[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Tylar Draven (14)
Race: Human
Class: Swordsman Novice (Ancient Class: Darkstar Monarch)
Title: None
Rank: E+
Strength: E
Agility: D-
Intelligence: E-
Endurance: E+
Charm: D-
Mana: E
Affinity: Darkness, Space (locked)
Skills:
Shadow Step
Dark Pressure
Umbral Burst
Dark Slash
[Quest]
Main Quest: Win the God Trials Tournament
Reward: Grant any one wish
Failure: Error
---
"My strength, agility, and mana have increased… even my charm went up by one sub-level, but overall nothing is changing. Even at E+ rank, I still can't break through to the next one."
I muttered to myself, half-delusional, as I rode my horse.
Learning to ride was hard. During my first week of knight training, I couldn't even sit properly. But now, I was one of the best.
Two hours passed as I traveled toward my destination. I entered the forest—nothing like the one where I first opened my eyes. That one had a crazy bear, those insane monkeys, and let's not forget the talking tiger that still gives me goosebumps. But this forest was normal, the kind you'd find near small villages.
"I think this is the place… but I can't see anything," I said, looking around before going deeper.
Soon, I saw a structure that looked like a house. I recognized it instantly—it was the same house I'd seen in the memories.
I put the map back into the bag hanging from the horse and drew both my swords. I had gotten good at using twin swords—Tev himself said I was a perfect fit for them because I could use both hands with the same precision.
I entered the house and looked around, seeing burn marks everywhere. I slowly ran my hand across one of the pillars and felt something carved beneath the soot.
I rubbed the surface.
Strange words appeared—half English, half Spanish—but I could read them thanks to Tyler's memories.
"DRAVEN FAMILY." That was what was written on the pillar.
The surname… this body surname in this house.
A strange wave of emotions swelled in my chest—feelings I couldn't explain. I stepped deeper into the ruined home.
"There's nothing left… It's all empty. Bottles everywhere… looks like Tyler's former home has become someone's hangout spot," I murmured, walking toward the second exit.
As I moved, I suddenly saw flashes—Tyler's mother and father taking care of baby Tyler, smiling like new parents.
[The host is visualizing memories.]
The system's voice echoed.
The visions continued.
When I exited through the second door, Tyler's parents were tending the garden—laughing, alive, happy.
But then, in an instant, the scenery twisted.
The beautiful garden, the flowers, the butterflies… vanished.
What remained was dead land with a few dry plants.
And where Tyler's parents once stood…
Two graves.
I stood frozen for minutes before finally forcing my legs to move. I reached the graves and read the inscriptions:
"DONN DRAVEN — A loving son, husband, and father."
"ROSEY DRAVEN — A loving daughter, wife, and mother."
Suddenly my mind was flooded with memories—so fast and sharp they hurt.
"We'll name him Tyler… yes, Tyler Draven," my father said.
"That's a good name, but why Tyler?" my mother asked, rocking baby-me gently.
"It was the name of my best friend. He's now at the Empire Academy as an assistant professor," my father replied.
"So this is how you show gratitude," my mother teased, and he laughed—until she quieted him so he wouldn't wake the baby.
More memories surfaced, but my mind wasn't stable enough to handle them.
Footsteps approached.
"Hey kid, is this your horse?" a man called out. I didn't move or answer.
"Look, I don't care how you got here," he said. "But this area is ours. Hand over whatever you're carrying, and we'll let you go without injuries."
His lackey laughed. "The kid's so scared he can't move."
"…Do you know about them? These graves," I asked quietly without turning around.
"Oh, those?" the man snorted. "It's been decades. I heard they were a married couple. Husband was a retired hunter, wife was hot and wild—ha!"
I didn't react, even as he insulted Tyler's mother.
"Their life got ruined by their baby—born with red eyes. The mother killed herself after setting the house on fire," he continued.
"The husband was found dead outside, holding the baby. The villagers wanted to kill that demon child, but a nun from the Light Goddess saved him," his lackey added.
He laughed. "The kid was probably born from the wife's affair with a demon. Poor husband!"
Silence.
"So who are you, kid? And why're you here?" their leader asked, walking closer—uneasy now.
I lifted my head slightly.
"I'm that demon's son," I whispered, voice cold and warped.
My red eyes glowed.
The leader stumbled backward, falling on his rear.
The others froze.
"You—you're the demon—!"
They tried to recover.
"H-ha! You startled us for a second," the leader said, forcing a laugh and stepping forward again.
But this time, I wasn't there.
"Eh? Where—?" he began.
A scream erupted behind him.
He spun around.
I had already taken down three of his men.
I was still punching the one who insulted Tyler's mother or my mother—his teeth falling, blood pouring from his face.
"S-sorry! I'm sorry!" the man cried through broken words.
A sword swung toward me—
I blocked it with my sword hilt.
"How dare you, demon! I don't know what tricks you're using, but you dare to harm my friends… You must have gotten that confidence from your demonic power!" the leader yelled.
I channeled mana into my left hand and punched him straight in the face.
He staggered, dazed, then swung again.
I met his blade with mine—
and shattered it.
His eyes widened with fear.
And I walked toward him slowly.
Ten minutes later…
They were all kneeling, both hands raised.
"So… you live in the nearby village. Why come here?" I asked calmly.
"We—we just come here to hang out. We've been coming since childhood… so we treat it as our secret spot," the leader stammered.
"So you're the ones who threw bottles all over this place," I said coldly.
Silence.
"We're sorry! We'll clean the whole house—please, forgive us!"
"Yes, yes!"
"We'll even rebuild the house if you want!"
"We've thought about it for a long time—please!"
I sighed.
I felt a bit guilty for beating them so much…
But when that man insulted Tyler's mother, something inside me snapped.
With the memories restored, I felt her emotions, her love.
I don't even remember my previous world's name anymore.
So I won't treat my body and soul as separate anymore. From now on, I am Tyler.
I am Tyler Draven.