《No Face, No Life》013
Advertisement
I felt better after a shower, but my eyes were still bloodshot.
With no siblings or friends to rely on, all I had were my parents who never stepped in to save me. I was twenty years old and supposedly capable of supporting myself. Well, I wasn't.
Sometimes I regret my decision to not seek higher education. I was fairly talented with computers, so I took to my work reasonably quickly enough. Being decent at my job, I still wasn’t completely satisfied with it money-wise. When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a train conductor or even a pilot, but I never possessed the necessary motivation to chase such dreams.
Despair isn’t an option. I need to move! I goaded myself. However, my legs were paralyzed. Finally, I jerked myself into action. Unfortunately, I slipped on the bathroom floor and landed on the ground, face first. There wouldn’t be a loss if it had bruised, nor even if my nose had broken. Thankfully, it hadn’t. It’d have hurt more, if so. My face wasn’t much of one to begin with. I’d made a few weak efforts to fix the situation, but not much I’d tried really improved my appearance.
I scrambled up, snagged my towel, threw it around myself, and crawled out into my genkan hallway. I leaned against the wall and padded, dripping through my kitchenette to my room. The pain at least woke me a bit. It helped me to shake off the paralysis. I dashed to my closet around the corner and slammed open the sliding door.
I dropped to my knees on the tatami and began rummaging through the piled-up mess to find my suit. I spotted a silly costume which made me smile. Eventually, I found my suit at the bottom of the pile. It was a bit rumpled from how I’d just tossed it into the closet. In the meantime, it was buried under dirty clothes. Once I retrieved and inspected it, I nodded, knowing I couldn’t present myself at the office the way it looked. Once lifted, I quickly set up my iron and board. I gave it a good starching, and steamed out a small stain.
Advertisement
I found a fresh undershirt, clean pair of work socks, and my shoes which required some minor polishing. Examining myself carefully in the mirror inside my closet, I wrapped the tie around my neck which completed my suit. While smiling weakly, I wrapped it around my neck and tucked it into its collar to slowly tie it. This gave me a familiar emotion. It was as though the tie was chaining.
I castigated myself for being weak and foolish while adjusting my tie. I spotted my face again in the mirror and winced. Wearing a suit really made me look even more Yakuza-like, particularly this day since my redlined and baggy eyes only worsened the impression. It’s not really my place to say it, but my heart is good and kind... Well, until I fell into my depression.
Honestly, I’d never hurt anyone, although I might have stampeded over a person or two when I bolted desperately towards the safe confines of my room. I always did my best to help unfortunate people. If I saw a homeless person, I’d stop and fish out a thousand yen note.
Ugh... I was scowling again, my go to expression. I knew it was disturbing, not that I didn’t smile, doing so just made the effect worse. That just made me look more wicked. It’s funny, neither my mother nor my father look a thing like me. It’s as though genetics are like playing russian roulette. Of course, I didn't exactly win at the game, having had the misfortune to eat lead.
I sighed and shrugged while I considered my plan for the next month to save my neck. My boss agreed to give me an early paycheck to help me out. Working it off for the next two weeks was the plan, and I’d just do my best to make ends meet for the next month. I calculated that I could manage to get by if I ate only cheap cup noodles for the next month. My breakfast this morning would likely be the best meal I’d have for the near future.
Advertisement
I grimaced and walked afterwards to my kitchenette to ready my propane-powered stove. I fetched the last two slices of stale bread. They were a bit moldy around their edges. I cut those bits off and popped them into my toaster. It was a top of the line modern toaster. Nevertheless, my apartment is what some people might call humble.
While the bread started toasting, I opened my small but efficient refrigerator to remove the last egg and a jar of dashi, which was pretty much all I had to eat. This was in essence my final meal before I enacted the ‘hellish month plan’ to repair my sorry life. Lacking a healthy appetite, I didn't cook as much as I’d intended, not that I had much to work with. I returned the rest of everything to the refrigerator.
I lifted my cooking chopsticks, broke an egg with my free hand, deposited its golden contents into a cup and started to stir it and rapidly beat it until it became delightfully foamy. I added mirin to it and beat it further as I added a bit of dashi. When the temperature of the pan was ideal, that is when it began to emanate a steady heat, I emptied the contents of the cup into the pan. I made sure the bottom of it was coated. As the egg solidified and curdled, I carefully folded it into a small loaf with quick motions of my wrists, hands and chopsticks. As I worked it took shape and became pillowy.
In a short amount of time, the egg looked two times larger. The pan wasn’t ideal for making high quality omu, but I hoped I’d done justice to my mother’s recipe, though I took a few shortcuts.
The toaster dinged moments later. I lifted a plate and flipped the bread slices onto the plate, and then set it down while lifting the pan to slide the omu atop it. I finished the egg sandwich by returning the dashi jar to my refrigerator. At the same time, I removed a bottle of ketchup. There was no rice left, so I couldn’t make an omurice. My mouth watered as the thought of eating it teased me. My stomach growled mercilessly, but I smiled.
Wishing for more wasn’t something I could help doing, but my breakfast was taking shape and it looked wonderful as it was. I started to squeeze out ketchup onto the egg, and feeling whimsical, I felt an irresistible urge to doodle on it. Sort of like my mother did. I drew a silly face on the egg. It looked like a winking face. Honestly, I wished the silly ketchup face was my real one. People would probably laugh at me if it was. I’d prefer laughter over scorn, anger, distaste or fear.
I enjoyed my sandwich, eating like a king for the first time in a while. I set my plate down, thinking about cleaning up the kitchenette a bit, but I decided to rush instead. I had no time for cleaning, but I felt a bit more motivated. So, I dashed into my room, lifting my watch from my low desk to fasten it on my wrist, pocketing my phone, and lastly lifted my briefcase which contained my laptop. Guess I’m ready. I nodded to myself, psyching up, jumping a few times as I scanned my surroundings. I’d not forgotten anything important... no, wait! My house keys! I grabbed the keys quickly and dashed out hoping I hadn’t forgotten anything equally crucial.
Advertisement
- In Serial120 Chapters
The Last Science
[This story is on a temporary hiatus due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I work in healthcare and unfortunately no longer have the freetime to continue posting on a regular basis. As soon as our workload decreases, I will return. Thanks for reading! 💙] No one ever knows the whole story. Nestled deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, something is emerging. Kept in absolute secrecy, it seeps into a fading town, quietly shared from person to person. For Alden Bensen, a directionless high school graduate, this discovery could mean an escape from his empty existence. To Rachel DuValle, perpetually underestimated and dismissed by the world, magic represents a chance to become something much greater than herself. In the face of an unsuspecting world, their decisions shape the growth of a budding society discovering untold power. This potent force offers anyone the power to change humanity forever—or send it cascading into swift and total annihilation. Want this story in smaller bites? Click here! The Last Science is an ongoing science-fiction / low-fantasy web novel series, focused on the modern world with a twist. New societies bud and grow, but the people who make them up are imperfect and flawed. The story includes elements of mystery, action, crime, interpersonal drama, relationships, philosophy, sociology, politics, and much more, all centered on the perspective characters driving the tale. Each chapter is pretty long (average ~8000 words), so find somewhere comfy to read. Content Warning (by request): This series delves into some topics and situations which may be upsetting for some readers. In American rating parlance, the narrative would be rated PG-13 (except for language), but some have noted the story can get pretty dark on occasion. Please use your best judgment, and don't be afraid to take breaks and come back later. I'll still be here! This story will also be published weekly at my website (https://etzo.li). There will be no differences in content, but slight differences in formatting. Feel free to read at whichever site or app you prefer. If you're enjoying the story, consider dropping me a vote over on Top Web Fiction, or come say hi on Discord. Thanks! Need more to read? Check out my other story, Epilogue — a post-fantasy psychodrama. Now complete! This story is a participant in the Write til the End pledge. It will be completed, no matter the cost.
8 204 - In Serial19 Chapters
The Better Side Of Evil
The last surviving son of House Rotwald is on the run. Chased by his enemies into the heart of a long forgotten wasteland, he is forded to traverse an unholy place of power. With the pursuers hot on his heels, can Victorian find shelter in the realm of the living dead? Or will he become just another walking corpse, doomed to wonder the land for all eternity? Everything that he believed in, everything that he held sacred – gods, kings and their laws – has already betrayed him. With nothing left to lose could the young paladin be persuaded to accept a new master? Could he bargain away his life to a dark power in exchange for vengeance? And what would he be required to do in return? The Kingdom of Leidemar is on the verge of ruin. Rival powers seek to divide it, but there is an opportunity for a new ruler to arise from within its own nobility. And even a lowly nobleman, if positioned correctly, could end up a king. Someone with the right allies, perhaps? Or maybe cruel allies would suffice? But for now the last surviving son of House Rotwald is on the run. *This story is as much about the monsters as it is about the people facing them. Some become allies while others become wet stains on the floor. I firmly believe that villains can make for some of the most endearing characters. Monsters need not be sour and droll. Have a bit of fun - indulge in a bit of villainy. Enjoy the gray morality and colorful cast of this story! *I have a Discord server now: https://discord.gg/4phDRU2 **Artwork by Shane Pierre: https://007access.deviantart.com/ ***I am not a native English speaker, so feel free to help me improve my use of the language!
8 114 - In Serial37 Chapters
The Dragon and the Treasure Hunter
After obtaining his first Class and linking into the System, nineteen-year-old treasure hunter Nate sees a person fall out of the sky. Upon investigating, he meets Drake, a dragon taken human form, who has come to his world with a mission: restore the planet's power and prevent all life on it from dying. While it seems like a great task to undertake, Drake quickly proves himself in need of a little help... finding out where the exit is. Deciding that regardless of if Drake is serious or not, traveling with the directionally-challenged dragon will give him opportunities to find new treasures and explore ancient Ruins. And so begins the journey of Nate and Drake on their quest to save the world. There will be five main arcs, with potential for two additional arcs after. Posting schedule: every fifth day (may increase later).
8 106 - In Serial17 Chapters
Psychic Evolved
[participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] Alan and his portion of West Wales, had a virus out break that ran through the population that damaged the mind reducing them to basic hunting and hunger instincts or into an infected human who develop psychic powers and more as the world is changed for good, the virus is believed to been contained, so has Alan and his family. With hopes of a cure and a development of an all powerful mitray the world hungers for them all. (Hey this is being rushed out quickly, so grammar and editing is being pushed back so please forgive me, I'll be going back and improving it after competition. Kind regards Starfury.)
8 215 - In Serial10 Chapters
She Who Slays Gods
Tyna Janar will kill the Gods someday. For too long they've controlled, punished and reigned supreme over people's minds and hearts. And soon enough she will find access to the Divine Realm, fight and defeat them all. With a heart full of vengeance and a tongue sharp with wit, she pursues her colossal goal. Unfortunately, she's only mortal. So she'll need plenty of help along the way. Unfortunately not every stranger met becomes an ally and she faces more obstacles than she would have imagined on her path. But if there's one thing Tyna is up for, it's a challenge. And the quest she has chosen for herself is pretty much impossible. Perhaps she will be the first mortal to achieve just that.
8 100 - In Serial21 Chapters
Tentacle Lord
Kagero Kogami was a normal highschool student which love Anime and Light Novel a little more than others, in other words he was an otaku. With him being an otaku, it was normal for him to be looked down upon and hated by his classmate. But that all changed after he and the other four classmates of his were summoned by the kingdom of Laturey to their world, it was a fantasy world pictured in his Anime and Light Novel, but while the others were the new generation of hero party, his job was [Tentacle].Stuck with the middle boss-like job, Kagero was determined to survive in the new world using his job as [Tentacle] and wits. This was the beginning of the tale of the Tentacle Lord, surviving and dominating all in his path.( this is my first time writing a FanFic, if you have opinion and advice for me, please don't hold back and tell me. I will use your opinion and advice, good or bad, to grow as an author. This is my first step to make my first Fanfic, Tentacle Lord, into a Light Novel. To show everybody just how hot a tentacle really is ! For sparing your time to read my fanfic, thank you ! ,- Erogami )
8 75