Protagonist? Antagonist? I Reject Both

Chapter 141: Grip Of Death[II]

Chapter 141: Grip Of Death[II]

In Hokkaido City..

In the heart of a military training barracks, nestled just a few kilometers away from the mysterious dimensional gate, many determined young recruits stand in a line.

The barracks hum with the energy of preparation, echoing with the shouts of drill sergeants and the clatter of boots on the ground.

As the sun dips low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape, there's a palpable tension in the air. The dimensional gate, a looming enigma on the edge of their training grounds, serves as a constant reminder of the unknown lurking just beyond their reach.

The newly fellow recruits push themselves through grueling exercises, their muscles straining with effort as they prepare for whatever challenges lie ahead.

During the day, it was a hellish nightmare and when night fell and the barracks grew quiet, a sense of unease and dreariness settled over the camp.

Whispers of strange occurrences near the dimensional gate drift through the ranks, fueling rumors of otherworldly phenomena and unseen dangers.

Despite the warnings, no one could shake the feeling of curiosity that gnaws at him, drawing him ever closer to the mysterious portal.

Before entering the zone, the soldiers trained to have a basic sense of coordination marching in preparation to the life they are going to live in days.

Everything went well until the day before the departure.

Amidst the chaos of army training, the officer overseeing the training frowned seeing Leon, a young recruit, suddenly collapses, clutching at his throat, his face contorted in agony as he choked.

A fellow soldier rushes to help, but before he can reach him, Leon's head strikes against the ground with a sickening thud.

BANG!'

"HUHHH!"

"What happened?"

.....

After dying, the moment Leon came alive, he suddenly finds himself gasping for air, a sensation of suffocation tightening its grip around his throat.

Panic sets in as he struggles to draw breath, his chest heaving in desperate attempts to fill his lungs.

"Fuck!AARGHHH!"

"Whattttt this?"

A creaking hoarse voice escaped from his throat.

Simultaneously, a searing pain shoots through Leon's head, as if an invisible force is relentlessly squeezing his skull. The agony is overwhelming, blinding him to the excruciating torment pulsating within his mind.

He collapses to his knees, clutching at his throat with one hand while the other presses against his temples, as if trying to contain the explosion of pain threatening to burst forth from his head. The world spun around him in a dizzying whirl of darkness and confusion.

The soldiers aside rush to his side, their voices a distant echo in the chaos of his senses. But their attempts to help are futile against the onslaught of agony consuming Leon's every thought.

In that moment of despair, Leon feels as if he is staggering on the edge of thoughtlessness, caught between the crushing weight of suffocation and the searing fire raging within his skull. It's a sensation unlike anything he's ever experienced.

In that moment of darkness, Leon feels a sensation of overwhelming pain, shock, and disbelief wash over him. It's as if time stands still, and he is suspended in a place filled with agony and confusion.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, everything shifted and went back to normal as if the previous agony was nothing but a lie.

He finds himself back in the midst of army training yesterday, but something is different due to the pain.

The sounds of shouting army officers pierce the air, their voices a cacophony of anger and frustration as they scream at him for behaving like a madman.

Leon struggles to make sense of what has happened,as his mind slowly moves from the abrupt transition from death to life.

As he gawked onto the sweat soaked ground from his sweat while gasping heavily, the loud abrupt noises woke him.

"SOLDIER!"

"Yes Sir!"

Leon reacted immediately standing on his feet to give a salute and saw Captain Peter and Garrison worried expressions.

"Are you alright?"

"YeYes Sir, I just choked something that might have gone over my throat as I wrestled my way through the sand."

Peter and Garrison gave him a skeptical look.

"You were trembling as if someone choked your throat."

"Pardon my offense, Sir.It won't happen again,"Leon shouted.

"Do you have any trauma?"

"No Sir."

"Weird!"

Everyone made a dumbfounded expression.

Even Leon didn't why the transition this time was like this contrary to previously.

'Maybe it's because of cessation of breathing as one can't bear to stop the breathing.'

"I think you should retire early today."Peter muttered, staring at unfocused dark gazes of Leon.

"Thanks Sir, I will be fit and ready by tomorrow."

With that Leon gave a salute and ran away to his tent for stay assigned to him.

...

In the tent,Leon stood in front of the mirror, his reflection staring back at him with disappointment.

He looked down at the basin and splashed water over his face.

A cooling sensation washed over his body calming down his heated head.

Wiping the wet face, he stared at the mirror.

"I knew it was bad.I shouldn't have followed him."

This time a whopping ten years were deducted from his lifespan in exchange which wasn't a small thing.

With the rise in level the exchange of lifespan was going to be harsh so he can't just gamble this leisurely and waste opportunities without trying his best.

"It's not my faultIts that idiot Garris."

"SHUT UP!"

BAAM!

"You pathetic asshole!" Leon scolded himself, his hand rising to slap his own cheek.

He slammed his cheek tightly againand again.

"Just how many times are you gonna make excuse.No matter the situation, it's your fault for being weak."

SLAP!

"It's your fault for not being able to fend off and analyze."

SLAP!

"It's your fault for being an idiot."

SLAP!

"It's your fault for being careless and weak Leon."

SLAP!

"Just accept it."

"Pathetic and disgusting weakling."

SLAP!SLAP!SLAP!SLAP!

Crisp sound of flesh rubbing against each other echoed as Leon hit himself repeatedly reflecting on his mistakes.

Strong don't make excuses.If you time to blame other then just train your shit.

He winced at the sting of his own hand against his skin, frustration boiling within him. His cheeks became dark red and swell.

"You trained for this, you prepared for this yet you lose to a fucking green head!" Each word was punctuated by another sharp slap, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil and self-reproach.

After a brief slapping, Leon raised his chin.

What reflected him was a gaze of darkness, devoid of any hint of warmth or humanity.

They were filled with a murderous killing intent, a chilling resolve that seemed to pierce through the very soul of anyone who dared to meet his gaze.

As he stared into the mirror, his expression remained cold and emotionless, reflecting nothing but the icy determination that consumed him. There was no trace of remorse or empathy in his eyes, only the relentless pursuit of his goal.

"Tomorrow.Tomorrow."

Loud gasps combined with a freezing voice echoed..

"Tomorrow I am gonna fucking dismantle every piece of green shit out there."

[It's found host emotions reaching haywire.]

[The Class Madman has been activated.]