Odyssey of the Blind God Chapter 2 Awakened

‘I… I can sense mana!’ A brilliant smile spread across Nial’s face as the realization dawned on him.

Through the minuscule mana particles slowly seeping into his body, Nial found himself capable of precisely perceiving his surroundings!

This was a miracle, an outcome he had never dared to anticipate.

His hands began to quiver as he clenched them into a determined fist.

A single tear, carrying the weight of fifteen years of pent-up frustration, humiliation, and raw anger, traced a path down his cheek.

*

Mana, also referred to as Mythic energy, is a form of power that permeates the earth, the air, and empowers the vast majority of living organisms within certain territories.

Its emergence dates back centuries, occurring when the primordial dungeon portals materialized, unleashing this mana into an otherwise pristine world.

Initially, the appearance of these portals, resembling something straight out of science fiction, was met not with fear, but with intense curiosity.

Yet, concurrently, an undercurrent of anxiety pulsed through humanity, a dread of the unknown dangers potentially lurking beyond, echoing the terrifying scenarios often depicted in popular novels.

Tragically, the reality proved far more horrific than any author’s imagination, plunging the world into a state of unprecedented chaos.

The majority of humankind perished in agonizing deaths, their predetermined fates sealed.

While their struggles and sorrows ceased with their final breaths, those who remained were left to grapple with a pervasive sense of guilt. Despite surviving the cataclysm, they found no solace or joy, burdened by the crushing weight of their inability to protect their loved ones.

Humanity teetered on the precipice of extinction until the advent of the first Originals – individuals gifted with the ability to absorb and command mana.

These pioneers learned to harness the ambient mana, fortifying their own capabilities.

Their newfound strength became the instrument for vanquishing formidable beasts, creatures capable of withstanding the force of bullets, rocket launchers, and even, in some instances, nuclear detonations.

By hunting the denizens of the dungeons, the Originals reaped a multitude of rewards, further honing their already formidable power.

However, the balance of power eventually shifted.

From their position at the bottom of the new food chain, they embarked on a desperate struggle to reclaim their dominance.

Their objective transcended mere survival; it was to conquer every obstacle hindering their path to regaining sovereignty, to stand once more at the apex of the food pyramid in this transformed era!

Through their unwavering perseverance, they succeeded in establishing numerous fortified shelters over a span of more than three hundred years.

To mitigate any unforeseen calamities, the number of dungeon portals within these sanctuaries was kept under strict control.

Or, at least, this was the assumption humanity held until the fateful day Nial vanished without a trace from the face of the planet.

This incident, though an anomaly, sent tremors of fear through the heart of every human, nonetheless.

It starkly revealed the fragility of the supposed safety, a safety that had proven to be nothing more than a hollow charade, an illusion all along!

In truth, Nial retained no recollection of the events surrounding his disappearance fifteen years prior.

After all, he was merely three years old at the time!

Yet, he had expected to possess at least fragmented memories, buried deep within the recesses of his subconscious mind.

But, despite countless attempts to access them, he always came away empty-handed.

Consequently, Nial harbored a persistent feeling that something significant had occurred, and a specific impediment had effectively sealed away the memories related to that incident from his mind.

This was the only logical explanation, he reasoned, considering the subsequent loss of his sight and his ability to sense mana as a direct result of the incident.

The trauma left an indelible scar, accompanied by a recurring, disturbingly vivid dream that tormented him monthly until his encounter with the Goddess.

Recalling the nightmarish dream, Nial found himself believing he would never experience it again.

At least, that was the sense he got from his subconscious.

Gently rubbing the spot where the Goddess had struck him, Nial couldn’t shake a peculiar sensation; the area felt tender, as if his internal organs had been contorted.

‘Could it have truly been just a dream?’ he pondered, uncertain of the truth.

However, given the remarkable fact that he could now sense mana after more than a decade, a portion of that dream must have held a degree of reality.

At the very least, it had influenced him in some way, though the exact nature of the Goddess’s actions remained a mystery!

‘Even if I remain blind, so long as I can wield mana, learning to perceive my surroundings through it, a substitute for my lost eyesight, should not be overwhelmingly difficult… somewhat!’

Nial had never been one to succumb to pessimism.

Despite his family’s modest social standing, he had consistently found happiness, even in the absence of material possessions.

The love and security his family provided far outweighed any longing for material goods, which, in any case, held little appeal for him.

Therefore, he was genuinely delighted to have regained the ability to sense mana once more.

This was a far better outcome than he could have ever imagined—that is, aside from regaining his sight.

In fact, even if his vision had been restored without the ability to sense mana, it wouldn't have been nearly as advantageous as this current situation!

This was due to Nial having previously invested considerable effort in researching methods to approximate his lost eyesight to a certain degree.

Regrettably, achieving this without the use of mana was practically an insurmountable task.

Consequently, he felt as though he had struck the ultimate jackpot upon finally gaining the ability to utilize mana, his elation knowing no bounds.

'I shall repay this kindness if any part of my dreams proves to be real!'

He made a solemn vow to the Goddess, entirely unaware of the profound consequences this seemingly casual promise would ultimately unleash.

While the Goddess had inflicted an injury upon him, that was a trivial concern in his present state.

He concentrated his thoughts on the positive aspect of her intervention: her attempt to heal his eyes, which had enabled Nial to recover his sight.

However, something had gone drastically awry during the process.

This unexpected turn of events made Nial acutely aware of something within his own body, something he had been completely oblivious to until this very moment!

Disregarding the ambient particles of mana he could now perceive, Nial placed a hand on his chest, feeling the rapid, insistent beat of his heart.

At that precise instant, he detected another anomaly that filled him with profound shock.

"Did I awaken my origin?" he exclaimed, his voice resonating with an intensity he hadn't realized he possessed.

As the realization settled upon him, his hand began to quiver with sheer excitement.

Suddenly, he became acutely aware of every sensation within his body, including the damp fabric of his shirt clinging to his sweat-drenched back.

Nial found himself immobilized, intensely focused on the grain-sized mana core now residing within him.

Every Original must first awaken their origin before they can commence the absorption of mana to augment their strength, command the elements, and harness a multitude of abilities.

Prior to this awakening, individuals possessed only a faint ability to sense the mana currents that coursed through their bodies.

This mana would simply traverse the physical form without imparting any benefit.

Only those blessed with the requisite innate talent could subconsciously draw in a minuscule amount of mana from the dungeons. This involuntary act would recur, gradually preparing these individuals for the natural awakening of their origin.

This process would ultimately enhance them, transforming them into supernatural beings who stood a significant degree above ordinary humans.

Since the advent of the first dungeons, governments had crumbled, and a single, unyielding law prevailed universally: the strong rule, and the weak submit!

Nial understood this reality all too well, and it was precisely why his parents, who had never harbored ambitions of increased strength, lived their entire lives in poverty.

They bore the responsibilities of Nial and his sister, Sabrina, their utmost priorities and cherished children.

Consequently, they were unable to dedicate time to self-improvement, even if they had desired it, let alone expend their days battling and felling the beasts that inhabited increasingly perilous dungeons to amass wealth.

Matters deteriorated further when Nial became entangled in an unforeseen incident, an event that inflicted severe psychological trauma upon Maline, Nial's mother.

Following this harrowing experience, she became excessively protective of him, remaining by his side for several years.

It was only once she observed the return of his former cheerful disposition that she granted him a measure of freedom.

Their family was in dire financial straits, and Miles, their father, struggled to earn enough to provide for everyone.

Sabrina's medical expenses had already created a significant financial burden, yet he diligently endeavored to set aside funds in pursuit of a cure for Nial.

However, even the most potent healers they had encountered over the preceding fifteen years proved incapable of assisting them, leaving them only with exorbitant medical bills.

Nial was deeply grateful for his family's unwavering support, knowing they would never abandon him, regardless of the circumstances.

For this reason, Nial had assured them he had already adjusted to his blindness and was content, urging them instead to prioritize saving for his sister's origin awakening.

Unexpectedly, before such a plan could materialize, she was diagnosed with a rare ailment, plunging their entire family, who had only just begun to recover from the shock of Nial's incident, into a fresh wave of adversity.

Even Nial found it challenging to maintain optimism in the face of such a dire situation.

Fortunately, Sabrina's condition remained stable for an extended period, and the medication they managed to obtain seemed effective in preventing her ailment from escalating.

Yet, after several years elapsed, her health began a slow, steady decline.

The affordable medication lost its efficacy, and the cost of the medicine that merely served to alleviate his little sister's pain skyrocketed.

This predicament drove Nial to a state of desperation, mirroring the feelings of his parents, while his younger sister consistently strove to maintain a bright smile, attempting to assuage their anxieties.

Driven by the desire to provide for his family, Nial found himself in his current predicament, having braved the pressure of the divine stairs, encountered the very Goddess, and undergone an awakening of his origin!

The Divine Goddess herself had undertaken the task of healing his affliction, an ailment that had previously rendered him incapable of sensing mana.

Concurrently, her intervention appeared to have stirred something that lay dormant, sealed away deep within his being.

This event also acted as a catalyst, awakening his origin, facilitating the formation of his mana veins, and the creation of a nascent mana core.

However, alongside these changes, Nial became acutely aware of a presence within him that did not feel like his own!

It resided in the space between his heart and the mana core, situated precisely in the center of his lower chest.

Though Nial couldn't definitively identify it, his perception led him to believe it was… a seed!?

'Was this what had been sealed inside me?' he pondered, uncertain how to process this newfound information.

Nial made an attempt to glean more understanding of the mysterious seed dwelling within his body, but his efforts proved fruitless.

Abruptly, just as he considered shifting his focus elsewhere, an peculiar sensation coursed through Nial's entire body.

For a fleeting moment, it felt as if his nerves were subjected to an electric shock when the mana within him inadvertently brushed against the seed.

'This... is this the divine energy bestowed by the Goddess... and... what in the world is that?'

Nial remained bewildered regarding the precise events that had transpired within his body during that brief instant.

He felt an surge of vitality and an overwhelming sense of power, as if he possessed the strength to single-handedly lift an ox.

This newfound feeling prompted introspection about his own existence, but his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the distinct sound of approaching footsteps.

At that very moment, his mother burst into his room, flinging the door open with a start, her voice laced with worry echoing throughout the entire residence.

"Nial, what's wrong? Did you have another nightmare? Is something hurting you??"

Hearing the voice of his excessively protective mother, tinged with both exhaustion and concern, Nial couldn't resist the urge to gently bite his lower lip.

His countenance shifted rapidly, replaced by a radiant smile—a genuine smile he hadn't displayed in fifteen long years.

"I think I… just awakened my origin!!"