Damon's POV
"Argh! What is this light?" I groaned as my eyes struggling to adjust to the brightness of the room.
As I surveyed my surroundings, the reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks. "A hospital? Who brought me here?" I wondered aloud, unable to recall the events leading up to my hospitalization.
Suddenly, the memories flooded back, and I sat up in a panic. "Oh no! There was a monster! Where is it? Where am I?" I frantically scanned the room for any signs of danger.
Just then, a voice from outside caught my attention. It was surprisingly clear, despite being quite far away. "Too hasty Aurken, I just gave you an overview for you to understand. The third type I mentioned, which is being reborn with half of one's original age consumed, can also drain one's necro if the necro of a reborn is not enough. So talented reborns from this class is brought upon their ability to provide the necessary amount of necro in their reborn state, which could mean that they have massive amounts of necro," the voice of an old man explained.
Confused by the strange terminology, I strained to hear the conversation. "So basically, what you're trying to say doc is-" another voice started, but was cut off by the old man.
"Yes, there's a huge possibility that what you brought here was a third-class reborn that ran out of necro during reborn state. However, it's just a theory. This is the first time this has happened, so I can't conclude yet," the old man replied.
Realizing that my presence in the hospital was a mystery to them, I lay back down and waited for them to enter. As the door creaked open, an old man in a lab coat and another man, who I vaguely recognized from my past life, entered the room.
An old man wearing a lab gown entered. There seems to be a person behind him, but he's a bit far, so I cannot recognize him."So, you're awake!" An old man greeted me with a cheerful smile with his arms open wide.
The man behind him soon followed in, "Doc, I need to leave, because-." He wasn't able to finish his words when he saw me. I stared at him out of curiosity, unconsciously realizing that he is someone I know in my past life.
'Wtf? Klause?'
I can't be wrong. That's why the voice of the speaker outside was familiar earlier. The face, and the hair as well! Without a doubt he's the Klause I knew, my secretary in my past life!
He walked his way towards me and reached out his hand, and smiled, "I am Aurken, I am the one who saved you, and the man here beside me is Dr. Quazano." I reached out my hand and shook each of their hands.
Surprising as it seems, but I can't be too obvious. I should never reveal my true identity and everything about myself, especially the second soul I have,
"Thank you." I replied with a smile.
He just smiled and turned away. " Dr. Quazano, you take care of him, I'll be heading now." He raised his left hand and walked out of the room.
"So, do you know where you are now?"
"No sir, for as long as I can remember I woke up in a building and some monster appeared and I just lost consciousness."
He took a deep breath, "So you're a reborn."
I frowned my eyebrows and said, "What is that?" I pretended to not know everything because it would be too suspicious to just wake up and have knowledge about this world. I should try to act like how a person should typically act when he just wakes up and found himself in an unfamiliar world.
*****
Dr. Quazano explained to me, what is reborn, necro, and my current situation. Though I already knew a few things about it, I better understand the present world even more and know what I have to do to survive in it.
"What's your name? You're third type reborn, I suppose you are aware of who you are and what you are in you're past life right?"
"Yes, I am Rik Van Der Werf." I gently smiled, "You can call me Vander." I lied.
I made up my mind not to reveal my true identity. After all, I've been reborn, so why should I use my real name? Right now, I am no longer Damon Fritzwalt.
'I am now Rik Van Der Werf.'
And this is the start of my journey to gain power. Now that I had a chance to be reborn, maybe I'll have the opportunity to rule this world. A perfect chance to carry out my long-term plan.
'To be the most powerful man.'
"I see, what a nice name," He whispered while removing the patches that were on my body. "Since you are already fine, I suppose I can discharge you now."
*****
I asked the doctor more things before leaving such as some tips about the places I should go. When you are stuck in a new world (Isekai) or in a new realm, it has been proven and tested that the first thing you must do is go to a library. In the library, you will find everything you want to know and learn.
So, right now, I am at Lumiere City, not sure which country it is since the countries merged together and became somewhat similar to Pangea that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. Though, I have a notion that Lumiere City is somewhere near the Philippines; I guess? According to Dr. Quazano, the nearest library here is located in South Fulgoant District, known as the Quietus Athenaeum.
It's quite a distance from here, so I'll have to rely on their means of transportation. As I exited the hospital's third floor, I observed that the Earth appeared similar to what it was before. The people and everything else seemed to have adapted well, demonstrating the adaptability of humans. However, today's technology is far more advanced, and humans appear to be more proficient. I can only speculate that this advancement is the result of an unknown phenomenon that occurred one hundred thousand years ago, as described by Dr. Quazano. As I walked around, I noticed that people were still leading simple lives despite these technological advancements.
Perhaps the technology is more focused on survival and defense against kuishinbos than convenience. Dr. Quazano provided me with a small bag called the reborn starter pack, which would aid me in meeting my basic needs. I checked my purse and found that I had a hundred copper coins, which should be more than enough to travel from one city to another. Dr. Quazano also gave me a reborn badge to display to those around me, indicating that I am new to this world and in dire need of assistance. The badge will encourage people to kindly guide and support me."
I was lost in my thoughts that I overlooked that I am already quite far from the hospital. I raised my reborn badge to a random person, "Hello, I am a new reborn, I need to go to the library and I think it's somewhere at Lumiere City? How can I get there?"
He was startled at first, but he then stared at me and smiled. "Hey! You're a reborn that's good!" He offered his hand to me, which I gladly accept. "Welcome to Pi Earth!" He even raised his arms with a wide smile. Everyone around noticed his gestures and heard his loud voice. Many of them looked at me and smile. "Or just Earth since nothing much changed except for the Pangea," He giggled.
I bowed to express my gratitude, "Thank you so much!"
"Brother! I'll lead you to a train nearby, it will lead you to Lumiere City directly." He started to walk and raised his hands. "Come with me."
I quickly followed him. It's not that far, so in just a few walks, we arrived immediately.
The train station is the same as before except that the train seems faster and has a more cutting-edge technology compared before. The design of the train also looks more compact and delicate.
"This is the train, it is nearly the same as before, but faster."
So this guy must be a second or third-class reborn since he knows about the train before.
"However, instead of electricity or gasoline, it is ran by the necro of the captain, and the passengers' as well. The more people contribute, the faster the train will be."
"I see." I smiled at him. "Thanks for the assistance!"
"So long brother!"
I waved my hands and continued my walk towards the station. Everything seems the same, except the people who look pretty weird. This world is an eclectic mix of medieval and modern style. I wonder why.
As I continue to move forward and proceed to a machine to get a ticket. I proceed to find where I should fall in line to wait for the next train stop. Surprisingly, the people are more organized and unsceptered. Securities are pretty much everywhere, and they look capable.
After almost five minutes, the train arrived, everyone went in, and so I followed. I noticed that they inserted their ticket in some sort of a machine, so I did the same. After that, I sat somewhere near the door of the train. There are still more people coming, so we waited for about two more minutes.
"Buckle up passengers! You may contribute to fueling the train using your necros by pressing the button above you." It must be the train captain speaking.
So people here can contribute to fuel the train, eh? They are not obliged, but if they want to speed up, they should contribute in providing necro.
A few minutes earlier, the train started to move, and a few people began to grab an inverted 'u' shaped metal in front of their seats. It's quite hard to identify, but it seems that this metal absorbs the necro that caused the train to accelerate.
The train is more expeditious than I expected, to the point that I felt like my soul would almost detach from my body.
A few more minutes…
"Arriving at the Ariodale City." The captain spoke, and the train's door opened, allowing people to enter or exit the train.
The train once again runs, and after just a few more minutes…
"Arriving at the Lumiere City, for those who will leave the train, please step outside peacefully, thank you for riding with us!"
Upon stepping outside of the train, I closed my eyes and stretched my arms, expecting a refreshing breeze to greet me. However, instead of a crisp gust of air, my nostrils were assaulted by the stench of rust, smoke, and an unfamiliar odor.
Confused, I wondered if everything I saw from the train's windows was an illusion. Looking around, I realized that I was at a train station situated on a hill, with a panoramic view of the city. Despite its elegant-sounding name, the town appeared impoverished, with dilapidated houses and people wearing ragged clothing. The air was heavy with filth.
As I surveyed my surroundings, I noticed that the city was vast and teeming with vehicles. Soon after, a disheveled young woman approached me, her face dirty and her hair unkempt. The unpleasant smell emanating from her was hard to ignore as she begged for a few copper coins.
Not far from her was an old woman in a similar state, also pleading for assistance to survive. Her plea reminded me of my mother, and I couldn't help but wonder where she was at the moment. However, I quickly pushed the thought aside, knowing that it was irrelevant to my current situation.
I asked a few people where is South Fulgoant district, one of the districts here in Lumiere City. They said that I should ride an automobile worth ten copper coins since it's quite far from here. I immediately ride on one, and it took almost an hour before I get to the destination.
The entrance has a large signboard in it. At first look, I can tell that this district is relatively better than the previous one. There were signboards anywhere, so I quickly found the way to Quietus Athenaeum. Luckily it's just a five-minute walk from the entrance.
***
At first glance, it looks like it's just a big house, but as I strolled in, I could gaze from huge mirrors surrounding the place several tables and towering bookshelves inside.
There were not that many people, so I did not hesitate to enter.
I greeted with a large smile etched on my face, "Ahmm, good morning!" The person inside must be the librarian. "Where can I find history books?"
"Good morning too, uhmm go to section 3 left side, just look for the ones with the history signboard, it's all there."
*****
"Wow, 200,000 years have already passed," I murmured to myself, with a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. It's astounding how my other soul has managed to keep me alive for such a terrifyingly long time.
As I continued reading, I stumbled upon the revelation that their government system was, in essence, a monarchy - a constitutional monarchy, to be precise.
The figurehead of this government, known as 'The Vasilia,' was the most powerful among the reborns. It was this same Vasilia who had saved humanity from the cataclysmic Meokolt Attack 120,000 years ago. Meokolt, a ravenous and all-consuming force, had wrought unimaginable destruction upon the world. The first hundred millennia after the attack was known as the "Havoc Age," while the following years came to be known as "The Aeon of Reformation," as humanity slowly adjusted to its new reality.
In time, the Earth's various countries converged to form the Pangea, a single continent. However, despite their unification, the Pangea was divided into seven distinct cities, each with its own unique character and culture. Much like the seven continents of the old world, these cities were ranked based on their power, with the following list presenting them in ascending order of influence:
City of Slydenn
City of Zephys
City of Ainswell
Nath City
Vehemont City
Alderburg City
Lumiere City
So Lumiere City is the worst city among all seven, that explains everything I saw. Each city is divided into four districts, north, west, east, and south, respectively. Each district has its own mayor, while the ruler of the city is called the city lord. Every city lord is unde the central government called Vasilia or the King. Which is Reeve Giraudus, the one who established everything, the savior of humanity.
Under the kings are the ministers and counselors, I don't know their role since it doesn't matter right now, but I realize how necros are vital as I read further. And how I suck since I don't even have a speck of it,
I stretched my arms wide after hours of reading.
'I think I learned too much.'
"Now, how do I start this?" I smiled and whispered to myself.
I stood up slowly and suddenly…
"Done reading now?" A small woman's voice spoke from behind me. I was a little surprised.
"What the hell?" I shouted
"Hi !! I'm Olivia Palmer." She is a beautiful woman, thin, with black hair, slightly hazel-colored eyes, and white skin.
"I'm Vander."
"Vander?"
"Yeah, just Vander."
"Okay then." She smiled again as she speaks
"Anyway, I noticed you earlier when you entered."
I just looked at her.
"And I've been staring at you for a while."
'The fuck? What?'
"I said I was staring at you earlier."
"I heard that."
She grinned and looked at me. "Then why are you just stunned, are you crazy or something?"
"No, it's because you said you were looking at me earlier, of course, that's startling."
"Ahhhh !! hahahahahaha" She laughed even louder. "It's not like what you think it is, I've been staring at you for a while because you kinda' look strange. Are you new to this world? A reborn?" This time she leaned even closer to me as if she's scrutinizing my existence.
I then tried to move my head farther away from her, "Ahhh, hahahah, y-yeah."
"What type?"
"Ahmm, the third type, actually I just came from Dr. Quazano."
She bit her lips and smiled. "Oh, so you have a lot of necros."
"Actually, it's the opposite," I replied. I can't believe it. I've been reborn as a useless shit in this world. Why does the world want me to suffer? I always start at the very bottom like a piece of shit."
Though I am smart, and I have my other soul but for me, what I need here is a necro. I need lots of it.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I don't understand much but they say, I don't seem to have a necro."
Her eyes widened, "Whaaaaat??? Nani? Seriously? How? How is that possible?"
"I also don't know since I just got reborn yesterday, I also don't know how to start."
"Hmmm" She rubbed her chin as her head faced upwards. "Would you like to join us?" She asked.
"Where?"
"The Research Guild is at the forefront of discovering new anti-Kuishinbo bases and weaponry. Joining requires a sharp mind," she said, tapping her temple with her finger.
I immediately considered her offer. "Hmm, that sounds intriguing. In my past life, I was a successful businessman. Perhaps I could be of assistance, although I am still uncertain about the fact that I lack necro. Joining a guild though could be a good starting point for me."
She replied, "Take your time to decide. You have until tomorrow. Our headquarters is located in the West Clild Yard District. Look for Cloudspire Garrison, and you will find me."
I nodded in response as she departed swiftly.