Chapter 2: Living Dead Boy
Ashton crossed the threshold allowing everything behind him to fade leaving him once again in a colorless void. Then Ashton felt something envelop him. He braced expecting more pain only to find himself being pleasantly surprised. He felt something cold and wet land on his face. Drop after drop after drop fell until he realized what was happening. It was raining and he could feel it on his skin.
‘Was all of that just a dream?’ Ashton went to touch his face only to find that he couldn’t. His right arm no, his entire body felt stiff but that didn’t stop him from attempting to move.
(I would recommend you stop doing that.)
Ashton froze, not that he could move much anyway, and immediately began trying to find where the voice came from. It hurt too much to move his neck so after a few good tries he stopped. However, the storm was in full swing as the rain kept coming down. Soon even the sounds of thunder rolling could be heard in the not too far distance.
Ashton still couldn’t make out anything from his position, and he was on the verge of panic. “Wh-who’s out there,” Ashton managed to croak out, hoping the people who took him hadn’t come back. He needed to defend himself, but his body was still too stiff to do anything.
(Calm down will you? I’m not here to hurt you. I couldn't even if I wanted to which I don't. I don't even have a physical form.)
“Th-Then what are you? Where am I?” Ashton’s panic was about to hit its peak until a familiar screen popped up in front of his face.
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Name: Ashton Ikushina (Age: 16)
Title: None
Class 1: None
General Skills:
- Language Comprehension
- Identify Lvl 1
Status: Near Death
Vitality: 5
Endurance: 8
Strength 5
Dexterity 5
Intelligence 5
Wisdom 5
Health: 5/50
Stamina: 0/80
Mana: 50/50
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(Does this ring any bells? If so, could you please calm down before you seriously injure yourself?)
Suddenly, all the memories came flooding back into Ashton’s mind. The changing rooms, the pain in his body, and the annoying sound of Aero’s voice in his head.
“Holy shit all of that was real. I really died and came back to life in some sort of fantasy land. Does that mean all those stories my sister and I used to read were real too?”
Ashton took a moment to stare at the darkened sky. He saw a few bolts of lightning streak their way through the dense thicket of clouds bringing more thunder behind them.
(Did you already forget I was here? We need to get moving before you either slowly drown or surely get eaten by some wild beast.)
“Who even are you?” Ashton questioned the disembodied voice head still pounding from the sudden rush of information.
(I’m very glad you asked. For starters, my name is Kyumie but you can just call me Kyu. I was created for the sole purpose of being your companion through this journey you’re about to go on. I will be here to provide help with any problem you may encounter when using the system. I am also here to act as a form or moral guide just in case you come across any decisions that require a second opinion.)
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“So I'm guessing you’re here to prevent me from going down the path of evil since that would spell destruction for the denizens across the multiverse,” Ashton said, assuming this was just another hero story.
(Not exactly, you see I’m only here for your benefit. I for one couldn’t care less about the lives of others unless you deem them important enough. Other than that you can be as cruel as you see fit. Just don’t be reckless. I wouldn't want you in too many life-threatening situations. Now as for getting us out of this muck, I suggest checking your inventory.)
“Well then… I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting that answer. Freedom to do whatever I want, this could be more fun than I initially thought. I believe I also heard you mention something about me having an inventory.” Another blue screen appeared in front of Ashton’s face as soon as he said the word.
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[Inventory]
- Beginner Package*
- Full Restore Potion
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“I see something that could help but how am I supposed to get it out if I can’t move?” Ashton took a few seconds to think but was interrupted by Kyu’s voice.
(Maybe try summoning it to your hand.)
“It’s worth a shot,” Ashton muttered, beginning to focus. He pictured a small glass vial and not a second later Ashton felt something cold land in his open palm. “That was simple enough,” Ashton said, happy with his small accomplishment.
(Now the only problem is getting it into your system. I might be able to come up with someth… What are you doing? I said don’t move, you stay still before you cause even more damage to your body!)
“I’m sorry, but this may be the only way for me to escape. It may hurt right now, but I’d rather not die so soon after just waking up.” Ashton started rapidly breathing in an attempt to psyche himself up before pushing all the strength he could muster into his right arm. He pushed until he managed to lift the atrophied appendage. Ashton knew he had to move cautiously because even a small mistake could tear the muscles in his arm.
(Just be careful will you.)
Ashton lifted the vial to his mouth trying his best not to spill and drank the glittering liquid. Almost immediately the effects started to take hold, filling Ashton’s body with a surge of rejuvenating energy. Bones were mended, torn flesh pulled itself back together, and even the surrounding plants started to look a bit healthier. “I know I’ve already said it once but holy shit, none of this should be possible.”
(And yet it is. Having a system gives whoever uses it the power to work nothing short of miracles and you have that power at your fingertips. Now for the last time let’s get out of this storm and find a place where we can take some shelter.)
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Ashton lifted himself off the ground pulling off the vines and thin roots that wrapped around his midsection.
“It’s been a while since I went on a good run,” the renewed teenager said, taking off in a mad dash running as far as his bare feet could carry him.
Everything felt so new to his freshly restored senses. The air was fresh and filled with the scent of rain. Even the damp mud clinging to his feet brought Ashton a feeling he’d never recognized in his old life.
- - -
After a while of running Ashton’s lungs started to burn and his legs grew fatigued causing him to stop for a rest. Breathing hard, the young man took a moment to check out his surrounding area. It all looked the same; a solid wall of rock here and a cluster of trees there. Ashton's eyes went across the wall until he noticed what looked like the opening of a cave.“Kyu, I think I found a place to rest at least until the rain stops.”
(Do you really think a cave is the best place to go? There could be all manner of strange things also trying to avoid the weather, and you’re quite vulnerable as you are now.)
Ashton stopped to consider his new companions' words only to continue walking toward the cave anyway.
(Wait, you're still going in there?)
“You’re the one who said we needed to get out of the rain and this is the quickest option to do that.” Ashton walked a few more steps until he made it to the edge of the cave's mouth. He looked around and didn’t immediately see anything besides a few patches of moss and miniature stalagmites currently decorating the cave floor. “Not the best but it’ll do until we can find a town. Now if memory serves me right, my inventory said something about a beginner package.”
(Your memory would be correct. Whoever gave you this system left that to give you a boost of sorts so you didn’t die of something as dumb as starvation.)
“Let's see what I got,” Ashton said with all the enthusiasm of a kid at the Christmas tree. He focused on the image of a gift-wrapped box and just like the potion the Package materialized from the ether landing safely in his hand.
[Would you like to use the Beginner Package* Y/N]
“Yes.” With his answer given Ashton watched the package begin rapidly unraveling itself before popping briefly filling the cave with light.
“My eyes!”
[10x Emergency Rations have been added to your inventory!]
[5x Torches have been added to your inventory!]
[Small Backpack with Sleeping Bag has been added to your inventory!]
[1x Weapon Coupon has been added to your inventory!]
[1x Armor Coupon has been added to your inventory!]
[Traveler's Clothes have been added to your inventory!]
“Kyu please remind me to thank whoever made the system if we ever meet them,” Ashton said, rubbing his eyes.
(I’ll be sure to do that now, let's get some rest. I'm sure you’re still tired, especially after all that running.)
“You might be right,” Ashton said, suddenly yawning. He pulled his newly acquired sleeping bag out of his inventory and spread it across a clear spot on the floor. “I guess I’ll see you when I wake up Kyu.”
(Have a nice nap partner.)
"You too." With that Ashton laid down and went to sleep listening to the ambient sounds of the storm going on outside.