Tribesman's New Life

Chapter 38: Awakening

Amidst the jubilant cheers and applause, Aries strode out of the village hall, accompanied by First and Third who were carrying even more provisions. The villagers watched in admiration and respect, their voices rising in a collective celebration. Aries had garnered attention before with his discoveries and inventions, but this achievement held a different weight, revealing his true potential and prowess. The feat of a mere child defeating the feared Dark Forest King would undoubtedly become a legendary tale throughout the neighboring tribes.

As the coming of age ceremony reached its crescendo, Aries stood at the forefront, encircled by his fellow youngsters. Holding the severed head of the Dark Forest King, he was instructed to lift it high for all to see. Aries, being smaller than most, leaned on a request—he asked the chief to lift him up, ensuring that everyone could witness the spectacle. With the chief's assistance, Aries hoisted the head aloft, revealing it to the assembled crowd. The response was immediate: thunderous cheers and exultant roars that echoed throughout the village, a chorus of triumph and awe.

Following this display, the ceremony took another turn as the participants were directed to consume the hearts of their kills. Aries initially harbored reluctance toward the idea, finding the taste repugnant. Suppressing his revulsion, he took a bite of the heart, an experience that sent shivers down his spine. To his surprise, the others were not faring any better; one by one, the youngsters succumbed to the intensity of the act, some collapsing to their knees and others even falling to the ground in their struggle to bear it.

The chief's voice rose above the commotion, ringing out with a blend of sternness and encouragement, "Unsightly to the eyes of gods! Show me your resolve, Forest Guardians!" His powerful words spurred the participants to push through, reaffirming their commitment to the tradition and the significance of the moment.

After consuming the heart of the Dark Forest King, Aries' body began to tremble uncontrollably, veins pulsating as if they were on the verge of bursting. The pain that surged through him was beyond description, and he struggled to find any solace. Unlike his fellow participants, whose suffering gradually abated, Aries' torment seemed to intensify. His heartbeat raced as if he were in a mad sprint, and before anyone could truly comprehend his ordeal, he collapsed.

Anticipating this outcome, the chief swiftly moved to catch Aries, preventing him from falling to the ground. The ceremony, which celebrated the youths' transition to adulthood, wasn't designed with Aries' young age in mind, and his body couldn't bear the strain of consuming the beast's heart. To the chief's surprise, however, Aries' eyes remained open even though he was unconscious, as if he were gazing upon something unknown.

In Aries' altered state, he found himself in an unfamiliar landscape—a village engulfed in flames, chaos reigning as the clash of weapons and anguished cries filled the air. The settlement was under attack by an opposing tribe, and Aries, a mere observer, felt a strange detachment as if he were not truly present. The scene faded to black, and then his awareness returned, gradually piecing together his surroundings.

"Are you alright?" The chief's voice reached Aries' ears, his body feeling rigid and lifeless, drained of energy. The effects of consuming the heart of the beast were overwhelming, leaving him temporarily immobilized.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, Aries nodded, struggling to rise despite the overwhelming weakness. The chief, understanding the situation, allowed him time to recover before continuing with the ceremony. Passing out during the process was a natural consequence, and despite the challenges, nearly half of the participants successfully awoke their symbols of gods—a mark of increased prowess and potential. The true extent of the gods' blessings, however, remained a mystery, waiting for the youths to uncover through their own experiences. As for the elusive blessings of the gods, the potential for supernatural powers was a rare but tantalizing possibility that lingered on the horizon.

With the conclusion of the ceremony, a small celebration ensued to honor those who had successfully awakened their symbols of gods. Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, Aries chose not to participate, opting instead to find a quiet spot where he could rest and attempt to make sense of the vision he had experienced. Throughout his time in this world, he hadn't encountered anything resembling the supernatural, making the vision all the more perplexing and intriguing.

As Aries contemplated the events, he was consumed by curiosity about the workings of these symbols and the potential blessings of the gods. It was a mystery he felt compelled to unravel. He mused over the idea that even at his young age, the process seemed to work, allowing him to instinctively summon the symbols on the back of his hands. Could it be that the gods were aware of his true nature, not just a child in this world?

The aftermath of the vision bestowed upon Aries certain abilities that were beyond the ordinary. He found himself able to see the intricate network of energy coursing through his veins, the energy core within his body, and even the subtle aura of energy around him. Some objects emitted more pronounced energy, like the magic stones and the black and white stones. Aries couldn't help but consider this newfound ability as a potential blessing from the gods, granting him insights into the world that others couldn't perceive.

With this ability, Aries realized he could potentially locate suitable mining sites and identify magic stones with greater ease. However, his current state of weakness prevented him from maintaining the symbols for prolonged periods, which meant that the accompanying blessing would also wane. Nonetheless, this discovery ignited a newfound sense of purpose within Aries—to harness and comprehend these supernatural gifts to the fullest, unraveling the mysteries that surrounded him.