The walk to the village was uneventful. Opix went into great detail about Assimilation, the process through which Natives were created by the Ellalara Belt itself and implanted with memories that dictated their personalities. When I’d asked whether that was at all weird, he’d asked, “Do you think it’s weird that the sky is blue and not black?”.
I’d expected to get some sort of notification when we’d arrived in the city, but I didn’t. The System described Satyrsong as boring, and… well… It certainly wasn’t Mephistos. Instead, it was the most stereotypical fantasy village I’d ever seen. Aged brick roads led to stone shops and houses while men and women of all types of different species shopped and mingled about the town. When I'd asked Cerus, she'd agreed in her own way.
“I believe Satyrsong was made this way to be approachable to Reincarnators. It is part of the… What is the word? Onboarding. This world is part of the onboarding process.” Cerus had said.
I wasn’t sure that was the word she was looking for, but it made sense. I could easily tell that the building with the wooden anvil and hammer sign was the weapon shop while the one with the silver armor on display was the armor shop. We’d likely be making a stop before we headed out, so I decided not to press either of them about it.
The inn, a massive stone building in the middle of town, had no rooms available. Thankfully for us, Opix and Cerus had already rented one the day prior for the week. The room itself was larger than I’d assumed it’d be. Brown wooden planks lined the floor alongside a forest green carpet speckled with gold. There were two beds with large trunks at the ends. In the corner of the room was a large brown loveseat that hardly fit the aesthetic of the room. The scent of damp wood filled the air paired with the faint smell of bread coming from the slightly opened window between the beds. I sat on the left bed while Cerus sat on the right one. Opix went for the chair in the corner of the room.
“This should be good for you and your Starter Pack, right Grim?” Opix said as soon as we were settled.
“Yup. Any idea what’s in there?”
“I don’t need it because I’m a Native, so I couldn’t tell you. Ask Cerus, she’s a Reincarnator.”
“I am not!”
“Sure.”
“I do not like being doubted!”
I mentally clicked on the bell icon and clicked on the NEW ACHIEVEMENTS (3) message before another argument could break out.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Hello New World!
You died on Earth and woke up in the Ellalara Belt! Better than the other place…
Reward: You have received a Sera Town Starter Pack. This item will spawn in the nearest container upon receiving this message.
A loud thump came from the rectangular trunk at the foot of my bed. The second I opened it a blue hologram of a woman appeared from within. She looked like she was in her forties and was dressed in a black, sleeveless shirt with flowy black pants and black flats. She had the same whitish-blonde hair as Mrs. Gertrude.
“Hello,” The woman began. She had a thick Russian accent and a strong, commanding tone. “My name is Sonia Lockheart. If you are receiving this message, it means that you have either spawned in the Ellalara Belt, or this item has been stolen from a Reincarnator. Know that if the latter is true, Sera Town will be informed and will take swift action against you.” She smiled. “If the former is true, please disregard.”
I shared a few glances with Opix and Cerus, who were both paying attention to the hologram with rapt attention.
“The contents of this Starter Pack will spawn inside of any nearby container capable of holding them. This presentation will take approximately five minutes.”
“This presentation is boring! Grim Hearts, tell her to hurry–!”
I shushed her as the woman continued. Cerus scrunched her face at me, but I ignored it.
“The first item you will find is a backpack capable of carrying one metric ton. It has five inventory slots and has been made to blend in with the fashion of the world you currently inhabit. I will give you a moment to familiarize yourself with it.”
Sonia, rather, her hologram, gestured for the trunk beneath her. To my surprise, the backpack was the only thing in there. It was a leather sack with thin straps and a single-button flap keeping it closed. A new screen appeared in my vision the moment I touched it.
Open?
YES. NO.
I clicked on yes and five empty white boxes appeared in my vision. Out of curiosity, I picked up my pillow and jammed it into my backpack. Sure enough, there it was in one of the white boxes, slowly rotating in place like an item in a video game menu. I pulled it out of my pack and sat it in my lap.
“You are quite boring, Grim Hearts. You should have placed my trunk in the inventory!” She said, pointing at the empty trunk at the foot of her bed. “That would have been far more interesting!”
“I’m not strong enough to pick it up yet.”
“You don’t have to be,” Opix responded. “If you grab something and think about it going into your inventory, it goes there. I guess that’s something you were supposed to figure out on your own, though.”
“That won’t be too heavy for me? In the bag I mean.”
“You do not feel the weight. Now, put my trunk in your backpack, lest you draw my ire.”
I did as much, wrapping my hand around the foot of the trunk and willing it into my backpack. It went in effortlessly, popping out of existence and materializing as a spinning item in my interface. The backpack itself weighed almost nothing despite its contents.
“Do you not feel inadequate, Grim Hearts? You require an item to carry something that normal people can lift with a finger,” Cerus said, more inquisitive than judgemental.
I answered honestly, only because I wasn’t sure whether that was meant to be an insult. “Nope. Weakness is temporary. I’m going to be stronger tomorrow than I am today. In a couple tomorrows, I won’t need a bag to carry heavy items.”
It sounded like something a charismatic version of myself would say. In reality, I did feel pretty lame for being this weak. Dogtooth changed the weather just by existing, and Cerus knocked off a good chunk of my health as easily as she breathed. I wanted to join them, and the first step to getting there was believing I could.
Fake it till you make it.
“Good answer, Grim Hearts. I am pleased that you see things as I do. Now, put my trunk back. I want to watch the rest of the hologram speech.”
“I thought she was boring?” Opix said.
“I have changed my mind,” She turned to me. “Do not draw my ire, Grim Hearts. Put it back so that we may watch the presentation.”
I took the trunk out of my inventory and placed it back into the world with a loud thump. At the same time, Sonia’s hologram popped back into existence.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why you have such meager storage, Reincarnator,” Sonia’s hologram continued. “That is because inventory access is locked behind your first Star. True inventories are limitless. Regardless of your intention within the Ellalara Belt, it would be in your best interest to obtain this Permanent Skill as soon as possible.”
“That’s where I got that healing potion for you, in case you’re curious. It was lying around in my inventory.” Opix whispered.
“Thanks for that.”
“No problem. I got it from downstairs. They’re pretty cheap and they’re great for 0-Stars. We’ll get you some before we go.”
“Cease your conversation!” Cerus shout-whispered. “The woman is speaking!”
“The next and last item in this Starter Pack is a System Update pill. You may or may not have noticed that your System’s popups are… not very informative. That is due to a database and registration error. By taking this pill, you will be updating all of your System’s databases and registering your System with the Mephistian Reincarnator Registry. For more information regarding the Mephistian Reincarnator Registry, please visit your local Guildhall. You may now consume the System Update pill.”
“Here,” Opix said, pulling an actual water bottle out of his inventory.
“Thanks.”
The pill was a white disc the size of a pencil eraser. I analyzed it.
System Update Pill
You think I’m imperfect?! I’ll have you know I’m a custom build. I’m 1 of 1! I was literally made for you, and you think I need fixing?! How dare you! I hate you! Don’t ever talk to me again!
…I don't mean that. I love you.
“Are these Systems sentient?” I found myself asking.
“It seems like they are, right?” Opix asked. “No, they aren’t. They adapt to your brain, though. Mine acts like my mom, while Cerus’ acts like some sort of slave or something.”
“It is my servant! It exists to serve me!”
“Yeah, that. It takes whatever form it thinks the user will mesh with the most. What’s yours like?”
“It tries to be funny. I think it's trying to be my friend?”
“Well, maybe it thought you needed a friend?”
“Maybe.”
I nervously rotated the pill in my fingers for a few seconds, then I downed it. For one long minute, I waited for some sort of indication that I’d done something. The wait was ended by a brand new notification.
System Update Complete.
Wow. I feel so much…smarter!
Just kidding, I feel the same. But, I can tell you a bit more now! Next time you scan somebody, you’ll see what I mean.
“This update makes your Systems popups slightly more useful, though they aren’t as comprehensive as the 5-Star System Upgrade. With this, though, you now have access to a toggleable Dexterity and Stamina bar. If you want my advice, I believe they are best left disabled. It is imperative that Natives and Reincarnators alike learn to listen to their bodies. That is all. You are dismissed.”
With that, Sonia’s hologram bowed and disappeared into nothing.
“Is that all? No weapons or armor? I thought Sera Town was supposed to have all the good stuff! I was waiting for the good stuff!”
Opix’s disappointed face indicated his agreement. “It’s probably because 0-Stars get their first weapon and armor sets for free. There’s still the other achievements, right? Those probably have better stuff.”
”You’re right,” I said. I’d nearly forgotten. I clicked on the NEW ACHIEVEMENTS (2) link.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Dance with the Devil
You traded blows with the God of Bargaining! Sure, he isn’t actually an Ellalaran god, but I’ll let it slide. Did you know that you are one of three people to fight him and not get permakilled? The other two are Ellalaran gods! Big shoes to fill…
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
REWARD: You have received three Double XP Tokens and one 7-Star Weapon.
All four of the items appeared in my backpack. Thankfully, the coins stacked. I pulled one of them out. It looked like a casino chip and had “2XP” written in bold letters in the center on either side.
DOUBLE XP TOKEN
This is an item that, once activated, doubles all experience earned in a world! 0-Stars gain experience at an expedited rate, so you’ll be flying through the ranks with these! Unless you get killed, then it’ll be a waste.
“Activate it!” Cerus shouted. “Activate it now, lest you draw my ire!”
“Yeah,” Opix agreed, nodding furiously. “You should really take that.”
I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with it so I just… thought about using it.
2XP ACTIVE.
The words appeared in my interface right underneath my minimap. I smiled.
“That was a good gift,” Cerus said. “Was that all he gave?”
“There's this medieval-looking sword. It said it's a 7-Star weapon.”
“7-Star?! Show me, Grim Hearts!”
Mephistian Broadsword
7-Star Weapon
*WARNING: You do not have the Dexterity required to wield this item. 100% of all damage caused by this weapon will be reflected back to the user*
This weapon is pretty useless as far as 7-Star Weapons go. For you? It’s even more useless. It’s better to think of it as a trophy for all your accomplishments. Everything you have ever done in your life has gotten you this sword! Really, though. By the time you’re a 7-Star, this’ll be a junk item. It's invaluable to collectors though. It’ll sell for millions! Anyway, here’s what it would do for you if you were a 7-Star. Ahem.
This weapon provides the following benefits: +7 Health, +7 Stamina, +7 Strength.
That’s it. I wasn’t kidding. I’m pretty sure there’s a 4-Star weapon that does more than this.
“I agree with the System,” Opix began. “This is definitely meant to be sold to collectors. A few million gold is a fantastic cushion of money to have this early on.”
“I disagree. I believe Grim Hearts is meant to grow into this weapon.”
“By the time I’ve grown into it, it’ll be bad though. Won’t it?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps he expects you to throw this meager sword in his face and demand a better one in combat. You do not think like a god, Grim Hearts. You must think like a god when discussing a god’s thought process.” Cerus crossed her arms. “I believe the weapon would do better in my inventory. You can trust me. It currently wastes one of your slots.”
I shrugged. “Go crazy. Just remember we need to sell it.”
At least I’d gotten the Double XP Tokens. Those were invaluable. I summoned the sword from my backpack and it fell to the floor with a loud clang. The moment I attempted to pick it up, though, a yellow bar appeared in my vision and instantly zeroed out. The sword itself felt like it weighed a ton, just like the clothes and weapons I’d attempted to scavenge from the Defaulters in Mephistos. When I said as much, Opix confirmed that it was because my Dexterity wasn’t high enough to handle anything I’d seen. Before she took the sword, Cerus made sure to let me know that the items I hadn’t looted were likely all far better than the weapon I’d been given. Considering the levels of most of those Defaulters, she was probably right.
”That reminds me, I meant to ask you about Dogtooth, Grim. You said that he was busy before he got to you, right?”
“Oh, right. He assumed I was a ‘Ranger’ and said he was busy fighting their leader. You know something about that?”
“The Felzian Queen,” Cerus said, all traces of humor gone.
“On Earth, there’s this stereotype that every Isekai world has a ‘Demon Lord’ that needs to be defeated before the hero can settle down with their harem. Is that who this Felzian Queen is?”
“Not exactly,” Opix answered. “She’s the most prevalent threat in the Ellalara Belt, though. Her troops, the Rangers of the Endless Daydream, are the largest force in the Ellalara Belt. You probably won’t run into any of them in the Serenth Sector, but you won’t be able to avoid them in the Fantasia Sector. Considering there’s a Heavenly Gem up for grabs in the Battle Network, though…”
“That is part of the reason I allied with Angel Boy,” Cerus admitted. “In the event we succeed, we will make off with one of the Heavenly Gems. Should I fail, and I do not fail, I will still cross paths with a Ranger or one of those foolish enough to ally with them. Either way, heads will roll and I will be the butcher!”
“I’m sorry for asking so many questions,” I said. “But what’s a Heavenly Gem?”
Opix laughed. “You’re from Earth, right? Have you ever heard of Dragon Ball Z? Well, they’re basically Dragonballs. You collect all ten and you get a wish granted. Unlike the Dragonballs, though, each individual Gem makes you stronger. Just having all of them puts you in the realm of people like Dogtooth and Chancellor Kato. If you’re a 10-Star with all of the Gems, you can advance to godhood!”
I weighed Opix’s words. If I had all ten of the Heavenly Gems, I could go back home! Not only that, but I’d be unstoppable. So many people made it back to Earth with relatively basic abilities, but if I went back as strong as Dogtooth?
“What do you guys wanna do with the Gems?” I asked, turning to meet their gazes.
“I will use them to eliminate the Felzian Queen and become this world’s new dictator!” Cerus declared.
“You mentioned the ‘Demon Lord’, right?” Opix asked, his face conspiratorial. “Well, I’d use the Heavenly Gems to kill the real ‘Demon Lord’. He calls himself ‘Final Testament’. He’s the one who powers the Felzian Queen and all of her peers. Gems or not, I’m going to kill them all.”
“A grand goal, Angel Boy!” Cerus said, intrigued.
Opix blushed. “What about you, Grim? I’m guessing you just wanna go home or something?”
“I do,” I admitted. “I don’t want to… I won’t leave Mrs. Gertrude alone for too long. If these Gems are anything like the Dragonballs then I assume they’re scattered all over the Ellalara Belt. It’ll be a while before we can get them, but we need to get them.”
“And we will. I intend to–” Cerus began, but was cut off by the loud grumble of her stomach. She blushed. “Oh my days.”
“I’ll get us some food,” Opix said, standing from his seat. “There’s a bakery next door, and I needed to pick up a few things anyway. Be back in a second. Message me if you need anything!”
He waved at us, walking out the door and leaving me alone with Cerus. She sat on the bed across from me and we both faced one another. The moment the door shut, she stared after Opix for a few seconds before whispering
“You have more achievements, do you not? Open them now! I will open mine as well! I grow tired of waiting!”
“Oh, right. Hopefully this one’s good.”
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Thrown to the Wolves
You fought a Bargainer Wolf! You didn’t win, but you didn’t lose either.
Bargainer Wolves are just like you. That means if it dies, it respawns as something other than a Bargainer Wolf! Some Bargainer Wolves will go out of their way to get killed for this very reason. While Dogtooth always finds them, he’ll occasionally let them spend some time outside of Mephistos as whatever they spawned as for a few days as a reward for outmaneuvering him. Why do I tell you this? Well, the Bargainer Wolf you were fighting was trying to do just that! It's probably getting disciplined by the pack right now. Talk about a dream killer.
REWARD: You have received a 1-Star Accessory.
I inspected the accessory. It was a golden locket that flipped like an old cellphone, revealing a picture of a single eye crying red blood.
Modified Blood Amulet
1-Star Accessory
*This item will require 10% of your available Dexterity to use regardless of your Level*
This item is pretty hardcore. Here’s the idea: kill stuff, get buffs. For every enemy you kill with this item equipped you will receive a 2% Damage Boost. This effect stacks, maxing at 20% in total. If I were you, I’d hold on to this. It’d be stupid to let someone take it from you. Absolutely stupid.
A screen popped up asking me if I wanted to equip the Amulet. When I selected yes, it disappeared from my hands and materialized around my neck. At the same time, my Dexterity bar popped up and went down by 10%. Sure, I wasn’t strong right now, but if I paired this with my Double XP Tokens, I’d reach Dogtooth in no time. I smiled at the possibility but paused as I felt a weight on my right shoulder. I turned and found Cerus there, leaning on it.
“Um…” I stammered.
“I am in a bad mood,” Cerus sighed. “I only got one achievement, and the reward was a set of 0-Star Boxing Gloves.” She placed her hand on my cheek and turned my head towards hers. “I wish I was as lucky as you.”
“I… uh… I don’t think I was… lucky. It was… um…”
Cerus ran a finger across my chest. “Not only did you get three Double Experience Tokens, but you got that Blood Amulet and a Mephistian weapon that’ll sell for millions to a collector!” She stood from the bed, stopping her finger at the center of my chest and using it to push me back. She spoke in a soft, seductive tone. “Lucky you.”
“Where are you… going with this? Isn’t Opix gonna… be here soon?”
“Those Tokens,” Cerus rubbed down to my stomach. “You weren’t planning on keeping them all for yourself, were you?”
As much as I wanted to play it cool, this was all new to me. Under any other circumstance, I might’ve… well, I had no clue what I would’ve done. In reality, this was Cerus Rose. Strangely, I found it all pretty funny the more I thought about it. The whole seductress act hardly fit the image I’d been forming of Cerus. Once I thought about it and realized what was going on, I found it pretty hard to take seriously.
“I’m not giving you any Tokens, Cerus. I literally died for them. Twice.”
She gave me a confused look, but, to her credit, she adjusted quickly. “Tell me how to convince you, then,” Cerus tried, leaning her face far too close to mine.
“You can’t.” I gently pushed her away. “Sorry. I'm sure you'll eventually get your ow–"
“Greedy scum!” Cerus shouted, pointing at me. “This is the greed they told tale of in the days of old! I demand you share your spoils at once! Dogtooth obviously gave you three Tokens so that you may give two to me and keep one for yourself! Did I not tell you to think like a god? This is how gods think, Grim Hearts!”
“What kind of sense does that even make? He doesn’t even know you!”
“Everyone knows me, I am Cerus… You know what?! That is it! You have drawn my ire!”
She strained her face as she stared into what I could only assume was her System and not my forehead. I leaned back and guarded, waiting for some kind of attack, but was instead met by a chat notification.
Opix: Thanks for joining the Alliance, Grim. Kinda hoped you would’ve waited for me, though. Anyway, I just got to the bakery. They only have cupcakes, bread rolls, and cheese danishes. Did you guys want anything in particular? Also, Cerus, please don’t try to take Grim’s stuff. I know you. I know you’re doing it. Leave him alone. Grim, tell her to leave you alone.
“Ha!” Cerus laughed. “How does it feel to be robbed of your autonomy, Grim Hearts?! I added you to our Alliance without consulting you! This is just a taste of what can happen when you draw my ire! Now give me the–”
Grim: Cheese danishes, please. I love those. Also, she tried to seduce me for my Double XP Tokens. I said no and she got mad.
It was pretty easy to intuit how to use it. I’d clicked on the chat notification and mentally typed out my response. Opix replied immediately.
Opix: Yeah, you’ll get used to her…
"Snitch!" Cerus stammered, cheeks heating. She pulled a combat knife out of her inventory and held it to my neck. “Snitches do not live long lives, Grim Hearts!”
Cerus: he spreads lies. do not believe him
Cerus: i would never rob a member of our alliance
Cerus: grim hearts is tired. he knows not what he says.
Cerus: you believe me right?
Cerus: opix gale
Cerus: also can i have a cupcake please
“I have spoken more than you, that means I am correct and he will believe me over you!” Cerus declared. She sat across from me again with one leg over the other and arms crossed. “You have lost this battle! You may hand over my Tokens now, thrall. Accept defeat with dignity.”
“Thrall?”
“You agreed to it, do not act brand new. That is the turn of phrase, correct?”
Opix: Yeah, Cerus. I believe you. He's probably just intimidated by your beauty. Leave him alone.
Cerus turned her nose up and scoffed at me. A separate chat icon appeared underneath that one. I clicked it.
Opix: If you ever get her mad, all you need to do is compliment her or something and she’ll usually drop it.
“It seems Angel Boy has begun to pity you. I suppose I can allow you to hold onto my XP Tokens for now. It would be unbecoming of me to reclaim them while you suffer this humiliation” She tilted her head. “Though I am surprised you would be so resolute in keeping them from me. I imagine you must value those Tokens greatly if you would ignore my honeyed words over them.”
“Honeyed words?”
“Yes, Grim Hearts. Honeyed words. I am sorry to have damaged your pride, but you are no Rikard. I would not actually give myself to you.”
“You didn't… whatever. Anyway, it’s because I want to get as strong as possible as quickly as possible. That 7-Star weapon sucked, but the Quest description said the Battle Network had a catalog of a ton of good stuff as well as one of the Heavenly Gems. I have no idea who's going to be fighting for it, but I won’t be able to participate as a Level 1 with no Stars. This is an opportunity to get some great stuff, and I don’t want to miss out on it.”
“You have a point. I believe our goals may all be more easily achieved if you were not dead weight. Though, I do believe there is value in your pathetic constitution. At least here in Satyrsong.”
“Like?”
“I will relay such information when the time is right,” Cerus said. She sideeyed me. “Had you allowed me to steal your Tokens and knock you unconscious, I would have rewarded you with such information when you awoke.”
“You would’ve knocked me out if I gave you the Tokens?!”
“Of course. You say that as if it is a bad thing.”
“It is a bad thing! You don’t do that to people!”
“You cannot hang, Grim Hearts. You must work on yourself if you are to be a part of the Galerose Alliance.”