--- Outskirts Oiz village ---
2 men could be seen wearing common clothes as they proceeded towards the growing density of trees. In the hand of one man could be seen a baby, so pale and quiet that it could be mistaken for the dead if not for its steep breaths.
Both of them were wearing light pieces of leather and carrying a sword. They seemed like well-experienced individuals as they navigated their way in the moonlight. Suddenly, one of them spoke in a gruff voice.
“Should we really be doing this?”
“For the last time, Hanz, that woman wasn’t powerful enough to potentially rise as a ghost. And a child like him who doesn’t even cry—what good would such a monstrosity do to our village, especially with a dead mother?
Not to mention, he is one of those filthy beast-kin. I tell you in the name of the upholder of this world, those things are still beasts, monsters to the core, no matter how much they learn to speak.”
“I am still against it; I understand that we barely knew her, but leaving a child in the middle of the forest, especially the Arcadian woods. You, Malf, and I, both, should at least have a shred of mercy on this child.
Also, if Elder C heard you say that he would get you jailed. His mistress is also a Canis beast-kin.”
“I couldn’t care less about that son a of a bitch C’s taste in bestiality. He is only an elder due to his blood. Hell, even his servants are more suitable for that position than him.
As for the main topic of this discussion, we are to follow what the other elders have decided, Hanz. If the gods will it, this child will survive. Now, if you are done making this job any harder, then shut up and pay attention to your surroundings.
By the Bahamut, you are too kind for your own good.”
They both quieted down and continued moving as the one named Malf eventually signalled for the other to stop too. The place they arrived at was near a natural clearing.
“This place will suffice.” Malf said in a relieved tone after activating his ability that let him detect hostile creatures in a radius of 6.5m. “Let's leave quickly.”
No sooner than those words had left Malfs lips, the child finally started crying and wailing. Its voice was hoarse with desperation, as if it had realised its eminent fate. “The child has st-“
“Hanz! We have done our job; it is time for us to start moving.”
“… Very well.” Hans said in a sad tone. He took one last glance and left, leaving the child of a day and a half all alone before it too quieted down, leaving an eerie silence in the surrounding areas.
--- Caleb’s POV ---
…
…
“… @#@$”
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My eyes opened, and I soon felt myself struggling to breathe. In a desperate struggle to once again enjoy the beauty of a gas known as oxygen, I let out a scream that came off more like a cry. My throat hurt as it was parched while my stomach growled in hunger.
“%^*^&%$%@”
“…&^5”
As I took hold of my senses and forcefully stopped myself from crying, I felt that I couldn’t see as much or as far as before. My vision felt hazy as I tried to comprehend what in the seven fucks was going on until I saw a blue screen.
A classic anime-style blue status screen currently displaying a message for me. Except it was getting redder.
[ALERT! ALERT!]
[UNBALANCED RATIO OF DIVINITY TO CURSE.]
EMERGENCY MEASURES ARE IN PROGRESS. PREVENTING TAKEOVER.]
‘Welp, this doesn’t look good.’
[SITUATION STABLISIED. ASSESSING AND REPORTING EFFECTS.]
‘So much for waking up.’
I watched quietly, still uncomfortable in my baby body, as the red colour receded and the screen turned. I tried to think about what was happening but quickly gave up due to a lack of information.
[ Welcome to the system host. I am Base model no. 2,136,950. I am the system that will be accompanying you, and yes, I am sentient but only partially. You are currently in the tutorial phase.]
‘Sooooo, Mr System, what just happened?’
[The ratio of divinity to curse was highly unbalanced. It tried to corrupt a part of the system and temporarily gained sentience. The curse has been subdued but parts of the divinity and gifts have been temporarily sealed for a varying number of years.
It is advised to call on status and confirm the report.]
‘So shit hit the fan from the start? *sigh* Status!’
[ Name: N/A (Caleb)
Age: 1 day, 13 hours.
Race: Demi Foxkin. Human 21%, Foxkin 71%, Demon 8%
Class: Locked (till the age of 4)
Rank: Locked (till the age of 4)
Arts: Locked (till the age of 4)
Skills: Locked (till the age of 4)
Unique skill: Deck of woes [EX] (sealed till the age of 7)
Mark of the Conflicting [EX]
Divinity gifts:
System (partially sealed with different features, unlocking at different ages.)
Appraisal (weakened)
Storage (sealed till the age of 13)]
‘EXCUSE ME?? This is so deep in the plops!’ I agitated in my mind.
[This is not all host the curse put your soul into a coma when you were born, so due to you not crying, you were thought to be a devil incarnate and left you in this forest.]
‘So this is where it all ends. So soon, my journey hadn’t even begun. What about my harem of thick women? What about my OP powers? What abou-
[Please refrain from discussing negative thoughts, host. Please say Quest log to open your, well, quest log. Your questions will be answered.]
Still in a sad, monotonous state, Caleb forced himself to think ‘quest log’ leading to a panel with an orange blinking light appearing. ‘HOLY SHIT! I guess it's good that I am dying.’
[MAJOR QUEST CHAIN: TRIALS OF MELANCHOLY (SS)
Part 1: Survive till you are found by someone (F)
Rewards: Your survival.]
A quest to survive in the forest as a baby was only one of F-rank difficulty. God knew what tortures awaited him on this path. Not to mention that the reward was nothing.
[Host, please don’t be confused. Due to the acting up of the curse being something against fate's initial plan, enough probability was earned to attract a member of the church of the goddess Euphrosine.
This member was attracted from a passing troupe. However, I have to warn you please be careful as I will be unable to help you after 27 seconds.]
The last part confused Caleb until realization stuck ‘Wait so you will be sealed too?’
[Yes, only the status and quest-log feature will remain active.]
‘Hold on before you go, how behind will this put me? And how the hell am I not dead from hunger.’ Caleb asked in an irritated tone seeing how nothing was going to plan.
[This setback will only push you back to the same level as the natural wakening of the children in this world. As for the hunger, that is due to the presence of divinity inside your body. It provides cons-]
The robotic voice with a tinge of emotions was suddenly cut off, signifying that the time limit had been met.
Caleb set alone in silence, still trying to find the ground that his mind could sit on to figure out what was going on. ’Silence is dumb’ after this, just as Caleb was about to say status, he heard the crunching of leaves.
‘I guess Mr saviour priest is here.’