small cut in his wall. The sun was setting, and the Earth darkening. It cast off a sharp reddish radiant color, as a farewell.

Akira sprung out of the compartment, ready for action. He remembered his earlier decision, and as steadfast as he was, he vowed to fulfill it.

Immediately, he began petty exercises and worked his way slowly up to intense activities. He knew his strength was well below average, and what's worse, was that he possessed no talents.

It was an obligation for him to train.

After hours of training, the sun started its journey below the horizon, but the energetic Akira trained tirelessly, desperately trying to improve his skills.

Beep!

[Credit points]

"What are those?" Akira asked, as he finally suspended his training.

He was met with no response from the system, but rather than aimless screams, he simply continued his previous activities.

[Credit points: 1]

Once again, Akira stopped and stared at the distance.

"What's this message?"

Again, the system kept unresponsive to Akira's question. Akira finally retired from his training and walked into his compartment.

He stood for a while, still thinking, and proceeded to a cabinet. He dragged out a layer attempting to grab a snack.

[Credit points: 2]

He ceased movement, and after a few seconds, walked up to his uncomfortable bed. As he sat on it, the automated voice interrupted once again.

[Credit points: Fully accumulated!]

"What? Is this a joke?"

He stood up, unable to do anything other than talk to a non-existent entity. The system was only a voice in his head, obeying his every command - or at least, most of his commands.

He ran out of the shed and glanced around for any individual who could be potentially messing with him.

"First the orb, its disappearance, and now some strange messages are popping up in my head. What's the cause of all these?" he asked, knowing that no one was present in the vicinity.

He looked around, and seeing that the streets were still lit, headed out to find Sota.

Luckily, he lived in a city where night and day were indifferentiable, filled with light, and sparkling landmarks.

He walked towards the facility, but this time, with experience. Swiftly, he made his way to the hall. It seemed like the facility was experiencing a power blackout.

"The perfect chance," he thought moving to the elevator, using his newly-found skill.

His steps were effectively hidden in the steps of others, moving cautiously to avoid being caught. He eventually arrived at the elevator, until he realized that it couldn't be used.

"I'm such a fool. What was I thinking when I was going to the elevator? I guess I'll take the stairs then," he spoke disappointed in his hastiness.

While he sluggishly moved to the stairs, the power was returned, and each light shone one by one till all were illuminated.

As soon as he saw this, he quickly ran to the elevator, pushing buttons, and forcing himself through. After a brief struggle, he forced himself into the elevator and took a ride to the highest floor.