Chapter Text
Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. The three second genders of the current post apocalyptic society.
It was really annoying, in Roksoo's opinion.
First, you had the apocalypse. That fuckary brought upon the world destructive monsters everywhere, destroying and killing everything and anyone within their new territories- for their own survival, probably.
Then, you had the humans. The people. Bastards had revealed their own true natures as well, like peeling of a snake's skin. Taking advantage of weaker people, playing God with the lives they held under their control- as if they themselves weren't under the mercy of those stronger than them.
And then when the world was just getting back on it's feet, humans just had to mutate. Because apparently human biology wasn't complicated enough. Because apparently humans don't suffer enough.
Not only was suddenly having a second sex out of 32 years of living with only one awkward, but so was the origin of the second genders in the first place.
See, most monsters could spew out a sort of "aura" or "pheromone" to their surroundings to mark, claim, intimidate, or lure in mates depending on the situation- bit by bit, people uncovered more and more of the enigma that were the creatures that invaded their planet.
From there, it was found that while there wasn't enough information across species to identify whether or not they had seasons in population increase or decrease, there was enough info to find that no matter the kind- these creatures came in types.
Type A - Alphas, this class of monsters are more commonly found to be the most aggressive of the three types-usually. In monster species that form packs, Alphas often take the "Lead" role in keeping underlings in check- thus preventing internal disputes.
Type B - Betas, monsters with no special distinction outside their scent. These ones make up the majority of the population, and do not seem to have influential pheromones or "feral" states of mind. But do keep in mind- this does not make them any less dangerous than Types A and O.
Type O - Omegas, this class could be considered the "mothers" of the monsters. Omega creatures are fiercely possessive and protective, willing to compromise their nature and hunger for their possessions. Omegas usually are the core member of their environment, and in packs, the most troublesome to deal with.
Thing is- creature pheromones are toxic. Long term, repeated exposure to the toxin caused organs to slowly shut down. Available Teams dwindled down, causing the rest of the Ability users to overwork themselves to near death- exposing themselves over and over to toxins as they tirelessly took care of monster havoc across the country.
And to everyone's dismay, apparently that was the solution. Pheromone Overwhelm, they called it. Overwhelm the human body with so much toxin that it tries to absorb it for itself- but give the toxins no time to kill the human by having the human body change to hold the toxins in. People subjected to Pheromone overwhelm would then start exhibiting the same mannerisms and traits as whichever type of pheromone the human was subjected to- Oh yeah, It's also genetic. Just great.
Why couldn't humans just build resistance instead of becoming closer to those things? Did surviving have to become more complicated than it already was?
Trapping yourself in a secluded space with a Feral Omega Type was extremely dangerous, and unless you wanted to see your family again tomorrow, it's better to avoid confrontation all together. Killing Feral Monsters was already hard enough in of itself- but an Omega monster? That was practically screaming for suicide.
Unfortunately for him, Roksoo is loved by death.
So, when he and he had to choose between him and his team to make the trip back to HQ? Of course he stayed behind. He ended up awakening as an Omega after that, which, well.
What a fucking joke.
He told them to leave and get reinforcements, but it was quite obvious, wasn't it? He made them leave to live. All he would do would hinder them in the midst of his transformation- make them weak and attract nearby monsters looking for a snack.
After all, he was the most experienced. If anyone had the best shot of surviving this building unarmed, it would be him.
He hadn't wanted to, but the creature could have headed towards a newly reclaimed shelter- one that had been fought for, for almost two years now- what kind of asshole would he be, to make everyone's efforts to go to waste?
So he stayed, he stayed and kept the creature running in circles trying to hunt him down, just enough for reinforcements to arrive.
In the end, they didnt even send a full squadrun to help, and mostly had to rely on themselves. They defeated it of course, and no one had fallen.
Two of his group members almost died on the way back from their injuries, one of which will never walk again.
He could have protected them
He should have protected them.
Apparently, the two planned to retire after a few more months anyway, so it was fine. Kim Roksoo paid for their medical bills and wrote their names off the team list.
His decisions made them crippled- His team was hurt because of him.
He hasn't heard of them since.
Perhaps that was for the best.
Roksoo flips the pages of a new series he's just picked up.
A rare vacation day, given only as an excuse for the higher ups to take their time to choose new team members
4 years. It took them 4 years to address the lack of two very much needed members of their team.
They probably tried to take him down a few notches by leaving him two members short- only to grow increasingly frustrated as his team kept coming back, stronger each time.
It was glaringly obvious that the only reason why they're addressing it now is so that they could plant a couple thorns on Roksoo's side.
How dare they try to replace his members, how dare they try to take their places. How dare they act as if their filthy hands were worthy enough come close to-
Still, Roksoo wasn't going to complain if it meant he could rest for a bit.
The lone man shakes himself out of his wandering mind, instead, activating his ability once more to keep himself tethered to the present.
Scarred hands caressed down the spine of his book. [The Birth of a Hero: Volume 4], it read.
If he wanted, he could press through the entire series in one sitting. Yet he doesn't. He wants to laze around a bit more, focus on something other than work or his teammates well-being for once.
And yes, he might be an asshole for thinking that, but since when has he ever said that he was good?
Roksoo sets the book down, finishing the last of volume 4.
Hiding behind the strong, taking advantage of the lesser- Never doing more than he was asked for unless someone beneficial to him was going to be compromised- Kim Roksoo did everything with his own benefit in mind.
In this world, the weak needed to cling onto the strong to live another day. Survival of the fittest, as everyone learns.
And Kim Roksoo? He was the weakest of them all.
tap!
He can feel himself getting drowsy has he reaches for the next volume, yet Roksoo ignores the feeling, letting his eyes wash over the descriptive words on the pages beneath his fingers.
Stop thinking about it
One page, then another.
Block it out
The turning of the pages turn faster.
Stop it.
flip, flip,
…..Stop it
flip, flip, flip, flip,
STOP IT.
flip, flip,
….
flip… flip…
Self pity will not bring them back .
Thump!
The book falls out of his hands, and the Gods make their move.