Author’s note: In my opinion this chapter is a lot more well written than the previous one. Pretty interesting, but this novel has the code “/6660” literally “666” :O.
One thing to note about the MC’s abilities, the skill “Comprehension” is passive and so is always active. It allows him to understand things easier, that’s why he can tell this world is not the same as Earth in such a short time.
Please forgive the formatting. I pasted it from google docs then spent an hour fixing it and I'm tired right now O.O
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When I awakened the following day, I seemed to have calmed down. From my previous experiences, I was quite good at recovering from shock.
I could understand that this world was not my own. This was because my world never had floating blue windows that appeared at a thought. Furthermore, I could see that I was not in my previous body. I seemed to have been reincarnated into the body of a baby.
Remembering my idea from yesterday, this world seems very similar to the RPG games Freya used to tell me about. However, I’ve never heard of a class called “Reaper” before. Isn’t it generally variations of either mage, thief, warrior or hunter?
Freya explained that classes in RPG’s define what a character is going to be like in the future, It also states which skills and abilities they will gain, even what their stats will eventually end up like.
By the way, my current status looks like this.
NameRyker LockwoodRaceHumanLevel1ClassReaperAge0JobNoneHealth10/10Mana100/100Strength1Dexterity1Intelligence100Speed1Defence1Vitality10
Titles:N/A
Skills:Divine:Hades' gift:
Passive:
Comprehension (Master)
Infernal Ice (Master)
Voiceless Incantation (Master)
Thanatos' gift:
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Passive:
Inspection Resistance (Beginner)Class:Active:
Reaper's touch (Beginner)
Life force detection (Beginner)
Death Aura (Beginner)Normal:Active:
Inspection (Beginner)
- Status
- Item
Ice Magic (Beginner)
- Ice Bolt
It appears my name is Ryker and my family name is Lockwood. I thank the stars my race is still human, despite having such an odd class.
Forgetting my class for the moment, the other thing that concerned me was the names under “Divine”. Hades and Thanatos, one is the king of the underworld in Greek mythology, the other is the personification of death……...
The skills under Hades are quite interesting, they all seem to be at the very highest level, but I’m not sure. Comprehension is the one I’m probably going to be using the most often. Provided I focus on something. I can understand it. However, there are limitations. For instance I can’t understand something I have no information on.
To give an example, I can’t simply look at the floor and instantly tell how strong it is. This is because I don’t have enough information to comprehend it’s strength. Thankfully, this is where inspection comes in.
Inspection allows me to view either the status of a person, or the information on a certain item. Using the example from before, I can use inspection on the ground to find out what it’s base materials are, then comprehension will allow me to understand how strong it is.
Inspection can also be used on skills within my own status window. For instance, when I use it on Infernal Ice, I get the following.
Infernal IceContrary to popular belief, the underworld is extremely cold. The ice of which will never melt for eternity.All ice attacks under the "Ice Magic" skill will be converted into "Infernal Ice". This Ice cannot be melted, however it is weak against light attacks.
All Ice magic attacks receive the following buffs:
- Damage increase (+100%)
- Curse (All attacks have a 50% chance of cursing the opponent)
Quite the overpowered skill. Whenever I use [Ice Magic] it will automatically be converted into [Infernal Ice].
As for my other skills, Voiceless incantation is self explanatory. I assume that it allows me to use magic without having to say an incantation, it’s quite useful.
There’s also the mysterious skill from Thanatos, no matter how hard I look at it, I can’t seem to understand it. It might be restricted due to my level, or perhaps it’s hidden for another reason. Also, he gave me another skill, [Inspection Resistance] I guess that’s why the bald guy couldn’t see my status, but why is it only beginner!?
Oh well, Since I’ve just arrived, my knowledge of this world is limited. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do from now on. My body is that of a baby, so I guess all I can do is wait to grow up.
“Good morning Ryker!” - Anna
The excited voice of a woman could be heard.
The woman in question was my mother in this world, Anna. From the conversation yesterday, I assume that Arthur is her husband and my father……….why does she have to look so much like Freya?
With her long black hair similarly black eyes, she’s surely a beauty like Freya. I think the only way I could tell them apart is due to their age. Freya was 18 when I died and Anna appears to be in her early twenties.
“Are you hungry?” - Anna
Without waiting for my reply. Anna picked me up, carrying me in her arms close to her chest. She then began to unbutton her shirt.
‘Ah, she’s not going to do that…..is she?’
As if confirming my fears, Anna revealed her breasts to me. I’m not a pervert, I’m not going to lust after my mother, but such a situation caused me to freeze in shock. Before I could do anything, she pushed my head onto her chest.
‘Calm down! Just don’t do anything weird….’
I don’t know why, but for some reason I couldn’t resist…..As my face grew closer to her breasts, my lips wrapped around her nipple and I slowly began to suckle.
“Hehe, you must have been hungry” - Anna
‘Damn it! I don’t want to do this, but it feels so calming and relaxing!!’
The closeness, the warm feeling spreading down my throat and warming my body. It was such a wonderful feeling, I began to close my eyes, fully enjoying the new sensation.
Like that, I once again fell asleep.
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I woke up a few hours later. For some reason I felt really cranky and began to cry involuntarily.
Within minutes my mother entered the room and took me up into her arms. With my face against her chest, I could hear her heartbeat through her shirt. It was strangely calming.
“What’s wrong? Want to go outside your room for a little while?” - Anna
‘I’ve done nothing but eat, sleep and cry so far. I want to see where we live, what the world looks like!’
“Oh? Ryker looks strangely excited. Let’s go then” - Anna
Saying that, my mother carried me in her arms outside my room.
Instantly what greeted my sight was a large room similar to that of a “living room” in my previous world. Although there appeared to be no modern technology, for some reason there was a sofa.
‘How strange. Perhaps the inhabitants of this world also came up with the idea of a sofa?’
“This is the main room, it’s where your father spends most of his time…...aside from the bedroom” - Anna
‘.....I guess the concept of too much information doesn’t exist here’
Well, she does think I’m a baby, so I guess it’s understandable.
Moving towards a large oak door, she opened it with a creeeaaaaakkkk~
Then, stepping outside. She quickly spun around to face the house.
“......and this is where we live, pretty cool huh?” - Anna
The house in question was quite large. The houses in Britain were generally small and packed together. However, this house was about the size of an American home, the only difference being that it was only one storey.
‘Hmm? Looking around, the other houses in the vicinity are a fair distance away from this one. They also seem a lot simpler and smaller. Are my parents by any chance, nobles?
To confirm my idea, I used [Inspect: Status] on my mother.
NameAnna LockwoodRaceHumanLevel36ClassHealerAge22JobPriestessHealth2160/2160Mana5112/5112Strength51Dexterity90Intelligence142Speed87Defence46Vitality60
Titles:Miracle Hands, Loving Mother
Now that I think about it, I remember father saying mother was a healer before. Her stats are rather high, but we have almost the same intelligence?
Perhaps this is because I remember my previous life, but saying that, I didn’t get that good of an education as opposed to others at my age. I guess this world's education level is generally quite low.
I tried to view her skills, but the window wouldn’t pop up. I’m guessing my proficiency with using inspection isn’t that high yet.
“Well, we can’t stay outside too long anyway. So let’s go inside for now” - Anna
‘Eh? But I wanted to see more!’
I tried to say, but the words simply remained in my head.
“Hmm...why do I feel guilty for some reason?” - Anna
Mother mumbled under her breath as she stepped through the doorway once more, closing the door as she did so.
‘Ah well, I’ve understood a lot from my short time outside. The houses are generally small, except for our house. Therefore one if not both of my parents must be fairly influential. I can’t imagine father being a knight for some reason, from the little I’ve seen of him so far, he appears to be…..immature’
‘It’s possible mother is the influential one, her job is “Priestess” and she has the ability to heal. Healing is a desirable trait anywhere, even in my previous world’
“Ryker, mother has to quickly check on her cooking. For now, I’ll leave you here” - Anna
Saying that, she lowered me down into what can only be described as a “Playpen” it was made of wood and set out in a circle about 2 metres or so in diameter.
‘Oi, I’m only a day old you know? Should you really be leaving me alone?’
“For a baby, you sure do show a lot of expressions. However, don’t make such a lonely face, I’ll be back soon” - Anna
Mother then walked into another room, leaving me bewildered.
‘Well, I guess it’s not so bad. It gives me some time to check on my other skills’
I recited [Status] in my mind and the blue window returned once again.
NameRyker LockwoodRaceHumanLevel1ClassReaperAge0JobNoneHealth10/10Mana100/100Strength1Dexterity1Intelligence100Speed1Defence1Vitality10
Titles:N/A
Skills:Divine:Hades' gift:
Passive:
Comprehension (Master)
Infernal Ice (Master)
Voiceless Incantation (Master)
Thanatos' gift:
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Passive:
Inspection Resistance (Beginner)Class:Active:
Reaper's touch (Beginner)
Life force detection (Beginner)
Death Aura (Beginner)Normal:Active:
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Inspection (Beginner)
- Status
- Item
Ice Magic (Beginner)
- Ice Bolt
‘I guess I should check out my class skills. First up is [Reaper’s touch]’
Reaper's touchThe all slaying hand of death. Destroy your enemies with a single touch.Cost: 100 MP per use
When this skill is used, the soul is removed from the target and placed in the caster's hand.
With no soul, the target's body will die.
The caster can then choose what to do with the targets soul.
Only useable on those who are of a lower level than the caster.
Only useable on those who have souls residing within their bodies.
Contact with the target is required in order to activate this skill.
However, the above requirement is only true for the Beginner level.
‘Hmm, how interesting, especially that last part. So I guess if I the skill reaches a higher level I can use it from a distance?’
‘However, the MP usage is quite high for the current me. I can use it once, but I’ll have to use all my current MP’
‘Thinking about it. Just what does it mean when it says “the caster can then choose what to do with the target’s soul”? Will I be able to use it rather than destroy it?’
Regardless, it’s quite the overpowered skill. Well, next up is [Life force detection].
Life force detectionView the life force of the target(s), it will be shown as a flame.
Those who are close to death have a weaker flame than those who aren't. AoE detection skill.
Detects the life force of nearby targets. This ability works well with the skill [Reaper's touch]
‘Interesting. The MP requirement is really low, it’s 50 MP per minute, so less than 1 MP per second. I can keep it active for about 2 minutes in my current state, not that I’d ever need to’
I guess the last one to check is [Death aura]. Just the name is ominous.
Death auraThe characteristic aura of reapers. Capable of invoking fear in even the strongest foes.Cost: 100 MP per minute
100% chance of invoking fear on those weaker than the caster
1% chance of invoking fear on those of the same level or stronger than the caster.
‘I see. This ability is strange, but I sort of understand it. For those of a lower level than me, they will have a 100% chance of being afflicted with fear, but those of a higher or equal level than me only have a 1% chance. Meaning it becomes 100 times less likely to afflict a strong opponent with fear’
Uwah! Another broken ability. It does have its drawbacks though, so I guess it’s not too overpowered.
After checking all my class skills, I wasn’t really interested in checking the normal ones as I could tell what they were from a glance.
Ice magic is literally what it says, magic of the ice element. I don’t really know why I have this magic already, perhaps it has something to do with Hades?
Well, even if I say that, I don’t really understand what these “Gifts” are. I’ve just been assuming they are as described, Gifts from Gods. If that’s the case, why would they both take a special interest in me? it’s a mystery…..
It’s also a mystery as to why I’m not freaking out at this moment. Maybe something like this is what I secretly wanted, a second chance at life. If that’s the case, then I’ll work hard to live as happily as possible here!
My first step should be levelling up. From what I remember, you can level up by killing monsters, but there shouldn’t be any monsters within a village, they’re usually on the outskirts hidden within forests.
‘If that’s the case, is there something else here I can use?’
As I thought that, a familiar squeaking noise filled my ears as well as the sound of scratching.
Due to the amount of time I had spent in that bastards cellar, I knew this sound better than anyone. I immediately used [Inspection: Status]
NameNoneRaceMouseLevel1ClassN/AAge2JobPestHealth100/100Mana0/0Strength1Dexterity5Intelligence10Speed10Defence5Vitality10
‘Oh? The perfect test subject’
A dark smile floated on my face as I laid down motionless.
I did not yet have enough strength to move my own body. Therefore, by staying motionless, there’s a chance the mouse may come near me.
I kept my eyes closed in order to trick the mouse then activated [Life force detection]. I was instantly greeted by a strange sight. Although my vision was black, I could see white flames around me. Currently, there were three. The large one in front of me was probably my mother, there was a small white one behind me, which was probably the mouse. However, the strangest one of all was my own. Although the main body of it was white, it was surrounded by a dark black mist. As if it was trying to erode the white flame.
‘Wha…? Wait, I don’t have time to think about this. The mouse is coming close’
Although I was worried about the strange black mist, I had no time to think about it. The mouse was edging closer and this was probably the only chance I’d get to test out my new ability before I grow up.
In my vision, the small white flame began to slowly edge closer. As it reached the top of my head I sprung into action.
‘[Reaper’s touch]!’
I opened my eyes and shouted the name of the skill in my mind, whilst moving my right hand to touch the mouse.
As I made contact with it, the white flame appeared to ‘jump’ from the mouse’s body to my hand. When it did so, the mouse’s body dropped dead.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from a different room.
“Don’t worry Ryker! Mother’s coming back now!” - Anna
‘Ah! What do I do now!?’
I began to freak out.
‘What if she sees this? How do I explain it? Wait….can I even explain this as a baby?’
Those thoughts swirled around in my head as I gazed at the white flame in my hands. Not sure what to do, I shoved my hand into the ground in an attempt to extinguish it.
Surprisingly, the flame transferred from my hand into the ground with ease and I promptly deactivated my [Life force detection] skill and closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Despite my eyes being closed, a blue screen suddenly appeared in my vision.
Warning!You attempted to send the "Mouse" soul to the underworld. However, only humanoid souls can be accepted.
Therefore the soul was destroyed. As a reward, a portion of it's stats and abilities will be transferred to you.
Furthermore, for reaching the criteria, you have unlocked the job [Grim Reaper]
I was was shocked by what I saw, but now was not the time.
“Ara? You fell asleep again, I guess it can’t be helped, you’re a baby after all” - Anna
‘Yes I am, so please don’t leave a 1 day old baby alone again!’
Well I appear to be mother’s first child, so it’s understandable she doesn’t know what to do.
“EEEEK! What is that!?” - Anna
Mother began to scream loudly, grabbing me from the playpen.
‘Damn, I forgot to remove the mouse's corpse’
With an anxious expression, she promptly took me back into my room.
“........I’ll let Arthur deal with it when he gets back” - Anna
Mother mumbled under her breath as she placed me back in the crib.
‘It’s only a mouse you know? Just pick it up by it’s tail and throw it out’
However, she obviously couldn’t hear me.
“I’m sure you want to see father again soon as well” - Anna
Mother said as she leaned down, placing a kiss on my cheek.
‘Ah, it’s that feeling again’
A strange warm feeling spread throughout my body. It was something I had rarely experienced before, but it was calming.
After kissing me on the cheek, mother left the room to attend to her cooking.
‘Let’s have a look at my new status’
‘[Status]’
NameRyker LockwoodRaceHumanLevel2ClassReaperAge0JobGrim ReaperHealth70/70Mana216/216Strength3Dexterity6Intelligence108Speed9Defence3Vitality15
‘Woah!’
I couldn’t help exclaiming internally.
‘My mana has doubled! My health has also increased significantly’
In comparison, my other stats didn’t really receive a large increase. I guess it’s because the opponent was only a mouse.
Thinking back to the warning, it said the mouse’s soul was destroyed, since “only humanoid souls are accepted in the underworld”. So does that mean my actions of putting the soul into the ground sent it into the underworld? That doesn’t make any sense though…..
Wait! When I checked my skills last time, I think the skill [Reaper’s touch] said the caster can choose what to do with the soul.
However at that time, I didn’t have a clear image of what I wanted to do with it. Therefore, whatever system governs this world may have taken my actions to have meaning.
By placing the soul into the ground, I was demonstrating the act of “sending a soul to the underworld” therefore the system acted upon that.
In the future, I should be able to achieve the same effect without having to place it into the ground, provided I have a clear image.
There’s also another new item within my status. I seem to have been given the job [Grim Reaper].......
Seriously, why am I always surrounded by death!?
Whatever, I guess I should check the job out.
Grim ReaperA Grim Reaper is a Reaper tasked with the job of severing, destroying and guiding souls.
The reaper must first sever the soul from the host's body. If the soul is humanoid, the reaper
must send/guide that soul to the underworld. If that soul is non-humanoid, then the reaper must
destroy it.
You will not gain a portion of a humanoid souls stats using this process, however their soul can be destroyed.
‘I see….’
So the reason I gained a portion of the mouse’s stats was because I gained this job when the mouse reached the underworld. Then acquired its stats due to the jobs effect when it was destroyed. However, the mouse must have not had an ability, since I didn’t have one in my updated status.
‘I guess the [Comprehension] skill is working well’
It’s a strange feeling with this skill in effect all the time. Just from a little bit of information, I was able to make such supposedly accurate assumptions.
‘I’m really turning into such a cheat’
To be able to gain a non-humanoid souls stats and abilities is incredible. However there is a downside. I can only destroy souls when I use [Reaper’s touch] and that skill can only be used on those of a lower level than me. So the stats I will gain will be lower than mine.
‘Well, it depends on the monster I guess’
Monsters such as rabbits who excel in speed will have a higher speed stat than tortoises who excel in defense. So by destroying the soul of a rabbit, I can gain a large increase in speed, but a small increase in defense.
Furthermore, the skill extends to “non-humanoid” souls.
At the moment, I’m currently assuming monsters actually exist. If my assumption proves true, I can gain even larger increases by killing classic monsters such as “Goblins” and “Orcs”.
‘With this ability, I should work hard in increasing my stats and skills. At least then, I’ll be able to protect those I care about’
I won’t allow such terrible things to happen again.
I haven’t forgotten my previous world. I may have been briefly distracted by all the new and exciting events happening, but I haven’t forgotten.
In the other world, I was weak. My weakness lead to the deaths of everyone close to me. At the end of my life, I almost lost the last person I cared about.
‘My aim is to become strong, strong enough to protect everything I care about’
I will do anything to achieve my aim, even if it means becoming a reaper. An existence surrounded by death, like my previous life.
‘However, this time. The deaths won’t be of my loved ones, but of the monsters and creatures that inhabit this world as well as……...the humans that dare to try and hurt them’
As if finding my resolution, I began to plan out my training.
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Author’s note: Confused about how he can train his skills as a baby? There will be a time skip next chapter, you’ll find out then!
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