Ch 1: A Dance With the Devil
"Have you ever had that moment where you just couldn't get out of bed no matter what you did?
It's like the world was trying to get you to stay home....
Your body's instincts were crying at you to not get up.
But you do anyway, against your better judgement.
Why? Because life is movement?
Because we strive to be a contributing member of society?
Because we'd be bored and lazy otherwise?
No, it's because we humans love to tempt fate."
Raymond A.D. - 2023
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A young man, who looked no older than 17-18 years of age with pitch black, messy, shoulder length hair, and amber colored eyes, walked down the street while staring at his phone.
He wore a pure white hoodie under an unzipped black jacket. A pair of wireless headphones hung loosely around his neck with music on a rather low volume, just loud enough for him to barely hear it. A pair of grey, ankle length, cargo pants, and lace-less slide on Adidas completed his look as he adjusted the strap of the bookbag that he had slung over his shoulder.
This was Gier Dixon, and he was a 22 year old freshman at his local community college.
The date was November 17th, 2020, and Gier was a rather lazy procrastinator of a person, that's why he didn't start college right after high school.
But despite all that, he was a rather well built young man, standing at an average height of 5'10, who enjoyed being outside whenever he could.
He had a little sister named April who looked just like a smaller version of her older brother, and a loving father named William who was more than satisfied knowing that his children were happy.
William loved his kids more than anything.
More than himself or any amount of money on earth.
As long as they were happy, his father could care less what they did. They could burn down an orphanage and his father would still give them a hug when they got home and tell them, "They probably deserved it.... You know orphans get everything anyway!", with his patented grin.
Gier and April loved their father more than anything, which was one of the reasons why Gier decided to go back to school.
After their mother passed away due to breast cancer, his father was doing his best to support the family of three while drowning himself in several jobs.
And even though Gier had a few jobs of his own, they could barely keep themselves afloat.
If there was one thing Gier was, it was logical. And he hated being looked down on more than anything in the world.
He had low self esteem, but was by no means pathetic.
And that's one of the main reasons why Gier refused to take the bus even though his school was a good 20-30 minute walk from his family's apartment.
"I need to work on my cardio anyway...." He thought to himself with a small smirk.
He couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at his own joke. He was close to his school now, and although it wasn't the most prestigious school in the world, it was a start towards getting his Computer Science degree.
One step closer to letting his father rest.
His smirk slowly transitioned into a small smile as he thought of how happy his father looked when he heard that he had got accepted into college....
But fate had other ideas.
The hands of fate were cruel and unrelenting.
And Gier should have just stayed in bed today.
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25 Minutes Later - 9th Level of Hell
Gier's eyes slowly fluttered open and he immediately regretted it, for as soon as he opened his eyes a sharp pain shot through his body.
His entire body felt like it had just got blended up, poured into a cup, and put back together again.
He was sore....like REALLY sore.
Like he had just finished working out after having sat in his ass doing nothing for an entire month.
"Fucking hell.... What happened? Did I get hit by a truck....?" He mumbled to himself, massaging his eyes to try and push off a sudden headache that threatened to split his skull.
System Message
Why yes actually....
System Message
Gier had to do a double take as a dark blue screen appeared before his eyes, like something out of all those webnovels he used to read religiously.
He blinked.
Then blinked again.
He quickly tried to scramble to his feet, completely forgetting about the dull pain from his muscles screwing in protest at his sudden movement.
His heart was beating so hard that he could hear it in his ears.
"W-What? C-C'mon....this can't be happening.... What's with this fucking cliche?!" He snapped, pressing at the blue screen before his eyes.
It almost felt like pliable glass. It had little to no give to it, but was almost completely see through.
System Message
You didn't panic.... Good!
System Message
A soft scoff escapes Gier's mouth at this, "Of course I'm not panicking! This is every weeb's dream come true! I'm guessing I died, huh? Just give it to me straight, was it Truck-kun or Train-kun? Cause I don't remember what happened to me after I woke up this morning...." He asked, still slightly skeptical.
Gier finally decided to inspect his surroundings, only to immediately regret it afterwards.
He was in a completely baten field with ginormous bones littering the ground and pools of blood every few feet. A dark brown waterfall fell just a few hundred feet from his location and Gier could've sworn he saw something humongous flying off in the distance. A orange haze seemed to fill the air and made it hard to see, but at least it seemed to be daytime.
System Message
Close actually. It was actually a bus.... Sorry about that.
System Message
Gier was just about to question why the system would be apologizing, but it quickly clicked into place in his mind.
Like a missing puzzle piece had finally found its way to its designated place.
"Wait a second.... You're God! Aren't you?!" Gier exclaimed accusingly with wide eyes, taking a step back in shock.
He would've been skeptical if this had been early in the morning or late at night, cause Gier was known for seeing things whenever he was half awake.
But the current setting and the fact that the rancid stench in the air made it too hard to believe that it was a dream.
System Message
Ding! Got it in one! But that's enough pleasantries. For now, I must fill you in on your current situation. I gifted you with this system as a sort of....apology, if you will.
System Message
"Apology for what?" Gier asked, sitting down cross-legged on the small little desolate island he found himself on.
It seemed to almost be like a sacrifice platform with blood surrounding it. Intricate blood red runes seemed to hum around him, as if powering down after having fulfilled their purpose.
System Message
Well I'm sure you've seen your current situation and location, no? That sure isn't the heavenly gates you're standing in front of.
System Message
Gier couldn't believe it....
Was God actually trying to be sarcastic?
"W-Wait a second.... Don't tell me...." Gier's blood ran cold as he finally realized what God was trying to get at....
Sorry if his brain's still a little fuzzy after getting hit by a bus.
System Message
That's right.... I'm sorry to say it, but you're in hell, Gier. And that's entirely my mistake. So, as an apology, I've decided to gift you this system along with a few items that'll help you until I can figure out a way to get you out of there. And no, I can't interfere with matters on earth or hell, the most I can do is this....
System Message
Gier could only let out a small sigh at this.
He decided it'd be best to let God talk it out without interrupting him.
It only made sense not to interrupt.
"I mean it is God after all.... I wonder if he actually looks like Morgan Freeman or if he's more along the lines of the guy from Full Metal Alchemist...." Gier thought to himself, only for a system notification to tear him from his thoughts.
He watched as the blue screen changed to show his status.
Status/Inventory
Name: Gier Dixon
Age: 22
Level: 1
Title: The First Awakened
Bloodline: Berserker God (SSS Rank) (New!)
Class: N/A
Health: 1000/1000
Mana: 600/600
Exp: 0/1,000
Str: 11
Stm: 10
Int: 12
Agi: 15
Luc: 9
Total Atk Power: 1100
Total MAtk Power: 1200
Total Defense: 1000
Total MDefense: 1200
Stat Points: 200
Condition: Confused, Hungry, Awakening
Equipment
Head: Empty
Earring R: Empty
Earring L: Empty
Body: Plain White Sweatshirt (E Rank)
Neck: Bluetooth Headphones (E Rank)
Hands: Empty
Finger R: Empty
Finger L: Empty
Legs: Grey Cargo Pants (E Rank)
Feet: Black Slip Ons (E Rank)
Weapon R/L: Empty
Inventory (1/100)
Apology Package
Status/Inventory
Gier looked at his inventory and stats while rubbing his chin in thought.
It was all rather easy to understand, especially since it's all pretty much self explanatory.
His gaming instinct could figure out most of the stats meant, but his bloodline and title were the only things that didn't make any sense.
So he did what anyone who's played an RPG would do....
He clicked on both.
System
Bloodline: Berserker God
Rank: SSS
Description: The bloodline of a God who fell eons ago. Rage flows in your veins and makes you even stronger than before. For as long as you remain standing, the battle will never end.
Gives the following Passives:
Hot Blooded: All stats +100% whenever enraged.
Endless Rage: Your stats grow during battle. +20% per second while in battle to a max of 6000%.
Tunnel Vision: Str, Stm, and Agi Stats +300% when facing one enemy.
Reckless Anger: Str, Stm, and Agi Stats +150% whenever facing 2+ enemies.
HotHead: You're easily angered and will immediately fall into a enraged state when damaged. Atk and Def +50% when enraged, Int -10%.
Blood for Blood: +20hp per attack landed.+100hp per kill.
The Strongest Bloodline: +100 Stat Points, +1000 Atk/MAtk power, +20 Str, +15 Agi, +10 Stm, +1 Luc whenever you level up. Exp +100%. It is harder to level up.
The Berserker God was known as the God of the battlefield and hand to hand combat. All Unarmed Attacks +80%.
Titles
The First Awakened (SS Rank)
Description: The first being to converse with God and awaken their bloodline, EXP acquisition +200%. Item drop rate +300%. +50 Stat Points at level 1. Luck +20. Skill "Appraisal" can be used.
System
Gier was absolutely speechless....
"Isn't this a big much....?"
System Message
I know what you're thinking, but please accept this as a form of apology. I will try my best to get you out of there as soon as possible. Just hang in there, alright? And don't worry, I'll be sure your family has some good fortune in the future.
Let me explain how stats and ranks work for now, it's the least I can do.
Str affects raw attacks made with any weapons.
Stm affects health.
Int affects mana and magic attacks.
Agi affects your speed.
And finally, Luc affects your critical hit rate which will cause you to deal 4x damage to targets! +1 point to this is equivalent to 10 critical hit rating and can't be leveled up with points!
The status of your bloodline and title will now be applied to your status.
Most people start off with only 50 Stat distribution points at level 1, so I hope the extra points help you to survive down there.
Please take care and please....survive.
That bloodline belonged to a very close friend of mine, so please take care of it.
This is my final message to you, good luck my child.
System Message
Gier couldn't help but sigh as the final system message disappeared, his current situation finally weighing on his shoulders as he was left alone....
Or so he thought.
Boom.
BOOM.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Gier found it hard to maintain his balance as the ground began to shake violently.
He fell to his knees just as a gargantuan shadow began to loom over the plain in which he found himself.
He slowly turned his face upwards, just in time to see a giant demonic being with dark red skin, a skull-like visage, two massive curled horns jutting out of its head, and massive hooved feet with bloody black fur covering its lower body.
Gier didn't know whether to be horrified or impressed.
"Well shit.... So much for that luck stat, huh?" Gier chuckled to himself at the irony of it all, only for his breath to get caught in his throat when he noticed that the giant demon had stopped walking.
He gulped as the massive horned demon slowly turned its head in his direction, the hollow holes in its head where its eyes should be seemed to almost try and grab at Gier's very being.
System Warning
Warning!
The current area the user is in has been found to be uninhabitable and dangerous for his current level!
Please come back when you're at the appropriate level.
Danger Zone: 9th Level of Hell
Recommended Level: 100+
A dangerous monster has been detected!
Would you like to appraise the monster?
Y/N
System Warning
Gier couldn't tear his eyes from the don before him.
Neither being made an attempt to move.
It was only due to his pure will that he was able to click "Yes" on the system window.
System
The Skill "Appraisal" will now be used.
Warning! Due to a massive level difference, the skill "Appraisal" cannot be used!
Automatically retrying using administrative authority....
Success!
Name: Qui Devoravit Mortem
Title: Keeper of the 9th Level
Level: ???
Danger Level: Black
Stats:
Health: 7,500,000,000
Demonic Energy: Infinite while in hell.
Str: ???
Stm: ???
Int: ???
Agi: ???
Recommendation: RUN!
System
"....Well that's not very reassuring...."
To be continued~
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Author's Note: Yeah, that's all I'm writing until I finish my other story.
If you want me to continue this concept, please vote, share, comment, follow, whatever you want really!
I'd love to get to know you! <3
Thanks for reading~