Chapter 127: An Early Surprise.
The darkness that surrounded me was punctuated by relentless notifications, each flashing in my mind with a sense of urgency and finality.
The blaring system messages were like a storm, their content disorienting and overwhelming.
[Note: User return complete]
[User mental state stabilizing]
[…98%]
[…99%]
[…100%]
[Success!]
[Note: User mental capacity limit reached]
[Note: User memories will now be filtered]
[Note: New Skill [Archive] will now be activated]
[Note: Foreign memories beginning transfer]
[Transfer complete!]
[Archived memories can now be opened upon the user’s will]
[Note: It is imperative to take precaution upon reading lost memories… User Ego Corruption notable]
[Note: New skills unlocked (2)]
[Note: New unique skill unlocked (2)]
The messages seemed to both drown out and amplify my sensations. I was enveloped in a thick, disorienting haze.
My body felt like it was on the cusp of a fever dream—hot yet cold, weak yet resilient.
The dichotomy was disconcerting, an odd scenariothat left me feeling unstable and fraught.
In the midst of this sensory overload, I struggled to make sense of the situation.
The system messages had ceased, leaving me in an eerie silence that felt heavy and oppressive.
I attempted to clear my vision, my eyes squinting against the darkness that seemed to cling to everything.
As my sight slowly began to return, the blurriness gradually gave way to a clearer view.
My surroundings came into focus, revealing a familiar but unsettling environment.
I was in my room—or at least, it looked like my room, but something about it felt off.
The details seemed both familiar and strange, as if the room had been altered in subtle yet significant ways.
My head throbbed with a dull ache, a persistent reminder of the chaotic transition I had just experienced.
The remnants of the system messages continued to echo in my mind, their implications sinking in slowly.
The new skills, the filtered memories, and the ominous note about Ego Corruption were all fragments I needed to piece together.
I lay still for a moment, trying to regain my bearings.
The noise and the heat of the system messages had left me feeling exhausted, but I forced myself to focus on the present.
The unsettling feeling of having lost something significant lingered, and I couldn’t shake the sense that something profound had changed.
With a deep breath, I pushed myself into a sitting position, struggling to clear the haze that enveloped my mind.
The room around me was dimly lit, the shadows stretching and shifting on the walls in a way that felt almost alive.
The once-familiar space now appeared different, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint what had changed.
The lavish furnishings that filled the room were the most glaring anomaly.
The opulent furniture—an elegant bed with plush velvet coverings, ornate wooden cabinets, and exquisite paintings adorning the walls—was far beyond the simple decor I remembered.
I was certain I hadn’t purchased any of these items, nor had I asked Yui to enhance the room.
Yet, here they were, arranged with meticulous care, adding an unexpected layer of luxury to my already expansive quarters.
The room’s grandeur was both comforting and unsettling.
It felt as though someone had stepped into my life and made it more opulent without my consent.
The rich textures and elegant designs clashed with the disorienting feelings swirling in my mind.
As I glanced at the wall clock, the numbers confirmed my suspicion:
I had woken up earlier than usual.
The hands pointed to 4:30, indicating that the morning was still young.
My body ached for more sleep, but the persistent ringing noises and the overwhelming discomfort left me wide awake.
I longed for the comfort of a deeper rest, but the remnants of the chaotic transition had left me restless and alert.
‘What happened to me?’ I mused trying to piece together the fragmented memories and the overwhelming sensations from earlier.
My mind grappled with the echoes of a strange experience that felt too vivid to be a mere dream.
Two soft, familiar voices floated through my thoughts, their words tinged with affection and a sense of finality.
“I love you, Riley…” and “Riley, take care of them for me… okay?”
The voices were comforting yet haunting, and I couldn’t quite place who they belonged to.
The fragments of their faces remained elusive, obscured by a fog of confusion and disorientation.
[Note: New skills unlocked (2)]
[Note: New unique skill unlocked (2)]
‘New skills?’ I thought, bewildered by the notification.
How had I acquired new abilities so suddenly?
The idea of gaining skills while seemingly unconscious was perplexing.
Did I achieve something significant while I was out?
Or….
‘Did I kill something while asleep?’
Did it have something to do with the bizarre dreams I just went through?
I couldn’t recall any specific actions or events that might have triggered this.
Frustration mounted as I tried to process everything.
‘Hey system, can you give me a little heads-up at least?’ I mentally called out, hoping for some clarity.
[Note:…..]
The system’s silence was infuriating.
It had been so quick to bombard me with notifications earlier, yet now it offered no answers.
It seemed to act, just like before.
‘What did I even expect from this thing….’
Sighing, I resolved to calm myself. I stood up slowly, my limbs feeling heavy and uncertain.
I attempted to channel the mana within me, forcing it to flow and release from my veins.
The process was supposed to help me regain control and ease the panic coursing through me.
However, as I amplified the mana, my body began to heat up further, the internal energy surging and amplifying my discomfort.
Despite the increased heat, I focused on controlling my breathing.
I needed to stabilize my racing heart and clear my mind.
As I settled into a meditative stance, I tried to push aside the confusion and focus on the immediate task at hand: understanding what had happened and how to deal with the new skills that had emerged.
As my heart gradually returned to a steady rhythm, I closed my eyes, focusing on regulating my breathing. I took a deep breath, allowing the excess mana within me to flow out. As I exhaled, a stream of blue, translucent mana escaped through my mouth and nose, dissipating into the air.
I willed the system to display the new notifications, and my eyes widened at the unexpected array of new skills.
[New Skill: Archive (S)]
[Effects: Grants the user the ability to store, archive, and record memories from both the past and present, making them readily accessible at any moment. This skill provides a comprehensive repository of experiences and knowledge, allowing for easy retrieval and review.]
[New Skill: Pain Nullifier (A)]
[Effects: This passive ability completely negates all physical pain inflicted on the user. It includes immunity to damage-over-time effects and any other status ailments that cause pain. With this skill, the user can endure harsh conditions without suffering physical discomfort.]
[New Skill: Hero’s Will (Unique)]
[Effect: Unleashes the indomitable spirit of a hero within the user’s will, providing a significant boost to all stats for a brief period. However, upon expiration, the user will enter a weakened state, with a moderate reduction in all stats.]
[Status Boost: +300%]
[Status Reduction: -50%]
[Note: This skill can only be activated against Evil-aligned entities, making it a powerful tool in combating malevolent forces.]
[New Skill: Hero’s Aura (Unique)]
[Effect: Emanates a potent aura that enhances the stats of all nearby allies. The strength of the aura scales with the user’s level and equipment. Additionally, the user gains a minor damage reduction while the aura is active, providing both offensive and defensive benefits to the team.]
[Note: Skill can only be used upon Hero’s Will activation…..]
“…..”
“…..”
‘….. How the fuck did I get all this?’
[Note: New blessing waiting for approval!]
Blessing….?
The term “blessing” struck me as odd. I thought that divine blessings were reserved for those with bloodlines tied to the gods, like Lucas being a half angel and the saintess a direct descendant of the goddess herself.
I had no such connection, so how was it possible that I had received one?
The system notification continued to blink on my screen:
[Note: An Evil God’s blessing is waiting for User integration…]
[Do you wish to accept?]
[YES/NO]
I stared at the words, a mix of confusion and dread washing over me.
An Evil God’s blessing?
It felt like a twisted joke, a dark twist in my already chaotic reality. How had I come to attract the attention of such a malevolent entity?
The implications of accepting this blessing were unsettling, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might come with dire consequences.
As a player of the game the word evil god can only come from one being in this world….
But what really struck me with a chilling familiarity was the additional system notification that appeared right next to it:
[Special abilities]
[Crazy Magnet] [Activated!]
[Affected Beings: 3/∞]
The sight of “Crazy Magnet” sent a jolt through me.
The first time I encountered this ability, it had been a harbinger of disaster.
It had been the factor that ultimately led me into a perilous situation with Liyana, sealing our fate in a dangerous spiral.
“Hahahaha… just take me now, Jesus…”
