[Inside the secret room of the Imperial Jade Palace...]
"Why did you stop him? What should we do with this child now?" Edward Charles asked, looking at the motionless child in Harald's arms.
[System Level: 8/12]
[Power level: 85,000/100,000]
[Beast type: Infurnace]
[Name: Edward Charles]
[Age: 48]
[Clan: Shadowmoon Clan]
[Race: Kaelith]
[Blood-type: Verdant]
[Blood Color: Green]
[HP: 95/100]
[EP: 40/50]
[AP: 60 units]
[Mana: 100/100]
[Beast Energy: 100/100]
[Beast Race Type: Zephyrbeasts]
[Beast Ability:]
-Fire Manipulation
-Heat Resistance
[Skills: 64/70]
[Action Speed: 1-2 seconds per action]
[Skill Cooldowns: 6-15 seconds]
[Movement Speed: 10-15 units per second]
[Base Strength: 14]
[Damage Output: 21+ damage per hit]
[Carrying Capacity: 201+ units]
[State Points: 195/200]
Harald gently wrapped the dead child in a white cloth and placed it in a basket.
"The king asked for a burial. Why did you put him in a basket instead of a coffin?" Edward asked again.
Harald finished his task and stood up, looking at Edward. "Even though he was the emperor's son, I didn't want to bury him in our village's soil and bring trouble. His birth was a curse, just like the pain we went through back then."
He paused for a moment, noticing the surprised and confused looks on everyone's faces. Then he added, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have other tasks to do."
"Alright, alright, help me with this," Edward said, holding the basket.
The group exchanged looks and quickly helped him lift the basket. They wanted to remove the child from their village. Edward led them through the thick forest, their steps quiet on the fallen leaves.
The weight of the dead child in the basket seemed to grow with every step, constantly reminding them of the burden they carried. They couldn’t let the curse spread any further. With a heavy heart, Edward signaled for the group to stop, sensing the fear in the air.
At midnight, two figures appeared in disguise deep in the forest. Their faces were hidden by masks, and they carried something in their hands, with swords on their backs. The full moon above lit up the night sky, casting a soft, golden glow over everything. The moonlight filtered through the branches, creating beautiful patterns on the forest floor.
A gentle breeze filled the air, carrying the sweet scent of wildflowers and earth. It rustled the leaves, creating a calm, soothing sound that echoed through the trees, like secrets being whispered through the forest.
As the moonlight shone down, the forest revealed a world of shadows and shapes. The trees stood tall and strong, their branches reaching high into the sky. Their leaves glowed with a golden light, as if touched by the magic of the moon.
In the moonlit scene, Isaac Whitaker waved his hands furiously, digging around the sacred tree with determination. The tree, known for its eerie presence and haunting whispers, stood tall and twisted. Its branches stretched out like skeletal fingers, while its gnarled roots seemed to burrow deep into the earth, hiding the secrets that lay beneath.
[System Level: 7/12]
[Power Level: 850,000/100,000]
[Beast Type: Unknown]
[Name: Isaac Whitaker]
[Age: 48]
[Clan: Outcast]
[Race: Kaelith]
[Blood Type: Verdant]
[Blood Color: Green]
[HP: 90/100]
[EP: 30/50]
[AP: 50 units]
[Mana: 80/100]
[Beast Energy: Unknown]
[Beast Ability: Unknown]
[Beast Race Type: Unknown]
[Skills: 58/70]
[Action Speed: 1-3 seconds per action]
[Skill Cooldowns: 8-20 seconds]
[Movement Speed: 8-12 units per second]
[Base Strength: 12]
[Damage Output: 18+ damage per hit]
[Carrying Capacity: 180+ units]
[State Points: 150/200]
[Background: Mysterious member]
[Tragic Fate: Yearned for immortality]
[Abilities and Skills:]
-Shadow Cloak: Temporary invisibility (Cooldown: 12 seconds)
-Abyssal Grasp: Dark tendrils to ensnare enemies (Cooldown: 15 seconds)
-Veil of Whispers: Increased evasion through enemy insight (Cooldown: 10 seconds)
[Notes: Whispers of power linger, quest for immortality continues.]
Many had tried to uncover the tree’s secrets before, but none had succeeded. Isaac, however, was driven by a strong, unshakable will that pushed him forward with each movement. After hours of digging, he found himself breathing heavily.
Dirt flew in all directions as his heart raced with excitement. According to legend, hidden beneath the sacred tree was a treasure—an artifact of great power. Isaac had spent countless nights poring over ancient texts and deciphering cryptic clues, all of which led him to this exact spot.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the clearing, making the sacred tree creak and groan. Isaac froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced around, half-expecting to see ghostly figures rise from the shadows. But all he saw was the bright moon above, almost as if urging him to keep going.
Gathering his courage, Isaac returned to his work. The soil grew softer, and his shovel struck something solid. With a breathless pause, he gently cleared away the dirt, revealing an old wooden chest. Its intricate carvings suggested it held ancient power within.
Stolen story; please report.
Isaac listened carefully as footsteps approached, their sound rustling the leaves and echoing through the quiet forest. Acting quickly, he hid the wooden chest in his sleeves and moved behind the tree, scanning his surroundings. After a careful look, he spotted Edward from the Ironhart Clan and Gregory Alan, a junior member of the Stormwatch Clan, both carrying a basket.
"Four clans of light?" he whispered softly. "What were they guarding?" he wondered to himself.
"We'll place him here," Edward said with a firm voice. "This is as far as we can go."
Gregory looked sadly at the dead child. "Are you sure, Edward? Can't we give him a proper burial?"
Edward shook his head. "No, we can't bring any more suffering to our clan and village. The child's curse ends here."
With a shared sigh, the group carefully placed the basket on the ground. Edward knelt beside it, his hands trembling as he unwrapped the white cloth. They gazed at the lifeless face of the child, looking peaceful and innocent in death.
Gregory whispered a quiet prayer, his voice barely audible. "May you find peace, little one. May your soul be freed from every burden and curse." With heavy hearts but firm resolve, they turned away from the child and made their way back to the village, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
After a while, Isaac watched them leave the basket on the ground and head back to the village. He stepped out from behind the tree, taking the wooden chest from his sleeve. As Isaac opened the chest, a blinding light exploded, filling the clearing. He shielded his eyes, temporarily blinded by the brightness. When the light finally faded, he saw an ancient book inside, glowing with a strange, powerful energy.
Shaken by the discovery, Isaac's mind raced with possibilities. He knew this book held great power, capable of altering the future. "The Nightmare Archivist," he read aloud, his eyes widening with greed. Without hesitation, he tossed the wooden box onto the dusty ground and eagerly opened the book.
His hands trembled with excitement as he reached into the chest, expecting to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. But to his disappointment, the book was blank, its pages old and yellowed with age. He flipped through the pages, hoping to uncover a hidden message or clue, but there wasn’t a single word written.
It was as though the book had been deliberately left empty, mocking his greed for wealth and power. Confusion and frustration flooded his mind. "How could this be?" he thought. He had heard tales of the box’s legendary contents—stories of immortals and ancient wisdom written by Kaelith, hunters of the Phoenix and Dragon. Yet, all he held was an empty book, devoid of meaning.
As he stood there, stunned and staring at the blank pages, a sound broke through the silence—a child crying. Isaac’s head snapped up. He looked around and saw the same basket the Ironhart Clan had left earlier.
"Wait, was that... a baby?" Isaac murmured, his curiosity piqued. His heart raced as he cautiously approached the basket. With each step, the cries grew louder, pulling at his emotions.
Peering into the basket, Isaac found a newborn wrapped in a white sheet. The baby’s tiny face was red, streaked with tears. Without a second thought, he carefully lifted the child, cradling them gently in his arms.
"He... He was the Emperor's son," he whispered in shock. "The young master of the 'Davis family.'"
As he gazed down at the child, a holographic screen suddenly appeared in the air before him. He stared at it, trying to make sense of the words and symbols that were displayed.
[System Alert: Host Acquired...]
[Rebirth Protocol Initiated!]
[His soul had been successfully transmigrated to the Parallel World.]
[Welcome, Reborn One!]
[He prepared to navigate the complexities of this new reality. His choices would shape his journey.]
[Mission Briefing: Discover the Truth of Your Rebirth and Unlock Your Potential!]
[Was he ready to embrace his new destiny?]
[Status: Awaiting Commands...]
[What would he do next?]
[Rebirth Process...]
[He could choose a new life path as a:]
-Warrior, Mage, Healer, Rogue.
-Elf, Vampire, Dragonborn.
[System Level: 0/12]
[Power Level: 500/100,000]
[Beast Type: Unknown]
[Name: Unknown]
[Age: New born]
[Clan: Unknown]
[Race: Kaelith]
[Blood Type: Verdant]
[Blood Color: Green]
[HP: 100/100]
[EP: 10/50]
[AP: 10 units]
[Mana: 0/100]
[Beast Energy: Unknown]
[Beast Ability: Unknown]
[Beast Race Type: Unknown]
[Skills: 1/70]
[Action Speed: 0]
[Skill Cooldowns: 0]
[Movement Speed: 0]
[Base Strength: 6]
[Damage Output: 0]
[Carrying Capacity: 0]
[State Points: 0/200]
[He could retain 20% of their previous skills or unique abilities, providing continuity.]
[Rebirth Points....]
[He could earn Rebirth Points (RP) based on achievements, choices made in his previous life, and completed quests.]
[RP could be spent on:]
- Unlocking powerful skills.
- Enhancing stats (Strength, Intelligence, Agility).
- Acquiring rare items from the previous life.
[Choose wisely, for each decision alters your path.]
Isaac chuckled in amazement as he read the screen. "Luck is on my side today," he murmured, eager to interact with it. "He would be a dragonborn," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "Now, no one can stop me from becoming immortal."
As soon as his finger made contact with the screen, the system triggered a protective protocol. A sudden energy surged around him, and the air seemed to hum with an unfamiliar power. Isaac’s excitement faltered for a brief moment as he realized something had changed.
[Warning: Intruder Alert!]
A temporary barrier materialized around the screen, shimmering as an energy field. As Isaac reached out to touch the glowing hologram, the air around him began to shift. At first, a soft breeze stirred, but it quickly grew stronger. Leaves spun and swirled in the gusts, which seemed to flow directly from the screen itself. Shadows stretched across the ground like dark, creeping fingers, shifting and writhing, creating a sense of unease. The earth trembled slightly, sending pebbles scattering as though it, too, was reacting to the disturbance.
The force of the energy pushed Isaac hard against the tree he stood beneath. The rough bark scraped painfully along his back. He stumbled forward, barely managing to steady himself before falling. Then, just as quickly, the shadows disappeared, leaving him lying on the ground in eerie silence.
Coughing up blood, Isaac slowly got to his feet, wiping the dirt off his clothes. "Well… that was new. I guess I’ll have to wait for the child to grow up." He glanced down at himself with a grimace, still shaken by the strange force.
Isaac noticed a small gash on the sleeve of his shirt where the rocks had scratched him earlier, the wound already turning red. It didn’t bother him much; he simply picked up the book, tucking it back under his sleeve, which had fallen when he stumbled. He then walked back to the baby, staring at the child with a menacing gaze. As he stood there, observing, he sensed movement in the leaves nearby.
Reacting quickly, he scooped up the baby, his eyes scanning the moonlit foliage. A figure emerged— a girl dressed in black and red. Isaac noticed a tattoo on her exposed arm, a mark he recognized.
"Amelia Hayes? What are you doing here?" he asked, taken aback by her sudden appearance.
Amelia raised an eyebrow and smirked, crossing her arms over her chest in an almost mocking manner. "What, you surprised to see me?" she asked coolly.
[System Level: 5/12]
[Power level: 45,000/100,000]
[Beast type: Scorpion]
[Name: Amelia Hayes]
[Age: 23]
[Clan: Ironhart Clan]
[Race: Kaelith]
[Blood-type: Verdant]
[Blood Color: Green]
[HP: 60/100]
[EP: 38/50]
[AP: 50 units]
[Mana: 60/100]
[Beast Energy: 60/100]
[Beast Race Type: Glimmerhounds]
[Beast Ability: Venomous Sting]
[Stealthy Movement]
[Skills: 34/70]
[Action Speed: 10 seconds per action]
[Skill Cooldowns: 6-15 seconds]
[Movement Speed: 5-10 units per second]
[Base Strength: 10]
[Damage Output: 4-10 damage per hit]
[Carrying Capacity: 51-100 units]
[State Points: 110/200]
"Surprise! We meet again, Isaac," a deep voice sounded near his ear. Isaac quickly spun around, his heart racing, and found Jack Lee standing just behind him.
"The Ironhart Clan," he whispered under his breath, recognizing the familiar presence.
"What do you want, Jack?" Isaac demanded, his grip on the baby tightening protectively as he tried to shield it from any potential threat.
Jack stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice, and his black robes billowed ominously in the wind. "Clearly, not you," he replied sarcastically, his voice dripping with disdain.
[System Level: 7/12]
[Power level: 60,000/100,000]
[Beast type: Ojutai Brood Dragon]
[Name: Jack Lee]
[Age: 28]
[Clan: Flamecrest Clan]
[Race: Kaelith]
[Blood-type: Verdant]
[Blood Color: Green]
[HP: 71/100]
[EP: 40/50]
[AP: 55 units]
[Mana: 75/100]
[Beast Energy: 70/100]
[Beast Race Type: Zephyrbeasts]
[Beast Ability: Flight]
[Fire Breathing]
[Skills: 34/70]
[Action Speed: 10 seconds per action]
[Skill Cooldowns: 6-15 seconds]
[Movement Speed: 5-10 units per second]
[Base Strength: 10]
[Damage Output: 4-10 damage per hit]
[Carrying Capacity: 51-100 units]
[State Points: 134/200]
"Hand over the baby, Isaac; only then will we give you an easy death," Amelia's voice was smooth, almost seductive as she spoke.
Isaac glanced down at the baby in his arms, then back at Amelia. It seems the baby has special powers. He could truly help me on my path to immortality. I was right to keep him, he thought, tightening his grip on the child.
"I won't let you harm this child," Isaac declared, his voice resolute and filled with determination. "I will protect him with my life."
Jack chuckled darkly, narrowing his eyes as he stepped closer. "Did you think he would help you in your cultivation?" he sneered. His eyes widened with anger. "Because I won't let that happen."
Without warning, Amelia stepped forward. Her eyes glowed with an eerie light, and as she extended her hand, dark energy surged around her fingertips. The light grew brighter, almost painful to look at, and Isaac could feel its destructive power. Though he'd never seen such force before, its intent was clear—it was meant to destroy.
The dark energy wrapped around Isaac’s arm, searing his skin. It burned deep into him, spreading down his body. A black mark appeared where it touched, leaving a burn pattern that radiated a cold, malicious heat.
"I strongly advise you to surrender the child willingly," Amelia hissed, her voice laced with cold venom. "Otherwise, we will take him by force."
Isaac groaned in pain, but his mind raced, desperately seeking an escape. He knew he couldn’t defeat the Ironhart Clan by himself. Just as his thoughts spun in panic, a gust of wind swept through the clearing, causing the leaves to swirl around them. Isaac scanned his surroundings but found nothing. Quickly, he rolled his foot on the ground, channeling the wind into a swirling ball. With a grunt, he hurled the wind ball toward them and began running.
Amelia scowled, her eyes narrowing. "Did you truly think you could oppose us, Isaac? You're insignificant compared to the power of the Ironhart Clan!" she sneered.
She was right. The Hayes family of the Ironhart Clan had the system to tame scorpions, and their ancient bloodline was mysterious and powerful. Jack Lee was the last descendant of the Lee family from the Flamecrest Clan, known for their expertise in martial arts and their ability to tame the fearsome Ojutai Brood Dragon.
"Chase him; he's running!" Amelia ordered. Jack obeyed, running after Isaac.
But just as they closed in on him, a dagger whistled through the air and embedded itself into a tree nearby. Both paused, glancing at the tree. Jack’s eyes flickered with anger as he turned toward the source of the throw.
