Everything was dark, dampen. He didn't want to open his eyes, even though he was awake.
The echoes from the mind numbing pain still lingered in his mind. Simply put, Ângelo was afraid, what if it came back?
Maybe some would call it cowardice, but he didn't really give two shits.
The torture he was forced to endure made him want to give it all up. Yet, hidden inside himself, the will to live was still strong, he couldn't give up, too stubborn, always was.
But why did he not die?
It was strange enough to be alive, but, not only that, he was also… Well? At least his body didn't feel like it was going to wither away with any movement, in fact, he felt energetic. His breathing was also lively, the flesh in his chest didn't hurt anymore.
Little by little, Ângelo was building up the courage to open his eyes. They were closed for some time, what was the worst that could happen?
Taking a deep breath, he readied himself. After what had happened in the last painful hours, nothing could really surprise him. Well, nothing other than the pain coming back, but it wouldn't really be a surprise, would it?
One, two, three…
And darkness.
The storage room was lightly lit, the lamp on the ceiling seemed to be dead for good. There was no light coming from the bathroom, which meant that, probably, it was the middle of the night.
His eyes took some time to adjust, but after a little, he could see, well, kinda. It was too dark.
No breach or monster in sight, that was a good thing. Even confused and drowsy, that made things look a little brighter.
Was this what rats felt hiding in the walls?
Springing his body up, Ângelo placed a hand onto his head, scratching it.
Taking one more deep breath, he placed his other hand in his chest. Immediately, getting all the more confused.
It was normal.
He couldn't feel his rib cage, nor did his skin seem like it would tear itself alone.
Grabbing his arm and then his leg, same feeling, they had muscle, where healthier than ever, even made his old arm look a little on the skinny side.
Had he lost it?
Trying to get up, his body came crashing down, the pain from his chest hitting the flor came like a bolt of lightning. Clearly, staying still for that long affected his ability to move around. Well, at least this pain was normal.
"Ugh…"
He growled, even if nobody saw that, it was a little awkward.
Feeling around with his hands, he soon stood up, placing his weight against the wall. So he could move and was healthy, sure, what more now?
Touching the light switch, he flicked it down. Nothing, welp, that was expected.
That was the least of his problems. What happened? The pain, the hunger, the urge to eat meat… And more importantly, how much time did pass?
One thing was certain, he endured that hell for at least three days, but, had it been only that? It had to be seen.
At the very least, this couldn't get any-
[ Ding! Welcome rising star! ]
The fuck?
Without warning, light flashes his eyes, making him close both of them.
Opening one of his eyelids slowly, a golden-ish screen was floating in front of his face, its sides were adorned, giving it a "fancy" look, glowing yellow vines decorating it. To be honest, it did look like some gacha game trying to look triple A.
Wait, that's beyond the point.
Ângelo jumped back, hitting the wall behind him.
He had seen enough crazy things for a lifetime, now a system screen, out of nowhere?
It felt like it was staring at him, even if it hadn't changed at all. Or had eyes.
[ It seems you got a lot of questions, and they will be answered in time ]
The letters kept changing, flowing graciously, like they were being written by hand. Even changing quickly, Ângelo understood every single word, as if it was being poured in his mind.
[ The heavens have taken a liking to you, your suffering is entertaining ]
[ Thee has been chosen to be an Awakened, a hero or villain in the making. Someone that will leave a mark in existence itself ]
[ Your mortal world is being dragged to the realm of ascension, the changes are apparent, it's only consequence of a realm ascending, a natural step in the process- ]
"Wait, what do you mean by natural step?" Ângelo interjected, finally making up the courage to speak. "You mean that all these crazy things happening are done by design?"
[ It would be wise for thou not to interrupt again, but yes. These things are the unfortunate aftermath of something much greater ]
[ And thee has been chosen, along with many others to be those that lead this new era ]
[ Power beyond your mortal life has been granted to your tale. Do you wish to see your tale? ]
Ângelo was still dumbstruck. All this information after nearly diying… They didn't even give him time to think. But he had to make use of the opportunity.
"Yes… But before that, I have a question." He nervously said, trying to get something out of this.
[ Permission to ask granted, you may have one question answered ]
"How am I alive?" Direct and dry, this was the thing that creeped him the most. Yes, he had a lot of questions, but this was urgent.
[ The user was granted a "favor". By all means, your history should have ended tonight, but some would be displeased. So, you were brought back from the dead, at a fair price ]
"What's the price I paid?"
[ You will see when the tale is shown. Do you wish to open your tale? ]
"I guess... Yes?" Ângelo said, hesitant. He couldn't even guess what was coming.
[ Processing… ]
Suddenly, the screen widened, the soft golden glow filling the whole room. It now had more info, going from a message to some kind of interface.
[ A tale about survival ]
Name - Ângelo
Race - Reborn
Class - Survivor
Tittle - The one that defied death
Talent - Mediocer, but is that really it?
Trait - Inate Instinct
Ordeal - No more luck
[ "One's worth is measured in feats" ]
Ângelo was taken aback. He couldn't make any sense of what he was reading. Too much at once.
"Class, Title, Ordeal... And the Race isn't human? What... What is all this?" He said, stuttering.
[ Those are the characteristics of your "Tale" ]
Another glowing screen appeared out of tin air, it stood right next to the other one.
[ A Tale is, in simple terms, your history. It's everything unique about the one called Ângelo. Of course, having your Awakening has some extras ]
[ For example, you see the option named Class? Touch it ]
Ângelo, at first, was hesitant. It still was just too much to process. Awakening, being chosen, this glowing screen... It all made his head spin nonstop. But even though he was hesitant, it didn't take long for him to click on the interface.
With a small jolt, the screen suddenly changed.
[ Class - Survivor: Neither born to use magic nor to fight, such an unfortunate starting point. With only a burning will to survive, having no straight path means no limitations as well ]
[ Characteristics: Your instincts improve, gains innate survival knowledge, all of your senses sharpen, free potential ]
[ Drawbacks: No starting gear, starting skill or evolution line ]
"What..." Ângelo took a moment to realize something. "Why does it sounds more like a punishment than some sort of advantage?..." He could guess what most of it meant, after all, it looked like some sort of game. His brain was slowly but surely getting used to this situation.
[ Because it is ]
The smaller screen interjected, as the info in the bigger going back to the start.
[ Click on your "Ordeal", there lies your answers ]
Ângelo nodded before clicking on the screen again, making it jolt.
[ Ordeal - No more luck: It appears all your luck has been used up bringing something that should have died back to life, what a shame! Luck is not on your side, better trust your on capabilities! ]
"What does that even mean..."
The smaller screen changed its position. It now stood right besides Ângelo's head, as if it was looking at the text in front of it. It didn't make much of a difference, as Ângelo could feel the words in his head, but it clearly had a mind of its own.
[ You understand now? Normally, a Class should have been more helpful and given you a big advantage in comparison with your mortal peers, but... You used up all your luck staying alive. Your unique Class has literally the bare minimum ]
Ângelo gulped, placing a hand in his mouth. Now that some time passed and he could breath, words could not explain how grateful he was about being alive, but... Did it really cost that much? Come on, couldn't this System, for lack of an easier term, have appeared earlier!?
[ But fear not, you have gotten something out of this. Open your Race and then your Tittle ]
This time, Ângelo didn't hesitate, after all, this was what made him more anxious. First came the Race.
[ Race - Reborn: You are a being that defied death. Your soul dragged itself out of the underworld, coming back to your body. Life within you is a fire that won't stop burning at all costs, vitality coursing through your veins. Even though the body is still human, the mark of death lingers ]
[ Benefits: Your body is more resilient than a human''s, wounds that would kill a human wont end your life. Your body is now tolerant to toxins. Your will is now harder to break. You have a stronger soul than most. ]
Ângelo took some time to understand what he was reading. He was not human anymore? His hands instinctively began feeling around his body. It seemed normal, even below his clothes, but, when he got to his chest, something was off. He could feel what seemed like a scar, under his shirt.
He immediately took it off, being shocked at the sight. Illuminated by the system's dim light, there was some sort of tattoo. He couldn't see it clearly, but, it looked like a pitch black cross with a ring around it, like a halo.
"I guess it has only benefits?... And an unwanted mark... Great, what more?" He said with a sight, at least something good came out of it.
Letting the screen go back to the start, next on the list was the Tittle. He clicked it, waiting for the description.
[ Tittle - The one that defied death ]
[ Conquering death itself, that soul of yours is one persistent spirit! Even at your weakest, the will to survive lingering in your body is strong enough to bring it back ]
[ Benefits: Undeads won't see you as an enemy unless provoked. Your body has an innate dark magic resistance. High dark magic compatibility ]
[ Disadvantages: Holy energy will cause more damage to your body. Low Holy compatibility ]
Ângelo took his time reading it all and at the end, placed a hand in his mouth. Okay, magic, why didn't he expect that? And it would have been great being able to use his newfound dark magic talent!
Frustrated, he swiped the screen, which made it go back to the start. "Well, I guess that only leaves those two." Looking at the last options, only Talent and Trait remained.
[ That part of your tale is locked ]
"What? Why?" Ângelo turned his head to look at the small interface.
[ The one that has to realize his own talent and discover his traits is Ângelo. Now that you have been given the initial explanation, this will be our departure. Future features of your Tale will be explained in time ]
"Wait wait, you can't just leave! Magic, holy energy. What is all that!? How does this work!? Who wound't like it if I died!?" He jolted to the side. Suddenly, being quiet didn't matter at all. "You can't just leave me with all this rpg bullshit and vanish-"
[ Yes, I can. Write an entertaining history so that the cosmos can enjoy and, good luck, Ângelo ]
"Wait!" His hand moved to grab the small system window, but, in a blink, it vanished, leaving the room in darkness again;
Silence lingered, the breathing coming from his mouth being the only source of sound in the storage room.
And without warning...
The sharp sound of glass breaking made a chill run through Ângelo's spine.