What a New life?!

What's this? Haa, it feels so tight… what have I gotten myself into.

I wriggled, searching for a way out of the shell that confined me. It's such a strange feeling… one that made me feel safe but caged.

Concentrating, I tried to sense my surroundings, but failed miserably as always… if I remember well, that old man had done something to me… maybe I have reincarnated again… this time as a growing fetus.

Hehehehehe, hmmm…? Though I'll miss Big Mom, Raymond, Cuckoo… I'm not sure about that geography teacher, even Merlin… Oh! I forgot that attendant of mine… not like she matters.

Not giving up, I pulled, pushed, turned, sat, rolled, and other whatnot…  But surprisingly, my body still refused my command.

Fuck! Why do old men have a problem with me…! Getting pissed won't help, I'll just sleep.

As I thought, my consciousness started fading as if listening to my command. Better, I'll rather sleep peacefully than waste brain cells thinking.

You are not unfamiliar with my bad luck, right? If you are unfamiliar with it, then guess what.

Immediately I tried to sleep, I felt a throbbing pain in my head, causing me to jerk upwards, successively breaking through the shell that held me down for ages.

As I came out of my cocoon, I was met with a dark sky, having only a few stars.

"Where am I?" I said out loud, surprised by my location.

Waking up to a dark sky isn't that much of an issue, but the terrain sent chills down my spine. I was currently surrounded by trees, the sounds of chirping crickets, and some other strange sounds I couldn't understand sounding in the background.

Eerie would have been the word for this place or maybe spooky, but none seemed to fit in my context. For me this place was more than hell… it was undefinable for me.

Having the urge to scream, I hastily covered my mouth with an arm. It would be a very foolish decision to scream for help or out of fright.

Looking in the direction I came from, I could see something similar to a casket… no! I believe pod will be the name for it. That's how far movies can get you, especially ones dealing with science.

Walking to the pod, I crouched by it, observing the broken glass, which I assumed was the place I passed.

There were remnants of a strange liquid clinging to the glass. Not wanting any complications, I avoided getting into any form of contact with it.

Still observing the glass for any clues, I caught sight of my face, which as always was handsome… I must say, I look divine. 

If my eyes are still working, my face doesn't look much different from the last time I checked in a mirror, though my charm has improved a lot, I still have the facial structure of a nine-year-old. 

I spent almost a year training. It might have not been evident in my progression, but I'll advise you not to doubt my judgment.

My hair still had its black color, though it looked prettier than before. Seems that the old man's agenda affected my body, in terms of beauty… for good. As for the others… I have no idea yet.

Looking down at my nude body, I couldn't help but survey my surroundings. Wouldn't want a random person to see this young man… It's my pride.

Grrrr

Bringing me out of my reverie was a growling sound. It was rather subtle at first but seemed to increase with every second that passed.

Surveying my surroundings with a defensive stance. It sounded like a hungry beast… I wouldn't want to get into a fight.

"Liam!" Hearing my name, I jerked in the opposite direction in fright, almost screaming out loud.

"I know you must be frightened," said the voice.

 Now that I think about it, the voice sounded familiar, similar to Big Mom's voice, if I'm not wrong.

Calming down my racing heart, I turned in the direction of the voice.

"Wow!" Exclaiming in awe of the holographic image of Big Mom, I walked closer, surveying the image.

"It's me, Big Mom… your mama!" Said the hologram, seeming to notice me.

I would have loved to celebrate, but something tells me that things aren't the way I see them. Deciding to ask the most important question, I said. "Where am I?"

"Too bad… I can't hear you!" Said Big Mom's hologram, making my veins twitch in annoyance.

Why the hell…?!

Cutting off my thoughts, was the hologram, speaking in a sober tone.

"Firstly, I want you to calm down. You're in no danger for now."

"..."

Why the hell would you say that? Come on…! Look at this place, it's so indescribable.

"Secondly, you need to be smart… things were hectic, so I forgot to teach you common sense," Big Mom hologram said, dejectedly as she shook her head.

Twitch

"I…" getting pissed, I decided to air out my discontent, though I was deprived of the right to justification.

"Thirdly, our life depends on you," she said in a sober tone. Although it was just a hologram, I could still feel the emotion in her voice.

Throwing out all distracting thoughts, I focused on what she was about to say, preparing for the worst.

"We need you to get to a specific location. There you'll find something that can help us…"

As she said, the video started glitching. "I don't have much time! The space ring contains the details… you're our hope… last hope!"

The hologram shattered into particles, letting the wind carry them wherever it willed.

"Wait!" Stretching out my arm, I tried to get a hold of the particles but failed miserably.

Remembering her words, I checked anxiously for the ring, only to discover that it was on my finger later. 

Pissed off, I aimed it in the distance… only to look for it again. She was right… I need common sense.

I've never been in control of a space ring before, so it took minutes to discover the method of use.

It was pretty simple after figuring it out. I just had to focus on the ring a little, and I miraculously get a view of all the contents, after which I imagine pulling the content I need outside, and it's… done!

The first thing I went for was a map. It had markings on it, indicating a route. If I learned the right thing from the geography class, then I'm currently on the east side of the southern continent. Thousands of km from the Xadia empire and hundreds of kilometers from the Heavens Pavilion Sect, one of the major factions in the Southern continent.

The route also indicates I pass through the Heavens Pavilion Sect to get to my intended position.

Closing the map, I concentrated on the ring, bringing out a bag filled with an unknown quantity. Observing the bag, I noticed labeling, the words "spirit stones" boldly written.

Opening the bag, I caught sight of spherical objects that glowed with a strange light. To be honest… It's so small! Will these be enough?

I shouldn't get ahead of myself, should I…? No! I shouldn't. 

Scanning through the ring, I could see different weapons like swords, spears, bows and arrows, catapults, and many other strange weapons. It was all good… only that they seemed to be made out of bronze… a very low-grade metal in the world of Kosmos.

Twitch

Is she serious about me being her hope?! I expected powerful weapons or some secret technique to boost my strength, not these low-grade items!

Searching through the ring, all I could find was garbage on garbage, draining the patience I had left in me.

Guess I'll have to work for my resources… What a new life.

[Author note: The next volume will be the real beginning of my story (where Liam starts his journey). I hope and pray you will keep reading. Thanks!]