I walk... and walk... and walk, but the damned village never gets any closer! Seeing this predicament, I decide to rest at a riverbank. My frail legs shake as I sit down on annoyingly sharp rocks, then they steady, finally pleased that they are no longer doing a slave's work.
The river cuts through the forest like a serene ribbon, curving everywhere and shining brightly. In the water's reflection, however, I see a ghost.
"AHHHH." I touch my face. Hollow cheeks, oh my Gods... terrible pale skin, cracked lips, dead black eyes, all signs of a man who's been through hell... I was once a great-looking slave! The best, probably. The lady slaves thought so anyway.
Faced with my own hideous nature, I do what any superficial man would do—I ignore it. "The water is not accurate."
Instead, I prioritize more insight into my runes.
"Status"
After a bit of playing around, I notice that wherever my gaze goes, the display screen follows. Using this, I travel down the zigzagged line. There are 10 branched sections in total, 7 of which contain skills. Three contain standalone perks, but both the skills and perks are painstakingly locked.
All I manage to learn is that the seven skills fall into these categories—starter, attack, defense, mobility, healing, curse, and ultimate.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, my name practically lunges at me. I focus on it, and the screen changes to something... What the fuck! That's not accurate!
A life-size portrait of me with gaunt features and frail arms crossed over themselves. Why does it look like that? My portrait looks like he needs to take a shit.
However, under my INACCURATE portrait are helpful runes that will come in handy.
Name: Lirael
Race: Once Demi God—now Unknown
Health: 100/100
Mana - Unlocks after spending the first spirit point
Speed boost: 1%
Strength boost: 1%
Level: 2 (gain XP by slaying foes. Each level up grants you a spirit point, increases speed, strength, mana capacity, and vitality.)
Spirit points: 2
Spirit points spent: 0
Max spirit points: 70
They aren't impressive stats, but they are stats. And it seems to grow stronger, I will need to kill. A lot, not that I mind, of course. I wonder how much XP I would gain for killing a God?
Suddenly, the portrait's expression and stance shift—now buckled over laughing. You dickhead! My gaze drifts to my chicken legs... He isn't wrong, though. I'd better start small.
I don't even bother with whatever mystery hides behind my race. "Unknown." If the fucking Book of Creation doesn't know what I am, then how the hell will I figure it out?
Once a Demi God, now not. I am as unique and special as they come. Demi-Gods don't have this system to draw strength from. What they have is a God's blood coursing through their veins, manifesting their parents' abilities as early as thirteen or as late as seventeen—and I'd somehow managed to fail twice.
Finally feeling like my legs won't fall off anymore, I close my runes and stand. Stop shaking! I scream at my legs, and they obey like good little boys. Up ahead, through many, many trees, the bamboo village looms.
I sigh.
"C'mon, guys, let's get there before dark."
Nothing ever good comes from the dark.
***
There is a problem: the serene river has turned rapid. This isn't an issue by itself, but paired with the village still not getting any closer? Definitely a problem. The change confirms my suspicions—this shitty forest is cursed! And to think I'd been yelling at my legs for moving too slowly. "Sorry, guys..."
Then a realization hits me, making every hair stand on end.
I let out a panicked laugh. How had I not noticed? It is as plain as day! Since arriving in this place, I haven't heard a single sound. The leaves bang against each other but make no rustling. The water slams against rocks but creates no echo.
Complete silence.
"Shit... Shit... Shit, I will survive."
I spin and frantically search every shadow. My years spent wandering purgatory made me paranoid—who am I kidding, I'm batshit crazy! It was that craziness that kept me alive. Yet filled with the joy and happiness that came along with freedom, I tossed it aside like a damned fool.
Everyone is a slave to something, I best remember that.
The forest is cursed.
And as darkness battles with light in the sky, its inevitable victory looms. So does whatever is lurking in wait.
***
Taller than the trees.
Taller than some titans.
Taller than all the monsters in purgatory.
Are beady red eyes that hover over the forest. They stare down at me, as if they are a God pissed about an ant entering their kingdom. Move and die, that's what those blood-chilling eyes tell me.
I'm not even a snack to something like you!
Shrouded in absolute darkness, I can't make out its figure, but it has to be...
Well over 600 meters tall, I'd imagine.
Slowly and very shakily, I open my runes. I wanted to spend some time in the bamboo village before coming to a decision on something as important as my starter skill, but tough luck! The world is cruel.
There are only two options that give me the SLIMMEST chance of crawling out of here alive. Under different circumstances, I might have chosen Blood Weapon for the poison damage, but you can't poison things when you're dead, so.
[Umbral Step] - 0/5
[Heavenly wings] - 0/5
Both movement based, but one is clearly a cut above the other. I don't waste another second and pour two spirit points into [Heavenly wings] - 2/5. I try not to collapse as a burning sensation spreads to every crevice of my body. Then it settles in the center of my chest.
I breathe deeply. Exhaling slowly. Ignoring every primal instinct stabbing my heart—don't do this, you're going to die—I mutter two words: [Heavenly Wings].
A beat... Another beat. Why the fuck is nothing happening!
BOOM!
The pair of sickening eyes inches closer, death inches closer. I'm such a fucking idiot, why did I move my lips! Shit, shit, shit, make this stupid ability work right now, or you're dead!
I tell myself repeatedly, as the shaking earth knocks me to my ass. Finally, I have an idea!
The burning sensation in my chest must be my mana, I just have to focus on that. It's a long shot, but then when a long shot has to go in, they usually do.
I focus, the falling trees getting closer. Ignore, ignore, ignore. I feel the life energy inside me, grip it, and shout with all my might
"[Heavenly Wings], God damnit!"
White feathered wings burst from my back, each wing about the size of two arm lengths. Just as a colossal stone arm outstretches and sends hundreds of trees to their early graves, I flap my wings as hard as I can muster.
I lift to the sky without looking back. I fear that if I even sneak one glance at the monstrosity this up close, I'll lose all of my fighting spirit.
Next thing I know, my world crashes as two cupped hands press around me. It's so damn dark I can't see a thing!
SHIT! I refuse to die like a damned bug! With my head on a swivel, I see a gap in its fingers. The hand over my head is now upon me, and I know that this is when I gotta go! I flap, and flap, my wings almost buckling as the currents of air are unstable. And somehow, I make my benevolent escape, waving goodbye to his thumb.
Like the clash of two Gods, the hands come together in a smack.
I turn...Holy fucking hell!
Can this bastard give me a break!
Don't shoot balls of air at me, prentenious dickhead! I twist and turn, narrowly dodging air that would have torn me to ribbons. Some trees get fucked, though.
Eventually, I am able to fly above the forest and locate the village, its light shines in the distance like a beacon of hope.
However, feeling myself a bit, I hover for a moment, then turn around.
The earth hasn't shaken for a minute, nor has any air tried to kill me.
The Giant stands before me; I am about knee high. His beady eyes fall to mine, but he makes no sudden movement. I am less scared now that I have my wings, and that is probably why I feel I can meet its gaze.
Then it just simply leaves.
No longer interested in the ant who has soared above his creation.
"Good boy." I snicker.