Despite having trained the best I could, there was still a bit of self-doubt growing inside me.
Val did say I had the potential to awaken a powerful unique skill, but powerful and useful were not the same thing.
Furthermore, I could not pretend that I did not see the obvious death flags around me.
Lady Aoki, who I had just met, took me in as her disciple and kept telling me not to awaken.
If that was not bad enough, it still felt like the week that had just passed never existed to begin with.
I put my hand over the black face mask that covered my face. "God, I want to throw up."
Whenever I read or heard about transmigration and reincarnation, I always thought it would be cool to experience.
Haaa…
Contrary to what I thought, this felt like shit.
Even though I had been trying my best to come to terms with it, my consciousness felt distorted, and I continued asking myself the same question.
"Am I dead or alive?"
This could be one insane dream before my death, or everything might be a silly dream and my crew was still alive, and once I woke up they would laugh at me for being so weak-minded.
If that was not the case, why else would a world exist that was just like a novel, and I, a reader who happened to be good at programming, would find myself inside it?
'Yeah… a goddess must have sent me here.'
The words echoed in my ears over and over again before I exhaled heavily.
'That's right...' I pulled my cap down to cover my face even more. 'I was sent here by a goddess.'
Walking down the street, I stopped at the spot where my taxi was meant to pick me up.
It did not take more than three minutes before the blue hovering car appeared.
The driver wound down his window. He was a middle-aged man with faint stubble and the dead eyes of someone who had not slept for a week or more.
"Are you Mister Park?"
I nodded. "Yes, I am."
The man sighed, tapping a button that opened the back door. "Get in then. I'm not the most friendly driver, so I'd rather keep quiet."
My gaze darted around the car's interior. Without another word, I slipped into the comfortable seats and the door closed shut.
The driver adjusted in his seat and moved the overhead mirror so he could see my face. "Are you some idol kid? Even with the mask and cap, you look quite attractive. From what I know, you idols have managers who drive you around, so why call a taxi?"
I glanced away from the window to look at him. He was the one who said he was not the friendliest, so why the strange conversation?
Still, his words were oddly soothing. Hearing other people's voices always reminded me that this world might not be my imagination.
"I'm not an idol, sir."
"Hmm… you could definitely pass as one to me. You know, my little baby is an idol too. She's grown so much. These days she doesn't even say she'll marry me anymore."
He scratched the back of his head with one hand. "Yesterday she quit her job because she wants to become a hunter. I just hope it goes well."
I could not help but smile at his words. As if noticing my change in demeanor, he smiled too.
"Looks like I spoke a bit too much, don't you think, young lad?"
I shrugged. "Anything's fine, old man. Just drop me off and I'll be happy."
"Okay, okay."
The car sped forward until we reached the Hunter Awakening Hall.
"Thanks," I said, holding the door as I stepped out.
"No worries."
The moment I stepped outside, the sun grazing my neck and the sounds of applicants talking and rushing into the hall ringing in my ears, the man spoke up.
"Have a safe awakening, kid. I hope you won't end up a villain once you get your super duper overpowered skill."
I chuckled lightly. "Maybe I just might."
The door shut on its own, and the man gave me one final wave before speeding off.
I stared at the large building in front of me and the people gathered around it. Some wore high school uniforms, others business clothes, while some dressed casually just like me.
My stomach churned at the sight of them chatting. It really did feel like I was a kid again. A kid about to take an exam that would change his life. Like the CSAT all over again.
I hesitated before entering. In the next moment, a sharp pain coursed through my rear, causing my head to snap to the side.
Behind me was Valentina, her hands still hovering behind my rear. She was grinning ear to ear, her tongue wetting her lips. "Your a** is nice to slap, Al boy."
I smacked her on the head with my fist, causing her to grimace. "You didn't have to hit so hard."
"Then don't hit someone like that."
"Hehehe, but it felt really good."
I smacked her on the head again before letting out a sigh.
I removed my face mask and took a deep breath, the tension in my chest finally melting away.
"Thanks, Val."
"Huh?"
Tilting my head to face her, I smirked. "Nothing. I just feel a lot better."
"Is this guy a masochist?" she muttered under her breath.
"You know I heard that, right?"
"No, you didn't."
Putting the face mask into my pocket, I asked, "So where are Jake and Quincy?"
Val cracked her neck to the side. "Probably inside. You came pretty late, you know."
She ran ahead of me, then stopped and bent forward slightly with both hands behind her back. "So, are you ready?"
I nodded. "I guess I am."
It was about time I awakened.