NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: To not die
How does one avoid death?
Faced with such a fundamental human desire, I, Zero, who has already tasted death once, pondered deeply.
The fact that my death wasn’t instantaneous but instead lingered for several seconds only heightened my fear of it.
So I thought. And thought. And thought again.
Years passed, and the conclusion I reached was…
“Ah, so this is the recruitment centre…”
The answer? I decided to become a soldier in the Kingdom of Asbelt, the country where I reside.
Having reached the age of 15, now recognized as an adult, I made my way to the capital, where the knight order’s training facility was located, for the recruitment exam.
The facility, enclosed by heavy iron walls that clashed with the city’s opulent landscape, echoed with the clanging of swords and the shouts of men.
“Wow… this place looks brutal. I’ve got to spend years here? What a gamble I’ve made…”
It’s obvious—nobody who wants to avoid death becomes a soldier. Even someone as slow-witted as I can figure that out. But in my case, I had no choice. I needed to become a soldier if I wanted to stay alive.
Why, you ask?
“Tch. Why must commoners like me become soldiers just to learn enhancement magic?”
As I said, I need enhancement magic if I hope to survive.
As a reincarnate, I possess a special gift from the gods—a “reincarnation perk,” if you will.
That power is called “Infinite Regeneration,” a cheat-like ability that allows me to regenerate as long as my body isn’t completely obliterated. Sure, if my head gets blown off, I won’t remember the time without it, and the larger the wound, the longer the regeneration process. But still, for someone like me who’s terrified of dying, it’s a godsend.
I would’ve preferred true immortality, but the gods had other ideas, and I had to accept that.
However, there was a hitch.
This world has something that overshadows even “Infinite Regeneration”—magic. Magic so powerful that it renders my cheat ability almost irrelevant.
Magic is classified in levels—low, medium, high, strategic, small kingdom, great kingdom, world. Higher-level magic can obliterate me without leaving a trace.
That’s when I had my revelation.
“Infinite Regeneration is useless…”
As I mentioned earlier, my body needs at least a sliver of physical presence in this world for the ability to function. But even mid-tier magic can erase me entirely. And there are countless people who can wield high-level magic.
No wonder the gods gave me this power so readily—it hardly tips the scales of power in this world.
But I didn’t give up. I kept thinking, determined to find a way to use this ability to become as close to immortal as possible. And eventually, I found the answer…
“If I can regenerate from any wound, all I need is a body tough enough to survive magic.”
And in this world, the only way to strengthen one’s body is through enhancement magic. There’s also divine magic that grants buffs, but as a former Japanese citizen, I’m not exactly the religious type, so that’s out.
As for pain… I’ll just have to get used to it.
The only hope for a commoner like me to learn enhancement magic is to become a soldier. That’s why I’m here, reluctantly preparing to enlist. Of course, there’s also the constant hunger, and the threat of getting caught up in war, but that’s just part of the deal for someone like me.
“Ah, screw it! I guess I have no choice…”
I forced my heavy legs to carry me through the gates of what was surely hell.
“Recruit number 1034, Zero! Born in Aira Village, and I have an extraordinarily high healing ability!”
“Oh? How high?”
“Well, I can heal a knife wound in seconds!”
“…Alright, you’re in.”
The Intimidating, one-eyed instructor compared my resume to me, then quickly stamped his approval.
I blinked in disbelief at how fast the decision was made.
“Wait, you’re sure it’s okay to decide so quickly?”
“Yes. Those with high healing capabilities are often gifted with strong magic and physical prowess. You won’t regrow severed limbs, of course. But you’re standing here, unafraid of me, which is a good sign.”
I’m sorry, but that’s just me being desperate. Honestly, I’m already regretting this decision.
And for the record, I can actually regenerate even if most of my body gets blown to pieces, but I couldn’t say that.
I forced a smile as the instructor laughed and said, “This year’s recruits look promising. I’m looking forward to this!”
What I didn’t know then was…
That enhancement magic and “Infinite Regeneration” would turn out to be a perfect combination.
That I’d climb the ranks faster than anyone expected for a mere commoner.
That I’d become known as the “Immortal” and be feared by nations.
That countless beautiful women would start pursuing me.
“I look forward to working with you, Zero.”
“Thank you, Instructor. I’ll do my best.”
At that time, I had no idea what the future held for me.