Being a Nobody
When Tang first opened a book as a child, he was mesmerized by a world teeming with billions of people. But amidst the crowd, there was always that one extraordinary individual who defied the odds, embraced adventure, and lived a life filled with excitement and purpose. Determined to script his own thrilling narrative, Tang made a solemn vow. He delved into countless projects, honing his skills and talents to perfection. Yet, he couldn't escape the realization that there were others who far surpassed his abilities. As he grew older, Tang became a daring helicopter pilot and found love with his high school sweetheart, who now carries their first child. It seemed that Tang had finally discovered the exhilaration he had always craved, but little did he know, this was just the beginning. During a routine client escort, tragedy struck as Tang faced a fatal helicopter crash. Just as he was about to succumb to his fate, a mysterious voice echoed in his ears. And when he opened his eyes, he found himself in a strangely familiar yet unfamiliar room. Tang soon discovered that he had been transported to a magical realm, where he yearned to reclaim his role as the protagonist. But it quickly became apparent that this new world wouldn't make it easy for him to seize the spotlight once again.
Test
"We are gathered here today to witness yet another ritual in our town, the acceptance ceremony. The new generation and our unexpected candidate, Sebastian," announced the elder as Sebastian stepped forward, his eyebrows twitching in confusion.
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"Huh?" Sebastian asked, perplexed, as he looked at Mikko. "Sebastian, you've been forgetting a lot of things today," Mikko pointed out with a sigh. "This ceremony is important. It's the acceptance ceremony that will make you a fully-fledged member of the town. It was supposedly held after you got your tattoo but the heroes arrived so it was moved tomorrow"
Sebastian's eyebrows furrowed as he realized that he had forgotten about the significant acceptance ceremony due to his incomplete memories. Mikko reminded him of the importance of the event and explained that the test for acceptance was to retrieve a flower that absorb the sunlight it only blooms at the top of a cliff.
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As Sebastian refocused on the present, he noticed the elder handing him a belt bag filled with all the necessary items for his journey. Sebastian's eyes widened with gratitude and excitement as he accepted the bag.
"Thank you, Elder," Sebastian said, his voice filled with appreciation. "I will do my best to complete this test and prove myself worthy of being a fully-fledged member of the town." Sebastian felt a surge of happiness as he sounded like a main character in a story when he said that.
The elder smiled reassuringly at Sebastian. "You've got this, Sebastian. I believe in you. Just remember to stay focused and be careful as you make your way to the top of the cliff. You must return within 3 days to pass the test."
Sebastian nodded, his determination renewed. He fastened the belt bag around his waist, making sure he had everything he needed for the journey ahead.
Sebastian's parents approached him, their faces filled with a mix of pride and concern. They had been watching the ceremony and wanted to offer their support and encouragement to their only son.
"Sebastian, my dear," Sebastian's mother said, her voice filled with warmth. "This acceptance ceremony is a significant moment in your life, and we know you will surely succeed. But remember, no matter what happens, you are still our son, and our love for you will never change." Silvia gently caressed Sebastian's face.
Sebastian's father nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "And when you return, we have a little surprise for you," Coste said, earning a playful smack from Silvia, silently telling him not to spoil the surprise.
Sebastian's heart swelled with gratitude as he looked at his parents. Their unwavering support meant the world to him.
"Thank you, Mama and Papa," Sebastian said, his voice filled with emotion. His parents exchanged a proud glance before embracing Sebastian in a tight hug. They wished him luck and reminded him to take care of himself during the journey.
"Hey, Sebastian," Mikko interrupted as Sebastian looked at him. "Never lose your smile," Mikko said, patting Sebastian on the back as he handed him a dagger "It's a free stuff from Skarlax" Mikko whispered with a wink making Sebastian giggle.
With renewed determination and the support of everyone, Sebastian set off towards the cliff. The belt bag filled with necessary supplies was securely fastened around his waist, and the dagger was sheathed at his thigh.
As Sebastian embarked on his quest to retrieve the flower from the top of the cliff, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. He knew that this journey would strengthen him.
With each step, Sebastian felt a growing sense of confidence. When he entered the forest, he immediately took out the map the elder had given him to determine the location of his quest.
But his smile and excitement suddenly disappeared as he turned the map in his hand around.
Silence engulfed his surroundings as he tried to shine a light on the map to see if there was any hidden message, but there was nothing. "What the hell," Sebastian whispered to himself.
"No wonder everyone seemed so confident in me. The cliff is literally less than 2 hours away! Give me back my excitement!" Sebastian thought as he softly punched a nearby tree to release his frustration.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Sebastian reminded himself that the journey was not just about the distance, but about the challenges he would face along the way. He needed to focus and stay determined, regardless of the short distance.
With yet another renewed determination, Sebastian continued on his path, following the map given to him by the elder.
He navigated through the forest, hoping to come across some wild animals to fight or something, but the first thing he stumbled upon was a path. He walked to a nearby tree that had a sign hanging from it.
"Follow this path to arrive at the cliff for the acceptance ceremony," the sign read. Veins appeared on Sebastian's temples as he threw the map on the ground.
Sebastian's frustration and confusion reached a boiling point when he realized that there was a direct path to the cliff. He couldn't understand why there had been so much mystery and challenge during the explanation of the task.
"What is even the purpose of all this? No wonder the elder is so proud when he said no one ever failed," Sebastian sighed, feeling a mix of disappointment and annoyance.
"If only I were as strong as the heroes, maybe I could do more," Sebastian muttered to himself as he kicked a pebble on the ground.
As Sebastian continued along the path, his frustration lingered, but he was determined to make the most of the journey. He reminded himself that strength comes in many forms, and it's not just about physical abilities or comparing oneself to heroes.
As he walked, Sebastian noticed the beauty of the forest surrounding him. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow on the path. The sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing soundtrack to his thoughts.
Sebastian's mind wandered as he reflected on the significance of the acceptance ceremony. It was not just about retrieving a flower from the top of the cliff, but also about proving himself worthy of being a fully-fledged member of the town. It was a rite of passage, a symbol of growth and maturity.
As he walked further along the path, Sebastian's frustration began to melt away, replaced by a sense of purpose and determination. But suddenly, exhaustion overcame him, and he fell to his knees.
"Okay, on second thought, maybe this is actually hard, considering this body," Sebastian muttered, already feeling tired.