Life wasn’t simple to begin with. among the billions of people on earth they have strive themselves to gain the meaning to live in this modern era of 20XX. Some live a leisure life while some live a harsher life compare to others. People working on the farm plowing through the ground were one of the means to reach the necessity to live. While others work within a company brandishing their own set of suit looking professional with their days already fill with their own sets of working hours. these men and women are living their life without a bump in their life. Maybe a few problems here and there but overall the atmosphere of today world was peaceful.

Still, some part of the world was not able to cherish this kind of peace. War reign over their lands underneath the fabrication of the new world order. A clever deceptive maneuver by the higher communities that tie the world within one organization. But sadly a day would come where all things came to an end. Even the mighty will fall and the weak will prevail. For sure the time will come where all be in reversed and in chaos.

…

As the planet Earth revolve around the huge star that brightly lit. half of the planet was cover by a layer of darkness. The only thing accompany the darkness of the sky was the bright lit moon reflecting the ray of the sun. Zooming closer to one of these dark region, tiny specks of yellow light spread within this region. A small country where with its land divided by a vast yellow sea. at the eastern land of this country, instantly the image zooms into a small apartment building. inside a bedroom of the tenant. a basic setting of a bedroom, one single bed, one cupboard, one study table and a laptop on top of it.

the bed was neatly put beside the open window, as the moon shines the interior of the room the humble wind breeze in cooling the room. under a thick and comfortable blanket, someone was snuggling comfortably under it. a young man with black hair with a few strands of greyish hair was deep in slumber. his face was average to be exact not that handsome and not that ugly. normal for some but handsome to others perspective.

by the interior of the room, it was normal to be exact not striking in anything and no prominent feature that can relate with the personality of the owner of this room. Usually one would at least have a certain fondness toward something or something exquisite for that person only but this young man frankly nothing can be find to relate with. a rather normal but odd person.

time flew by in a blink of an eye, the sun rises from the east showering the inhabitants with its glorious sunlight. as the sunray enters the young man’s room, the light hit the face of the young man warming the side of his face.

‘urgh the sun’

the young man groans as the heat starting to bother him. then his eye blink and he open with a surprise face.

‘shit im late for class’

the young man quickly turn frantic, throwing the blanket of the floor he ran and changes his cloth as fast as he can and make way to the door. With a worried face, he ran down the stairs of his apartment down to the ground floor. Leaping through the fences he sat on his worn down looking motorbike. An old model from his dad just for the sake of his education. Revving the motorbike he speeds his way through the road heading to his college.

In 10 minutes or so he arrived upon his college. Parking rather brashly, his attitude doesn’t show that he really care about the old motorbike of his as he leave it without locking it up. Running through the foyer, the building of his college was a small one, but fill with history as the old building architecture was build based on the victorian English. But still for interior most of it was remodel to fit in the modern standard of teaching utilizing technology mainly projectors or so forth.

Race up to the stairs he then reach the designated classroom for today class, he quickly barge in and by the looks of it he was safe. The lecturer hasn’t arrived yet. He blew out a sigh of relief; at least today he wouldn’t hear another mouthful of torment from the lecturer of his. As he enters the room some of his classmates were sneering at him for being early once in a while.

‘ehh if isnt Raine, didn’t thought you would be early’ said a brazen young woman with char red hair. Raine can only smirk towards her, reacting to her sarcasm would not be good for his heart. He takes his seat beside the window. Outside the window a scenery of a peaceful city. Not the biggest of the country, but one of the most prominent in this prefecture.

As he stare out of the window, sometimes he wonder if this peace that he felt would last. A peculiar thing to think of for a young man who still hasn’t felt the real harshness of the world or rather oblivious to the current world predicament. But none of that matter for him right now, as it was only a thought no more and no less. A fleet of the moment that he thought of.

The lecturer came and the class goes on as usual. Class went on as usual and our young man here, Raine was day dreaming and not the slightest has the desire to pay attention to what the lecturer was teaching in front. The lecturer was already accustomed to his behavior but still they were still annoy by it.

Besides him, the others was paying close attention to the lecture without any disturbance. This college of his that he attend is the most prestigious university in the prefecture. Not to be alarm, this country that he reside in has an overwhelming numbers of educational facilities mostly college and university. The heavy abundance of it makes the educational system to disbalance without any proper system in managing the whole institute as a whole. Thus the colleges in the whole nation are rank by numbers from the most sought after to the least desireable. And this university that Raine attend is the top 10 most prestige in the country. Only the 2% of the best of the best could enter these top college. So the concentration and their will to study was not at all surprising as they are one of the elites.

But Raine he is in fact… hmm lets just label him as a lazy college student that remarkable ended up here in a prestige university. As the class goes on, Raine ignore everything else and daydream within his very own mind. sometime he stare out of the window sometimes he snooze and sometime he scribble on his notepad. Compared to others Raine was certainly lacking a certain something.

As he was snoozing in his class, something or some noise rang out in the atmosphere.

HONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

A loud horn like sound reverb in the air, waking Raine from his slumber. The sound was clear as day, even the lecturer stop on his track turning silent as the loud trumpet sound. Everyone was astonish and surprised by the sudden loud sound. Looks of bewilderment were plastered across their faces. None could believe what they just heard.

Outside, people stop doing their own work and stare at the sky as they heard the loud sound bellowing. Mixed expression can be seen within the faces of these people. Even those who was driving stop pressing the pedal.

As the world pause, the loud sound continuously rang out until 10 minutes. These 10 minutes were when the world was one. Where the whole world was like in a pause state.

Raine POV;

“Ugh whats that sound and why is it so loud. Damn sound disturbing my beauty sleep.”

I woke up from my nice and relaxing sleep until I heard that loud horn sounding that vibrates my eardrum. The sound was almost like it came right from beside me. I slowly brought my body to lean back on the chair rubbing my drooping lazy eyes. Looking around in the classroom, all I could see was their face full of surprised. Even that lecturer who always scold me stop blabbering about his theories.

How long till this loud noise will last,

“cant the maintenance do something with the P.A system. The sound is getting out of hand here.”

But slow mind start to pick up in the current situation. I glance to the window and saw all the pedestrian all stop on their tracks and looking up to the sky. My heart start to beating hard as something sinister was starting to corrupt my thoughtless mind. looking up to the sky, there was nothing out of the ordinary except the white clouds and the clear blue sky.

I’m myself start to wonder, start to begin to think there was something bad coming in our way. I sat there watching the scenery of men and women silently looking up to the sky standing there watching them standing like a statue.

The sound which doesn’t stop kept ringing in my ears until it more or less reaches 10 minutes or so. Then a dead silence surrounds the class as well as the whole world. a silence that sent chills to the spine. As I glance around them all, my eye was lock toward someone. It was a female classmate of mine, with light brown skin color; her black glistening hair was wavy in nature with its length up to her lower shoulder blade. But what caught my eyes was the state of her body. she was trembling from up to down. While clasping her hands together, she was murmuring something out of her religious scripture.

He didn’t thought that she was that religious but her current state certainly pique his interest since he didn’t know what her thought were. her bestfriend beside her, notice Biella condition and she calmly soothe her down by rubbing her back with her gentle hand. But her condition was still persisting, she was still shaken after hearing the loud horn.

‘may God protect me and save me from my sin’ said Biella repeating over and over again as she was like in a trance like state.

I couldn’t really understand what she was so afraid of, it isnt like it’s the end of the…

Before I could complete my sentence within my own monolog, I realized something, something terrible as her action and the loud horn sound before was undeniably related. An event spoke within the religious text from Biella religion which has been prophesized since millennia ago. An event that will mark the beginning of the end. The loud horn from before was no doubt the prelude for the event that is called, the Rapture!

---

Raine’s body cant help but to shiver in fear a bit. The sudden realization smack something within his mind. then loud booming sound start to surround the whole university. Accompanying the loud rumbling sound, scream of agony from men and women rang out outside the university. This screams alarm the whole class, bringing them as a whole to felt something was not right. Raine who was beside the window, scan the outside with his eye and as his small eyes watch the things unfold in front of him. a sense dread and fear starts to creep in his heart.

Han, a known jokester of the class who was always cheerful ask Raine with a curious tone.

‘Raine, what did you see?’

Raine who was too shocked to say anything only wave his hand to come forward to the window. Han step forward while the others follow him. as they open the curtains of the windows, a dreadful and chaotic scene was in front of them leaving them speechless and their jaws hanging. Their eyes were wavering as the scene they were spectating were not as they expected.

Outside the window, countless unknown looking animals in various shape and sizes starts to manifest themselves from portals that are popping out everywhere. But what cause them shudder in fear was none other than the scene of these weird looking animals devouring the innocent people who were beside the streets and some eating at a restaurant near the road.

This animals are indeed not animals as their sizes itself even rival the size of elephants and even larger than them also roam the streets devouring any human in sight. These things cant even be called animals but more accurately…

‘monsters!’ exclaim Han as he watch the event. As the words he shouted reach the ears of the others. some start to realize they are in deep problem. some of them start to panic as they cant believe what was happening right now. Their minds were constantly rejecting the idea of the world gone mad, as they all start to turn in denial. Han himself cant help it but letting his legs turn weak and his bum drop to the floor.

Biella on the other hand was continuously murmuring and reciting her religion holy text ignoring the screaming and sound of agony outside the window. Even the professor who was giving a lecture just now, rush out of the classroom as soon as he seen the dreadful scene running out leaving them behind. The guys didn’t even realize that they are being left out. Then out of the corner of Raine’s eye, he spot something.

“damn it, those monsters are entering our university” said Raine within the confinement of his mind.

Even when he know the looming danger that was approaching, it doesn’t mean he has the power to do anything about it. Raine could only absent mindedly look the number of monsters enter the entrance of his university. Han who saw this told the whole class about the occurrence alarming them all about the approaching danger.

‘guys! Those monsters are coming in’ said Han

Most of them hurried to the windows to see a glimpse of what the danger was. Even before they enter screams rang out from outside the classroom of theirs. All of their heads instantly glance toward the door, afraid of something entering the safe haven of theirs.

Then one of them cant stand the fear anymore and shouted;

‘I cant do this, I want to get out of here!’ said Doen, a man in his 20s. with his black hair comb in a sleek manner with a neat undercut on both side. His skin color was dark brown in color with a well trim chin strap expressing how he was a person who put his priority to his appearance. His face was a manly man with a lot of macho man characteristic in it but his voice wasn’t.

He stands up and quickly went toward the door. The others behind him don’t have the energy to stop him. Before he could open it, the door suddenly burst open as a few students with bloody cloth all over them enter. Surprised by the sudden entrance Doen cant help it but taken aback and unconsciously take a step back. His eye was wide open as he watch the helpless state of these students.

Their eyes were stricken by fear and they close the door of the classroom as fast as possible reflecting their action as they were afraid of something out there. There were three students who came in and all of them were bloodied. Their breath was frantic, their appearance were dishevel and their mind were absent as seems as they have face something that they didn’t even imagine

Silence took a hold of the whole class with the presence of these three people. Doen cant help but ask them;

‘hey you three, what’s going on out there?’ ask Doen with a worried tone

But the three of them remain silent. Gritting his teeth Doen cant help but feeling impatient as the answer he seek was needed as he was deciding whether it was safe to venture out there. Grabbing a hold of one of those men collar. He ask of him furiously about the situation out there;

‘tell me! Whats going on out there?’

Like waking up from his trance like state, the bloodied young man open up his mouth and speak out to Doen.

‘it was hell! It was hell out there! Don’t go out there if you want to live’ said the bloodied man with a nervous voice. Doen hearing this let his grip loosen slowly from the collar of this bloodied man and walk back toward his friends. His head was hung down feeling ashamed of his behavior of leaving them by his own.

The mood of classroom turns solemn and gloom seeing how their future was turning bleak. They huddle themselves with each other within groups as they wait for rescue from god knows who. There were a total of nineteen people in this classroom along with the other three new students from other classroom. Not even one of them has the guts to leave the classroom.

While they huddle up, some try to use their phone to get help from the outside or more so from the local force mainly the police officer. But unlucky for them it turns out the line coverage for mobile phone has lost their signal. Once again some of them start to weep knowing their fate was heading downhill.

Raine on the other hand was staring out of the window watching those monster like animals roaming around the streets. After an hour so of doing nothing succumbing to his grievances, he then observe these monster like creature from the window. Observing them he saw how they have various shape and sizes. Even their ferocity are different comparing with each other. Still what he observe was devastating even so he was more or less immune to it right now seeing how everytime those creature caught one of the running human left him emotionless.

Once in awhile they hear scream of anguish rang out from the outside. These bouts of scream instill them with a constant surge of fear. Time passes by until the sky turns dark. The streets was lit up by the light of the street lamp. The monsters that roams around just now was now unseen and only a few runs around by the view from the street lamp. As his thought was fleeting around in a daze, he then remember something.

“oh no, shit I cant stay here” shouted Raine within his closed mind. his uninterested face from before, turns uptight as he remember something significant.

“I need to something but what? Those monsters are running around in the campus and what can I do?” ponder Raine.

Nevertheless the apathetic Raine went up to the trio and ask for information. The others in the classroom blink in surprised to Raine sudden movement. They would never thought that someone lazy as him to initiate something. Raine kneel down to the three people and look straight into their eyes and ask of them.

‘can you tell me what is it that happens outside?’ a serious look toward these three students.

The three of them were hesitant as they wish they don’t want to relive those dark moment but then one of them a young lady with pristine fair skin and beautiful facial features told of him of what she knows.

‘I was walking through the hall with one of my friends then suddenly ‘THEY’ pop out of nowhere, those things were so horrible and scary with their sharp fangs and claws killing every students that get on their way. some of them are small and some of them are huge extremely huge, I cant even walk as those things are too terrifying but then a huge monster came and kill every student into a mush. Everyone were running around trying to find a safe spot from these monsters, I was drag along by a torrent of student going upstairs but even then only three of us make it alive, the rest I don’t even know’ narrate the lady with a petite body.

After listening Raine stood up and sat at the corner while in deep thought. Pondering on what he should do with those tiny bit of information that he has gain. For one thing, out there was total chaos but the current situation was unknown compare to before. While Raine was thinking, the men of the class were gathering at the center excluding Doen and Raine.

‘guys we need to something, we cant just stay here’ said Han. Besides his jolly and joking attitude he was still a known leader by the student body.

‘I suggest we stay here until helps arrive’ said Balan with his rigid look .

‘I don’t think they will come since it been a few hours, it would be better if we plan an escape plan. My car is park at the front of the entrance we only need to dash a few minutes and then we are home free’ suggest Zain, a man with a handsome facial features that resembles does of middle eastern heritage.

‘but we don’t know the situation yet it would be dangerous if we escape without a safe plan’ interject Jalani.

‘yes I know but the distance is only 2 minutes or so we can reach it even faster if we ran our best’ said Zain with his utmost, his cool and relax behavior was absent as if he was trying his best to convince them to follow along with his plan to get out of here.

Han ponder it for awhile trying to come out with a solution to this idea. But whenever he thought of something, it was certainly insufficient as every idea was block by the notion of those horrendous monsters roaming around there.

While the men discussing either its good or not, the ladies who took up the majority of the class only rambling about uncertainty and worriness toward their kin and loved one. Doen was among them as he has a tight relation with all these ladies.

Raine, stands up from his seat, and went to his bag. Rummaging his bag, he grab out three pens and kept it in his backpocket. By his action alone, he was certainly had determine something.

Raine’s POV

“I have to no matter what, someone is waiting for me”

Without nothing to lose except for my own life, I pack up three pens from my bagpack. That’s the only thing that can be consider in this room where I reside. Cant do much but at least I have something. even the information I have gotten were not so useful, but one thing was sure and that was the monster was dangerous.

Taking a deep breath I was preparing myself to plunge myself in the sea of chaos in other word outside of the room. a rather suicidal thing to do in this moment, but this objective of mine was far more precious than my own. Sighing to myself, I contemplate to myself about how dumb I was of throwing out my own life just for that. Well no regret than. Here I go.

---

Raine went toward the door with a heavy heart. Each and every step was fill with a heavy burden as though the burden of the world rest on his shoulder. Well to throw away your own life was exactly comparable to a world on their shoulder. His stride was notice by his classmates but that didn’t stop him to exit. He turns down the knob but before he could open it. a loud warning came from behind, almost all the ladies and Doen included shouted toward him.

‘Raien stop!’

Halted on his track, Raine’s head turns around glancing to the commotion behind him. with a bewildered look, he think back about why is it they stop him. he realizes his action itself was dangerous but he has his objective.

While glancing back he said to them;

‘don’t worry, I will be back’

Without further notice, he swiftly opens and step out of the room. Leaving them without a glance. Not hesitant at all leaving the safe haven. As the door close back, the room felt in an utter silence. They couldn’t react to the action of Raine as if he was going to his death. Even the men were surprised from Raine radical behavior; they never thought the lazy, sleepy head, and unproductive Raine to took action like that.

‘what did he just do?’ said Han with a surprised face.

‘we need to get out of here, we don’t want to be unstable and doing rash decision like that’ said Zain.

The scene turns to the lone man who walk the path of destruction. The man known as Raine. On his right hand a pen was tightly grip. Well it wasn’t for writing to be exact more like a countermeasure. Is it useful or not? Lets when he encounter something than we know how useful it was.

Raien’s POV

I walk down the corridor in the seminar room area, it was dead silence. The screams and wallowing from before were not heard like previously. As silence succumbs the area. Raine heart cant help but beating hard like a professional drummer hitting his drum set. Eyeing each and every room as I pass them, I saw a group students within it and some are empty. Some are from my batch while some are junior, but none notice me when I was peeking out from the small glass window on the door.

Not like I care for the moment, I make my way to the door leading to the 1st floor corridor. As I approach the door, a chilling sensation starts surround my unathletic body. I don’t know why, but I could hear rough growling sound just behind this door. Fear start to getting into my mind. didn’t know it would be this nerve wrecking.

Step by step I approach the door with the hope of getting out of here. If not for ‘that’ I wouldn’t be attempting this kind of reckless action. Reaching the door, I peek out through the small window. It was dark, only a dim light hanging above the walkway of the 1st floor. My sight could only see where there was light. Beside the light, darkness conquer most of my vision. I didn’t see any monster roaming but I do know that there was something lurking around in the dark.

Now im getting the jitters, am I really going out there. I would be insane if I really go out there. Nevertheless, I need to so its kind of worthless for me to regret it right now. Swallowing my fear, I brave myself and open the death’s door. Walking out slowly, I instantly crouch down for a stealthier method to travel but I don’t know if there was any significance in me doing it but still better than nothing.

I make my way to the stairs as it was just in front of me. Crouching down I slowly proceed, with my not so tall height, I don’t think anything would notice me even after I crouch down. Each and every step was done carefully, with my eyes constantly looking around not wanting to miss anything. I don’t want to die with out accomplishing anything, as a matter of fact I would really don’t want to die.

I reach a checkpoint where the stairs was located, I lean on to the side of a wooden bench catching my breath and gaining my sanity back. although it was only a few steps, it was still nerve wrecking with all the tension of being afraid of getting mauled suddenly. By the way im still thinking im crazy for doing this nobody in their right mind would do this, the best thing to do was to wait for help in that classroom.

After conflicting thoughts within my mind, I carefully walk towards the stairs while hoping nothing would stand in my way. But luck wasn’t usually my forte to begin with. Just before I step into the first step of stairs, a slow growl can be heard. A growl that would be the sign of mine of my own demise. Slowly turning my head toward the source of the sound. Cold sweats start to form, showing how nervous I am to this current situation.

Looking at the source of the sound, my muscle tighten and my nerve firing of constant waves of electric current. This changes in my physiological body was an alert system for danger staring in front of me. With its bloodied red eye and drooling of saliva coming out of its set of razor sharp teeth, this monster which resemble a Doberman dog was twice the normal size. Different from the normal Doberman, spikes protruding from its spine, its skin was a deep bronze and its claw from its paw was protruding out and by the look of my unclear vision, its must be hint of blood on its claw.

While it was staring straight into my eyes, this dog clearly want to maul me. Any sudden movement would clearly agitate this wild mutt. Even so I cant stand still, if not I maybe dinner to this dog monster. my grip tighten on to my trusty pen. That was the only thing I can use currently but as I wait, the dog move and rush toward myself ready to pounce on to my feeble body.

Looming fear grip my heart making me unable to move at all, i could only laugh in my heart as the thought of me confronting this monster thing would be a walk in a park was doom to be a failure. I’m just an ordinary guy…

I’m just…

No I cant give in, I cant…

I steel my heart as the dog approaches much more nearer. Even though I was afraid, even though I know I am weak, I need to go through this if not…

The dog’s jaw hurriedly target the jugular vein of my neck, knowing that I stand on my ground and held down the dog before it reaches me. But its strength was a whole other level. Using my hand to hold it away from me was futile as only for a second or two does it backs away for a while. Its jaw of death approach closely, with my mind going blanks my hand move with pure instinct. The instinct to survive that I didn’t even thought exist within me emerge.

With the pointed end of the pen, I plunge it straight into its skull. The most logical location to kill of an animal in one stroke. But…

The pen broke in pieces as the hide of this dog creature was certainly thick and tough. With the future turning bleak, I dodge the incoming jaw by a millisecond. If not my head would have be detach from my body. my mind was frantic hoping to escape from this death situation. I stand up and turn back toward the door going to the seminar room area. Clutching the door I turn it down but before I could enter the dog creature already pounce on my back.

In a struggling moment, I manage to spun my body while it pounce and block the incoming bite with a swing of my arm. Both of us enter the corridor with a loud thump to the corridor floor. Without hesitation I grab one of the two pen from by backpocket. Before I could do anything the laying dog creature beside me was already trying to bite my head off numerous time. I slide back on the floor pushing the dog with my feet, kicking it away from me.

With my back behind the walls, once again im in a dire situation. Those deep red eyes stare right through me knowing im in fear. A face off between man and beast was about to be unfold. Then the dog leap again with the intent killing me and eating me alive. To it im only food and nothing else, how pathetic I thought for a human who was at the top of the food chain was now at the bottom, I should have be a tree or rock or something at least I wont die. That’s what my mind was thinking in this very perilous danger, very unorthodox isnt it but I guess im kind of the weird one then.

the dog sharp canine teeth makes it way to my head and in that spur of moment, my hand anticipating the dog to attack I block it using my forearm. Before its teeth could reach my precious head. i plunge my forearm into its jaw rather than just block it. I don’t know why, but I thought it would be better to do that rather than just block it and I my instinct was correct. My forearm was bitten but the front canine only embedded a bit into the flesh of forearm. Cracking sound start to be heard as its jaw tighten, I didn’t want any longer as I plunge the pointed end of the pen towards it skull again but this time a bit of changes in the trajectory.

Rather than the thick skull, I target the one spot where it was softer, its blood red eyes. The mutt was too occupied on my forearm and didn’t notice my pen heading straight toward its eye. a small ‘PLOP’ sound can be heard like a balloon fill with water that suddenly burst. Not doing half-heartedly, I plunge it deeper into its eye not stopping even for a bit. Until the tight grip of its jaw was still strong, I didn’t stop until a tiny bit of the pens length was left and I did the unthinkable, clenching my fist as hard as I can. I hit the end of the pen with all my might.

The pen with the assistance of the force goes straight to the other end of its eye. The jaw loosen after a while and the dog was frozen like a statue. I push the dog body down and it lay limp on the floor. I blew out a sigh of relief, a sign I was happy to survive that encounter. An encounter that could lead my life to the grave.

Then the pain came…

A surge of pain rush into my brain, it seems the bitten forearm left a bit of an aftertaste that surely I don’t particularly enjoy. The adrenaline rush from the fight just now must have depleted by the intense pain that I am feeling. Its been a long time since I felt this pain, well the laid back relaxation lifestyle truly hinder me away from any kind of danger. Checking on my body,a few bruises here and there can be seen left by the claw of that mutt. I just notice it after the fight; my cloth was now tattered due to its claw and bloodied all over me. I must have been too conscious of its jaw that I ignore its other arsenal, luckily I survived, and the scratches were not deep enough to pose a threat. I don’t want to do that again.

I take a few breaths in trying to calm down my fast beating heart. A few seconds lapse and then I heard something ominous; it was that disturbing growl again must be another dog. With a body full of pain, I stand up and quickly close the door and locking it to prevent any other misfortune to befall upon me. Leaning back to the door, I can’t help but to shut my eyes for a while. That death fight just now was so tiring that my body was turning limp and not an ounce of energy in it. With that I slumber to the dream world.

Not like Raine know, but from the time he gets out of the room till he fell asleep only 15 minutes has just lapse.

---

At the same time Raine came out of the classroom.

The men and ladies were worried with Raine behavior, although he was the laziest of them they still thought of him as one of their closes friend.

‘should we chase him?’ ask Mui to the rest of the group. Mui has fair skin with her pony tail black hair. her eyes were evenly space with dark hazel luster.

Her question was not respond by the others as they all turn silent. They all have the feeling of wanting to help but the risk was too much. Even they do not know how to help him in this kind of situation. Then another person spoke up.

‘how about we wait for the official forces to come, they should know what to do’ reason Syira. Then another person support to her statement.

‘yeah I think its better to wait for the police or so’ said Lina, her small stature made her look like a young teenage girl in her 13 or 14 age or so. Although she said that, deep in her heart she was worried, worried about her family that live not far from her university.

Then Mui retort to their attitude toward Raine;

‘what are you saying guys, if we leave Raine there alone he would surely die by those monsters’

Then her remark was reply by heart piercing comment by Doen;

‘then what do you expect us to do? To go out there and die together with him! we all have our families and we all don’t want to die’ Doen high pitch voice shoot Mui comment to the core. Even Mui realized she has no power to help him let alone helping her self. The logical thing to do right now was to barricade here in this room until help arrive.

Meanwhile as the group of ladies and Doen bicker the 5 men in the group were making a plan.

‘hey should we Raine?’ question Han to the rest of the 4 men.

‘I don’t think that’s a rational thing to do’ answer Balan with his finger carefully stroking his bearded chin.

‘but he is one of us’ justify Han to persuade the four of them to go out there and help Raine.

But the same situation happen in this group as well, not wanting to help Raine the best thing to do was staying here or making up an escape plan.

‘let us not waste time anymore, Raine will be fine you know how he is, he can survive anything’ interject Zain with his face looking keen and serious with the intention to make them follow to his plan.

‘guys I have a plan, since going through the door is the most dangerous and the most unpredictable, I think its better to do the opposite’ said Zain with a leisure smile across his face.

‘what do you mean opposite?’ ask a puzzled Han.

‘he means of using the window, right Zain’ interject Jalani, he already know on what Zain was thinking.

‘yes, since we are on the first floor the height could be only around 5 or 6 meters, we can use the curtain to make a rope and we can climb down it and it would be cinch no, we wont encounter any monster since most of them are in the inner area of the university, even if we met one I know we can out maneuver them within a short distance’ explain Zain with all the details of the plan.

Although it’s a crude plan, for now that was the safest plan right now. The objective was to get into the car within a short time period.

‘so how about it guys?’

‘but how about the girls? Shouldn’t we explain to them also’ ask Han with a good intention toward others.

‘sorry Han but my car could only fit at maximum around 7 or 8 or so’ said Zain with an apologetic voice.

‘then we could ride my car we can split the numbers, mine can at least fit in around 3 or 4 people, if that we need only one more car to fit in the rest of them. Ah Mi, what about you did you bring your car today?’ Han try to remedy the situation by proposing an idea to help the rest of them.

Ah Mi shook his head with the gesture of saying he didn’t bring his car today. Its an unfortunate event but from the five of them only Han and Zain brought their car.

‘Han, we don’t have time to lose if you still want to help them try to figure about their transportation but I will said to you first, the plan is to go there without alerting the monsters, im just afraid the girls would panic and start screaming out their lungs’ reason Zain to Han. Although the thought of him trying leave the girls was outrageous but what he said does have merit of its own.

Zain left Han and he and the rest of the four guys start to work out their plan. Taking the curtains off drew the attention of the group of ladies and Doen. They cant help but question them of their action. Doen was frantic and hurriedly ask of them what are they trying to do;

‘guys! What the hell are you trying to do?’

Han approach Doen and the ladies trying to explain things out. After giving a full explanation to them, their face seems conflicted although they want to leave this place but the risk of encounter any monster would may as well consider suicide.

‘but what about the cars? There is not enough space for us all’ ask Suba with her tone carrying an anger fill voice.

‘that’s why if you guys have any car park in front, it would be the best then we can secure for the others seat’ explain Han calmly. He didn’t want to start an argument with them even he knows it would be a waste of time doing that. But Suba has a slight temper to begin with.

‘then what do guys want to do?! Leave us here to die is that it? how could you! Hmph’ bark the angry Suba to Han with the intention of letting the other men working to hear also.

Suba quickly went to the other side of the room not wanting to near them as she glare them with her sharp razor eyes. While the other ladies start thinking about it, Lina suggest to Han.

‘han, what about my car its only a bit further away from the entrance’ said Lina in hoping her suggestion would get through him.

‘where is it?’ Ask Han shortly

‘its in the parking area at the shopping mall, it would be quick I promise you’ Lina tone of voice was starting to sound like she was pleading for Han to accept her suggestion of accompanying her to her car.

‘im sorry Lina, but that is too far we don’t think we don’t know what would happen if we go that far’ reason Han.

Lina face turns sour as soon as she hears what Han said, she quietly returns back to her seat with a rejected face. she must have another objective of wanting to go by her own car.

Doen came to Han and said to him;

‘I park my car near the entrance, 5 people could be fit in the car’ said Doen, his face seems irritated being left out by the guys but he still want to get out of here.

‘then its good then, be ready’ said Han.

After about half an hour, the make shift rope made from the classroom curtain was done. Opening the windows, the rope was brought down. Jalani tighten the other end to a clump of study desk jumble up together acting as an anchor. The four of them watch down the window hoping there were no monsters around. Even with the street lamps lighten shining down the streets, parking area of the university was dark with their vision cant see even the surrounding beneath them.

A risk that they need to take if they want to get out of here alive and well. Zain look to the rest of the class;

‘the rope is ready, lets go guys’ spoke Zain with his tone with confidence within it.

Doen and the ladies crowd toward the window waiting for their turn of going down, Mui on the other hand try to persuade Biella who was continuing reciting her prayers not moving with her bum plaster to her seat.

‘Bel, come on we need to go I don’t think its good if we stay her anymore’ said Mui with her gentle voice, with notion of calming her friend’s heart. But like an immoveable mountain, she sat there while keeping her mouth constantly murmuring the words of her god.

‘guys lets go, its about time we get home’ said Han with his jokester smile across his face.

---

While Raine’s classmate initiate their escape plan. Raine on the other hand was snoozing beside the door which separate heaven and hell, along with a dead corpse of an unnatural dog. Raine awake from his sleep, and felt once again the rushing pain from his numerous cut and bruises.

‘haha didn’t thought it would be this painful, should have done it while I had the chance curse my damn luck’ said Raine

Raine’s POV

I try to stand up with my batter body, holding on to the pain coursing through my body. with that little time of me sleeping for a while, I used the best of the energy I had and try to walk back into the classroom. Walking back, out of the corner of my eyes something shiny was caught by my eyes. It was a cube, a perfect size cube with a dimension of 4 x 4 x 4. Shining with a crimson blood color, in the inside a flickering flame constantly burn itself from within.

I scan the cube with my very own eye watching it closely then I notice something of a dog head. the flame once in a while will form into a dog head.

‘hmm don’t know but does this cube came from that dog? Doesn’t make sense’

I was a bit interested in this cube but first thing first I need to wash off this blood all over me, it sickens me being this unhygienic. Although im a lazy guy,I despise being in filth. Walking with a tired body, I pass by the rooms and not shoot a glance toward the inner side of the room. Heading my way to the toilet, a narrow path connects the seminar area to the outer corridor area. The path width could only fit one person and if I was stuck in this path I would just die maul by any kind of monster. even so, at the door I carefully observe the path by the small window, I wouldn’t want to meet any kind of monster at the moment. I don’t have the energy to even move my arm. If they really came out then I would just let myself die then.

With no light source at all, the narrow path was dark and eerie. Since its just a narrow path, at least I know what ever coming toward me would be from the back or from the front. Without wasting anymore time, I open the door slowly and slowly walk toward the end. Nothing pass by the outer corridor area which was a relief, but it was nerve wrecking same as before that feeling of unknown make your heart beating even faster than normal.

Approaching the other end I peek to both side of the corridor making sure im not in danger. Turning left and then turning right, the coast was clear. I silently walk out and went toward the men’s toilet. Tip-toeing my way there, I barely let out any sound. Pushing down the door, a slow creak can be heard. Entering the toilet, there was nothing there.

‘huh thank god’

With the door close tight at my back, I blew a sigh of relief but boy I was wrong. Im dead wrong. A creaking sound can be heard as the door from the last stall open , a bad premonition came sliding into my naïve mind.

“huh~ there would always be one, that many monster coming in it would be stupid if there is no encounter at all”

Then a shadow came out of the stall, it was furry with its ear pointing upwards and its snout resemble something I very hate. Moreover with that long furless tail. It really was disgusting. Yes the monster in front of me which was a tad bit smaller than the dog just now but still in my heart this rat creature was a lot more disgusting rather than scary. I don’t know why but since long ago I don’t really like rats or any kind of rodents. Call me a coward or anything you want, but you hate what you hate.

SQUEAK SQUEAK

“Shit its squeaking its freaking annoying”

For someone like myself who has an intense hate toward this species, just by hearing it squeak let my blood boiling in rage. The fear of confronting a monster vanishes as soon as I met this rat. Without me knowing, the last pen in my back pocket was firmly grip in my hand, ready to plunge it into that small brain of it.

Readying myself, I ready to rush myself into that stinking creature but before I could move one more step. I heard a sound that cause my body to freeze in shock.

SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK

Its that damn sound again, and its not even coming from that rat across of me. A bad very bad premonition was coming toward me. As the other stall also open, rang of squeaking vibrates in the men bathroom. Another three disgusting black rat emerge out from the stall. Those three rats look at me while squeaking. I don’t know why, but just now I would have let myself died from the attack of monster but encountering these rats I don’t really want to die by their stinking teeth.

‘come!!’

SQUEAK!!

The four rats rush towards me, with their two buck teeth baring it against me. I rush towards them with the same intention as them, to decimate them into pieces. Although I don’t dare touching it, the notion of dying by their teeth was a lot more humiliating and disgusting I would rather kill them then being kill.

‘death to the rat horde!!’

I shouted as I brandish my feeble pen, the rats jump on me. It was chaos. One was on my back, one trying to bit off my left leg another one hanging on my left arm and the last one going straight for my head. Despicable little creatures, ignoring the ones which were hanging on my body, I went straight for the one who was intending to gnaw my face. While going for the attack, my leg, my arm, and my back was being bitten, pain coursing through my whole body. But for once the pain was ignore as the most important thing was to finish off these pest.

I stab the incoming rat right through its head but this time to avoid any more failure I immediately target the eye of the rat. The rat was a bit slower compared to the dog and thus I was able to target its eyes more accurately. With the pain protruding out of its eye socket, I bash it skull with my fist clenching tight and hammer it away from above.

The rat drop to the floor instantly without being able to counter act, then I stomp the rat’s head making sure it would be laying on the floor for good. Before I could stomp its skull, from the back I could felt a pair of fangs inches away from reaching my neck, I hurriedly grab the rat on my back and hurl it to the other side.

With an opportunity in hand, the rat on the ground try to escape but sadly I wont let it. an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and blood for blood. I stomp with utmost to its head, and cracking sound can be heard. It struggles a bit before awhile it lay there motionless. With one dead, I move on with the next victim. With no weapon what so ever, I swung my left arm right to the ceramic of the sink, colliding the hanging rat on my arm toward the hard concrete ceramic.

I smash it until the teeth and its claw got loosen, it released itself from my arm and drop to the floor. Once again it leap towards me with the intention to hurt me. But sorry little filthy rat, but you’re going to receive the pain. As it leap I smack it right into its long snout crashing it to the floor once again. I move towards it wanting to bring in some more pain but then an intense pain can be felt right on left leg.

Looking at it, that hanging rat was leisurely biting my leg like it was feasting. Enraged, I grab its tail stomp it with all my might. With a stomp, the rat released its fang. Staring at my leg, it was pretty badly wounded. Without a doubt my anger reaches another level. Not letting its tail go, I grab it and pull it with all my strength, the rat try to resist but the rage within me wouldn’t calm down. I tug with more force with a ‘PLOP’ the tail come off, blood spraying from it bottom end.

The hurl rat just now come leap into me again wanting to avenge its brethren and its injuries. But I care less, the main thing was to exterminate this pest. I hammer it down with a swing from above its head and it lay down on the ground, it try to gnaw my leg but bad mistake I kick it with my pointed end leather shoe and continue a barrage of punches to its disgusting body. The punch count raise in number until the squirming and retaliating rat start to lose in energy and unmove.

Currently my breath was erratic, my body worsen in condition compare to before and from the look of it I already surpassed my limit, the limit of what my body can do but the instill hatred toward this species propel my body and soul to extinguish this unsightly sight from my eyes. With my body torn and full of open wounds, I still manage to stare down at the other two rats which were still alive.

My stare was filled with killing intent which makes them shudder in fear unknowingly. After the looking at their dead brethren, these rats know the consequences of going against me in this state. It bad luck for them for being born as a rat. Even then, those two rat rush towards me. Although at first they were hesitating, both of them know that they have no way out unless to fight.

With my body current state I know very well this was the last chance for me to kill them before them kill me. Even with all the hatred and rage in the world, if my body was weak it will still be weak. One leap into the air and one target my lower limb. I slam the leaping rat with my hammer fist knocking the leaping rat to the one below. Using the rat tail that I severed from before I entwined both of their neck together tightly knot it. I tighten it until the squirming rats which try to gasp for air stop moving.

‘damn rats’

I plop down to the floor once again with my energy depleted not enough to even keep me awake.

---

Climbing down the rope, a man wearing a tight shirt which show how muscular his body was carefully sliding down. It was Zain, he was the one who propose to escape through the windows. Touching the ground safely, he scan for awhile his surrounding and by the looks of it there was nothing abnormal or suspicious enough for him. giving a sign with his hand gesture, others start to climb down after him. while the others climb down, Zain already ran his way to the car leaving behind the others, to him reaching the car would be the most wisest choice right now. The other two who manage to land on the ground, also ran as fast as they can toward Zain’s car. While the next person climb the way down, Zain starts up his car.

With the sound of his car’s engine rev up, the noise breaks the silence of the night. his car was an SUV although it boast itself the most silent SUV, its starting engine was a bit noisy. As the dead night silence break, a few eyes start to open within the darkness of night. taking notice of the sudden sound, movement can be heard going towards the parking lot area.

None of them know the action that they have done. An action that will bring dire consequences. the sound of running was getting closer as they climb down the make shift rope. Then it happen…

BAAMM

The SUV tremble as something hit it from the side, the three who was already there in the car fell silent and shock.

‘what was that?’ scream Mimi as she heard that loud noise after the SUV shook.

‘I don’t know’ reply Zain with him looking clueless.

‘don’t be stupid and look around!’ said Syira in a harsh tone. Her bespectacled eyes look around the outside of the car looking for the source of that force. Then Mimi saw something

Mimi’s eye were glue to that shadow across the road and it was not just one there were a lot of them. Leaving her speechless, she backs away to the other side of the door unknowingly bumping into Syira. Syira who was startled by Mimi’s action felt the tiniest disturbance in this intense situation could let her mind flip.

‘mimi don’t lean on me go find the distrubance’ said Syira ignoring Mimi’s advance getting closer and closer.

‘hey mimi! Didn’t I just say go watch over there!’ said Syira with her tone sharp and angry. She change her head direction looking at Mimi, but Mimi pointed out something outside the car where the street was located. Syira’s eye turn wide eye open, even the feisty Syira turn silent after seeing those pack of monsters. She could not describe the monster appearance as it was too dark to see. But then knowing the situation was escalated to the bad side, Syira promptly shook Zain body and shout at him;

‘Zain we need to go now!!’

‘eh what, we need to wait for them there is at least 5 or 6 spot open left’ said Zain calmly while looking out to the window. Syira not wanting to explain anymore, forcefully change the direction of Zain’s head facing the other side. Zain fell silent, the moment he see them, his hand quietly move the stick gear ready to shift into reverse.

‘Zain what the hell are you waiting for come on we need to go now!’ shout Syira with this time looking more frantic. But Mimi who was worried at the back could silently look at the approaching pack that hastens their movement toward the SUV. As the pack of monster ran faster, the three of them turn frantic. The primary intention of saving the rest of the classroom gone in an instant. Zain quickly reverse the SUV and press full throttle toward the opposite side leaving the pack in the dust.

They do not know that they had done the most terrible deed leaving someone behind, at the middle of the parking area Lina was left alone. Frozen like a statue she was too shocked to register what just happen.

Back at the classroom, Suba and Doen start cursing to the three who left them. While the rest of the ladies turn ashen and feeling hopeless as the plan fell apart just as it was start to begin. Nami who was climbing down rope stop on her track as the situation turn another side. As they all were to angry toward the three they all forget to reason on why they did that. Tension and stress put on a toll to their mind that they forget to stop and think first.

Doen on the other hand scoff it off and told the rest of them;

‘we still have two more cars, I think we can try to fit in, after Nami turn I will go’

But among this frantic and angered people, two people were able to think things through about the event that had happened just now. It was them both…

‘no we cant do that’ said Jalani with an alarming and commanding tone while Ah Mi on the other hand start to went to the window and shout to Nami;

‘Nami come back fast!! Whatever it is don’t think and climb back up!’ this the first time Ah Mi has released his voice like this, he was a quiet person and minimally talk, even if he talks the volume of his voice was just barely able to be heard. Contrary to that, currently he was shouting his lungs out.

Doen and the ladies turn shock on these two men behavior. Doen retort to these two;

‘what the hell are guys doing, we need to get to my car right now’

Jalani calm them down with his hand gesture while saying;

‘Calm down Doen, and the rest of you also, think through this why did they leave us? Aren’t they our friend if they did so it must be because they are in a problem isnt it?’explain Jalani with his calm voice

‘what are you saying! You are saying they are in problem? Cheh!’ ridicule Suba, she was unreasonable when she was not in the mood.

Jalani not wanting to waste time with this argument, he headed through the window and from the far side of his sight, he saw something and everthing click within his head.

‘ah that’s why.. shit Lina!’ as soon as he realized that the cause of them leaving, he saw Lina was standing in the parking lot area alone and not moving. He quickly shouted to Lina.

‘Lina!!!!!!!!!!!!! Run Lina!!!! Come back!!!!!!!’ he scream his lung out pouring every effort wanting Lina to move from her spot. But to no avail she was still not moving. Ah Mi with the help of Han hurried pull the rope for Nami to come back up faster.

As soon as the classroom heard Jalani shouting, their eyes focus on to Lina and saw what Jalani saw. They all felt panic about what they saw just now even Suba who was arguing just now hurriedly continue Jalani where he left off shouting at Lina to come back also.

‘Lina!!!!!! Run!!!!!!!’ shout Suba, her voice was full of concern to this friend of her.

But again she stood there motionless. Her eyes were panicky looking left and right, uncomfortable in her current condition. She was deaf to the voice of her friends, as her mind right now was in total lockdown to receive every bit of information from the surrounding. Then a loud growl was heard travelling through the night sky reaching the ears of all people in the university. Everyone that was present in the seminar room glance toward the window, not only their class but all of the seminar class. Lina snap off from her dazed like trance, she notice the incoming pack of monsters and heard her friend’s voice.

Turning around she ran with all her might, tears start running down her face knowing she was in a bad situation. Lina run as fast as she could but the pack of monsters behind her was getting closer to her. the others in the classroom were nervous as one of their friend was like a food source to this predators below them. Unbeknownst to them, the previous shouting also waken the monsters from within the university and within their keen sense as predator unveil they quickly up on their paws and feet heading toward the car park.

Lina manage to arrive a bit faster than the pack of monsters as she try to climb up, her strength has left her body the all out running had tire out her fragile petite body. but then again she clench tightly the rope. Ah Mi noticing the sudden noise from inside felt the situation was getting worsen by the second. He quickly shout to them,

‘guys quick pull the rope’

Jalani, Han, Balan and the rest of them help pull the rope as hard as they can. Lina body raise from the ground inches by inches, but gradually slow the monster caught up to her and the tall one with a height of 2 meters or so reach while leaping wanting to bite off the end of the rope. It was a quadpedal monster resembling a boar with bulging muscles, if they can see the appearance of these monster they would be surprised. With its thick crimson red hide and multiple tusk protruding upwards on its snout the spiky quill on the back of its spine compliment its overall appearance as terrible and dangerous monster. even with leaping it could at least reach 3 meters in height.

The leaping boar’s tusk manage to snug from the pants of Lina alarming Lina of the sudden nudge. She gave out a loud scream knowing she was going to die if the tusk manage to fling her into the ground.

‘AAAHHHHH!!!’

The whole classroom which were pulling her up notice the sudden scream, Ah Mi without pausing even a second went straight to the window and saw the tusk which about to take a hold of Lina’s pants. Ah Mi shouted with all his might;

‘guys pull with all your might know!!’

They all comply, and as they grit their teeth they all summon the strength that they had pulling Lina to safety, at the same time Ah Mi jump out of the window in a sudden twist of fate. The others was too late to be shocked and all focusing on pulling the rope. Ah Mi jumping down the window had no choice if he really want to save Lina’s life. He grab something within his pocket and quickly take it out and at the same time swinging it directly at the stuck pants. With one swipe, the stuck cloth was rip by him and Lina was pull to safety. Hanging by the window, Jalani grab Lina and immediately drag her into the room.

While Ah Mi drop to the ground and roll himself to minimizes the momentum of falling from the 1st floor. Going past the boar monster, he landed safely on the ground gripping on his hand a neat small knife which came from a card. For once within his heart, he was thankful of purchasing this knife card online.

Standing alone on the ground surrounded by monster that varies in species. He was at a dead end. The classroom was in a tense mood staring their eyes toward the lone man who sacrifice himself for the sake of one live, they didn’t blink not wanting to miss anything. They could only swallow their saliva waiting for the moment to come.

Ah Mi could only smirk in this situation gripping tightly to the knife card, he turns around and quickly ran toward the unfinished building beside his university. It was supposed to be the new building of the university but due to hidden agenda by the upper council the construction was delay. Ah Mi ran with all he has disappearing into the darkness while being chase by a horde of monsters which was aiming for his lone life.

The others could only stare the unfinished building as the silhouette of their friend was loss in sight. For one thing within their mind and heart they all want him to survive and be alive.

Lina who was grateful for Ah Mi actions, can only stare and mutter;

‘Ah Mi’

---

With all the commotion end within the classroom, one young man was still unconscious within the men’s toilet. A sudden twitch can be seen in his eye, opening with a sense grogginess. Nevertheless he tries to open it. with his eye barely open, he try to move his body but…

It was futile, he cant move anything below his neck. Even the sense pain was getting absent. Below his neck numerous cut and bruises can be seen. the most prominent was the left fracture of his forearm and the bad large wound on his left leg.

Raine POV;

“huh~ im truly fuck this time, I cant even move anything right now, shitty luck cant even leave the university and now im gonna die in this rat infested toilet”

But within the corner of my eyes I spot something sparkling red a red that I can only see within those game only. A sense of nostalgia envelop my heart. I could only laugh, was this a chance for me to regain my life back? I wonder but even so that liquid incase in a test tube was near the corpse of those disgusting rat. To crawl under that corpse would be utterly filthy.

“Huh~”

What I could do, I guess to live I need to grovel under filth then. Not wanting to wait anymore, i summon everything that I had left and drop my body to the ground. In an instant my body flop to the floor with no resistance at all. The should be pain was not felt at all leaving me a bit numb actually. With my body lay on the floor, I slowly make my way to the tube, dragging my lifeless body with my chin. It was certainly hard and arduous. Time flew by fast when mostly the time was spent for me to rest rather than to move. Only after gaining a bit of energy did I move.

Two hours pass by and I finally arrived near the test tube. The floor was fill with that fucking rat blood. In my heart I was constantly cursing these freaking animals. The hate toward this species would never fade as long as I live. Ignoring this filthy situation as much as I can, I grab the test tube with my mouth. Then a sudden realization smack straight into my heart.

“how the hell am I going drink this”

Looking at the blood on the floor there was only one solution and that was to break the test tube and drank it straight from the floor along with the rat’s blood. My stomach churn while just thinking about it, I even start getting nauseated, but I hold of not wanting to do anymore filthy situation. I quiver a bit thinking I need to drink this along with blood but I had no choice.

With the test tube in my mouth, I break it with all my force. The red dazzling liquid drop to the floor mixing itself with the red crimson blood. I didn’t notice it but a cut was made on my lips as I try to break the tube. With nothing to lose, I drank it from the floor.

“here we go”

GULP GULP GULP

“disgusting!”

GULP GULP GULP

I don’t know how much I drank but after awhile I could felt energy coursing through my veins. Warmth start circulating within my body and I start to feel the sensation of my limbs. I could feel my finger moving a twitch.

“it works so it really was…”

Before I could end my sentence in my monolog, my eye sight caught something. the intact test tube which was broken, I could see something. from the reflection of the glass I was supposed to see myself but what I saw was something else an entirely different thing. It was a blue rectangle shape window. I could only gasp seeing it.

The small letters were to small to read but I could guess what it reads;

“level…”