Tarkan jolted awake with a sharp, splitting headache.
Immediately his Instinct kicked in, overthrowing the pain.
In an instant, he leapt to his feet, eyes alert and scanning his surroundings, body ready for battle.
Whatever drowsiness had clung to him moments ago vanished like smoke
His senses were on high alert, expecting danger monsters, threats, anything
But what greeted his eyes made him freeze.
"...Uh?" he muttered in confusion.
Instead of snarling beasts or a blood-soaked battlefield, Tarkan found himself in a tranquil forest clearing.
A campfire burned nearby, and above it, meat was being roasted on a stick, its aroma wafting through the air.
Sitting beside it was Slim, staring at him with his usual unreadable expression.
Relief filled Tarkan's chest.
exhaling heavily, the tension on his shoulders easing.
Not the Awakening Grounds... thank the stars
Amid the chaos of emotions running through him, Tarkan suddenly remembered something important.
With urgency, he lifted his right hand and examined it
And there it was, A black circular mark like a tattoo etched into his skin.
"Ahh…"
Another sigh, this time filled with genuine relief. The mark confirmed it
he had successfully completed the Awakening Trial
And was now an Ascender.
Joy swelled up inside him, bubbling into a grin he couldn't suppress it.
He walked over to Slim, his body now fully clothed in plain, but clean white garments.
The feeling of fabric against his skin after that ordeal was unmatched.
He took a seat beside his quiet companion near the fire.
"Good day, Slim," Tarkan greeted cheerfully, his voice brighter than usual.
Slim gave a nod, his tone as emotionless as ever. "Good day, Master Tarkan."
"For someone who claims to follow every of my commands to the death," Tarkan said with a smirk, "you're doing a surprisingly good job."
Slim stiffened. "Apologies, Mas... Tarkan." He dropped to his knees abruptly, eyes serious. "Please punish me for my transgression."
Tarkan burst into laughter. "Bro, relax! It was just a joke, You don't have to be so formal all the time."
He reached over and tore off a piece of meat from the stick, biting into it with enthusiasm.
"But really," he added between bites, "I'd prefer you just call me by my name."
Slim hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I will do as ordered.. Tarkan."
Tarkan gave a satisfied nod and chewed thoughtfully.
After a few moments of silence, curiosity got the better of him.
"So.. what happened while I was unconscious?"
As if expecting the question, Slim adjusted his posture and began to recount the events that had transpired since the trial.
Tarkan listened intently, his expression shifting with every revelation.
Slim described how Tarkan had been expelled from the Awakening Portal naked and unconscious, his body covered in blood.
The guards stationed at the portal, recognizing Slim, informed him of Tarkan's condition
Without hesitation, Slim sold his only weapon the knife for a fraction of its value
With the money, he paid the entrance fee to the city, purchased basic medical aid, food, and water, and tended to Tarkan around the clock.
Days turned into weeks, and the money eventually ran out
With no resources left and Tarkan still unresponsive, Slim made the decision to leave the city
He carried Tarkan into the wilderness, finding a calm, secluded area where they could remain undisturbed until Tarkan awoke.
"I hunted and cooked whenever I could," Slim added, nodding toward the fire. "I did my best."
Tarkan was silent for a long moment, staring at the fire as he processed it all.
Damn... I owe him.
The thought hit him harder than expected.
He had always considered Slim just another loyal servant a tool of the Drazmir's, albeit a useful one which he was planning to leave after completing the awakening
But now? He was beginning to see him as something more.
That's when he noticed something else.
On Slim's right hand was a black circular tattoo identical to the one on his own.
His eyes widened. "Wait.. you are an ascender?"
Slim nodded slowly, his expression unreadable as always.
Tarkan's mind reeled
Everything he'd read in the Library pointed to the same conclusion Ascenders were
revered, Feared and Worshipped.
The idea of one serving as a slave, obedient to the point of self-sacrifice, didn't just surprise him, it shattered everything he thought he knew.
"How strong are you?" he asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
For the first time since they'd met, Slim's composure broke
He scratched his head sheepishly, looking almost embarrassed.
"I only passed the trial," he admitted. "We.. we weren't allowed to enter the Dimension."
Tarkan blinked, then frowned. "So you're saying.. you're an Ascender who hasn't actually Ascended?"
Slim gave a small nod, eyes lowered.
Tarkan muttered under his breath, "I guess I was expecting too much from the Drazmir family.."
He waved it off a moment later. "Never mind."
Trying to change the subject, he asked, "So how long was I out?"
Slim responded instantly. "You've been in a coma for two weeks."
Tarkan's eyes widened. "I..I.. wait, what? Did you say weeks?"
"Yes, exactly two."
The roasted meat slipped from Tarkan's hand
His skin went pale, and he sat back down in a daze.
Two weeks...
It felt like a blink in a dream,
Just then he remembered something.
The System
The one thing that had ensured his survival during the Awakening the saving grace that had appeared when he needed it most.
He had been so caught up in waking, and processing Slim's tale that he had completely forgotten.
The moment he thought about it, a soft chime echoed in his head, followed by a translucent blue interface flashing before his eyes.
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[Timer: 00:14:00(lvl2)]
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