Chereads / SOULMAN / Chapter 3 - SOUL REAVER

Chapter 3 - SOUL REAVER

The golden spiderweb-like strings of the soul dimension glimmered around me as I delved into the vast knowledge within the Scribble Codex.

The grimoire had become my guide, offering secrets and spells that were beyond the realm of ordinary understanding. However, despite my newfound power, there was a challenge I hadn't anticipated – the limitation of my own soul energy.

I had noticed the gray spiderweb fate timelines that surrounded me, a stark contrast to the brilliant golden threads of my own fate. These gray pathways represented missed opportunities, unexplored potentials, and unfulfilled destinies. It became apparent that my soul power was not yet sufficient to fully harness the potential of the Scribble Codex and change these gray threads into gold.

Deep in contemplation, I browsed through the information I had absorbed from the grimoire.

That's when I stumbled upon a vital piece of knowledge – a passive skill named "Soul Reaver." This skill allowed me to absorb the soul cores of various entities, be they malignant, corrupt, evil, or even "clean slate" souls.

These clean slate souls were the essence that entered a living being upon birth, establishing the foundation of consciousness.

The prospect of absorbing these souls intrigued me, for they held the key to increasing my soul power. Armed with this newfound knowledge, I felt a surge of determination. If I wanted to change the gray fate timelines that haunted me, I needed to embrace this skill.

However, I faced a challenge. Clean slate souls rarely entered one's soul dimension, and malignant or corrupt souls were dangerous entities. I needed a plan, a way to find and absorb these souls safely.

With a sense of purpose, I turned to the internet.

The vast realm of online knowledge offered a plethora of information, including haunted sites and notorious places where supernatural occurrences were reported. After a swift search, I found a location that piqued my interest – an abandoned mansion rumored to be haunted.

It was a mere one-hour bus ride away, making it an ideal choice for my quest.

I packed a small bag, ensuring I had some packed rations, water and snacks with me. Its presence was reassuring, a source of strength and sustenance.

As I stepped out of my home, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. The world beyond my familiar surroundings was vast and mysterious, and I was about to venture into the unknown.

The bus ride was uneventful, the rhythmic hum of the engine providing a backdrop to my thoughts.

I reviewed the information I had gathered about the mansion. It had a history of eerie occurrences – unexplained noises, flickering lights, and sightings of shadowy figures. It was the perfect breeding ground for supernatural phenomena.

Upon reaching the mansion, I was greeted by an imposing structure, its once-grand facade now weathered and worn. The air felt heavy with the weight of untold stories.

I took a deep breath, summoning my courage, and stepped inside.

The interior was dimly lit, sunlight filtering through dusty windows, casting long shadows on the decaying walls. I proceeded cautiously, my senses alert to any unusual presence. The knowledge from the Scribble Codex gave me courage for I am somewhat prepared for anything, even though the mansion gives off such ominous energy.

As I explored the mansion's rooms, I began to sense a subtle shift in the atmosphere. A faint whisper echoed through the halls, carrying with it a sense of melancholy and longing. I followed the whisper, my steps guided by an unseen force.

In one of the rooms, I encountered a presence – a lingering soul, trapped between realms. It was not a clean slate soul---but a wandering one, its essence untainted by malevolence. With a mixture of trepidation and determination, I was confident that the Soul Reaver skill will kick in, as I was reaching out to touch the soul.

A surge of energy coursed through me as I absorbed the soul core.

It was an exhilarating experience, the power of the clean slate soul merging with my own. I could feel my soul power expanding, using Soul Vision I can see that the gray threads of my fate timeline around me beginning to shimmer with a tiny golden light.

Encouraged by my success, I continued my exploration, encountering more clean slate souls along the way. Each absorption strengthened my soul, inching me closer to my goal of transforming the gray fate timelines into gold.

Hours passed, and I emerged from the mansion, my soul power significantly enhanced.

The golden spiderweb threads now extended further, weaving intricate patterns of possibility and potential. I felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that I had taken a crucial step towards shaping my destiny. Not only that but the ominous aura, according to the Scribble Codex, would've turned nearby spirits and souls into malignant or corrupted ones, if I hadn't absorbed them.

As I made my way back home, I reflected on the events of the day.

The haunted mansion had been more than a mere adventure – it had been a pivotal moment in my journey. Armed with the Soul Reaver skill, I was now equipped to confront the challenges that lay ahead.

The bus ride back was different this time.

I felt a newfound confidence, a belief in my ability to change the course of my life. The Scribble Codex, my loyal companion, rested in my bag, its ancient pages holding the secrets of my potential.

As I stepped off the bus and walked towards my home, I knew that I was no longer bound by the constraints of fate. I was Tava Choi, the Soul Reaver, and I was ready to carve my own path, one golden thread at a time.

By the time I got back, the moon hung high in the night sky as I returned home, my soul power pulsating with the energy of the souls I had absorbed. Excitement thrummed through my veins; I could feel the newfound strength within me, the result of my successful soul hunt.

My mind was buzzing with thoughts of the golden spiderweb threads, the manifestation of my changing fate.

However, as I parked my motorbike that was parked near the fence to the garage, I froze in astonishment. How had I missed the fact that I owned a motorbike? Its sleek design and powerful engine gleamed in the soft light, a stark contrast to the rusty bicycle that had been there before.

I ran my fingers over the smooth surface, a mix of bewilderment and awe flooding my senses.

Barely registering the change, I stepped into my house, only to be greeted by another shock. The bathroom was completely different. The shower was now a luxurious, large-looking shower head, reminiscent of the ones I had seen in TV shows featuring extravagant celebrity homes.

I marveled at the opulence, wondering how such changes could have occurred without my knowledge.

Then, as I caught my reflection in the mirror, I gasped. My body was no longer the bulky, muscular frame I had been accustomed to. Instead, I had transformed into a slim, athletic figure, muscles toned and defined. It was a startling change, one that left me both amazed and perplexed.

A sense of urgency gripped me, and I hurriedly explored the house further.

I discovered the mantle adorned with various awards and accolades – elementary graduation certificates for being first honor, a high school valedictorian medal, and a college diploma with the title of Summa Cum Laude in Computer Engineering majoring in Robotics.

It seemed that my choice of basketball had not only altered my physical appearance but also my academic and professional achievements.

Curiosity piqued, I picked up a manual diary on my desk, a tangible relic from the past when people used pens and paper to document their lives. As I flipped through the pages, I found a meticulously recorded account of my life, my achievements, and my thoughts.

I noted the absence of an online diary, a conscious choice made to protect myself from potential hacking threats.

Sitting down on the gaming chair that I had grown to abhor, I delved deeper into my newfound identity. It appeared that after retiring as a basketball pro, I had become a renowned game streamer. The influx of money had allowed me to leave behind my previous book and project report clients, transitioning into a world where my followers numbered in the millions across five social media accounts. The memory overlap and body change pain that had plagued me in previous sessions seemed barely noticeable this time.

Perhaps it was because the changes occurred while I slept, a subtle transition from one reality to another.

I couldn't help but marvel at the wealth displayed in my bank accounts. Zeros stretched endlessly, and a substantial pension arrived in my account every month, promising financial security for a lifetime. The sheer magnitude of my success overwhelmed me; I was a far cry from the struggling freelancer I used to be.

But amidst all the astonishment, my heart swelled with emotion as I thought about my parents. Their lives had also been transformed by my altered fate. They were now living the life they deserved – traveling the country, planning global adventures, and reveling in the joy that life had to offer.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized that I had fulfilled my deepest desire: to repay them for their unwavering support and love.

In the quiet of the night, I made a solemn vow. I would use my newfound power to make sure all the gains will be maintained, but also to make a difference in the new life I was now living in. The golden threads of fate that now surrounded me were not just a testament to my altered destiny; they were a promise of a future filled with endless possibilities.

"Now let's see what new changes has brought by the sudden influx of soul power that I got through Soul Reaver...."

[The very next day....]

The room was a symphony of flashing lights and humming machinery, my eyes wide with disbelief as I gazed at my newly upgraded desktop rig.

"EHRMAGHERD!!!!!!"

It was a beast of a machine, the highest quality, and highest performing computer on the market. A sense of overwhelming joy flooded me as I took in the sleek design and powerful capabilities. I marveled at the four 4K resolution screens adorning my desk, each serving a specific purpose – one for streaming, one for browsing, another for movies, and yet another for streaming again on a different account.

The sheer luxury of my setup left me breathless, and I couldn't help but smile in awe at my own fortune.

"Oh my babies! Where have you been all my life? Papi loves ya....yes...yes he does!"

Beside my cutting-edge computer setup were three brand-new gaming smartphones, each one a coveted dream I had only dared to indulge in when passing by them on display at the malls. Now, they were mine, along with three electronic tablets from different renowned brands. It was a tech enthusiast's paradise, and I had stepped right into it.

The wealth that now surrounded me was beyond my wildest dreams, a stark contrast to my previous life as a struggling freelancer.

However, amidst the overwhelming excitement, a tinge of guilt crept into my heart. I remembered buying the same phones and tablets for my parents, my nephews, nieces, and godchildren. The thought of their smiling faces and gratitude warmed my soul, but it also reminded me of the responsibility that came with my newfound power.

Lost in my thoughts, I was jolted back to reality by a notification on my computer screen.

"A commercial eh?"

It was a commercial shoot schedule for a brand-new drink, and I was to work alongside an up-and-coming actress from Korea. As I glanced at the mirror on the wall, I was met with my reflection – a man with distinguished white and gray hair on both sides, an image that exuded a cool, old man demeanor. I sighed, feeling the weight of my age pressing down on my shoulders.

In that moment, a surge of information flooded my mind, a direct response from the knowledge I had absorbed from the Scribble Codex.

It provided the answer I had been seeking – gather enough souls, and I could unlock the ability to traverse the fate timeline not just into the past but also into the future. The implications hit me like a tidal wave, and my mind raced with possibilities.

The thought of traveling into the future was undeniably enticing.

"The things I could do with future knowledge is endless....."

Images of advanced technology, futuristic cities, and groundbreaking medical advancements danced in my mind. The prospect of learning about future innovations and bringing that knowledge back to my present was both thrilling and overwhelming.

I could foresee myself growing even wealthier and potentially extending my lifespan if such advanced medicine existed.

As I contemplated the possibilities, my reflection in the mirror seemed to morph, my expression taking on a sinister edge. The face staring back at me resembled that of a supervillain from comic books, a twisted smile playing on my lips. The power I now possessed had the potential to make me not just rich but immortal in a way – an idea that both excited and terrified me.

I shook my head, attempting to dispel the darker thoughts.

With great strength came great reason to tread cautiously, or so the saying went. I had to tread carefully, ensuring that my newfound abilities were used for the greater good. The fate threads shimmered around me, a reminder of the delicate balance I now held in my hands.

Taking a deep breath, I made a silent vow to use my powers wisely.

The future was a vast unknown, and I was determined to explore it with caution, learning as much as I could and making a difference wherever possible. With that resolution in my heart, I turned back to my extravagant setup, the screens glowing with endless opportunities. The world was at my fingertips, and I was ready to seize it – one thread of fate at a time.

"But for now, let us prepare for the commercial photoshoot. It would add more money to my account and if this actress is as beautiful and pretty as I think she is....who knows, maybe my bachelor days are ovah. Yihee!"