Son of a mountain king

Fucking hell, it hurts!

That spineless bastard, that whimpering cunt, used my own mother to kill me. That pig-shit-eating uncle of mine.

God, I wish I could wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until his eyes pop out. The rage burns hotter than the poison in my veins. If only I knew. Such a naive bastard I have been.

He had disappeared suddenly and appeared like this.

FUCKK!!

"You're still so energetic," a female voice commented, sounding amused.

Wait, what?! I froze.

Wait a minute—wasn't I supposed to be dead? How the fuck am I hearing voices? How the fuck am I still able to think?

My red-tinted vision slowly transformed, the totally red-coloured world melting away into a vast garden of lilies.

I found myself standing among those red lilies, the same ones that had haunted my thoughts whenever I saw blood. The same ones I used to get lost in.

Before me stood a woman in a flowing scarlet gown, her jewellery and ornaments all the same deep red. Even her eyes gleamed like rubies. She stood at right feet tall; she was a hottie with wavy raven hair. Her hourglass figure made me stare at her, especially at her big bosom.

"You're quite an amusing kid," she said, studying me with interest.

"Where am I? Who are you?" The questions tumbled out before I could stop them. I was growing impatient with what was happening to me.

"I am a goddess, here to help you." Her smile held secrets. A what now?

The realisation hit me like a slap.

So I really was dead, and this was some kind of goddess like those in the anime shows I used to watch secretly when Father wasn't home.

I sighed heavily, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Just... didn't expect to die so soon." I laughed bitterly.

"Especially not like this."

"Well, you should have killed your uncle first," she said matter-of-factly.

I wasn't surprised how she knew. Of course, she knows, goddess, yeah.

Thinking about my uncle, anger flared up again, but I pushed it down with another sigh.

What was the point? I was dead anyway.

"Don't worry," she said, her voice taking on a playful tone. "I'm offering you a second chance at life."

"Why?"

"Because you deserve one?"

"No need," I replied flatly.

"Eh, what?" She seemed genuinely surprised.

"I don't need it. Just let me wither away or whatever. Snap me out of existence."

"You can return to your world if you take this second chance," she tempted.

I frowned. "I smell a 'but' coming."

"All you have to do is become strong and reach transcendence in this world."

"Still 'but' is hanging."

"I will tell you when you reach the transcendence stage."

Now that... that got my attention. "Then help me grow faster. You're a goddess, right? You must have some powers to give."

"I will give you a system, like those games in your world," she offered. "It will help you when needed."

"Alright." What did I have to lose? And I can live freely, unlike in my previous world.

"I will wait for you to grow stronger." Her form began to fade, and the red lilies around us started growing rapidly, their stems and petals reaching up like hungry fingers. They were pressing against me, crushing me from all sides.

As they engulfed me, pulling me under into their scarlet depths, I lost consciousness. The last thing I remember thinking was that at least I'd get another shot at revenge.

Then I opened my eyes to see a rough wooden ceiling and felt large hands holding me.

A baby's cry pierced the air—my cry.

Oh fuck. I'm a baby. A goddamn baby.

Well, uncle dearest, mother... looks like you'll have to wait a while longer for my revenge.

But don't worry – I've got nothing but time now.

—

The man who held the boy was a seven-foot, burly man with a beard and long hair; he looked like a mountain barbarian. Yes, he was a mountain barbarian king.

There was a woman who was lying on the bed; she was the one who gave birth to the boy now.

She was covered in sweat, a result of the hard labour she had been through. The midwife was helping her clean the blood around the waist.

She was Sewi, the wife of the mountain king, Ser'gu.

Ser'gu said, holding the boy, "You will be Jorghan."

Great, what a fucking name! The boy thought.

He took the boy outside the house; it was wooden and had leaves.

As he stepped out, he could see the people standing outside, waiting for him. He raised the boy and said, "Jorghan! Your new king is born!" His voice boomed across the gathering, like a rumble.

ARRHH!!!!!

The crowd erupted in cheers and war cries, weapons raised to the sky.

Well, wasn't this just perfect? I went from being a mafia boss to being the son of a barbarian king.

[System initializing…]

[The host is being recognised.]

[Host: Jorghan]

A female melodic voice rang inside the boy's head.

''Ah, the system. But what the fuck can I do with these tiny legs?'

[The Soul of Otherworld]

[Mana devouring attribute unlocked]

[A special attribute that allows the host to absorb the ambient mana from all the life present in this world.]

[A blessing from the goddess]

Hearing the explanation, the boy thought, 'One hell of a cheat, goddess. I could kiss her right now!'

[Warning: The attribute is currently sealed due to an immature physical vessel. Will unlock gradually as the body develops.]

The boy was oblivious to the cheers and roars of those mountain people. There were about a thousand of them gathered around their king's house.