[Later]
Marco was walking in a forest, slowly turning back at Illias Village, when he reached his home, he heard a scream coming from the village, Marco got curious and hastily walked towards the village to see what happened.
And when he reached his destination, he was greatly surprised, there were many people crawling in the ground, coughing blood, many of them had a pale skin and their lips lost their colors, exactly like his mother.
But the most surprising thing was that only the villagers of Illias Village were ill, the outsiders were healthy and helping the villagers, even if they seen Marco looking at them, they couldn't just ask him to help after what happened while he asked for a medicine for his mother.
Marco had a poker face but in his heart he was a bit worried about a certain thing and thought.
Marco: 'System, report status'
*Ding*
*Host: Marco*
*Status: Healthy*
Marco sighed in relief, it seems that Illias released the plague in the village, it was not like that he would be guilty for being the one infecting the people, but he feared that the disease caught him too, fortunately no.
Marco just turned back at home, and slept, he was too tired to deal with anything today.
[1 year later]
Now that he was alone, he had more time to train his willpower, he decided that when he will be able to enter the 3rd Gate, he will start his journey around the world, he had a ominous feeling that Illias already knew about him but he couldn't do anything about it.
He needed to travel the world to obtain more experience and being more mentally stronger, so that he could enter the next gates and being able to defeat or kill Illias, then he needed to talk to Alice about cooperation for the coexistence between humans and monsters.
He is 10 years now, and since he was one of the survivors of the plague, he became one of the most important people, together with the other survivors.
Even if no one helped his mother, he didn't blamed the people that survived because they didn't had anything to do with him, which was admirable for a child of 10 years to behave so mature, he even became friends with the remaining people of Illias Village and the travelers that would pass from there.
Soon he would be able to enter the 2nd Gate, at least 1 year later he could do it.
[5 years later]
Marco reached his 15 years, he grew even more, now he was 5'7 feet tall(173 cm in non-retard unit), his brown hair reached his ears, while his big eyes were always red as blood.
During this time he trained himself to body-to-body fights, but he was as capable as any person at school in his old world since he never learned any martial arts or bullshit like that before he reincarnated.
He even tried to fight with his tail which can be used to make claws, it was hard first, but later he was able to use them at a acceptable speed without smashing random things.
Right now he is able to enter the 3rd Gate, but he never used it because the amount of energy it released was enormous and it may alarm some people, he could safely use the 2nd Gate without anyone suspecting him.
Coincidentally, 1 week later is Illias' birthday, which means that she will descend from heaven and bless the new heroes, and he is at the right age to be baptized, which means that in 1 week, Alice will crash nearby due to a fight between her and Illias, unless the story changed somewhere.
He was sure that this is not the Paradox version due to the absence of abnormalities, himself excluded, in the world. So either this was the normal version or it was an alternative universe, which he doubted since everything until now was going ok.
Still, he was a bit excited to enter the 4th Gate, because…
[Flashback]
Marco finished training his willpower by meditating, then he froze in the spot before he asked the system about something he just remembered.
Marco: 'Hey System, when can I use the Bijuudama?' (tailed beast bomb)
*Ding*
*Bijuudama can be used from the 4th Gate and beyond*
Marco: Fuck yeah!
A villager heard him, raised an eyebrow at his sudden shout but ignored his swear.
Extra: What happened?
Marco panicked a bit after realizing he shouted his last words and said.
Marco: D-Don't worry… I am just a bit excited from the day that heroes get their blessings…
Extra: Hehe, don't worry kid, soon you will join them!
Marco: 'Yeah… No'
[Back]
He had a week before Alice crashes and the plot really start, so he decided to wait for her and prepare himself for his journey, he had some money that he could use to buy a big amount of food and pay for a night at an inn.
His cooking skills reached an acceptable level, for his standards, his unarmed skill reached the level of a bandit and his mastery over the Gates was at a good level.[6 days later]
It was night, tomorrow should be the day where Alice, the current Monster Lord, should crash nearby after trying to fight Illias, right now Marco was sleeping a bit earlier since tomorrow he would start his journey, with or without her.
Marco opened his eyes to find himself in a golden cloud, surrounded from many others, a soft light filled the area around, giving the atmosphere a solemn feeling.
Marco: 'A dream... Like in the original…'
?: Marco… Oh brave Marco…
Marco heard a ethereal voice coming from his back, his eyes widened a bit from fear. She was the most dangerous, cunning and strongest person in this world.
Marco: 'She's here…'
Then he tried to use a poker face and turned around, but the sight in front of him was jaw-slacking, even if she could kill him anytime whenever she wants, she was as beautiful as his own mother.
Silk-like blonde hair that extends to her knees, a body of a 20 years old woman with a big bust, big sky blue eyes that seemed as deep as the ocean, a pair of cute pointed ears, just one layer of clothes covering her body while showing her legs to him, a pair of pure feathered white wings, and a small smile.
If Marco was originally born in this world instead of being reincarnated then he would never believe that someone like this woman could be evil, even if she had the goodwill to help Luka with the 'Holy Corruption' before dying in the original game.
But he wasn't, he knew that this woman, Illias, would do almost anything to succeed on her plans, she was thinking about how using Marco right now, she will say words to encourage him to kill the Monster Lord while she would watch everything with a evil smile.
Illias: Oh brave Marco… Can you hear my voice?
Marco just nodded while wearing a poker face, Illias was a bit annoyed from this behavior, but she couldn't do anything since she didn't do anything to help Lucifina, worsening Marco's opinion on her, she was even the one who killed her by giving her the disease.
Illias continued to smile and told Marco.
Illias: Many, many years ago, in a time man cannot comprehend, I created this world.
Marco: 'A lie… The world already existed before she came.'
Illias: First was the earth, sky, and sea. Then the animals, birds and insects.
Marco: 'A lie… That was already there.'
Illias: Finally, I created humanity.
Marco: 'That was true…'
Illias: However, I am not perfect. While creating humanity, I also had many failures… Those failures are monsters… A truly detestable existence.
Marco: 'A lie… Alice 1st created the monsters.'
Illias: Monsters are nothing but evil… They will seduce humans to commit forbidden acts. Sometimes even committing great acts of violence.
Marco: 'This… Is questionable… Well, that's a hard one… Some do it while others don't…'
Illias: Even though humans are weak, I still love them… So I hate these monsters that bring them only harm…
Marco: 'A lie… She sees almost everyone equally worthless… Even some of her angels…'
Illias: And you, Marco, have finally come of age today, have you not?
Marco: ...Yeah…
Illias: 'Why does he sound bored? Maybe it's because of being baptized… Well, after that thing with Lucifina some things are irreparable.'
Up until now, I have given my blessing and protection to many men… However, the monsters still have not been exterminated. Not since Heinrich, 500 years ago, has a man been able to defeat a Monster Lord.
Marco: 'That bitch of Black Alice is still alive…'
It was rumored that Heinrich was able to kill Black Alice, or Alice 8th, but in truth, Illias saved her from death, and then Heinrich found out the truth before rushing in the Heaven to bring mayhem to the angels, but he died.
Another thing is that Heinrich is Marco's ancestor, funny since both him and Marco will work their asses to the Monster Lord's castle then in Heaven.
Illias: But Marco… You, too, have the potential to be able to defeat a Monster Lord!
That was another truth, thanks to the Nine Tailed System, he could go against the Monster Lord, he theorized that he would be able to fight Alice with the 6th or 7th tail, but he didn't want to kill her.
Marco: I...I do?
Marco faked a surprised expression while Illias giggled a bit, then she said.
Illias: Now go, Marco! I will always be watching over you…
Marco: 'Fuck you! Leave me alone!'
Then Marco woke up, Illias was not there anymore, he was in his room with the light from the sun brightening the bedroom.
When he stood up, he got to the bathroom to do his things, after that he dressed up.
He was wearing light normal clothes since he didn't have any armor, he picked up a pair of boots and wore them, and at last he picked up his backpack full of food, money and other necessities.
Marco: 'System, report quests'
*Ding*
*Special Quest: Kick Gabriel's ass*
*Special Quest: Be recognized as a True Hero*
*Special Quest: Achieve coexistence between Monsters and Humans*
*Special Quest: Defeat Illias*
*Special Quest: Return to Lucifina's grave*
When Marco heard the last quest, he smiled and closed his eyes.
Marco: Goodbye, mother… I will be back at your grave when I finished my quest, if you hear me, take care of yourself wherever you are...
Right now, a scream interrupted the atmosphere.
Villager: He… Help! Monster… A monster is in the forest!
Marco: 'Just like in the original…' *Sigh*
Then Marco left from his house and heard the mess that was happening right now.
Extras: Everyone, hide in your houses! Quickly, before the monster comes into the village!/ Ahhhh!/ Mommy!/ Ahh! Run away!/ Ahh! What should I do!?
Marco: Jesus… Welp, this will be my first encounter with an hostile monster… 'Outside Enrika…'
While everyone were running away, Marco just walked towards the forest, unarmed. He was good enough at melee fight, he could beat a weak slime, even without the Nine Tailed Gates, even if it will be a bit hard for him now.
[SPECIAL QUESTS]
1st. Kick Gabriel's ass
2nd. Be recognized as a True Hero
3rd. Achieve coexistence between Monsters and Humans
4th. Defeat Illias
5th. Return to Lucifina's grave