Chapter 0004

Athena woke up confused. Like her previous return to consciousness, she was unaware of her current location. Unlike the last time she woke up, there was no pain coursing through her body.

After situating herself and clearing any confusion in her mind, Athena studied the space with the eye of an appraiser, missing nothing.

Previously, Athena was in too much pain and awe to really search through the space within the ring. Now, she examined each section one by one.

First, Athena examined the rocks and ores in the corner of the room. When Athena picked up a red colored gem, she knew immediately this rock was not something she could find back on Earth because the rock produces a layer of warmth contrasting itself to the cooler temperature in the space.

When she finished inspecting all the different colored rocks, Athena opened the meticulously layered boxes containing herbs such as Blood Color Vine, Seven Branch Ginger and Wind Swept Ghost Branch. Not knowing what each herb is used for, Athena gave them only a cursory glance before moving on the animal skin, various types of brushes, ink, paper and scroll.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

At the end of her inspection was a shelf filled with books and what seems to be the original body’s diary and correspondents.

Athena left the area for last. Since she did not acquire the memories of the original body like all those reincarnated heroes in the web novels she loved reading so much about, she was unsure whether or not she could read. She also did not want to intrude on the original body’s memories. Even though this body belongs to her now, Athena felt wrong to dig into other people’s private personal lives. Furthermore, after knowing about the original body’s personal desires and grievances, should she take on the original body’s mantle and take vengeance and right the wrong done to this body?

Athena is not a moral righteous person. She wouldn’t be stealing from drug lords for her own personal gains otherwise. Athena wasn’t an evil person either. She did not go out of her way to torment, steal or kills for her desires.

The quandary Athena finds herself in is one of her own makings.

Somehow, she was able to read and speak the language of this world. She didn’t notice it previously, but she spoke aloud, she was speaking in another language, yet her mind interprets it as English. This eliminates the ‘I can’t read’ excuse.

In the end, the need for information won out over the desire to grant a dead person privacy. With a heavy heart, Athena began to read the books and personal letters within the space.