PART 02 : STRANGE DISEASE

[Flashback On – The Year 2017]

["It's all your fault, Atlas! If only you didn't involve my son in your troubles!! He's not going to die!!"]

That night, the rain-drenched in a small town in the California area of the United States. The dense night without moonlight, in a large hospital near the area, he receives a strong slap.

Almost made his body fall, not because he's weak. It's just that the young man's power has been completely exhausted.

["He's not dead, Uncle."] With an ash bead that seemed to be empty, his voice tremblingly replied. Wet clothes were attached and some wounds were still printed around his body.

The young man's condition was no less bad, he tried to stand up. ["You dare against my words?!! Son of the devil!!"]

["There shouldn't be any need for Erros to save a weak child like you!! He's our best son!! Because of you---- our hopes are gone,"] The figure of the woman who was now pointing roughly at Atlas's face immediately fell to the floor. Mentioned the name of the figure he knew closely.

["My son's future is now ruined!!! Huaaa!! Give me back my son, please give me back, Erros!! You devil!!"] The woman's cry broke, the room was full of echoes muffled by the sound of rain out there. Standing in the face of the three people who were now looking at Atlas full of hatred.

Middle-aged women and men, a fourteen years old girl who only cries. Her hands were clenched firmly, staring at Atlas fiercely.

["Brother Atlas, you should leave here now,"] Trying to temper her anger, ["Go!! Don't see my brother again!!"] shouted out without looking at the young man's face again.

He understood, although coming here just wanted to see the face of his best friend, Erros family didn't seem to want him to be here.

It's his fault. ["Fine, I understand. I'm sorry that I've always troubled you all. "] Bowing down for the last time. He tried to smile, even though his cheeks were full of bruises.

He said confidently, ["I'm sure that Erros won't die, he'll come back to his senses."] Without waiting for Erros' family's response, he turned away.

Although the face he looked at just now was tough and firm. But all of that was instantly gone as he left, with a thump of his face and tears streaming free, both Atlas hands were firmly clenched.

['Because of them!!! All of this, because of them!!']

All of Atlas's thoughts suddenly went dark. He could no longer think clearly. The young man was overwhelmed with anger,

Bullying in this region is considered a matter of course. No one wants to help just because the status of belonging to Atlas is far from those people. Everyone can only close their eyes.

Of the thousand people around him, maybe only Erros has come so far. Help him at all times, the figure of a young man with perfect ability and strength. He far exceeded Atlas, the best friend he had.

But the young man is now lying in a coma, just because he's trying to help Atlas.

["You mustn't be afraid of them!"]

["Take it easy, we will face them together!"]

['I'll make them regret it!!']

The anger and crying were fused in the rushing raindrops. All of Atlas's emotions melted away. He didn't care anymore if indeed, his strength was very far from them. At least he wanted to throw a punch at their faces, just once!!

[Flashback Off]

***

[Detroit City, United States—Serenia High School]

Atlas opened his eyes quickly, with a gasp. In the lying position, the first thing he saw was a white ceiling.

His body is shrouded in cream-colored cloth, and the fragrance of medicine is quite strong. The young man turned his head at a glance, "You're awake, Ravian?"

A female voice greeted him, Atlas just sighed. His head and body were still aching, with his eyebrows bent trying to remember the incident just now.

"How many hours did I sleep, Doc?"

The special doctor of her school for these few years is a 30-year-old woman who's well-known among all the men in her school. Short brown hair became characteristic of that woman,

"Hm, just an hour." The figure stood up to him and said, "You've become an immortal resident of this room. Aren't you bored? " She said briefly.

Checked the wounds on Atlas' face and body. He's indeed only been in school for a few months here, but almost everyone knows who his nickname is. The weakest student who can't fight back. Like the weakest superhero ever,

"It's not my wish to come to this place continuously," The young man explained flatly, wincing slightly as the cleansing drug stuck to his wound. "Hh, at least you have to learn how to fight back."

The woman shook her head, "It's a good thing Rosemarry takes you here," She sighed, covering the wound on Atlas' face with a bandage. "Why are so many students using violence in this school, as if they have a leader who makes their strength feared by everyone?" the doctor continued confidently.

Atlas could only be silent, it was useless if he spoke. How is it possible that this woman believes it? "It's done!"

Grimacing pain from the pat on his back, "Go back to your class now. Do you want permission to go home? It seems that your foot is a little dislocated,"

Permission to go home and make those people happy because their idea went perfectly? Atlas didn't want to. He shook his head quickly.

"I'm going back," he said as he tried to stand up, picking up the bag that was now neatly filled with books again. "You sure?"

Without answering the woman's question, "Thank you, Doc." Atlas hurried away from the room, a little shuffled carrying his bag. Going home meant he lost to Asthor.

***

["Who brought a permanent marker?! Give it to me!"]

["Damn it, who would dare to delete my precious signature on that geeky guy's desk?!"]

["Khahaha, anyone wants to contribute pictures? Before the geeky comes back!"]

'Hh, I heard it clearly,' sighed Atlas, who was now still standing outside the door of his classroom. It seemed that the teacher hadn't arrived yet, so their screaming voices were loud, shaking his heads at a glance. To be honest, during the few months of admission to this school, there was no day Atlas passed without hearing the sound of their insult.

Although he had tried hard to ignore them. If he's ignorant, then his body's going to be an easy target.

When one of those hands intended to open the door, he put on a straight face. Before the door opened on its own, a tall figure directly blocked Atlas.

Almost swearing, Atlas tried to calm down. Seeing a big grin printed on the man's face, "The geeky is coming!" The man's shout was quite loud. All the friends in the classroom turned their heads toward the entrance. Accompanied by the sound of trivial laughter, the figure in front of him just now immediately pulled Atlas's body, embracing him quite firmly.

"Our geeky king has come. I'm sorry we haven't finished decorating your seat yet," At first, Atlas could only remain silent in the face of mockery, trying to avoid it was futile. His body felt dragged.

As his eyes were turned over, staring at the other friends. None of them intended to help or simply stop the bullying from their class leaders, because he made a mistake a few months ago.

The table that he had cleaned up yesterday until late at night was now dirty again. Full of scribbles, and some dry garbage. Several men in messy school clothes, tattoos, and loose-colored hair were around her desk. They grinned smugly, "We're getting caught," It's full of jokes and trivial laughs.

Atlas's body was forcibly pushed, coming forward. Still, with the wound that hadn't healed, he endured the pain. Then, the face looked up. "What else do you guys want? Not enough to torture me just now?" Atlas responded quickly.

They glanced at each other for a moment before the laughter came off again. This time there was no Asthor among them, only a few men just now. Of course, Asthor is trying to maintain his image in front of everyone.

He only bullies Atlas in a quiet place. "Oh—sorry, this time it's not us who will punish you, geeky!" The tall, fat figure full of tattoos on his chest area now grinned broadly. His gaze stared in the other direction, "You." His voice turned heavy.

"I-yes?!!"

A familiar voice answered the man's remarks, too. Atlas' eyes widened for a moment, a little surprised. His anger peaked when he saw the figure of the man in school clothes and his thick round glasses. The hair is climatically arranged, and he looks terrified.

"Come here quickly,"

Without refusing, the man approached them. Atlas could only see, how the figure in front of him was trying to avoid his gaze. He approaches the bad man with a pale face.

"What's wrong -hmph!" He hasn't finished speaking yet his two cheeks have been gripped firmly. "You seem to be pleased with how you are now, hm?" said the fat man beside him.

"I-i'm sorry-"

Their eyes clashed, the grin getting wider and wider, "Do you want to go back to being our subordinates and take the place of this geek?" pointing towards Atlas.

"We could easily change places. How about it?" He continued, and within seconds the face turned pale, accompanied by a loud whirring, "I don't want to! Please don't---don't put me in his position again!" Without thinking about Atlas's reaction, their eyes met for a moment.

But it was reversed. Both of his hands were covered, his face paled, and he simply bowed his body without hesitation. On his knees, "I-I'll do whatever you guys want!" He shouted confidently.

Atlas's forehead buckled, and the unpleasant feeling came, clucking inwardly. His plan to return to the classroom seems to be a bad thing. As their gaze now looked at Atlas', their grin widened, "Then you just have to come along with our show," Giving a puzzle.

"Wha-what does it mean?"

Again, clutching that fat man's cheek, a sharp gaze piercing. "Do I need to tell you in more detail?"

Swallowing hard, that face paled even more, and he instantly understood. A way to avoid being the target of bullying again and to be free from painful blows every day.

"I—I,"

"Do it right now or you'll know the consequences,"

Threat after threat. Their gazes met again, Atlas standing stiffly. Both of his hands are firmly clenched. How come? He saw the face that used to beg for help, and now those eyes looked relieved but also full of anger.

The huge body moved slowly, accompanied by a loud shout. "AHHH!!"

Atlas just intended to dodge, "Where are you going, hm?"

"Let me go!!"

But his body had already been locked by the two men. They grinned widely. "Let go of your hands!!"

He can't dodge, "AHHH!!"

Punch after punch came, hitting Ravian's face and abdomen directly. The pain spread again, trying not to scream. The body tried to dodge but was forced back to his feet.

"Good!! Beat it up again!!"

Laughter echoed, shouting and the sound of tight blows. At first glance in Atlas' vision, none of all his friends tried to help.

They were silent, diverting their eyes, pretending they didn't see. Putting on an interesting show every day.

Ah—frustrating.

"Ugh!"

Atlas' eyes widened wide, his breathing was hot, and almost stopped for a few seconds. His heart was beating wildly. The pain was more intense suddenly, He fell over.

"Khahaha, let him go!!"

After many punches landed, their grip slipped off. He finally fell to the floor, in a state full of wounds.

"It turns out that you are strong too, hm. I guess our geeky prince is really weak after all!! Khahaha,"

Vaguely saw how the huge tattoo man was now surrounded by all of his friends just now. They cheered proudly, embraced the delight, and what did Atlas see?

'Ah-'

His eyes met that cowardly man, Atlas fell, while the man just now. He didn't see it wrong, right? A relieved smile was printed there, very clear, as if lucky to be in that position. While Atlas had to bear the consequences, for trying to help him before.

Shit!

***

It's hot, he can't control himself. The pain of the blow just now seemed meaningless, compared to the heart that was now beating vigorously, almost vomiting blood.

No one intended to help him. None. Even as he could barely breathe, he lowered his body, kissing the cold floor. No one knows his current condition.

'Hold on, hold yourself back, Atlas!!' He clutched the clothes as tightly as he could, ignoring all the insignificant laughter that fell on him.

Even when the teacher finally came, all the commotion disappeared in an instant. Trying to endure the pain, with both hands clenched into fists, he bit his lower lip tightly. Carefully sat back in the seat that was still dirty with garbage everywhere.

Atlas didn't care. He should be able to restrain himself. 'At least until I get back home,' he said over and over again. Trying to keep his voice down.

Why does it have to be today?

***

[6:00 p.m. – Serenia High School]

The weather this afternoon was quite sunny, without being overcast. The sunlight came back in through the window gap. In a classroom that looks empty.

A school guard in his work clothes, casually humming around the school hallway as usual. Casually walked into all the classrooms, one by one. Make sure no one's belongings are left behind.

Entered the last twelve grades. EF Class 12. While whistling, check the tables in turn. The middle-aged man walked leisurely. "Okay, there are no things left behind today," he said quickly, nodding confidently, intending to leave the classroom.

Before his steps stopped, his eyebrows were bent in surprise. Did he see it wrong?

Step back for a minute and head towards the back area of the classroom desk, a little bit hesitant. "Hm," He said again, looking down at a glance for the umpteenth time.

At first, he couldn't believe it, "As far as I know yesterday, the condition of the floor here was fine," He said confidently. Sharpening his gaze, one of his hands moved to touch the damage on the floor in front of him.

"Since when is there such a big crack here?" The man asked himself, even more astonished. "Was there an earthquake just now?

A fairly large crack was visible on the floor. Not an ordinary crack due to an earthquake or damage, but more in the direction of intentional?

It was as if someone had just punched that area of the floor to make a crack in some specific part of the floor. At one point, several fragments of the floor appeared to come out and scatter. The crack line looked quite long after he checked in several other places.

Only in this place alone did it suffer quite severe damage. "How is it possible?" the guard scratched his head in confusion, sighing.

There's no way an ordinary human being can crack the floor to that point.