As the people of Earth grieved the loss of a legend of Eternal Continent, a tiny ball of light, unseen by the eyes of mortals, escaped from the planet's cycle of reincarnation as it disappeared into the horizon.
In a faraway place that could be said to be a whole different universe, countless stars and celestial bodies could be seen, some bursting with life and vitality while others barely keeping itself alive.
Within this universe existed a strange yet miraculous power called "mana".
Deemed to be the origin of all things in the boundless universe, mana could be said to be omnipresent and omnipotent, existing nearly in all the corners of this universe.
And amongst the countless worlds and realms in the whole vast expanse was a flourishing place called Eternal Continent.
Innumerable lifeforms, myriad of realms, supreme beings; this planet revolved in the center of the universe, enjoying the love and care of "mana".
And within the Eternal Continent, the story of an unprecedented legend has started to unfold.
**********
Within the endless darkness...
'Where am I? What is this place? Is this heaven?' thought the ball of spherical light.
Of course, this spherical light was the soul and consciousness of our protagonist, Allen.
As if answering the question of the faint yet sentient soul, a strange female voice that one couldn't deem the age of, resounded in the pitch-black darkness.
"Allen Cross."
"You have broken free from the cycle of life and death of Planet Earth."
'...?'
'Cycle of life and death? Broken free from Planet Earth...? Then does that mean that I'm still alive and I'm not in Earth anymore.' though merely a tiny fragment of a soul, Allen, whose heart has been incomparably firm, remained calm.
The voice replied once more. "Indeed. You are now about to enter the plane of Eternal Continent, where the continuation of your life, or should I say rebirth, shall start once more."
'...?! Eternal Continent? Wasn't that merely a game created back on Earth?' thought Allen who was shocked at the revelation.
Although it didn't make a single bit of sense, his current circumstances and the voice that was talking to him right now suggested that everything right now was real.
"Enough questions." declared the strange voice. "I've given you a gift as a welcoming from this strange new world, you'll find out what it is soon enough."
'Wait, I've another que—' Allen couldn't even ask all the questions that rose up within him before his soul that hovered within the void disappeared in a fraction of a second.
And within the endless pitch-black darkness, the strange voice resounded one last time. "...good luck, my chosen one."
**********
Slumbering Peak.
Within this shockingly tall mountain that pierced the clouds above was endless forestry called the Secret Forest.
A cacophony of beastly sounds from different kinds of creatures reverberated through the air, suggesting the presence of fierce behemoths living deep within the forest.
This forest was far-reaching, crowded with life and prosperity. All types of trees could be seen, ranging from tiny ones that bore strange fruits up to shockingly tall ones that towered up to the sky.
And amongst these countless trees was an incomparably majestic ash tree standing on a tall peak, with large roots that seemed to have dug thousands of kilometers underground.
With sparkling lights dancing between its branches, a sense of holiness emanated from the tree, as if it was rooted in its place since the dawn of this world.
Meanwhile, quiet vines that were thick enough that three people couldn't even surround it with their arms stretched, dangled around the tall tree. It was as if they were a pair, both relying on each other to live and exist.
At that moment, if one looked closely at the bottom of the tree's trunk, one would see a figure of a shockingly handsome man that looked to be less than 30 years old.
It wouldn't even be a stretch to say that this man's otherworldly looks have already transcended humanity.
Wearing a simple black robe that fluttered along with the wind, this man's simple clothes couldn't hide his innate elegance and nobility.
However, mortals wouldn't know but this man that was leaning on the tree's trunk was the most feared being in this mountain.
With his eyes closed, the man murmured as he lied on the verdant ground. "Another human has stumbled into this domain...Oh? It's an infant?"
Whoosh!
In a blink of an eye, the black-robed man stood up as his eyes opened and gazed into the distance, his magical eyes landing on a beautiful and clear river, rising up into the mountain.
His eyes then continued to scrutinize the large leaf that seemed to be two meters long and the quiet infant within that was probably less than a month old.
Different from normal infants that would continuously cry, this baby's pretty eyes were wide open as they looked around, full of curiosity.
Seeing this scene, the man didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"...For a month old baby to possess such wisdom in its eyes...Interesting."
Lifting a foot, the man stepped forward once before appearing far into the distance, standing atop the flowing river.
Crouching down, the man extended his arms as he took the child, who surprisingly didn't resist, into his embrace.
Just as he did so, a small leaf with the characters that read "Allen Cross" burned onto its surface, fell down into the ever-flowing tides of the river.
Of course, the man saw the leaf and what was written on it.
Looking at the infant's innocent eyes that curiously looked at him, the handsome man revealed a dashing smile.
"Nice to meet you Allen Cross, my name is Akilles."
**********
A few days later.
Atop the peak of the mountain, the figure of Akilles standing before the grand ash tree with the 1-month old Allen in his arms could be seen.
Staring at the familiar ash tree standing proudly before his eyes, a name appeared in Allen's mind.
Tree of Knowledge!
One of the three primordial trees in the Eternal Continent.
Right as he was about to enter into deep thought, a familiar series of voices resounded in his ears.
[Ding! The Essence Devouring System has been awoken...]
[Awakening Process: 0%...10%...35%...68%...82%..99%...100%! Awakening Complete!]
[Integrating to the host, please wait a moment...]
[Integrating has been completed.]
[Welcome to the Eternal Continent Allen Cross, I hope you like my gift...]
The voice of a female interrupted the series of the systematic announcement, surprising Allen.
'It's the same voice in that place...' he thought.
[Analyzing the host's current status...]
Just as he was about to delve deeper into this topic, a familiar transparent blue window appeared before his eyes.
____________________
STATUS
Name: Allen Cross
Race: Human
Life Rating: Tier 0
Class: None • Rank 0 (0%)
----------
Main Attributes: (Free Stat Points: 0)
• Strength - 0.1
• Agility - 0.1
• Constitution - 0.1
• Intelligence - 0.1
• Wisdom - 30
-----
Innate Attributes:
• Charisma - 25
• Perception - 10
• Luck - 10
• WillPower - 40
____________________
[Ding! The Title: Child of the Plane has been activated]
____________________
[Title: Child of the Plane]
• The Will of the Eternal Continent is watching over you. You have been blessed by the plane's will.
• Essences received from all sources increased by 20%
• Luck +10
• Charm +10
• Wisdom +10
____________________
'So this system is that person's 'gift' to me huh...Essence Devouring System...there are no levels but there's the Life Rating...I wonder what it is.' muttered Allen in his heart as the transparent blue window appeared in front of him.
'Hmm, Child of the Plane...what an overpowered title. It seems that the EXP points ingame back on Earth is the same as this thing called Essence...' he thought as he rested within Akilles' embrace.
'Wait...Essences? Essence Devouring System? ...I understand now.' although reborn in this world, Allen whose soul has been enhanced due to his transmigration, still possessed terrifying wisdom.
'I guess these 'essences' should come from the enemies that I've slain, just like the enemies I've killed back in the game.'
Right as he was in the middle of pondering, Akilles' voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
"Look at this tree, child," he said as he stroke the ash tree. "This tree is called Tree of Knowledge. The fruits that it produces are one of the rarest things in this world, and they're simply miraculous."
As if responding to the man's touch, the tree of knowledge's branches danced as its leaves drifted along with the wind.
Listening to Akilles, Allen couldn't help but recall this legendary figure in his memories.
Back when he had just started the game, this extraordinary man's achievements had already circulated all over the world!
Akilles the Undefeated King!
With his profound comprehension on his martial path, his strength shook the continent as numerous titles were given to him.
"Undefeated King!" After fighting and defeating every single foe that challenged him, be they humans, from another race, ferocious monsters, or even the fearsome devils and demons, he remained unrivaled and unmatched as his peerless battle record spread to all direction!
"Dragon Empress's Husband!" Although surprising, only someone like him was indeed qualified to be the spouse of one of the strongest beings in the universe.
"Godslayer!" Surrounded and besieged by five High Gods, he was able to slay Teron, the God of Shadows and Haddon, the Hunter God! This was an unimaginable feat that hasn't been done for countless millennia!
This person was Allen's idol back on Earth.
This person was one of the two reasons that he didn't dare ascend to Godhood despite having ways to do so!
Akilles the Undefeated King, a human who didn't ascend to Godhood yet had enough power to slay gods and slaughter devils!