The Hidden Treasures

Michael returned to his home, a spacious two-story house surrounded by a large courtyard. The first floor comprised a kitchen, two bathrooms, a guest reception room, a bedroom, and a living room, while the second floor housed three additional bedrooms, another living room, and two more bathrooms. His parents had been wealthy, and many had tried to seize their riches, but his uncle Matty had always protected their assets. Interestingly, in this world, Matty was not Michael's father's brother but a close friend of his mother. Michael had affectionately called him "Uncle" since childhood.

In this dimension, Uncle Matty appeared younger, more handsome, and healthier, likely due to the abundant mana that enhanced the vitality of the inhabitants. The higher one's rank, the more appealing and robust they became. Michael knew that his parents had reached the sixth rank, while his uncle stood at the pinnacle of the fifth.

After a long day, Michael decided to take a shower, hoping to wash away the fatigue. He pondered why he had ventured into the forest before his reincarnation, especially when his home offered such ample space. "What was I thinking?" he mused. "It doesn't matter now; I'm exhausted."

Later that evening, he went to bed, quickly succumbing to sleep.

The next morning, Michael woke late, feeling refreshed and invigorated. "This mana is incredible," he thought. "I feel like I could easily kick my other self's ass".

Rising from bed, he made his way to the kitchen in search of breakfast. He prepared a simple meal of eggs and juice, savoring every bite as he contemplated his next steps.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "Who could that be?" he wondered. "I don't have any friends here. Is it Uncle Matty?"

Curious, Michael opened the door to find his uncle standing outside.

"Hello, Uncle. Good morning! How are you today?" Michael greeted him.

Matty raised an eyebrow, studying Michael closely. "Boy, are you alright? You seem… happy."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Michael replied, a smile on his face.

Matty sighed, a hint of concern in his voice. "I have something important to discuss. May I come in?"

"Of course," Michael said, stepping aside to let his uncle enter.

As Matty settled onto the couch, he reminisced about the days spent with his friend Jack, Michael's father. "Why didn't you tell me you got into some trouble? Don't you see me as your uncle?"

"It wasn't a big deal, Uncle. But what did you want to tell me?" Michael asked, eager to change the subject.

"You remind me so much of your father," Matty said, his gaze serious. "He preferred to handle his problems alone. It's good that your mother helped him with that."

Reaching into his pocket, Matty pulled out a small silk pouch. "Before your wake-up party, your father asked me to give you this if anything ever happened to him."

Curiosity piqued, Michael accepted the bag and opened it, revealing a dark black ring inside.

"A storage ring?" he exclaimed.

"Yes," Matty confirmed. "Have you ever wondered where your parents hid their treasures? Everything is stored within this ring, and it can only be opened by you. Your mother cast a spell to ensure that."

Excitement coursed through Michael as he slid the ring onto his finger. It pricked him slightly, drawing a drop of blood to confirm his identity. As he examined the contents, he discovered an extensive array of items, including books, manuscripts, treasures, and some currency.

One item caught his eye—a long black katana adorned with golden engravings: the Night Whisperer.

"That's a legendary weapon," Matty cautioned. "It's best not to wield it until you are stronger. Keep its existence a secret."

With that, Matty pulled out another ring. "This is a gift from me. You should keep your parents' ring hidden. This one is less conspicuous and can conceal itself."

Inside the second ring were provisions, potions, and a sword and shield—useful items for a young man about to embark on a journey.

"Don't leave the house until you awaken," Matty advised. "Your father left instructions within the ring."

"Thank you, Uncle. I promise to use this wisely."

"Just make sure you stay alive," Matty said, a serious expression on his face. "I'll keep watch over your house. No one will disturb you."

With a nod, Matty took his leave, and Michael turned to his newfound treasures.

He rummaged through the storage ring and discovered a manuscript labeled "Archives." Curious, he opened it to find a message from his father.

"Son, if you are reading this, it means we are gone. We're sorry for leaving you to face our legacy, but we hope you have grown into a good person. We don't want you to follow in our footsteps or seek revenge. On your journey to power, you will meet friends and foes alike. Fear no one but yourself; betrayal can come from unexpected places."

Michael's heart ached as he continued reading. "To hear the rest of this message, you must rise to the first rank. This ring contains many gifts; use them wisely. Goodbye, son. We love you very much."

As he finished reading, Michael felt a surge of anger and sadness welling up inside him. He turned his attention to the item register within the ring:

Mana Cores:

10 Mana Cores of Grade SSS

30 Mana Cores of Grade SSS

1000 Mana Cores of Grade SSS

Books:

Awakening Guide

Beginner's Sword Technique Guide

Beginner's Archery Guide

Dark Lightning Sword Art

Dimension Slasher Sword Art

Sharp Basics

Alchemy Basics

Cooking Basics

Meditation Techniques

Basic Meditation Technique

Emperor of Destruction

Death Void

Weapons:

Night Whisperer

Throat Cutter

Crimson Eclipse

Twin of the End

Potions:

10 Healing Potions (Grade C)

25 Healing Potions (Grade C)

10 Mana Recovery Potions (Grade C)

and many other items

"What the hell? Did my father rob the king's treasury?" Michael wondered. "If anyone discovers I have this ring, I'm finished. I should heed Uncle Matty's advice."

He examined the second ring and found it to be 100 cubic meters in size, containing several monster corpses, food, and Mana Cores of Grade C.

"I'd better save this ring for when I go out," he decided.

Taking out the Awakening Guide, Michael began to read, preparing for the moment that would change his life forever.