On the next morning
After regaining consciousness, I spent the next hour being thoroughly scolded by Artemis and Zoë. They made sure I was okay—checking my body for any residual effects—before questioning me about what had happened. I offered no real answers, only vague shrugs, claiming I didn't remember.
What followed was a stark contrast to the initial barrage. The girls, having deemed me sufficiently chastised, shifted gears and spent another hour spoiling me with their kindness. It felt nice, but the undercurrent of tension from Artemis never disappeared. Soon after, we resumed our journey.
---
Three Days Later – Edas Village
We arrived at Edas Village, nestled at the eastern edge of the Beol Mountains, much faster than we would have by carriage, thanks to the shortcuts we took through dense forest paths.
The past three days had been filled with an odd combination of caution and care. I hadn't dared to test my new abilities again after the incident at the blood-soaked pond, mainly due to Artemis's growing attachment. She hardly left my side, especially at night. When she did have duties, someone else from the group took over her protective role, constantly ensuring I was never alone.
Luckily, the village was under the protective influence of the One-Eyed Black Dragon's Black Scales, which meant that monsters stayed far from its borders. This gave the others time to focus on helping the village folk, or training—thinking I had been attacked by some unknown monster during the last incident. This misunderstanding made them more lenient, letting me rest under the guise of recovering from the journey. This rare freedom left me alone in my room at the inn.
Now, it was time. I could finally explore my newfound abilities without interruption.
---
The first one is, exploring [PRIMORDIAL DARKNESS]
I opened my status screen, staring at the description of my first skill.
[PRIMORDIAL DARKNESS]
[ Description:
- The first concept to exist before the creation of Space, Time, Light and Order. In the beginning, there was nothing but an infinite, all-encompassing void—an endless blackness. To this day, darkness surrounds and binds the omniverse.
- It grants the user unparalleled mastery over the essence of darkness itself, allowing them to shape and control its fundamental concepts without the constraints of mana or energy. The only limitations are the user's imagination and mental resilience. ]
[ Main Skill Effect:
- {Conceptual Domination}
- Effect: The user can control and manipulate the fundamental aspects of Primordial Darkness, shaping its essence to fulfill their desires.]
[ In Summary:
- The wielder gains power over the Primordial Darkness.
- The wielder will instinctively know how to use this 'skill'.
- There's no mana/mind required for this 'skill' to work, because this is also an energy source itself.
- The only limitation is the user's mental will to shape imagination and command it. ]
The description was simple, yet its potential was boundless. An infinite energy source, eternal and omnipresent, existing even before the fundamental forces of the universe. I could use this power for virtually anything. The realization made my pulse quicken with excitement.
With a thought, I decided to experiment, but paused for a moment after remembering something—from an anime.
This is my first time, so I can use that as a reference for an easy start.
With a playful smirk, I then began.
"System Call.
Generate Umbra Element."
At my playful command and using only a bit of my imagination, a small sphere of pure darkness formed at the tip of my index finger, swirling ominously—it was easily achieved due to remembering the scenes SAO anime.
"Arrow shape."
The sphere obeyed, stretching and reshaping into a sleek, twelve-inch long dark arrow. Its sharp edges gleamed with a faint, inky shimmer.
I moved to the window, scanning the surroundings. The dense forest behind the inn made a perfect backdrop for a target, but I hesitated. What if the impact caused a noise loud enough to alert Artemis? Getting scolded again was not on my agenda. A cold sweat broke out as I imagined her frowning face.
Shaking the thought off, I aimed the arrow skyward, feeling the power surge through my fingertips.
"Discharge."
A sharp whistle sliced through the air as the arrow vanished into the night sky, faster than the blink of an eye. Based on the speed, I estimated it traveled faster than a bullet. Maybe much faster.
Perfect. I could use this "System Call" phrase-thingy to fool others into thinking I was chanting magic, complete with simulated mana flow(or mind) for those who can sense it like the mages. It would be an excellent deception.
(A/N: instead of Mind, the system calls it mana in the status)
The real kicker? It didn't seem to require any mana at all. I could create an infinite number of attacks using this power—limited only by my mental resilience, because like how the Gods can control their respective concept using only their mental will, mine's also the same. For now, I could afford a bit of mental exhaustion for the kind of power I wielded.
Next, I turned my attention to my second skill.
---
The second one is, Human Progenitor: Physical Changes
The changes in my body were already apparent over the last few days. I felt stronger, more resilient, and my senses were sharper than ever before. While not as enhanced as those of beast-humans, the improvements were undeniable. My strength had increased exponentially, and my six senses had sharpened beyond what I thought possible.
But there was more. I could see something new—an energy flowing through the world around me. It had to be mana/mind. If I could sense it, I could track people, predict spells, and see through magical concealment or illusions. It was an advantage that could turn the tide of battle in my favor. I would have to test this new ability in more depth later.
For now, I focused on mastering the basics of my new skills.
---
Afternoon: Training with Artemis
Outside the village, in a small clearing surrounded by trees, Artemis stood beside me, holding her bow with the grace and confidence of a seasoned hunter. She wore a focused expression as she prepared to teach me the art of archery.
"Watch closely," she instructed. "Follow my movements properly, then I'll guide you and correct your posture after."
Artemis's fluid, effortless motions spoke of centuries of practice. Her arrow struck the target with unerring precision, lodging deep within the bark of a distant tree.
I watched intently, committing every small detail to memory. When she finally turned to me, I mimicked her posture, lining up my shot. I felt her gaze on me, but it wasn't until I let the arrow loose—burying it near hers—that I saw her surprise. Her expression froze, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
Artemis blinked several times. "You... mimicked my stance perfectly." Her voice carried a note of disbelief. "I do know that your a quick learner after we gave you some tips on our travels, but that... still shouldn't be possible on your first try."
I chuckled inwardly. Maybe not possible for most people, but the latent power within me was growing faster than even I expected.
For the next few hours, we trained tirelessly. Artemis showed me everything—how to wield a bow, daggers, and swords. She even taught me how to hunt, how to set traps, and how to dismantle prey. My skills grew at a pace that even she couldn't comprehend, though eventually my improvement slowed down significantly. My small stature, my young age(3 yo), and perhaps a lack of deeper enlightenment prevented me from pushing further even with limitless potential and abnormal growth.
Though, it's already pretty abnormal that I can learn and improve my skills to a certain degree at just the age of fucking 3.
Still, by the end of the day, I had earned my place within Artemis's Familia. She gave me her blessing, marking the start of a new chapter. The only thing left was to register officially in Orario, after all, Artemis Familia was registered in Orario.
When she finally updated my Falna and saw the details—my race as a High Human and my [PRIMORDIAL DARKNESS]—her face paled. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. The power I held, normally reserved for the gods, terrified her. Luckily, the other details, like my other skill, remained hidden from her view and are only visible to the System's status due to not gaining it in a natural way.
---
Later that night, as the Familia settled into sleep—some in the small inn, while some are camping outside, I found myself lying in Artemis's embrace, the two of us sharing a bed out of necessity. I had gotten used to the arrangement over the past few days, but still couldn't shake the odd feeling of warmth and security it brought. Her presence, even in sleep, was gentle yet protective.
Despite my young body's exhaustion, my mind raced with thoughts of my abilities and the strange relationship between my System and the Falna. I'd discovered that leveling up in both systems offered a clear advantage.
According to the System, every time I gained a level in one status, my strength increased exponentially and will stacks the other one. The Excelia and Experience Points I gathered would both fuel my growth in both Statuses, doubling my progress and base stats. One was the EXP specifically gained from killing, while the other Excelia, is more broader—through achievements.
But as sleep pulled me deeper, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. I was living in Danmachi story, with a cheat. And who knew sharing a bed with a virgin goddess could be so comforting?
...I really am Bell's brother huh?
Van Cranel, the child with the potential to surpass all expectations, was only beginning to grasp his powers. But with a smile on his face, and his head buried in Artemis's soft breast, he let sleep take him—dreaming of the immense potential tomorrow would bring.
Unknown to him, the System's Status got updated silently just an hour after receiving falna earlier that night. He didn't notice due to his focus on his skills.
---
System's Status Update:
---
NAME: Van Cranel
RACE: High Human
FAMILIA: Artemis Familia
LEVEL: 0
HP: 200,900/200,900
MP: 228,400/228,400 *(new!!!)*
WEAPONS: Short Sword
FUNDS: 1,000,000 Valis
---
Base Stats: (+1 level in all base stats due to Adam's Legacy)
- STR: [25] + [1999] = E- [2024]
- AGI: [20] + [1999] = E- [2019]
- END: [10] + [1999] = E- [2009]
- DEX: [7] + [1999] = E- [2006]
- MAG: [0] → E- [1999]
- WIL: [285] → E- [2284] *(new!!!)*
- CHA: [80] + [1999] = E- [2075]
- LUC: E- [1999] + [1999] = E [3998]
MP - mana points replaced by MENTAL POINTS (mana points are now meaningless due to the infinite energy source provided by the PRIMORDIAL DARKNESS SKILL)
INT replaced by WIL - WILLPOWER
MAG - was not removed, because it represents how much magical damage the person can cause and there's still MAGIC after all
End & Wil ×100 = hp & mp
---
(A/N: Because I'm just an amateur in writing, the plot points I created got quickly thrown away in the trash, so I'm just writing new chapters on the spot now without planning😃
...as I've said on the previous chapter, I dunno what's happening anymore
So good luck to me, I guess?)