1 Who Am I?
I woke up dizzy and hungry, unable to remember where this place was. Then I realized it wasn't just the place that was strange--I had no memories of myself.
For some reason, my body felt like I had slept for millennia. The more I surveyed what was around me, the creepier it got--I was in a dark cave surrounded by red flowers, and beside me ran a beautiful yellow river. I thought I was in a dream, but then I slapped myself.
It hurt. I wasn't dreaming. This nightmare was absolute.
I got up to score a drink from the river. Scooping water into the palms of my hands, I drank. It had no flavor, but the moment the water entered my mouth, I started to get dizzy again and began to lose bits of my remaining memory. It was a mystery why I couldn't remember the past or the present, but the more I questioned this insanity, the more of my recent memories began to fade.
Then I heard a commanding voice.
~Welcome to the world of Erebus~
When I heard the voice, I was relieved. I wanted to ask so many questions, but my stomach started to make weird noises, and I began to feel nauseous and threw up the little water I'd swallowed.
I tried to reply to the unknown voice, but unfortunately, it didn't hear me, or maybe it was Ignoring me. It had mentioned that this world was called "Erebus." I ignored the weird voice and started to drink from the river again. Then the cycle of forgetfulness began once more--this time, I only remembered "Erebus."
I began to scream. Why was the name of this world the only thing I could remember?
Then waves of sound exploded in my head before I passed out, and I heard a faint voice.
"System initializing--5% . . . 30% . . . 50% . . . 75% . . .100%."
Ding!
"The System will now begin merging with the host. Awakening of a god has begun."
I woke up, my head spinning. I was frustrated with this world at first--I woke up hungry in a dark cave, not able to remember who I was. Then I tried to ease onto my stomach and drink from the mysterious river, but my remaining memories began to fade.
"WTF? I can remember."
Before I got knocked out, I heard a voice coming from my head. It said something about a "system." Then the beautiful voice came once more.
[System completely unified with the host]
"What system?"
[The system is to help you control your powers and know knowledge beyond this world]
"I don't have the powers you speak of."
The system began to laugh; for what reason, I didn't know. Then it said, "Say, 'status.'
[You should be able to see your strength]
I did as the voice said, speaking aloud. "Status."
A moment later, a golden screen with white writing popped out.
[Name: ?]
[Race: ?]
[System Name: None]
[Sleep: Ω]
[Power: ∞]
[Magic: ∞]
[Skills: ∞]
[Strength: ∞]
[Speed: ∞]
[Wealth: ∞]
[Imagination: ∞]
[Worldly Summon: ∞]
[Qualification Points: 0]
My head started to hurt. I didn't understand the words on the screen. I only understood the name part, but it was empty. "I don't understand what this is. Can you explain why the name part is empty?"
[You don't have enough qualification points, but your power Has no limit]
No limit. That sounded overpowered, but I seemed to have forgotten something again.
"What are qualification points?" I asked.
[Qualification points are rewarded when the host accomplishes a deed, good or bad]
Qualification points shape my journey; if I choose bad Qualification Points, I can become evil, and so on.
I began to ask the system many questions.
"What is the world of Erebus? And why can't I remember who I am?
[Erebus is the realm of darkness. This world consists of 30% humans, 50% demons, and 20% magical beasts. As for the second question, you don't have enough qualification points]
This world seemed fascinating. I wanted to get out of this weird cave and travel. I also realized I needed to eat. This world had different races, different kinds of beings, but what was I?
"System, do you have a name? I don't particularly appreciate calling you 'System.' Also, what race am I?"
[I don't have a name. You can name me as you wish. Also, you can choose what race you want by clicking the option on your screen]
I pondered what name I should give to the system. The voice sounded like a woman, and she was knowledgable and helpful. Lisa? No, that sounded easy. Fahima? That sounded cool. "Your name should be Fahima."
The voice laughed again.
[That's a great name. I thought you were going to name me Lisa]
It sighed.
How did she know that? It seemed like she could read my mind or something. This woman was too dangerous. I called up the strange list again.
"Status."
[Name: ?]
[Race: ?]
[System Name: Fahima]
[Sleep: Ω]
[Power: ∞]
[Magic: ∞]
[Skills: ∞]
[Strength: ∞]
[Speed: ∞]
[Wealth: ∞]
[Imagination: ∞]
[Worldly Summon: ∞]
[Qualification Points: 0]
I clicked the race option, and another screen popped out, but it was smaller than before.
[Choose Your Race:]
A list of options appeared below.
[Human]
[Demon]
[Magical Beast]
[Angel]
[God]
I thought Fahima had said there were only three races in this world. How was I able to choose "angel" or "god" as well?
[Your power has no limit," she said, "and surpasses the limits of this world]
"You can read my mind. That's weird."
[The host and I are connected]
This whole time, she was spying on me. I was right--this woman was dangerous. I went back to the panel to choose my race. Clicking on each one, I found information about them.
[Humans: Low-tier race and the weakest on Erebus. Strength around [F-A]. Locked, Need Qualification Points]
[Demons: Mid-tier race and the most vital race on Erebus. Strength around [C-S]. Locked, Need Qualification Points]
[Magical Beast: Mid-tier race, the rulers of Erebus. Strength around [B-S]. Locked, Need Qualification Points]
[Angel: High-tier Race, the protectors of Erebus. Strength [*SSS*]. Locked, Need Qualification Points]
[God: The most powerful existence in the universe of Erebus. Strength [Unmeasurable]. Locked, Need Qualification Points]
Humans were weak, demons were dumb, and I didn't want to be a magical beast. I think I can summon high-tier Beasts, and Angels are messengers of God. I Choose?
