《The planet you will be reincarnated on is called Doka. On the continent called Finoris, a peasant girl named Alexie Tracer lives. She has an ability that makes all creatures love her, or at the very least passive to her. One day she comes across one of the strongest types of creature there is; a monster. This monster immediately forms a magical bond with her. Due to this, she quickly becomes popular until she gets an invitation to the best battle school in the continent.
《There, she becomes a powerful fighter until the King of Humans himself offers up his second son to marry her. She is happy about the arrangement, but the prince - Diamier Ryusho - is not so happy. With his plans foiled, he takes out his anger on citizens and becomes loathed, while Alexie becomes loved by all.》
Hmm. That's.. not a whole lot of information? Just the life of some girl. And ominous foreshadowing about a foiled plan.
《Plot is simplified. All extra information will either be given through the memories of your new body or learned through hard work.》
Ah, I see. I don't really like being left in the dark so much.. but, I suppose it's more interesting to search for the information myself. This is largely for entertainment, after all.
However, this plot.. seems kind of simple? Like, it's not world altering. There's no big bad only able to be defeated by a hero. It's just one girl with a slightly interesting ability.
《Not all plots are world-altering. Some worlds visited will simply be cartoons from a separate world with simple plots. Others will be more complex stories with various players operating behind the scenes - and thus harder to disrupt.》
Players? That word immediately sends alarm bells ringing in my mind. Will there be others like me? Would they be dangerous to me?
For once, Kurotto cuts off my train of thought before it can spiral.
《Yes. Do not, under any circumstances, allow another player to find out that you are a host. If they do find out somehow, do not mention my name or Designation. Is this understood?》
I can feel an intense gaze of warning from Kurotto, despite being unable to see them.
I try to do something similar and reflect back a feeling of surrender.
Okay! I get it! As.. suspicious as that sounds, I can honestly say I'll follow whatever you tell me. You're giving me a lovely opportunity, and though I don't believe in owing someone for something I didn't ask for, I lose nothing in listening to you.
So, please chill out? You don't need to get all defensive on me, one warning is all I need. As long as you don't treat me like garbage, I'm sure we'll get along just fine.
This is the second time I've noticed Kurotto pause before speaking.
《Of course. I understand your thought process, and I can assure you that I know you would not attempt to betray me in any way unless I make the first move. Let's get along, yes?》
Yes. Worded beautifully, Kurotto. I'm glad you understand.
《Anyway. That is not exactly what I meant by players, I merely meant big powers which are important to the plot.》
Ah, I got it.
I take a moment to get back on track to what we were talking about. I mull over the plot before confirming an idea I have.
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My main quest is to mess up the plot, right?
《Correct. This particular world - due to being the Tutorial world - is easy. In this case, you will become the monster which bonds with Alexie. All you have to do is not bond with Alexie.》
Ehm.. yeah, I'd rather not risk it. Is there some sort of plot armor for main characters?
《Not in this case. Harder worlds will have plot armor, however.》
Great! So the best course of action would be to kill the girl just on case. Besides, I would unlock her monster attracting Bloodline right?
《Correct.》
Awesome. Alright, I have no more questions so let's see what skill I should choose with my last point.
I stare at the categories for a moment, wondering if there's a better way to search.
《There is a search feature. Simply think of whatever type of skill you're looking for and it will be compiled for you.》
Handy. I'm going to be a powerful monster, so maybe I should focus more on mental skills?.. Actually, can I get information on what exactly I'll be?
《Yes. You will become a serphent-like being called a Keyuu. This being has two front arms, a long body, and a set of feathered wings, along with more feathers along its body. Keyuu are known for being able to mimic any poison they ingest, and being completely immune to said poisons. They can also breathe fire, making them known for burning down the forests they live in. They are also very agile and quick in the sky, being able to weave between trees with ease. On top of that, their scales are extremely durable. They are one of the most feared monsters.》
Oh hell yes. I especially love the flying bit, I'm totally going to abuse that. Wait, they mimic poisons.. meaning the longer they live, the more poisons they're likely to gain. How old would my new body's age be?
《Correct. You will be just under a thousand, with many poisons under your belt.》
Jesus. That's a lot of memories... won't the memories of all that, plus any future lifetimes, override my brain or something?
《No- [Spiritual Mentality] prevents that. However, any useless or unwanted memories can be erased before the next life to prevent clutter.》
Ah right, my mental facilities don't rely on a brain anymore. Makes sense to me.
Well, back to the skills then.
Considering the shape of my body, any human fighting styles I could get would be pretty much useless. I'd get something like acting, but I doubt I'd have many facial features that would coincide with human emotion. I already have something that gives me complete control over my mind..
With these limitations, I scroll through the list that pops up. [Photographic Memory]? Hmm, maybe... actually, wait, isn't the degradation of memory a result of flaws in the brain?
《Yes.》
Then, my [Spiritual Mentality] already gives me photographic memory?
《Yes, as you noticed during my introductory speech you can now remember things in perfect detail. The only thing restricting you would be whatever eyes you see out of in your new body.》
Got it. So if I have color blindess or something, I wouldn't be able to remember the correct colors because I wouldn't be able to see them in the first place. Makes sense.
I look through all the things that might be useful in a different world, such as [Programming], [Manipulation], and [Tactics]. Is there a way to mark skills I'm interested in? Like bookmarking or a wishlist?
There's silence for a moment. I wonder if me stumping Kurotto is abnormal.
《Feature added after consideration.》
Wait, you can just.. do that?
《Yes, I can add small features that can be helpful.》
... alrighty then. Good to know.
Focusing back on the menu, I see there are now stars next to the skill names. I focus on the one next to [Manipulation] and it fills in. Neat. I do that to a few others as I scroll through, mostly ones that would be useless in Doka.
Finally, a Physical Bloodline skill catches my eye. [Painless].
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[Painless]○
(Passive)
This skill disrupts the pain nerves, causing the host to be unable to feel pain. This also makes the body unable to warn the host of life threatening injuries. This skill does not work on magical moves that cause pain through means other than physical; meaning moves like illusions still can cause pain.
A disorder among humankind in which a disruption of the pain nerves causes loss of pain.
Cost: 3 Skill Points 1 Skill Point
[BUY?]
*Discount: Home Dimension Skill
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Being unable to feel pain.. this is very tempting. My immediate thought is the period pains I had in life, but that's not right. Shouldn't my death have been painful?
I.. I can't remember how I died.
Was it peaceful or painful?
《Due to multiple Hosts having gone insane from their multiple deaths in the past, it has been decided to erase the memories of every death.》
Although my first skill makes me feel unattached to my previous life and body, I feel slightly disturbed thinking about my death. Not because I died, but I just get the feeling it wasn't a very happy death. Not that any death would be, but it feels.. regretful.
《Stop. Do not think on your death. It does not matter anymore.》
That's true. I should move on..
Either way, I'm not risking period pains once a month again. Not only that, but all the hardships I'm bound to go through in worlds that aren't nearly as peaceful as my own... I've never been severely injured before. I shudder to think of how that would feel.
I choose buy.
《[PAINLESS] PURCHASED SUCCESSFULLY.》
My attention wanders to the now filled in circle next to the skill's name. I guess that means it's bought. I didn't notice that when I got the other skill.
This was definitely a good choice. I'd probably be able to think through the pain just fine due to my other skill, but come on! I've already died once - though I can't remember it - and I'd rather not feel pain again. I want to enjoy my new afterlife.
《Skill selection complete. Item Store is locked until Tutorial world is complete. Are you ready to begin your second life?》
I take a moment to gather myself.
I was shoved headlong into this situation, barely given time to think despite Kurotto graciously never interrupting my thought processes. I'm supposed to be dead, yet I'm being given an opportunity I've always wished for. One that I've dreamed of, that my characters I've created could do- travel dimensions. I get to live out new lives, each entirely different from the last. My goal will be to enjoy myself. To be happy and free, like I've always wanted to be.
I won't allow anyone to stop me from being happy this time.
Let's do this, Kurotto.
《Indeed. Beginning the transferring process.》