The professor was rambling again, boys were throwing paper balls at my back, and some of my classmates were laughing.
That was my daily life as Viola Silva at that university as a BSN student. I came from a small town far from the city and moved here just for college.
With my messy bun, dark under-eye circles, thick glasses, and what they called my "weird" attitude, I knew I was at the bottom of the food chain.
But honestly, I didn't care. As long as I graduated, I could handle whatever they did or said about me.
I had the second-highest grades in the entire class. I thought that if I just kept going, maybe someone would see my worth and accept me. I believed people would love you if you could give them something.
At least, that's what I used to think , but then...
"Anyone here know where the right subclavian artery arises from?"
the professor asked.
I raised my hand.
"As always... yes, Viola?"
he said, not even hiding his irritation.
"From the brachiocephalic trunk."
"Correct. You may sit down."
"What the... We haven't even covered that part yet. How does she know that?"
"Haven't heard of advanced study, dummy?"
one guy said with a smirk.
"I know that. I mean, who has the time to study ahead with all the parties going on? Oh wait. Right. She doesn't get invited."
They started laughing again.
I stayed quiet.
It's not like I could fight back. I'd just end up being mocked even more.
Even if I had a sharper side to me, I couldn't show it. I kept it all locked inside. I just sat there, silent and still, not knowing how to respond.
That's why they called me pathetic.
Sigh. When will this misery end?
Then a loud boom echoed through the building.
"What was that?"
a girl near the window asked.
Bang.
The classroom door suddenly slammed open. A faculty member stood there, pale and out of breath.
"Everyone run! A gate failed to close in time. Monsters are coming!"
The faculty member shouted.
Panic exploded through the room. Chairs scraped. Bags dropped. Screams filled the air as students and teachers rushed out into the hall, pushing past each other.
I ran too. Of course I did. I'm not a Ranker, I'm just a normal citizen.
--
Twenty years ago, mysterious holes appeared all over the world. At first, no one knew what they were. People didn't even dare get close.
Then the monsters came out. Creatures like the ones from myths and legends. Chaos followed the world.
But so did hope.
People started awakening powers. We called them "Rankers". They were stronger, faster, more capable than the rest of us. And they weren't alone. A mysterious "system" chose them and guided them. Rankers fought the monsters, closed the gates, and Ever since then, they've continued to protect the world from being overrun.
And now, here I was. In the middle of yet another gate failure.
The corridors were flooded with terrified people. Everyone was trying to save themselves. Some even pushed others down just to get ahead.
I tried to squeeze my way through, but someone shoved me and I fell to the ground.
"Move it, b*tch."
It was one of the classmates who had been mocking me earlier.
People started stepping on me. I tried to get up, but I couldn't. There were too many of them, so I cried out while trying to shield my head.
They knew someone was on the floor, but they didn't stop. No one helped me. No one even looked back.
I wasn't worth saving to them.
My glasses cracked against the floor. Then someone stepped hard on my foot.
"Ouch! My foot!"
Whoever that 500-kilo person was,screw you!
My ankle throbbed with sharp, searing pain. I clenched my teeth and fought back the urge to scream again.
The pain was unbearable, and it made it even harder to get away. But I had to try.
Eventually, the crowd moved enough for me to crawl up to my feet. I limped forward, dragging my injured leg behind me.
I finally made it out of the building, but everyone else was already far ahead.
Come on now, Viola. You can do this. Just run.
I bit my lip and forced myself to move. My tears started to fall, but I didn't stop. I had to keep going.
HRUAAARRGH.
A deafening roar stopped me cold.
I turned around.
"Oh god."
A herd of minotaur monsters was charging straight at me.
"Run. Run. Run."
I still wanted to graduate. I still promised grandma that I was going to be a nurse.
But I couldn't think straight anymore. Explosions erupted nearby, screams came from every direction and smoke clouded the sky.
I turned down a road, but a building had collapsed and blocked the path.
I looked around, my heart racing that it made me dizzy
The debris were just too high and there was nowhere else to go,
I was crying harder now. My legs gave in again. I collapsed to the ground, and I turned back slowly.
The minotaurs were standing there.
Towering, Snorting, and Closing in.
This is the end. I'm going to die...