In front of me I could see it. Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness surrounding me, I saw a scene that could only be described as gruesome.
Flipped over and completely destroyed carriages, horses and carcasses burning, limbs flung in different directions, and even broken trees and unearthed pieces of ground as if someone or something had been fighting here with some kind of supernatural strength that you only see in fantasy.
It was so disgusting and terrifying, I couldn't breathe and the smell made my insides do flips.
BLEEGH—
Of course, be it from stress or disgust from the overwhelming smell of blood and burning flesh, I ended up vomiting any and everything inside of me up until only bile and saliva remained. Wiping my mouth, and steadying myself, I looked around.
'Wherever I am… I doubt this situation means anything good for me..Whatever or whoever did this.. they could come back at any moment. I need to find a clue, anything..'
My body felt weak and heavy, even more-so than it did before since I had exhausted most of my strength coming here and then vomiting. I didn't have time to stop though and I moved and searched the carriages.
Both were covered in blood, with it being worse on the inside. The people left inside could barely even be called people, more like bugs with the way that their bodies were crushed and squished together or against the walls of the carriage.
I found what looked like a family keepsake and pocketed it. I didn't know if I'd ever use it but at the very least, if need be, I could sell it for money and probably by food or even a place to live peacefully away from others.
I moved deeper, my nose had gone numb from the smell and so I had barely even noticed the smell anymore which made things easier, even just a bit. I came across a collapsed tree, it was huge.
The way it had fallen, it looked more like someone or something punched a hole into it than it just falling down due to some natural force, with the sharp edges of the tree resembling that of a pencil that had been snapped in half. Underneath the tree, a woman, beautiful.
Long white hair that had been stained with thick murky blood, almost black due to how long it had been. Smooth clear skin, pale and losing its color quickly.
Upon hearing me approach, she weakly opened her eyes. They were beautiful emerald green eyes with flecks of gold, they seemed to be losing their shine. When she saw me, her eyes widened and she tried to speak, coughing up blood and wincing in pain.
I got spooked and froze in place by the sudden movement and noise, but only for a moment before I approached, kneeling down in front of her.
"D- Damien.. m-my son.. you have.. to run."
Tears streamed down her face as she weakly tried to lift her small frail hand up towards me. I grabbed it and held it, massaging it lightly.
My heart pounded and I could see and feel my hands shaking violently as I held her.
'I get it now.. this woman.. She's my mother. The mother of this body.' It was only now that I had noticed, my skin and body, weak and small, frail looking, pale, like a porcelain doll.
I had always been on the paler side but now I wasn't pale, simply Albino instead. From the reflection in her eyes I could even see my face. It definitely wasn't a face I knew.
Shoulder length white hair, and sharp narrow slit eyes with long white eyelashes and sapphire blue in colour.
"Please.. live.. Damian.. y-you're the last.. Satanel.. I.. love.."
I tried to stop her from speaking, to save her somehow but I knew.. we both knew that it was too late for her.
Not only had she lost too much blood, but her body was completely crushed underneath the tree and any energy that she might have had left was spent on her last words.
She smiled, despite the obvious, excruciating pain that she must have been in, she smiled and gently caressed my cheek as she stared into my eyes. Then, she closed her eyes slowly and her hand went limp.
I felt dizzy, the pain in my head intensified every second that passed and now I seemed to be having an even harder time breathing, hyperventilating and gasping for air.
I couldn't tell if it was because of the fire and thick black smoke, or because of the cold corpse in front of me who had looked at me with an unfamiliar warmth..
However, regardless, staying here wouldn't be smart nor ideal. I don't know what led to this moment but regardless, one fact remained and that was that I am alone now.
It wasn't until she was gone that I heard a noise that broke me out of my despair. Looking up in front of me, a classic small blue game window appeared.
Seeing it didn't fill me with hope or relief like it probably would with most people. Or even confusion. Instead, I felt a tight, burning sensation growing, bubbling inside of my stomach. Anger and hatred and frustration.
[ Conditions met: System Sync Complete!
Congratulations on completing the first quest. You have unlocked hidden information and obtained an item.
Name: Damian D. Satanel
Age: 16
Sex: Male
Race: Demon
Abilities: ???
Other: The last remaining survivor of the once Great Satanel Household. The sickly youngest son. As the last to survive, you alone will bear the responsibility and honor of being a Satanel.
However, you will also have to bear the burden of the sins and debts that come with your identity. You will be hunted and possibly killed by enemies of the household.
Points: 10
Now for your first mission! Escape the forest and get to a safe place before sunrise:
Reward: 30Pts, 100 gold
Penalty for failure: Death ]
After seeing the contents of the blue screen, I couldn't help but feel more upset. Squeezing my hands into balls so tight that they bled and my knuckles went white.
'Not only did I get thrown into some unfamiliar world.. but this situation… it's traumatic and gruesome and terrifying and there's no explanation?? All I get is a name and a quest like this is some kind of game tutorial and I'm a player who just got his first mission.'
Tsk
I swallowed the anger that threatened to spill from my mouth and stood up. As I stumbled across the corpses and made my way out of the forest I heard a voice behind me.
"Ah~ I knew it. I was right to come back."
I turned around and saw a man with tanned skin and a lean slender build approaching through the trees.
As he got closer, I was able to make out his features. Long deep and bright hair like wine, or blood..tied into a loose ponytail behind him, sharp orange eyes and two small shiny knobs underneath his left eye, a piercing.
As he approached me slowly, my head began to throb even more than it had before. It was so intense and painful that I gripped my head, almost to the point of crushing it.
Memories began to flash through my mind leaving me to wince in pain as a sharp sting flashed throughout my body. My own memories.
This man…he had been the one who caused most of the deaths.
He had been the one who killed my mother. With a smile so wide and bright that you'd think he was a child playing a game of tag and having the time of his life, as he ripped through the people like they were made of paper or something.
He had been speaking about something, either to himself or to me but I didn't care, I didn't hear him.
Everything was too loud, the pain, the sound of my heart pounding and my head throbbing, my coughs, hyperventilating, but the loudest of everything that I heard was my instincts telling me to get away from this man.
I covered my mouth and turned around, he was already too close. In my memories, he was fast and seemed to enjoy it when his "prey" ran from him.
Despite knowing that, it's not like I could afford to simply stay still or walk away. Even if he didn't know I had managed to escape, even if I was to try and act like I am someone else…
'Wait..'
I froze. Taking short breaths and calming myself down. In my memories, he hadn't seen me.
I had managed to escape, if he had seen me then I wouldn't have managed to escape. Also, the fact that he didn't immediately attack me means that either he isn't fully sure of my identity or.. he's acting.
However.. as someone who had to make acting my entire personality growing up.. I am used to doing and saying things that help my situation. I'm good at tricking people.
'Hey.. system. I don't know if this will work but if you can hear.. my thoughts somehow, now would be a good time to show it.'
Ding!
[ Congratulations on discovering how to summon the system at your own pace! Below is your information.
Name: Damian D. Satanel
Age: 16
Sex: Male
Race: Demon
Abilities: ???
Other: The last remaining survivor of the once Great Satanel Household. The sickly youngest son.
As the last to survive, you alone will bear the responsibility and honor of being a Satanel. However, you will also have to bear the burden of the sins and debts that come with your identity.
You will be hunted and possibly killed by enemies of the household.
Points: 10
Stats:
Strength: 7/70
Agility: 3/70
Charm: 6/70
Intelligence: 8/70
Stamina: 2/70
Magic: 1/70
Luck: 5/70
*Abilities: Muse Fumeris, Regeneration, Original Sin: Authority of Greed
Muse Fumeris - Those who trust their eyes more than their senses fall victim to illusion. 3/10
Regeneration - The ability to heal any wounds received. Even the loss of limbs. 1/10
Original Sin: Authority of Greed - As the sole heir of the Satanel Household, you alone hold the highest authority. Those weaker than you will fall into despair in your presence. 1/10
More info unavailable..
Items: Crest Of GREED: The Satanel - Anyone bearing the Crest of the Great Sin Household will go through many trials.
10 pts available. ]
' I don't have time… '
For completing the mission I was given.. it never said I had to run away to escape.
This may be stupid, no.. it's definitely a stupid and unnecessarily risky plan but I instinctively knew, and now I am confirming it with my own eyes.
My stats are garbage and my stamina and agility are both some of the worst I've ever seen.
I don't even need to know the average range to know that mine are the worst and so running away isn't an option. That's why..
' 3 points into luck, 3 points into charm, and 2 into magic. Hurry. '
Ding!
[ Stats have been updated, please wait a moment as your body undergoes changes. ]
I felt dizzy, my body staggered and I nearly fell, grabbing my head and leaning against a tree, I could just barely notice the man approaching me and standing in front of me now.
[Changes complete! Synchronisation complete.
Name: Damian D. Satanel
Age: 16
Sex: Male
Race: Demon
Abilities: ???
Other: The last remaining survivor of the once Great Satanel Household. The sickly youngest son.
As the last to survive, you alone will bear the responsibility and honor of being a Satanel.
However, you will also have to bear the burden of the sins and debts that come with your identity.
You will be hunted and possibly killed by enemies of the household.
Stats:
Strength: 7/70
Agility: 3/70
Charm: 9/70
Intelligence: 8/70
Stamina: 2/70
Magic: 3/70
Luck: 8/70
Pts remaining: 2 ]
"Hey, you're quite… strange aren't you? Did you honestly think I wouldn't catch you or are you? I can't tell if you're stupid or brave."
The man spoke as he held up a sharp sword towards my neck, just barely grazing my neck and yet I felt a sharp pain.
'Great.. if I wasn't sure before, I'm definitely sure now.. this is real. The pain, the smell, even my blood dripping down the edge of his blade.
It's all real, even this stupid blue system window.'
I held back a sigh and began my act.
"H-hello?"
I allowed myself to cough this time instead of stifling it. And I kept my head down, not meeting the man's gaze right away. Falling to my knees and groping the ground like a blind man.
"I don't know who you are but.. p-please—"
I coughed again, blood spewing out of my mouth. The taste of thick metallic saliva filled my mouth and the smell attacked my nose.
' Please work. '
My hands were shaking, both from fear and from exhaustion, and my legs felt weak to the point that I don't think I had the strength to try and stand back up if I needed to run away right now.
Luckily, the man crouched down to my level, one hand holding the sword up to my throat underneath my chin, and the other, grabbing my hair with a tight fist and forcing me to look up at him.
He spoke in a light voice, just barely able to hide his annoyance. Seeing his face, he reminded me of a fox bastard. Speaking with a playful coy smile but with sharp piercing eyes.
"Hey. Answer me, who are you? There's no use acting now. If you continue to act dumb I can't guarantee your safety."
'He says that, but if I were to give up the act now he'd kill me instantly.'
I continued acting blind, my eyes unfocused and looking at his face instead of into his eyes.
I didn't need to act pathetic and weak or sickly.. because it wasn't an act. This body.. it's a frail one since birth.
'Who would have guessed that being pathetic could save my life.'
"I- I'm sorry. Sir.. I.. I don't know who you are or - or what you want but.. I'm just a blind orphan traveller.."
As if trying to test me, he pressed the blade against my Adam's apple just enough to force a pained cough to escape my mouth.
He silently observed me for a moment before eventually standing up and speaking. Instead of standing or moving I covered my mouth to wipe the blood, looking down at the ground, at his blood covered boots.
"Yes well.. regardless, there's no use for a demon like you, especially a blind orphan. I might as well get rid of you here."
Then, I felt a swift sharp wind hit my neck. It felt as though I had been cut. My entire body shook in fear but I didn't move.
"Hm…"
The man seemed to be thinking about something deeply for a moment before eventually sighing deeply and sheathing his sword. Rubbing his hair in frustration. Then, he spoke.
"Well… you don't seem to be lying. It seems I was wrong afterall."
Then, he crouched down and placed a firm strong hand on my shoulder and spoke.
"I'm Lucent, a knight belonging to the Protrelli Household. You probably won't know who that is, but it's fine. Follow me, I'll let my master decide what to do with you. Since you're not a target, he might let you live."
After speaking those words which sounded more like an order as he spoke his thoughts out loud than an invitation.. he wrapped an arm around me and helped me stand.
Then, left the forest while helping me. As we left the forest, a carriage approached and stopped right in front of us. The coachman looked out of breath and upset.
He scolded Lucent, apparently he had grown impatient and instead of riding the carriage, he ran back to the forest on his own, causing the driver to have to rush after him at full speed for over 10 minutes.
The horses were exhausted and so they rested while Lucent received an earful.. afterwards, he explained that he found "a traveller", me, and would be bringing me to meet the lord.
After hearing the situation, the driver sighed and nodded. I on the other hand had more important things to focus on.
'Status window.'
DING!
[ Congratulations on completing your first mission!
Escape the forest and get to a safe place before sunrise!
Due to your quick thinking…You narrowly avoided instant death by deceiving an important figure.
You have surpassed expectations and defied your fate for a second time! You now will receive your rewards!
30pts gained!
100 gold coins received!
Bonus rewards received!
For your wit and bold performance even in the face of certain death, you have been given an extra reward.
For defying your fate not once but twice, you have been given a Stigma.
'Death Defying Acts'
To learn more about your stigma, please grow stronger.
Total points available: 32Pts.
Overall level: 1
Congratulations on completing the tutorial! You have finished your first mission and lived through the tutorial. You are now Level 1, all stats will be increased by 2!
Welcome to ' Delverous ' you, the sole survivor and only heir of the Satanel Household, the second strongest sin, Greed, have defied all odds and lived after encountering the one who will become the hero.
Heroes encountered 1/7:
Aaron Protrelli - more information currently unavailable. Encounter the family head or hero to gain more information. ]
I weakly read over the information in silence as the knight and driver spoke. My body had reached its limits and my eyelids were growing heavier.
By the time I finished reading, I had passed out and when I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar place, with an unfamiliar ceiling hovering above my head.
'Where… am I?'
I opened my eyes and winced, the bright sunlight beaming on my face, and the smell of disinfecting alcohol hit my nose. My body felt too heavy to move and I could barely keep my eyes open.
"Ah- you're awake. Well.. barely it seems, haha. I'm not sure how long you'll be able to stay awake this time so I'll just introduce myself quickly. Don't move, I wouldn't want you wasting energy right now."
A middle aged man with dull black hair with grey stripes spoke with a warm smile as he leaned over me from the bedside.
"I am Dole, the head physician working in this household. I'm glad to see that you are awake, though, it must be pretty confusing since you can't see."
He didn't wait for me to speak, not that I could, I couldn't even manage the strength to move my mouth at will, let alone respond.
'Ugh… I really am weak.. is my health really that bad that I can't even speak?'
Dole turned around and grabbed something from the table next to him, then turned back to me.
In his hands was a sheer black cloth. He slowly slipped it over my eyes and tied it neatly behind my hair.
It was smooth and cold fabric, obviously very expensive, with a beautiful floral design throughout.
"Ah- you see, Lucent explained that you were blind after bringing you to the main mansion to get treated because you secretly passed out after coughing up a lot of blood.
The lord figured that your eyes… among other things must be very sensitive, and so he's gifted you a blindfold that will protect them from light and also protect you from receiving unwanted misunderstandings
I must say though.. you have quite beautiful blue eyes… I've never seen that shade before. It truly is a shame."
'This man speaks a lot.. maybe he's trying to compensate for my lack of speaking… or not. It's bothersome.'
I watched as the man slowly gathered his things and left the room after speaking for a bit longer.
He told me to rest and that the lord had agreed to meet with me only once I was well enough to move on my own.
I wasn't bothered, that just meant I'd have more time to gather my thoughts and energy.
'It's annoying..'
The only thing that bothered me was that I was being watched.
It was obvious but I could feel the eyes of at least 2 or 3 on me.
Maids who would frequently visit me in the clinic to clean and feed me, were clearly more than your average maids, and the way they looked at me was more like they were looking for me to do anything strange to cut me down instantly.
"Ah! I'm sorry! I'm late today, you must have been waiting a while. Uhm.. it's me, Julie. I'm going to feed you now, okay?"
The clumsy girl who stumbled into the room, nearly dropping the soup and water that she had been carrying.. was the maid that's been taking care of me for the past 3 days.
She's a bit ditzy though and very clumsy.. despite that, she's the most annoying to deal with. Because she's... a pervert.
*1. Chain-Villain: A term used to describe an encounter with a villain, usually minor, who once encountered will result in future encounters with more annoying and stronger villains.
*2. Abilities: Damian has abilities in the form of numbers. Each time he reaches a specific "goal" then he will level up and then the numbers increase, for example his "Original Sin" skill being only 1/10 right now, but once stats/skills hits 10/10(or their respective max)he levels up, and it will turn into something like 1/20 or 1/100, etc. As of now you can think of his skills being F rank/class.