Artemis watched Van disappear into the trees, her thoughts still swirling from the earlier meeting. With a deep breath, she turned to her familia. "Gather inside," she commanded, her voice calm but firm. The girls, except for Thalia—who was instructed to keep watch for both monsters and Van—filed into the large tent.
Inside, the air was thick with anticipation. Artemis' decision to hold a meeting without Van's presence had set them all on edge. They knew something important was coming.
Artemis stood before her girls, her expression serious but not without warmth. "We need to discuss our next course of action—and Van."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle. "As you all know, he's unlike anyone we've encountered before. His story, his past… and his potential. The question is, do we grant him my Falna?"
The room stirred. Whispers passed among the girls. While Van had yet to prove himself in battle, his mere presence was enough to raise the question of his worthiness. And then there was his story—a tale woven with tragedy and the promise of something far greater.
Artemis continued, "Many of you have already formed opinions. I want to hear them now."
The girls began to speak, most agreeing on a condition: Van could join the familia, but only as a temporary member. After much debate, they settled on five years. A few voices, however, hesitated, wanting him to stay longer—perhaps permanently. But the majority insisted on a defined limit to avoid dissatisfaction and disruption within the group.
Artemis nodded thoughtfully. "Five years then. After that, we can reconsider. But remember, he is still young, and his journey is only beginning."
Seeing no further objections, Artemis began to dismiss the meeting. "Okay, then—"
"This is!? I smell blood!"
The exclamation tore through the tent, and Artemis froze, her words dying on her lips. She turned toward the girl who had spoken, her eyes wide with realization.
"Van!?" Artemis' heart raced. She didn't need to ask for confirmation. The urgency in her girl's voice told her everything. "Everyone, outside! Now!" Without waiting for a response, Artemis sprinted out of the tent, her thoughts spiraling into a singular focus: Van.
It took only seconds for them to reach the pond where Van had last been seen. What awaited them there was a sight that made their blood run cold.
The pond was stained crimson—thick with blood. Van was nowhere to be seen.
A terrible stillness filled the air, but Artemis didn't hesitate. "Search the water!" she ordered, her voice ringing with the sharp clarity of command. The girls immediately dove into the pond, bracing for the worst as they searched for Van's body beneath the bloodstained surface.
---
A Few Minutes Earlier: With Van
*Status open!*
At Van's mental command, a translucent black screen with blue details materialized in front of him. The interface was eerily similar to a game's status window. Cliché
NAME: Van Cranel
RACE: Human
FAMILIA: None
LEVEL: 1
EXP: 0/2000
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
BASE STATS:
STR: [25]
AGI: [20]
END: [10]
DEX: [7]
MAG: [0]
INT: [10]
LUC: E- [1999]
⟨⟨MAGICS⟩⟩
⟨⟨INHERENT SKILLS⟩⟩
[PRIMORDIAL DARKNESS]
⟨⟨EXTRA SKILLS⟩⟩
TYPES:
1. OFFENSIVE
2. DEFENSIVE
3. SUPPORT
5. PRODUCTION
6. MISCELLANEOUS
⟨⟨QUESTS⟩⟩
⟨⟨REWARDS⟩⟩
⟨⟨GACHA⟩⟩
⟨⟨NOTIFICATIONS⟩⟩⁵
WEAPONS: Short Sword
CURRENT FUNDS: 1,000,000 valis
The rest of his stats scrolled by, but one section in particular caught his attention.
GACHA!?
Van's eyes gleamed with excitement as he clicked on the gacha option. His excitement dimmed slightly as he read the restrictions: Weekly, Monthly, And Yearly Rolls, with the cost increasing for higher-rank rewards. Still, the idea of rolling for random rewards was tantalizing.
Not willing to wait, he checked the notifications. A red number *1* blinked at him in the corner of his screen. He clicked through them, skimming the text until one notification stood out.
[ CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED A GIFT PACK FOR BEING ONE OF THE CHOSEN HOSTS! ]
[ THIS GIFT PACK GRANTS A RANDOM HIGH-RANK ITEM OR SKILL ]
[ WOULD YOU LIKE TO OPEN IT NOW? ]
[ YES/NO ]
Without hesitation, Van selected "Yes."
A soft *ding* followed, and the screen blinked to life.
[ CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN SSS-RANK SKILL: ADAM'S LEGACY ]
Van's eyes widened as he read through the description:
[SKILL: ADAM'S LEGACY ]
[Description:
⟨Adam's Legacy⟩ is a powerful racial skill that embodies the essence of humanity's first progenitor. Upon activation, this skill not only enhances the user's capabilities but also permanently transforms their race into a "High Human," granting them unique traits and attributes that mirror the legendary figure of Adam. This skill also bestows the user with a perfect God-made human body, alongside abilities that allow them to transcend ordinary limits and rival even divine beings. The transformation represents the extraordinary potential and strength of humanity, allowing the user to harness abilities reminiscent of mythological and legendary beings.
In summary, as the first ever created Human by the hands of God, the user will always be superior in all aspects relating to any being with Human blood. Capable of rivaling the Divine Race, the user possesses limitless potential.]
[Effects:
1. {Race Transformation}:
- The user is permanently transformed into a "High Human", gaining a perfect body with enhanced base stats (e.g., strength, agility, intelligence) by one level.
- The user gains an innate understanding of all forms of combat and magic, as if they have studied them for years.
- The user is always in perfect condition, with an appearance that defies aging.
2. {Human Progenitor}:
- As the first ever created human by the hands of God, the user stands above all beings of human blood, possessing the potential to compete with gods.
- The user experiences limitless potential and talent, unlocking new abilities as they grow.
- The user possesses enhanced physical and magical prowess, granting them superhuman abilities that surpass typical limitations.
- The damage from attacks by beings with human blood is significantly reduced by 90%.
3. {Divine Resonance}:
- The user resonates with the power of creation, allowing them to manipulate elemental forces (fire, water, earth, air) with enhanced efficacy.
- Gain the ability to channel these elements into devastating attacks or create barriers for protection.
4. {Eyes of God}:
- The user gains the extra skill {Eyes of God}, which allows them to learn and adapt any skill or technique they witness, instantly integrating it into their repertoire, in short it can copy any skills or techniques they observe.
- There is no limit to the number of skills that can be copied, but each copied skill has a cooldown of 24 hours before it can be used again.
5. {Eternal Youth}:
- The user is granted agelessness, preserving their physical appearance and vitality indefinitely.
- They regenerate health and mana at an accelerated rate, allowing them to recover from injuries quickly.
6. {Humanity's Will}:
- The user gains enhanced resistance to mental and emotional manipulation, allowing them to maintain clarity and focus even in dire situations.
- Allies within a certain radius receive a morale boost, increasing their combat effectiveness and resilience.
7. {Genesis Unleashed}:
- The user can create one powerful artifact or weapon from their surroundings, infusing it with their essence for one-time use. This artifact retains a portion of the user's abilities, making it a formidable asset in battle.
8. {Divine Intervention}:
- Once per battle, the user can call upon the will of the first human, granting them a temporary boost to all abilities, effectively doubling their strength and speed for a limited time (e.g., 30 seconds).
9. {Progenitor's Aura}:
- The user emits a powerful aura capable of subduing the wills of all beings with human blood, causing them to kneel before the user.
- This aura grants the user enhanced charisma and influence, allowing them to lead and command followers effortlessly.]
[Limitations:
- The transformation to "High Human" is permanent and cannot be undone.
- The {Eyes of God} ability has a cooldown of 24 hours for each copied skill.
- The user can create one artifact per week.
- The user can only create one artifact per week, requiring time and concentration.
- {Divine Intervention} can only be used once per battle and has a cooldown of 1 hour before it can be used again.
[ Strategic Use:
[Adam's Legacy] provides the user with a versatile toolkit that allows them to adapt to various combat situations. The transformation into a "High Human" offers a significant boost in all aspects, making them a formidable force on the battlefield. With the ability to resonate with elemental forces and create powerful artifacts, the user can shift the tide of battle in their favor while supporting their allies with buffs and resilience. ]
Van's breath caught. This was beyond anything he'd imagined. But before he could revel in his new power, a warning message appeared.
[ WARNING!!!: ACCEPTING THIS SKILL WILL INITIATE A RACIAL CHANGE. THE PROCESS WILL CAUSE UNIMAGINABLE PAIN TO BOTH BODY AND SOUL. ]
[ THE RACE YOU WILL CHANGE INTO IS CALLED {HIGH HUMAN} ]
[ WILL YOU STILL PROCEED AND ACCEPT IT? ]
[ YES/NO ]
But before I can accept YES, the System's mechanical voice resounded in my mind.
*Sir, it is highly recommended to submerged yourself deep below the pond before accepting the skill if you don't want to create a mess.*
Van hesitated for a moment, then asked, *Won't I drown if I'm submerged during the process?*
The System's response was instant: *There is no need to worry, Sir. I will handle it.*
Trusting the System, Van made his way to the deepest part of the pond and submerged himself. As the cool water enveloped him, he clicked *YES* to accept the racial change.
The screen flickered.
[RACIAL CHANGE COMMENCING IN…]
[3]
[2]
[1]
[RACIAL CHANGE WILL NOW COMMENCE]
The moment the change began, Van felt excruciating pain ripple through his body. His muscles seized, and his mind screamed in agony, but submerged underwater, no sound escaped his lips. His vision blurred as his body convulsed, blood and black waste pouring out of him, staining the water around him.
The pain was unbearable, beyond anything Van had experienced. His consciousness faded, and his body went limp, drifting in the pond as the transformation continued.
---
The Present: At the Pond
A deep, eerie silence settled over the area as Artemis' girls continued searching the blood-soaked pond.
"Here!" the voice cried out, breaking the tension.
Artemis rushed over, her heart pounding as they dragged Van's unconscious form from the water. His skin was pale, his body covered in blood and dark residue, but there was something different about him—something otherworldly.
"Van!" Artemis knelt beside him, her voice trembling with worry. She checked his pulse, relief flooding her when she felt a faint but steady beat.
Naomi, the familia's healer, rushed to his side, scanning his body with her magic. "His vitals are strong. No injuries. But something… something has changed." Her voice was filled with awe as she examined him further.
Artemis' brow furrowed, the weight of what had just occurred pressing down on her. Whatever had happened to Van was no mere transformation—it was something far greater.
====
A/N: dunno what's happening anymore