Chapter 6 - The Only Companion

Max looked down at the ground and contemplated. 'Two years…I can wait until then.'

He raised his head and looked at the blinding light. He decided to check the world he was reborn in.

GRAWW!

Right after he came out, he got blasted by a strong wind, along with a roar that felt to him like it was from a dinosaur, but he knew it was not as he saw giant creatures flying in the sky, wings attached to their hands.

He looked around at his surroundings and saw that he was standing above a mountain. Below him was a lush, green forest that stretched to the horizon.

"What world am I in?" Max asked curiously as his eyes wandered around everywhere.

[ Host, you are in a magical world where strength reigns supreme. Many mythological creatures and deities roam around the world. ]

"So, does that mean I can also have that level of strength?" A strong yearning could be heard in Max's voice. He failed to save Ana despite being the top assassin, and he could do nothing about it as he was just a mortal. Now, that he heard someone could get to the level of deities, how could he not want to be like that?

[ Yes, Host, you can. But it won't be an easy journey. ]

A grin appeared on Max's face upon hearing that.

Who even cared about the journey being hard? You have given yourself the chance, and if you can't fulfill it despite having that chance, it would only mean you were not destined to have it.

This was Max's belief.

Graa!

Suddenly, he heard a scream coming toward him. He looked up and saw a bird-like creature that had a sharp beak and claws. Its feathers were brownish, with white tints here and there. Its wing span were three meters long, which cast a shadow on Max's small body.

Max's body tensed up, but there was no fear in his eyes.

Max jumped to the side before the claws of that bird creature touched him. He rolled on the ground and stopped right before the cliff.

KGraa!

The bird creature roared at him and walked up to him.

Max felt immense pressure radiating from the creature, and he knew he would die if he wanted to fight it. He looked down at the cliff and jumped off without any kind of thought.

Clack

Just after he jumped, the creature missed catching him with its beak. It looked surprised and looked at the fallen Max. It didn't chase after him and went inside the cave to eat the main thing he came for. The remains of the egg.

Meanwhile, Max was falling down on the ground as the wind made whizzing noises in his ears.

"Now," At that moment, he tried flapping his short wings in the air.

However, what Max thought didn't happen. He assumed his wings could take the pressure from the wind, but it looks like he was wrong. His thin, meaty wing got ripped here and there by failing to receive the wind.

Despite this failure, Max didn't get mad or make a noise because of the pain. He was happy that was able to stop his falling speed drastically.

Max stretched out his hand just as he got closer to the tree. He grabbed onto branches and used those to help him descend down.

Step

Landing on the ground, Max sighed in relief. "I was lucky, and this body is strong."

Max made a fist and felt the strength inside his body. It was higher than what he had in his previous life. Also, the injuries on his wing got healed.

"But this strength is weak compared to creatures like that." Max looked up at the cliff from where he just jumped off. At that moment, the creature also came out and flew away.

Max then looked at his surroundings and decided to roam around a little. He didn't want to live around a ferocious creature that could kill him at any second.

Fortunately, Max was not able to see any. He just saw tall, towering trees and big bushes that blocked his view.

At that moment, he heard the sound of water running. He quickly chased after the source of the sound and stumbled upon a small stream of water.

"I can live near this area for now; it is a safe area too. I can't venture anywhere as I am still too weak." Deciding that, he came before the stream and looked at his reflection in the crystal-clear water.

"I look almost the same." Max was bewildered after seeing the same face he had in his childhood, except with a pair of black horns now, which added a bit more charm.

[ Your soul influenced it. ]

"I see, so will my daughter have her previous appearance too?" Max asked curiously.

[ Yes. ]

Taking a scoop of water from the stream, he drank it to quench his thirst. He also used the water to wash away the blood on his wings. Then he climbed a tree nearby and rested on its thick branch.

Max looked at the beautiful blue sky with some clouds here and there, along with a few flying creatures, and asked in a daze. "System, tell me more about this world."

[ Host, you are in the Tapir Region of the Mystralyn Continent. This continent is a mystical and enchanted place, where the very air is charged with magic and anything is possible. It is also the place where heroes and demons roam around freely. ]

"Sounds like a big world with all sorts of wonder," Max said it with a little bit of awe. "Anything else?"

[ Host, I suggest you find it yourself. If I tell you everything, where will you find the sense of exploration? ]

"You are right." Max agreed with the system, as it would be no fun. "I thought you were an emotionless AI or some sort of intelligence. But it seems I am wrong."

[ No, host. I truly don't have any emotions. I gave that answer based on the philosophy and knowledge I picked up from your world and this. ]

"Oh," Max said with a smile. "No matter what you are, you are at least a companion to this lonely me."