[Traverser] [Mythical Rank]
[Authority: One Who Messes With Fate]
[One Who Transcended Death] [Mythical Rank]
[Authority: One Who Controls Death]
At that moment, two different screens appeared before me.
The cyclops, still holding me in the air, suddenly froze. Its single eye widened in confusion before dropping me to the floor abruptly. It could sense something had changed.
Its grip on its club tightened. Then, moving cautiously, it swung at me—warier now, as if instinctively recognizing the power shift.
I could feel it, too.
Something within me had awakened. My strength, speed, and reflexes surged beyond their previous limits. The system's changes had granted me an edge.
But it wasn't enough to win outright.
If I wanted to survive, I would have to fight.
[Error! Error! Error!]
"Fuck..."
Just as I prepared to duck, my vision was suddenly flooded with messages—the same system that had saved me was now turning against me.
In that split second of distraction, I had no time to react.
The cyclops' club struck me with crushing force, sending me flying into the wall. Pain exploded through my body as I crumpled to the floor. The monster cackled in delight.
[Anomaly Detected!]
[Two Souls Detected!]
[Merging... Merging...]
"!!!"
As the system's message flashed before me, a strange sensation swelled inside my chest—something expanding, pushing against the very core of my being.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, it was over. The process was seamless, almost... natural.
"!!!"
And then it hit me—a flood of memories, rushing back all at once. My past. My identity. The missing pieces of this body's life. Everything was returning.
[Anomaly Corrected!]
[Traverser] [Mythical Rank] + [One Who Transcended Death] [Mythical Rank]
[Merging!]
[Chaos] [???]
[Authority: One Who Controls Chaos]
The injuries I had sustained vanished instantly, my body healing as if they had never existed. At the same time, I felt another surge of power coursing through me—stronger, sharper.
The cyclops raised its mace, ready to crush my skull. But it never came down.
It froze mid-swing, its massive frame locked like an invisible force had seized control.
"Heh. How the tables have turned."
This monster had been toying with me moments ago, reveling in my helplessness. Now, it didn't seem so terrifying.
Strange black particles swirled around its body—something I had never seen before.
"Expand."
Responding to my will, the strange energy swelled, growing to the size of a basketball.
The moment the cyclops made contact with it, its body convulsed violently, spasming as if its very existence was rejecting the energy.
"How cool..."
I retracted the energy, watching as the monster trembled in agony.
It was fascinating—almost mesmerizing—to witness its body break down, piece by piece. This energy, now identifiable as chaos, was far more lethal than I had imagined.
And the cyclops had become my first test subject.
Chaos energy is an unstable force utterly incompatible with living beings. Once touched, it triggers a genetic breakdown, an irreversible destruction that spreads throughout the body.
Slow. Excruciating. Inescapable.
It wasn't just a weapon.
It was pure cruelty, reserved for one's worst enemies, and a casual weapon only I could wield.
[Lesser Cyclops slain!]
[4 Points Earned!]
[Level 1 Civilization Shop Unlocked!]
"..."
By the time it was over, the cyclops's body had completely decayed, leaving nothing but a lingering sense of finality. As its death triggered a new system message, I couldn't help but scoff.
"This is looking more like a game by the minute."
Curious, I opened the shop.
It had ten available slots and offered a mix of weapons, medicine, and skill capsules—typical of an RPG-style store. However, since my shop was only Level 1, everything in stock was low-quality and barely worth considering.
What makes it much more interesting is that the shop could refresh with the points I gained.
[Nicolas Lenard]
Class: - (Tier 1)
Civilization: Beastial Liberation
Currency: 4
Level: 1
Stats:
Constitution: 20
Strength: 20
Source: 25
Agility: 20
Charisma: 20
With time to spare, I explored the system and checked the basic information page. It displayed the usual details—my name, stats, and available currency within the system.
The only issue was that the numerical values meant nothing without a frame of reference. I could tell I was stronger than an average person, but by how much? That remained unclear.
Still, there was no need to dwell on it. The answer would reveal itself soon enough.
With the memories of my predecessor now fully restored, I finally understood where I was—Beastial Liberation.
This world closely resembled Earth in culture and technological advancement, so I wouldn't have trouble blending in. However, key differences set it apart.
For one, the planet itself was significantly larger.
And then there were the Beastmen—a dominant race of humanoid creatures with animalistic features. They were stronger on average and vastly outnumbered humans, with an eight-to-one ratio.
Tensions between the two races had long defined this world. Humans, once the ruling class, had subjected Beastmen to slavery for centuries. However, slavery was abolished five hundred years ago, and in recognition of that historic event, the world was renamed Beastial Liberation.
As for my predecessor… He was nothing more than a hollow shell. A completely unremarkable man, devoid of personality or presence.
Because of that, absorbing his soul and memories posed no resistance—it was seamless and effortless. Almost as if this body had been made for me.
Suspicious, if you ask me.
In addition, my predecessor worked part-time at a convenience store. During his break, he decided to take a walk. Yet, that simple decision led to the moment I woke up with monsters running rampant.
My phone and wallet were still in my uniform. I'd have to go back for them.
Stepping out of the changing room, my gaze instinctively drifted toward the open door I had once stood before.
I regretted it immediately.
The bodies of the two employees were nowhere to be seen, but the bloodstains on the floor told me enough.
Still, I couldn't deny the cruel truth—I owed them my life. I wouldn't have lasted long enough to awaken my powers without their untimely deaths. Even if they had driven me away without hesitation, perhaps the heavens would reward them for such an unwitting sacrifice.
As for me?
With my existence, this world's future would surely shine brighter.
"Hello, world! I, Nicolas, greet you welcomely."