My once ordinary life had taken a catastrophic turn. The moment I invoked that forbidden magic, everything changed. Death was the aftermath of my choice—swift and absolute. But here I was, suspended in a strange void, a space between existence and oblivion. Floating? Maybe, but I couldn't really feel anything.
Everything was gone—my senses, my connection to the world. No taste, no touch, no sight, no sound. Just nothing. Darkness stretched endlessly, an abyss that swallowed me whole. I was trapped inside my own mind, sinking deeper into an ocean of uncertainty.
Had I truly died? Did the people I fought so hard to protect survive? Was the demon lord defeated? Or was this all for nothing? These questions flooded my consciousness, gnawing at me. My long hair, untamed and wild, seemed to float around me, though I couldn't feel it or see it. I was completely and utterly detached from everything.
As I drifted in that endless void, my thoughts circled back to my life. My utterly normal, unremarkable life.
"School…college…university…my job…all of it," I muttered to myself, my voice echoing in the emptiness. "And now, I die like this? After everything? Such a pathetic end."
I clenched my fists—well, I tried to—but there was no sensation. Nothing but frustration filled me. If only I had been stronger. If only I hadn't spent my entire life chasing research and knowledge. If I had spent that time training, honing my magical abilities, maybe this wouldn't have happened.
"My skills were decent," I mused, "but they weren't enough. Float, Analyze, Thought Acceleration... all useful, but I always lacked offensive power. Elemental magic would have been useful. Imagine commanding the elements with a single snap of the fingers…"
I could almost see it—fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, darkness, and light all bending to my will. "Haha…," I laughed bitterly, "But that's not something a mere human can do, is it?"
I continued my bitter reflection, envisioning what could've been. If I had possessed abilities like magic nullification, elemental resistance, or even the infamous Divine Guide—if only I had that kind of power, things would have been different. I could have saved everyone. I could've changed everything.
Then, like a lightning bolt slicing through my thoughts, a voice echoed within me. It wasn't from outside. No, it was inside—piercing through my mind, alien and detached.
_"Understood! The following skills have been acquired!"_
The voice was cold, mechanical, devoid of any human warmth. It didn't speak—it announced.
_"Rare skill: Flight.
Rare skill: Analyze.
Awakened skill: Thought Acceleration.
All seven elements have been acquired.
Ascended skill: Magic Attack Nullification.
Ascended skill: Elemental Nullification, which includes Flame, Water, Wind, Dark, Holy, Earth, and Spirit magic.
Error! Skill: Divine Guide not found. A substitution has been obtained.
Awakened skill: Kyros has been acquired.
Awakened skill: Guide has evolved to Ascended skill: Chronos.
Lastly, the Ascended skill: Skill Weaving has been acquired."_
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My thoughts had just been idle ramblings, fantasies I concocted while floating in the void. But now…now they were becoming real.
_"The analysis of a race suitable for wielding the following skills will begin shortly. Complete! The change of race will now begin!"_
"Wait, what? What the hell does that mean?" My mind raced, but before I could comprehend the situation, agony tore through me. It wasn't just physical—it was something much deeper. It was as though my very soul was being torn apart, shredded, and reshaped into something new.
My body—whatever form I still had—began to warp. My height shrank and grew in rapid bursts, my weight shifted uncontrollably, my bones stretched and contracted as if they were being molded by invisible hands. It was chaos, pure and primal, as if I were being forged anew in some cosmic fire.
And then came the final, brutal change.
It felt like something was growing from me, twisting out of my body—limbs, claws, wings? I couldn't move. I couldn't scream. But the pain was beyond anything I had ever imagined. It was a soul-deep agony, as if I were being transformed at the very core of my existence. The sensation was both mental and physical, and it ripped through me mercilessly, until finally—
Bam!
The torment ceased.
I gasped for air, feeling the weight of my own body return. My eyes shot open, and I found myself lying on the damp, cold floor of a cave. It was dark, and the air was thick with moisture. I sat up slowly, every muscle and bone in my new form aching with the aftershocks of the transformation.
I looked around, taking in my surroundings. This wasn't any cave I had seen before, though as an S-grade researcher, I had explored countless caves and dungeons across the world. But something about this place felt different. Uncharted. Unnatural.
I pushed myself to my feet, trying to make sense of it all. My heart pounded in my chest. I had died. I was certain of it. So why…why was I still here? What had I become?
"Where…where am I?" I whispered into the silence, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on me.
Sure! Here's a more polished version of your text, along with a refined status format:
---
I blinked a few times, trying to adjust my vision in the dim cave, though my new eyes seemed sharper than before. The air was thick with humidity, and the walls were dripping with water, forming tiny streams that trickled down into the ground. It took a moment for me to gather my thoughts, trying to process what had just happened.
Where was I?
My last memory was of using the forbidden magic, the spell that destroyed the Demon Lord and his army—at the cost of my life. Yet, somehow, I was alive... or at least, something close to it.
"These caves… I've never seen them before. The walls have a light bluish tone... beautiful, but unnerving."
I instinctively lifted my hand to scratch the back of my neck when I saw it.
Claws? I stared at them in disbelief. "Wait... my body?! What is this?!"
I touched the strange, hard surface that covered me.
"These are scales... but no human has scales."
That's when I remembered the voice. "Race transformation complete".
"Wait... that voice! It mentioned race transformation. And now... I have scales?" I looked down at my body, feeling the rough texture of the scales that covered my skin.
"Could it be… I've reincarnated?"
From history, there had been some records of reincarnation, but none were ever confirmed. What was I now? A demon? But demons don't have scales.
Do I have... horns?
I raised a hand to my forehead. Sure enough, I felt two horns protruding from my skull. The texture... it didn't feel like the black serpents from the archives, nor the tough hide of lizards.
"Wait… this texture," I muttered, "I've felt this before… during an excavation."
It hit me like a bolt of lightning. The ancient race... dragons.
"Dragonoid? No… dragonoids don't have scales like this... then... a dragon? Am I a dragon?"
I needed to confirm it. There was only one way to be sure.
"Status!" I called out instinctively, but nothing appeared.
"Status open!" I tried again, but still nothing.
"Stats…" Nothing.
Frustration began to mount. After nearly 20 minutes of trial and error, I finally said the right command.
"Information box."
And then, a screen appeared in front of my eyes, revealing the truth.
---
Status
Name: Akira
Race: Dragon
Magic Type: All Elements
Title: Reincarnated Monster
Inherent Skills:
- Instant Regeneration
- Summoning
- Born Leader
- Divine Aura
-Soul Devourer
Nullification:
- All Elemental Nullification
- Magic Nullification
Rare Skills:
- Analyse
- Flight
Awakened Skills:
- Thought Acceleration
Ascended Skills:
- Great Guide
- Skill Weaving
---
"What the... 'Reincarnated Monster'? Elemental nullification?" I stared at the list of skills.
Some of these I recognized—Analyse, Flight—but the others... Awakened? Ascended skills? Where did these come from? And what did they mean?
The voice from earlier echoed in my mind again. It had mentioned race transformation and the exact list of skills I now possessed. How had this happened?
But what was that voice? It lacked empathy or emotion. Where was I now? This cave... it felt special. They say caves with a bluish hue are filled with magic essence. If that's true, I should explore a bit.
I stood up, looking around. My ability to walk felt remarkably improved, and my black hair had transformed into a shimmering bluish-silver. It seemed I had truly undergone a reincarnation. But wasn't the dragon race believed to be extinct? Was it possible I was in a different world altogether?
As I continued to survey my surroundings, I noticed an area filled with stone formations, but these weren't ordinary rocks—they were crystals, glowing with an array of colors. Intrigued, I approached and touched one.
These crystals... they seemed like ore. But what kind? Oh right, I can use my skills! Heh... Analyse!
Information about the ore popped up before me:
Name:Magic Ore
Rarity:Rare
Description:A rare type of magic ore formed in caves rich with magic essence.
"Hmm, it's a rare find?" I mused. Magic ore was highly valuable; in my past life, I had conducted experiments with it. This could fetch a fortune.
With a slight tug, the crystal came loose.
"Eh? Wasn't it supposed to be difficult to break? Is this because I'm a dragon?" I wondered, a smirk creeping across my face. I continued to collect as much magic ore as I could find. To my delight, I discovered a bag within my inventory—a skill I had heard about. It could store limited items, but mine seemed special; it could hold an infinite amount of ore without adding any weight.
Days passed, and I kept gathering more ore. You might wonder why I didn't search for an exit. Well, I had nothing else to do! Finally, after what felt like a week of collecting...
"Huff! I think I've finally taken all the ore!" I exclaimed, satisfied with my haul.
I began looking for an exit when I spotted more ores. "Of course, I'll pick those too! Who in their right mind would leave rare ore behind?"
After several more days of collecting, a familiar voice echoed in my head—just like the one that had informed me about my skills.
Information! 1% of the space in the infinite bag is occupied by 100% magic ore.
The voice had a slightly feminine tone. *Huh, I couldn't tell if it was human or not...*
"Who are you?" I asked.
No response.
"Where am I?"
Still no response.
"Please... tell me who you are?" I pleaded.
"Answer! I am the ascended skill, Chronos, granted to the individual Akira."
"Eh? I've heard that before. So, you're a skill?"
"Answer! Yes, I am an analytical and mathematical-based skill."
"Hm... just to be sure, are you a male or a female?"
"Answer! None. Skills do not have a gender."
"Alright, but what should I refer to you as?"
"Answer!You can call me anything you want."
"Can I call you Miss Chronos?"
"Confirmation!You may refer to me as you like."
"Well, Miss Guide, am I truly a reincarnated monster?"
"Yes."
"Then why am I in a cave?!"
"It seems that while transferring your soul, the body granted to you was made from the magic essence in this cave. Therefore, you were born here."
"Well, Miss Chronos, I think I understand now. Thanks!"
With that, the conversation fell silent. I briefly wondered if I was losing my sanity. Surely, a skill couldn't talk, right?
In the following days, I collected more ore and posed questions to Miss Guide. To summarize my findings:
I was a dragon.
I had been reincarnated.
I possessed immense magical power.
And I was not delusional.
Wait... if I wasn't delusional, did that mean skills could talk? I mentally kicked myself for not researching this in my previous life.
I suddenly asked-
"Well, Miss Chronos, what are your abilities?"
"Answer! The abilities of the ascended skill: Great Guide are described below:
1. Analyse:This ability allows me to thoroughly analyze any object, person, or magical phenomenon. Upon activation, I can provide detailed information about the subject's composition, properties, and potential interactions. For instance, I can reveal the elemental affinities of a magical artifact, the weaknesses of an enemy, or even the history of a location. My analytical capabilities extend to living beings, allowing me to assess their strengths, weaknesses, and skills. This skill grants you valuable insights that can aid in strategic planning and decision-making.
2. Speed Calculations: I possess hyper-speed calculation abilities, enabling me to perform complex mathematical operations and logical deductions with incredible precision and at astonishing speeds. Whether determining the trajectory of a projectile, calculating the required mana for a spell, or formulating a battle strategy in real-time, my calculations can be completed in an instant. This skill is essential for making quick, informed decisions during combat or other critical situations.
3. Soundless Discussion: With this ability, my voice becomes inaudible to anyone other than the designated recipient. When I communicate with you, no one else can hear our conversation, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. This skill is particularly useful for planning strategies, issuing commands, or sharing vital information without alerting enemies or unintended listeners.
4. Skill Linking: I can link or merge skills to enhance their power and effectiveness. By combining two or more skills, I can create a synergistic effect that amplifies their potency. For example, if you were to link your elemental magic with my skill of linking, the resulting attack would be significantly stronger than if they were used separately. This ability encourages creativity in your combat style and strategy, allowing you to experiment with different combinations.
5. Chantless Magic:One of my most powerful abilities is enabling you to activate magic without the need for chants or incantations. This skill allows for instant spellcasting, drastically increasing your reaction time in battle. You can unleash powerful spells without the delay of chanting, catching your opponents off guard and maintaining the element of surprise. This ability significantly enhances your combat capabilities and versatility.
"The above-mentioned abilities are my skills," Miss Chronos concluded.
So... I'm an OP monster, huh? Well, for me, I continued to collect the ore. Yep, I was feeling kind of greedy here.
After some days, all the ores were finished, and I set off to find the exit. Of course, there were more ores! "Miss Guide!" I called out, eager for more knowledge. "Since I have a skill called Skill Weaving, it means I can create skills at will, right?"
"Answer! Yes, but for creating a skill, you need to sacrifice your magic essence. The more powerful the spell, the more magic it would take."
I pondered for a moment. "So... can I create a skill that can just take all the ores at once, like a sucking skill?"
"Confirmation! Yes, if you want, I can create a skill suitable for collecting all the ores in a short time."
After a while, the voice continued, "Analysis has been done. For acquiring the Awakened Skill: Invisible Hands, 30% of your magic essence is required."
"Thirty percent? Well, I can surely refill my magic essence, right?" I asked, seeking reassurance.
"Confirmation! Yes, you can recover the magic essence you sacrifice here."
"Then let's do it!" I declared. "Use Ascended Skill: Skill Weaving to acquire Awakened Skill: Invisible Hands. [Yes/No]"
It was an obvious "yes" for me!
After I confirmed, I felt somewhat weak. I had been tirelessly collecting the ores, but creating this skill made me want to rest for the first time in days.
After a moment, Miss Guide's voice chimed in again, "Success! Awakened Skill: Invisible Hands has been acquired!"
"Great!" I exclaimed. "Now, can I use the skill?"
"Question! Use Skill: Invisible Hands? [Yes/No]"
"Y... yes!" I replied, anticipation bubbling within me.
Suddenly, a sort of dark, ethereal hands erupted from my stomach, snatching all the ores scattered around me. There were many hands, each grasping the precious gems and pulling them back inside my body.
"Whoa! It's overkill!" I shouted in awe.
I rushed to gather all the fallen ore, my heart racing with excitement. I had just completed a week's worth of work in a matter of seconds. I didn't fully understand the extent of Miss Guide's capabilities yet, but it was becoming clear that I had made an extraordinary ally—and possibly a friend.