Huh?
Zain was startled by Martha's words.
"What do you mean by 'become mine'? Do you want me to be your slave?" he asked, stepping back to put some distance between them.
"You can kill me, I don't care. But I'm not becoming your slave."
His mind was in turmoil. What does this woman want from me? Why would she want me as her slave? Does she know that I'm a reincarnator? He glared into her eyes, waiting for a response.
"When did I ever say I wanted you as a slave?" Martha scoffed. "I just want you to work under me—as a soldier. I see potential in you, and that's why I want you in my legion." A smirk formed on her face.
But Zain wasn't fooled by her charming expression. He knew that lowering his guard around this woman could be a fatal mistake. He wasn't going to die again.
"I'm even offering you the Aether Absorption Technique, so it's a good deal for you. If anything, I'm the one losing out here," Martha sighed, crossing her arms. "Now, you have one minute to decide, join my legion, or die."
She turned and walked to the other side of the room, giving him time to think.
Zain clenched his fists. He didn't want to be her soldier, or anyone's, for that matter. He knew nothing about her past or her goals. But considering her strength and temperament, he had no doubt she would kill him if he refused.
Before he could think further, her voice cut through his thoughts.
"Time's up."
She approached him, her presence weighing on the air itself. Zain found it hard to breathe. As she reached for her sword, his body tensed.
"I'm ready!" Zain blurted. "I'll join your legion. I'll work for you as a soldier."
Martha's smirk widened. "Welcome to the legion, then."
She leaned in slightly. "You were never given a choice. But choices don't matter here, only obedience does. You belong to the legion now. Fight, kill, survive, or don't. Either way, you serve."
Then, straightening up, she added, "Now rest and heal while you can. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that, she left. Silence settled over the room, broken only by the heavy sigh that escaped Zain's lips.
"I'm really stuck on a palm tree," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He dragged himself to the bed, exhaustion weighing him down. As his eyes closed, thoughts of what lay ahead swirled in his mind, but sleep soon claimed him. For the first time in a long while, he slept without concern,so deeply, in fact, that he didn't wake for an entire day.
---
[Wake up, Host.]
[Wake up.]
Zain jolted upright, his heart racing. A glowing purple screen hovered in the air before him, and a robotic voice echoed in his mind.
"What the...? Where the hell were you when I was dealing with that woman?" Zain snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You could've at least warned me! I almost died!"
[Apologies, Host. I was merging the gifts granted to you by Mr. Oberoy.]
[I will be here for you from now on, so do not worry.]
[Would you like to check your status window?]
Zain exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Yeah. Show me my status window."
---
User: Zain Miller
Age: 17 (1090) years
Race: Demi-Human (Dormant)
Tier: 0 (Orb: 0)
Fatigue: 5
Awakened Ability: Regeneration (Mid-Grade)
Innate Ability: Devour (X)
Devoured Abilities: None
Titles (3): The Coward, Anomaly, Dark Apostle
Skills: None
Aether Absorption Technique: None
---
"What"!
Zain blinked, rereading the details carefully. His gaze locked onto one particular piece of information.
"I'm a demi-human…?"
He had read about demihumans before offspring of two different races—but they were extremely rare. What did 'Dormant' mean?
"What does it mean that my hybrid form is dormant?" he asked the system.
[Host, it means you are the offspring of two different species, one human, the other unknown. However, the non-human blood within you is weak and inactive. Until it awakens, your hybrid nature remains dormant.]
Zain's mind raced. "And how do I activate it?"
[That is for you to figure out, Host.]
Zain scowled. "You don't know, do you?"
[I am here to guide you, not babysit you. If you fail, it's because you were too weak.]
"F**k you."
Zain gritted his teeth. The damn system could've just said 'I don't know' instead of rubbing salt in the wound.
Shaking off his irritation, he focused on the status window again. "There are some new things here. What's this 'innate ability' and 'fatigue' stat?"
[Fatigue indicates your body's condition. If it reaches 90, you will struggle to move. You must manage your stamina wisely, especially in battle.]
[As for your innate ability, it is a gift from the Lord.]
Zain narrowed his eyes. "What does it do?"
The name 'Devour' sent a chill down his spine. Mr. Oberoy had said it was one of the abilities of the Dark Lord. If that were true, then…
[You will have to step onto the battlefield to understand its power. But be warned...it also carries a curse. Use it wisely.]
Zain clenched his fists. A gift from one of the most powerful beings in the world, what kind of ability had he been given?
Shaking his head, he dismissed the status window and stood up. He had been in this dark room for two days. It was time to see the outside.
When he opened the door, his breath caught.
The world outside was in ruins. Buildings lay collapsed, reduced to rubble. The sky was an eerie red, a giant sun looming overhead, casting the landscape in an ominous glow. The ground was blackened and cracked, stretching for miles like a never-ending nightmare.
"Oh, you're awake."
Zain turned toward the voice and saw Martha standing nearby, clad in silver armor. She gazed into the distance where a group of tents had been set up. Around them, soldiers stood guard, shields and swords at the ready.
"Are you feeling better?" she asked, stepping closer. Her hand reached for the bandage over his left eye.
Zain caught her wrist midair and pushed it away. "I'm fine, Captain."
Martha smirked. "You learn fast, soldier."
She suddenly grabbed him by the waist. Before he could protest, she jumped off the building.
Zain heart leaped into his throat as they plummeted toward the ground. They were at least twenty meters high, if they hit the ground, they'd...
Before impact, a massive green vine shot up from below, catching them both midair.