At the System's reminder, I got out of the river and to the other end. Shaking the water off my body. I then walk around a bit, looking for a perfect tree to climb and sit on.
The forest is huge, fuckin' gigantic to me. It was dark and intimidating. The fog that surrounded the forest far from where I am was dense and foreboding, the trees were just giants to me. Titans. They were like pillars that surrounded the forest grounds with their roots, that look like snakes that stopped to bury themselves in the ground. Maybe it just looks like that 'cause I'm short as hell right now.
It was a strangely beautiful, dark forest. Like Foggenville's forest, if it was gigantic. I wouldn't have minded takin' a walk here, if it wasn't for the distant screams and cries of a creature I could hear from miles away.
'This one'll do.' I thought whilst looking up a tree, ignoring what I heard as it was later followed by a faint crunch, then silence.
I found a suitable tree, wasn't far from the water source, and wasn't close to where there were once corpses. High enough to get a good sight on anything below, and safe enough from them too.
I climbed up with my new claws, 'ah, shit!' Accidentally ripping off a few pieces from the tree bark. I wasn't used to how to control them properly, and I didn't know my exact strength yet. Even by instinct. But these claws were as sharp as knives, so I had to sink them pretty deep into the tree. The legs and hooves weren't helpful either, but I did what I could.
I was up there in a jiffy though, sitting on one of the giant branches. 'Alright System, let me ask the questions.' I was ready to face my new reality, and insanity.
[I shall answer as much as I can, Host.] Came an instant reply from System.
'Where am I? And what is this place? How am I... this, and why?' I asked all the basic questions.
[Like I have said before, you have been reincarnated. You are in a different world, unlike your own. This world is called Xenuv. Xenuv was created by a divine being named Tenux, Highness of the Dark.]
'That name is metal as hell.'
[The divine being Tenux, has long since disappeared from their creations. Why so? Unknown. They left the world they created in the hands of gods that they have made and birthed to rule this world in their place.]
'Huh, okay. Gods and magical shit. How 'bout where I currently am?'
[You... Host, you do not seem suprised.]
'Eh, I seen some stuff.'
[...]
[You are in Zenath, the forest of death and desperation. A Darkened Forest that is home to powerful beasts and monsters that crawl about in every corner. All the outsiders that dare to venture into this forest, will be desperate to leave.]
'Shit. That ain't good. Why in the world am I-what do those gamers say...? Ah, "spawned", here?'
If I were to get reincarnated into a new body and survive in a new life, why not do that in a much safer area. Why in the world would it be in a place that has "death and desperation" in its damn title.
[I hazard guess that the Administrators considered it fitting for the kind of creature that you have been reincarnated into.] System replied with a genuinely exasperated tone. These Administrators must be a pain in the ass to deal with.
'So, because of the way I died.'
[Yes, because of the way you died. Just to inform you, I have no file of how you died, Host. It was left a mystery to me.]
Huh, maybe later. Don't want a reminder yet. 'Tell ya later. Ain't feelin' like telling a story right now, System.'
[Understood.]
Then came a sigh from System, robotic sounding. [I apologize, Host. Even I would have wanted you to be in a much safer environment to survive in. It would have made calculations easier and your life easier as well. But I have no control in this matter.]
'No apologies, System. I don't think you had a choice.' I look around below me, tensing up as I heard a crunch on the ground and bushes rustling. And the scent of a living being. I don't know how I knew it was alive, I just... knew.
Looking down, it turns out it was just this weird looking red-eyed rabbit with a horn on it's head. It's as small as a cat, so I don't have to worry 'bout it. But I'll stay alert. Nothing good comes out from a forest with death and desperation in its name.
[It is good to not underestimate anything you come across, Host. I encourage you to treat everything with caution. Especially, in this forest.] Seems like System agrees.
I nod, 'got ya.'
The horned rabbit was chewing on a bloody piece of meat in its mouth, droplets of blood drop on its paws, it's brown fur stained in spots of red. Huh, it ain't a herbivore that's for sure.
It smells really good from up here... I could just–no.
'I take it you don't like these Administrators much, eh?' I said, going back on track. Ignoring whatever the hell that was. That ain't me. At least, it seems like eating those two bodies paid off by not makin' me feel like my stomach isn't squeezing to eat itself.
[Although I am grateful that they have created me, the Collective, and The Mother.
Their decisions and interests eludes me. They make little sense. But to tell you the truth, Host...]
[Yes, I dislike them. They are crazy and nonsensical. What is it that goes on in their metaphorical brains? I have no answer. As it seems that there is nothing that is functional in it.] System said, blunt as hell.
'Hm.' I don't know if I can still smirk, but I'll imagine I'm smirking.
The System clearly doesn't like 'em, but does their job anyway. They remind me of an old friend o' mine that didn't like what we did back then and is just so done with the big guys, but is obligated to do it either way. Whether they like it or not, they had no choice.
So they just talk shit and roast the living day lights about the big bosses as a way to put out their frustrations. They never held back. Stuff was hilarious 'cause they get creative with it.
I still remember one of those insults, "Fucker was the ugliest human manifestation of a cockroach from the deepest crevices of the sewers!" Heh, I'll never forget that. So poetic.
System cuts off my thoughts, [In the world of Xenuv, magic exists. And such things as "skills" and "statuses" exists. Are you familiar with these terms, Host?]
'This sounds like those... RPG's, yeah? Those games boss would invite me to play whenever... Actually, this sounds like 'em. Or those novels with the long, weird names. Boss had those lyin' around in that book app.' It's a little strange to think of a world like a game, even when it has those very elements and structures being a part of the norm in the world itself.
[Then, Host, it is similar as those games you speak of. Say "Status", or will it. An interface shall appear before you.]
'Alright, [Status].'
Like the System said, a screen showed up and damn near burned my nonexistent eyes! 'Motherfucker...'
[Apologies, Host. I will lower the brightness for you, after you are done, of course.]
_________________
— [Full Status]
——
[Name: Soren Ashen]
[Titles: Last Evil, Seen Stranger, Calmest Insanity, Multitasker, Ex-Gangster, Immortal's Evermore]
[Race: Newborn Wendigo]
[Level: 0/5 | EXP: 0/50]
[Afflictions: Voracity, Hollow Hunger]
————
——
[ Stats ] [Points Left: 35]
HP: 10/10
MP: None (Must evolve past Newborn stage.)
[Vitality: — ] (Locked. Must evolve past Newborn stage.)
Strength: 20
Defense: 25
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 20
—
———
'Huh, really is like the games...' Seeing these labels and shit got me feeling all nostalgic for those rainy days, when boss used to always pull me on to the couch to play games and eat snacks.
I took note that the HP and MP stats are... 'Sad as fuck. Ain't that bad?'
[It may be. But, worry not. As it says; once you "level up" from the Baby Stage, you will be able to unlock it and increase the HP with the Vitality stat. The same can be said for the MP stat through INT, Host.] System reassured.
I was also a bit taken a back by the other stats, 'Don't the other stats look shady? I don't think a level zero baby wendigo is supposed to have this much strength.' I pointed out. 'But I'll take it over nothing.'
[You should, and you will. These prepared stats were the left over stats that your soul managed to transfer within this body. Meaning that they were once, a part of your past life's body. Even the Stat Points were part of it as well.] System explained.
[It is rare for a soul to manage such a process freely. As it goes through many stages during transfer, usually rendering it unable to do such a feat. It seems your soul is strong, Host. As it went through transfer with enough stats to give this current body. Enough stats, to give you more of an edge in survival.]
'Heh, guess I should be thankful. My soul ain't a bitch.' I smile inwardly, slightly proud of my soul's badassory. Little shit went through hell and crawled out alive.
[Yes, it does deserve praise, Host. It has made things convenient. Now, please check the [Skill List], Host.]
'Hm,' I... uh, willed? The screen to click on the [Skill List] option, which had a red blinking dot.
—> [ • Skill List ]
———— [Skill Points Left: 10] ————
—
[Skills: Inventory (Lvl.1) (Small), Consumption (Given), Appraisal (Given), Unseen (Given), Unchained (Earned), [Locked] ]
[Passive Skills: [Locked](Given), Evermore Loyal, Gambler's Luck, [Locked], [Locked], Calming Presence, Quick Reflex, Pain Resistance (Lvl. 5) (Earned), Elemental Resistance (Lvl. 2) (Given), Magic Resistance (Lvl.1) (Given) ]
[Innate Skills: Venomous Bite, Predator Instinct, Supreme Senses, Cryo Immunity, Sustained-Regan (Lvl.1), Life Detect (Lvl.1), Osteokinesis (Lvl. 1) (Given), Shadewalker (Lvl.1) (Given) ]
—
_________________
'That's a lot. Good.' Some of these seem useful by the names. Hopefully, these could help while I deal with that low ass HP and MP. Hopefully.
[Yes. Many of these skills can be of help. As long as you know how to use them well, Host.]
'Yeah, I'll try.' I won't say I'm the best at the timing in games, but I'll say I can survive.
[If you are unable to, Host, do not worry. I can help you at any given time. And I will do it myself, if I need to.]
'Least I got you. Thanks, System.' It feels a lot more reassuring when someone's got your back. 'Hope you won't leave things out on me again.'
[You are welcome, Host. And I have promised you, I will not.] Said System, I felt like there was some sass in that last part. Or I hallucinated it with how robotic and stoic System sounds this whole time, maybe I started to give them tones in my head.
'Like I said, I don't like it when people make promises they can't keep. And I know they can't. So don't promise that, System.' I retorted, reacting by body instead of mind when I shook my head at the screen. As if System is right in front of me.
[...Noted, again. I will try my best. Is that better, Host?]
'Yep, better.'
I took a better look at the [Innate Skills], I understood the... concept of it, but it could really be anything else. Gotta ask–
[[Innate Skills] are skills that are unique to your kind. [Innate Skills] are like [Passive Skills], where they are always active and have no need for mana. Some are like your [Skills], where they can be activated and deactivated. But most share one thing in common; they do not cost you MP, but they cost energy from you. Some, much like your claws, do not require energy.]
'Energy... as in my body's energy? Why does that not have a bar then?' I did notice there wasn't a bar for that.
[Yes, your own body's energy. As for the bar, it seems it doesn't require to appear on the interface, or it may be that the interface was made without an energy bar. Apologies, for I was not created before the interface.]
'Hmm... alright, I'll figure that out later.'
[It is also important to note, that some skills may only be as strong as you are. They will not level up when skill points are used, but will level up with you. Some, you may be able to level up, once you reach a certain level.]
'Huh, noted. Thanks, System.'
[You are welcome.]
While I was looking at my stats, I noticed the [Afflictions]. Well, it wasn't hard to, since it was in red underline. Like it wants to be seen.
'What are the [Afflictions], ain't that bad? I just got born... birthed? Manifested? Whatever. I just got here, man...'
On cue, the screen showed me what was in its category and description.
_________________
—
[Voracity (Curse)]
[You are cursed to have an insatiable craving for food. A need to eat more, more, and more...You might not be able to stop eating once you have taken one more bite. Not. Enough.]
[If you do not eat any kind of sustenance once you reach the start of starvation, this curse will temporarily put you in a state known as — [Ravenous].
In the [Ravenous] state, you will be forced into a blind rage, unable to control yourself as you go look for anything to satisfy your hunger. You will receive a temporary stat boost of 100%, but you will quickly lose HP over time.
This state will be erased once you've finally found sustenance. However, you will be in a state of complete exhaustion for 5 days.
Consuming food after the [Ravenous] state will increase the effectiveness and speed of any and all regenerative and healing skills by 25%. The MP cost will temporarily be decreased.]
———
'This one sounds like it'll be hell to recover from.' From the description, if I starve, I'll actually be a rampaging monster and I might fucking die right after if I don't eat.
'...How 'bout the other one,' I look to the other curse.
———
[Hollow Hunger (Curse)]
[You are cursed to forever feel a persistent phantom hunger, and the "emptiness" within you. Even if you have eaten what you consider enough, the [Hollow] will consume it.]
[If you do not eat any kind of sustenance once you reach the start of true hunger, this curse will temporary inflict you with — [Devouring].
In the status effect [Devouring], the [Hollow] will eat you from the inside. You will slowly lose your HP over time. This affliction will be erased once you've finally found sustenance to satisfy yourself and the [Hollow].
However, you will suffer major pain, and you are far more vulnerable to magical attacks for 3-5 days.
Any and all active regenerative and healing skills will temporarily be decreased in speed and effectiveness by 70%. The MP cost will temporarily be increased.]
———
'This is even worse. Sounds like slow torture with a side of spite.' If the first wasn't bad enough, what the fuck is this? I know I'm a wendigo and all but damn.
'Both are shitty, System.'
[It seems these curses are inherent to your kind, Host. It is suggested that Host must keep half of the storage inside of the inventory skill for your food, and must keep a consistent supply.]
'Got it. Good plan for the long run.'
'The hell is the difference between true hunger and being hungry? I never knew the difference. I just know when I'm hungry, I'm hungry.'
[True hunger is physical, it is characterized by that emptiness in your stomach. While the hunger you speak of, is driven by your emotions.]
'Ohh...' ya learn something new everyday.
'Now, I should probably test some of these. Should I...?' I look over at the horned rabbit, it was now digging into the ground. I look back and onto my claws, I left them unsheathed, just in case I fall.
[Yes. Testing them should give you knowledge of your capabilities.]
'I know. It's that thing in video games that you always have to do.' I began to play with my claws, sheathing and unsheathing them whilst I think. 'Hmm... maybe I should start with the claws? And [Venomous Bite] if it doesn't die after that. Hm...'
I look back down the moment I heard bushes rustling, and I see... what looks like a much bigger rabbit. A brown hare, with one mean look on it's face, and some sharp horns on either side of its head.
Oh, shit. They started fighting!
SLAM!
The angry hare bitch slapped the horned rabbit so hard, it slammed against a nearby tree! The hare immediately ran to the horned rabbit with its horns pointed towards it. It was fast...
But not fast enough.
Oh! The horned rabbit dodged! And started its counter attack with its own horn! Despite the horned rabbit's injured limb, it delivered the piercing strike with enough strength to put a hole in the hare's foreleg! The hare yelped in pain, but it seems to be even more angry.
As the rabbit tries to jump away from the hare, the hare turned and twisted to hit the rabbit's horn that was still in its foreleg.
CRACK!
It hit with enough force to break the horn! The horned rabbit got unhorned! It was not effected. It was now free, it took the chance to jump away and run.
The hare seemed to not care about the horn that is in its foreleg. Too blinded by anger, it began to chase the rabbit! Without taking the horn off its foreleg!
The chase has not gone far at all, as the rabbit kept constantly hopping against one tree and another in a circle, the hare was fast. Whilst the hare kept chasing, even when it kept on getting itself hit by slamming or peircing into things, getting bloody and slowly more wounded in the process.
'...Y'know what? I should start with that right now. 'Cause they're lookin' feisty. And distracted.' I took a breath, before sneakily and carefully climbing down the tree just close enough, then jumping down onto the ground before them.
'Sorry guys. Your fight looked so good, I just had to hop in!' I wanted to vocalize that, but it came out as nothing more than husky breaths and soft groans. Seems like I can't speak. Again. Makes sense.
The rabbit and hare were frozen in shock, looking up at me with those beady black and red eyes full of fear. How cute, an opening.
I took the chance to slash the rabbit with my claws, it cut through the little guy. I faintly felt the warm feeling of flesh, then the soft cracks of bone. I felt my claws dig into the ground afterwards.
[You gained 10 EXP]
[EXP: 10/50]
Kinda disappointing, but I wasn't expecting much anyway.
I turned to the hare, who was already running away. It won't get away fast enough... if I run on all fours. Yep, I'm tryin' horror style right now.
...
The hare ran as fast as it could with only three functional limbs. Jumping on the roots of the trees, on tree trunks and rocks of any kind. Just to lose that beast.
It looks back, only to see the mouth and teeth of the terrifying beast coming towards it at full speed, before seeing the fangs that were dripping with black liquid.
It had only come for revenge on the horned rabbit for taking its meal, enraged, but it had forgotten there are predators at every turn.
It knew it was the end, when the predator, the beast, bit into its lower half and gripped its body. Crushing its lower half while it felt blinding, excruciating pain, but it had not died yet. The predator has not given the hare the killing blow.
The hare thought the end would be quick and painless, but it was nothing short of torture. The hare could not move with how much pain it was feeling, as it felt the liquid, the venom of this beast being injected into its body.
And then, the hare was taken off from the beast's jaws and teeth, and held in its claws. Dark, empty eyesockets stare into the hare's black ones that were full of fear. This beast, this monster... does it enjoy its suffering? The hare thinks, as it screams in pain. The sound too small to echo in the forest.
The beast did not move an inch as it watches the hare. The hare was shaking what was left of its body, as it felt the venom of the beast coursing through its veins and affecting its body at a deadly speed.
The hare could do nothing but shake and quiver as it looks into the beasts dark eyesockets.
It should have hunted another prey, rather than chase that accursed horned rabbit.
Too late for that.
...
[You gained 25 EXP]
[EXP: 35/50]
'Sorry, little guy, It looked like you had a bad hare day. I had to come help... with a price, of course.' I said, as I look at the hare's now, limp body.
Licking the blood and chunks of meat off my mouth and teeth with my tongue, I began walking back to where the rabbit's decapitated body was, hare in hand.
[Venomous Bite] seems to be real strong, but maybe it's like that because I lowered the hare's HP from the bite before I sank my fangs in. No wonder why I had fangs.
My claws are sharp, I think I can depend on 'em more than I can depend on my [Venomous Bite]. As I do feel like I used a bit too much venom. However, I did do it just in case it wasn't enough.
When I reached the rabbit's cut up corpse, I considered eating it and saving the hare for later. As it was cut up anyways, and I do need to always constantly eat.
'Whatcha think, System?'
[Yes, Host. That is the correct way of thinking.]
'Thanks, System. Ain't ya sweet?'
Well, time to gobble it all up. I pick up the rabbit's corpse, its sliced up pieces, all of it in my other hand. 'Time to go down my hole, rabbit! Wait, that didn't sound right... eh, don't matter.'
Strangely, the urge to eat wasn't that strong, and I could actually eat the rabbit with no black outs. I still feel that same euphoric feeling I got when I ate that one–uh, those two corpses, as I felt the meat pieces go down my throat without the need for me to chew.
Now, for the hare. 'So, I just have to put it in my [Inventory] skill right? And I only have to will it?'
[Yes.]
'Okay,' I willed it, and the corpse of the hare was gone from my hand, only blood remained on my hand as its trace, which I licked off. I felt a strange... pressure right afterwards, as if I knew how much space there was in my inventory. It wasn't too much pressure, but I could feel it.
Seems like I'll know when I did or didn't have enough space for the [Inventory] skill. Good.
'Welp, time to call it a night. 'Cause it sure was... hareandous.' I said as I chuckled softly, I went to the same tree I was on, and climbed back up.
I was sat back on the same branch and began getting comfortable. I made sure I had both of my claws out, and had one sunk into the tree. I don't turn when I sleep and System's always watching, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Today was hectic, but I bet tomorrow will be worse. That's alright though, I'll figure my shit out better in this damn forest. And I won't die twice.
'G'night, System. I'll... hare ya tomorrow.'
[Good night, Host.]