Life was boring, having almost no friends, and working the same job every day. I was lonely, and could not find anyone who was like me, or at least similar in some way.
While I continued to work tirelessly every day. Since I work at the front as a cashier. I have met many nice people. However, every time I see someone who is really pretty, I try to ask them out, always getting refused.
I was a pathetic man, lusting for women I knew I could never have.
That all changed when a girl talked to me. She was nice, there was no look of disgust. Instead she said I was kinda cute. That was when my heart beat faster then I had been rejected so many times before.
We dated, for a while before getting close to each other. She invited me to her place, it was small, but it was tidy and well-kept. It smelled of perfume and had no foal odor.
We watched some movies, and had a great time. However as it got later into the night, I felt I had to go.
"Sorry, its getting a little late, I need to sleep tonight. I get up early for work, so I got to go."
The air was tense and quite, a stern expression on her face
"-Oh.... Sure."
It was quiet and she said nothing else after that. I put my shoes on and walked to the door.
"Wait!"
"Please, stay a little longer..."
"At least have a final drink with me before you go."
My hand stopped at the door knob. With a smile, I turned around.
"Of course"
She got some glasses out of the cabinet and poured me some tea. She looked down and did not speak that much.
Drinking the tea, It had a pleasant aroma, It was a little tangy. But that was what was pleasant about it.
"Well, thanks for having me. I gotta go now. See you later."
Standing up once more I walked to the door, and started to get dizzy. Falling to my knees, I started throwing up. I could not move very well, and It was hard to breathe. I felt my heart throbbing in my chest. A huge headache overcame me. My vision grew blurry, and my body seemed to convulse. After that I cannot recall anything else.
My body seemed to start having tremors. The light seemed to fade, and I started spitting up blood. That was it, all that I could barely recall. The rest was darkness, and even more darkness.
"Is this what death is like?"
As I said that, a very monotone voice started speaking.
----------------------------------------
"Synchronization complete."
"Vital signs are good."
"Body health is low. Requesting info..."
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Current Status:
* Condition: Weakened
* Hunger: Moderate
* Fatigue: High
* Vital Signs: Stable
* Overall Health: Low
* Power Levels: Dormant
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James blinks at the display, trying to comprehend what he's seeing. His previous life didn't include anything like this. The interface seems intuitive, almost like it's reading his thoughts. As he thinks about each status, more detailed information appears:
----------------------------------------
Condition: Weakened - Your body has just been reanimated after a long period of dormancy. Physical strength and stamina are significantly reduced.
Hunger: Moderate - Your new form requires sustenance. Seek food to replenish energy.
Fatigue: High - Extended periods of inactivity have left your muscles and mind fatigued. Rest is recommended.
Vital Signs: Stable - Heart rate, breathing, and other vital signs are within normal parameters for your new form.
Overall Health: Low - Your body has sustained damage over time while in stasis. Healing is required to restore full functionality.
Power Levels: Dormant - Your magical and physical powers are currently suppressed. Gradual recovery will occur as your body adapts to its new environment.
----------------------------------------
The darkness seemed endless, the voice silent, and the void expanding around me.
I felt like I was floating in a weightless abyss. Strangely, it was calming.
Until the voice spoke again:
----------------------------------------
Restoring Senses to body
Restoring touch:
10%
34%
75%
100%
Touch restored. Connection to a new body established.
----------------------------------------
The void was still dark, but now it was cold and damp.
----------------------------------------
Restoring taste
40%
100%
Taste restored
----------------------------------------
Restoring hearing
10%
13%
39%
69%
80%
91%
93%
99%
99%
99%
...
Retrying
18%
60%
99%
99%
100%
Completed
...
----------------------------------------
Restoration of touch, taste, and hearing complete
....
----------------------------------------
Restoration of sight:
...
Failed,
Trying again
...
4%
failed,
retrying
...
4%
15%
20%
31%
32%
70%
90%
99%
...
100%
complete.
----------------------------------------
all primary senses restored.
----------------------------------------
restoring secondary
----------------------------------------
magic sense:
100%
----------------------------------------
hyper senses:
100%
----------------------------------------
---
100%
----------------------------------------
ERROR:
???
Failed to restore
retrying
...
Failed
Restoration cannot be completed.
----------------------------------------
Rendering connection from host1 to the Player.
....
Completed
Restoration process completed
Error code: ???unidentified.node
Unable to restore, closing
...
complete
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
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My mind raced as all my senses returned at once. My eyes were met with a blinding light, my ears rang, and my mouth felt dry and gritty.
Opening my eyes, I was met with the remnants of a place long forgotten. The chamber where I had awoken. Dust-covered pillars lay broken and scattered across the floor, and rays of light shone through a gaping hole in the ceiling.
I found my hands bound in chains that crumbled to dust with the slightest movement, freeing me effortlessly.
"Where am I?" I said out loud as I broke free from the crumbling chains.
A voice in my head responded. "Memory has not been restored. Retrying... COMPLETED."
"You are in an underground dungeon. To be specific, this is a prison. It was built for the sole purpose of sealing the Fallen Angel ???, who was often called the Demon Lord... roughly 4,165 years ago."
I shrugged at the voice's proclamation, trying to grasp its meaning.
"That would be you. You are the same person."
"... what do you mean"
...*Sigh
INJECTING MEMORIES...
COMPLETE.
A flood of memories surged through me, overwhelming my senses. Images of many different things. Many memories that were not my own.
_ _ _
Process completed. Would you like a tutorial?
"What do you mean?"
"Please say: 'Oh great magnificent system, open my feeble stats page, and let me see my fate.'"
...
"O... Oh great magnificent system, open my feeble sta—"
A page popped up in my face, interrupting my awkward incantation.
"I was joking. Please never do that again 0,,,0. Just think 'status open' :D"
Hiding my current embarrassment, I looked at the page in disbelief.
Status Page
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Name: Azrael, the Fallen Angel
----------------------------------------
Primary Attributes:
Attribute Value Strength 999+ Agility 950 Endurance 980 Intelligence 970 Wisdom 960 Charisma 900 Vitality 995 Magic Power 1000+ Luck 850
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Secondary Attributes:
Attribute Value Physical Resistance 990 Magical Resistance 985 Speed 960 Stamina 975 Perception 940 Reflexes 935 Healing Factor 980 Mana Regeneration 1000+ Aura Control 950
----------------------------------------
Skills and Abilities:
Skill/Ability Level Dark Magic Mastery Light Magic Advanced Elemental Control Mastery Swordsmanship Grandmaster Flight Unrestricted Telepathy Expert Telekinesis Expert Energy Manipulation Mastery Summoning Mastery Healing Magic Advanced Necromancy Mastery Illusion Magic Expert Mind Control Advanced Barrier Creation Mastery Shape-shifting Advanced
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Unique Abilities:
Ability Description Fallen Angel's Wrath Unleashes devastating power, causing widespread destruction. Celestial Regeneration Heals all wounds and restores vitality rapidly. Eternal Night Envelops the area in darkness, enhancing dark magic abilities. Divine Protection Shields from all forms of harm for a limited period. Soul Reaper Extracts and absorbs the souls of the fallen, increasing power.
----------------------------------------
Status Effects:
Effect Status Condition Weakened Hunger Moderate Fatigue High Vital Signs Stable Overall Health Low Power Levels Dormant
----------------------------------------
"Wow, I am like, overpowered ain't I?" He grinned broadly, feeling a surge of pride at his supposed might.
The system responded with a cold, calculated voice that shattered his illusion.
"A normal human has around 2000 for every stat. You are BELOW AVERAGE."
Azrael's smile faded, replaced by a look of utter disbelief and dismay.
"What?! What do you MEAN?!" He exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief.
He sank to his knees, overwhelmed by the realization.
"I... I thought I was powerful..." He sobbed, his shoulders trembling.
The system's tone remained indifferent, almost mocking.
"You are far from it."
Azrael's despair turned into desperate pleading, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Where even am I? If this is a dream, at least make me some powerful, godly, good-looking, buff man with nice silky smooth hair and a powerful aura!" He begged, his words increasingly desperate and absurd.
He continued sobbing, utterly humiliated by the reality of his situation.
James sighed deeply, feeling defeated.
"You are weak because you were sealed for 4,165 years. If you look at your skills you will see you have advanced and mastery on most of them. That alone puts you above a human in terms of skills. 0_0
James wiped his tears and looked up to the status page with a glimmer of hope.
"Really... You mean it!"
Still sniffling, he awaited the system's response.
"Yes -_- ... And I am not the status page."
Finally gathering the courage, he moved himself into action. He had been sitting there, silently sobbing for at least an hour now. ; -_-
"I am ready, let's go."
James took one step forward before stopping abruptly.
"Why am I here anyways?"
"...Uh, to— I, um, I cannot provide an answer. It is up to the 'player' to make that decision. The last player's goal was the complete domination of the world, and they almost achieved it but were ultimately betrayed. All the skills you see were collected and upgraded by the previous player."
"Really?"
James paused, processing the implications.
"Does that mean that I also kept everything of the previous player?"
(¯\_(ツ)_/¯.) "I would guess so. You are in the body, so of course."
"Is there an inventory?"
-_- "Just say 'inventory open,' you can think it too."
James took a breath and focused.
"Inventory open."
----------------------------------------
Inventory Page
----------------------------------------
Weapons:
* SS Class: Divine Blade of Azrael (Sword)
* S Class: Celestial Bow of Radiance (Bow)
Armor:
* SS Class: Armor of Celestial Light (Full Plate Armor)
* A Class: Shadow Cloak of Invisibility (Cloak)
Accessories:
* S Class: Amulet of Eternal Protection
* B Class: Ring of Elemental Mastery
Consumables:
* Healing Elixir (x5)
* Mana Potion (x3)
* Teleportation Scroll (x1)
Miscellaneous:
* Ancient Tome of Arcane Knowledge
* Crystal Shard of Telepathy
----------------------------------------
James stared at the impressive list of items, feeling a mix of excitement and disbelief at his newfound possessions. But he was also kind of disappointed.
"These all seem cool, but I thought there would be more."
The system responded matter-of-factly.
"There was a lot more. However, the previous player was a bonehead who loved ladies. Not only did he give away the wealth he had plundered, but he also gave away many of the items he had gathered to some of the especially beautiful."
James sighed, realizing the consequences of his predecessor's actions.
"Well, now I have these at least. Is there a city or something around here? There's gotta be. I'm starving and could use a drink and a nice bed to sleep the fatigue away."
The system replied cautiously.
"There is, but you can't go like that. You would be hung or burned at the stake."
Confusion streamed across James's face.
"What do you mean?"
"...Look at your back. -_- "
Confused, James looked at his back to see long, furrowed wings, feathers streaming through the air, unbeknownst to him until now.
"Whaaaaaaaaaat?"
"You could have told me!"
*Sigh "You didn't feel the weight on your back this whole time?!"
James's face displayed a mix of stupidity, confusion, and denial, realizing he had been oblivious to such a significant feature all along.
"I-..... What do I do, Mr. Voice, or is it Mrs.?"
0_0* "Find that out on your own. I am not your babysitter. Hmph."
The system went quiet, leaving him alone in the cold dungeon.
..."WAIT, PLEASE DON'T GO! I AM SORRY! Why are you angry? Please..."
.... Silence ....
A smile crossed his face.
"Oh, wonderful system, though you who has forsaken me, I am truly sorry that I have made you mad. I will—"
0,,,0 "Okay, okay. Please stop. What do you want from me? 0,,,0"
James chuckled at the system's discomfort, realizing it was not as indifferent as it claimed.
"Is there a way to retract the wings? Or am I just stuck with them..."
*Sigh "Didn't I give you memories? You should know!"
The system responded hesitantly.
"Um, I did not get them. I only got some, but you explained everything to me. I just experienced a bunch of random stuff like eating some weird bread?"
"What, no, let me try again."
Injecting memories, injecting memories, INJECTING MEMORIES, INJECTING MEMORIES!
"Nope, still nothing. Hmm, some flowers, is that a dog? Nope, never mind, it has razor-sharp teeth. Banana? Sea, jungle, horse, brick pooper, flying tampons? -_- I do not think it's working!"
James couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the system's attempts to recall memories, despite its earnest efforts.
"DAMN IT, THERE MUST BE SOME TYPE OF INTERFERENCE. WHY ISN'T IT WORKING?! THE SEAL?"
"Yes, it's the seal. It seems to make this impossible to do. It must have put some strange magic on the body. Let me see..."
SCANNING, ANALYZING...
----------------------------------------
The system processed through various seals, attempting to understand and identify the complexities of James's condition.
* Memory Seal: 85%
* Energy Absorption Seal: 10%
* Time Distortion Seal: 5%
* Elemental Resistance Seal: 15%
* Illusionary Seal: 8%
* Curse of Silence Seal: 3%
* Dimensional Lock Seal: 12%
* Soul Binding Seal: 18%
* Strength Amplification Seal: 7%
* Luck Nullification Seal: 6%
These percentages indicate how strong each seal currently is, affecting their effectiveness in limiting or enhancing various aspects related to James. It seems most of them are about to break. Well that explains it
----------------------------------------
"The body's memories are sealed, only allowing the worst and most useless memories to get through. So too bad for you."
"Wait, how do I retract my wings?"
"Just think about it."
Confusion clouded James's expression as he pondered how to retract his wings.
"A skill? No, I checked them, I do not know. Uh..."
"I still do not know, I thought of everything I could."
.....Silence
"You did what? No, no, no! JUST THINK 'RETRACT,' NOT think about how to retract. Sigh How did you die anyway? Did you die of stupidity?"
Surprise and anger flushed James's face.
"No, I did not!"
He questioned himself, his expression turning stern and saddening.
"Did I die because of my own stupidity?"
"Yeah, I did, didn't I? You're right, I am stupid. Just leave me to die here. What am I supposed to do anyway?"
"Sigh, here we go again. There, there."
"I did not mean it, (Although I totally did)."
whisper "Hey, if you get stronger, then no one could call you stupid. As you can level up all your stats, including 'Intelligence'. You can be smart, and strong, and other stuff too."
His face lit up.
"Hey, you are right."
sniff, sniff
"I can totally just become stronger. You said just think 'retract,' right?"
"Mhhmm."
The wings retracted, leaving him in dirty rags worn from centuries of being chained.
"Why don't you put on that cape that was in your inventory? Just not the armor, as that is a little too eye-catching."
"Okay."
opening his inventory again and pondering what to do with it.
"How do I get the item?"
"Sigh, just click it."
Clicking the cape, the inventory closed and a glowing light let out a bundled up cape that perfectly fell into his hand.
"Now put it on and let's get out of here."
"Okay."
James was about to exit through one of the destroyed walls, but something caught his eye—a stack of papers. He picked them up, brushing off the dust. Most of the paper disintegrated, but a few remained, in horrible shape yet barely readable. They contained documents on containment procedures and the last check-up, which ended 2,134 years ago. This prison, dungeon, or whatever it was, had been left untouched for at least that long, if not longer. The rest of the papers crumbled as he got up and walked outside.
Outside, the beams of sunlight blinded him, and the fresh scent of nature tickled his nose. What awaited him beyond the prison walls was a world vastly different from the one he remembered—a world he now had to navigate with newfound powers and unanswered questions.
As James stood there, taking in his surroundings, a distant roar echoed through the forest. Something stirred in the depths beyond, reminding him that he was not alone in this strange new world.
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