Rebirth

Numbness followed by a tearing pain drowned his aching and crying heart. It was as if his soul had fallen in the endless vassal of darkness. His cries echoed silently around the quiet room until all he could hear was the sound of his heart slowly cracking.

It was unclear how long his cries continued before it gradually weakened until all that was left was his teary red eyes and exhausted face.

The floor had been soiled by his sorrowful tears and yet the pain in his heart did not disappear even a little.

Suddenly…

"Hans, what happened!?"

The gentle and warm voice caught his ears by surprise. The footsteps came behind until their distance was just a lift of a foot.

At that moment, Hans raised his head and stared at the elderly woman in front of him.

"Grandma."

...…

After a brief time of explanation, Hans determined that his memories with Plundy and the others were just a dream. Fortunately, his grandma attentively listened even though his story seemed too good to be true.

That's right, in this real world, he's just an ordinary porter. Nothing more, nothing less.

Additionally, his memories with Plundy and the others were gradually fading, further proving that it was all nothing but a short dream.

Thus, his ordinary life flowed once again, advancing together with the tick of the clock.

For over 20 years, Hans continued being a porter. He met various people and learned various things.

When his grandmother's health gradually declined after he reached 39 years old, Hans immediately bolted out of his work and tried to apply for his sister Hannah's job hiring to earn more money.

Although it was awkward at the start, Hans quickly got used to it. She even gave money so that his grandmother's health could still be prolonged even for a short time.

Even then, after he became 43, his grandmother eventually passed away. He cried for a whole day and did not leave his room to eat.

But just like any other person, Hans eventually moved on and lived his life the way it was again.

He met his wife, Farah and she gave birth to their son named Martin. Although they only live an ordinary citizen's life, their marriage and relationship are happy.

It wasn't until Martin reached 17 years old that their lives changed. In a twist of fate, Martin became an Awakened with an SS-Class potential.

Hans turned 65 years old this year but due to his previous unhealed injuries that he endured and suppressed, his health gradually declined.

His wife already passed away and the only thing keeping him alive is to see his son successfully reach his dream that his father failed to reach.

The ashes of time slowly turned.

Hans reached 70 years old.

His droopy and wrinkled forehead together have become visible now. His aging took away a great amount of vitality and he gradually entered a weakened state.

Martin tried everything to convince him to take medication but he declined.

"Your mom is waiting for me on the other side. I can't let her wait long." He reasoned.

Martin was a good child and he, as his father, is proud of his achievements. It wasn't until a year later that Martin finally became an SS-Class Awakened.

Hans watched his son's speech on the TV while he held the photo of his wife in his arms. Unknowingly, tears streamed down his aging face. Although he didn't become a powerful Awakened, the embers of his dream were finally shaped through Martin.

And for that, he is happy.

While it's fun that it lasted, happiness will always be accompanied by sorrow.

A year later, at the age of 71, Hans passed away with a satisfied smile on his face.

However, it seemed like his nightmares were just about to start.

His memories seemed to be stripped away and new unfamiliar memories took over.

In famous novels, they call it, rebirth.

.....

In his second rebirth, he was still the Hans Luther with an SSS-Class potential. However, he did not wish to be Awakened and abandoned the thought of leveling up and just lived his life as a chef in a fast-food chain.

He worked hard to sustain his daily life and his grandmother's medication. Fortunately, Hannah did not leave even after she became an S-class Awakened.

He tried applying to become a porter but was quickly scolded by his sister and their bickering didn't stop until a week later.

However, fate is cruel.

After he turned 27 years old, a piece of news came to him that shook him to the core.

S-class Awakened, Hannah Luther, died in a Blue Colored Dungeon raid. The survivors said that she saved everyone by sacrificing herself to stall the monsters while they left.

On that day, Hans cried until his tears were drained. At that very moment, hatred and killing intent surged inside his heart.

Thus, on that day, Hans vowed and became Awakened.

For citizens, the golden age finally dawned on humanity. After only a mere year, Hans reached level 301 successfully becoming the first-ever SSS-Class Awakened.

The monsters on Earth began to diminish at an alarming rate. The speed of Hans' slaughter surpassed the monster's spawning speed. Thus, in just a couple of months, the Earth managed to regain back another 20% of the land.

Even then, Hans wasn't satisfied. He wanted to purge all the monsters or else his conscience wouldn't let him sleep.

However, he didn't know this thought would also cause his downfall.

"Lowly human, you think that just because we're not moving means we're weak? Aren't you a little arrogant? Where's your arrogance now?"

He went to the Philippines to kill the monster terrorizing the country. Unluckily, the monster surpassed any beasts he had fought throughout his life.

At that moment, thick fear surged in his heart. He watched as the humanoid monster slowly walked forward with a sword in its hand. His aura alone made Hans' body numb and paralyze.

What's even crazier is that this guy… wasn't even a boss-type monster.

Meaning, he's just a mob.

"Our queen doesn't want some ants disturbing her beauty sleep so please quietly die for me."

The man unleashed a barrage of attacks. Hans tried to resist but was too weak to even lift a finger. His teammates behind him have their heads cut off.

He watched as those widely opened eyes were filled with feelings of unwillingness and despair.

Not long after, his vision also gradually descended into the darkness. In the end, he faded together with his regrets and unfortunate memories.

...

In his third rebirth, Hans was the most dazzling human humanity has ever seen. A true prodigy blessed by the gods and goddesses. At the mere age of 5, Hans awakened his SSS-Class potential.

In just another span of 5 years, he reached his full potential and became the youngest and the strongest Awakened in humanity.

Monsters fear him and just a mention of his name strikes fear to his enemies.

It was weird having a 10-year-old stronger than any Awakened alive but even then, no one complained.

Under the Guardian Alliance, a group that Hans formed to protect humanity, the monsters were swept away from the planet, leaving only those dungeons that Awakened could enter anytime.

However, there was no grandmother or his sister in this life. It was said that he was only picked up from a mountain summit with only a blanket with his name on it.

At the very end of his life, he lay down on the coffin under the respectful gazes of the entire human race.

The greatest human to ever live finally decided to rest.

However, the instant darkness swallowed his subconscious, sadness and sorrow crept onto his heart.

....

Rebirth is a mysterious concept that people know nothing about and could only wonder if it's true or not.

One life after another, Hans' consciousness fell into the long cycle of rebirth until he could no longer find his truest self. The life he obtained was nothing more than an endless cycle of agony and punishment.

He obtained endless wealth and glory before…

He became an ordinary person before…

Once, he also became an animal that was waiting to be cooked…

Then, in the next life, he obtained the greatest weapon in the universe…

But after that, he became nothing but a mere slave.

He was subjected to every life a human could possibly experience. The life which should be impossible to live in took the shape of a subconscious named Hans.

He had experienced myriads of life after another like a never-ending number. Only when his life reached the end, did he finally feel as if he didn't belong here.

Thus, he began finding himself only to be lost in an infinite madness.

In one life, he Awakened a being named Plundy. A mighty being that stood above anyone else. However, it was merely awakening and after only two days of talking, Plundy vanished in his body.

In that life, he was merely a rag trying to reach for the diamond. He achieved nothing and his useless life eventually reached its demise.

The wheel of rebirth continued to whirl as if it was never-ending. Madness and confusion started to build up in Hans's narrow and stupid mind.

In searching for his true self, what he found was just another suffering that eventually would end just like others.

Thus, a seed of ruination blossomed in his heart.

.....

After an unknown amount of rebirth, he once again became an SSS-Class Awakened after previously becoming a monster. He once again became humanity's only hope in fending off those monsters.

This time, he fell in love with a woman named Freya after saving her country from an invasion.

Her silky auburn hair trailed with the cold breeze while her eyes mesmerized the shit out of him.

However, although he was a powerful guy, Hans' appearance could be said to be rather ordinary. Even then, that did not seem to be a problem because as their eyes met, the time seemed to slow down.

He liked her but was afraid that misfortune might fall to her once their fates become entangled.

However, fate is rather unpredictable.

In the end, they still became husband and wife. The white fluffy clouds as far as eyes could see covered the skies as they meandered around the world. As the wind blew past their noses, the faint aroma filled the area.

Hans sat on the dragon's neck while a graceful young lady sang her heart out. She told him that never in her life did she let others hear her sing so being at this very moment was rather unforgettable.

Hans' gaze was gentle as he listened to the melody caressed his ears.

At that moment, heartfelt emotions gushed out of his mind followed by a tearing pain seemingly cutting him into pieces.

Unknowingly, his eyes turned into shades of red.

"Are you okay?" A gentle voice rang out by his ear. His wife looked at him with a puzzled expression etched on her face.

"You look really pretty." Hans smiled.

She turned her gaze away as bright apple red cheeks appeared on her face.

"You only said that when you did something wrong."

Then, her lips pouted and her eyes narrowed.

"Tell me, are you hiding something?" She asked.

In response to her serious question, Hans merely smiled and pulled her into his arms. She nuzzled her head to his chest and the two enjoyed their cuddling sessions. She even forgot that she asked Hans a question.

Hans never wanted this moment to end. A part of him wanted to be selfish and just savor this very moment.

Time passed by. In a blink of an eye, 10 years have passed.

Hans was fighting in the frontline when he received an unfortunate news. Just looking at the man's face, he already knew what he wanted to say. The man even hesitated to say it as it might affect his mental state.

"S-sir… there's a piece of news you need to h-hea—"

However, before the man could even finish the sentence, Hans cut him off. In fact, he was already prepared for this very moment.

Hans's eyes changed into black as if they could see through the essence of the souls.

There, watching him from afar, her soul sat on a wooden bench. Her eyes widened when she saw Hans give her a sad smile.

Hans trudged towards her and sat beside her graceful figure. The surprise in her eyes hadn't dissipated yet.

"Y-you can see me?" Freya asked.

"Yes."

She was stunned for a moment before a smile escaped her lips. She leaned closer at Hans and nudged her head at his shoulders.

"Is this the one you said you were afraid of?" She asked.

"Yes."

Freya did not reply. Those gorgeous eyes of hers silently watched Hans as tears continued to fall, "I've been thinking for a while now but… it seems like you already knew this was gonna happen."

Hans bit his lips and raised his head to prevent tears from falling.

Freya grabbed his hand and placed it in his chest.

"Can you feel it? Your heart isn't beating Hans. That means this isn't real. We're probably in a dream…" She paused, "No, rather you are in a dream."

Silence slowly descended. The sound of sad melodious winds played.

Hans looked down at her face. He didn't know how many times she met him in his rebirth.

However, her beautiful smile was still the same as the first time they met.

"Do you know how many times I wanted to wake up?" Hans muttered, "...but I couldn't do it. Even after I die, my death only gave me another life."

She cupped his cheeks and smiled tenderly, "You must have suffered alone right?"

"I'm okay. I'll forget them anyways."

"No." She shook her head, "The heart never forgets, Hans."

Hans' eyes were now completely red as an immense sadness hammered his heart, causing his vision to blur. His body faintly trembled.

In the end, his gaze landed on the woman beside him.

Indeed, although he already forgot the memories of his previous rebirth, the pain in his heart seemed to stack up and have never diminished even a little.

"Why!!!?"

He raised his head, as a heart-wrenching roar of pain echoed throughout the land. The skies seemingly answered to his howls as it also gradually darkened.

It was always like this. Fate always took everything away from him.

At that moment, a vivid memory played in his mind.

"If fate takes everything away from you, what would you do?"

"I won't let that happen."

But, as if the memory came to life, everything around him stopped. Even the dust hovering in the air came to a stillness.

It's as if, the time stopped. No rather, the world was stopped.

Then, a man seemingly stepped out of the shadows. It was the same image of the man he previously possessed. He wore a tracksuit as if he just took a stroll after a long jog.

The man swept his gaze around the surroundings and smiled. He took a step forward and sat on an empty bench across from where Hans currently sat.

With a flick of his finger, everything instantly vanished and was replaced with nothing but darkness.

"How's rebirth?" The man asked with a playful grin on his lips.

Even without explanation, Hans had a hunch that this man might be the mastermind of his endless rebirth. He stared at the man and all of his previous experiences compressed into a mere two words.

It's as if a volcano finally erupted.

"Fuck you."