Knock knock.
"Come in." Daniel didn't even bother turning his head. Only three people lived in the mansion: him, the caretaker, and his mother.
"Good morning, young master." The door opened, revealing an elderly man in his seventies with short white hair and a beard.
At first glance, he looked exactly like a kind grandfather who enjoyed giving candy to his grandchildren. However, he was the perfect example of why you should never judge a book by its cover.
"Good morning to you too, Auguston," Daniel greeted him with a smile.
"Young master, breakfast will be ready in half an hour. Your mother sent me to wake you."
"Well, I woke up a bit earlier today," Daniel said with a chuckle.
He wasn't in the habit of waking up early and usually slept in a bit. Because of this, his mother often sent Auguston to wake him up.
"Well, you've made my job easier. As per your usual morning routine, the hot spring is ready. I suggest you visit before breakfast is served."
"Got it. Thanks, Auguston."
With a polite nod of acknowledgment, Auguston excused himself and left.
Daniel took one last look out of the window before leaving his room, heading toward the hot spring.
Inside the hot spring located in the mansion's courtyard, Daniel lay submerged in the soothing water. His expression remained indifferent and emotionless, as he was deep in thought about his future—a future that might never exist.
Fourteen years ago, after being reborn, he realized he had a chance to take revenge on those damned gods. However, after learning the identity of the character he reincarnated as, all his hope had been crushed.
He was utterly exhausted. For the past fourteen years, he had been searching for ways to enhance his talent but had found nothing.
Worse still, he didn't even know why this character was completely talentless and had failed the Awakening. In the novel, little information was given about him, but it was hinted that there was a significant reason behind it—one that was never revealed.
Ridiculous. Absurd!
He couldn't and wouldn't spend his life in vain.
"A second chance at life, huh? This is nothing but mockery and mental torture." A bitter smile appeared on his face.
For fourteen years, he had been pondering how he had been reincarnated and, more importantly, why he still had his memories.
He was certain those bastards would destroy everything about him and never allow him to reincarnate.
As he sank deeper into his thoughts, his eyes slowly closed, hoping for a brief moment of rest.
However, it seemed fate wouldn't allow him that luxury.
[Ding… System reactivation… System initializing.]
[Congratulations to the host on your second chance at life.]
Hearing an unfamiliar voice in his head, Daniel slowly opened his eyes. He neither panicked nor attempted to run.
Whoever could send their voice directly into his head without Auguston noticing was undoubtedly far stronger than his caretaker. Running away from someone like that was impossible for him in his current state.
Besides, it wasn't just a voice in his head—there was some sort of floating blue screen hovering before him…?
"Who are you?" The words escaped his lips calmly, though they were laced with a terrifying intent to kill.
[Host, please remain calm. I am the Template System. I have been with you even in your previous life, though I was not yet activated.]
Daniel's rage subsided slightly. Being a young man from the 21st century, he was naturally familiar with the concept of a system.
After all, he had already seen plenty of bizarre things: the Corruption Beasts, the apocalypse, gods, kissing a goddess, dying at the hands of a goddess, and now reincarnating into his favorite novel.
Compared to all that, a system seemed relatively mundane.
"So why are you activating now… No, wait—reactivation?"
[The system activates when the host is in a situation of inevitable death. It first activated just before your death in your previous life and saved you by triggering Protocol L23-S.]
"I see… Wait, you saved me? But how exactly did you save me?" Daniel asked suspiciously, eyeing the floating screen in front of him with caution.
Interfering with reincarnation wasn't a trivial matter. Yet, this so-called system claimed to have the power to do so.
[This information is classified.]
Daniel narrowed his eyes, becoming even more cautious toward this so-called system.
[Host, your current strength is very weak. Even at your peak in your previous life, your power was insignificant against a god.]
[Once you are strong enough, you will uncover the truth yourself.] The system explained, sensing Daniel's heightened guard.
"I guess that makes sense. Anyway, since every system has a function, what do you do?"
[…]
[You can obtain one Template at random. This is a one-time opportunity, and you may only choose one Template.]
[Each Template contains the talents, abilities, treasures, and even memories of mythical or ancient beings who have died for various reasons.]
"Are you serious?" Daniel's eyebrows raised slightly.
If this were true, wasn't this completely overpowered?
[Would the host like to view the Template list?]
Two icons, Yes and No, appeared before him. Without hesitation, he clicked on Yes, and the floating screen changed.
A massive list of options appeared before him. Each entry included a picture and a name, with additional information accessible upon clicking.
Death's Prophet, Celestial Priest, Shadow King, All-Father Dragon, The Originator Vampire, The Endless of Dreams, Undead God, Celestial Sword Emperor, and countless other Templates.
The descriptions of each were more awe-inspiring and terrifying than the last. This was far beyond anything Daniel had imagined.
With the system's help, revenge seemed to be just a matter of time.
"Do the Templates have any ranking system?" As Daniel browsed, he noticed a word beside each name that seemed to indicate some kind of rank.
[Yes. From weakest to strongest, the rankings are: Common, Grand, Heavenly, Legendary, Mythical, Godly.]
Daniel nodded in understanding.
If he could truly use the abilities and talents of these Templates, revenge would no longer be a mere dream. He could slaughter those bastards with his own hands.
"What are the conditions to unlock the Templates?"