I am a real Hero. I might not be summoned from some other world like in the legends, and my class isn't Hero either, but that doesn't change the fact I am one! It doesn't matter the definition, a Hero is someone strong, and I am stronger than anyone else!

With all that behind us, the name's Blaine Skia! Born in Oskira Village in the territory of Draila. What, you seriously don't know who I am? Come on, you must live under a rock or something! Listen, you better remember who I am, because one day the whole world is going to know my name! I'll rise to the highest position in the Adventurer's Guild, I'll be recognized as a Hero by the King, and most of all, I'll be stronger than everyone else!

Well, to do that, I first have to complete requests. Currently, I'm exploring a dungeon, as any proper Adventurer should. This one's brand new, meaning a dungeon core was recently born in this area. Right, dungeon cores are basically just a type of spirit in the form of a physical object. They appear when a high amount of mana is concentrated in one area, condensing into a sphere of which we call a dungeon core. This thing will then go to create a large area, usually in the form of a common dungeon. The dungeon is usually a huge maze thing, meant to protect the dungeon core... well, lesson on dungeons aside, I need to just get this over with.

The monsters here are pretty damn weak, so it's not like I need to be wary of them or something, but, I'm just bored, honestly. I'd rather be doing literally anything else, seriously. I'm a C-rank adventurer! I shouldn't have to be wasting my time exploring this place of all things.

Hm? This long as hell path finally ended and has to lead me to this circular room. This huge hole in the top of it allowed light to easily shine through. It's a nice day, actually. The sun is pretty bright today, illuminating pretty much everything in this large room.

Eh? Up there, there's a high amount of mana concentrated at one spot. Oh, I get it, that's where the dungeon core must be! Pretty clever, most people wouldn't think it would be on the first floor. Well, this dungeon, due to its location, won't be able to be used as a spot to train people. So, I'll just destroy the dungeon core! Who'll care if an unexplored dungeon is destroyed? I mean, the guild leader will understand, I'm sure of it.

Now, there's the problem of how I'll get up there... Well, I could always just climb. The walls aren't polished and just lead directly up there. Still, I'm not exactly amazing at climbing, so, I'd rather find an alternative... Alright, there's these broken pillars, I can use these to at least get closer to the top for me to climb a shorter distance. I'll take advantage of the pillar closer to the wall I'm currently attempting to climb.

I simply use the wall to kick myself up to the top of the broken pillar after getting a running start, just barely grabbing onto the top. The pillar in question was the tallest one in the room, the least damaged of the sort, so, it makes some sense why I almost missed... well, I pull myself up, ending up square in the middle. Looking back up, there's still a hell of a long way to go. Looks like in the end, I'll still have to climb quite a lot...

Thus began the long and arduous process of climbing the stone wall leading to the dungeon core. However, eventually, I reached the top. With my clever use of fire magic to make the climb a bit easier, it didn't actually take too long.

Now, let's see here, no dungeon core insight... up here, there's some trees and stuff, a big difference from everywhere else around here. It's pretty small but big enough for me to move around. Although, the weirdest thing about it is this stone pedestal in the middle, plain, but with some sort of artwork depicting what seems to be a person... sticking their hand through the stomach of another. Strange, but I won't question it. On the pedestal in question was a huge egg, a deep brown in colour. The two sources of mana here come from the egg, and primarily the pedestal.

So, my guess was wrong, that sucks. I wasted a bunch of time for nothing... still, this might be something interesting. The pedestal seems to be enchanted with a whole lot of mana, meaning it must be extremely potent in what it does. I could sell it for quite a lot, but the question is how I'll get it out of here... it's not incredibly big, just large enough to fit the egg.

Well, this egg is just going to get in the way. It's probably a monster egg, so, I'll just destroy the thing. Hey, it's a dungeon! I'm not being cold or anything, I'm doing what an Adventurer should, exterminating monsters.

Easy, I push the thing off the pedestal, and then kick it down back to the dungeon. Yep, looking down on it, the egg definitely broke. Completely demolished, even.

Now, the issue of the pedestal itself... Let's try and see if it's actually connected to the ground, first of all. So, I grab the thing, starting to pull it up... however, the moment I do,

Alert. Soul's vessel has been destroyed.

Attention. Begining emergency soul-bonding to preserve soul lifespan.

What the hell?! This excruciating pain came through me the instant those messages appeared, starting from the hand I first touched the damned pedestal with! Damn it, it felt like--

It feels like my body is ripping itself apart! Each waking moment this pain went throughout my body! Where did this even come from?!

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Soul bonding 30% complete.

You have obtained skill: System.

And, then these messages appeared too. What does that even mean?! Soul bonding, what do you mean soul-bonding?! Damn it all, what the hell is happening!?

I couldn't help but let out a scream from the agonizing feeling, It was getting worse by the second.

Soul bonding 65% complete.

You have obtained skill: Lust. Congratulations.

Damn it, damn it, damn it! Whatever this message meant, I didn't like it.

I finally collapsed, grabbing my head while clenching my teeth as hard as I could. My head, the pain was worse in the head... This has to end soon, doesn't it?!

Soul bonding 85% complete.

You have obtained skill: Wrath. Congratulations.

The pain had reached its worse. It was comparable to being lit on fire, then being stabbed through every inch of my body with thousands of needles, which were laced with a deadly poison that slowly killed you while leaving you writhing in pain! Think that, but so much worse.

Soul Bonding complete.

And, then, as fast as the pain appeared, it disappeared.

It was quiet, my breathing was heavy, yet there were no lingering effects. No soreness, aches, nothing. It was like it was nothing but a dream...

However, it wasn't.

'Hello...?'

This very different voice appeared out of nowhere, it was quiet, yet, held the sound of concern. It was a girl's voice, definitely, higher-pitched and stuff.

I must be hearing things, I didn't even really hear it, the sound just... appeared in my head.

'Why are you talking about me like I'm just a voice...? I'm a person, who even are you?'

What the hell? There it is again. Now it's saying it's a voice, weird.

Huh...? My hand just moved on its own for my eye to get a better view of it. It's like a completely different person was moving it...

'This... this isn't my hand...'

Yeah, of course, it isn't your hand! This damn imaginary voice is getting on my nerves, that thing must have done something to my head. I finally stood up, wiping the dust off of myself. I can at least move properly, it looks like that pain didn't do any actual physical damage...

'Not my hand... I just stood up without trying to... what's going on?'

Ugh, what do you mean what's going on? This voice is so annoying... but, it seems strangely sentient. Before, the messages said something about soul-bonding, along with the skills. There's no way, this voice isn't a... person, is it?

'Of course, I'm a person! What are you even talking about...'

What the-- my body just moved on its own again! My legs caused me to take a few steps backwards, and my head looked left and right. Soul bonding... what the hell does that mean!? it's not likely, but what if it actually... you know, bonds two souls together. I don't know a whole lot about souls, so I'm not even sure if that could happen.

'Could you please stop ignoring me! What is... what's going on...'

Ignoring you? No, it's possible, considering what just happened. I can't believe I'm actually asking this, but for Alhara's sake, who are you? Just, start with what happened to you, or whatever.

"Oh... I'm Lucia, I was on a school trip... and then...'

She, or, Lucia, I guess, went silent. Look, I don't have all day! Just tell me what happened already! What even is a school trip?

'I was shot...'

Eh? You were shot with like an arrow or something, then? What'd you die or something?

'No! With a gun... And, then it was dark...

What in the world is a 'gun'? Are you just making up words to confuse me?

'You don't know what a gun is...? That's weird... hey, where exactly are we? And who are you? Why are you just this voice talking to me in my head?'

Ugh, I'm Blaine! Listen, I'm the person here, from the looks of it, you're stuck in my body with me. So, could you stop moving around?

"I'm... stuck in your body? No, no... does that mean I really died?'

Look, I have no clue, all I know is that apparently our souls were bonded together, so, yeah, which would mean your soul was probably detached from your body or something. So, by definition, you probably died, as strange as that sounds... But, right now, you need to focus.

Oh, great, she's shivering. And, because we're in the same body or something, I too, was shaking. I could feel exactly what she was feeling... confusion, panic, fear, damn it, I hated it.

'No, no, no, no.... please, I don't...'

Looks like she was lost for words... denial, huh? Fantastic, she backed us up against a tree, sliding down to the ground.

Listen to me! Lucia, or whatever your name is, stop freaking out! You're just wasting our damn time! Accept it, you probably died, but you're still here, so, just calm down! All this panic and stuff won't do you, or more importantly, me, any good!

Finally, her, or, our breathing slowed down to a reasonable level. That, too, the feelings of panic slowly went away, with it. However, they were still present, which made me a whole lot more uncomfortable than I want to be right now.

So, you're done, then?

'Yes...'

Well, isn't that great? We can get back on track. You're Lucia, I'm Blaine, let's get this straight. For now, it seems I'm stuck with you, and you're stuck with me... I'll be the one who'll move, you just stay idle, okay? You're not exactly in the mental state to be moving me... us, I mean. Right now, we're in a dungeon, which isn't safe. So, just stay silent, I don't exactly feel like listening to you right now, got it?

'Okay...'

Good for you, now, let's get out of here...

Gods damn it, whatever, or whoever did this, I'm going to kill them.