In the middle of the vast ocean when the sun still hasn't risen above the dark ashen sky.

Sinking deep down into the ocean as one's conscience keeps getting fader.

I tried to resist but ended in vain. Losing my hope I look at the sky with no will under my very eyes.

Looking up I could see shipping vessels sinking slowly into the ocean as fire ravages the insides and outsides not giving a care if one's get burns to its fiery flame.

The chaos that wraps around the ships is all just on top of me.

On the ships, hundreds of people are trying to run away with fear and panic from their eyes as they shove people away not giving care as long they survive.

They run with all of their might but not because of the fiery flames ravaging the ships as the ashen smoke rise covering the dark night sky. What they are running away from is... a weird-looking fish-like creature with human hands and feet attached to their scale body. These creatures came out of nowhere from the ocean as they climb up to the ships eager to shed blood on their prey. Soaking in red blood these creatures succumb to the taste that they never knew until now.

It could be easy if it was only one but there were more of them to count.

There are more of them, more of them that one would question their sanity after seeing such a despair sight towards the surface water.

Along with the bubbles floating on the surface, the shadows of the fish-like creatures are covering the whole ocean that one's eyes could not see the end of unending numbers.

One word...

One word was enough to explain the situation we- they are in.

It's hell.

The blazing fire burning the ships down as everything sunk in the ocean.

Because of the dense mist covering the whole surface ocean, no one could not see clearly what's happening.

Descending deeper and deeper I saw countless bodies around me sinking without life, among them descending into the deep, only I who's still alive.

As the situation goes on some people from the surface started calling my name.

I didn't hear their voice but I saw one of them reaching its hands like it's waiting for me to grab it to save me.

Their voices are desperate yet no one dares to come to save.

They are just there staring at me as I'm getting deeper into the darkness of the ocean. I don't know if they could see me underwater but based on the time I sink into the waters only recently I guess they are pertaining to me.

Are they just there to mourn me or just to mock me maybe the latter. I don't know either way but at least they could give me a prayer to guide me into the afterlife, geez...

Descending as I look at the desperate crowd someone among I feel familiar with.

It's a girl, a girl that I know since a long time ago.

Everything is blurry yet I can see her face clearly like she was the only one that my eyes are focused on.

She was being restrained as she attempted to jump down the boat to save me.

I don't need your help though...

You can live a better life without me.

Sorry for dragging you to this shit.

Giving them a farewell smile even though they can't see me nor my figure, I let my body sink even further into the deep ocean without much further resistance.

Drowning is so much better than being eaten alive by that hideous monsters.

Somehow it's peaceful.

If I die, I'll be released from this hell.

No more hard work, no more stress, no more expectations, and no responsibilities.

One would think that people from the surface would be jealous of me dying this peacefully.

Well, they got no choice but to get eaten by them unless they take a deep dive and drown themselves before those fish monsters could eat them. The latter might be impossible because they completely cover the whole water right now.

So much for a peaceful death.

Goodbye world, thank you for everything.

(I bet that guy who died will be disappointed at me when I meet him there.)

.....

.....

.....

...

Like hell, this is my end!

Dying from drowning!? A peaceful death!? Don't mock me, World!

My legendary story doesn't end here!

If chances of surviving down here are low as long it isn't zero I'll survive!

No, even if it's zero no, I'll struggle to the bitter end!

Cringe might you say but this is better than letting death overshadow me!

I'll force that God of Luck to give me chances, fight my way through this!

Remember this! I'll come back!

----------------------------------------

Before the World Greatest Modern War began when it was once in peaceful times that humans are starting to improve their arts and skills without having a prior problem outside their comfort zone as they only strive to be good to their own aspects...

In the small district from the Philippines in Metro Manila.

In the dark street where lights are only vague from certain eyes.

At the lonely pole that emits dim light, there is a figure leaning its back at it.

Breathing haggardly, the figure is already exhausted from running around.

The figure has a figure of a young man foreshadowing his whole body.

The young man as he catches his breath, he stares at the darkness from afar like there's someone there.

As one expects, one figure enters the dim light.

One after another appeared surrounding the young man on all sides of the pole.

(One, two, three... Eight of them.)

The figures are wearing tight jeans, loose shirts, and weird bandanas at their head. They are intimidating but they're cautious towards the young man who looks like he's about to lose balance if he didn't lean at the pole.

Looking closely at the figures surrounding him they are also heavily wounded from all over their body showing they already started fighting before this stand-down.

Glaring at the beaten young man, the figures take their step.

The young man glared back not backing down from the fight.

The eight-figure would try to attack at him once but they know that this young man has still cards under his sleeve waiting for a chance to use it to them.

The glaring still did not stop as one could feel the cold air passing through their sweat bodies.

No one dares to move until the other side starts first.

As the glaring goes on, the young man thanks the time that he managed to recover a little energy from his body just because his enemies are still not moving.

It would be easy to attack him but they are vigilant like they already experience fight this young man couple of times.

Everyone could tell that the eight figures are slightly scared and nervous in this fight.

Should they wait? Fight? Retreat? None of them can decide on what move do they choose.

For seconds of staring at each other, the eight figures decided to move first.

Slowly taking each step, one step after another one could hear one's heart because of the nervous that been building up as time goes on.

*Badump Badump*

Fearing one's health, one of the eight-figure backs down and decided not to move along with the seven. Coward may it looks, one could expect that most of them will coward in fear if they fight this guy.

Taking another step closer, their instincts start shouting to flee as their hearts are about to burst out but they didn't stop.

Seeing their bravery the young man smile, thanks for the chance he meets a brave group like this for once in a while.

Finishing gathering his breath, the young man started his move.

The eight see him finally moving from his spot and immediately halt and take their stance.

Taking up the upfront battle the young man also takes a stance.

The young man wants to fight head-on and when the eight-figure saw him in this state they all gulp down their own saliva.

This is it. It's now or never. We're prepared for this.

They are prepared to risk themselves for this.

As the young man sees them resolving themselves he immediately leaps into action.

He can attack them before they could gather their resolve but he patiently waits for a beautiful chance to experience the grand fight.

As the fight between them, it goes without saying... The fight was spectacular.

------

Eight thugs and the young man were all lying anywhere on the street like a pile of trash that can be found in any street.

It ended that all of them are all exhausted and in pain but thankfully no one dies.

It's spectacular if one would describe the fight but sadly no one other than them that can tell the story.

----------------------

*Groan* The young man wakes up from his deep slumber.

He holds head massaging it thoroughly as he forcing his headache to go away through strength.

However, no matter how he massages it the headache didn't go away.

Giving up dealing with his headache he stands up and notices his surrounding had changed.

(Bed?) He immediately checks his surrounding as he notices the atmosphere around here is comfortable and humble like a girl's scent as he describes.

(A room? Bedroom?) He's in the bedroom of someones and practically it must be from a girl.

Bookshelves at his front, a cabinet at his right, and a balcony from his left.

Near the balcony, a chair and a table are lying there. One would look at it carefully it looks like its been recently used because of the small drips of coffee at the table.

The room is clean and it feels comfortable staying here in this girl's bedroom, it's not large nor small that you could put everything you need here in this room and you can relax just by looking at the scenery beyond the balcony.

It's absolutely gorgeous but the place about where in the world did he end up to is still in question.

He was sure that he was fallen unconscious right after the battle in the street.

(This comfy feeling from the bed is somewhat familiar.) Grabbing the blanket from the bed and sniffing it, he somewhat feels that he know who is this scent from.

*Sniff sniff sniff* If someone would saw him they will surely call him a weirdo or a pervert but he continues his sniffing.

*Creak creak* As he continues to sniff around a sound of a door screeching at his back.

The young man quickly halts his doing and immediately turns around to see who's at the door.

In an instant, he knows who it is.

A girl is standing there holding a tray with both hands.

White skin, not muscular nor skinny, pink lip, black eyes, and a dazzling black long hair wearing a jeans and polo shirt.

You can smell the aroma of the food coming from the tray she's carrying.

She sees the young man who is already awoken from his slumber and happily greeted him.

"Ah, good morning or should I say, good afternoon. You do take your time sleeping comfortably even at that kind of place. If someone other than me would have found you. You'll be in deep trouble, I say."

Waiting for the girl to finish her words the young man replies.

"It's only you, huh." The young man spoke with somewhat a disappointing tone like he's expecting more about this.

Even tho his tone is disappointing towards her, he's actually relieved that this girl is the one who found her other than some random stranger.

"Don't 'It was only you, huh.' me! Don't you feel thankful for what I have done to you!?" The gentle girl snapped as she immediately shows her red boiling emotion that she's about to hit the man with the tray.

It cannot help that the young man is also at fault but the girl is overreacting from his reply.

She must be very worried about him.

The young man knows that she feels worried about the way she takes care of him and feels guilty.

Calming down the girl he apologizes and also thank her for her care towards him.

"Sorry, and a-also thank you for taking me in your place."

Gathering her cool she finally calms down and smiles that she receives her thanks.

"*Sighed* As long as you understand. Seriously what a troublesome kid you are." The girl sighed as she goes sit at the balcony and put the tray at the table.

The girl looks outside and stayed silent for a while.

The gentle wind crosses through the room as it flew the girl's hair making her captivating as the bright sun shines through her.

The young man sees the scene and feels his heart just stopped just now.

He already had a crush on her but he can't find the right words, the right time, and the right place in mind.

The silence continues as no one talks to each other like they are letting the silence cool down the place.

It continues for a couple of minutes until the girl started to speak.

"So, uhmmm... What will you after this?" The girl asks the young man.

The young man didn't answer quickly as he looks up at the ceiling imagining what will he do.

"Let's see... Since I don't have money to go to any hospital, I'll go to the school clinic to heal my injuries from the fight last night."

"It's not last night you know."

"Excuse me?" The man showed a confused face. What did she mean it's not last night?

"You slept for almost two days."

"Sorry, what now?"

"Are you deaf? I said you slept for almost two days now."

As she has finished her sentence a loud growl can be heard throughout the room.

The young man covers his belly like he was trying to stop the loud growl coming out from his stomach.

*Giggle* The girl softly giggles as she finds it funny to see this young man feel embarrassed.

"Here." She stands up in her chair, walks toward the man, and gave him 3 pieces of bread which are kinda little if one would fill someone's hunger.

The young man appreciates the pieces of bread and eats it one by one slowly in his mouth.

"Thanks." He's thankful to this girl for her to be beside him even now.

"If you can walk you can leave, I have a business to attend to so I'll be leaving now, bye. Oh yeah, you have some of your clothes inside my drawer so you can change and put those dirty clothes into the laundry basket. Don't expect me to wash your clothes so wash them by yourselves later and also please wash along with the pillow and the bed sheet that you used just now." She points at the drawer at his side and leaves.

After the girl leaves he immediately left the house. For him, it's rude to stay longer than necessary.

Thankfully the parents of the girl are not here so it takes him only a couple of minutes. Changing his used clothes and putting the dirty clothes, the pillow, and the bedsheet to the laundry basket, and leaves without leaving any sign of him in the girl's house.

He carries a bag with a pair of clothes from the stuff that he has in the girl's place, just in case something happens to him again.

If her parents are here it would cause another huge misunderstanding.

He leaves at the front door, locks it, and goes straight to his school.

Good thing the young man is familiar with this place as he casually goes straight to his school without a problem.

----------------------

Using the shortest route the young man quickly reaches the school.

Entering the school grounds Mike casually passes by without making attention.

Because the school time already started there are only fewer people are around outside classrooms.

Inside the school building, Mike stealthy walks the hallway as he hides from the windows of every classroom he passed by making sure he doesn't let anyone see him.

He didn't stop in any rooms as his destination isn't here.

In an instant, he stopped at a certain place finally reaching his destination.

"Ah finally."

Different from any classroom this room has a certain sign at the top of the door.

The signs said; [CLINIC] the place where the young man wanted to go since earlier.

Casually opening the door like it's his home he greeted everyone inside expecting a warm welcome that will greet him.

Sadly, looking inside the Clinic room there's no one here. He didn't feel any surprise there as he immediately goes the cabinet getting some first aid kit to patch up his wounds.

"As always there is no teacher... well don't mind me staying here for a while."

After patching up his wounds he quickly lies down to the clinic's bed and embraces the pillow-like he owns it.

Feeling at home the young man didn't take too long for him to sleep.

He goes into a deep slumber like his two-day sleep earlier isn't enough.

"zzZZzzZZzzZZ"

********

Inside the clinic, where the young man is sleeping comfortably.

Someone is standing beside his bed waiting patiently for him to wake up.

Based on his clothing he's a teacher.

Strangely, the teacher also wearing a lab coat covering his teacher's uniform that one could not tell if he's a teacher or a scientist.

His arm is crossed to each other showing how annoyed he is from this young man.

The teacher keeps calling his name but the young man still not budging a bit.

"-ike."

"Mike."

"Oy, Mike." No matter how many times he calls him it's in vain.

Reaching his limit the teacher grabs the man's shoulder and shakes him up to forcefully wake him up.

"Mike!" While shaking him he repeatedly shouting his name.

Waking up from his deep slumber Mike opens his eyes in a half-sleep state.

He quickly sits straight on the bed while scratching his head as he yawns deeply showing how he is still sleepy even after those hours of sleep.

"*Yawn* Oh... Hello Sir. Lucas." He casually greets his teacher- Sir. Lucas who is still annoyed at his actions.

"Why are you here?" Keeping his cool Lucas goes straight to the point.

Mike is still not fully awake yet that he takes time to answer Lucas's question.

"Uhmm... Well, you see I was sleeping here." As he said it he points the bed as if this thing is normal for him.

"Don't talk to me like it was normal to sleep here, Mike." Veins starting to pop out from Lucas's forehead because this young man isn't answering him clearly.

Lucas can't take Mike's half-awake state as he wanted him to get out from here immediately but he can't lose his cool especially this month. If he snaps here it will ruin his reputation as a teacher.

Going for another way, Lucas nicely asks Mike to leave the room and go home with a forced smile on his face.

"I'm sorry but can you please get out of here and go home?"

The smile was not quite pleasing to see if large veins are popping out from his forehead.

Everyone would easily read the situation and will back out but Mike is different, its not like he can't read the mood... He just didn't care about it.

But no matter how persistent he is, he's facing right now is a teacher so there's no choice but to leave or make him accept his stay here inside the clinic.

Showing his back, he unbuttons his shirt and shows his countless bandages covering his wounds from every part of his body.

"!?" Lucas is surprised looking at the wounds from all over his body.

(How can he casually talk like that while having this so many wounds?!)

Mike's speech continued not giving his teacher any time to recover from his surprise.

"You see, The school clinic is the only place where I can completely relax and recover (and it's free). But if I do leave I wonder what will happen to me with all of these wounds outside the clinic?" Mike showed his puppy eyes to Lucas who's still bewildered at the state of his body. I mean everyone would also feel the same as him if they see Mike's wounds.

Lucas feels amazed, pity, and somewhat scared to Mike when he saw the wounds like there is this big background hiding from Mike's back that he didn't know.

This was his first time seeing Mike's condition.

He only received tons of excuse letters from Mike explaining how he was badly hurt every time he was absent but he only thought of it as an excuse to ditch the class and only that.

"A-ah... *Cough* Okay, I'll let you stay here for a couple of hours and make sure that you heal before getting into the class."

"Hehehe big thanks, Sir. Lucas." Mike smiled and give his appreciation to his wonderful teacher.

Mike already knew Sir. Lucas because he is his adviser from his classroom so the problem of him being awkward towards him will be unlikely. He casually buttons up his shirt and quickly lies down in the bed to regain more sleep from his earlier slumber that has been interrupted.

As they agreed to let him stay for a couple of hours, Lucas takes a deep breath to regain his cool and continue to talk to Mike about something.

"Anyway, while you're here I'll treat your injuries," Lucas said as he brings out his first aid kit from the cabinet.

Even though he's kinda terrified at Mike's wounds he still wanted to take care of his student. A student is a student and he's the teacher.

"What? It's fine sir, I just need some rest and that's all." But Mike fully refused his teacher's offer.

Lucas didn't accept his refusal and force himself to treat his wounds. Somehow he's also persistent towards this stuff, I mean he's a teacher and not to mention he's a science teacher.

"No! How could I ignore my student after seeing this! There is no teacher in the world who would ignore their injured students! So stay still and let me treat your wounds!" Grabbing Mike's head Lucas forces him to treat him.

"No, no, no, no, no!! Like I said I'm fine so stop stripping me you pervert teacher!"

"How can you talk back to your teacher like that!? And me a pervert!?" For a rare occasion, Lucas snaps taking Mike more forcefully than ever.

Mike is still resisting as he did not want to let him take off his shirt as he covers himself with the clinic's blanket.

For a couple of minutes, the resistance finally comes to an end because Lucas tied him at the four corners of the bed making him in total restrain.

What a turn of an event if one would, what total chaos happened inside the clinic room. Luckily they are only them at that time.

"*Pant pant* Finally, you little runt."

He even has injuries yet he still gives him a hard time.

Lucas slowly removes his clothes as he cared not to touch his injuries and put his clothes at the end of his arms. He can't completely remove his clothes because he's tied on the bed.

He looks at his injuries and checks if there is an infection.

Thankfully it was only external injuries not internal.

Lucas showed a sigh of relieved and started to examine his body.

"Fuuu... What a messed up body you got here." Lucas talked to Mike with a sarcastic smile while he replaces all the bandages on his wounds with new ones.

Mike didn't talk back as he's been silent for all this time. He's quite mad at Lucas when he forcefully inspects his body without his consent.

Holding back his tears of humiliation Mike curse Lucas in his mind.

(If I'm at my full condition I'll never let this thing happened again into my life.) Swears Mike.

It didn't take that much time for him to replace all of the bandages and finally removes the restraints from Mike's hands and feet. He even put back his shirt on.

Even though that all happened in an instant Mike is still covering his red steamy face because of the humiliation he experiences.

Lucas after treating his wounds goes straight to the wooden table near the cabinet and sits at the chair beside it.

Using the keys he brought out from his pocket he opens the drawer of the wooden table and brings out his laptop to put it on the table.

Mike while covering his face with his hands, takes a look at Lucas wondering why he still hadn't left the room.

"So this is why you want me to get out of here... This is your workplace."

Lucas didn't reply to what he had said and just continued what he is doing from the laptop. It shows how concentrated Lucas can be, that's why he wants Mike to go out.

Seeing Lucas isn't gonna entertain him anymore he immediately lies back down and goes to sleep.

Lucas let him stay here a little longer, so he must use this little time to get back to his full condition.

(At least he did not ask me why I didn't go to a hospital after he saw my injuries nor asks me to go to the hospital.) If anyone sees your wounds not only they will ask you to go to the hospital but straight up call an ambulance for you because of how much wounds he got on his body.

*Tap tap tap* Silence fill in the room as the sound can only be heard is the sound of the keyboard tapping from the laptop.

Mike didn't notice but it was already 1 AM. As if times flies by in an instant for him.

Lucas didn't sleep that night as he continued to work until morning.

You could give him big respect for what he's doing for his student. Just staying all-nighter for his student's grade is a good teacher if one could have say.

********************************

In the night as the air is breathing cold throughout the city a beautiful moon is at the clear sky showing it's dazzling presence.

The city is still lively even in this night as it conquered the dark night with its thousands upon thousands of light from the busy streets.

Lights covered the whole city except some small parts around the corners where only fewer people passed by.

At the dark street with only dim lights, there are 8 figures are sitting down at the ground.

It might be dim but one can see the wounds and bruises around their body.

They look beaten up to a pulp.

They groan as they endure their pain while trying to rest in this dim street.

"I didn't think that he was this good though."

"Y-yeah... The rumors around him are quite true."

"Could we go for a rematch to him?"

"Don't bother. I fought him before and let me tell you this... No matter how many we are nor how many times we tried he will be the only man standing among us." The one who talks to those three has this figure of a big man sitting between the eight. One could have guessed he's the boss among these figures.

Opening a box of cigarettes the big man put into his mouth.

"Light."

"Yes, boss." Without delay one of his figure beside him quickly put up his lighter and lit up the cigarette.

They already here for quite a while but they are only talking in minimum words as they are still enduring the pain from their bodies. Not only pain but their exhaustion is lingering around their tired body.

Not having a proper treatment on their wounds, unlike Mike who went to the clinic their recovery are much slower and the chances of them getting sick are higher.

The silence continued for a couple of minutes until the boss broke the silence.

A small gust of smoke came from the big man's mouth and spoke.

"Let's see, I don't know if this might work though. How about instead of using quantity to beat him..."

Pausing briefly he takes another sip from his cigarette, breath out again some smoke, and continues making the atmosphere colder and intense.

"How about we use quality?"

"... !?" To his answer, the 7 figures near him are taken surprise from his thought.

They immediately understand what their boss is saying.

"OHH!!" As they come up some tactic they shout out excitedly like a madman not caring what will people around will say. Luckily, they only people around in that street.

"As expected from the boss!" One after another the 7 figures compliment their boss, their mastermind from their single operation.

Tucking each other's arm to one another the seven figures cheer happily except the boss.

"With this, we'll be famous in the whole city!"

As they cheer, dance, and sing from the half-ass genius plan that even the boss feels awkward from the situation, one of the seven figures comes up to him and ask a certain question.

"Boss, even if we can defeat him with quality. We don't have many people who are almost in par with him. Who are the people that we will be betting on for this?

Hearing his lackey's question the boss showed a grin smile. He already knew who are the people he's going to send.

"Leo's."

The boss only answered with one word but the man clearly understood what he actually means.

Tears flowed out from his eyes and immediately attempted to hugs his boss.

"BOSS!!!!!!" He openly spread his arms leaping towards his boss but the boss immediately shoves him onto the very ground.

The man was still teary even his face was shoved to the ground.

One of the eight people climb at the top of an abandoned car and shouted to the people below him.

"Because the boss have thought of a great idea, we'll buy drinks and food for tonight, my treat!"

""""OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!""""

That night continued till morning that no one can stand properly anymore.

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