Even though Rand's awakening seemed like a mockery, To him it was still one. He did not despair presenting himself before his instructors with this good news in hopes of being invited into a Barracks where he would surely train and become stronger.
Unfortunately when he was tested to discover his current power level and potential, the results were null. According to the results, Rand was an ordinary human. His instructors believed that the boy had mentally broken from the stress of not being chosen by the goddess to awaken and thus, in his insanity, he had started hallucinating about seeing his status window.
He was dismissed from the orphanage all the same to make his way in the world as an adult.
Rand who refused to give up on himself, kept on with the training regiments from the orphanage. Everyday of his life he practiced with his father's sword. A weapon crafted for an awakened that thrice as heavy as an ordinary sword. He hoped his efforts would be rewarded. That the goddess would acknowledge his intentions and grant him power.
However after one awakened, their body gained a high mana resistance and the rate of natural absorption slowed to a crawl. Advancements were catalyzed through exposure to regions of high mana concentration like the dungeons within the gate as well as taking in natural treasures with high levels of mana or elixirs.
For someone like Rand with his human level attributes, going inside a dungeon, even one ranked F would be suicide as his body would fall apart from the high concentration of demonic aura mixed with the mana, not to mention the mana levels alone being too much for his body. And if by some luck he didn't die, the first monster he came across would end him.
As for the elixirs and potions or natural treasures for advancement, they were all terribly expensive. it would cost a fortune just to raise his Mana stat by 1.
To survive, Rand had taken up mining work at a Manasteel deposit along with numerous F ranked awakened. He had also taken up delivery work and Joined A rescue man Force that worked under government Awakened squads.
After two years of working, he was able to finally afford the lowest grade mana potion that could boost his mana. The result?
Mana: 5
And so here he moved through the town under assault as he looked for any stragglers around the town do that he would guide them to the safety of the carriers waiting at the edge of the town as the awakened, the heroes Rand longed to be apart of clashed against the demons and dreadbeasts.
Demon attacks had become more aggressive over the years. Recently Demons had found a way to teleport small bands into the middle of human settlements and bring death and destruction. There were rumors that this was a sign of a new Demon monarch rising from the Dark continent, who was behind this new power.
The thought that the development of this power could one day result into an entire Demon army suddenly appearing in the middle of a city, with mankind unprepared was a nightmare.
The powers of mankind were working tirelessly to ensure that such a calamity never came to be.
Satellites that read mana flactuations across the globe were being used to detect not just new gates appearing but any flactuations of demonic aura that might mean a raid teleportation.
Guilds and squads under the government were being deployed overtime for fast response to these readings around human settlement.
The Rescue squads exist for crowd control, search and rescue operations, first aid and to get ordinary civilians out of the way of the Awakened and from the reach of monsters.
This night, Rand had reported for duty when a fluctuation was detected from around this town.
Upon arrival, the Awakened had dived right into battle as the portal had already broken and Demons and their dreadbeasts had already laid their assault upon the town.
The Rescue men following in the wake of the Awakened, had found a people wracked by panic, fear and chaos as they tried to flee every which way.
Many buildings had been wasted, fires had started spreading and many had been slain in their homes or as they tried to flee or even where they hid.
The awakened couldn't save everyone. The vivid scene of death, destruction and the suffocating aura the demons released was sickening. The weak could only run, scream and pray. That someone strong would come in time and save them.
The awakened, about 12 in number, drew the attention of the demon raid in the town center where they engaged in open battle, allowing the Rescue men to gather the towns people and lead them to the Carriers.
Rand was making a final sweep about the town. He did not shy away from any dead body he came across. Their final suffering was a testament to the injustice that had claimed them. He moved among homes, shops, alleys, and squares. walls collapsed in, property destroyed, people's lives ended.
He was sure there was no one left alive. However as he turned to return back and report to his peers, he heard something. It was a noise and it sounded human.
He approached in the general direction hoping to hear more. The noise became clear as he ran across the streets Until he was able to make out words.
"HELP... SOMEBODY... ANYONE..HELP..PLEASE!" The voice was screaming. it sounded hoarse probably from screaming too long. There was still a straggler.
Rand ran towards the sound of the voice. He turned at a corner and found the straggler.
Before him was just a boy, perhaps no more than ten years old. He lay on the ground, stomach down , blood marring his blond hair. And his lower body was trapped under rubble of a collapsed wall.
His throat was hoarse from all the shouting. His dazed eyes glazed with hope when they met Rand's.
"Help!." He let out weakly as his hand reached out toward Rand.
Rand was quick to act, going on his knees around the rubble and digging and scraping at it. He was strong and was able to push it about until he could pull the boy from under.
He kept on speaking to him through the process.
"It's okay, you are going to be fine. I will get you to safety and first aid. Your okay little one."
His poor legs had been badly hurt and would not be able to support him. Rand was sure he would be given help on the Carrier. He had to carry to boy out of the town first.
He carried him in his arms like a babe, cradling his legs carefully to avoid any further damage. The wrapped his hands around Rand's neck and Rand asked his name as he started his return.
"Tim." The boy responded. The relief at being saved had weakening his voice.
"Okay Tim, Let's get you to safety"
As Rand turned to go, he had a growl behind him, just as the suffocating feel of demonic aura assaulted his perception.
Rand turned, fear gripping his heart. In the distance, along the Street He was on, he saw four dread beasts. Wolves all of them. Twisted by demonic aura.
They were larger than ordinary wolves yet their Skin and dark fur clung to their bones like they had starved since birth. They had long upper canines protruding beyond their maws. And their yellowish eyes were glowing with rabid hunger.
Yet the wolves were not the most terrifying thing that he saw. Walking in their midst, like a master taking his pets for a walk was the real nightmare.
A Demon!