Oh? So, you actually decided to continue reading? Well then, I guess I owe you my story. Let me start at the beginning… or at least, as close to the beginning as I can remember.

The first thing I noticed, as I woke up, was the smell. One-part energising and one-part revolting, the smell of a brewing storm was laced with the stench of rot. It was that reek that woke me up that much faster. The smell hit my nose and my body reflexively prepared itself, fearing something bad and readying itself just in case. My eyes flew open and were greeted by an unfamiliar sight.

Torches in sconces upon stone walls painted the room far lighter than they should. It was the light that was strange. It flickered like a flame but burned a too-bright white. There was a figure before me, their face was covered and their features disguised. They were tall and built, that much I could tell. Their hairless, muscular arms were exposed, and a lattice of thin scars ran up either arm.

That was the first time I experienced it. A series of impressions and ideas shifted through my mind, invoking images and words; lexemes. In hindsight, I can say that these concepts did not come from me but from whatever gods-forsaken system governs this world. The concepts were merely translated by my subconscious so that I could understand them.

[Name: Unknown

Class: Unknown

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Species: Unknown

Physical attributes: Strength: Unknown Resilience: Unknown Agility: Unknown

Mental attributes: Intelligence: Unknown Wisdom: Unknown Will: Unknown

Abilities: ]

I didn’t understand, then, the situation I was in. I was confused and lost and probably thought I was having a strange dream. The person before me reached their hand out to me and I watched, in sheer disbelief, as a small stiletto-like blade gradually hovered into their hand. Confusion gave way to alarm and terror as my eyes could look at nothing but that blade.

[Ability Gained: Identify. Identify is a common skill that can be used to gain an understanding of an object or person’s inherent attributes.]

[Identify lv 1. Given a short period of time, you can gain an understanding of an object or person’s basic attributes. An identification lens is required to use this ability.]

A garbled voice spoke words I did not understand, almost immediately ravaging my head with a sharp pain. That fear and that anxiety grew deeper. I had no idea what was happening, and I had no idea who this person was. I knew nothing and I felt completely and utterly powerless.

I tried to scream. I tried to buck and fight, but my body wasn’t listening to me. It wasn’t working. I couldn’t do anything. The person nodded at something behind me. More words were spoken.

[Ability Gained: Dark Speech Comprehension. Dark Speech Comprehension is a rare skill that allows you to understand the language of the Abhorrent and the taboo. Exposure to this language is something best avoided. You have gained an understanding of the language.]

[Dark Speech Comprehension lv 1. You have gained a rudimentary understanding of this language.]

“-awake. Should I commence with the trial?” the creature spoke. It’s voice was unlike anything I had ever heard.

“Affirmative,” said a different voice, this one distinctly masculine.