I AM THE SON OF THE ALMIGHTY FORGOTTEN GOD

Small town boy in a big arcade

“Ugh… should I just leave this here?”

Eugene Sidernum muttered to himself in front of the wide-open wrought-iron gates, revealing the sprawling lawn of a luxury estate whose owner he knew all too well.

He had already pushed through a long, exhausting day of package deliveries; all he wanted was to head straight home, check on his mother, and keep her company. Hunting for fresh trouble by running into Arson Barnett—the school bully who never missed a chance to torment him—was absolute bottom of Eugene’s priority list tonight.

Just as he turned to leave, the front door swung open, framing a girl he knew by heart.

“Oh, hi, Eugene! I didn’t expect you to be the one delivering our packages.”

“Hi, Lune. What are you doing here?”

Eugene’s eyes couldn’t pull away from his childhood first love. Then, a heavy arm slung familiarly and possessively around her shoulders.

“Hi, Genie-boo! You didn't open my package, did you?”

Arson, using that sickening nickname just to grate on Eugene’s nerves. Eugene kept his gaze frosty, forcing himself to bite his tongue in the name of professional restraint.

“I have no reason to tamper with your things.”

“Why not? Bet you’re dying to know what rich people buy.” Arson’s tone was slightly slurred, though his trademark arrogant smirk remained firmly in place. “Wanna come in? I’m throwing a pool party. You must be dying to see a backyard bigger than a postage stamp, since you probably don't even have enough dirt to grow spinach in yours. Ha-ha!”

“No. I’m heading home—”

“BOYS! GENIE SIDERNOOB SAID HE WANT TO JOIN!”

Eugene stood zero chance against them; outnumbered and completely powerless against Arson’s circle, he was easily dragged past the threshold. They hauled him into the sprawling estate, straight toward the massive outdoor pool area flanking the grand dining hall.

Eugene cast a worried glance at Lune, who could only offer an awkward, nervous laugh. He knew Lune—gentle, soft-hearted Lune—detested this kind of cruelty. She only played along because the monster running this circus was her boyfriend.

“Hey, can you swim? Want a drink?”

They flanked him tightly, keeping him pinned in a casual, predatory chokehold—the quiet little ritual they always performed right before a game started.

“I don’t want anything. Just leave me alone.”

“Why? There’s plenty of good food here! Most of which you’ve probably never even tasted in your life.”

“We’ve got a special guest tonight, so play nice in front of Young Master Keaton.”

Eugene’s eyes darted sharply to a young man sitting quietly off to the side. The guy’s gaze stayed fixed on Eugene, completely detached, offering neither help nor judgment. Eugene knew everyone attending Arson’s party came from the same privileged bubble—and to his quiet shock, even Lune was part of it.

“I heard you’ve never had a real birthday cake, Eugene. Well, consider this yours.” A white cake bearing Lune’s name in delicate icing sat nearby—the leftover centerpiece from her birthday celebration two weeks ago. Eugene realized then that this entire party was meant to revolve around her.

Before Eugene could even speak, Lune casually shoved the cake straight into his face, thick white whipped cream splattering across his skin.

“Luna, you ruined it!”

“AHAHA! Isn’t there a pool right behind him?” Lune laughed it off. Eugene watched, numb, as they grabbed him by the jacket and shoved him backward into the deep end.

“Luna, he’s actually sinking!”

“I told you he can’t swim, didn’t I? He nearly drowned when he was a kid and was half-deaf for two months after. He never learned!”

“God, what a mess. He’s poor and useless. Least he could have one surviving skill, right?”

Hearing their mocking laughter ring out as water rushed violently into his lungs felt like a waking nightmare—the most agonizing torture he wasn't sure he could survive.

Eugene couldn’t even scream. Every desperate thrash only pulled him deeper down, yet not a single hand reached out to help.

'Are they actually going to let me drown? Are they trying to kill me?'

Eugene cursed them with his final fragments of consciousness, swearing an oath to make them pay for this sick game—if he even made it out alive. His body felt impossibly heavy, dragging him toward the dark abyss. His chest burned like it was about to shatter, and his vision blurred into a hazy smudge.

A high-pitched ringing pierced his ears before the world went entirely dead silent. From the edge of the pool, the crowd simply watched as his limp form drifted slowly toward the tiled bottom.

“Arson, is this even funny anymore? He’s not coming up!”

“It’s only two meters deep. He’ll figure it out.”

“Arson, he can't swim!” Lune’s voice cracked with genuine dread.

Arson scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. “If you’re that worried, jump in yourself, Lune! I know you still care about him since you spent half your childhood together!”

Arson turned his back, and no one else dared move an inch without his permission. Until suddenly, one of the boys froze, frowning.

“Did you guys feel that?” Arson stopped, pivoting back. “Was that… an earthquake or something?”

The entire group fell deathly silent, tensing up as they realized the ground beneath their sneakers was completely still. Yet, the surface of the pool was shivering violently, fracturing into tight, concentrated ripples. It was an unnatural, eerie phenomenon—tiny, frantic waves trembling across the water—before it abruptly settled back into glass-like calm.

And then, Eugene’s head broke violently through the surface.

Gasping for air like a ghost dragged back from the grave, Eugene choked and spluttered. Lune immediately stepped forward, reaching out a hand to pull him up. At the edge of the tile, Eugene just stared blankly into space, his chest heaving wildly as he fought for oxygen.

“Ha! I knew you wouldn't turn my party into a horror movie, Genie!” Instead of apologizing, Arson sneered, though the laughter failed to catch on with the rest of the crowd this time.

Eugene staggered to his feet, locking his bloodshot eyes onto Arson. “Do you think this is a game?” he rasped, his voice trembling with fury. “Do you think it’s funny to watch someone die slowly? Exactly where do you draw the line, Arson? When does human life stop being your toy?”

“H-hey, are you actually pissed? Who the hell you think you’re talking to?”

Hearing Arson’s voice spike with defensive anger, Eugene bit down hard on his lower lip. He knew he had every right to rip into him, but reality clawed him back. He had to keep his head down—at least until he graduated from the scholarship foundation entirely controlled by the Barnett family.

Eugene walked out of Arson’s estate, leaving a heavy, awkward silence trailing behind the ruined party. He walked home the long way on foot, half-dazed, the crushing realization washing over him: he had nearly died tonight, and that terror was worse than any beating.

Because if he died, his frail mother would be entirely alone. No one else would break their back working double shifts to afford her medication. She was the sole reason Eugene dragged himself through the dirt every single day. But for the first time, a bitter thought crossed his mind—

if only he had a father… maybe things wouldn't be this hopeless.

The haunting shadow of near-death followed every step, completely overshadowing the bizarre, unexplainable tremor that had saved him inside that pool.

“Eugene! Eugene!”

His racing thoughts snapped at the roar of a motorcycle engine, blinding headlights, and the frantic, tear-streaked voice of Jimmy, his next-door neighbor. Jimmy sprinted toward him as if Eugene was his absolute last lifeline, his ragged breathing and wide, panicked eyes instantly making Eugene’s shoulders lock with dread.

“Eugene… your mom!”