13 Volume I - Chapter 13

My consciousness seemed to wander, and a weighty sensation pressed down on me, as if I were on the brink of death again. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open, and I was greeted by a scene I hadn't expected. A typical classroom, filled with school desks, but notably devoid of life. It was as if time had stopped, leaving the room in silence.

Confusion welled up in me. "Where am I?" I murmured, noticing a strange unusual distance between the floor and my body — I seemed taller. Everything felt different, out of place.

I was pulled from my reverie by the creak of the door opening. Without wanting to, my attention was immediately drawn there. A female figure emerged. Her long, dark hair flowed gently down her back, contrasting with the white shirt of her school uniform. Her light blue tie was perfectly positioned, and her red and green plaid skirt subtly swayed with every step she took. Her green eyes, almost like emeralds, shone with a mix of relief and reproach.

"Ah, finally found you, Z! Were you daydreaming? I must have circled this school a thousand times looking for you," she said with a teasing tone, but in a way, it exuded playful affection.

"Who are you?" I asked, still feeling disoriented.

She raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Really, Z? Playing dumb now? It's me, Vanessa."

"Sorry, Vanessa, but I genuinely don't remember you. What's going on here? Why is the room so empty?"

She looked around, putting on a dramatically puzzled face. "Empty? Look closely, Casper, our friendly ghost, is in the back. Just kidding! It's just us here, Z. And about us... you've been acting strange since the day we talked."

Trying to gather my thoughts, I felt like I was nearly drowning in a sea of uncertainties. "I kind of feel like I know you, Vanessa. But I don't know from where."

She stepped closer, giving my hand a light pat. "Chill, Z. You look like you've been hit by a train. Breathe, and let's go, the class is about to start."

"What class? There's no one here, Vanessa. This feels like a horror movie scene."

She laughed. "Always so dramatic! Come, sit here. I'll protect you from the ghosts, Mr. Drama." She pulled me to one of the desks, where two backpacks lay, one of which seemed to be mine.

"Why do you call me Z?" I asked, still somewhat lost.

"Well, I've always called you that. Since... well, forever," she said, shrugging and making a mysterious face.

"Since when?" I insisted, feeling there was something important slipping from my mind.

She paused dramatically, let out an exaggerated sigh, and said, "Since we became accomplices in the crime of stealing each other's hearts, of course!" The way she spoke was laden with irony and a touch of theatricality.

"Close? What do you mean?" I asked, completely confused, trying to grasp the pieces of the puzzle she was laying out.

She giggled and, leaning in closer, whispered, "You've always been a hardhead, Z. And me, well, I've always loved a challenge." Out of the blue, she clapped loudly near my face, making a sharp sound. "Wake up, Z! Time to return to reality!"

The sound of her clap echoed in my mind, and I felt everything blur; my vision darkened again, and soon I couldn't see anything. My eyes opened slowly, and I found myself lying down again with some medical devices by my side in an improvised tent.

'I guess Escarlate found me... damn, my whole body aches,' I tried to move but felt sharp pains as I did, as if my body was warning me not to move too much.

The atmosphere was stifling, and I could hear murmurs and movement outside the tent, but I couldn't make out the words. A gust of fresh air filled the space as the tent entrance opened, and a figure appeared. It was Escarlate. Her face showed signs of concern, but her eyes brightened upon seeing I was conscious.

"You're awake," she said, more to herself, as she quickly approached. Her steps were decisive, but her eyes betrayed an uncommon gentleness, and I could feel a nurturing energy emanating from her.

"How do you feel?" she asked, her eyes scanning my condition, looking for signs of improvement or decline.

"Everything hurts," I managed to whisper, the dryness in my throat making every word a struggle. "What happened?"

Escarlate grabbed a nearby chair, sitting by my side. "You were found unconscious amidst the ruins," she explained. "We were lucky to have arrived in time. You're in a delicate condition."

My mind started to clear a bit, images of the battle and destruction returning in flashes. The girl with messy hair and eyes filled with terror also came to mind. "The girl," I said, urgency evident in my voice. "Is she okay?"

She sighed deeply and started, "She was found; we took her to the church," she scratched her head, sensing an impending headache. "What were you thinking? Going into a conflict with the Fallen all by yourself? Are you out of your mind? How did you end up there? You were 10km away from camp."

"They caught me, dragged me to the village. I seized the moment they let their guard down to counter-attack," I said straightforwardly.

"You used that energy again, didn't you? We found traces of the Fallen in the village, but the bodies... one was unrecognizable, and the other was destroyed with a massive hole in the chest."

Escarlate looked at me intently, her eyes sparking with a mix of anger and concern. "I can't believe you were so reckless, Kuroto. Your body can't handle that energy constantly. You could have died."

I laughed, forcing myself to sit down, and looked into her eyes. I could already feel my body becoming less sore as the pain suppression began to work. "Who decided this, Escarlate? Do you suddenly know my limits?" I said, my voice cold and flat as I stared at her.

"You irresponsible brat, you think you can talk like that to your captain?" She glared at me, furious, but after a deep sigh, she looked away. "You'd be screwed if you hadn't at least saved the gear user."

I looked at her briefly before asking, "How many victims?" My gaze was calm as I said this.

She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether she should answer. "Only the user was alive... the rest of the village, well, they weren't so lucky."

"I figured. The streets were painted with blood and bodies," I said, grasping the situation but showing little concern, which surprised Escarlate.

"It wasn't your fault, kid. You saving that girl and getting out alive was a miracle," she said, trying to comfort me.

"Meh, I wasn't fast enough, but whatever," I responded nonchalantly, drawing her attention.

She heaved a heavy sigh and looked at me disapprovingly. "I bet the girl you saved doesn't think that way. And what's with these reactions? Shouldn't you be shaken up?"

"Why should I?" I genuinely asked, puzzled by her surprise. "They died because they couldn't defend themselves. If I had been faster, I could have saved them, but since they're dead, at least one of them was saved. Though in the hands of the church, maybe it would have been better if she had died too."

Escarlate leaned back, a complex expression crossing her face. She seemed to balance her innate sternness with deeper, maternal concern.

"It's not that simple, Kuroto," she replied, her tone softening. "We have our rules and orders to follow, but it doesn't mean we don't care about what happens to you or Lisa."

"Hm," I murmured, looking away. I knew she was trying to help in her own way, but the words felt empty. The reality was that I was here amidst pain and chaos, fighting battles that felt overwhelming.

Escarlate remained silent, likely considering her next words. "You did what you could, and sometimes that's all we can do," she finally said. "But remember, you're not alone in this, Kuroto."

I looked at her, meeting her eyes filled with determined resolve. "Maybe," I reluctantly admitted. "But that doesn't change what happened."

Escarlate nodded, her expression growing even softer. "No, it doesn't," she agreed. "But it helps bear the weight. You don't have to go through it alone, Kuroto."

For a moment, I let her words sink in, allowing a hint of comfort to pierce the armor I'd built around myself. Yet, the harsh reality remained.

"What happens now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"We'll ensure you fully recover first," she said firmly. "Then, we'll assess the situation and decide our next steps. And remember, Kuroto, we're in this together," she added, gently ruffling my hair before heading outside.

For clarity, I've translated the passage into English while maintaining fidelity to the original content:

For my part, I didn't waste much time and opened my status window to distribute the points. I knew that my body was already much stronger than most people's, but I still didn't know how strong I was, nor how much I could improve. So, taking advantage of the many points I now had, I decided to conduct a little test. However, the first thing I did was remove the negative luck status. I hope problems will stop chasing me now.

'Let's start with strength,' I thought. My body was still recovering, but aside from the hole in my arm, I felt I could use my full strength in the other arm. Let's test this out.

I clenched my fist hard, trying to roughly gauge how much force I could now exert. I squeezed with all I had a few times and soon became thoughtful, calculating some things in my mind.

'I think around 350-400kg. And if I use the cursed energy?' I mused to myself as I enveloped my fist with it and repeated the test a few more times. 'Around 450-500kg, a relative increase of 12.5% to 42.86%. Not bad,' I thought before opening the status window again.

Upon opening the window, there were still 20 unused points. I used one for strength to test it out and gauge how much it would increase. As soon as I added it, I didn't feel much different, save for a brief sensation of comfort.

"What's this? I was expecting something else... like excruciating pain like last time. It's better not to experience that again," I said aloud to myself as I prepared to test once more.

I squeezed hard again and felt a slight difference in power and strength, but it could just be my imagination. I would need some equipment to be sure if it really increased, but I felt a significant improvement.

'Around 60kg... No, maybe a bit more. I'll round it off to 60kg per status point... a 15% improvement seems great. If it continues like this, I might reach superhuman levels soon... though I think I'm already at peak human.'

Considering the average strength of an athletic human is between 120 to 250 kg, I believe I surpassed that some time ago.

I made several analyses in my mind, which made time fly by. I did numerous probable calculations on the system, considering what it could provide in terms of status for each attribute. The system itself doesn't seem to directly inform me how much it enhances my constitution, but with some equations, I can arrive at a probable outcome.

Taking into account that my attributes are already higher than those of an average athletic human, the human average for points must be between 2~4 for strength and agility. However, other statuses seem even more suggestive. Sensitivity seems relative. Escarlate, with a physique as good as or even better than mine, would be at the human peak. However, her sensitivity is frightening. Thus, the average for this could vary from individual to individual. Although there's a way to enhance the senses, I don't see a simple method to improve them outside the system.

My senses are already sharp enough for now. I feel I'll start to struggle if I don't improve my constitution and agility, so let's focus on those points for now. That's how I distributed my points, and this is how they ended up in the end.

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『STATISTICS』

Name: Kuroto‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Level: 06

Age: 29 (06+23)

Race: Reincarnated Human

Sacred Gear: ᓭℸ ̣ ᔑ∷ʖ𝙹∷リ ᒷ||ᒷᓭ 𝙹⎓ ╎リℸ ̣ ⚍╎ℸ ̣ ╎𝙹リ

Title: N/A

Faction: N/A

XP

[█░░░░░░░░░] 500/16000

___________________________

Strength: 15 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Vitality: 10

Agility: 15 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Wisdom: 10

Senses: 10 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Luck: 0

___________________________

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Remaining Points: 0

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I hadn't noticed a major difference when I added just one point, but the 10 points at once had a much bigger effect. I felt lighter, although I can't test my agility at the moment since I'm bedridden. But if the results are as good as the strength status, I don't have much to worry about.

"Now, let's see," I slowly moved my hand below the system store. I had accumulated some DG, 1000 points in total. I browsed through the store and was in doubt. There was that extremely useful ability for 100 DG and the Water Breathing for 1000 DG.

'At the moment, I think that ability won't be as useful. I don't have enough points, and I also don't have items or abilities to keep mixing one with the other... and I also need to improve my fencing urgently, so I know what I'll do,' I said, opening the store window and buying that ability.

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『Water Breathing Technique』- 1000 DG

The Water Breathing Technique is an elegant and fluid combat style, inspired by the ever-changing and adaptable nature of water. This technique allows the user to deliver precise and powerful strikes, with movements that flow smoothly from one to the next, akin to flowing water.

Each form practiced within this technique emulates a different characteristic of water, from its softness and ability to adapt to any shape, to its devastating force when unleashed. By mastering the Water Breathing, the user can face enemies with grace and power, moving and attacking in a manner that's almost dance-like and hypnotic, easily confusing and subduing opponents.

The skill not only enhances the user's physical combat performance but also infuses their attacks with a mystical energy that can cut through demons and other supernatural creatures, making it a valuable tool for any warrior. This technique requires a high level of concentration and breath control and is most effective when the user maintains a state of calm and focus, allowing water to flow through them without restraint.

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Not just a fencing skill, but also a breathing control skill, it will help me enhance my physique and endurance, it's a great skill, honestly, it's a steal, so I won't think twice and buy it.

As soon as I completed the purchase, a strange and refreshing sensation ran through my entire body. It felt as if I had been submerged in a spring of fresh water, a rejuvenating feeling. Soon after, information began to fill my mind, details about the technique, its forms, the movements, and even the correct way to breathe to maximize its potential.

"Wow, this is... amazing!" I murmured, still trying to assimilate all the information I was receiving.

Suddenly, the system's voice echoed in my mind.

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『MESSAGE』

Purchase confirmed.

『Water Breathing Technique acquired』

Training book delivered

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A small book with an antique finish and a hard cover, very similar to those manhua technique books, blue, with writing in Japanese. 'Wait... Please tell me this isn't in Japanese!' Upon opening the book, it was entirely in traditional Japanese. 'DAMN IT! WHAT THE HECK!' The training book for this is entirely in Japanese, how will I practice...

I sighed, closed my eyes, and thought about the sensation I had received. I tried to breathe in the way that it appeared, and I felt a very different sensation, as if oxygen flowed and filled my lungs completely and as if my whole body became calmer and lighter. For now, I'll have to practice with the knowledge my mind has acquired... the system just screws me over, man, this sucks.

Lying down, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to rest. I hope to see a slight improvement in my life now.

...

...

...

4 years later...

We're on a plane currently heading straight for the Vatican. Escarlate, Sion, and I are on our way because we received orders that our squad will be dispatched for a mission of utmost importance, and I was also called to be received again by the institute. However, the orders were to find a certain person in the Vatican first. It's been a peaceful journey, maybe too peaceful. My life has been so busy; sometimes reconnaissance missions, other times diplomacy, and rarely combat. I thought it would be more dynamic, but honestly, I haven't received a single mission from the system since the fight with the fallen.

All I do is focus on my studies, and between you and me, it took about a year to become fluent in Japanese, and I finally started practicing the skill book. Honestly, I feel incredibly fulfilled. Even without gaining more attribute points, with water breathing and cursed energy, I could easily boost my attributes and was already considered a superhuman in the squad.

I've had some clashes with Escarlate during this time, and in the end, after learning how to use water breathing, the score is 5 for her and 9 for me. I've become much stronger, honestly. I'm still getting used to life, but I still hate being bound to the church, and it's been years since I've seen Tosca, Lint, or Lisa. But maybe it's for the best.

Upon arriving at the Vatican, as we got out of the car, Escarlate pulled me aside to talk privately while Sion went ahead.

"It's been several years since we've been in the field, so I think it's better if you don't come in with us," she said, looking at me seriously.

I laughed at her remark and just shrugged. "It's all good, grandma. I don't want to listen to the crap from the higher-ups. You guys go ahead; I'll take a stroll around the city and see if I can find the orphanage where I used to live."

"Kuro, don't be reckless and don't cause any trouble; we're just passing through," she said, and then put her hand over her eyes, squeezing them lightly. "Don't pick fights and preferably don't talk to anyone."

"Ah, alright grandma, do you want me to pretend to be a statue too? I won't get hurt, you know that," I said, laughing at the way she was treating me.

"I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about whoever you run into; you have this habit of hitting first and asking questions later," she said, looking at me sternly and reproachfully.

"A bad habit I picked up from a certain brunette with red eyes," I replied with a smile, gazing at her kindly.

She sighed deeply before saying, "Just don't cause any trouble, okay?"

"I promise nothing," I said, bidding her farewell and heading off for a stroll around the city.

Honestly, this is one of the few moments where I'm actually having fun, you know? Living an ordinary and peaceful life seems like a joke. I stopped by one of the churches in the Vatican, and as I was admiring the architecture, I accidentally bumped into someone who then fell.

"Whoops, sorry, I didn't see you," I said, offering my hand to help her up.

When she looked up, I realized she was a blonde girl with long golden hair that flowed perfectly over her shoulders. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and a hint of sadness. She wore attire resembling a nun's but had a more modern and stylized design. Despite her youthful appearance, there was something in her eyes suggesting she had been through a lot in her short life.

"Oh, don't worry," she replied in a soft, melodic voice, accepting my hand. "I was also distracted admiring the church. My name is Asia."

"Kuroto," I responded, slightly surprised to meet someone like her in the Vatican. "Nice to meet you, Asia."

She smiled sweetly, nodding her head. "The pleasure is mine, Kuroto. I hope you can forgive me for the incident."

"There's nothing to apologize for," I assured her. "After all, it was an interesting encounter."