[Skill synthesis in progress…]
[9% of energy drained.]
[1% remaining for Source functions…]
[Skill formation complete.]
SKILL ACQUIRED:
• Imagination (Lv. 0)
Effect:You are the master of your own world. You now possess a storage space the size of a small room. Anything your soul can imagine belongs to you.
Warning:Imagination drains soul power and increases Madness. Be careful what you imagine—Madness might seize control of your imagination and turn it against you.
Don placed his hand on his chest, feeling a new sensation.
Is this… the feeling of power?
He asked aloud, uncertain.
[Don't be arrogant, boy.]
The Source's voice was laced with sarcasm.
[What you feel now is your storage space taking its place next to your heart. You are still weak.]
Don was angered, but he swallowed his pride and asked:
"What is this energy that's being depleted with every skill? And why did the second skill take most of the energy? Is it the strongest?"
[That energy is My essence.]
The Source replied calmly.
[I can absorb any type and any form—it is not a problem. The 1% you possess is enough to illuminate an entire galaxy.]
A pause.
[But now… it's time for the truth.]
[Opening Memory Slot One.]
A picture of Alfred appeared before Don—so perfect, so real, Don thought he was standing right there.
Don screamed in terror.
"Old man! Have you been here all this time?!"
But Alfred did not reply.
Don only heard the following:
"Hello, boy."
Alfred's voice was warm, teasing.
"I know you missed Me, didn't you? You can't live without Me."
Don's face flushed red with embarrassment.
But he said nothing, realizing this was just a projection—not reality.
"Now, boy," Alfred began, his tone turning serious. "I don't know when I will see you again. So beware. Trust no one but The Source."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Give Her everything if She asks. She will take care of you."
A pause.
"Also… the planet you live on is a simulation."
Don's eyes widened.
"All the humans and demons here are for your training. They possess souls and bodies. They can think. But their feelings are linked to another entity—an entity that is your enemy."
Alfred smiled faintly.
"But you don't need to fill your small, foolish head with that now."
He laughed—then continued.
"Everyone on this planet is your enemy."
His voice hardened.
"Killing them or sparing them is entirely up to you. So use this to develop yourself. Sharpen your edge, because you will need it in the future."
He straightened.
"Now… I'll see you later, my son."
His expression softened.
"And know this: your father loves you."
Then, with a mischievous grin:
"Oh—and one more thing. If Death comes to you and tells you that you are betrothed to his only daughter… try to run if you can!"
Alfred laughed heartily, clearly anticipating his son's reaction.
Then he vanished.
Leaving Don with his mouth agape.
His jaw nearly dropped.
What does he mean?!
What does it MEAN?!
The entire planet is my enemy?! Why?! I haven't done anything to them! How did they become my enemies?!
And a betrothed?! How can I have a fiancée?!
And Death AGAIN?!
What did you get me into, you accursed old man?!
He felt a sharp prick on his backside again.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" he screamed in frustration.
[Your body is ready for awakening.]
The Source's voice cut through his panic.
[Time to review your status.]
Snap.
Don returned to his body.
But when he looked around, he was inside a silver web that blocked his view completely.
When he tried to move, it all dissolved—crumbling away as if it had never existed.
He tried to stand—but felt something strange.
"Why is the floor so far away?"
He panicked and ran to the mirror.
When he saw his new body, he was stunned.
"Source… is this what you were talking about?"
He stared at himself in disbelief.
"I look like the swordsmen in the castle! And what's with the silver streaks? They look like the old man's hair!"
[Your transformation is complete.]
The Source replied calmly.
[Please open the Status.]
Then, sharply:
[WARNING: The protective barrier around the house has 30 minutes remaining. Please hurry.]
Don panicked for a second—but then remembered:
I'm semi-invulnerable now.
What could challenge me in this city of old people and children?
He steadied himself.
"Source, open Status!"
╔═══════════════════════════╗
STATUS SCREEN
╚═══════════════════════════╝
— PRIMARY DATA —
• Name: Don Valdruun • Age: 12• Health (HP): {10/-}• Mana (MP): {500/500}• Stamina (STA): {10/10}• Experience (EXP): {0/10}• Affiliation: ??????• Level: 0• Status Points: 0• Madness: 0% (New)
— ATTRIBUTES —
• Strength: 10• Agility: 10• Vitality: 10• Dexterity: 10• Stamina: 10• Wisdom: 10• Magic Power: 10• Intelligence: 10• Sense: 5• Luck: 50
— TITLES & TALENTS —
• Title: Survivor of Death's Deceit
• Talent: Child of Luck - #%#%#%%
— SKILLS —
• Skill 1: Immortality (Lv. 0)
• Effect: All your physical stats start at 10 points. With every level-up, you gain 5 free attribute points and your physical stats increase by 2.
• Immortal Body Acquired:Your pain is almost non-existent. Your body resists death but hasn't fully escaped it. Your heart and head are your weak points and must be completely destroyed for you to visit Death. If Death catches you, you become his slave. If you escape, you return to life.
• WARNING: Madness percentage increases by 2% every time you die.
• Skill 2: Learning and Adaptation (Lv. 0)
• Effect: You are the master of all crafts and knowledge.
• Adaptive Soul Acquired:Your soul is now formless—it can become whatever it desires and absorb until it is full. But Madness saw a possibility in your soul and gazed upon it. You have been exposed to the Gaze of Madness.
• WARNING: Madness increases every time you absorb knowledge or energy Sources. For every 10% increase in Madness, your body changes. When you reach 50%, you will begin to lose yourself to Madness… hahahaha.
• Skill 3: Imagination (Lv. 0)
• Effect: Your mind has become stronger and merged with your soul's potential. You can convert energy into whatever you desire, but your mind and soul must withstand the strain. You can create weapons, shields, even life—but everything has a price.
• Living Storage Space Acquired:All your mental and spiritual stats have increased to 10. With every level-up, all your mental and spiritual stats increase by 3.
• Living Storage Space:You can store anything here. "I can swallow the universe. I am the end of everything." (The storage space grows stronger with its master.)
╚═══════════════════════════╝
Don took a deep breath, reading all this and trying to process what he had just gained.
"Source… what does it mean that my Imagination might be affected by Madness?"
[Any Source connected to Madness gains a touch of life.]
The Source's voice turned cold.
[Swords can kill without their master. Shields can crush their wearer. And living beings kill whatever they see before them.]
A pause.
[Madness is not your ally, boy. Remember that.]
Don sighed, about to ask another question.
But at that moment—
The 30 minutes passed.
The shield fell.
Silence reigned for a while.
Then Don heard footsteps outside the door.
No… those aren't footsteps…
That's the sound of metal.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
He didn't move.
He wanted to.
But something stopped him.
He didn't know what—but every inch of his new body screamed at him:
If you open that door…
You will die.