The strange boy beside you?
My name is Michael Drafter. I'm a scientist, to be precise, head scientist of Unity. The organisation that currently governed the human domain. I'm also the Chief of Historical and Archeological Department. I had contributed to the well being of humanity all I could.
I can be described as of 50 years or above, with an above average build, tall height, jet black hair, blue eyes and fair skin.
I wasn't satisfied with that. Even after becoming the most important scientist of human domain. Sigh, sometimes I am too greedy. But what can I do.
I had recently found some ancient relics. They had strange inscription on them in an unknown language. A completely new discovery.
I tried to interpret it. But I was unable to. So, I visited Professor Karth Larks, Chief of Magic and Language Research Department, in hopes of finding some solution to my current predicament. But to no avail.
Alas, even he, a half step SS– ranked hero was unable to comprehend what was written on those inscriptions. But we didn't lose hope, on the contrary, we started further investigation on the topic.
------
Professor Karth Larks POV
We were today discussing that topic in D'Lion Park. We were so carried away by the discussion that they started discussing the human history.
We didn't notice that a 3 year old boy has been listening to our talks. The boy was listening to our talks intently. Suddenly, he tapped on the armrest of the bench.
Ding!
We ignored that completely. He smirked after he found that we have no attention on him.
He saw all artifacts, inscriptions and relics from my tablet. His eyes shone brightly. "Can I be of any help?". He asked in his sweet and cute childish voice.
We glanced at him, but after we saw his age, we dismissed any thoughts of taking help from him.
Afterall, who will believe that a kid who could barely read, can help elders to infere the meaning of strange, ancient, and unknown things with just a quick glance.
We were about to continue our conversation, when he muttered something. It was barely audible. The tablet in my hand, started floating.
It went infront of him on its own. We were dumbstruck. How can a child of barely 3 years use mana, and so effectively at that.
"It isn't mana, it's spiritual energy of spirit. Qi. Chakra. Infinite and pure." He said in his sweet voice.
Sssinnnnng!!
We heard some object coming towards us while tearing the air apart. I and Cornelius Wordsworth, my friend, frowned.
We started channeling mana inside us. "At ease! I was just calling one of my relics." The boy beside me said, after sensing the mana flow inside both of us.
Suddenly, a trident ,as big the size of an average human being, appeared infront of the boy. It was brown, but a golden glow was enshrouding it.
The boy beside me snapped once before saying. "Mr Cornelius Wordsworth, or should I say Uncle Kent Wordsworth. So, do you recognise me?" I didn't knew that boy and judging from the expression of my friend, he also didn't knew that boy.
The boy made an hurt expression, one that can make anyone's heart melt." I'm Nobody, Zero Nobody. Brother of Null Nobody. To be precise only Zero, as I and my brother are no longer eligible for the Nobody title."
'Zero'. After hearing that name, my had an enlightened expression on his face." Ah, I was supposed to collect you the day before tomorrow. I almost forgot about the request Null made from me before going for The Infinitum dungeon." He had an 'I am really sorry that I forgot about that!' expression.
"You were carried away by work and as you are, my uncle, I don't doubt you, just like my brother would be clumsy and unreliable at times." I said. Wordsworth still had ' I'm really sorry' expression.
__________________________
Honestly speaking, when I was getting transmigrated in this World, I knew nothing about it. After I transmigrated, I knew nothing about it.
But when I was listening to the talks of the white lab coat wearing men, I had an epiphany. A very large amount of information about the life this body entered my mind.
I was amazed. I never that the sci fiction and fantasy would someday transform into my reality.
I recognised one of the man from whom I was listening the information. I knew that I can't be the protagonist, so forget about The System. Then, I smirked.
A thousand thoughts about attracting their attention surfaced in my mind. And guess what! I chose the most practical but irrational one out of them.
____________________
After telling some information about the inscriptions, relics and artifacts. I, in return got the chance to own any 9 of them, forever.
I sorted out all the useless things from the heap of inscriptions, artifacts, and relics. After searching for some hours, which would be impossible for any other child of my age, I found my ideal picks. Some of them are as follows :
1. [{Ungraded} Infinity ♾️ Chant ] (Skill) (Exclusive)
2. [{Ungraded} Omni – Duplication ] (Skill) (Exclusive)
3. [{Rank-less} Talent Book ] (Summoner) (Exclusive)
4. [{Ungraded} Trion ] (Trident type) (Artifact)(Relic) (Exclusive)
5. [{Ungraded} God's Will] (Skill) (Passive) (Exclusive)
A skill that can enable you move back and forth between the material world and the afterlife at will. (etc - unknown)
6. [{Ungraded} Phontru ] (Artifact)(Exclusive)
7. [{Ungraded} Black Jade Pendant of Magnus Minister] (Artifact)(Exclusive)
8. [{Ungraded} Buddha's Void Ring] (Artifact) (Exclusive)
9. [{Ungraded} Nothingness Style ](Trident – Manual)
As for what they do, only time can tell. I solved the problems in there decryption. I also gave them some pointers. It was as easy as finding coefficient in polynomial.
Then, I quickly used the talent scroll. In an instant, the old papyrus turned into tiny white light dots and fused with me.
Next, I made a major decision. I went to an dark alley, and duplicated myself 3 times. Then,I modified the clones. First was my Zero form. Second clone was transformed in my real form, from previous life.
And lastly, third was an old man, with ocean like deep eyes and an long white beard. All in all, I made a sage like person. A great sage at that. Guess, Omni Duplication can be used in different ways. I was now more excited to test my other skills.
I went on to command them one by one. They nodded and left. When I was alone, I made mind links with them.
Then I was able to feel what they felt, I was able to see what they saw, and I also saw their thought process individually.
After I was satisfied, I left the place for finding the border of this city.
I went to the City Centre. It can considered quite laborious for a 3 year old to run for 2 hours nonstop, at full speed. But I hardly felt any fatigue. Sure enough, the Black Jade Pendant of Magus Minister was really something.
Everybody ignored me. As if afraid of making me cry, one of the perks of being small. Huh. Can't say I didn't appreciate that. I was happy being alone. I was a loner, you see. I have to get used to this body soon.
I quietly went to notice board of the Centre. And as I have expected, there were many spare maps and pamphlets of this city. I took some pamphlets and four maps.
You can say me being paranoid, but safety is better than cure. An old saying with deep meaning.
I went as far I can go from the City Centre with help of the map. While I was at it, I also absorbed some more information from pamphlets.
The city I was currently in was the southern city of the five main powers of the humanity. I just strolled to the border, without noticing that I have reached a high danger zone. I saw small, inconspicuous and old rock cave in front of me.
I entered while still reading the pamphlets. Once I reached it's dead end, I stopped. A perfect place to test out my skills. I thought.
I tried to use God's Will. I was successful but the only problem was that I lost consciousness.
After I opened my eyes, I found myself floating in black void. I would like to call it, Nothingness. I had a better understanding of my new skill now.
As though hearing my inner voices, the space shook a bit. It was excited. Just like a child. How childish.
Then, I will call it Child of Nothingness. Or a nickname, how about CON or Void. The space shook again. I guess, it's a yes then.
I used Infinity ♾️ Chant. One of my skills. I again lost consciousness. 'It's been a lot a of fainting, today!' I thought before I fainted.
•••••••••••••••••••••
OLD MAN'S POV
I was a duplicate. A replacement ,but with sentience. I might look very old to all, but I was merely some hours old.
I went to the most inconspicuous mountain of the place. How did I found it? I might be some hours old but my power was SS+ grade, and with the familiarity I had with spiritual sense it made things more easy.
I can be considered to be one of the most powerful person in human domain,just after another old foggy who was headmaster of the most well known academy of human domain. Hah! I can even be more powerful than him in sometime.
By the way, I was going to neither attack nor defend this place. I was only here for cultivation. I would cultivate to achieve immortality.
I shut my eyes and started cultivating. I started comprehending everything I have seen. My goal was simple, remain low key, cultivate well and reach immortality.
Meanwhile, two figures who were watching this from darkness were covered in sweat. They rushed to some unknown place. But I don't care. I only here to cultivate.
As for how I found them, it was because I kept my spiritual sense activated to its limit. My spiritual sense almost covered the whole hemisphere.
_________________________
2ND POV
Hello, everyone. Do you know me? Well, I'm one and only the reincarnated of this story. And my name..... that's still, undecided.
Well, whatever it may be. I'm now on my to The Black Market, of this world obviously. For forging fake identity. So, after I'm done with my identity forging issue, I will became a teacher.
And I saw my first victim. A crashed air cab and it's driver. Let's go and see. So, there's some problems in engine. But I won't be able to figure that out, as the car is itself of very advanced technology.
Ah, A library. A good mid–size library. There I can collect more information about this world. I thought.
I went inside after pushing open the door. And what did I saw. A horrible stingy smell, all thanks my sensitive nose.
I followed the smell. And I atlast found a dead body. Precisely saying, the man looked just like my but quite a bit too old. When I tried to touch him, my hand went through him. And when I say through him, I truly mean through him.
A theory sprang in my mind. 'Can this because of my death and reincarnation?' I was quite satisfied with my theory.
"You are indeed quite a bit smart, young man." A voice came from behind me. I kept my calm. I wasn't a librarian and editor in previous life for nothing!
I saw a white illusionary figure of the old man. I relaxed." So, you can read thoughts, can't you?" I asked in my deep, cold yet melodious voice.
' You are right. I can indeed read thoughts. I need your help.' The old man's spirit said in my mind. 'Telepathy' I thought. The spirit of old man nodded." Who killed you?" I asked.' The man outside the library. And if you helped me catch him red handed, then I will give my fortune.' He said.
I was dumbstruck. I immediately searched for phone in the old man's coat. I found one. I took a photo of that white skinned, muscular, burly and black bearded man.
I sent that photo to police before making a call, and telling them the whole story of murder. Which the old man's spirit told me, and I told to them simultaneously.
The police was dissatisfied. They wanted proof. I accessed the camra footage. It took merely two minutes, with old man's help. And sent it to them. They dismissed the call.
Now, I went to the spells section of library. I touched each book. And I touched each book of all the other sections also.
Then I nodded my head. 'You know that I was a SS+ grade existence. Nearest to SSS-. The most powerful, you can say.'
' I advanced from S grade to SS+ grade in a dungeon. I was betrayed, killed and abandoned.' The old man's soul said with resignation. A sigh escaped his mouth, so was what I thought.
'With my last portion of power I created this body. It had my inheritance. A Limiter Core. A Limit which once broken can make the being boundlessly powerful. But it's not the only thing I have. I want to give my experience and knowledge.' He said as his illusionary finger tapped in the middle of my brows.
A faint golden glow erupted there. I felt as if an universe worth of information stuffed inside my body. My body shook.
A faint golden glow erupted there. I felt as if an universe worth of information was stuffed inside my mind. My body shook.
A gray orb with slight mana fluctuations fused into my body. I gained more information about this world and various topics, in varied depths.
If I was a complete newbie ( even with the general information I got from reincarnation) a second ago, now I can be considered a great grandmaster on the cusp of breakthrough. It was an amazing feeling.
When I snapped out of the dazed state, the police sirens were already roaring loudly like a lion. "Officer Ajac Greens reporting, we have took the person who reported in safety. You can carry out the mission." A sound came from behind me. "Ok, officer!" A mechanical voice resounded.
He was presumably talking to his team via his wristband. I turned around. I saw a man clad in Black Cobra Special Task Force uniform.
He had a well built body and his other features were unrecognisable since he was wearing a black special uniform, with various equipment and lighting strips on surface.
I also recognised the man outside. Villain list no. 168, Atan. An infamous martial artist and Rank S – Villian. The man was caught by this old man some years ago, and was jailed.
After breaking free from prison, he came to settle scores with the old man. And 'accidentally' killed him.
As for how he found his coordinates and how he found that it was not the real old man, I don't know. I am dead sure, he won't have the guts to fight an SS+ grade individual.
That thing aside, I was surprised to find the new class and powers that I have gained. I also got an advanced wristband like thing. It was black.
__________________________
_ Headquarters of Unity_
I was startled to find that my uncle has arranged for me to have an assessment test, in the Headquarters of Unity.
I obviously got access to the library of Unity. It was the biggest library in the human domain, as per information.
I started reading at an unbelievably fast speed and accuracy. 4 hours later, I let out an exhausted sigh as I finished reading all the book required for the upcoming test. I read about 1 book in every 2 minutes.
When I finished reading that, I fancied myself with other books. The people who were reading in library were very irritated by fluttering of papes at first, but they soon started ignoring me.
That was quite helpful of them. After 24 hours of study, I finally stopped. I don't how, but I wasn't feeling tired at all. Like I didn't even did anything, I was feeling refreshed even more.
I went to the nearby Verona Children's Park, after informing my Uncle, who had dark circles under his eyes and was researching something with out most attention.
It was a verdant, beautiful park filled with the beauty of nature. And it had quite soothing atmosphere. I specially loved the lush green grass there. It was very soft.
I saw many children there, they were either playing in groups or playing with their parents or guardians. I was at a lose at that.
I don't know if I have a family, I just know that my brother has left for a 4 year long dungeon run assignment, as he has already passed high school at the age of 10. And today should be his 1st or 2nd day in that dungeon.
I took out my black formal shoes, and sat in the shade of a lush, vibrant and old White Blossom Tree. And before I knew it, I was in an meditative posture doing silent and deep meditation.
After about an unknown amount of time, I woke up from meditation in irritation. I was able to hear loud shouts.
"Shang, we will teach you a good lesson today!" A hoarse voice said.
"Kai, I will prove you who is stronger between us?" Somebody with a broken tooth said.
"Shang Han and Kai Lin just you both and see what we will do to you both!" An angry childish voice said.
I opened my eyes in anger. "Quiet!" I uttered in my anger. Unknown to me, I was wearing the duplicate Black Jade Pendant activated. It fused with my soul, without me noticing.
An illusionary shadowy figure of an authoritative man in a nice magnus robe with red eyes, which seemed to contain endless abyss in them, formed behind me.
Silence.
Utter Silence.
For a moment, pin-drop silence enshrouded the surroundings. Then as soon as it came it went away. The three fat children who were bullying Shang and Kai started crying, uncontrollably.
They ran away, as fast as they can with their tiny legs. While the other children cowered to their parent's side. I guess I overdone it.
My eyes paused on two individuals,Shang's appearance was of an average three year old with black hair, red eyes, pale skin, and black fingernails.
Wait a second, genetic black fingernails! I can presume who he is, and who once was!
I stared at his left hand. On the back of his left hand formed the mark of his Faustian contract with me. 'You are my butler, Demon!'
After reading so many books, I have developed many theories in my mind. And one of them was : Demons can reincarnate but the perquisite is that they must be summoned many times and eat the souls of contractors. And till that time the live in Hell, only for lower ranked one's.
As for Shang, he has was higher demon. Not bound by hierarchy of demons, only in his previous life.
Sshhinng!
As my words sounded in his mind, the boy disappeared from where he was standing. Information about him was transmitted in my mind.
Character Data
__Shang typically dresses in a butler's outfit, which consists of black trousers, a six-buttoned double-breasted tailcoat, and a gray vest; on is his shirt cuffs and tie is the Nobody crest. He also sports white gloves, a pocket watch, and a chained silver lapel pin bearing the Nobody crest, which is presumably and traditionally worn by the house's head butler___
____ Positioned as your butler____
___Details of Shang's demonic form include formal black boots, sharp claws, glowing fuchsia irises, slit pupils, and longer, sharper teeth, with dark wings and multiple eyes.____
___Additionally, he has a great and mutual distaste for Grim Reapers (Kai Lin's profession in previous life)___
____Shang views money as "rubbish" and "materialistic." He is fluent in French and Latin, enough to teach the anyone. He is also proficient in Deutsch (German) and East Franconian, a dialect in Southern Germany. Moreover, he profoundly adores cats. But it's useless.____
Sssshhhhinnnggg!
And a being was caged within me, Shang appeared again on the spot he was previously standing.
You must be thinking, how I contracted him. Well, I just felt like that. And viola! That happened. I think something strange is happening to my mind.
Just when I was thinking things through, a sharp pain striked my head. It was as if, something was stuffed inside my head. And seriously speaking, I can only describe it in four words. It was awfully painful!
I clenched my head with my hand. But just as soon as it had came it went away. It was instantaneous. Yet it felt like years.
Probably, I should stop overthinking. I'm just a three year old right now. Now, coming back to question. I don't how, I know some if not all strange and secret information about this world.
It all started after the day I was created. "Hey, are going to meditate again?" I heard a concerned voice. When I looked at its source, I found that it was Kai's voice.
___Kai Lin, Head of Death Rippers aka Grim Reapers___
I tried to make contract with him. But nothing happened. I just blacked out. When I regained my consciousness, I was still standing. But I standing at the peak of a huge majestic mountain, standing alone and aloof.
It would be no exaggeration to say that I was feeling like I was in heaven. I laughed and looked down.
I was able to see an ocean of earthen statues. They were mostly humanoid shaped.
Crack! Crack!
I suddenly heard a loud cracking sound. When I looked for it, I found that two statues had developed cracks. I was confused. What was this happening?
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Accompanied by a loud cracking sound, the cracks soon enveloped the statue like spider webs.
Soon, two people emerged from the statues. The looked quite familiar. They were none other than Kai and Shang. But the aura around them was different.
Kai's aura was deathly terrifying, desolate yet peaceful and serene. While Shang's aura was demonic, terrifying, yet elegant and mysterious.
They looked around them. For their behaviours, I can understand that the weren't able to see the other statues. I was quite satisfied.
"Welcome, to the beginning of the end." I said calmly. In an instant, both of their gazes snapped in my direction. They were a little bit amused but they didn't showed it. But I was able to read their emotion and fluctuations in them.
They came forward. "Why have you summoned us here?" They asked in unison. "Do have the wish to survive?" I asked in my calm voice.
They both thought for a while. The both shook their heads. I knew they would refuse, I don't know how but I knew somehow.
"We don't want to." They said in a flat tone. Their lost and lifeless eyes seeming like a void. I smiled.
"If you become my subordinates, I can grant you immense powers and assurance of your survival." I said calmly.
They again shook their heads. My smile widened. "Nice, but if we don't stop the upcoming calamity the following will be affected" I said calmly, not mind their refusal.
"Cycle of life, this whole universe and presumably whole Omniverse. And with that disbalance our souls might also cease to exist." I said in a flat tone with a hint of coldness in my voice. My eyes lost their previous naive look and became serious.
While saying all this I transmitted the information that I have just got to them. Their faces turned pale.
After a moment of thought process, they both half knelt. "We acknowledge you as our master!" The both said.
Three grayish strands of light erupted from my body. The strands enveloped both me and them. I soon myself in a gray cocoon. Slowly, it turned black.
The Black Pendant went out from my body and it again entered my body. This time it was completed diluted. It went to my heart. My heart started to turn black, although my blood was unaffected by it. I was able to the process.
And it was quite disgusting and painful to see one's heart literally turning black while experiencing extreme pain.
Other might have started roaring or lost their mind but I was exceptionally calm. Because I knew I could nothing about it.
As the cocoon started fading, I found myself standing infront of Kai and Shang, below the tree. I was unperturbed.
Don't get me wrong, I am not mentally ill. I proceeded to analyse them.
'They can be good pieces in the future if nurtured properly now.' I thought. I shook my head. What was I even thinking.
Triinng, Triinng
A phone bell rang. I was snapped out of my stupor. "No orders for now!" I said. Shang and Kai nodded in their dazed state.
They bowed slightly and left after saying" Yes, my lord." It felt quite weird and uncomfortable to be addressed like that but whatever.
I shrugged. Can't do anything thing about that I guess. I looked for the source of sound. I felt that something was in my pocket. I tried to take it out. But as my hand touched that thing, a white blob of light entered my body.
Ding!
My eyes went wide as I saw a transparent blue screen manifested infront of me. I tried to touch it but it was like an illusion. No matter how much I tried, I wasn't able to touch it.
'Host identified!'
Two words in white appeared on the screen. Is it the system I got? I thought.
[ Host, I'm not a mere system! ]
Oh! So it can respond to my thoughts. And also it claims to not be a 'mere' system. And it is talking to me through some sort of telepathy.
[ I am, the only Omni Grade Artifact in existence from eternity till eternity, Phontru ]
Ah, so I didn't stuck gold but Soul stone* directly. My brows raised as realisation dawned upon me.
[ Any order, Host ]
' Don't call me that. Call me, Zero ' I ordered. As the host word made feel like I was called out by some parasite.
[ As you wish, Master Zero ]
' Now, tell me your uses.' I asked. As a Divine stick without use is worse than a normal stick.
[ I have many functions. They are divided into many categories. Which one do you want to know? ]
'The most basic features ?' I asked. I was starting to get annoyed by this thingy.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
After chapter Glossary :
* Soul stone. The orange stone used by mad Titan, Thanos in Infinity War. Has soul related powers.