Is this what death feels like?
"Strange... comfortable even, I should have killed myself earlier." Vergil thought to himself.
The pain, the noise, all the burdens he had once carried ceased. Erased as if they had never existed. I couldn't see anything; I felt as if I was drifting through blackness.
There was neither sound nor time, just absolute stillness pressing against my back.
If I had ever felt a mothers embrace, then it would be the perfect way to describe how the void felt. However, their was a feeling in my chest—a feeling of uneasiness. My body, or whatever remained, felt free. As if I had dissolved into particles within a vast and dark ocean. This feeling was a first to him.
Freedom.
Yet the sense of unease gnawed at me. My memories slipped away. The faces, the names, each sinking like stones into the water. Trying to make me not remember... something.
"Dost thou have any regrets?"
The voice was gentle yet unknown, sounding neither male nor female.
'Regrets?'
I tried to grasp something, anything. But the words scattered, not forming the sentence I had intended.
"Think carefully."
This time it was more persistent. The voice felt closer and kinder.
Then it struck me.
Ah... I wanted another chance.
"If I gave you another chance, would thou make the most of it?"
"Yes!" my voice tore out raw in the black space from a mouth I didn't have. "Give it to me. I want it!"
The void around me shuddered as it spoke once more.
"Very well. As thou wish."
After that very sentence, the world shattered to pieces.
"Finally awake." A voice too casual. Friendly, even.
A man, or something like that, stood before me. Short white hair framed his flawless face, and his skin glowed faintly, yet my instincts recoiled.
"Where am I... no, the better question is, who are you?" My head throbbed as I spoke.
He smiled, too warmly.
Stomp. Stomp.
Each step he took made a strange vibration.
"Weaver," he said.
"Are you some kind of god?"
"Something along those lines." His grin slanted. "You're quite calm, if I must say."
Looking up, the sky stretched endlessly around us. Yet there was no wind, just stillness. A fallacy of what I would call peaceful.
"To your first question, this is the land beyond heaven and earth," he said, waving vaguely upward. "But that's not your concern."
He stepped forward, arms spreading like a performer on stage.
"You asked for another chance, and a chance you shall have. A new world, a clean slate. And because of my almighty mercy..."
His smile sharpened.
"I'll let you choose one ability. The world you will go to is one full of monsters, angels, and demons. So choose wisely."
My knees wobbled when I stood. One ability. One shot. A wrong choice and I might ruin everything! But what to choose, there were so many options. What ability would be the most useful to survive in this new world!?
Then the whisper came. Deep and primal, screaming into my ear like an endless chant.
Predation.
My body froze. Is it something I can handle, or even worth using? My brain conflicted, but my instincts screamed to trust it.
Meeting Weaver's eyes once more, I spoke.
"I've decided. Predation."
Once more, he widened his smile in delight.
"Ah... interesting choice."
"Can you make it grow?" I asked, curious.
"Of course." He wagged a finger. "But you'll need the right catalysts. And I ain't no spoiler."
He chuckled pleasantly, but it felt off. Then he lifted his hand.
"Now off you go. Oh, and when you arrive? Say 'Status Window.' Trust me."
Light surged, swallowing me.
I glanced back.
"...Thank you. For the second chance."
Then there was nothing but blinding white.
However, just before I vanished completely, Weaver's lips moved.
He said something.
Something I couldn't hear.
Then he turned and walked away.
The pull came. Gentle at first, but tugging at my very being as the light seeped into the dark. Warmer and brighter, opening my eyes, shapes crawled out of the glow. Crooked houses, smoke curling skyward. Instead of the petrichor smell, a fresh fragrance filled the air. My chest tightened before easing as if I had forgotten the basics of breathing.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
The breeze against my skin and the smoke drifting. All of it felt alive, and I couldn't take my eyes off it.
"Status window," I muttered.
A blue panel appeared before my retina into existence.
Name: Vergil
Tier: 0
Level: 1
Title: Commoner
Lifespan: 65 years
Spouses: None
Race: Human
Equipment:
Basic Clothing (+2 Defence)
Skills:
Passive: None
Active: Authority of Predation (???)
Special Traits:
Special Constitution: None
Arts: None
Special Eyes: None
Confidants: None
Available Stat Points: 0
Suddenly, a calm mechanical voice hummed inside my head.
[Welcome, user, to the tutorial. I will begin by explaining the status window functions.]
It showed my basic stats, the numbers tallying my current self, each sitting around either five or six points, except the magic stats.
Strength shows how hard you hit.
Constitution relates to how much you can take a beating or act.
Dexterity reflects your balance and speed.
Intuition indicates your sense of danger.
Magic Power, the potency of your magic.
Mana Capacity: how much one can store.
[For your information, other energy types exist. Yuan Qi, Demonic Energy, Divine Energy, and more. However, you must obtain them yourself.]
"Faster," I muttered, trying to speed up the so-called tutorial.
[Currently, you possess one active skill, the Authority of Predation. And no passives.]
My gaze flicked to the Confidants section.
[Confidants are relationships. By deepening your bond, you can unlock effects, skills, and more. However, please be aware that false relationships are not advised and will not give you anything.]
After understanding this, I wondered, A lifespan of sixty-five years. My throat tightened. Can I extend it?
[Yes. Cultivation extends your lifespan and requires Yuan Qi or rare treasures.]
"Right… Yuan Qi. How do I get it?"
[There are two methods. Diligent cultivation, requiring talent, or consuming Yuan Qi with Predation. The latter is extremely painful.]
The panel flickered.
[Qi Gathering gives 5 years
Qi Condensing gives 10 years
Bone Forging gives 25 years
Profound Heavens gives 50 years
Radiant Stage gives 100 years
Ethereal Stage gives 250 years
Soul Harmony gives 500 years
Genesis gives 1,000 years
Spirit King gives 2,000 years]
[Higher realms exist. Notifications will appear when conditions are met.]
Tightening my jaw, I realised I could live for centuries.
But back to Predation — in brackets were three question marks on the panel. 'Why are there question marks?'
[Skills rank from F– to EX. Your authority exceeds the normal standards. It can evolve under special conditions.]
"And what are these so-called conditions?" Vergil taunted.
[That I cannot disclose. You will be notified when eligible.]
I smirked softly. 'So even the system had limits'.
[Arts define technique. Mastery determines the effectiveness.]
"Noted."
All that was left were my stats; currently, they were usable. After all, I had Predation.
[Absorbed stats depend on the target. The stronger it is, the more stats you gain.]
"…Makes sense. No weaklings."
[Good luck. May the blessing of the most loved world, Eternia, be with you.]
"The most loved world, huh. I wonder about that."
I exhaled, listening to the coins in my pouch. Five gold coins. What to use, I wasn't sure yet.
The breeze hit me once more as the street bustled with villagers. There was too much to do. Survive? Grow stronger? Or... understand this... place?
[How about the blacksmith?] The system suggested.
Listening to the idea, it was a good place to start. But let's ask around for directions, I thought inwardly.
My eyes found an old woman on a bench.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Blacksmith?"
She blinked, muttered. Words bent and broke against my ears, twisting nonsense.
What? My stomach dropped. I don't understand a thing. Perfect. There's even a language barrier.
"System, can you give me the language at least?"
[Integrating language of Eternia now.]
My tongue flexed as strange syllables pressed against its tip. They felt foreign and heavy, as if they never belonged there.
The old woman hurried closer.
"Young man, are you alright?"
'Alright? Of course not. A lot of things have happened. And the most irritating is the communication problem.' But he swallowed hard, forcing a calm tone.
"I… I'm fine. Thank you." His voice was quieter than a whisper.
Her expression softened. "You had me worried there."
Worried… right. I've got enough to worry about myself. Vergil's lips twitched, but he held it in.
"Do you know where the blacksmith is?" he asked, trying to sound neutral, though every second he spent standing there made him feel exposed.
"Just head down the street and you'll see it," she replied.
She called out as he turned to leave. "Wait, what's your name, young man?"
My name, huh. "Vergil," he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear.
She chuckled, a soft, warm sound. "If you ever need advice, come see me. I'm always here." Her eyes lingered on him.
Advice, huh? Maybe a trap… No, probably just caution. I'll take what I can get right now.
"I will, if the time comes," Vergil murmured, already scanning the street for the blacksmith's workshop.
Step one: find the blacksmith. Step two: learn about this goddamn world.
He made his way down the path until the rhythmic hammering of metal grew louder. The blacksmith's workshop came into view, and so did the man behind the forge.
A towering man, roughly six feet tall, broad-chested, eyes burning like embers.
Clank. Clank. Bang.
Each hammer strike formed a different rhythm before he looked at his customer and put it down. When he moved, the wooden floor trembled. His voice rumbled deep, like stone grinding against stone.
"Welcome, young blood."
Vergil blinked. "Young blood?"
The man laughed. "It's just a saying, boy. And judging from how scrawny you are, it fits."
'I mean, I guess,' Vergil thought.
He turned and spotted a mirror. His reflection stared back.
He was slender and soft. A boy unaccustomed to hard labor and ill-suited to even survive in this new world.
But not for long, he promised himself.
[You're so scrawny-looking.] The system sneered in his mind at the reflection. Vergil's lips twitched, half in annoyance and half amused that this system had such tact, thinking it was just a machine.
'The fuck you just say to me?' he muttered in his mind.
The blacksmith asked curiously, "So, kid, what are you looking for?"
"A dagger," Vergil replied confidently, brushing off the system's jab. He wanted a weapon practical for him, and a dagger would do.
"A dagger, eh? No weapon training, I presume?"
"Yeah."
The blacksmith headed to the back and returned shortly after, holding a dagger and handing it over to him. Vergil's fingers closed around the handle, sharp and steady. No words were needed. It was more than enough.
As Vergil inspected it, the system began analyzing the weapon.
[Metal Dagger]
Attack: +5
Worn but well-maintained since its making. A faint engraving is still visible at the base—an insignia of a beginner craftsman.
The blacksmith exhaled. "This dagger's been in the inventory for a while. It was my first creation, back when I was just starting. I've used it myself a few times and kept it in good condition. But because it's just... normal, adventurers don't usually want it. Not their type of weapon."
"Thanks, man. How much?" Vergil asked.
"The name's Gilbert," he said with a smirk on his face. "And it's on the house."
Vergil became suspicious. Why would he give someone he just met a free dagger?
"Then thanks, Gilbert," Vergil chuckled, but on guard. He wouldn't let himself be duped.
"You taking on a monster subjugation by any chance?"
"I am. But... I've got no clue where to go," Vergil admitted.
Gilbert sighed. "You're really new to this, huh? Head straight out from the entrance, and you'll see the Adventurers' Guild."
Vergil paused, frowning. "Why are you helping me so much? I'm a stranger. You've got no reason to go this far."
This guy's been helpful, maybe a bit too much. The info was fine, but giving me the dagger for free? Either he's just a good man… or he has a reason.
Gilbert only smiled. "Think of it as a blacksmith's intuition."
Vergil smiled and handed over a gold coin. "Take it."
Gilbert's eyes widened. "That dagger's only worth 30 silver at best!"
Vergil fastened the weapon to his waist. "Think of it as my way of showing gratitude."
In my old world, the saying was to repay gratitude twice—and revenge tenfold.
For me? Gratitude is repaid tenfold… and revenge a hundredfold.
Making allies along the way wouldn't hurt. Before facing the realms above, I need to conquer this one first.
[System Notification]
[Your relationship with Gilbert has progressed to ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10 Stars). You can now view your relationships in the 'Confidants' section. Say 'Confidants' to access it.]
"Is he someone who can grant special effects if I improve our relationship?" Vergil asked.
[No, he isn't.]
"Please explain."
[To gain system effects such as stat boosts, synergy skills, and more, the target must either be or have the potential to become the pinnacle of their 'Path'. I will inform you of such individuals. However, it is up to you to form relationships with them. Remember: your words can either strengthen or ruin a connection.]
"Huh. What an interesting system," Vergil murmured, amused.
Vergil walked through the doors of the Adventurers' Guild.
She looked up and smiled politely. "How can I help you?"
"I'd like to register as an adventurer."
"That will be three gold to issue your ID and allow you to accept subjugation requests."
The moment he heard the price, Vergil felt like he'd been stabbed in the chest.
Each coin slipped from his pouch. A sharp jolt of disbelief coiled inside him. He was almost broke in less than a day.
He handed it over, his knuckles turning white. Each coin that left felt like a strike to his chest.
"Can I get your name as well? It will be used as your identity when you visit other guilds in this kingdom."
"It's Vergil," he replied.
She nodded and disappeared into the back. A few minutes later, she returned with a card embedded with a glowing mana crystal.
---
[Adventurer's ID]
Name: Vergil
Rank: F – Adventurer
---
Seems about right. It wasn't impressive, but it would do.
"You can raise your rank by completing requests of your level or one rank higher," she explained. "Right now, you're only allowed to take on E-rank requests at most."
A safeguard, no doubt, it was prudent, but frustrating all the same.
"What requests are available right now?" he asked.
"The only subjugation request currently available to you is an F-rank goblin hunt in Rotroot Forest."
Vergil gave a slow nod. "I'll take it."
"Please bring back proof of your hunt, their crystals, preferably."
So crystals are the proof, huh?
He turned from the reception desk, a smirk forming on his lips, flexing his fingers around the dagger. It was time to hunt some goblins.