[====]-[===]-[====]
Asael was certain that he would never get the chance to open his eyes again. He remembered his last moments in the land of the living, vividly, after all. But, in spite of everything that he knew of science, religion, and psychology, his eyes did open.
It should have been impossible, and yet, against all odds, he was able to see, he was able to feel, and he was able to think.
He wished he couldn't.
Because now, he was trapped in a world devoid of any light, where only an infinite expanse of darkness surrounded him. There was no end in sight to it, nor was there a ceiling, or a base to stand on. He was floating, in a realm of nothingness, and all he could do was think and remember every agonizing second of his death, as he remained powerless to stop it.
'It had started out as such a good day too.' He thought morosely, twisting his body to lay on his back. As was swiftly becoming usual, only darkness greeted him, when once, a burning star of fire and light had glared upon his dying form. 'Really? 'A burning star of fire and light'? Since when did I start waxing poetry? I was studying to be a lawyer! Not Shakespeare. It's the sun, moron, call it that...Wait, since when did I start talking to myself?!'
He scowled at the thought and flipped through the darkness once again. Laying in such a position only made him think of his death again, and with his sanity apparently already falling apart, it was better to avoid the subject for as long as he could. Anymore, and he might begin embracing the path of a poet even further than he already had.
"Ugh," He groaned, tiredly rubbing at his eyes. "When scientists described death as the mind ceasing to exist and people finally getting some well-deserved rest, I thought they meant the rest part literally." Asael complained aloud to nobody but himself. "I feel like I've been awake for the better part of a century."
[-][===][-]
|| [Incorrect] ||
|| [You have only been awake in this realm for a few hours] ||
[-][===][-]
"Really? Damn, I blame all those all-nighters I—Waaaait a damn minute, what the hell are you?!" Asael shouted, his lagging mind finally catching up to process what he was not only seeing, but so carelessly responding to.
Floating before his very eyes, was a translucent black screen, ornate in veins of gold, that held the two messages. The surface of the screen flickered at his question, shifting in size, and growing smaller, before a single line of text sat waiting for him.
[-][===][-]
|| [I am The Omphalos System] ||
[-][===][-]
'Ah, so this is what insanity feels like...' He mused, looking at the screen with a defeated expression. '...You know, it's really concerning that nothing feels any different.'
[-][===][-]
|| [That is because you have not gone insane] ||
|| [As far as my scans can tell. You retain a healthy 70% of your original sanity!] ||
[-][===][-]
"I really think the healthy amount should be a hundred percent." Asael muttered in perfect deadpan, crossing his arms, and falling back to technically sit on the darkness surrounding him. If he was in the process of losing his mind, then, at the very least, he wished to do so comfortably.
Asael thought he deserved that much.
[-][===][-]
|| [You would be surprised, user, at the inaccuracy of such a statement] ||
[-][===][-]
"User?" He asked, raising a curious brow and pointedly avoiding the latter part of its sentence.
[-][===][-]
|| [As I have stated. I am The Omphalos System] ||
|| [To be more exact. I am your Omphalos System] ||
[-][===][-]
Asael rolled his eyes with a quiet huff. "You should really know that means nothing to me."
[-][===][-]
|| [I am aware, user. I have access to your memories] ||
[-][===][-]
"Wait, what-"
[-][===][-]
|| [As such, you may think of me as a sort of Gamer System. You were quite a fan of such stories it seems] ||
[-][===][-]
"Yeah, sure, just ignore me why don't you," Asael muttered, narrowing his eyes at the flickering screen. "And, really? A Gamer System? What's next, you're going to tell me that I'll be getting reborn in some random anime world?"
[-][===][-]
|| […You are smarter than you seem] ||
|| [Why are you pinching yourself?] ||
[-][===][-]
"Just checking if this is some sort of fever dream." He replied, tugging on the skin of his arm. A scowl wormed its way onto his face, as he felt genuine pain course through his body from the action. "Apparently not…"
He sighed, feeling his shoulders drop, as he pushed himself off the infinite space to fall onto his back. Between one blink and the next, the flickering screen of the system appeared floating above him.
"This is ridiculous. I am dead."
[-][===][-]
|| [Yes. You are] ||
|| [Congratulations!] ||
|| [I understand your state of disbelief. It is only a natural response. As such, here is a token of proof, that this is all very real] ||
[-][===][-]
The screen ornate with gold flickered and shifted before his eyes, its form shimmering and expanding before his eyes. Once it was finished, two separate messages sat within its depths, ready for him to read.
Having nothing better to do, and being pushed forward by his own curiosity, he squinted his eyes and did just that.
[-][===][-]
|| [Attribute]: [Omphalos Mind] ||
|| [Primus]: [Level Max]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [You have experienced death and didn't shatter. You lived through the afterlife and adapted. This is a testament of your will, a reward for your survival which reduces panic and enhances your logical thinking under pressure. It allows you to maintain composure and focus, keeping a clear head for decision making in the most chaotic of situations whilst becoming immune to certain psychological effects and debuffs] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [Attribute]: [Omphalos Body] ||
|| [Primus]: [Level Max]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [Your mind never shattered and your body never broke. This is the reward for such ferocious will, granting you a body that operates according to your stats, with damage dealt and received displayed as visible numbers. You learnt to survive the afterlife through a sort of sleep, as such, when sleeping in a bed your physical stats are fully restored to their max] ||
|| [Note]: [Any severe injuries, such as dismemberment or extensive internal/external bleeding will not be healed through rest] ||
[-][===][-]
The effect on his body and mind was immediate.
Where he had once been riddled with a constant feeling of anxiety, stress, and fear. Now, he felt practically nothing bar calmness. It felt unnatural, but also correct, as though this was how a mind which didn't overthink was meant to feel.
It felt strange. But, not entirely in an unpleasant way.
His body, similarly, also experienced the strange cleanse. It felt as though all the worries which had once weighed him down in life had been simply washed away. As if a tide had swallowed him whole, scrubbed him clean of any impurities, and spat him out cleaner.
The entire process had taken all of a few seconds. A quick and painless experience that would have left any normal person wondering where their old, worn and torn meat suit had gone.
"Okay…say I believe you, what does this, all of this, entail?" Asael didn't see the point of being in denial any longer, especially when such physical proof had been readily handed to him.
Already, he could see how differently his mind worked, and felt, how much lighter his body had become.
[-][===][-]
|| [As stated before, you will be sent to a unique and supernatural world, plucked out randomly from the wider cosmos] ||
|| [Before we get to that however, you will have to make several choices that will determine how you exist within this new world] ||
[-][===][-]
"So, I'm gambling?" Asael asked, feeling a slight sense of amusement.
[-][===][-]
|| [Precisely] ||
|| [For your first choice, we will begin with your specific race] ||
|| [Please choose between these two options] ||
|| [Human] [?] ||
[-][===][-]
"A question mark?" Asael muttered in thought, his brows furrowing. "I get the choice of being a human, but why – Oh, it's a random selection, isn't it?"
[-][===][-]
|| [Indeed] ||
|| [You may choose to remain as any regular human, or you may choose to become something entirely different] ||
|| [Do be warned, that upon selection, no matter what race you may receive, your choice is locked permanently therein after] ||
|| [As an example, if you choose the random selection, you may be granted either a weak race, like that of a [Rat King] or a mighty race, such as that of a [Phoenix] ||
|| [The choice is yours to make, user] ||
[-][===][-]
Asael thought there was nothing wrong with choosing the obviously safer option.
Whilst being human wasn't the most glamourous of existences, it was better than being turned into a rat, or worse yet, a cockroach. Really, to him it felt like a no brainer…and yet, he hesitated.
Because here he was, being granted the choice of becoming something more. Asael felt no shame in admitting that he felt tempted with the promise of power. What person wouldn't be in his position?
"I guess…with new life, comes new beginnings and all that." Even to his own ears, the excuse felt flat. Not that it stopped him from gambling with his entire future existence.
His arm moved as though it was possessed by a will of its, and before he could truly comprehend just how idiotic he was being, his finger clicked the question mark icon.
Instantly, the screen flickered, before a roulette wheel of gold and marble replaced its interface. Asael watched as it was spun by an invisible lever only a second later, the different words inscribed in each tile soon becoming a blur of speed that moved too fast for his eyes to track.
Asael couldn't help but think, as he patiently waited, that gambling truly was one of the worst inventions of humanity.
[-][===][-]
|| [Race Selected!] ||
|| [Angel] ||
[-][===][-]
"Nevermind! Forget everything I may have just thought. Gambling is truly humanities greatest invention!" He exclaimed, his eyes widening in excited glee as he processed what exactly this meant for him.
[-][===][-]
|| [Your race has now been selected and locked] ||
|| [Now we move onto the Cosmic Wheel] ||
|| [The Cosmic Wheel is capable of granting you exactly one overpowered ability that will set you apart from others and can be considered as a sort of trump card. Any one of these abilities is strong enough to shape entire universes if used correctly] ||
[-][===][-]
"Huh, so that's fucking broken," He commented in muted surprise. "Wait a minute, what's the catch? What's the price I'd have to pay for receiving one of these 'overpowered abilities'?"
Whilst Asael had been studying to one day become a lawyer, that didn't mean his interests laid solely in the practices of law. Like many humans before him, his thirst for knowledge always deviated into other subjects.
A lot of times, it wandered into the sciences and history of his world. But, more often than not, a large majority of his life had been spent on learning about not only mythology, but also folklore, and their connected legends.
As such, it felt only natural for him to feel suspicious when he was being offered such a large boon for seemingly no price.
The system seemed to follow along with his thought process, as a second, smaller box flickered into existence beside the original.
[-][===][-]
|| [You are correct in assuming a price must be paid for such advantages] ||
|| [But you do not need to worry] ||
|| [The price has been paid for by your death] ||
[-][===][-]
That, at the very least, brought him some level of comfort.
Though it was a bit of a morbid thought, to know that his death brought him comfort not in peace, but in the paying of some invisible price.
Already, [Omphalos Mind] was very pointedly shifting how his mind not only thought but felt about certain subjects. It was as fascinating as it was terrifying.
"Alright, spin the wheel," He commanded the system from his still lying form.
At his words, the secondary screen flickered out of existence, and the original shifted once more to reveal a wheel that looked quite a bit different from the last. Where the one before was built of pristine marble and shined gold, this new one seemed to be crafted from the nebulas of universes.
Subtly glowing and pulsing stars ignited as the wheel began to spin, though in the darkness, their silver shine lost all of their radiance.
The wait wasn't nearly as long with this wheel as the one before, and within only a few sparse moments, it came to a grinding halt.
The system display flashed into existence as his ability was manifested into reality for him.
[-][===][-]
|| [Attribute]: [Download] ||
|| [Primus]: [Level Max]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Active/Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [You have the ability to choose any fictional or non-fictional character to ever be created or born, and select one of their [Aspects] or [Attributes] ||
|| [Note]: [Only one character may be downloaded at a time. The time spent downloading a character varies depending on their power and potential] ||
[-][===][-]
Asael felt his eyes widen at the new ability. It was inherently powerful, practically as overpowered as the system had said it would be. He just hadn't expected it to be this overpowered.
He could already envision the characters he might get the chance to download. Naruto, Sasuke, fucking Hashirama Senju! And that was just from one manga series.
It all felt a little too good to be true.
[-][===][-]
|| [Next, are your stats] ||
|| [Loading…] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [Asael Vyke] ||
|| [Level]: [5]-[0/5000] ||
|| [Health Points]: [2500/2500] ||
|| [Mana Points]: [5000/5000] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [VIT]: [15] ||
|| [STR]: [15] ||
|| [DEX]: [15] ||
|| [INT]: [15] ||
|| [WIS]: [15] ||
|| [CHA]: [15] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [SP]: [0] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [VIT] or [VITALITY] ||
|| [This stat represents how much damage you can take before being knocked down or defeated. It affects your physical durability and your resistance to poisons, diseases and any other harmful conditions] ||
|| [Note]: [Every one level invested in this stat provides an additional [+25] to your [HP] or [HEALTH POINT] stat] ||
|| [STR] or [STRENGTH] ||
|| [This stat represents your raw physical power, and your ability to build muscles and their density. Increasing this stat boosts your damage in combat, allowing you to cause more damage through your body and weapons] ||
|| [DEX] or [DEXTERITY] ||
|| [This stat represents your quick reflexes, flexibility and physical speed. It affects your reaction time, how fast you move, and how well you can perform precise tasks] ||
|| [INT] or [INTELLIGENCE] ||
|| [This stat represents your ability to grasp new concepts, think logically, and apply knowledge to real-world situations. It also impacts your ability to pick up new skills. For every two levels that go into this stat, an additional one goes into your [WIS] stat] ||
|| [WIS] or [WISDOM] ||
|| [This stat represents your prudence and street smarts. It directly influences your ability to manage Mana, both in terms of how efficiently you use it and how much you can store, increasing your total Mana capacity] ||
|| [Note]: [Every one level invested in this stat provides an additional [+50] to your [MP] or [MANA POINT] stat]
|| [CHA] or [CHARISMA] ||
|| [This stat represents how well you can persuade, lead, and even manipulate others. It influences how people perceive you, whether it's through charisma, confidence, or the power of your words] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [SP] or [Stat Points] ||
|| [This stat represents how many available points you have to spend. You can use these points to level up any of the previously mentioned stats. These can be gained from levelling up, completing daily challenges, and finishing [Quests]
[-][===][-]
"I'm fifteen stats across the board? My intelligence alone should be higher," Asael's complainant was soundly ignored as the system flickered to display a new screen. At least he knew how to level up, though it left him wondering what exactly the daily challenges would be.
[-][===][-]
|| [Now onto the final part of your rebirth process] ||
|| [You shall be given four spins to make. One of these will be for an item, one for an Aspect, and two for Attributes] ||
[-][===][-]
"What are Aspects and Attributes?" He questioned, having noticed the attached label on the three previous abilities he had been granted.
Another screen appeared next to the original one again, holding within it his explanation.
[-][===][-]
|| [Attributes are primarily passive abilities and boons that you may unlock through experience, downloads, or quests which provide additional help] ||
|| [Aspect are primarily active abilities that you have to activate to use through the consumption of Mana. These are similarly gathered through experience, downloads, and quests] ||
[-][===][-]
"Alright, that makes sense." The secondary screen vanished at his words, leaving behind the same marble and gold roulette wheel from before. With nothing else to question, he nodded, and said, "Spin it."
As before, the wheel spun at a speed too fast for his eyes to process, and when it came to a stop, it landed on a glowing red name.
[-][===][-]
|| [Name]: [Moonveil] ||
|| [Equipment Designation]: [Weapon] ||
|| [Equipment Rarity]: [Epic] ||
|| [Omphalos Categorisation]: [Elden Ring] ||
|| [Description]: [A katana forged of glintstone sorcery, a masterpiece of Sellian sword smithing. In the darkness of the night, light enwreathes the blade when sheathed, explaining its astrological moniker] ||
|| [Enchantments]: ||
|| [Transient Moonlight]: [Unsheathing the blade and tapping into its stored power, it can unleash an instant slash of physical starlight] ||
|| [Glintstone Starlight]: [After absorbing the radiance of the stars, this blade can be ignited in a flash of deliberating light] ||
|| [Sheathed Blade]: [The first strike committed upon pulling this blade out of its sheath deals an extra [50%] of damage against a target] ||
[-][===][-]
"Holy shit," Asael couldn't stop the excited giggle that left his lips. "Elden Ring is included in this?! And you gave me Moonveil!"
He all but cackled as he gazed at the screen. Whilst being far from the best at souls like games, he had spent enough time playing Elden Ring to have fallen in love with it. That he now had a weapon from that universe left him burning with giddiness.
The fact that it was Moonveil, arguably his favourite weapon in the whole franchise, only made the entire thing better.
[-][===][-]
|| [Congratulations] ||
|| [I am glad you are happy with what has been provided] ||
|| [Now onto your Aspect] ||
[-][===][-]
The roulette wheel flashed in light, as the names on its surface were changed, before it began to spin once again. Not even a minute later, a new prompt was waiting to be read.
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [Yoton] ||
|| [Legionnaire]: [Level 1/20]: [Progression: 0%] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Active] ||
|| [Omphalos Categorisation]: [Naruto] ||
|| [Description]: [Whilst often overlooked, this nature transformation is one of the most versatile and powerful abilities to exist. Through the combination of both the elements of fire and earth, lava is born in any form the user wishes for it to exist in. This may range from a liquid form, to a solid, rubber, or even a corrosive adhesive]
|| [Note]: [The strength and potency with which you wield this [Aspect] is entirely dependent on its level. At this moment, you may at best create shattered coals that glow with the essence of dying heat] ||
|| [Cost]: [250MP/M] ||
[-][===][-]
"Well, that's reassuring," Asael commented, eyeing the note attached to the Aspect, once he had calmed down. "Also, what's with the titles sitting next to the levels?"
An additional screen appeared once again to explain it for him.
[-][===][-]
|| [They Ranks are provided to show how far along you have progressed in a singular Aspect or Attribute] ||
|| [As an example, this is how the Ranking system works for your levelling of an ability] ||
|| [Legionnaire]: [1 - 20] ||
|| [Signifier]: [20 - 50] ||
|| [Praefectus]: [50 - 100] ||
|| [Tribunus]: [100 - 200] ||
|| [Centurion]: [200 - 500] ||
|| [Legatus]: [500 - 1000] ||
|| [Primus]: [MAX] ||
[-][===][-]
"Oh, does this come with any benefits?" He asked, understanding the general principle of the system, but simply wanting a more in-depth explanation.
[-][===][-]
|| [It entirely depends on the Aspect or Attribute. Often enough, it decreases the cost you have to spend to utilise the ability, and increases the overall strength and versatility of it] ||
[-][===][-]
"I thought so," He muttered, feeling calm once again.
Whilst not as exciting as getting Moonveil. The ability to create and manipulate lava and magma wasn't anything to scoff at either. It was versatile, and extremely powerful in its own right.
As a starting Aspect, it was perfect in his eyes.
"Let's do those two Attributes now then." He said, granting permission for the wheel to spin again. It flashed once, before spinning, though this time, the process took as long as a few seconds.
[-][===][-]
|| [Attribute]: [Assimilation] ||
|| [Primus]: [Level Max]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Active/Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [You have the ability to assimilate and inherit the specific [Aspects] and [Attributes] of those you kill] ||
|| [Note]: [Assimilating multiple of the same [Aspects] or [Attributes] enhances any similarly existing ones] ||
[-][===][-]
"Damn," If he could whistle, he knew he would have. "Isn't this the same power that all of those tacky, harem stories give to an Isekai protagonist?"
[-][===][-]
|| [You must have hit your head. This is a completely original idea] ||
[-][===][-]
Asael ignored the new message as a realisation hit him as hard as the truck which killed him. "Wait a minute, am I an Isekai protagonist?"
[-][===][-]
|| [Would you look at that!] ||
|| [Your second Attribute is ready to be viewed!] ||
[-][===][-]
"Hold-!" He was interrupted almost instantly with a new prompt.
[-][===][-]
|| [Attribute]: [Death Paintings Physiology] ||
|| [Primus]: [Level Max]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive] ||
|| [Omphalos Categorisation]: [Jujutsu Kaisen] ||
|| [Description]: [You are a creation of Kenjaku, the Mad Monk. A child of a Human, and a Cursed Spirit. Your existence is an unusual one, and your birth is far from conventional. But, with such a heritage, you are granted the combined powers of all nine Death Paintings, and their unique physiology] ||
|| [Note]: [Due to your unconventional lineage, any [Aspect] related to blood receives a reduced [Cost] of [100%] ||
[-][===][-]
Asael just sighed, accepting the rebuttal for what it was.
Choosing to instead focus on more productive matters, his head swivelled to look at the new Attribute. It didn't take a genius to figure out what it meant, though it did leave him questioning if his chosen race was just made redundant.
He decided to ask. "Am I still going to be an Angel with this new Attribute?"
It was quick to respond with reassurances.
[-][===][-]
|| [My interference will allow you to remain as an Angel. But your body will retain some biological differences that are commonly seen in the Death Paintings and those who absorb them] ||
[-][===][-]
"Okay, that's actually pretty cool." Though inwardly he did wonder if people would still see him as an Angel when he revealed his powers. Wielding blood as a weapon was often seen by many as wrong and vile, after all.
In the end, he decided it didn't matter to him.
It was just a part of him people would have to either accept or ignore. The thoughts of others rarely bothered him.
The screens before him merged into one a moment later, where a single, blinking message remained.
[-][===][-]
|| [Entering the world of Fairy Tail…] ||
[-][===][-]
"Isn't that a little sudden-!"
Asael's words tapered off as a bright, flash of light swallowed both him, and the realm of darkness whole.
[====]-[===]-[====]
[End]