[%..Event-Triggered..%]
[Resetting Host Age...]
[Reset Completed! Current Mental Age: 18]
[Restoring Host Body….]
[Restoration Failed! | Reason: Insufficient Conditions Fulfilled]
[Compressing Host Body….]
[Host Body Compressed]
[Restoring Compressed Host Body….]
[Restoration Complete!]
[Restoring Host Consciousness….]
[Restoration Complete!]
As the lingering echoes in his mind dissipated, Desmond found himself engulfed in an expanse of unfamiliar darkness.
"Huh, where am I?" he muttered, his voice lost in the void. Almost instantaneously, a flood of memories surged forth, cascading through his consciousness like a vivid and fragmented flashback.
The memories played out, leading him inexorably to the fateful scene where he had witnessed his own demise. The dumbfounded expression etched upon his face as his body succumbed to gravity remained seared into his mind.
Amidst this enigmatic darkness, Desmond's thoughts drifted, grappling with the uncertain nature of his current state. Heaven or hell, he pondered. Yet, uncertainty hung in the air, his fate shrouded in an impenetrable veil.
If this were truly heaven, he contemplated, his mind conjuring images of ethereal fairies, serene landscapes, and boundless beauty that would surely soothe his weary soul.
Yet, all that greeted him was an all-encompassing emptiness—a void devoid of any pleasant respite.
Retracing the memories of his life as the heir to a notorious mafia family, Desmond found it inconceivable that a benevolent deity would consign him to such a heavenly realm.
The bloodshed, the torment, and the labyrinth of deceit that had stained his existence—how could such a life be deemed worthy of divine salvation?
No, this was not heaven. He couldn't even catch a glimpse of his own corporeal form, leading him to surmise that he must be a disembodied soul adrift in this desolate expanse.
Then, a peculiar sensation stirred within him—an odd movement originating from his stomach.
"My stomach? But how is that possible? I should be dead," he mused, bewildered by the conflicting realities he now faced.
His thoughts swirled, a tempest of reality and fantasy clashing within his mind.
After considering various possibilities and reconciling himself with this altered existence, Desmond arrived at a conclusion—an epiphany that crystallized within the depths of his being.
"This can't be right," Desmond thought, his mind spinning with a flurry of perplexing possibilities. Visions of alternate plots, fantastical scenarios, and extraordinary superpowers flickered through his consciousness.
The very foundation of his reality, carefully constructed over eighteen years, now lay shattered as he grappled with the inexplicable sensation of movement within the space where his stomach should be.
Desperate to make sense of his current predicament, Desmond attempted to move his limbs, his hands, his mouth, only to be met with profound silence—an absence of response, as if his physical form had been erased from existence.
An inkling formed within him, a whispered hypothesis that resonated with the fragments of his understanding.
"Am I an embryo?" he pondered, yet the darkness surrounding him and his continued perception defied conventional explanation.
How could he witness this shadowed realm if he were but an unborn entity? The questions swirled, multiplying, until a singular possibility emerged—one that seemed to hold the key to unraveling this enigma.
"My soul," Desmond concluded, his thoughts coalescing with newfound clarity. "My soul carries my memories, my ability to think, and it is my soul that sustains my consciousness in this ethereal state."
Lost in profound contemplation, Desmond was struck by a sudden idea—an audacious hope, familiar to avid readers of novels. Summoning his courage, he voiced his inquiry into the abyss.
"System, are you there?"
Silence echoed in response, the void seemingly indifferent to his plea. Desmond couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity, imagining how he might have chuckled awkwardly had he possessed a physical form.
Yet, against all expectations, a translucent screen materialized before him, shimmering like a three-dimensional hologram. Text began to materialize on the screen, letters and numbers cascading across his field of view.
Stunned, Desmond's thoughts froze, unable to fully comprehend the sudden transformation. The realization that his humble wish had seemingly come true left him incredulous, his mind struggling to reconcile the impossibility before him.
[Launching the AI Program]
[AI activated!]
[AI name changed to -> System]
[System is running…]
[Access given to host 'Desmond']
Moments passed, and Desmond gradually regained his composure, forcing his emotions to retreat to the depths of his being. With a steady breath, he focused his attention on engaging with the newly awakened System.
Summoning the courage to speak, he uttered a simple, straightforward command. "System."
[DING!!]
[Incorrect command, please use 'help' to see the command list.]
Desmond's patience waned, irritated by the persistent chime that accompanied each interaction. Suppressing his frustration, he tried again. "Help."
[DING!!]
[Command List:
- Status
- Map
- Task List]
The successive notification sounds grated on Desmond's nerves, and he couldn't hold back any longer. "Could you remove those DING sounds?!"
In response, the System generated a task, momentarily diverting its processing power.
[Creating a Task.
Used 1 Slot
Status: Working 0%]
[Working 50%]
[Status: Completed]
[Saving to Database…]
[Data Saved!]
"A bit better," Desmond conceded, appreciating the respite from the incessant DINGs. However, his satisfaction was tempered by the persistent presence of the transparent screen, which intruded upon his field of vision.
"If only this screen didn't disrupt my view," he mused, realizing that even small inconveniences could mar the experience.
Turning his attention to the command list, Desmond pondered the possibilities it offered. He wasn't sure whether to be grateful for the functionality or disappointed that it fell short of the overpowered systems found in novels.
"I have a status, a map, and a task list. It should be enough to survive, even if this system lacks the grandeur of those in the stories."
Deciding to assess his current status, Desmond made his next command. "Let me check my status."
In response, a new transparent screen materialized, displaying his name and several details related to his existence.
[-Status-
Name: Desmond
Gender: Male
Age: ???
Race: Human
Trait: Selfish]
"Selfish? My trait? Really?" Desmond's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief as he questioned the characterization bestowed upon him by the system.
While contemplating his past experiences, he couldn't help but consider that prioritizing oneself was a natural instinct for most humans.
Shaking off his momentary confusion, Desmond proceeded to the next command on the list. "Map."
A new screen materialized before him, replacing his status display. It presented a simple mini-map with a blue dot positioned at its center. Apart from the blue dot representing his current location, the map was shrouded in darkness.
"It's just a standard mini-map, nothing special," Desmond remarked with a hint of disappointment. Nonetheless, he moved on to the final command, his anticipation rising.
However, the outcome fell short of his expectations. The screen displayed a plain interface with a task slot and progress indicator.
[Task Progress: 0
Task Slot: 1]
Desmond's excitement waned slightly as he realized that the task functionality of the system was not as engaging as he had hoped.
Nevertheless, he decided to pose a question to the system, seeking a glimmer of purpose in his existence. "System, can you check when I will be born?"
The system swiftly generated a task, using one of the available slots to fulfill Desmond's query.
[Creating a Task.
Used 1 Slot
Status: Working 0%]
[Working 50%]
[Status: Completed]
[Saving to Database…]
[Data Saved!]
[Status Updated!]
[-Status-
Name: Desmond
Gender: Male
Age: 1 Month
Race: Human
Trait: Selfish
Conclusion: The host needs to wait approximately eight months for the host to be born.]
Desmond absorbed the information, his mind processing the implications of his impending birth. The system had provided him with an estimated timeline, offering a tangible goal to anticipate amidst the solitude and emptiness.
"Okay, so these task slots will continue to appear in the future whenever I use a command. It seems that the system requires a task to be active in order to execute any other commands," he deduced, contemplating the mechanics of his new existence.
"Whatever, as long as it functions for me," Desmond muttered, accepting the system's limited capabilities.
With the prospect of spending months in the company of the strange darkness and glowing transparent screens, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of unease.
Desmond turned to the system once again, seeking to find some purpose or activity to occupy his time. "System, can I do something useful or engage in activities to keep me busy?"
Minutes passed, and Desmond's anticipation grew as he eagerly awaited a response. Finally, a new transparent screen materialized, providing the system's suggestion.
[System's Suggestion: The host can begin practicing meditation from now onwards. By gathering unique energy from your surroundings, you can improve both your physical condition and mental state.]
Desmond raised an eyebrow at the suggestion, intrigued by the concept of harnessing unique energy. Uncertain of the practicalities, he sought further clarification from the system.
"What exactly is this 'unique energy'? Should I simply breathe as I normally would, or should I attempt to close my eyes and sense the energy?"
[System's Conclusion: The unique energy can be likened to 'Ki' in Japanese history or 'Qi' in Chinese history. It is an integral part of all living things, akin to 'Life Force' or 'Spiritual Force.']
"In other words, it can be referred to as 'mana' as well, right?" Desmond posed the question, drawing upon his knowledge from various fantasy novels and games.
[System's Conclusion: Yes, that is correct. The host should pay close attention to sensing the energy in their surroundings and strive to absorb it into their body.]
With no other options at hand, Desmond decided to follow the system's instructions. Closing his eyes, he focused his attention on the energy surrounding him, endeavoring to absorb it into his being.
As he did so, he became aware of numerous transparent screens filling his field of vision, providing him with information and feedback.
As the days went by, Desmond became enthralled by the pleasure of growing stronger through the absorption of unique energy. Each day, a single notification appeared, indicating his progress.
[Unique Energy + 0.001]
[Unique Energy + 0.001]
The appearance of the notification became a daily ritual, accompanied by a comforting warmth spreading throughout his body with each absorption of energy.
However, amidst the thrill of his newfound power, Desmond couldn't resist his curiosity about the passage of time. He yearned to know how long he had been meditating.
"Status," he commanded, seeking answers from the system.
Once again, the familiar process of task creation and completion ensued, updating his status accordingly.
[-Status-
Name: Desmond
Gender: Male
Age: 1 Month 2 Weeks
Race: Human
Trait: Selfish
Unique Energy: 0.00 -> 0.01]
"I've been meditating for two weeks," Desmond marveled, astounded by his own dedication. It was the first time he had committed himself to something for such a prolonged period.
However, the enchanting sensation he experienced during his meditation made it difficult to resist.
In the midst of his contemplation, a thought struck him. If absorbing this strange energy had such extraordinary effects on him, what kind of world would he be born into?
"System, can you provide information about the world I will be born into?" Desmond inquired, his curiosity piqued.
[System's Conclusion: The host will be reincarnated into a world known as the 'Saint World.' It is a realm where magic exists, and superhumans can be found throughout. Moreover, human maturation occurs at a comparatively accelerated rate.
For instance, in a normal world, a three-year-old child would typically engage in random babbling. However, in the Saint World, a three-year-old child would possess the mental and emotional maturity of a six-year-old child.
This pattern continues, with each age group exhibiting a higher level of maturity than the corresponding age in a standard world.
This advanced development impacts not only their mental and behavioral aspects but also their physical attributes. Their height, facial features, and other characteristics mature accordingly.
In the Saint World, an individual is considered an adult at the age of 15, at which point their abnormal growth suddenly ceases.]
"In other words, it's a magical world where even children exhibit abnormal levels of maturity. Magic and superhumans are a common occurrence, and the world operates under the rule of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak. Political power holds significance but isn't overpowered as it was in my past world."
Desmond contemplated the information, feeling a sense of excitement welling up within him. In contrast to his previous life, where he had everything due to his family background, the prospect of starting from scratch in a magical world held a greater appeal.
"Well, well. Saint World, huh? I can't help but wonder what surprises await me there. Restarting from nothing seems more enticing than leading a normal life." Desmond's anticipation grew, fueled by the allure of a fresh start in an extraordinary realm.