It appears that god can be exploited? #Kazu

To think that I frequently pass out, since when did this start happening? Is my blood count that low?

Kazu, out.

◇

Do you know that feeling when your father reveals to you the truth about how you came to be? He says that it was an accident and that he failed to withdraw in time or something like that. Then you begin to question your whole destiny; whether you were supposed to be discarded on the floor or end up in your mother's womb. I never experienced that feeling before. But now, I certainly do.

This is how the story of Anna begins…

A long time ago, my father's father and his father before him made a discovery that changed the way they lived. (Wait. Wait a minute, did I live that long? Okay. Okay, I'll continue; I won't interrupt anymore, you stingy person.)

He came across a rock. But it was not an ordinary rock. It radiated with the Light of Beginning, the mysterious force that gave birth to life in this world. Some people thought that the Light of Beginning was just a catalyst, a spark that set off the flame of life. But I knew better than that. It was the very essence of life itself, the fuel that kept the flame burning.

The days of crawling in fear and despair were over. The time to crawl in peace and harmony had arrived.

However, not everyone agreed with this vision of peace and harmony. They argued that my ancestors had not stumbled upon the rock by accident but by destiny. They said that the Light of Beginning summoned everyone because that was how it functioned. It had to be drained of its power until nothing remained. And because it summoned everyone, it would inevitably be seized by enemies.

But they failed to realize that the enemies were nearer than they imagined.

War erupted among our people, with one side wanting to utilize the Light of Beginning for the welfare of the entire clan, and the other side hoping for a selected warrior to receive its creative power.

The war destroyed our population. Neither side could achieve victory. And then, our worst nightmare became reality as the situation worsened.

It appeared. The Giant.

Giants come in various forms, and the one that appeared wielded terrible power simply by stomping its feet. It was the kind that used sheer force.

They said it was a slaughter they would always remember since the Giant found it much simpler to wipe them out because so many people gathered in one place.

But the Giant's goal was not them. Everyone was fleeing, but they failed to observe that the Light of Beginning had already fallen into the Giant's mouth.

However, someone jumped using prohibited magic, where one could wield immense power by devouring their brethren's core.

She jumped and reached the Light of Beginning, aiming to annihilate it before the Giant ingested it. But she observed something within the Light of Beginning. Inside was a Being.

Then they all heard "Achooo!" from within it.

Everyone, including the Giant, collapsed as the air vibrated.

But she clung to it as she plummeted, and this was the first time that the rite of protection was invoked.

A beautiful melody filled the air, then the earth quaked, and something encircled everything, pushing the Giant back to the edge of the mountain range. It crashed against the newly created barrier as it attempted to enter. It finally departed, never to come back.

The first person who invoke the rite of protection became known as the first priestess.

◇

Holy shit! All of those events occurred and I had no idea about it? That's insane. My face became rigid as I understood that they were aware of my presence. I had been tricked. And, hold on, was I nearly devoured or smashed? And you're saying that my sneeze saved me. What the heck!

In fact, the story continues. The clan reunites, forming a small community led by the first priestess. They decide to use the Light of Beginning for protection and assimilation.

In due time, the priestess tells the people that a Being resides within, that it is still dormant, and that the Being aided them.

The assimilation strategy is straightforward. They perform a ritual on a regular basis to transfer the Light of Beginning into the core of a warrior. I'm not sure what a warrior's core is, but it's likely an organ in the body.

Eventually, the Being within will awaken and become their deity.

So I can escape? I like this plan.

But their world is not as simple as it appears, bwahaha… Yeah, I need to work on my villain laugh.

◇

I'm not certain what's special about today, but the ritual is more lively than usual. It continues and continues without any indication of ending.

So Anna won't have the chance to see me. I somewhat miss her fussing over things.

They are still present whenever I wake up. I don't mind the incessant singing at all, keep it going.

This is how my life has been for a long time. As usual, I enjoy it thoroughly.

The ritual persists outside. But a little farther away, I hear different noises, laughter, and chatter, emitting the vibe of a festival.

I'm relaxed and enjoying everything around me, and everyone else appears to be as well. What a marvelous day.

But, like any good time, it has to come to an end. And sometimes, it ends tragically. How frequently does that occur? It's rare, but it can happen to anyone, anytime.

BOOOMMM!!!

A thunderous noise rattles the entire area, followed by a shockwave that reaches me in a flash. A constant explosion can be heard and gets louder and louder by the moment. Until something struck me.

I feel like electricity has hit me, and then as if the final struggle of the Light of Beginning, a distortion in space rips me apart. My body is torn to pieces as it is blasted away.

Ah. I recognize this feeling, ughhhh, I'm dead again.

◇

I wake up with a jolt. Maybe because I was brought back to life, I don't have to adapt my eyes to the light.

I'm on a high elevation, looking at the horizon. A violent bolt of lightning hits the same spot over and over, creating a bright flash and a clap of loud thunder. That's not normal. There must be something potent and perilous happening there. That must be where the ritual is occurring.

I was blasted so far.

Anna!!! Her name flashes in my mind. She's in danger. I sprint toward the source of the lightning.

Run! Run! Faster! I push myself to run faster.

I see chunks of flesh and bone strewn on the road, like the leftovers of a slaughtered animal. They could be mine or someone else's.

Shit! Wait for me, Anna! I'm almost there. I'm not going to let my first heroine die!