"You have to remain calm," Morrígan told me, her voice steady and smooth. "We'll do this every time a system mission is activated."
I stumbled a little, still trying to get used to the odd feeling of being stretched through space. "Yeah, I understand that… but it feels really uncomfortable and strange."
She didn't answer that. Instead, she shifted the topic completely.
"Host, you can view your rewards from the Beginner Reaper Package."
My eyes widened. "Oh right, I almost forgot about that. Morrígan, show me the items."
"Yes, Host."
A gentle luminescence materialized around my wrist, and a half-transparent interface unfolded in the air like a holographic cuff. Text streamed past as Morrígan recited the system readout.
Soulbound System Interface (Wrist-bound) – OPEN
STATUS
• Name: Aeris
• Race: Death
• Job: Grim Reaper
• Title: [Novice Collector] – (Provides a small stat bonus against soul entities under Inner Tier)
• Lifespan: 200 Years
Realm & Power Tier
• Tier: Unbound
• Realm: Outer Ring Realm – Low
Stats
• HP: 1
• MP: 1
• Fatigue: 1
• Strength: 1
• Health: 1
• Agility: 1
• Intelligence: —
• Sense: 1
• AP: 1
• Physical Damage Reduction: 1.5
Skills
• Passive Skills: None
• Active Skills: None
Inventory
• Scythe of Echoing Souls (Tier: Awakened)
– A standard soul-harvesting weapon. Upgradable.
– Passive: Minor soul uptake on kill.
• Reaper's Cloak (Shadowweave Fabric)
– +10 Strength.
– Partial immunity to detect spells.
• Reaper's Manual (Digital Tome)
– Beginner-level techniques, system manuals, and Reaper codes.
• Summon Token: Lesser Wraith Familiar
• Soul Points: 30
I gazed at the interface in shocked silence. "Morrígan… what are these things?"
She gave me a faint, knowing smile. "These are your current stats and inventory, Host. Tools given to you by the system to assist you in the start of your career as a Reaper."
I scanned it all over for a moment before rubbing the back of my neck.
"Huh… okay. So… what am I exactly supposed to do with all of that?"
Morrígan's smile grew a bit wider as she stood ready to tell me.
Morrígan walked alongside me, arms crossed graciously behind her back. Her voice became a little more formal, as if a tour guide presenting a novice to a sacred mission.
"Let's review them individually, Host."
She pointed to the first on the interface.
"1. Scythe of Echoing Souls (Tier: Awakened)"
"A straightforward but effective soul-harvesting tool. It's tied to your life force and is strengthened with you. Passive mode lets you recover shards of souls when you slay. Those shards can fuel skills, give you vitality back, or potentially be used to upgrade equipment further down the road."
I glared at the holographic appearance of the scythe—dusky metal, slim, vibrating with menacing quiet. It seemed like it was holding itself back.
"2. Reaper's Cloak (Shadowweave Fabric)"
"This cloak adds ten points to your strength when worn—don't trust your current figures, they'll be changing. It also confers partial resistance to detection magic, which can be crucial while stalking soul things or moving through areas infested with enemies."
A black cloak in tattered condition flashed into existence next to the scythe. It resembled shadows stitched into fabric.
"3. Reaper's Manual (Digital Tome)"
"This is your guidebook, essentially. It contains the Reaper codes, mission protocols, and methods for training your abilities and soul. You can have it open in your mind or through the interface at any moment."
I inclined my head. "So like… a system bible?"
She chuckled briefly. "Exactly."
"4. Summon Token: Lesser Wraith Familiar
"A disposable item which binds a Lesser Wraith to you. It will be your companion, spy, and support in battle. You can summon it once it is bound to your soul signature."
"Sounds handy…" I grumbled, wondering what a 'lesser wraith' would be like. Hopefully not too eerie.
"5. Soul Points: 30
"Soul Points are your system currency. You'll use them to unlock new skills, upgrade equipment, or heal in emergencies. Thirty is a small starting gift—but you'll earn more by harvesting souls, completing missions, and defeating powerful enemies."
I blinked, trying to process it all.
"So, it's like. a soul-based RPG with real consequences?"
Morrígan arched an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming.
"This isn't a game, Host. But… yes. Essentially, you now control the System of Death."
The interface flash once and shut itself off, leaving behind only the soft glow of the scythe outline on my wrist.
I gazed down at my hand and slowly curled it into a fist.
Things were about to alter.
I was about to ask another question when I stopped. Something was… wrong.
And then it occurred.
A deafening blast went off outside, rattling the earth under my feet. The shockwave hit me like a blast of air, and in instinct, I ran toward the blast, cloak streaming behind me.
Black, thick smoke poured through the trees ahead. The smell of seared sulfur filled the air.
I arrived at the clearing, my heart racing.
And then I saw—
[To Be Continued…]