Forgotten

As I dive deeper into the system, I find myself without any quests or missions. It's an odd feeling, knowing my choices will shape the world but not having a clear path. Are quests and missions tied to the main story? Do I need to perform specific actions, or do quests just pop up randomly? The system's ambiguity is really getting to me.

I start poking around the skill ranks, split into four types: common, rare, unique, and unranked. Common skills, costing 600 points, are basic and only really useful in limited combat situations. But their true worth is in mixing them with higher-ranked skills.

Rare skills set you back 1200 points. They're not great for combat, but they shine in survival and development, thanks to their cost-effectiveness. Unique skills are where things get interesting. They're all over the place in terms of what they do and how powerful they are. They evolve, too, so you can't really compare them to other skills. It all depends on who's using them.

Snagging a unique skill costs a hefty 6000 points. It's a big investment, but the payoff could be huge, given their uniqueness and potential power.

Then there's the whole deal with different physiques for various classes. Being cursed, I can't change my own physique, but it's still cool to see what others can do. Mages get options to boost mana sensitivity or capacity, while swordsmen can work on their aura flow, make their bodies more flexible, refine their bones, or bulk up their muscles.

The system lets you buy information, but it's not super clear about it. For 300 points, you can get info going back 50 years. For 600 points, you're looking at current stuff and the near future. And for 1300 points, you can peek up to a week into the future. But there are a bunch of rules about asking for info, and it can get pricey or even be off-limits. There's also the option to use materials to boost your skills, but man, those prices are through the roof.

The system offers a range of materials, from low to high rank, but I figure I'm better off scrounging for them myself. There's also this mysterious option to tweak history, but the specifics are as clear as mud. The system just says I need to meet some criteria, without giving any real details.

"Now that I've got the lowdown, time to gear up. No tasks at hand, but I know just where to snag a freebie," I muse with a sly grin. Lost as I am, I hobble over to an elderly lady passing by.

"Excuse me, ma'am, could you help me out? I'm trying to find that old, run-down fountain," I inquire.

The old lady shoots me a look of annoyance. "Kid, you're asking for trouble heading to that dump. It's a breeding ground for diseases. You should steer clear," she warns.

"Yeah, I get it. It's just, I left some stuff there. Could you point me in the right direction?" I ask, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

She frowns, shaking her head. "Leaving your things there wasn't the wisest move. That place? Anything left is as good as gone," she chides.

"Please, it's really important. I need to get it back," I plead, dropping to my knees for effect.

She sighs, exasperated. "Youngsters these days... Fine, it's not my headache. Go two blocks down, take a right, and keep going. You'll find it. But watch out, it's crawling with vermin," she advises, her tone laced with concern.

"Thank you so much, you're a lifesaver," I say, rising to my feet. With a quick nod of gratitude, I start heading towards the fountain, following her directions.

The journey is agonizing, and I quickly find myself gasping for air. Despite the pain, I press on. The deeper I venture, the more squalid it becomes, which is no surprise. The area is deserted, shunned by most who believe it's cursed. The amount of garbage, human waste, and scurrying rodents is overwhelming. With my battered body, it takes me nearly an hour to reach the fountain.

And there it is, just as I described: a secluded spot connected by only two narrow alleyways. In the midst of this neglect stands a large fountain, dominated by the statue of a young woman kneeling, a blade held horizontally in her hands. The place reeks, the foul odor assaulting my lungs, and I fight the urge to vomit.

The fountain itself is in disrepair, riddled with cracks, and cloaked in stains and moss. The water has turned to a lethal black sludge. Dominating the center of the fountain is the statue of Ilka, about two meters tall. It's remarkably intact, save for the moss and stains marring its surface.

Standing here is revolting, but I suppress the urge to flee. This isn't just any statue; it's Ilka, a companion to one of the many heroes in history. The great demon war, a conflict sparked by human arrogance and their conquest of 30% of demon territory, eventually turns dire. As the great demons retaliate, they swiftly reclaim their land and start invading human realms. Once the tide turns, chaos erupts everywhere. Driven by vengeance, the demons rampage unceasingly until a new hero emerges.

A hero's strength is fueled by belief. The more people who believe in the hero, the more potent they become, gaining new abilities. During the war, this hero and his companions, including Ilka, fall into a trap set by demons led by Aell. Injured and weakened, the hero struggles to fight with his usual might.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

-4,123 years ago

-In a mountain range near the tree of Junipra

The deafening sound of clashing swords and magic spells fills the air as the four warriors fight for their lives on the battlefield. Jackson, an expert archer, unleashes a barrage of arrows that take down dozens of enemies in a single second, his skill with a bow is unparalleled.

Ava, the group's mage, struggles to cast a spell amidst the chaos. Her movements are frantic, her hands shaking as she tries to harness her magic. "What's taking so long, Ava?" Jackson shouts over the sounds of battle, frustration clear in his voice.

"I'm trying, but these bastards are jamming my magic!" Ava shouts back, sweat dripping down her forehead as she continues to concentrate.

Meanwhile, Arthur, a magic swordsman, is locked in combat with Aell, a powerful enemy wielding a cursed sword. Although Arthur is a skilled fighter, he struggles to land any hits on Aell, who seems to effortlessly dodge every attack.

The battlefield is a mess, the once-beautiful mountain range now lies in ruins, the ground covered in rubble and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

As the battle rages on, I find myself in a one-on-one fight against a high ranking demon, a fierce demon who is equally skilled in hand-to-hand combat. We trade blows, my fists meeting his kicks with equal ferocity. "What's your name, demon?" I ask, impressed by his fighting style.

"Huh? I was under the impression that humans detested demons, but my name is Baji!" he says as he proceeds to throw a combination of nine kicks.

"Hmhmhmhm. I still hate demons, but I should remember your name as a fellow martial artist before I kill you." I gather my mana and aura simultaneously into my palm and, in an instant, push a hole right through Baji.

"Hahahahaha, you have a fusion skill Khoff Khak Khak, well played," are Baji's last words before dropping to the ground. I look back at Arthur, he is sweating, and his movements are slow. "He's reaching his limit," I murmur. I run at full speed, although my Aura reserve is low. I can't risk Arthur getting hurt here. He is already depleted of mana and has barely any aura left.

I make it to Arthur's side, but Aell is already there, his cursed sword aimed at Arthur's heart. "You're still a bit too weak, dear hero," Aell sneers. "I'm going to finish you off now."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," I growl, clenching my fists. "Arthur, get behind me."

Arthur nods weakly, stumbling back as I step forward to face Aell. The cursed sword glows with an eerie light, and I can feel its malevolent energy radiating off of it. I have to act fast.

I charge at Aell, my aura flaring up around me as I prepare to strike. But Aell is too quick, and he dodges my attacks with ease. I can see that his sword is draining my mana with each strike, and I know that I can't keep this up for much longer.

Arthur struggles to stand, his magic drained from the battle, but he manages to prop himself up against a rock, watching us with a fierce look in his eyes.

I know what I have to do. With one final burst of energy, I leap towards Aell, my fist charged with mana. He swings his sword at me, but I dodge it and land a powerful punch to his gut. Aell stumbles back, and I know I have him.

But the cursed sword is still in his hand, as he falls, he thrusts the sword toward me. I feel a searing pain in my chest as the blade pierces through me. I fall to the ground, gasping for air as blood pours from the wound. "I'm taking you with me, you bitch," Aell says before collapsing.

Arthur rushes to my side, tears streaming down his face. "No, don't die," he whimpers. "Please, don't die."

But it's too late. The wound is too deep, and even if we make it to a temple, I won't be able to heal from this cursed injury. I don't have much time left. "Hahaha," I laugh, the sound raspy with blood.

"Why the hell are you laughing?" Arthur asks, his voice thick with grief.

Kneeling, I look up at the sky, "Hey, Arthur... Khoff Khak Khak... let my name be known far and wide... Khoff Khak Khak..."

Ava speaks up, her voice shaking with emotion. "Stop talking, the Saintess is on her way,"

I laugh weakly. "Hahaha... I never thought I'd see you with that face, Ava... Arthur, promise me I won't be forgotten... Khoff Khak Khak... I want to be remembered as the great Ilka... Khoff Khak Khak... bury me with this cursed sword... build a statue over my grave and have the people praise the great Ilka for her sacrifice... I don't want to be forgotten... Khoff Khak Khak... please..."