Chapter 4: Deadly Mistake
The moment Alex leapt from the tree, he knew—he'd already been noticed.
The only reason the earthworm mutant hadn't detected him earlier was because the tree he had climbed was far too high for it to sense his presence. But once he jumped, there was no point in hiding. The gamble had begun.
He roared as he descended, pouring every ounce of strength from his unawakened, human body into that scream. It was a cry of desperation, fury, and raw will.
The creature responded instantly. Its movements were quick—almost unnaturally so. For something so large, the mutant's reaction speed was terrifying. That alone sent a chill through Alex's veins. Still, it had been too relaxed, assuming the area was empty. That complacency bought Alex precious seconds.
BAAM!
He landed squarely atop the mutant's head, his spear plunging deep into its back. A gush of thick, black blood exploded from the wound as the creature released a piercing, metallic screech that shook the trees.
But this time, it didn't hesitate.
It twisted violently, its lower body snapping forward like a massive whip. The segmented tail slammed into Alex's ribs with crushing force, launching him through the air.
He crashed into a tree.
The trunk cracked beneath the impact, splinters flying. Pain detonated in his body like a bomb. Bones crunched. His chest screamed. A blinding headache followed. He couldn't even scream—his lungs were too stunned to function.
Alex had known pain before—bruises, burns, breaks—but this was something else. This was a symphony of agony. His ribs were shattered, his limbs numb, and blood filled his mouth. The world spun, and darkness pressed in on the edges of his vision.
But he didn't lose consciousness.
Something primal kept him tethered.
His instincts screamed louder than the pain. Without thinking, he rolled. He didn't need to look to know—if he stayed down, he was dead.
As he tumbled aside, the ground where he had lain just a second ago exploded.
The earthworm mutant had begun spinning.
Its body twisted into a high-speed drill, and the moment it collided with the tree, the massive trunk disintegrated into splinters. Not even a second of resistance.
"That's its concept ability… drilling," Alex whispered through gritted teeth. "If that hits me… I'm dead in less than a breath."
He sprinted. Every step screamed with pain, but he didn't stop.
His destination: the strange glowing flower the mutant had been guarding.
He dove beside it, his breath ragged, his vision hazy. His spear was still lodged in the creature's back—unreachable now. So he drew his twin daggers and turned to face the beast.
The mutant saw him and let out an enraged shriek, its segmented body writhing. It inched closer… but then paused.
It didn't attack.
It was hesitating—afraid to harm the flower.
Alex's body trembled with pain, but he felt a flicker of hope. He exhaled shakily.
"It won't come near… not while I'm next to the flower."
But the reprieve wouldn't last.
He could see it—rage building in the creature's glowing, eyeless head. It trembled with fury. Then, without warning, it opened its massive maw. Inside, Alex saw rows of jagged, spinning teeth.
"No…"
He felt it—an instinctive, bone-deep warning.
He dove—but too late.
SHUNK!
Three enormous teeth shot from the creature's maw like bullets, impaling him. One pierced through his thigh. The second skewered his shoulder. The third—
His stomach.
Pain exploded in his core. Blood erupted from his mouth as his body lifted off the ground from the impact, then slammed back down.
He didn't scream.
He couldn't.
The agony was so intense that sound died in his throat.
Alex staggered back, barely able to breathe, impaled on three monstrous fangs. Blood gushed from the wounds. His vision dimmed. His knees gave out. He crumpled beside the glowing flower, trying to stay conscious.
His mind raced.
I made a mistake... a deadly one.
He had rushed into a battle without knowing his enemy's full power. He was weaker, slower, unawakened.
Now he would pay the price.
His thoughts slowed. Time itself seemed to crawl.
This is it, he thought.
Images flashed through his mind—his parents' faces, the alleyways of the slums, the long nights of hunger and fear. Then Sofia's smile. Her voice. Her promise.
"Please… don't die before you're twenty."
Tears welled in his eyes.
I'm sorry, Sofia…
His knees buckled. The blood loss was immense. He had seconds—maybe less.
But then—
A tremor in the air.
He felt it. Geo Energy. Thick, vibrant, and raw.
It was rushing toward him, seeping into his torn body. Wrapping around his soul.
I… I'm awakening, he realized.
But the energy wasn't healing fast enough.
The wounds were too many. Too deep.
Most of the energy was being diverted to keeping him alive. The awakening was happening—but slowly. Too slowly.
I need more.
His eyes flicked to the flower.
That was the only other source of energy nearby.
His jaw clenched. The earthworm was still there, watching him. Waiting.
But he didn't care.
A wild, feral grin split his bloody face.
"Screw it. You hurt me… you're paying for it."
He spun around, grabbed the plant with trembling hands, and tore it from the ground.
Then shoved the entire thing into his mouth.
The taste was bitter. Metallic. Like chewing on lightning and earth.
The effect was instant.
The earthworm shrieked—louder than before. It lunged.
But too late.
The moment Alex swallowed, the plant's energy exploded inside him. Pure Geo Energy flooded his veins.
BOOOOM!
A blast of raw power erupted from his body in a wave of blue light. The force slammed into the mutant, sending it flying backward. Trees snapped. The ground cracked.
Everything within three meters was obliterated.
Except Alex.
He stood in the center of the crater, panting, his wounds healing rapidly. His skin glowed faintly. His muscles tightened. His bones reformed.
His eyes burned with Geo light.
He felt… different.
Stronger. Sharper.
Alive.
His body had changed. Leaner. Tougher. Reforged by power.
Then—
DING!
A sound echoed in his head. A message blinked before his eyes in a futuristic interface.
CONGRATULATIONS. YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED YOUR AWAKENING.
YOU ARE NOW A TERRA-SPARK RANKED HUMAN.