『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
What the hell is this voice?
『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
Annoying as shit…
『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
Why… won't this voice shut up?!
『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
Stop this damn noise already!!!
『Welcome to the system's reincarnation service…』
- SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
The moment I snap, the sound stops. But instead of peaceful silence, the atmosphere shifts entirely…
- Oh gods, it actually worked!!! Bishop, we did it!!!
I don't get why I'm still alive and conscious like this, but the first thing I see when I open my eyes is a sealed room and a mirror reflecting a grotesque, blood-red humanoid creature moving… Wait, no way…
I raise my hand and see a wet, crimson, bony claw that's disgusting as hell…
How the fuck did I end up like this?!?!
The system must've done something, so I try calling it, half-expecting it to be offline…
- System, can you confirm if I'm a zombie or not?
『No, the user is not a zombie. Due to the side effects of the Dark Sun state, the user's original body could no longer sustain activity, so the user's soul and consciousness were preserved in the system's space as a temporary safety measure.』
- But why am I still conscious and thinking independently like this?
『Due to the unavailability of a "human" target in the area, the system transferred the user's data into an artificial lifeform capable of sustaining the user's consciousness as the most optimal solution at the time.』
- So you're saying I'm some kind of artificial creature now?
『Correct, but do not be concerned. The current artificial lifeform has physiological functions similar to humans. The only difference is that this body was created through alchemical techniques and is durable enough to serve as the user's vessel.』
- Can I still use magic and stuff like before?
『Feasible. The system successfully transferred all user data, including skills and magic-related abilities.』
- Got it… What about other stuff, like stats?
『Due to incomplete synchronization between the physical body and consciousness, the system cannot fully scan and analyze all database information. Only the current level, mana value, and skill proficiency are available.』
- Fine, check my status then…
『Opening user status panel…』
「 [Name]:
[Race]:
[Level]: 50
[Mana]: 10,000
[Stamina]:
[Skills]: Appraisal (EX)/Language Comprehension (EX)/Voice Mimicry (A+)/Swordsmanship (D)
[Magic Type]: Shadow Magic {Special}
[Magic Skills]: Shadow Explosion (A+); Shadow Enhancement (B+); Dark Sun Form (D); Shadow Weaponry (D); Shadow Blink (D)」
So this is my new status, huh… Not bad, I guess…
- System, where the hell are we right now?
『The user's current location cannot be determined due to insufficient data. The user is currently in a restricted state until full body control is achieved.』
- Got it. How long until it's ready?
『Approximately 19 hours.』
- So I'm basically stuck in this sealed coffin of a place, unable to move, for almost a day?!?
『Correct.』
- Whatever, better than nothing.
Just as I'm about to tell the system to do something to kill time, my attention snaps to something critical, a sensation my soul had long forgotten…
HOW THE FUCK DO I PISS OR SHIT IN HERE?!?! I'M GONNA DIE…
…
It doesn't take long to realize this body doesn't need to excrete anything after taking in energy. It's completely against the nature of every living creature I know, but this is another world, so I don't care much about logic anymore.
The fact that I can eat raw meat - no, an entire live rabbit tossed into the room - makes me feel like I'm not myself anymore… Something's… off, but I can't pinpoint what…
Stuck in this coffin-like room, I've got nothing to do but sit and think about the past and present…
I'm not dead, but the feeling of not sensing anything, not hearing anything, yet being aware of it during those near-death moments… it's so… lonely…
How long has it been since I felt this lonely? Oh, right, probably when I broke up with my ex in my first life…
Honestly, we had so many good memories together, spending tons of time with each other—almost like a newlywed couple, if I'm being real. But if my family hadn't forced us to break up, things might've been different. They said she was just toying with my feelings, and combined with a mistake I couldn't undo and our increasingly toxic relationship, they had every reason to push me to end it, or else I'd lose everything I had. Problem is, she was everything I had, so it went nowhere. In the end, we fought and broke up…
Forget it. No matter how beautiful the past was, it's just the past. I'm not the same person anymore. Honestly, I don't want to open up to anyone right now, especially not romantically. Since then, I haven't been able to love anyone…
As my thoughts start getting abstract, a sound shatters the dull silence of this isolation chamber. I'm sure of it, the door's creaking open, and footsteps echo from outside.
My body's still not fully synced, so even if I try to look around, I can't see much beyond the door slowly revealing two old men, maybe in their sixties, wearing white lab coats and oversized mitre hats that look completely out of place. They seem ridiculous, but the aura one of them gives off is no joke. When his eyes meet mine, a strange yet familiar feeling floods me…
I don't know if he feels the same, but this meeting - or even this world - feels like a cosmic joke written by fate to create the most dramatic play in history. Too bad for this play, it's never getting a happy ending…
After staring at me for a while, one of the men steps back, his face pale with shock, like he's seen something terrifying and bizarre. The other stands eerily calm, muttering incoherently:
- This creature… No, homunculus is more accurate. In thirty years of studying artificial life, this is the first time I've seen such a perfect specimen… Unbelievable!
- Are you insane?! Get back! That thing isn't…
He should've listened to his friend. I'm already annoyed by his staring, and my stomach's growling…
Maybe it's this body - no, the instincts baked into it - seeing these two as prey. By the time I snap out of it, they're nothing but shredded meat mixed with scraps of their clothes.
It's a brutal, inhumane act, but as the saying goes, when you're hungry, you don't think about anything but eating. Plus, this body's still syncing, so I'll just pretend I didn't do anything…
Besides still being alive, the meat's honestly delicious - fresh, tender, juicy, with a unique flavor unlike anything I've eaten before. Maybe it's this body's taste buds. It suits me, but there's no way I'm living off human flesh forever. Nobody wants to devolve like that…
As I'm eating, the system chimes:
『The user has consumed a high-grade magical energy source. Shadow Enhancement skill proficiency increased by 1.』
Guess those two were pretty strong, just a bit dumb…
Whatever, that's not important. The priority now is getting the hell out of here.
- System, can I leave this place?
『The user cannot use any skills until preparations are complete. Estimated completion time: 7 hours.』
- Damn it… Forget it, let's do something to kill time then.
The response is grim, but it's better than sitting here plotting suicide. Being alone gives me too much time to think. I'd rather take matters into my own hands than keep relying on this system passively…
With that, I rummage through the gore for keys, unlock the door, and start "slaughtering" everything in my path…
…
Nearly seven hours crawl by, but at least I've had time to digest what I ate earlier and everything I stuffed in my mouth during that long-ass rampage. Even in this restricted state, this "vessel" is insanely tough, barely taking any damage.
But the killing, which was thrilling at first, now leaves me… disgusted with myself.
Looking at the three dead guards I just killed, their blood pooling on the floor, I shudder. The sound of their deaths echoes through this long, dark hallway, oddly soothing… I'm tired, so I try to make their deaths quick and clean, like a mercy, but every time I see them, I just… feel… this gnawing hunger…
- System, am I going crazy?
『No. Due to the synchronization process between the vessel and the user's consciousness, combined with the side effects of the 魔神[1]" state, the user's soul is unstable, and emotions are heightened, causing significant mental instability.』
- How the hell is that damn Dark Sun state screwing me over this bad?!?
『The 魔神[2]" state is the most dangerous branch of Shadow Magic. The user's consciousness, appearance, and emotions undergo drastic changes due to an overload of dark-attributed mana pushed beyond maximum capacity, destabilizing the soul. Unless the user gains control over their soul, they will lose all control and undergo a complete personality shift.』
- Any solutions?
『Simple. Once synchronization is complete, the user's consciousness will be "secured." Five minutes remain for the process…』
[1] Demon God (Kanji)
[2] Demon God (Kanji)