I woke up to the scent of damp stone and the sound of dripping water. The world was silent, save for the gentle hum of air breathing through cracks in the cave walls. A pale blue light seeped through the crystalized ceiling above, bathing everything in a faint, eerie glow.
I sat up slowly, still getting used to this body. Not because it was foreign—but because it finally felt like mine. Not Earth's. Not mundane. I flexed my fingers, feeling the subtle pulse of mana in my veins. My name… still felt human. But I wasn't. Not really.
"[Welcome to Aetherion.]"
The Voice of the World echoed again, calm and devoid of emotion. A system AI that ran this world, like some divine administrator.
"[Lineage confirmed: Demon Noble - Human Hybrid. Unique Skill: Yin and Yang awakened. Unique Skill: Plunder awakened.]"
"Yin?" I asked aloud. "You there?"
"[Of course. I've always been here. Shall I initiate mental interface?]"
"Yes, please."
The world flickered for a second. Or maybe it was just in my mind. Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me—like someone else had entered my thoughts. Cool, composed. Efficient.
"Yin online. Would you like tactical analysis, skill management, or emotional support?"
"...Emotional support?" I raised a brow.
"Sarcasm. Initiating tactical feed now."
I chuckled under my breath. At least I wouldn't be alone.
Further into the cave, the light changed. It grew warmer, flickering like fire. I followed the curve of the stone, my steps echoing lightly until I came upon a chamber. At its center stood a stone pedestal with an orb hovering above it. Crimson red, swirled with flecks of gold. It pulsed as I approached, and then—
"Yo, kid! Took ya long enough!"
The voice hit me like thunder. A projection flared to life above the orb, revealing a man lounging on a floating couch. Shirtless, with wild silver hair and eyes that glowed a lazy gold.
My breath caught.
"…Who the hell I this uncle?"
"Its me, your old man, but of course you wouldn't know that! Oof, you've grown! And look at those cheekbones—your mother must be proud." He grinned, giving a thumbs-up. "You got the eyes though. My bad. Genes are undefeated."
He looked… like a slacker. But even through the projection, I could feel the pressure leaking from him.
"Let me guess—you've got questions, confusion, and probably a minor existential crisis happening, huh?" he asked.
"…You could say that."
He laughed, rolling off the couch and landing on the ground. "Alright, listen up. You were born in this world. Aetherion. Me and your mom—we had plans. Big ones. But, uh, there were problems."
He scratched his head, suddenly sheepish.
"We had enemies. People who threatened the very existence on the surface. So, to keep you safe, we sent you to Earth. Neutral plane, sealed your bloodline, all that jazz."
I clenched my fists. "So… all this time…?"
"Yeah. Earth was frying your lifespan. Can't have my kid dying at twenty from ambient mana starvation." He stepped forward, eyes suddenly serious. "That's why we set the return for your fifteenth birthday. Timed awakening. Can't risk any earlier."
It made sense now. My mother's harsh training. Her constant pushing. The weird dreams.
Dad smiled again. "This forest? Yours now. I want you to inherit it. Protect it. That's only if you want to tho. The Crimson Verdant Forest is one of the most sought after Forests, especially the cave you are in right now. I'm a Dragon after all, and since I basically stayed in this cave 24/7, it's been embroidered in my mana, and since it is so rich of mana, it makes it a very tasty looking place for people who want to make high grade potions and magical weapons, mana crystals and stuff, but I'm on longer here to protect, or at least i won't after today."
"Wait, what did you say. Did you just say you are a Dragon or am I hallucinating. And what's this about not being able to protect after today, so confused, this is too much to take in"
He laughed "Yes son, you are Dragonkin, but I sealed off your powers since it would have made you a target of some extremely powerful people, but I think you are grown enough to handle them tho" he said with a smirk "but I unfortunately I have no idea how to unlock the seal" as he laughed hysterically"
But for me, I was confused as hell. Just a couple minutes ago I was blessing my eyes with immeasurable pleasure, now I'm a Demon who's also a dragon, my dad is a Dragon that's obviously stupid and immature. Some part of me wanted to believe this was all just a dream. Obviously I'm being set up to be some dude who's going to save this world or something, whats up with all this power and all these plot holes.
"Oi, dad" I said in a low voice.
With his eyes glowing and him folding his body like he had just been fed the greatest chocolate he had ever tasted "OH, what pleasure. To be called dad. Its such a fulfilling pleasure." This guy might be dumber than me. "Yes son, what do you want to know" He asked.
"A lot, but i know I probably don't have a lot of time, so I'm going to ask for some clarity. So I'm a Demon and a Human, and I'm also Dragon kin" I asked.
He replied "Yes, your grandfather is a high ranking Demon in the underworld. A Duke to be specific under the rule of Demon Primarch Halo, probably the second most beatiful women I've ever seen, after your mom of course, oh and your mom was the hero of this world and of course I'm your dad, the strongest Dragon in history" and he hit his signature laugh.
At this point I wasn't even shocked anymore, so my mom is a hero as well huh. What the hell Is up with me being from such a broken Lineage, at this point if I failed in this world I'd be an embarrassment wouldn't I. My Isekai starter pack is way to broken.
He continued "Your mom, Reikana, known as The Crystal Flame. She had a calm presence and explosive divine power. She challenged me time and time again, even though she lost all the time she continued challenging me, and gradually I fell In love with her" You could see the nostalgia and warmth in his eyes, I could tell he care for mom a lot
"So then, dad. Is there anything else I should know" I asked.
"Yes, I should give you a rundown on my siblings and your aunts and uncle. First you have Kaien, your aunt, the second eldest after me and she also uses flames. Then you have my brother, you uncle Torin, an Earth Dragon and finally there is my cute little sister who is obsessed with me, Lucien the Ice Dragon"
Man, those names do not sound like Dragon names tho, but I get the gist, and there's obviously my grandfather who is a freaken Demon Duke. If my dad hadn't asked me to guard this forest I probably would gone to one of my relatives and freeloaded, but I want to be different In this life, I don't want to be a disappointment.
A hum resonated from the cave walls.
"Oh! One more thing!" He clapped his hands. "Behind the pedestal, right wall—tap the third stone from the bottom. Yeah, right there."
I followed his instructions. The stone clicked, and a hidden panel slid open, revealing a small chamber.
Inside… was a katana.
Sleek. Black blade with silver etchings that shimmered like starlight. The moment I touched it, the Voice of the World responded.
"[Mythical Class Weapon Acquired: Moonrend. Owner: Unregistered. Registering... Complete.]"
"Had that forged just for you." Dad winked. "Lightweight, indestructible, and it cuts through magic like butter. Don't ask how much it cost. Let's just say I may or may not owe a certain Dwarf."
I smiled. For once… I felt whole.
"And last thing," Dad said, scratching the back of his head. "If you ever feel weird—like, really weird—you might be absorbing mana too fast. Don't worry about it. Totally normal. Probably."
"…What did you do?" I narrowed my eyes.
He whistled innocently.
"End recording."
The orb dimmed. And something inside me… clicked.
I felt warmth in my core. A surge of energy. Something ancient and powerful. But before I could question it—
"Warning. Lifeforms detected."
Yin's voice snapped me to attention.
And thus began two of the most brutal weeks of my life.
Direwolves were only the start. I fought cave ghouls with acid tongues, flocks of screaming batfiends, and even a serpentine abomination with six eyes that spat corrosive fog.
Each encounter taught me something new. Each monster bled power into me through Plunder.
* Keen Nose. • Night Vision. • Bloodthirst. • Echolocation. • Paralyze Touch. • Mana Drain. • Fog Walk. • Pain Suppression. • Spinal Reflexes.
The skills added up fast. Yin helped me catalog and rank them, optimizing combinations.
Some nights I nearly died.
Moonrend never dulled. My body grew sharper. Stronger. Faster.
By the end of week two, I stood at the dungeon's final chamber—bones aching, mind honed, heart quiet. A lone monstrosity waited there. Towering. Four arms. Chitin armor. Burning red eyes.
"Analysis complete: Cave Tyrant. Rank: High B-Class."
I gripped Moonrend.
We clashed.
Its roars shook the earth. My countersteps danced on instinct. A glancing blow fractured my ribs—I retaliated with a skill combo: Fog Walk + Spinal Reflex + Bloodthirst.
I blurred behind it, drove my blade through its spine.
"[Plunder activated. Skill acquired: Bioarmor (Passive). Enhanced durability unlocked.]"
The monster fell. And with it, the cave shuddered.
Stone peeled away. Roots shifted. A staircase of living wood unfurled behind the beast's corpse, leading up.
"Exit confirmed," Yin stated. "Welcome to the surface."
Moonlight spilled down the stairwell. Wind carried the scent of trees. Freedom.
I took my first step upward.
And I smiled.
The world awaited.