Trickster Wukong

"I suspect a few of you are feeling drowsy. It's near. Here is what you should expect " 

'Not really.'

Illian raised an eyebrow at the peculiar statement. 

'I mean sure, I haven't slept for two nights, but I'm not particularly tired.'

The principal stood atop the stage, behind him two other individuals. 

One was a female wearing a black and white suit, reminding Illian of a butler.

The other was a man who currently had his eyes closed, both hands pressed against each other, dressed like a priest.

Because of his eye-catching demeanour, it almost made one ignore his short white hair.

'Finally.'

Illian thought. 

He was expecting them to at least mention the Scenario. 

After all, everyone in this auditorium came from all over the country. 

While some were born into Inheritor families, others were the first in their bloodline, making them completely clueless.

"Upon entering your scenario, you will be transmigrated into the body of your Legend." 

A few teenagers grinned while some gasped in surprise.

Illian was one of the latter as he raised his eyebrows.

'I'll become Sun Wukong?' 

"As your Legend, inside your respective Pantheon, you'll be assigned a quest by the System. To return, you must complete it." 

'That makes sense.' 

Illian was satisfied with everything he was hearing so far. 

The only regret he had was not having the opportunity to learn or even steal some information on Chinese Mythology or better yet, Sun Wukong.

It was then that he stared at the three teenagers with the relentless fans surrounding them.

'Lucky bastards.' 

Illian thought, knowing the Vanheart, Igor and Dream families were extremely capable.

He wouldn't be surprised if they knew every nook and cranny of their Pantheon and Legend.

There was an immense gap in survivability between Illian and those three.

'Welp, this is nothing new. I gotta fend for myself.' 

Despite all this, not once did the thought of failing his scenario occur to Illian. 

Though he was slightly surprised by this at first, as he's always considered the possibility of failure, he realised he had a goal that couldn't be interrupted by merely his first Scenario.

It simply wasn't an option. His ambition didn't allow it.

"If you survive and complete your quest, you'll most likely attain your first Attribute." The principal continued his harsh tone constantly.

'Attribute?'

Illian's ears perked.

"Attributes, also considered Achievements, are achieved by attaining similar feats to your legends."

"They are differentiated by ranks and usually provide a reward connected to the achievement. But most commonly, they allow for one of an Inheritor's stats to be 'Favoured', increasing its potential and progression considerably."

While the Principal continued, Illian traced his eyes over his system a few times, wondering if he was missing something.

'Nope, I don't see it here. What the hell is an Attribute?'

Illian took a second to brainstorm as his thoughts were interrupted.

"That's all you'll need for now."

'What? He didn't even mention whatever this "Rebirth" and "Fables" are.' 

As Illian looked around, noticing no one seemed to be as confused as he was, simply nodding and continuing their conversations, a thought occurred to him.

'Could I perhaps be different to everyone else?'

Considering he already had a stat unique to him, it wasn't hard to believe these other things were exclusive to him too.

"Remember, knowledge can only get you so far. You need more." 

The principal spoke as Illian stared into blank space, further feeding his excitement with his next words, causing him to grin.

"You'll need to become more."

***

Illian wore an uncomfortable expression as he stood in the auditorium, he and everyone else in new attire.

Illian found the skin-tight black bodysuit they were forced to wear to be quite…snug in specific parts of the body.

It seemed the other teenagers shared in this thought as the boys and girls could be seen fidgeting nonstop.

Thankfully, everyone was given simple shorts and shirts to cover the various bulges and outlines the suit so carelessly brandished.

"Those suits you're all complaining about are designed to stabilise your body with essentials throughout the process of your scenario."

The Principal, still standing on the stage, grabbed the student's attention with his hoarse and heavy tone.

"It'll also make our jobs of eliminating any Horrors that form a lot easier." 

Horrors.

Creatures that formed upon an Inheritor dying in their Scenario. 

What truly made a Horror terrifying was the fact it was inspired by the Legend of said Inheritor.

'I wonder what my Horror would be like.'

Illian thought, countless monsters picturing in his mind.

"Well, I won't be here. In reality, Professors Euro and Brown will be overseeing your Scenarios." The Principal pointed to the two adults behind him.

"Now, each of you find yourselves a pod and get in." 

Illian looked around as he witnessed the dozens of 'Pods' lines neatly in the auditorium.

'I'm still puzzled as to when the hell they got all this in here without anyone noticing.' 

Illian sighed helplessly.

He knew the likes of the I.A. and Horizon weren't really 'Normal'. 

Purely because Inheritors revolutionised almost anything they touch.

However, technology never made a huge leap in advancements.

After all, most legends lived in the same era thousands of years before today. 

But Ashton still proved better than the rest of the world in that aspect.

"The pods will provide you with the nutrients and will relieve you of your bodily fluids while inside." 

The pods had a see-through cover and could comfortably fit an adult male. 

However, this did not amuse Illian.

'Screw nutrients, give me some real food. I haven't eaten since yesterday.' 

He thought with a displeased look, gripping his abdomen.

Despite the tiredness, it didn't distract Illian from the churning feeling in his stomach, looking around to see if anyone else had the same thought.

'Maybe if these big shots demand it we can get something…'

However, as he did, he noticed everyone had their eyes half closed, dragging themselves, a few of them yawning.

'What's wrong with them all?'

Upon looking to the side, Illian's eyes narrowed with a straight face as he paused for a second. 

Then, he disappeared into the crowd as he set his sights.

"Good luck, Claire."

Hannah embraced Claire, tearing up as she soon let go, entering her pod.

"I hope to see you again, Hannah," Claire whispered, turning as she came face to face with a long blonde-haired girl and green eyes.

"Gwen, are you nervous?" Claire asked the girl.

"No. I just want to get it over with as soon as possible." Gwen answered, her tone flat and expression indifferent.

Walking toward a pod, she stepped in, resting inside.

"I wish you luck, Gwen. I know you'll make it through." Claire gave a thumbs up with a warm smile as she consoled Gwen.

"Yeah, you too." Gwen nonchalantly replied. 

As the cover descended from above, Gween rhythmically breathed, watching Claire turn to enter her pod.

-WHIP

'What was…'

Gwen looked down, hearing something shoot through the air and hit her chest, landing in her stomach.

However, upon laying her eyes on the item, her eyes widened as her heart sank, her throat choking up.

Picking it up, she stared at a silver coin

'It's dad's…'

With this, she shot her eyes up as they fell on a figure walking away.

She could only see the back of the boy and his unkempt black hair.

"Hey!"

Gwen yelled, but the pod was closed, and no matter how much she banged on it, it wouldn't open.

Additionally, the pod blocked out most of the Light, paired with the fact she currently lay on a soft cushioned material, it caused her tiredness to worsen as she blinked slowly and struggled to stay conscious.

"Who…is that?" She slurred her words, her eyes slowly closing.

Bringing the coin closer to her chest, a single tear ran down her cheek as a figure appeared in her mind.

"Let's flip a coin to see if you'll complete your first scenario successfully." 

"Oh, well, would you look at that? It's heads. Even fate is on your side, huh?" 

Gwen turned the coin, only to find it was two-headed, causing her to smile.

"I'll…survive, dad."

However, in the back of her mind, the image of a boy's back etched itself into her brain.

***

'Finally, I can put all that behind me.' 

Illian thought, looking around to find he was one of the last people to enter a pod. 

Finding the closest one, he stepped in, taking a second to bask in the comfortable and soft material.

'All right, first Scenario. It's easy business, Illian. Nothing but a walk in the park.' 

Illian spoke inwardly, taking a deep breath as his eyes focused.

With this, Illian closed his eyes.

***

An hour had passed and the auditorium was completely silent. 

With all the teenagers in their pods, asleep, two adults stood on the stage, unmoving as they watched over them all.

However, in one pod, something wasn't right.

'Why can't I go to sleep?!' 

Illian almost pulled out his hair, the stress building up in the last hour finally getting to him.

'It's been an hour, what the fuck?!' 

The thought of expanding his staff and destroying the entire auditorium flashed through Illian's mind as his rage started to make his veins bulge and pupils dilate.

'I'm not even tired. Is there something wrong with me…' 

However, before Illian could finish his thought, something caught his attention.

[A challenge to Enlightenment has risen.]

'Enlightenment…'

[Will you accept?]

'Is this normal? Is this how Inheritors enter a Scenario? What if I say no?'

Despite asking this, Illian determination flared, his eyes narrowing.

He was ready.

And for some reason…

'Enlightenment is sounding pretty sweet right about now.'

"I accept." 

Saying this, Illian's vision darkened as he could feel his consciousness fade, his eyes soon closing as he fell into a coma.

***

In a dark void, the body of a boy, his Golden Eyes lighting the area, floated through. 

Looking around, the boy was unable to find where the void ended.

"Where am I?"

[Initializing Quest…]

"Quest? This is it. I should be turning into Sun Wukong soon, right…"

[Pantheon: Greek Mythology]

'Huh…'

[Quest: Conquer the Underworld]

'Wait…'

Illian paused as he stared at the screen before him. 

But before he could say anything, he once again felt his consciousness fading.

So much so that he was barely able to get his last words in.

"Aw shit…"