Chapter 4: Die or Win.
— Power is strangely unfair.
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The monster attacked using tentacles, and I was forced to retreat a considerable distance. Once I was a significant distance away, I began to analyze it.
The monster can fly; I have to finish it off as quickly as possible before it moves away and enters aerial territory. Once it does, I'll be at a total disadvantage, since the main reason I turned the glowing liquid into... on second thought, let's call this liquid Mana, it sounds better that way.
The main reason I shaped my mana into a sword is because I don't know how to control mana well enough to be able to shoot condensed mana long distances.
The main advantage that monster has is that it is already used to controlling mana. It is almost like an instinct for it; while I am consciously controlling it-
My thoughts were interrupted when the monster fired countless shots of condensed mana towards me. I dodged them and shaped my mana into a thin but sturdy line and launched it at the monster.
The monster, upon realizing this, tries to dodge, but the line hits its legs, cutting them off. It grunted in pain and ended up falling to the ground. I reshaped my mana into a sword again and used this opportunity to quickly approach it and finish it off, cutting off its head.
“It was easier than I imagined.”
It really was too easy. Had I reincarnated into some strong species, or was this monster too weak? I have no idea. Either way, I won’t let my guard down; I don’t know much about this world. However, before I ponder further about this world, I will claim the monster’s spoils!
“Hehehe.*
I walked closer to the monster's body and stopped when I heard a hissing noise. I turned around and realized that the monster's head was still alive… somehow.
“What a scare. I thought the body would get up and put the head back in place.”
What happened? I'm in a fantasy world; something like this is possible. A new world, with new natural laws. Obviously the possibilities are greater than the possibilities of my previous world.
I started to check the body when a noise interrupted me again. This time, it was a different noise; not a hiss, but something that sounded like a… bear?
I felt such a strong killing intent that I was only able to grab a piece of the ant and move away because I used all the willpower I had.
As I walked away from the spoils of the monster I had killed, I became aware of where the noise was coming from.
A yellow bear with 8 eyes on its head was watching me from across the river. As I stared at it, I was certain that if I faced that bear now, I would die… No, I would be crushed, and humiliated. Such a confrontation could not even be considered a fight; it would be a humiliation.
I looked at the place where I was, and several trees had been cut down. If I had been caught in that attack, I would have died instantly!
I felt excruciating pain in my left arm, and when I checked it, although the bleeding had stopped and was starting to heal, it had a cut so deep that the bones showed.
My arm was almost cut off.
“It can’t be… when?! Was it at that moment?!”
I couldn't even feel when I was attacked!!
“I have to run away!”
I ran. Even with a lot of pain in my left arm, I ran with all my efforts, with all my dedication and willpower; I ran because my life depended on it.
I went deeper and deeper into the forest. The more I ran, the more I got lost. Even though there was a possibility of encountering other monsters like that bear or even more powerful, my main priority at this moment was to escape from that monster!
I began to make turns, sometimes even walking in circles because of the difficulty in reasoning that fear caused me; and finally, when it was already getting dark and my breath was running out, I stopped, hid myself in a cave that I had found by chance and collapsed on the stone floor.
“I… I escaped!”
My heart finally calmed down, only to be caught in a storm of conflicting feelings about my uncertain future.
If I had a near-death experience on the very first day I came into this world, what will it be like from now on?
"Sigh."
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I sighed. As valid as my concern was, being anxious won't get me anywhere; on the contrary, it will only make my situation worse.
“At least I can get some food.”
I looked at the ant arm I had torn off before running away from the bear. Ironically, it was my arm that I didn't use to grab that was the one that was injured. Life is full of surprises.
I tried to chew it, but the taste was so nauseating that I spat it out. If I hadn't spat it out, I would have vomited. And that would have been much worse.
"Disgrace…"
'If I didn't eat that, I would starve to death. I have to force myself to eat.'
And I did. Despite the bitter, salty taste sending chills through my body and mistreating my taste buds, I forced myself to keep chewing, and swallowed.
Traces of that meat impregnated my mouth with the taste of rotten meat… no, rotten meat is an affectionate nickname for it; it's as if I ate poison.
At least I won't be so hungry... for now.
"Hello."
I heard a female voice coming from behind me. When I turned towards her, I came face to face with the goddess.
“You here? I’m beginning to doubt that you see me as mere entertainment.”
The goddess let out a little laugh.
“Anyway, let’s get to the point: imagine you were that mutant ant.”
“Wh… what?”
“You know, I don’t have much patience; imagine you were that mutant ant and tried to modify your body like that.
“Ok…”
I did what the goddess said, and I was surprised when wings sprouted like flowers on my back. At first, I found it strange, but at the same time, fascinating.
“This is your power: you can make an imperfect replica of some skills from the monsters you consume, but there are caveats; you can never make a perfect replica of the skill, and it will be weaker than the original skill. Also, not every skill can be copied.”
… Even if I can’t replicate everything, isn’t that too strong of an ability?
“That’s the cherry on the cake: as I explained before, not every skill can be copied. In fact, not every monster you eat will give you the skills; it depends on the compatibility with your current body, and also on luck. In fact, it depends more on luck than compatibility, so you shouldn’t focus on this skill to survive in this world; there are more important skills.”
I understand.
“So what are the skills?”
The goddess paused briefly when I asked her this, and replied:
“You know, that liquid you controlled to kill the mutant ant? So, its name isn’t mana, it’s nectar. Of course, some tribes in this world give different names to this energy, but still, I call it nectar.”
“Go on, Goddess.”
“Nectar can be used for many things, including healing, etc. However, its main use is the modifications you can make: you can transform it into guns and swords, into advanced weapons. Of course, the more complex the weapon, the more work it will take to create, maintain and use it. In addition, it can also be used to strengthen the body.”
“Is there no other power besides this?”
“Of course there are: sorcery, nosense, qi and magic, however, qi only serves to strengthen the body and condense energy shots, and magic is rare, and it involves using mana to create things from it. Unlike nectar, where there are clear limits, the limit of magic is your amount of mana and your imagination. And you, my golden entertainment, have all these energies, however, you will have to go a long way to master it, especially magic, because even someone who can use it, often cannot: most mages cannot use magic because they do not know how to manipulate it; even making a mere drop of water using magic is incredibly difficult, so difficult that it is impossible for some mages.”
“Also, to make your life easier, I’m going to reveal some powers you have: currently, you are a user of nonsense and nectar. Since you already know what nectar is, I’m just going to explain a little about your nosense power! You have 3, but now, I’m only going to tell you one: you have a kind of precognition; you can feel what others feel, and even know what they think based on their feelings, sometimes even reading their thoughts directly. However, you must use it carefully, because currently, you can only use it once a week. Well, only reading minds, while reading emotions, is once a day.”
“Since magic users are mages, what do the others call themselves?”
“The qi user is simply called a qi user, and the nectar user is called a nectar user. As for nonsense, it is a user of… well, you know.”
… It’s complicated. Besides, is that all? Aren’t they… too abstract? I’d like to know a little more about this world. Why didn’t you tell me about witchcraft? And why didn’t you explain it to me properly? It’s too abstract!
“Don’t you have anything else to say to me?”
After I asked that, the goddess looked at me and started laughing in my face.
“Haha…hahahaha…”
How irritating.
“Look, Riley, my dear, it seems you misinterpreted my coming here; I didn’t come to give you advice, I just don’t want you to die too soon.”
The goddess paused and continued:
“Even without knowing anything about this world, you managed to manipulate nectar to the point of being able to shape melee weapons, and on top of that, you escaped with your life when a powerful monster attacked you. That’s why I’m offering you a little extra help: you have potential, unlike the others who only know how to use their little powers, you use your head. Do you want to know more about witchcraft? I don’t care; find out for yourself through meritocracy!”
As much as I was irritated, it would be dishonest of me to say that I did not gather important information that helped me survive more efficiently in this world, and among all the information given, what stood out was the term “Others”.
'Hmmm, so I'm not the only one who got reincarnated.'
“I see. Thanks for the information.”
The goddess smiled.
“You’re welcome. Bye bye!”
After saying goodbye, she simply disappeared.
. I was dumbfounded when she suddenly disappeared. Then, my surprise turned into a mere sigh.
“Surviving here won’t be easy."