Darian sat alone in his dimly lit room, the faint hum of medical equipment the only sound breaking the silence. His thoughts swirled with confusion and a strange sense of anticipation. Something had changed during his unconscious state—something monumental. His body felt different, more attuned, as though an unknown force coursed through him.
"System," he whispered tentatively, his voice barely above a breath.
Nothing happened.
'Hmm… isn't that how it works in webnovels?' he thought, a flicker of frustration crossing his mind. He tried again, this time a little louder. "Activate."
A soft chime echoed in his mind, and suddenly, a translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes, glowing faintly in the dark room. His breath hitched as he stared at the ethereal display.
[Status]
Name: Darian Ashford
Age: 17
Race: Human
Reincarnated: 7th
Endowment: ???
Strength: 35/50
Stamina: 25/50
Agility: 30/50
Speed: 25/50
Title: Primordial Sovereign
Level: Mortal Vessel
Mana: 200/500
Summoning: None
Skill: SSS-ranked Summoner
Rank: B-rank
Harem: Optional??
Darian's eyes widened as he read through the details. His hands trembled slightly as he scrolled through the interface, his mind struggling to process what he saw.
His stats were leagues beyond anything he had achieved before. Previously, as a D-rank Tamer, his strength, speed, and stamina were mediocre at best. Now, he was B-rank, his Mana pool rivaling that of elite S-rank Tamers.
His gaze lingered on the term Mortal Vessel. It felt oddly significant, though he didn't fully grasp its meaning. And then there was the title Primordial Sovereign. What was that supposed to signify?
"System," he asked, his voice steadying, "what does the title Primordial Sovereign mean?"
The response was immediate, the system's voice smooth and emotionless: "The term Primordial Sovereign denotes a rank that measures the host's ultimate potential. As the host evolves, they will ascend through levels of power, with the highest rank being Primordial Sovereign. This represents mastery over primordial energy."
Darian nodded slowly, though the explanation left him with more questions than answers. "And what about the Reincarnated section?"
For a moment, the system was silent. The pause felt deliberate, almost as if it were hesitating. Finally, it replied, "System is not permitted to answer that question."
Darian frowned, his unease growing. "Why not?" he pressed, but the system remained silent.
'Why would it avoid answering?' he wondered, the mystery gnawing at him. Was he truly in his seventh life? Had he lived before this? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Before he could dwell further, a new prompt flashed on the screen.
[Items Acquired! Would the host like to access the Inventory?]
"Yes," he said instinctively. Another screen materialized, listing his newfound treasures.
[Items Acquired]
50 Soul Stones
B-rank Beast Hammer
10 Beast Rings
10 A-rank Weapons
S-rank Shadow Orb
Beast Stone
Darian's jaw dropped as he scanned the list. These weren't just ordinary rewards; they were incredibly valuable items, the kind only high-ranking Tamers could dream of obtaining.
'If I sell these at the guild, I could make a fortune,' he thought, his lips curving into a faint smile. 'With that money, I can finally afford proper summoning equipment.'
But the thought brought a pang of sadness. Memories of his fallen companion, Ray, surfaced unbidden. His vision blurred slightly as he clenched his fists.
"I'll rise for both of us, brother," he whispered, a solemn vow etched in his voice.
Another notification interrupted his thoughts.
[Host has a series of unread notifications. Would the host like to open them?]
"Yes," he replied.
A cascade of messages appeared, their text glowing faintly on the blue screen:
[Congratulations! Host has awakened the Primordial Beast System.]
[Host has received beginner-level skills.]
[Host has received a 10x upgrade in stats.]
[Host has evolved to Mortal Vessel.]
Darian read each message carefully, his excitement growing. The system wasn't just a tool; it was a gift, an opportunity to rise above the ordinary.
But then a new notification appeared—a golden screen, unlike the others. Its radiance filled the room, and Darian felt a strange weight settle over him as he read the text.
[Host has been reborn. Would the host like to call forth descendants?]
"Descendants?" he muttered aloud, the word tasting foreign on his tongue. What could it mean? Was it literal? Did it imply he could create followers or… something more?
He racked his brain, searching for answers in the countless novels he'd read, but none provided a clue. This was entirely new.
Before he could decide, the door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped in. It was the nurse who had been tending to him since his arrival.
"Oh, you're still up?" she asked, her voice warm but laced with surprise.
"Yeah," Darian replied, forcing a casual smile. "I guess sleeping for over a week has left me wide awake."
The nurse chuckled softly. "Fair enough. While you were unconscious, some visitors left messages for you." She handed him a sleek tablet before leaving the room.
Darian powered on the device, his curiosity piqued. The first message was a video from Maria.
[Video Message]
"Hello, Darian! If you're watching this, I hope you're okay. I just wanted to thank you for saving us from that hellhole. Get well soon! We'll be waiting for you back at the academy. Bye!"
Her cheerful demeanor brought a genuine smile to Darian's face. It was good to see her alive and well.
The next message was from Aric, his team leader.
[Video Message]
"Hello, Darian. I hope you're recovering well. I… I want to apologize. My failure to protect the team cost us dearly. Ray's death, the others… it's on me. I hope you can forgive me."
Darian's chest tightened as he watched. He could see the guilt in Aric's eyes, and it made his heart ache. "It wasn't your fault," he murmured to himself. "We all knew the risks."
After finishing the messages, Darian's gaze returned to the golden screen.
"Descendants…" he whispered. The word lingered in his mind, heavy with implication.
Finally, he made his decision. "Yes."
The screen flickered, and new information began to unfold before him. As he delved deeper into the system's intricacies, Darian felt his resolve harden. This power wasn't just a gift; it was a responsibility.