Chapter 5: Embracing the Unknown

After an unknown amount of time, Nel's eyes fluttered open, and he gasped for air, struggling to remember where he was.

His head was throbbing so he instinctively touched it and confirmed that there was no blood, but it still stung as if a sharp needle penetrated his skull when he touched his head. He slowly turned around and faced the sky.

“What happened?” As he said that everything came back to Nel, as to what happened and how he was in his current condition.

“Wait, am I even alive?” Nel looked around with confusion but after seeing that he was still in the same forest where he was reincarnated for his third life. “Seems like I’m still alive and in the same place, but that also doesn’t makes sense. I was chased by so many skeletons, and I still survived, how?”

Nel sat up, wincing in pain, while leaning his back on the tree trunk which he had recently collide with. “Wait a sec. Before all that, my body was full of pain and I heard some kind of voice, or did I just hallucinate?” Nel started to recall what had happened before he dashed to save his life.

“Before I started looking into that I should find a safe spot for the night.” As he said that and looked up, he was stunned. The light hadn't dimed even a bit. “Is there no night and day cycle in the place, or the day and night are longer than on earth?”

Nel had many questions, but unfortunately, there was no one to answer them. He slowly got up and tried to recall where the fruit grove was and started walking towards there after picking up the stick which had saved his life before. While walking he was thinking about what his next move should be, because no matter what, he wouldn't be able to deal with all the skeletons.

And as he passed by the edge of the forest he saw that there were still some small skeletons lingering at the edge but didn’t even try to enter the forest for some reason, while all the other skeletons were nowhere to be seen.

Nel was puzzled by that scene but was also happy that those skeletons weren't able to chase after him inside the forest. He once again started walking towards his destination while mulling over the words that that voice said: “According to that voice some kind of system has completed its initiation and has also finished its calibration inside me.”

“But how’s that poss…” Nel was about to deny that he had some sort of system but then remembered something even more impossible: “I’ve been reborn three times and had seen a being who could have erased my existence, I’ve even seen magic and know that there are gods, so believing I have a system, doesn't feel impossible.”

“Was the one who sent me here gave me this system thingy? If so then for what reason? I’ve already said that I won’t be helping it no matter what, but it still gave it to me. Well, I’m not going to say no to anything that will make me stronger. Though, by doing this I’ll always be weaker than him. But who knows, maybe I’ll surpass it and become strong enough to decide its fate.” Nel knew it was not possible, but he didn’t feel crestfallen because of that.

But he had no idea that one day he just won’t be above him, he will be so strong that he would be able to decide that being life and death that even his master wouldn’t be able to stop him, but that’s something that will happen in the future.

Back to the present time.

Nel tried to call out this ‘Master System’ but nothing happened. He was never a fantasy reader but had seen and read some comics and novels on earth to pass some time, so after thinking over he said: “Open Status Window!”

【Ding!】

Suddenly a greenish-colored transparent window similar to web popups appeared before him and it read:

【Would you like to set ‘Open Status Window’ as the keyword to open your ‘Status Information Window’?】

As that happened another small window popped up below it with:

【Yes/No】

“Huh!... I-I can set my own keyword… Well then, in that case, I should shorten it,” after saying that he pressed ‘No’, and as he pressed it both the windows disappeared as if they never even existed, he spoke once more: “Status Window!”

【Ding! Would you like to set ‘Status Window’ as the keyword to open your ‘Status Information Window’?】

【Yes/No】

This time Nel clicked on ‘Yes’, and both once more both the windows before he vanished, but even after some time nothing happened, and he had already reached that fruit tree grove. He once again picked more of those fruits and was about to walk but even till now, his status window hadn’t opened.

“This… do I have to say it one more time for it to appear? Well, sure, Status Window!” As Pran finished speaking a new but bigger window appeared before him:

【Name: Nel】

【Titles: None】

【Race: Void Human】

【Rank: 0】

【Level: 0 | Experience needed for next level: 10/100】

【Job: Master System Host】

【HP: 30/50 | ST: 20/30 | MP: 50/50】

【Remaining Points: 5】

【Strength: 2 | Endurance: 3 | Intelligence: 5 | Vitality: 5 | Agility: 2】

【Passive: Enhanced Sight (A), Psychic Shield (A), Photographic Recall (S)】

【Active: Void Gaze (B)】

【Exclusive: System Absorption】

【Inventory】

Nel was expecting something like this, but still, after seeing his own attributes converted into numerical values, he was dazed for a while. But soon composed himself once more. “Well, I’ve already seen many things that I would have never even dreamed of before.”

After looking at everything in the window before him, his eyes shined suddenly as he saw that specific thing in his status window, and without any further delay, he said: “Inventory!”

Suddenly another window, but a bit bigger than his status window appeared before him. It was rectangular in shape and blank with nothing in there. Subconsciously he lifted his right hand and still holding that fruit he put his hand through the window and let the fruit go.

The fruit, instead of falling down on the ground, disappeared and a box in the blank window appeared with the fruit’s picture. Nel was amazed and started shoving the fruits he had and they all disappeared inside the ‘Inventory’ and the number at the bottom right corner of the fruit’s picture increased from ‘x1’ to ‘x7’. Soon he found all the fruits lying on the ground and put them inside his inventory and now he had a total of ‘x19’ of them.

“Nice! At least I don’t have to carry a small amount of food on me, instead, I can use my inventory as storage… But will it rot inside?” He was skeptical about it, but for now, he can only wait. So instead of waiting in the grove he picked up his stick and started moving towards the clear water point. If it was earlier he might have had a little trouble navigating to the pond, but now it was as if he remembered the route quite well as if he has traveled a lot on it.

While he was walking he once again opened his stats window, but this time it was to check his skills and get familiar with them, so as to use them effectively. So he began his inspection with “Void Gaze (S)”.

【Name: Void Gaze】

【Type: Active】

【Grade: B】

【Cost: 250 mp】

【Damage: 2500 ((500 x 5 (user’s intelligence)) + 0)】

【Description: Void Gaze (B) is a skill that allows the user to focus their gaze on a single target, surrounding that target with a void-like sensation. It causes the target to suffer crippling hallucinations and suffering psychic damage while losing their sense of friends and foes as well as reducing their physical and magic resistance by 30%, for 30 seconds. Any being that doesn’t have the ability to think for themself will not be affected by the hallucinations or suffer psychic damage.】

“That seems… quite powerful.” Nel had no idea if his skill ‘Void Gaze’ could be considered a strong skill but if he compared it to his vital stats then fifty people of his current stat will be killed in an instant. Other than that, even if he wanted to use it he didn’t have the mana for it. “Even if I had enough mana, it would be wasteful to use it on the skeletons because even if their resistance is down by 30%, I will have to hit it to destroy it. Sigh!”

“But why did I get this skill? Is it related to my right eye?” Subconsciously Nel touched his right eye. He didn’t know why his body had this eye, but now it seemed that vision was extraordinary, so if he didn’t have that eye then he would look just like a regular human. Maybe in the future, he’ll have to hide it from others, so as to not be singled out. He didn’t know how it was with other races but when he was a human on earth he had seen people ostracize others based on their looks, speech, dressing style, etc.

He then clicked on ‘Enhanced Sight (A)’.

【Name: Enhanced Sight】

【Type: Passive】

【Grade: A】

【Description: This skill enhances the user's vision, allowing them to see more clearly and at greater distances. It also improves their ability to detect movement and changes in lighting. With Enhanced Sight (A), the user gains a 25% boost to their vision range, allowing them to see objects and people that would normally be too far away to perceive.

This skill also enhances the user's ability to see in low-light conditions, allowing them to navigate and observe their surroundings with ease even in darkness. In addition, Enhanced Sight (A) provides the user with increased accuracy and speed in tracking moving targets, making it an invaluable skill for hunting or combat situations.】

Nel didn’t know how useful it’ll actually be but according to the description he was really happy, and maybe it will improve even better if its grade got increased. He had a hunch as to why he got this skill, but any skill at this point that could help him was a good skill, so he clicked on ‘Psychic Shield (A)’ to check its information.

【Name: Psychic Shield】

【Type: Passive】

【Grade: A】

【Description: This skill creates a powerful shield that protects the user from psychic attacks and manipulations. It forms a translucent barrier around the user that is impervious to mind control, telepathy, and illusions. Its strength depends on the user's mental fortitude and can reflect attacks back to their source. Grade B attacks are ineffective against it, while Grade A attacks are only 40% effective, Grade S attacks are 70% effective, and Grade SS attacks are 90% effective.】

“Well, this will come in really handy if I come across any other psychic skill users.” Nel wasn’t really sure about what to make of this skill but judging from his skill ‘Void Gaze (S)’ which dealt with psychic damage this was a good skill to have not to mention it also provides immunity against several effects from ‘Grade B’ skill and below.

He had quite a good idea about the skill ‘Photographic Recall (S)’, but he was still curious to know more about it, so he clicked on it next.

【Name: Photographic Recall】

【Type: Passive】

【Grade: S】

【Description: This skill enhances the user's eidetic memory to an extraordinary level, allowing them to remember any visual information with incredible accuracy. The user can recall images, scenes, and details from memory with perfect clarity as if they were looking at a photograph.

This skill also enables the user to store vast amounts of visual data without the risk of overloading their brain. The more the user practices, the more they can refine and expand their visual memory, making it an invaluable tool for tasks that require precise visual recall, such as investigations, research, and strategy planning.】

“As I thought, it's like photographic memory and it’s only for visual data, which is enhanced in my case, so it’s almost fitting.” Nel nodded in approval and then clicked on the last skill, the only one he couldn’t make any heads or tails about.

【Name: System Absorption】

【Type: Exclusive (Active)】

【Description: System Absorption allows the 'Master System' host to absorb the system of a target being to enhance their own abilities. The absorption process is initiated through physical contact, and the target must have a system and at least 1 hp remaining. However, this process is highly dangerous and can lead to the reverse absorption of the 'Master System' if the host is not strong enough.

Upon successful absorption, the host gains all of the abilities and knowledge of the absorbed system, enhancing their own abilities and attributes. However, the absorbed system's host will die, and their system will be permanently merged with the 'Master System.' It is advised that the host does not try to use this skill on any being higher than their own rank, as the possibility to fail is 99.99%.

The skill requires a high level of control and precision to avoid the risk of reverse absorption. Therefore, it can only be initiated by the 'Master System' host. It is essential to note that the host must be physically strong enough to withstand the process's strain and be knowledgeable enough to control and integrate the newly acquired abilities without losing control.

System Absorption is an incredibly powerful skill that can lead to immense growth and enhancement, but its risks make it a dangerous gamble that should be approached with caution.】

Nel almost stumbled upon reading the description of the last skill. “So I’m not the only one with a system, there are others and they have different types and if I absorb theirs I can become even stronger… This… Isn’t this too powerful, it clearly states that if I the host is not careful, then instead of absorbing the target’s system to empower myself, the target can absorb my system and I’ll be the one to die…”

Nel was conflicted about the power he had discovered. It was undeniably potent, possibly even more so than the entity that had tortured him. However, the power was a double-edged sword that could potentially kill him if he didn't wield it carefully. Despite his doubts, he had to accept that this was his reality. Rather than rejecting it, he chose to embrace it, even entertaining thoughts of eventually seeking revenge against his tormentor.

But before he can further fantasize about his future and whatnot, he came back to his current reality. Right now Nel had two things as his main goal, first, to find where he was, and second, where there was any other being other than the skeletons he had seen till now. And to achieve both of these goals he would have to get out of this forest, so he decided to look for another way out of this forest than the wasteland. Then he faced another problem, he was good with the food situation, but what should he do about the water? How could he store the water in the inventory without any container?

Just then Nel had an idea, and it was a rather brazen one.