《I can explain that.》
A monotone, genderless voice cuts into my thoughts, slicing through the calm racing of my mind. Is it a God? Some other being?
《I am an AI-like species that bonds symbiotically with deceased souls.》
So they can hear my thoughts. Good, considering I have no idea if I can speak- not having a mouth and all.
As I think, the being allows me to do so without interruption.
Before I go off on a tangent about all the theories of what's going on, I should gather the facts. And to do that, I need to ask questions. Hopefully, this being will be straightforward.
I bury my past introspection into the back of my mind, focusing on the current situation.
How can you explain my new feelings?
《You are currently a soul with no physical body. As a soul, you are not limited by a flawed brain. As a human, you had many mental aspects created by the structure of your brain; including the empathy most humans are born with. Even though you attempted to bury it in your life, it was still there.
《Currently, you have no physical limitations such as hormones, neurons, or genes. You are your own personality that you have developed yourself throughout your lifetime; which curiously does not include empathy. You also do not feel regret as a soul as no attachment - physical or mental - to their life and body.》
... Interesting. So I'm truly free of my previous worries?
《Not quite. You see, I am Kurotto, Designation: Plot Destruction. I am here to reincarnate you into other worlds to destroy the main storyline. It does not matter the method, whether through killing the main character or causing the hero and villain to fall in love for example. Once you reincarnate, you will regain worries - as you put it - depending on what body you are put in and how that body's brain is wired.》
I... while I'm glad I won't be stuck in this void forever, is there no way to stay like this?
My mind flashes to how foggy I would feel in life. How nothing ever felt real, and I was rarely aware. I always felt as if I were moving through a dream, though actual dreams made me more happy than reality.
Now, however, I'm more aware than ever. I can feel my mind staying focused at my will. I feel.. as if I have control over my own thoughts, for once.
《There is one way. However, allow me to first explain the System before I go any further. This way you can better understand the situation.》
This Kurotto guy never seems to be hesitant in saying anything, but always waits for me to sort out my thoughts before speaking. It seems they've been through the motions of.. bonding with a soul before.
Alright, explain, please.
《As I have stated, I am an AI-like species. We do not have a specific name for our species, so call it whatever you like. My species bonds with souls in a symbiotic relationship that allows the soul to be entertained in their afterlife and fulfill our own goals. Each individual of my species has their own goal which they wish to see completed across worlds. Mine is the goal of changing the main plot line of various worlds.
《My UI works a lot like the video games you humans are fond of, however, there are no status screens that show stats in number form. Instead, you have the Items and Skills store. Each has its own currency you can collect from missions; Tokens and Skill Points respectively.
《The Item Store will not be unlocked until the Tutorial world - your first reincarnation to get you used to the UI - is completed. After that, the item store can be accessed both before and during your world travels. If an item is bought before you reincarnate, it will be incorporated into the plot and you will have reason to own it. However, if an item is bought during your time in a world, you will have no explanation for how you gained it and will be forced to explain it yourself. The Item Store will be further explained once it is unlocked.
《The skill store can only be accessed before you reincarnate. You unlock skills either by learning how to use them yourself or if the body you take over has skills already learned. Once unlocked, you can buy the skill using Skill Points. After buying a skill, you can choose to bring it with you to the next world. As a side note, all skills from your home dimension only need to be known and available to your previous species -Humans, in this case,- in order to be unlocked; and they are all discounted at one skill point each.
《Skills themselves are separated into two main categories; Learned and Bloodline. Learned skills are self-explanatory; they are skills that can be learned and built up. Bloodline skills are skills that you are born with. These can be unlocked in the store by being born with it, killing someone who owns it, or befriending someone who owns it. There are also subcategories consisting of Physical, Mental, and a shifting third element. Physical skills are skills that alter, enhance, or use physical traits; such as martial arts, snakeskin, or super strength. Mental skills alter, enhance, or use mental traits; such as meditation, enhanced intelligence, and strategizing. The third category changes based on the world; your home world is Spiritual. For other worlds, it could be anything from Magic to Chakra to Elemental.
《You can gain both forms of currency via the main quest and side quests. Side Quests can be acquired randomly through random encounters, motivations, and other situations. Skill points are rarer than tokens and are only awarded for the most difficult of quests. They are most commonly found as rewards for the Main Quest and Special Quests. Special Quests are based around Skills - often involving some sort of training - and unlock or upgrade a Skill upon completion, along with a couple of Skill Points. If the skill is already unlocked in the store, then the reward will be a discount for the skill that can range from a mark-down to making the skill free. You will also be able to use the skill in your current world. There are also Hidden Quests, which are self-explanatory - and tend to have better rewards. Some Quests can also have bonuses and hidden rewards.
《Before each reincarnation you will be given basic information about the plot of the world you are reincarnating into. This will allow you to choose the skills and items you take with you based on the given information. Once finished with the shops, you will be sent into your new body and given all its previous memories.》
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Kurotto goes quiet, apparently finished with their explanation.
I process this slowly, realizing that my mind can focus and remember much easier now. Before, I had issues learning unless it was written down or a demonstration was used. Now.. I remember every word he said perfectly. As I sift through this information, I come up with questions.
So, the only thing this UI shows me is the Item and Skills Store?
《Quests as well. Why not try it for yourself? Simply want to see the Menu, and it will appear.》
Alright, let's see.. I want to see the menu.
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-MAIN MENU-
|SKILL SHOP|
|ITEM SHOP|
|CURRENT SKILLS|
|QUESTS|
Skill Points: 2
Tokens: 0
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The screen appears in my vision despite me lacking a body - and thus eyes to see with. It's a light blue vertical rectangle with black writing on it and white designs along the top and bottom.
Got it. So there's no settings or inventory or any other video game-type thing. Better than nothing.
...I wanted to save this question for last, but it worries me. What's this solution you have for my emotional issue?
《A skill. To open and navigate anything in the menu, simply wish for it. Go to the skill shop.》
Makes sense. I wish to view the skill shop.
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-Skill Shop-
Select a World
|Earth|
???
???
???
???
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Another screen appears, this time with a bunch of question marks and a really long scroll bar. When I try to scroll, the question marks seem never-ending.
《Currently, only Skills from Earth are unlocked. All other worlds are locked.》
That explains it. I mentally select Earth, and another screen appears.
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- Earth -
*Due to being the Host's home world, all skills here are discounted permanently. All prices dropped to 1 skill point.
Learned /\
Bloodline /\
--------------
Learned and Bloodline seem to be selectable with a drop-down menu option. I curiously select both to see what's under them.
--------------
- Earth -
*Due to being the Host's home world, all skills here are discounted permanently. All prices dropped to 1 skill point.
Learned \/
| Physical /\
| Mental /\
| Spiritual /\
Bloodline \/
| Physical /\
| Mental /\
| Spiritual /\
--------------
Oh, it's just the types of skills Kurotto was talking about.
《Go to the Spiritual tab under Bloodline.》
I do so.
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- Earth -
*Due to being the Host's home world, all skills here are discounted permanently. All prices dropped to 1 skill point.
Learned \/
| Physical /\
| Mental /\
| Spiritual /\
Bloodline \/
| Physical /\
| Mental /\
| Spiritual \/
| Passive /\
| Active /\
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Now it goes even further, with Passive and Active. Those weren't explained by Kurotto, but I guess it's self-explanatory.
《Now, choose Passive.》
I follow along, and there's only one skill. It seems Earth doesn't have many Spiritual skills.. at least that I know of.
--------------
- Earth -
*Due to being the Host's home world, all skills here are discounted permanently. All prices dropped to 1 skill point.
Learned \/
| Physical /\
| Mental /\
| Spiritual /\
Bloodline \/
| Physical /\
| Mental /\
| Spiritual \/
| Passive \/
| [Spiritual Mentality]
| Active /\
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《This skill is your answer.》
Immediately, I select it to view. A new screen appears with further details on the skill.
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[Spiritual Mentality] ○
(Passive)
The mentality of someone who's released from their earthly desires and feelings. This skill grants someone calm in all situations, a constant clear mind, and immunity to any physical ailments to the brain. This includes mental disorders and poisons that affect the mind. This does not include magical spells like illusions if they affect something other than the physical (like a brain or physical magical core). Also included is control over one's own emotions. This method of control is completely healthy and has no negative mental affects.
This Bloodline skill is a skill all Humans have from birth, and normally only appears upon their spirit being freed from its physical body.
Cost: 6 Skill Points 1 Skill Point
[BUY?]
*Discount: Home Dimension Skill
--------------
... So this is what I'm currently experiencing. If I don't buy this, I'll be left just as - if not more - miserable in my next life as I was in my last. I will not allow that to happen.
《[SPIRITUAL MENTALITY] PURCHASED SUCCESSFULLY.》
Woah, that's not Kurotto. Sure, it's monotone as well, but it has less.. life to it?
《That would be an automated notification meant to announce any System-related actions.》
Ah, okay. Makes sense. Anyway, I don't feel differently- though that isn't unexpected considering I already had the skill. But, moving on.
I would like to ask a question. Skills don't carry on unless bought, correct?
《Correct.》
Then I won't be able to draw or know English or anything like that in the next life?
《Unless your new body knows those skills, you are correct. Anything from running to fighting ability will be completely different from your original life.》
Damn. I'll miss my hobbies, but honestly reincarnation is better than all that crap. I'll be able to learn magic! At some point. Maybe.
Actually, you keep mentioning 'taking over bodies' rather than being born, so I'm guessing I won't be a baby or start in the womb?
《You may, however it will be more common to be reincarnated into someone already aged.》
Alright then. What about species? Will I have some interesting new bodies to get used to?
《Yes. You will not always be humanoid in nature, however you will inherit your body's previous inhabitant's muscle memory. So long as you allow it to guide you, you will have no issue. Thanks to your recently purchased skill, not only will this be made easier, but you will also keep your current mind no matter what body you are put in.》
Keep my mind.. what exactly do you mean by that?
《Once a soul is bound by a body, it becomes limited by the processing of the body's brain. And mental disabilities your new body has would affect you. If you were to become an animal, your mental facilities would be affected as well.》
Oh. I see. So I would have been fucked, basically, depending on what I became. I wouldn't have to deal with my previous mental problems, but instead entirely new ones! I'm incredibly glad I decided to take that skill, and that it was discounted like that.
I take a moment to revel in my relief.
Then, I move on; suspecting that my skill made it easier than normal.
So, this works basically like a game.. can I level up skills?
《It depends on the skill. Most active skills can be. There are milestones every 25 levels- up to 100. The milestones are as follows: Basic, Intermediate, Elite, and Mastery. Milestones either grant an extra buff to the skill or get rid of a debuff. Levels just generally raise the strength of the skill.
《Some Passive skills have milestones, but not levels. These milestones can only be reached by upgrading the skill in the Skill Shop. Active skills also have Moves, which keep track of anything from spells to fighting moves. These too can be leveled up to 100, however, there are no milestones. Moves cannot be purchased and thus cannot be transferred across worlds; though the Milestone of the Skill they deviate from can affect their base power level. Moves can also be easily recreated at level 1 as long as you remember how to do it.》
That... was an awful long explanation that was left out of your initial explanation buddy.
《Initial explanation is short to make the process of reincarnation speedier.》
That's fishy. Like, smells of manipulation levels of fishy... Ah well, who am I to complain? I'm supposed to be dead by now. I suppose I should be grateful, and if I die due to lack of information then at least I got the chance right?
《Emotional manipulation has no effect on me.》
Damn it. Oh well, worth a shot.
I turn my attention to the skills shop, slightly disappointed I won't be able to test my manipulation skills... which I don't technically have right now.
Actually, one more question. You mentioned upgrading skills in the shop - so if I reach a milestone during a life with a skill I bought, it doesn't transfer to my next one?
《Correct. When you first buy a Skill, it is at the Basic milestone. From there, you can unlock the next milestones to buy permanently if you train the skill in life and gain those milestones through hard work. Or if you're reincarnated with them. Each subsequent milestone costs more skill points than the previous. You can also choose which bought milestone to start with, in case you want a challenge.》
I see. So, basically buying the milestones are only useful for if I want a head start? Otherwise I can just start with basic and grind it up myself.
《Correct, except for Passive abilities. These have no way to level up, as they are passive, and thus can only raise in milestones if you buy it.》
Damn capitalism. Well, seems I have a lot of work cut out for me if I want to get strong enough to properly enjoy my lives. Though, to be honest... I enjoy the challenge. It's like creative mode versus survival mode, and I've always preferred survival. The struggle to become stronger, better, to unlock all these amazing skills.. I'm looking forward to it. I'm very excited to start this journey.
And, as for your goals Kurotto.. I'll be happy to help you achieve them. Causing chaos to the plot of various worlds? Sounds like a fun time to me! This truly does seem like a symbiotic relationship, so I will gladly help you as you help me.
Just, uh..
If you continue to be secretive and withhold information, please understand that it would not be my fault if your goals aren't achieved due to a lack of information.
For once, Kurotto is silent for a moment before replying.
《I understand this mindset. I will not hold you accountable for actions you are not at fault for.》
.. that works, I guess. Anyway, let's get this show on the roll. I'm excited to start! Give me the info dump of this new world!