Unpleasant Start

Death is unpleasant.

The feelings I had after slowly drowning in the car amidst nowhere quite literally changed my worldview.

If I can choose, I would rather not die for the second time. Oh, it is still quite hard to accept that I transmigrated. However, living till today was not that pleasant either. Who wants to transmigrate in the body of a child who is held in captivity. I don't even know who and why, as I did not receive any kind of information after transmigration! Speaking about my surroundings, there is a blanket. Not like it helps me to sleep... Oh, also there is a smelly hole in this place. I guess I do not have to describe why it exists.

-To whom am I even explaining... Am I completely crazy? Without any window, I can't even tell for how long am I living here. Hey, Wobby, Gobby, and Snobby, what day is today?

Silence. The only reason to like these three is the food they bring! Though it is not nearly enough for my body... By the way, they never gave me their names! Again, I am completely helpless. With a malnourished body, I can only hope for a miracle, but is there anyone who will save me? Probably, there is no such hero for me. I do really hate my current situation, it makes me feel like I am slowly drowning in my car again.

As days passed, my sanity was waning steadily. By looking at my hands and body structure, I can suppose that I am already about 16 to 20 years old. As I am malnourished, the error margin is not up to standard.

Thoughts about killing people crossed my mind here and there. Luckily, after dying once suicide was never an option. What about my moral compass? Even If I was somewhat of a kind person before, I couldn't care less by now. Was there anyone who helped me in my dying moments? Are there people who can help me now? Being kind is not a sin, however, being weak is. I would rather forsake kindness for strength.

I thought about this a lot. Shockingly enough, these conclusions I drew after sorting the memories about my previous life. I was rich and had a kind heart. So, I was used. My fiancee had only my wealth in mind. She divorced me right after one of my trusted confidants got me kicked from the CEO position. Half of my remaining wealth just vanished with her. Society saw me as the man who lost his job. They acted against me with prejudice. Did I steal their money or something? Of course, part of this was thanks to my old enemies, who didn't forget to kick me while I am down. As a result, even my one and only child were taken by this witch and her family, while I was labeled as a violent drunkard who lost all, because of how narrow-minded he was. What did I do after? Instead of fighting, I decided to run away. Being a fool and a coward I was, my death is well-deserved.

After transmigration, my fear drove me crazy. The cold walls of this basement didn't help. As broken as I clearly am now, the only thing I want is freedom. It disgusts me to think how others can decide my outcome with just a word or two.

*shhh... connection... completed...*

What is this buzzing sound? Is there something implanted in my head? Or did I finally get a mental disorder?

「Decree Issued By: The Seventh」

「Target: Cain Chaser」

「Reason 1: Critical levels of soul drain due to the reincarnation system decision error」

「Reason 2: Abnormally high positive karma parameters」

「Description: Abnormal karma parameters of the target caused the reincarnation system to transmigrate the target with memories intact. Transmigration used the energy of the target's soul and left it with 25 years of life before soul dissipation. Therefore, by the will of Seventh, the decree was issued」

「Contents: The target is gifted with Talent System in the last five years of its life. As the target karmic points are not able to cover the cost of the system completely, the curse was gifted to dissipate any possible karmic link between the decree issuer and the target」

「Gift Description: gift named Talent System. Devours the energy and converts it to talent which can be absorbed by the host」

「Curse Description: curse named Energy Dependence. Part of the host's energy will be converted into karma points and sent to the decree issuer till points won't cover the debt」

「Current Debt: 1 000 000 000 points」

What the heck is it? Decree, karma, and other esoteric information populated my head. First... Status!

「Name: Cain Chaser」

「Body Talent: Mortal Gray. Upgrade Cost: 10 talent points」

「Description: Talent of the current body. Average at best. The maximum you will ever amount to is becoming a cannon fodder」

「Other Talents: Closed」

「Current Talent Points: 0」

Just how the... no, after transmigration this much will not shake me! However, if I understood correctly, my soul was scammed of energy! Also, I currently have only five years to live! First, inhale and exhale. It is necessary to calm down before making assumptions.

I can't do anything with the information itself. To simplify, I was just given an opportunity from the Seventh. The curse, though... how much of a scam is it? I don't even have any options here. It makes me furious.

Secondly, whoever this Seventh is, he is not a nominee for the saint position. Leaving aside the curse, stealing is a crime. Devouring is even worse, I have to kill people and devour their souls... stop, isn't it bad that I am not really against it?

Finally, even though it is fishy, I can only follow the flow! Beggars can't be choosers after all.

For obvious reasons, I can't kill people. Be happy, Wobby, Gobby, and Snobby! You are out of my reach for now. The only option I have is to absorb the sparse energy in the air. The power of this ability boils down to my talent. By following the information in my head, I began to "breathe". It is hard, if not impossible to explain how to do it. So, I assume this method can't be taught to other people.

「Current Talent Points: 0.001 (0.001 point/second)」

After calculating, I found that an hour of breathing non-stop will give an output of 3.6 points. So, I "breathed" for about 4 hours. Is it boring? Yes, it is. However, we are speaking about talent! Think about changing something so elusive by simply breathing. Am I not the luckiest person ever?

But, will it help me to overcome my perilous situation? I wonder.

「Current Talent Points: 14.1」

Now, let's click on the upgrade button!

「Name: Cain Chaser」

「Body Talent: Mortal Red. Upgrade Cost: 20 talent points」

「Description: Modified Talent. Higher than average for this planet. You are slightly thicker cannon fodder now. The knight profession of this planet opens its doors for you. After 20 years of apprenticeship, of course」

「Other Talents: Closed」

「Current Talent Points: 4.1」

Changes can be seen immediately. My senses grew sharper and moving around is easier to some extent. Also, it is like there was some fog in my head before. While I am at it, the description panel really bothers me. Does this system thingy have sentience?

After receiving my dinner bread and porridge from the Wobbly, I continued my breathing exercises.

-This is better than being on drugs!

Um, I did not...

Before sleeping I upgraded my talent for another time.

「Name: Cain Chaser」

「Body Talent: Mortal Orange. Upgrade Cost: 40 talent points」

「Description: Modified Talent. High enough to be deemed as a genius among humans on this planet. Still, you are cannon fodder, as the rulers on the planet are not humans. The knight profession of this planet hires you! After only 5 years of apprenticeship, you will become a knight! Soul dissipation is guaranteed in 4 days after though.」

「Talent Bonus: Battle Sense」

「Other Talents: Closed」

「Current Talent Points: 2.1」

Looking at the description, I furrowed my brows somewhat. However, I was too tired today and went to sleep without brainstorming.

Sadly, I did not know that my situation will turn for the worse right after the sleep.