Clack. Clack. Clack.
The rhythmic tapping of keys filled the dimly lit room. Stacks of empty coffee cups and crumpled snack wrappers surrounded the lone figure hunched over the desk. The glow from the monitor illuminated his tired eyes as he finalized the character sheet.
[Character Name: Caelum Veris]
[Age: 17]
[Race: Human]
[Rank: E-]
[Bloodline: Middle class citizen - son of two famous adventurers]
[Elemental Affinity: Versatile (can use 30% of each element - only 30% due to mana capacity)]
[Traits: [Understanding], [Prodigy], [Manacrosis - an illness that makes a person constantly leak small amounts of mana into the air, reduces all magic skills by 30%, reduces magic damage taken by 45%]]
Caelum Veris—a background character, a minor villian and canon fodder designed to drive the story. No written background, or anything special - just normal. Yet, there was something about him that resonated. Perhaps it was the fact that he was just another insignificant face in the crowd.
With a sigh, he saved the file and glanced at the clock. 10:12 PM.
"Time to call it a day."
He shut down the computer, grabbed his coat, and stepped into the cool night air.
He took in everything about his surroundings.
The city lights that lit up the night sky like the stars. The sound of the cars passing him by. The karaoke place abuzz with teens enthusiastically chatting outside. The footsteps of the tired crowd on their way home.
After walking for 20 minutes he finally reached his apartment. A modest space. Probably only enough space for one person
As he reached for his keys, he suddenly felt his head throb. It wasn't anything significant though - just uncomfortable. Until it wasn't.
THROB.
Suddenly his head started to feel like it's splitting. Like a screwdriver was being driven and twisted into his skull. His knees hit the cold ground. His vision blurred.
Throb. THROB. THROB.
"Haaa.... It... Hurts..."
It felt like someone was hitting his head with a hammer repeatedly. His thoughts slowed, reality blurred.
As he reached for the door he recalled someting. A memory from a few months ago...
****
The doctor's office was especially cold. He was in the seat across the doctor who looked at him with a grim expression.
"I'm sorry Mr. Peterson, you have been diagnosed with [glioblastoma multiforme], we estimate that you probably only have a few months left to live."
"I wish there was more we could do..."
****
'Yeah that came as a shock' ,Peterson thought to himself.
'I guess this will be how I go... Frick it hurts.'
As he waited for the time of his death his mind wandered to memories he had long forgotten.
"I wonder how my brother would take this news." He couldn't help but laugh to himself.
"Mom would probably be shocked. Sis would cry maybe. Haa... I guess I won't be eating mom's dishes anymore huh." His breath became more and more heavy.
A sudden pain stung his mind.
"Dad, guess the cat's out of the bag now. You won't have to keep this secret anymore"
His conscious was slipping.
'Well at least I did all my share of the character designs, now those guys can't complain anymore. I should've deleted my browsing history before I went to work today.'
"Haaa..."
Taking one last breath only one thought entered his mind as tears streamed his cheeks.
" I don't ...want ... to die yet..."
Then suddenly everything became dark.