NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Rough start
Fwoosh!
Inside a canyon, the wind flowed swiftly, occasionally lifting dust clouds or dynamically swaying the few plants that managed to survive in those conditions. Due to the depth of the location, sunlight struggled to illuminate the area, yet it was still possible to see the body of a boy covered in blood.
One might think that a body in such a condition could never be alive, and indeed, that was the case. The strange thing, however, was that he began to be surrounded by various lights until he resembled a cocoon.
It took some time before the cocoon of light disappeared, leaving behind the boy's completely unharmed body, not a drop of blood in sight. Almost miraculously, the boy started to open his eyes, albeit with difficulty.
When he finally managed to open his eyes, he looked around disoriented, as if trying to understand where he was. With some effort, he managed to stand with the help of his arms, and although still fatigued, he began to recall something.
"So, this is reincarnation... such a strange feeling," -He murmured to himself, but when he tried to move, his body almost gave way.
"But why... why do I feel so weak?"
[Your soul is finishing adapting to your body; it will take some more time.]
"Who's there?!"
The unfamiliar voice immediately put him on guard.
[Sorry if I scared you; I am the guide sent by Origon. You can simply call me Guide.]
After those words, a luminous screen emerged from his chest.
Mark, who had a strong passion for technology, found the holographic screen in front of him fascinating and tried to touch it, only to see his finger pass through without feeling anything.
[As I said, I will be your guide, and my task will be to provide you with the information that you need to survive as long as possible.]
While speaking, Mark could see the words forming on the screen, but what caught his attention the most was the word 'survive.'
"If you say survive, it doesn't seem like I'm in some peaceful world."
[Exactly. This world doesn't have a specific name, but many call it Gaia-]
"Wait, Gaia, like the goddess from Greek mythology representing the world?"
[Yes, I would have gotten to that shortly. But in this world, there are real Gods, similar to those in Earth's mythology.]
This information left Mark stunned, realizing he had much to learn. So, he decided it was better to stay quiet and listen first.
[Gaia is divided into two realms, the realm of mortals, consisting of a single gigantic continent called Gekkai, and the realm where the gods reside, called Heaven.
The mortal world has a medieval fantasy feel by your standards, but with a much more advanced level of technology thanks to magic.]
The Guide waited for Mark to digest that information before continuing.
[There are several races, each excelling in something; among them, humans have no special characteristics except for their numbers, which is why they are considered the second weakest race.
Now, for the geopolitical aspect, there would be much to say, but for now, it's enough to know that there are different kingdoms, cities, and a single empire. The reason all these forces are neutral toward each other is the presence of monsters, preventing them from focusing on anything else, although there are exceptions. Still, I believe this is a topic for the future.]
"I would like to know more about the relationship between the inhabitants, the monsters, and the Gods and how one becomes stronger."
Considering the situation he was in, Mark believed that becoming stronger and obtaining as much information as possible took precedence.
[Certainly, I would start with the Gods. The Gods are nearly immortal beings who are, however, slaves to their divinity. For example, a war-bound God needs to engage in battle, which is why many descend into the mortal world. Here, they cannot use their powers, but at the same time, they are not overly bound by their divinity.
As for monsters, there isn't much information on where they come from or when they arrived. Some areas on the continent are considered unexplored due to the strength of certain monsters.
Finally, I'll answer your question about how to become stronger. The inhabitants of this world are physically stronger than the ones on Earth, but even so, it would be impossible to defeat certain monsters. This is where the Gods come in. A mortal can be blessed by a God, becoming part of their Familia, ensuring that the more challenging experiences they undergo, the stronger they become.]
"And by what standard is a person's strength identified?"
[Like in an RPG game, here, as people become stronger, their level increases. The highest level a person reached was level 9, although currently, the person with the highest known level is at level 7.]
"So low?"
Mark's question was natural. If he took games as a standard, those levels would be tutorial levels.
[If it's more convenient for you, try to think that each level is multiplied by ten, and from there, you get an idea of their strength.]
Listening to the Guide's words, Mark found it all more reasonable.
Later, the Guide explained that everyone blessed by a God acquired a status, which showed the statistics and skills belonging to that person and could only be seen by a God or through a potion. Furthermore, to update one's status, you had to turn only to the God from whom you received the blessing.
"Sigh, there's a lot of information to digest, and this is just the beginning. Anyway, where exactly am I?"
Looking around, he could see two rock walls flanking him, while in the other two directions he looked, there was only darkness.
[You are in one of the many canyons that branch out west of the continent. I advise the host to go up since the area you are in is not entirely safe.]
"Go up, you say?"
Looking up, he could see the imposing rock surface that he estimated reached at least thirty meters. Even so, he didn't have many alternatives, and staying in that hole for much longer did not reassure him at all. Fortunately, the time spent talking had taken away that lethargic feeling he had, so he began to move.
He approached the wall to see if there was any foothold, and seeing several thick roots making their way into the rock, he decided to rely on them.
Slowly, he began to climb. His movement was slow but steady, making sure each time that the foothold he would rely on would hold.
[Host, be careful. The body you reincarnated into died because it slipped while climbing.]
"You're not helpful at all!"
Cursing against the Guide's words, he continued to climb until he reached the surface where he could feel the warmth of the sun that was about to set.
Heavy breathing
For Mark, however, the sun was the least of his problems as he breathed heavily while lying down. Strangely, he didn't feel too physically tired, confirming the Guide's words that the people in that world were stronger. But the mental stress of climbing without the slightest certainty of what would happen once he fell was not pleasant.
"Phew... well, I think it's time to find out exactly whose body this is."
Once he had recovered, he had to ask that question. So many things had happened that he still hadn't realized he was in a new body.
[His name is identical to yours, Mark. He was 18 years old and lived in an orphanage in one of the many cities built near the various canyons.]
"So, he was an orphan too, huh? But you know, I think it's better this way."
Mark would never have been able to call other people his parents, and for sure, in their eyes, he wouldn't have seemed like their son; that's why it was better this way.
'I have to say, though, being twelve years younger doesn't bother me.'
Freeing himself from unnecessary thoughts, he came to the topic that interested him the most.
"So, where are the fragments?"
There was a moment of silence at Mark's excited voice before the Guide spoke.
[Unfortunately, in my current condition, I do not know where they are. I only know that they have been scattered throughout the world.]
"I could have guessed, but why do you talk as if there were many? There are only three fragments." - Mark said strangely.
[There have been problems with the fragments.]
"Has something happened? Are they okay?"
Mark immediately fired a barrage of questions as concern grew within him.
[The fragments themselves will never have problems, being covered by the powers of Origon. The issue we have now is that there are not just 3 fragments, but 25.]
"... Is this some form of a welcome joke where you'll then tell me that you also know the location of the fragments?"
[No, everything I said is the truth.]
"...Shit."