***Author Note: For older readers, I have made a slight adjustment due to my own shameless reasons :)
From now on Life Points will be PulsePoints !!!
Pardon me for that, and I hope you enjoy the story going forward :)***
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"Open Status."
[Name: Davin Bluemoon]
[Age: 2 years]
[Race: Half-Origin]
[Strength: 3]
[Intelligence: 10]
[Agility: 3]
[Vitality: 4]
[Stamina: 20/20]
[Health Points (HP): 40/40]
[Mana: 0/0]
[Skills: None]
[Pulse Points (PP): 4120]
[Pulse consumption: 10 Per day]
"And thus, my demise begins…" Davin said with a sigh as he stared at the holographic screen. The glowing numbers and stats were a constant reminder of his precarious situation.
[According to your current balance, you actually have more than a year left to live!]
"Thanks for the encouragement…" he spoke sarcastically, turning his attention to the sole window in the room, which was currently where he slept with his parents.
[You are welcome.]
Davin's home stood on a small hill overlooking the heart of a village. From his window, he could see the entire settlement sprawled out below.
The village was a cluster of cottages made of timber and stone. Smoke rose from chimneys, blending with the morning mist that hung over the village.
The village's center was a lively place. A well stood at its heart, surrounded by a cobblestone square where the locals gathered and merchants had set up stalls.
Beyond the village, a vast forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. Its towering trees formed a dark green wall, their leaves rustling in the breeze.
The forest was both beautiful and mysterious in Davin's judgement of it. The boy often wondered what secrets lied deep within it.
Their house was surrounded by a small garden, where his parents grew vegetables and herbs.
But his mother was the one who mostly looked after it since his dad will always be gone to who knows where.
The neighbors living nearby also shared the same enthusiasm as his parents in gardening. Their homes were a short walk away, with only small fences around their gardens separating them.
Their children often played outside between their houses with their shouts and giggles filling the air.
Davin watched them most of his time, feeling a mix of curiosity and frustration. He wanted to join them, but his mind reminded him that he was a grown man in a kid's body.
'When will I ever get back to adulthood?'
[In sixteen years—]
'You just had to tell me the exact figures…'
[… Was it a rhetorical question?]
'Yes.'
[Sorry about that.]
The house which the boy called home, was cozy and warm. Its wooden walls were weathered but sturdy. Inside, the main room had a large fireplace, where a fire crackled on cool mornings.
The smell of bread baking in the kitchen suddenly assaulted the two-year-old's nostrils, reminding him that hadn't yet taken breakfast.
'Guess mother has already finished cooking. System?'
[It's the usual host…]
'Why are my parents so broke that all we often eat for breakfast, is fucking porridge and bread!'
[According to the grains mainly grown here, porridge is something you'll have to live with.]
The room he was in was small but comfortable. A bed sat in the corner, its frame carved with simple patterns.
A woven rug covered the floor, its colors were a bit faded though.
Toys of wooden animals and cloth dolls, were scattered around, reminding him of his father's enthusiasm of over-crafting them for him.
He then looked out the window one more time before sighing in his heart. The village was full of life, but he was stuck in the body of a toddler.
Still, there was comfort in the familiar sights and sounds.
The garden, the forest, the laughter of children—it was a world he was slowly learning to call home.
A world that was quite different from his previous one.
"One year…" Davin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I should make the most of it."
"Hey, system? How do I gain points now?"
[It's quite simple host. You just have to kill something that it is living to absorb its life energy.]
"What!?"
~A year later~
Davin shuffled into the main room, rubbing his eyes as the morning light streamed through the open window.
As usual the smell of porridge and fresh bread filled the air, but something felt off today.
His mother, Gaela, stood by the fireplace in the kitchen, her back turned to him. Her usual grace seemed strained and her movements were stiff and hurried.
"Morning, Mother," Davin mumbled, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Gaela didn't respond immediately.
She stirred the pot of porridge with a wooden spoon, her hand trembling slightly. When she finally turned to face him, Davin froze.
Her face was veiled, a thin cloth covering her features.
But what caught his attention were the faint golden cracks that peeked out from beneath the fabric, running along her neck and hands.
They glowed faintly, like sunlight breaking through shattered glass.
"Mother…?" Davin's voice wavered, his toddler instincts screaming that something was wrong.
Gaela hesitated, her golden eyes—usually so warm—now filled with unease. She knelt before him, her veil fluttering as she moved.
"Davin, my heart," she said softly, her voice strained.
"We're going on a little trip today. Just you and me."
"A trip?" Davin tilted his head, pretending to be the curious toddler he appeared to be. Inside, his mind raced.
'What's happening? What are those cracks?'
"Yes," Gaela said, forcing a smile.
"I need to gather some herbs. And maybe hunt a little."
Davin's eyes widened. Hunt? His mother rarely took him out the house, and when she does go out, she would always leave him to be baby-sited by his henpecked father.
'Something is definitely wrong.' He thought inwardly as he glanced at the cracks on her skin.
'Am, system? Can you tell me what's going on here?'
[Analyzing…1%...2%...3%...]
'Huh?' The boy stared blankly at his system screen as chain off numbers appeared.
Before he could ask what the system was analyzing, Gaela scooped him up, her grip firm but gentle.
She moved quickly, grabbing a small satchel and slinging it over her shoulder.
The golden cracks on her skin seemed to pulse faintly, their glow intensifying for a moment before fading.
She then adjusted her veil, ensuring it covered her face completely, and carried Davin out the door.
'She is undoubtedly from that race.' He thought as he looked at his mother.
[…]