Kael Ryunosuke woke before dawn, the chill of the early morning seeping through his thin tunic. The village lay quiet beneath the soft pink and gold of the rising sun, the mist curling along the dirt streets and the edges of the small wooden huts. Hunger tugged at his stomach, but Kael had long grown used to it. Another day, another hunt, another copper coin earned by slaying the weakest creatures in the land.
The creatures were tiny, weak, almost laughable, stone-scaled lizards, feral wolves, giant rats. Each one was worth exactly one copper coin: the **most useless, most insignificant currency in the entire land**. Kael had tried hunting stronger beasts before, magical creatures that shimmered with power and could kill a man with a single swipe. But his mana was pitiful, barely enough to spark a flicker of fire or conjure the simplest shield. Any real fight against a magical monster would have been death. So he focused on the weak ones, the ones the world overlooked.
Even if the reward was almost nothing, he continued. Every beast he slew, no matter how small, meant the villagers could walk their streets safely, play in the fields without fear, and sleep in their homes knowing danger had been kept at bay. Each coin, each kill, was a small shield for his village.
Magic ruled everything. It flowed through the rivers, the soil, the air, even the people. It built homes, grew crops, healed the sick, and measured a person's worth. Those with strong mana were respected, rich, untouchable. Those without, like Kael, barely survived. His mana pool was so low that even a tiny spark of fire drained him for hours. He could barely heal a scraped knee, let alone face the magical beasts lurking beyond the forests.
But Kael did not measure himself by power. He measured himself by love, for his clan, for his home, for the people who trusted him. Every small act of service was his way of giving back. He cooked meals for the elders, carried water from the river, polished weapons, cleaned armor, repaired torn clothing, and swept the streets. Each chore, every task, was done without complaint.
And the people loved him for it.
He smiled faintly as he remembered last summer's festival. He had helped hang lanterns, caught fireflies in jars for the children, swept the communal hall, and brought firewood for the feast. The laughter, the warm thanks, the smiles… they were imprinted in his memory. It was enough to make the hunger, the cold, the exhaustion, bearable.
Slaying monsters, though… that was his way of protecting the village. Every beast he killed, no matter how small or weak, was one less threat to the people he loved. Level 1 monsters, stone-scaled lizards, feral wolves, giant rats, were harmless, easy prey. Level 2 and 3 monsters only slightly stronger, still non-magical, still copper. They were trivial compared to the magical creatures beyond, but if left unchecked, even the smallest beast could harm a child or destroy a farmer's crops.
Kael had learned the monster rankings the hard way, through countless hunts, scars, and mistakes, just as every hunter in the village had to do.
-Level 1-3. Non-magical, weak, safe; copper coins.
-Level 4-10. Tiny magical monsters, whispering sprites, flame sparks, glimmering imps; bronze coins.
- Level 11-20. Dangerous magical monsters, shadow hounds, venomous wraiths, elemental constructs; silver coins.
- Level 21-39. Strong magical beasts; silver-ranked, more threatening than before.
- Level 40+. Gold-ranked; deadly, world-shaking beasts capable of destroying entire squads.
- Beyond Gold. Unknown. Terrifying.
The people who fought against these creatures were also ranked:
1. Hunters – Individuals or small groups who fought mainly to survive, protecting themselves or their tiny towns and clans. They mostly handled Level 1–10 monsters, though skilled ones could occasionally handle higher threats. Kael fit here, though he barely survived even the weakest hunts.
2. Knights – Guardians of the city or the magical kingdom itself. They protected citizens from high-ranked monsters and magical threats. Many could take on Level 20–40 monsters with proper gear and magic. They were highly respected for their courage and skill.
3.Healers – Rare and highly valued individuals who worked exclusively in the kingdom. Their mana control allowed them to heal even the gravest wounds. They had their own ranking system, and the strongest could restore life itself, or protect a squad from dying in battle.
4. Mages – The elite. The strongest combatants, able to annihilate Level 40 monsters or higher in an instant. They were few, revered, and often feared for their destructive power.
5.Witches and Wizards - Residents of towns and clans, strong enough to fight Level 20–30 monsters with ease. The most talented could defeat some Level 40 beasts. They commanded respect and could change the tide of battles in their regions.
6. Non-magical Humans – The majority of the population. Some were skilled in strategy or weapons, but against true magical beasts, they were mostly defenseless. Survival was difficult and often required the protection of magic users.
Kael adjusted the strap of his worn leather bag and hefted his small, blunt sword. Level 1 monsters were all he could hope to face, but it was enough. Every beast slain, every coin earned, every path cleared of danger… he was keeping his village safe. That thought warmed him against the morning chill.
He walked through the dirt path leading out of the village toward the surrounding forests, eyes scanning for movement. Rustling leaves, faint glimmers of light, the subtle vibrations in the earth… signs of life, signs of threat. Tiny creatures, harmless, weak, skittered through the underbrush. Kael's hands tightened on the sword.
"I'll protect you… I won't let any of you get hurt," he whispered, gazing back toward the village. The rooftops, the chimneys, the smoke rising from small fires, every hut, every family he had grown to love, filled him with resolve. "No matter what… I'll keep you safe."
His heart ached from exhaustion and hunger, but his spirit remained unbroken. Every step, every swing of his sword, every cautious hunt… it was all for them. And Kael Ryunosuke would give everything he had, even his life, for the town he loved more than anything in the world.
The sun climbed higher, spilling gold across the forest floor. Somewhere beyond the trees, stronger creatures stirred, magical monsters that he could not hope to fight. But for now, he focused on the weak ones, the ones he could defeat, the ones he could remove from the path of the innocent.
And he smiled, feeling warmth in his chest. Though weak, though poor, though ignored by the world, Kael had a purpose. He had love. And that was enough.
...........
The council hall buzzed with tension. Kael Ryunosuke sat quietly at the far end of the long wooden table, heart pounding. He had been summoned, something that never happened to him before. Normally, his pitiful mana and low skill barred him from these meetings, but today, his name had been called.
Gareth, the stern head of the clan council, leaned forward, eyes scanning the hunters. "A Level 20 monster has been sighted near the eastern forest edge. It has been attacking caravans and outposts. We need a team to deal with it immediately."
A ripple of murmurs spread across the room.
"And Kael Ryunosuke," Gareth continued, voice flat but sharp, "you will be part of this team."
Kael blinked, disbelief washing over him. "M-me? But… I—I'm not strong enough!" His voice shook, but a glimmer of hope flickered in his chest.
A tall, broad-shouldered hunter named Dorian slammed his hand on the table, voice dripping with frustration. "Are you serious? Kael? That useless excuse of a fighter? He'll hold us all back and get us killed!"
Murmurs of agreement followed. Kael's stomach knotted, but he looked to Gareth, searching for reassurance.
Gareth's dark eyes glinted. "Kael will go because it is… necessary." He allowed a thin, almost imperceptible smirk. "Do not misunderstand. He is weak, yes, but he has his place. This mission is also an opportunity. Twenty gold coins each if you survive. That includes Kael, if he somehow manages to stay alive."
Whispers filled the room. Dorian groaned in disbelief. "Gold coins? For a mission that might get us all killed? Including… him?"
"Yes," Gareth replied coldly. "The choice is made. He goes. End of discussion."
Mira, the timid Level 1 healer, sat clutching her satchel. "This isn't right..., Kael shouldn't be here.He can barely fight a level 1 monsters, let alone level 20.But I can't say that ...not in front of everyone..." Her thoughts were frantic, swirling like a storm.
Kael's hands trembled slightly as he stood. "I… I won't let you down. I'll do my best. I'll protect you… all of you. With my life if I have to."
A nervous smile flickered across Mira's face. " He actually believes this ...,he trusts them completely..."
The meeting ended, and Kael was told to leave the hall to prepare for departure.
The moment the door closed behind him, the tone inside the hall shifted immediately.
Gareth turned to the remaining hunters and whispered, voice low but triumphant. "He doesn't know. Kael's going to die. That weak, useless boy… finally, we'll be rid of him."
Dorian chuckled darkly. "He wouldn't survive a single minute in the forest. Not a chance. I almost feel sorry for him, almost."
The others nodded, some smirking, others openly grinning at the thought.
Mira's eyes widened, shock and fear crossing her face. "No… Gareth, this isn't right… we shouldn't…"
Gareth smirked at her, unbothered. "Don't worry, Mira. His death is already set in motion. He won't survive the forest. We all get what we want, and Kael gets… what he deserves."
.........
The forest canopy swallowed the weak sunlight as the group pressed deeper into the eastern woods. Uneven ground clawed at their boots, roots and stones threatening to trip even the most seasoned hunter. Some of the hunters yelped as branches and hidden roots cut their arms and legs; small scratches bled, slowing them down. Kael followed closely, heart racing, not from fear, but from determination. He wanted to protect them all.
Mira's hands fidgeted with her satchel. *I have to warn him… I must tell him…* But the leader of their group, Dorian, stayed between her and Kael, blocking her every attempt. She clenched her jaw. "I won't risk it. Not now" ...
A low, rumbling growl shook the forest. The hunters froze. Trees quivered as the earth beneath them vibrated. Kael's stomach knotted, fear gnawing at the edges of his resolve. He gripped his sword tighter.
"There it is," Dorian muttered, voice tight with tension. "Keep formation. Don't let it separate us."
The monster stepped into the clearing, a towering, scaled creature, eyes burning silver, claws scraping deep gouges in the earth. Each step made the ground quake; its tail smashed a tree to splinters.
Kael swallowed hard. "I… I can do this… I can protect them…" he whispered, stepping forward. Sparks of his feeble magic danced on the tip of his sword.
The hunters charged, shouting battle cries. The beast countered instantly, swinging its massive tail. It struck one hunter, throwing him into the trees with a sickening crack. Another hunter lunged, only to have the monster swipe him aside effortlessly.
"Focus! Don't let it flank us!" Dorian barked, barely dodging a swipe of the creature's claws.
Kael swung his sword again, magic flickering weakly. "Take… this!" he shouted, sparks fizzing uselessly against the monster's scales. It barely flinched.
The beast roared, snapping its jaws and sending another hunter sprawling. Panic spread through the group. Mira's heart thudded painfully as she realized Kael was surrounded, vulnerable. *Kael… you have to run! Please, survive!*
Kael saw Dorian get slashed across the arm, blood spraying. "D-Dorian!" he shouted.
"Move, Kael! Use its magic to distract it!" Dorian roared, face twisted with pain. "It's the only way we escape!"
"What? I—how? I'm not strong enough!" Kael's voice cracked. His chest heaved as he realized the cruel task before him.
"Do it! Now!" Dorian barked, bleeding from multiple wounds. "We can't fight it! Move!"
Mira lunged, trying to grab Kael's arm. "No! Kael! Don't! You'll—"
But the others yanked her away, pulling her back through the trees. Her cries echoed. "Kael! Please! Get out! I know you can't fight it, but survive! Survive!"
Kael's eyes blurred with tears. *I… I can't leave her… I have to protect them all…*
He tried to run, but a massive boulder dislodged from above, crashing down onto his leg. Bone shattered with a sickening crunch. Kael screamed, trapped, unable to move.
"Please… help me!" he begged, looking at Dorian, hoping for mercy.
Dorian stopped, hands on his knees, staring down at Kael with a mix of pity and cruel satisfaction. Then he laughed, sharp and cold.
"You think anyone wanted you alive?" Dorian sneered. "This… this was planned. From the start. You're a disgrace, Kael. Everyone in the village has tolerated you because they pity the poor orphan. They smile at you, they thank you… but it's all pretend. They'd be glad to see you gone."
Kael's tears streamed freely. "N-no… that's not true… I've given everything for this village!"
"The imperial city checks on you every day," Dorian continued. "Your uselessness has held them back. No promotions, no recognition… all because you can't even fight on your own. You've been a burden your entire life. And now… you'll die like the weakling you are."
The monster's roar shook the clearing. Its glowing eyes fixed on Kael.
Kael's heart raced as he tried to wriggle free. "I… I won't die here… I can't…" But the stone pressed heavier, pain exploding through his leg.
The beast lunged from behind, jaws wide. Darkness swallowed him as the last thing he saw was Dorian's smirk and the cruel eyes of the monster.
---
Then came the black void… the endless nothingness. And Lyra, in her flowing red gown, waiting with calm, unreadable power.
.........
Kael opened his eyes to darkness.
Not the suffocating kind, just… endless. Quiet. Empty. He sank to his knees, his chest tight with lingering pain, not from his crushed leg, but from the betrayal and the forest, from everything he had lost.
A soft crimson glow appeared before him, and a girl sat cross-legged on the black void floor. Her long white hair framed a calm, striking face. Her red gown shimmered faintly, and ornaments caught what little light existed. The mana around her swirled, strange and alive, responding to her presence.
"You're finally awake," she said, voice soft but steady.
Kael stared. "Who… who are you? Where am I?"
"You died," she said simply.
He let out a hollow laugh, lowering his head. "So… this is it. This… nothing… better than the life I had."
She didn't flinch. She tilted her head, crimson mana rippling faintly. "It's not the end. This is a place between, a life after death. You're here because your soul didn't settle."
Kael's voice trembled. "Why… why bring me here? What do you want from me?"
Lyra leaned forward slightly, her eyes steady. "I'm trapped here. I've guided others who died… tried to give them a second chance. But none fulfilled their purpose for returning. They all failed. You are different. You can succeed."
Kael frowned, staring at her. "Purpose? I… I don't want revenge. I don't want to fight. I just… I want peace. Honestly… this death feels kinder than my miserable life. I just want it to be over."
Her crimson mana pulsed stronger, almost like a heartbeat. "Peace can come… but not if your life ended without meaning. You can return. You can live again. And you can accomplish what you couldn't in your first life. You can be stronger. You can shape your own fate. And when your purpose is complete… I will finally be free from this void."
Kael shook his head, voice low. "I… I just want to live quietly. I don't want revenge… not anymore."
Her gaze softened, but her tone was firm. "Kael, I won't lie. You were betrayed. You were weak. You were abandoned. But this is your chance to change everything. To live, yes… but also to right the wrongs done to you. You will have power you never imagined. You will be able to protect yourself, to protect those you care for. And when you fulfill the purpose for which you were returned… I will finally be free."
Kael's chest tightened. He swallowed, eyes wide as a floating screen shimmered into view before him.
Kael's eyes burned with a mix of grief and curiosity. He stared at the girl in the red gown, the strange, unrecognizable mana swirling around her.
"Lyra… why do I have to free you?" he asked, voice trembling. "Why me?"
Lyra's gaze softened, but her eyes held the weight of centuries. "Because I am bound here. I wasn't always a spirit."
Kael blinked. "What… do you mean?"
"I was like you," she began quietly. "I trusted people I shouldn't have. They betrayed me… they killed me. My soul was almost lost, but I managed to escape into this void. Since then, I've been trapped, recognized as part of the reincarnation system. I guide those who die… give them a chance to return, to fulfill a purpose they couldn't complete in life. But until someone succeeds, I remain here, unable to leave."
Kael's fists clenched. "So… you can't leave until someone comes back and… what? Finishes what they were meant to do?"
Lyra nodded. "Exactly. And that's why I help you. You are the one who can fulfill your purpose, and in doing so, you can set me free."
Kael swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "…And what if I fail?"
She shook her head slowly, crimson mana coiling around her like a living ribbon. "Then I remain trapped, as have all the others before you. They all died again before they had the chance. But I sense something different in you, Kael. You have resolve… and heart. That is why I am here, now."
A faint shimmer appeared in front of him, a glowing interface floating in the void.
SYSTEM MENU ACTIVATED
- Select starting power level
- Allocate skill points
- Choose magic affinity
- Enable spirit communication
- Harem/Companion Management
- Army/Minion Control
- Emotional Bond Control
Kael stared at it, blinking. "…Harem?"
Lyra's faint smile was patient. "It is part of the system. Those who return with purpose can influence allies and companions. You can bind loyalty, manipulate emotions carefully… even affect how affection and attraction function. You may decide how effective your influence is on each companion. It is a tool, a weapon, if you wish, but one to help you achieve your goals and survive."
Kael's mind whirled. "So… I can have people fight for me… protect me… even… care for me?"
"Yes," Lyra said. "But power must be used wisely. Each person is a life. Their loyalty, their affection… it must be earned, maintained, or… manipulated according to the stats you set. You have freedom in how much influence you grant, and how effective it is. This is one of the many tools at your disposal to shape your life… and ensure your purpose is fulfilled."
Kael's fingers hovered over the options, heart hammering. He saw stats for strength, mana, speed, combat mastery… and new sections for Loyalty, Affection, and Bond Strenght for companions.
He clicked through them carefully. "I… I'll need strong allies. People I can trust, or at least… control. I can't afford to be weak again."
Lyra's crimson aura shimmered. "Exactly. Choose wisely, Kael. Each decision affects your journey. Your strength… your companions… your ability to survive… to live… and to ultimately complete the purpose that will free me."
Kael's gaze hardened. He selected maximum, then carefully allocated stats toward the companions he would gather in the future, loyalty, affection, and bond strength, making sure they could fight alongside him, love him if he wished, and never betray him.
His mana roared, flooding his senses. The interface pulsed, confirming his choices.
Kael exhaled, teeth clenched. "I will rise. I will survive. And when I return… they'll know exactly who they tried to betray."
Lyra's faint smile deepened. "Good. Begin, Kael. This is your second chance. Your life, your power, your companions… and your purpose. Live it fully, and I will be free."
Kael closed his eyes, feeling the immense power coursing through him, the weight of revenge and survival intertwining with a newfound hope. "Then let's begin."