Chapter 1: The End of a Man, the Start of a God's Game
Pain.
That was Ray's final memory. Not of love. Not of glory. Just pain—raw, biting, endless.
And then… nothing.
No flames. No heaven. No judgment.
Only silence.
Until a voice broke the void.
> "Raymond Kestel, your life in the human world has ended. But your story… it has just begun."
Ray opened his eyes.
The pain was gone, but so was his body—replaced by something weightless, formless. He was suspended in a sphere of light, surrounded by stars that pulsed like ancient hearts.
"Am I dead?" he asked, his voice echoing strangely, as if spoken through water.
> "Yes."
"Is this hell? Or... heaven?"
> "Neither. This is a checkpoint."
The voice was ancient. Calm. Detached. Yet Ray could feel something beneath it—power layered like tectonic plates.
> "You were chosen, Ray. Among billions, your soul shone with potential. Ambition. Rage. Loyalty. Spite. All the perfect fuel for what's coming."
Ray narrowed his eyes. "Chosen for what? A cosmic lottery?"
> "Rebirth."
> "A new world. One on the brink of collapse. Protected by the gods. Targeted by realms of beasts, monsters, and horrors beyond your nightmares. A world that will die… unless someone like you changes its fate."
Ray laughed bitterly. "So I'm your pawn?"
> "No. You're my candidate. My bet."
And then the light shifted.
Three golden cards floated in front of him.
System 15. Domain Seed. Necromancer Class.
> "A sarcastic companion. A realm of your own. And the most feared forbidden class humanity once banished. Take them. Shape the world. Or let it burn."
Ray hesitated. "What's the catch?"
> "Live. Or die again. That's all."
Ray reached forward.
As his hand touched the cards, everything exploded in white—
And then he was falling. Screaming. Burning.
Until he landed with a gasp.
In a crib.
In a stone house.
In the arms of a woman with kind eyes and a warrior's posture.
"Welcome back, Ray," the voice whispered one last time. "Let's see how far you'll rise before you break."
---Chapter 2: A New Life, A New Game
Ray's first breath in his new life was a shock to his system.
A sharp, cool inhale, and suddenly, he was flooded with sensations: the taste of air, the soft fabric against his skin, and a mother's warmth surrounding him. His eyes fluttered open, but everything was blurry—a haze of colors and shapes—until they focused on her face.
A woman. Older, with a youthful energy beneath the wrinkles of age, her face framed by black hair streaked with silver. She held him gently in her arms, smiling down at him with a tenderness Ray hadn't known in his past life.
Her eyes glistened with love. "Ray… you're awake."
Ray blinked. His mind was still spinning from the shock of his sudden arrival in this strange body. A child. A baby. He wasn't sure how long he lay there in her arms, but the warmth began to sink in, even though part of his mind screamed that this was wrong.
"Wait…" Ray croaked, his voice a strange, alien thing, so small compared to what he remembered. "I... I was just—"
Before he could finish, a loud knock sounded from the door. His mother didn't flinch, though the tightness in her posture was unmistakable. She pulled Ray closer and cooed softly, "Rest, my son. You've had a long journey."
But Ray's mind wasn't content with that. System 15, the snarky voice that had been echoing in his head ever since his sudden awakening, spoke up with its usual lack of sympathy:
> "Well, well. Welcome to the family, Ray. Don't get too comfortable though. You're not here for cuddles and naps. You've got work to do."
Ray groaned internally. "Can't I just... relax for once?"
> "Relax? The world is literally on the verge of being destroyed by ancient powers, and you want to nap? Talk about wasted potential."
Ray resisted the urge to sigh. Of course, it was a situation like this. Always a catch. Always a goddamn twist.
His mother looked down at him, a soft frown crossing her face. "You'll be okay, my little one. You're strong. You'll learn the ways of our family. I'll see to it that you grow strong."
Ray shifted uncomfortably in her arms, trying to adjust to this new form. How long had it been since he was a man? How had he ended up here, in the body of an infant, a member of some noble family? What did it all mean? His mind raced through possibilities, and the System 15 provided no answers—just empty amusement.
> "Guess you'll have to figure it out yourself, Ray. First lesson: Welcome to the family. They're good for a while... but your real game begins soon."
The door opened with a creak, and in walked a man. Tall, broad-shouldered, with the sharpness of someone who had seen more than his fair share of battles. Ray's father, from the looks of it—a strong, stern figure whose very presence filled the room. His aura was undeniable, even in this small, humble house.
His father approached with cautious steps and lowered his gaze to Ray. His eyes softened, and Ray felt an odd warmth at the sight. Despite everything, there was a sense of... safety here. Something he hadn't felt in his previous life.
"How's my son?" His father's voice was rough but tender.
"He's fine," his mother replied softly, her hand brushing his hair. "Strong. He'll be a warrior one day, like you."
Ray felt a strange pull in his chest at the mention of the word "warrior." That old part of him—the part that had once led armies, fought battles, and carried himself with a sharp tongue—was stirring. But it was all muted, distant, as if watching through a veil.
> "Ah, the great warrior's son. Looks like your past lives aren't all gone after all, huh? Maybe this time, we can make something interesting out of you."
Ray grimaced. "Could you shut up for a second? I'm trying to figure out what's happening."
> "That's the problem with you. Always overthinking."
Ray was going to snap back, but his father suddenly looked at him, his gaze deep and full of thought. "There's something special about you, Ray," he said quietly. "I know it. You've got a fire in you."
Ray's heart skipped a beat. Was this his chance? To prove himself? To rise?
Or was this just another setup in the game the gods were playing?
Before he could dwell too long on it, his mother gently rocked him in her arms, her voice quiet. "Rest now. Tomorrow, we begin your training."
Ray's mind buzzed with thoughts of what was to come. He knew this world wasn't just a peaceful existence—it was a battlefield, a place where his strength and his family's might would be tested. But that didn't mean he was ready to let go of the comfort of his new life... not just yet.
> "You're not here for a nap, Ray. Don't forget it."
Ray gritted his teeth. "Yeah, I get it."---
Chapter 3: The Awakening Begins
Ray spent the first few days in his new body trying to adapt. His infantile body was frustratingly weak, and his mind, while still sharp, was encumbered by the limitations of a child. He couldn't walk, couldn't speak clearly, and even holding his head up for long was a struggle.
But his new System 15 had no intention of letting him rest. The voice constantly nagged at him, like a mischievous mentor, always urging him forward.
> "You're pathetic. Get moving. Don't make me start listing your failures."
Ray barely managed to twist his face into a grimace. "Shut up. You can't possibly expect me to start training right now. I'm literally a baby."
> "That's your problem, Ray. You think too much about limitations. Training begins the moment you're reborn. Your mind is sharp—use it."
Despite the constant banter, Ray couldn't deny that there was something comforting about the System's persistence. It kept his mind active, reminding him that there was a purpose for everything.
On the fourth day after his rebirth, the first major event of his new life occurred.
His father—who had been nothing but kind, but distant—sat beside him. It was the first time Ray was able to focus fully on his father's presence. His father's aura was palpable: powerful, yet grounded. The man was a warrior, but there was something else in his eyes. A weight, perhaps, that Ray couldn't yet understand.
His father placed a hand on his forehead, his fingers warm against Ray's skin.
"Ray," his father began, voice low, as though speaking to someone far older, "you are going to be trained by your grandfather."
Ray blinked, hearing his father's words for the first time with full understanding. Grandfather. The name sent a small shiver down his spine. The man who led their family, the one who ruled over their ancestral land. A Level 7 warrior—strong, calculated, and revered by many. But the mention of training… it meant one thing. Power. He wasn't being raised to be a simple noble child. He was being raised to lead. To fight.
The words from his System echoed in his mind.
> "Time to start learning, Ray. You think your father is going to hand you power on a silver platter? No, no. You'll need to prove your worth to him. To yourself. To this world."
Ray's lips moved in silence as he processed everything. His father's words lingered.
"You'll be trained in martial arts, swordsmanship, and the other skills necessary to fight." His father paused, his gaze shifting. "I'm sure you'll be able to awaken your skills soon."
Ray felt a tightening in his chest, an inexplicable drive to be more than what he was right now. Awakening. The thought of it—it had to mean something big. Something tied to the powers of this world.
His mother, ever attentive, smiled softly at him. "You'll grow strong, Ray. You'll carry the weight of this family on your shoulders one day."
Ray clenched his tiny fist. He didn't know how, but he knew that this family, this life, was his new chance. His path to strength started now.
---
Chapter 4: The First Glimpse of the Power
The training began almost immediately. Ray's family believed in hands-on learning, and though his infantile body was useless for actual physical training, his mind remained as sharp as ever. With his System 15's help, he was able to absorb information at a rapid pace.
The first lesson his Grandfather taught him, even before Ray could walk, was the essence of Mana. Mana was the lifeblood of this world, the power that coursed through everything and everyone. Every human, beast, and creature had the ability to draw from it—some more easily than others.
As Ray's grandfather explained, "Mana is the foundation of everything. It's not enough to wield a weapon. You must have the will to wield your power."
Ray felt the faintest flicker of mana stirring in the depths of his being. It was weak, like a tiny spark, but it was there.
> "Ah, there we go. Now you're starting to get it. That's your Mana core, Ray. That's your connection to this world. With training, you'll build it. Grow it."
Ray's grandfather, a Level 7 warrior, saw the faintest flicker of Ray's budding power, and though his face remained stoic, there was a glimmer of approval in his eyes.
"Good. We'll see what you're truly capable of soon enough," he said quietly.
---
Chapter 5: The Role of the Family
Over the next few weeks, Ray's family continued their training. His mother, a Level 5 warrior, focused on teaching him the finer points of strategy. It wasn't enough to be strong physically—one had to be a master tactician, a leader. She spoke of the ways of war, of the balance between power and intellect.
Meanwhile, Ray's Junior Brother, though still young, was already awakening his Shepherd class. As his brother's abilities began to manifest, Ray noticed the differences between them. While Ray was still bound by the limitations of his infant body, his brother seemed to possess an innate connection with animals. His abilities allowed him to summon and command creatures, even at this early stage.
> "Lucky little brat," System 15 quipped, "He has it easier than you."
Ray ignored it. Shepherd Class wasn't his focus. His power lay in something different—something far more dangerous. He had Necromancy, and with it, a future army that would follow his every command. Beast Trees, Undead Legions, and Mythical Weapons—these were the tools that would make him a force to be reckoned with.
---
Chapter 6: The First Test
One day, his grandfather summoned him for a private meeting in the training hall. The elder man's eyes were sharp as he looked down at Ray, who could barely sit upright by himself at this point.
"Ray," his grandfather began, voice deep and commanding, "today you will undergo your first test. It is not a test of strength or skill. It is a test of your will."
Ray's eyes widened. "Will?"
"Yes," his grandfather confirmed, "The will to fight. The will to survive. You have the power of the Necromancer, but that power is only as strong as your desire to wield it. The monsters, the beasts, the challenges—if you do not have the heart to fight, you will fail. Now, show me your will."
Ray's tiny hand trembled, but he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could feel it. The faint stirrings of something inside him. He wanted this. He wanted power.
> "Well, well. This is where it starts, Ray. You'd better be ready. It's time to show them what you're made of."
With that, Ray focused on his core. His mana. He tapped into it, just a little. A spark, a flare, an ember of power. Necromancy flowed into his consciousness.
A shadow flickered in the corner of the training hall.
---
End of---
Chapter 6: The First Test (Expanded)
The training hall was quiet—too quiet.
The polished obsidian floor reflected torchlight like rippling oil, casting long, flickering shadows across the stone walls. This wasn't just a room—it was a shrine to generations of warriors. The spears mounted on the wall weren't for show; each had a history of blood. Each tile beneath Ray's tiny feet had known battle.
Ray sat upright, sweat trailing down his temple despite the chill. His baby body shouldn't have been able to do that—but it did. Mana burned in his chest, feeble and chaotic, like a newborn flame in a storm.
Across from him stood his grandfather.
Tall. Towering. A blade strapped to his back, not for protection, but habit. The man's presence was heavy, like gravity with a scowl. His aura alone could crush most people's confidence. But to Ray? It was a challenge. One that stirred something deep inside him.
"I won't repeat myself," the old man said, his voice calm. "Call it out. I want to see it."
Ray swallowed. He couldn't speak properly yet, not with this undeveloped throat, but he understood perfectly.
He focused inward.
System 15 whispered like a devil.
> "Come on, Ray. Reach deeper. You've got more bite than bark, right? Don't let that old fossil intimidate you. You're not a cub—you're a future predator."
Mana surged. For a brief moment, Ray felt it. The core of what he was. Not a child. Not a noble's son. Not even human, in the ordinary sense.
He was marked by death. Not cursed. Not blessed. Chosen.
The air snapped.
From the corner of the training hall, a long shadow detached from the wall. It slithered forward—not crawling, not creeping. It flowed. A shape emerged: indistinct, like smoke with bones. It formed legs. Then a skull. A beast.
It was skeletal, half-born, still forming. Bits of ethereal flesh clung to its frame like the last leaves of a dead tree. Its eyes were hollow, glowing faintly with green necrotic light. The temperature in the room dropped.
His grandfather's hand rested on the hilt of his blade, but he didn't draw it.
Ray's body trembled—not from fear, but exertion. He held the beast together with sheer will. He didn't know what it was—System 15 had offered no help.
> "I didn't tell you because you needed to find it on your own. That, Ray, is a proto-wolf. Not summoned. Not revived. Manifested. From your Domain. From your will."
A proto-wolf.
It stared at the grandfather. It didn't growl, but its presence radiated intent. Protection. Loyalty. Instinct.
Ray's eyes fluttered with strain.
His grandfather slowly removed his hand from the blade.
"…You're your own kind of monster," the old man muttered.
Then he stepped forward—and knelt.
Not in submission. In recognition.
"This is your first summon?" he asked.
Ray gave a weak, silent nod.
His grandfather reached out, running a finger down the proto-wolf's bony snout. "Your Domain isn't just alive… it's listening."
Ray didn't know what that meant yet. But the weight of the words settled in his chest.
The test was over. But something far greater had begun.
---