Taste of Freedom

Hector P.O.V.

I continued laughing for some time. There was no one nearby so I really let it all out. It was a tremendously good feeling. So that is the taste of freedom! It’s so good~

The people who won the lottery must feel the same thing, but mine is multiplied infinitely.

I CAN TRAVEL TO OTHER WORLDS!

Oh god! Or gods, I don’t know anymore...

“Okay, Hector… Calm down. Focus, don’t get ahead of yourself.” After a long sigh to control my breath, I try to calm myself and look around.

“Yep, this sounds about right...” I comment while walking on the grass wet with the morning dew.

First things first, let me check something.

I have two cheats... Powers... Mechanics. Mechanics is the better term to call them. 

I can do two things.

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OMNIVERSAL TRAVEL  - 364 Days  23:55:03

You can jump through the Omniverse

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That’s it... Typical, but... A 1 year cooldown?

Fair enough... Can’t complain. This limitation will make me be careful in the future. I can’t jump to a place to only grab something and leave. I will stick with low-level universes for now.

A pity... I can’t go grab that lightsaber.

By the way, I can make it so that the information simply appears in my mind. But my teenager weeb mind finds it easier to have the information displayed like a computer screen. Those Isekais rotted my brain.

Well, with this I can read them carefully and think.

The second mechanic is interesting too.

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WORLD ATTUNEMENT 

With a thought you can attune yourself to the world you are in, gaining the natives' abilities and potential. 

-The attunement gives you average levels of potential

-More than 90% of the natives need to have a specific ability or power, so that you can gain it too

-ASDHW28324##%*¨$

-You’re protected from setbacks from conflicting energies, powers, etc

-You have compatibility with all possible power-ups

-¨$#)(*)))(

-(...)

_____________________________________________

And that’s my second mechanic.

If the first allows me to travel everywhere, this one allows me to be part of any universe. Learn the power systems and all that.

There are limitations on the two mechanics, and that’s the reason I don’t call them cheats, so I need to work around it. 

And there are a lot of lines that I can’t understand... I can only guess things will get clearer with time.

Let’s try this [World Attunement] thing. It’s useless in this world, but I need to see...

With a thought, I activate my second mechanic. I suddenly feel a rush around my body. Like when you drink cold water after you work out, you can feel the cold water spreading through your torso, cooling you down.

It’s extremely pleasant and it goes as fast as it arrived. I feel good and relaxed. Is that how people who go to spas feel after massages and all those things?

“Damn...” I roll my smooth shoulders and feel my body a little.

I don’t feel any different or stronger, only... rested... Healthy maybe.

“It’s probably because this world has nothing like magic, ki etc.” I comment before moving my eyes to see the [World Attunement] window again. And something attracted my attention.

__________________________________________

WORLD ATTUNEMENT - 4 Years 364 Days 23:59:21

__________________________________________

“Five Years?!!” I almost cough

The [World Attunement] mechanic has a 5-year cooldown!  

Okay... Okay... No need to think is unfair. That means that I need to be smart. It’s okay... I can work with it. Ideas are already appearing in my mind.

And it will probably lower the cooldown in the future, let’s be optimistic.

“But before I sit down to think about it more deeply and make a plan... Let’s grab that power...” I say and start searching

I’m not clear where it is, but it is a hole in the ground in an open space so I must be able to find it easily enough.

So, right now I’m in a world of a certain underrated movie... Chronicle.

The plot is simple, 3 teenagers acquire the power of telekinesis after finding some unknown object underground. That means I can get telekinesis by doing the same.

There are two reasons for me to choose this world.

First, a power that anyone can acquire, even a normie like me. I was not sure about [World Attunement] when I chose to come here, and it was unnecessary to use it. Maybe I should have kept it to use in the next jump, but whatever.

And second, beyond this small plot of three teenagers with powers, the world is completely normal and similar to my own universe. So I can adapt and do other things before I jump again.

I had a small time frame to choose my first world, this is the best I could think of under pressure... And truth be told, I choose well.

If everything goes well, I will leave my first world with a superpower and with all the preparation that one year can give me.

I can even pat myself on the back for such quick thinking.

How did I choose so well under pressure? Well, it’s because I’m a weeb.

In my Home Universe, I read a lot about jumpchains and even wrote some jumper's paths. One of them is a doc that I called “Gradual Power Up”. It’s me putting the builds of my Character going into low-level worlds first and slowly climbing the ladder of power.

The world of this movie “Chronicle” is one of the first jumps. That’s why I thought about it fast... It was on the back of my brain.

Now, more calmly I can think of other worlds that would not be so bad. And reading [World Attunement], maybe even some shounen anime world would not be bad either.

But I’m happy to come here first. I’m the cautious type after all...

“Found it!” I see the hole!

So, explanation time: [Omniversal travel] allows me to travel to any world and I can choose any time.

And the place to arrive can be anywhere between some relevant locations. Like I can choose the Hidden villages if I go to Naruto.

In this case, I chose the start of the movie and the location is the “Haven Hills”. 

By the plot of this movie, today there will be a party at this place and the main characters will find this hole. That abandoned Warehouse, or factory, there is where the party will happen.

But at this moment, early in the morning, the cast of the movie must be going to school.

So I have hours and hours of advantage over them, but I should hurry.

Ziiin

I hear it, a low-frequency sound... yep, it’s here.

With a huff, I calm myself and put my backpacks down, and go grab the flashlight. I’m grateful for the 5 minute prep time that I had before coming here.

Things would be hard if I arrived here naked or something.

With a flashlight in hand, I go down the hole in the ground. The low-frequency sounds are getting more frequent.

So, in the movie, it was never explained what gave the teenagers powers. But the director told the public later when the second movie was axed...

Apparently, there are those rock organisms living thingies beneath us, slumbering... They have some sort of psychic powers that turn people into mindless drones to collect food for them.

The organisms give telekinesis to the living drones and control them...

Now, the one that I am searching now... is dead. So it will not transform me into a mindless telekinetic drone. It will only give me the power without controlling me.  It is what happened with the main cast.

Those frequencies are like the last spasms of a corpse. Rigor Mortis or something like that... I always wanted to be a doctor.

Ziiiiiiiin

Ugh, this is unpleasant... But I finally found it.

The movie is one of those that is filmed in the style that the characters are filming, you know? I think is called “Found Footage”, some horror movies are filmed like that too… So it was not clear how the thing looked like completely because the character that is the cameraman was not reliable, but now I can see it.

The part I’m seeing reminds me of that pokémon Staryu, but made of Crystal. It shines slightly in this dark cavern.

Now, I don’t know how it activates, so I simply touch it like one of the teenagers in the movie,

Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiingggg

Slowly the crystals shine in an ominous red light. I can’t hear anything beyond the low-frequency sound.

Ugh, this is giving me a migraine! It’s a good sign, right?

I feel something wet on my lips, I touch it to see a dark liquid in my fingers.

Blood... I’m bleeding through my nose. Exactly like in the movie!

Suddenly the whole cave starts rumbling... Okay, this is my cue.

I run with all my strength through the narrow dark path, sand and small rocks falling everywhere.

With a sigh of relief, I left the small hole, but I did not relax. I grab my things and continue to run away. I almost fell when my step did not find the ground... 

Fuck, the ground is sinking.

 I continue to run without looking back. Only after I reach the trees and bushes again do I stop to catch my breath.

Haah Haah

I looked back to see that the ground kinda sank some feet. Does that rock organism become dust or something?

The adrenaline of the Danger is high, and I smile... A smile with an iron taste because of the blood reaching my mouth.

It will probably take some days but... I have telekinesis! 

I have a superpower! Hahaha!

Well, I will have it. The telekinetic powers that I, hopefully, acquired grow with time and practice, like a muscle. So I will not even try anything for now.

“In the movie, it was unclear how and when they discovered the powers... Damn, unreliable cameraman.” I say loudly while grabbing my things.

Time to find civilization. Now that I noticed that I didn’t bring any food... What oversight. Just because I’m in a modern world... Tch. Okay, now I just need to survive.

Food and Shelter... let’s find a city, buy some groceries and find a hotel.

Walking out of the property of that abandoned Warehouse, I find an lone road here in the middle of those hills that surrounds his place.

“Normally one would do that thing with the stick to decide in which direction to go, but I have a skateboard...” I put the skateboard on the ground “So it will be better if I go down.”

Too bad the internet on my phone is not working and there are no traffic signs nearby. Information is important... Lesson learned. Next time I will prepare better.

I started rolling down the lone road carefully, I was never that athletic but I could do this much. 

…………………………….

“...”

“......”

“............”

Shit, it’s far! Whatever I’m going, it’s far! The world is big without a car!

“Luxury is really the enemy of a man.” I murmur. It makes us weak and spoiled.

The cherry on the top is that it is not always downhill... I need to leave my skateboard and walk uphill too in some parts. 

“The design of this initial map is not user-friendly...” I complain while joking, but I stick with my decision to go in this direction. I don’t believe I will not find a city before nighttime comes.

Maybe I used my whole luck gaining super powers but not even a car passed to give me a ride. I went on myself till I saw the city... No, it’s more like a small town. “Finally…” I sigh in relief.

By the position of the sun, it must be lunchtime... I walk to the small town, without a problem, but I know that I am in a pinch.

“My money is limited, most of it is on jewels... But I guess I can live off it for some time. I can’t allow myself to be mugged...” I suddenly enter on high alert.

I have money, and as much as it would be smart to save the most for now, I know that in this initial stage, where I’m really vulnerable, I can’t be a cheap stake. I need to be safe till my powers get strong enough to defend myself.

“How long did the timeline of the movie last again? Some months... Less than a year...” It’s not accurate but it’s all I have. At the end of the movie, the main cast could fly, crush cars and everything.

I’m like a baby now... I never felt so vulnerable. I’m even traveling the street super carefully. Exaggeratedly careful!

It’s true what they said, the more you have the more you fear dying... I have a lot of potential now, I can’t die in an accident or by some bastard with a  knife or a dumb fuck driver!

From the corner of my eye, I saw something yellow... A taxi! Hesitating for only one second I extend my hand and the car stops.

“To where champ?” The driver asks in a friendly manner ”Last ride before I went to eat...”

“Good morning. And you just said the right words... I’m new in the town... visiting some parents...” I lie to be safe “But I’m famish, take me to a nice restaurant. In the center!” I add, the center of town normally has everything that you need.

“I know just the place.” The driver smiles and steps on the gas “It’s affordable and feels like food made by your mama... But at this time it must be full...”

“No problem. Take me there.”

As expected, the taxi driver talks a lot. And to my surprise... I’m engaging in the talk pretty easily too. Weird... I was always the shy introverted type.

From where does this confidence come from? Is my new powers? My Independence? 

I just noticed that is not that scary to start a conversation with someone.  Wow!

And it is the same with the waiters and the cashier of the restaurant. It was easy to greet them with a smile, say thank you, and “have a nice day”. All of them answer with equally friendly tones.

Leaving the restaurant after a good meal I take a deep breath.

“Haah It’s that thing, right? ‘You don’t slap a smiling face’ or something...” I comment in a low voice, remembering a saying from somewhere Why should you feel anxious in talking with people?

Are you afraid of them being assholes and saying hurtful things? That’s on them!

I feel like I’m suddenly an adult... That’s nice.

In the same good mood, I started walking in the direction of the Target store the people at the restaurant told me... Hmm, those backpacks are kinda heavy.

Change of plans! Let’s find a hotel first, there’s one nearby. They told me that too.

Arriving at the hotel, I booked a simple room and the talk with the receptionist went without problems till I noticed something and started sweating coldly.

My ID! I’m from 2025! I’m 16! I was born in 2009! Right now is 2012!!!

Omniversal Travellers don’t have reliable documents! Shit! It’s all useless!

How the fuck do I get a Fake ID? I don’t know sketchy people! I don’t even know how to start, I’m just a normal teen.

The receptionist looks at my ID with scrutiny, typing on her old computer... I look at it nervously. Is she calling the police? Or is she...

“Here, sir. Room 204.” She gives me back with a polite smile.

“Oh... Thank you...” I robotically take it back from her hands, trying my best to be casual about it.

She didn’t look at my birth date. Safe! She was only typing my name.

Whew~

I go to my room while looking at my ID and debating with myself if I can maybe change the numbers with some super thin pencil.

Not to trick the government or anything, just to pass through places.

“I will need to live at the margin of Society...” I sigh while opening the door “No passport, no driver's license... I don’t exist here.” I put my things on the ground and drop on the bed.

Staring at the ceiling I let reality settle in... 

I’m all alone. Everything that I own is at my feet. If I die, no one will care. I don’t exist. The things I can do in this world are limited too...

“It’s okay, I do not plan to settle here. Let’s take it as a vacation.” I try to see the good side of things.

I will have a power too, I will be able to fly. No need to take trains or planes.

“Depending on how strong is my power, maybe I should travel the world... No! No! This year is to train and study.” I stop myself from taking things too lightly.

I’m weak. Let’s keep my head low and prepare myself for the future.

Study relevant things, and hit the gym. Maybe learn a martial art...

“Time to my self-improvement arc.”

.................................................

In the store, I buy all the amenities that someone needs. Hygiene products, some snacks, some tools that can become weapons(just in case), and other miscellaneous stuff like generic medicine that sells anywhere.

I pay without a problem while running on my mind everything I can do without an ID. Can I rent an apartment? Probably a fucking cheap one...

I will have that Peter Parker experience. So let’s pay a lot of money to stay at the hotel while my power doesn’t awaken. I’m a little afraid of testing it... If my telekinesis is like a muscle, I can maybe cripple myself if I try to force it.

Like a newborn baby.

As much as I’m anxious and excited, I’m not in a hurry. One of my qualities is that I’m a patient man. So much so that I plan to stay holed up in my room for days. Not risking suffering an accident or anything.

I resist the urge to try to lift anything telekinetically as I arrive in my room, moving straight to the bathroom to take a bath before dropping down on the bed and watching the TV to adapt to the world. I will catch up with the News, and see if there are any differences. I expect, and hope, nothing changed before the extra plot of the movie, but who knows, right? Maybe Obama is not the president.

Luckily there’s wi-fi in this hotel, so I will not get bored.

As I remove my shirt, I decide to take a look at myself in the mirror...

“...” This is “Base Hector”.

The me from the start of this great Journey ahead... I bet that I will change a lot. I’m still a teenager too... How much I will change in the future?

Will I grow a beard and adopt a rugged look? From a tired traveler who has no place to call home? Maybe a super buff heroic guy? Maybe a villain clad in dark clothes? A wizard? A warrior? Will I always carry a sword on my hip? Or a gun?

I decided to take a picture, like one of those people who started hitting the gym and dieting. To have a Before and After comparison.

On the screen, a scrawny white nerd with messy dark hair. The only favorable features are the blue eyes and the fact that this nerd is not a midget or a fatty.

I have the potential to a glow up... No, I one day will have a fuck glow up.

This Picture will also remind me that this is where I started, Should I write something too? Maybe how I’m feeling like now, so that I don’t forget when things get tough or I get too strong.

My fingers touch the screen and it changes the camera so that I can record a video.

“Hello, future me. How are you? Don’t answer, I will not hear anyway... If you opened this video, or you idly clicked on it, in a bored moment where you are going through some old files, good, and keep up the good work. Now if you are in an important moment in your life... It’s bad? It’s good? Wait... Don’t answer... If you are asking for advice, sorry. You are probably much wiser than me now... I hope so, if not... What the fuck are you doing? Huh? Having fun making a harem?? You bitch! Go back to the grind! Why the hell are you seeking advice from your edgy and cringe self from the past?! Let me remember what we want to do at this moment!” I stare at the screen with intensity.

It’s almost like I can see my future self. Or my future selves... In the plural.

“We are finally free! To do everything! It’s the greatest gift we could ask for! Did you waste it? Or are you sad about some other thing? There’s an infinite number of things to do, places to see, people to meet, food to taste, adventures... We want to do all that! We want to do silly things and serious things! We want to thread the line between good and evil, doing what fancies us! We want to be incredibly strong and still live a normal life! We want to live forever! We want to seek perfection and hope that you never achieve it!” I let my emotions flow out, saying whatever comes into my mind.

It’s my future self, there’s nothing to hide from him. He knows I’m not a good person, and I have time to think and I discovered that I want to do some bad things too. For necessity and because I want.

“If you are sad because of something, or something is not working for you, just stop and go do something else... Why are you forcing yourself? Did it become a chore? Do I need to remind you that nothing binds us?! We should seek strength but we also should enjoy the process... I trust that you balanced well the two things. I know that there’s a lot of booty out there, but consistently improve yourself too.”

After a sigh I decided to finish the video, I’m kinda cringing already

“Anyway, I don’t know if you remember... But today was the first day that I talked and socialized with a lot of strange people. Okay, given that they were workers and I was a customer it was not really an accomplishment, but even so, it was progress from my anti-social self. Now I’m confident that I can do anything and bear anything... Loneliness, enemies, relationship troubles, whatever... I’m sure that we can handle it.”

I open my arm “I mean, look at us! And now look at yourself! How much did we progress, huh? Look how far we’ve come! Even the mistakes are experience. We lost nothing because we started with nothing! And we want everything, even if we have to take it... Remember, after being mistreated and controlled for so long, living a suffocating life... We do what we want!”

I remember my future self of the most important.

We will seek strength to never be forced to do anything we don’t want again. Enough of being controlled.

I stop filming and put away my phone. I have no idea what the future holds for me. I have plans, obviously, but I can change and act differently from what I’m imagining myself acting in the future.

But as much as I am an overthinker, I know that there’s no point in planning that far ahead.

“Well, it could be fun... I had fun planning jumpchains, now that I’m on it for real, it will be even more fun.” I say but despite that, I do not go to work immediately, I enter the shower while humming an upbeat tune.

Because for now I just want to enjoy this quiet and peace for once in my life.

“FREEDOM!”