As I descended through the blinding light, bracing myself for the impact, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. Moments later, the ground rushed up to meet me, and with a jolt, I landed with a thud. The sensation of pain shot through my body, surprising me. It had been so long since I last experienced physical sensations like this.
"Ouch! That hurt!" I exclaimed, wincing as I stood up and assessed my surroundings.
Dust coated my clothes and skin from the impact, and I couldn't stand the gritty feeling. I quickly brushed myself off, trying to clean away the residue. Though it was a trivial task, the act of removing the dust brought a strange sense of familiarity. It was as if the simple act of cleaning myself off helped ground me in this new reality.
Ugh, that goddess was absolutely infuriating.
Anyway, the room I find myself in is surprisingly spacious, reminiscent of the final room in a dungeon where the coveted treasure awaits. It's shrouded in darkness, but thanks to my [Night Vision] skill, I can see everything clearly. There's a sling-like bag placed next to me, along with a cozy-looking pillow and a silky blanket.
I can't help but be drawn to the bag and its contents. Upon inspecting it, I discover an iron sword, three gold coins, water, food, armor, and a tent. Meh, I doubt I'll have much use for these items since I possess the [Self-Suffice] skill, which allows me to sustain myself without external resources. But the most intriguing items are definitely the pillow and blanket. The pillow seems incredibly soft, as if it could envelop me entirely, while the blanket feels smooth and luxurious to the touch.
"I guess that goddess ain't half bad after all," I mumbled, my voice filled with relief as I surveyed the room. It was surprisingly spacious, albeit a bit mossy. The air hung heavy with moisture, lending an almost mystical ambiance to the surroundings.
Taking a moment to appreciate the unique atmosphere, I noticed the coffin nestled in a corner, its marbled pattern captivating my attention. It was a sight to behold, an intriguing mix of elegance and mystery. I wanted to see the inside so I brushed off the layer of dust that had settled on its surface.
As I opened the coffin, revealing its plush interior adorned with cushions, I couldn't help but think it resembled the kind of resting place one might expect a vampire to lounge in. But hey, who am I to judge? It was undeniably inviting, and at this point, I was in need of a good night's sleep.
Without wasting any time, I tossed the soft pillow into the coffin and enthusiastically jumped in.
The moment my weight settled, however, a disconcerting creak echoed through the room. Startled, I watched in disbelief as the lid began to close. Panic set in as I realized I was trapped inside, unable to open it from within.
My heart raced, and a surge of panic coursed through my veins. "What the heck is happening?" I blurted out, my mind struggling to comprehend the predicament I found myself in. I desperately tried to force the lid open, but it stubbornly refused to budge.
Taking a deep breath, I scolded myself for losing my cool. Okay, panicking won't get me out of here. I need to think this through. I examined the coffin, searching for any hidden buttons or clues that might unlock my escape.
In the dimness of the coffin, I racked my brain, contemplating every possible way to escape.
I reached for the bag beside me, remembering the book the goddess had mentioned. With a sense of urgency, I pulled it out and delved into its pages, hoping to find some valuable information or a clue to my predicament.
Hours flew by as I immersed myself in the book's contents, carefully scrutinizing each page. However, to my disappointment, I couldn't find any item or solution that seemed relevant to my current situation. Frustration threatened to take hold, but I reminded myself that there was no time for panic.
Then, it hit me like a lightning bolt—my status! I had completely forgotten about it amidst the chaos. With a mix of relief and curiosity, I accessed my status screen.
[Status Open]
Name: John Micheal
Level: 1
Age: 25
Job: None
HP: 109/109
Mana: 51/51
Atk: 47
Magic: 31
Dex: 29
Agi: 27
Vit: 37
Luk: 68
Skills: (Skill list) Skill points: 1
[Night vision] (Max) (Active)
[Self-suffice] (Max) (Active)
Unique skills:
[Immortality]
[Experience gain]
[Deep slumber]
Examining my stats, I found them to be quite average. I wasn't aiming to be overpowered or anything, but in my current situation, a little extra boost wouldn't hurt.
Flipping through the book once again, I discovered a section on assigning skill points. It seemed like my best shot at acquiring some new abilities. The options available were limited, with only two skills listed.
Skill Book
Learnable Skills:
[Sword Technique]: 1 skill point
[Appraisal]: 1 skill point
Considering my circumstances, I couldn't afford to be picky. Without hesitation, I chose to learn [Appraisal]
Confirming my selection, I saw the message:
Learn Skill: [Appraisal] for 1 skill point?
"Yes."
Skill: [Appraisal E-] has been learned.
Skill: [Appraisal EX] has been maxed.
Wait, what? Now that I think about it, I did come across some interesting information.
Firstly, as reincarnated individuals, we are not bound by job requirements. Normally, to pursue a specific job, one must meet certain prerequisites. For example, to become a swordsman, you would typically need to have at least level 1 in sword technique. However, we have the ability to learn jobs regardless of meeting these requirements.
Additionally, we gain experience points at twice the rate of regular individuals. By the way, the only way to level up is by defeating monsters. However, some jobs may provide alternative means of gaining experience.
Jobs are divided into two main categories: Offensive and Miscellaneous. Offensive jobs encompass roles such as swordsman, mage, tank, and guard, while Miscellaneous jobs include blacksmith, alchemist, tailor, cook, and more.
But I have no intention of pursuing any specific job. My plan is simple—to sleep. What is adventuring anyway? While this may be a whole new world, it's just another opportunity for me to indulge in slumber, gifted by the gods themselves.
However, I have never come across any information about skills reaching their maximum level before.
Well, there's no point in complaining about convenient skills. So, I decided to delve into the skill's description.
Skill: [Appraisal EX] (Max)
Description: This skill enables the user to gather information about specific items, people, or things. The extent and depth of the information depend on the number of skill points invested in this skill.
(To use: Focus on the target and silently say "appraisal" in your mind.)
(Max Perk: Automatically appraise objects without the need for verbal command.)
Ah, just as I expected from the appraisal skill. It's straightforward to use, and since it's maxed out, I can appraise items without even needing to voice the command internally.
With that in mind, I decided to appraise the coffin before me.
Item: [Coffin of the End]
Description: A coffin designed to seal the demon lord inside for 100,000 years in case of emergency. Indestructible. Cannot be unsealed.
What?? But according to the book, the demon lord is already dead! Oh, wait. There's a note about it being sealed "in case of emergency."
Does that mean I'm the one who was sealed here? What should I do? But wait... on second thought, this might actually be a good thing. No, it's great! I should thank the goddess for this incredible opportunity. Everything I need is right here, and with my [Immortality] skill, I won't die even if something goes wrong. Plus, my [Self-Suffice] skill ensures I won't go hungry. Finally, I can enjoy some much-needed rest. With my [Deep Slumber] skill, it'll be difficult for anything to wake me up easily.
I quickly gathered all the items into my bag, making sure I had everything I needed. Then, I found a comfortable position within the coffin, preparing myself for the ultimate slumber.
Shall I use my unique skill [Deep Slumber]?
"Let's go."
I activated my unique skill [Deep Slumber], and as I drifted off into a blissful state, it truly felt like heaven. And before I knew it, I was sound asleep.