System companion

No longer human. It's like any of them considered me as one before just a weapon for them to use, so I accept if it means I can redo everything and make a better name for myself and not for my people.

I accept.

"Good." No name's voice fills with glee, as he continues. "The system is an ancient being forged by the hands of the creators," the no-name monarch goes on to explain, its tone satisfactory as if everything was going as planned. 

The creators? You mean the beings that are myths!

"Ding! You got that correct." No name exclaims. "The very last thing you things called the 'grandmasters' created before the sealing." 

The grandmasters are forged in myth, they are said to be the most powerful humans in the universe. This tale has been passed down in each world I was in, the last one where I was Max they called them gods, and in my original world, we called them grandmasters, the forgers of magic. 

But that's all legend. 

"That's right. Everything that is told as myths or legends is true. Even me." it says, answering reading Max''s thoughts as if it was an open book.

Though Max couldn't see anything through the suffocating darkness around him, he could feel the presence of No Names presence all around him and somewhat inside of him. He had no clue if this was what they call limbo or something else entirely. 

"The system is neither alive nor dead," No name continues, "yet it watches over everything, bound by the will of the one who commands it. The system companion on the other hand shall take the form of any being or thing you desire."

So it's all true. The myths, the legends, and folklore all of it! It's real!

"Correct." It replies. "Enough chit-chat, we have something to accomplish, sealing the system into your body."

I see and how does that work, are you just going to place it inside me?

"Pretty much." He snaps his fingers, and in an instant, a sharp, agonizing pain ripples through Shoji's soul, consuming him entirely. It's as though his very essence is being torn apart from within. The pain is unlike anything he's ever felt—raw, searing, and inescapable.

Ignoring his grunts No Name begins his explanation of the system. "It binds with your soul, displaying task and quest to make you stronger to the goal that I set for you. And if you die before that such goal is complete well your soul will cease to exist being wiped clean from each and every timeline." But still Legion couldn't hear any of it as he let out a scream succumbing to the pain.

He feels every bit of his being in pain, pain like nothing before, this is something new, it twists and coils itself around him like a snake, engulfing him in unbearable agony as he tries to contain himself.

"Ignore the pain, simply control it energy and power the system is storing in your soul.." No name says calmly. "If you learn how to control your pain tolerance from now on, everything shall be easier in the future, after all the body you are set to be going into, owns a cracked core and his only one at that."

Cracked?

Shoji manages to hear through the agony still bursting through his body cracking within him like lightning readying to be let out, almost like a raging flame that won't die down but wants to continue burning and consuming everything within him.

Control it… Control it…

He repeats as if the words alone might stop it.

"Humans are truly weak, I do hope you can change that about yourself before our final brawl." He says but this time his voice seems much further as if he's turning into air. "Shoji, no, Legion. May you become stronger even as the world throws countless challenges for you and soon we'll fight and the true monsters shall reveal themselves."

Don't go! I have more questions!

"You have already been in this world. Use that brain and you'll figure everything out for yourself. Thought things should be different, I expect you to figure it out yourself." His voice becomes further turning into mere whispers. "Let's see if your trust is betrayed again this time. Good luck." He mumbles towards the end before silence ensues.

[System is synchronized…]

[What form should your system companion take?]

The pain seems to slowly subside before it becomes nothing.

My system companion, it's the thing No Name was talking about.

He looks at the hovering words a bit stunned but it reminds him of the advanced technology he saw in his past world, where there was something called VRMMORPG games, and from what he remembers it looks kind of like the interface. 

Kinda like the game, Alex forced me to play.

However, I still don't know what I should put it as. I need to take the world itself into accountability first before making a decision. In a world ridden with countless monsters both good and bad, monarchs are the so-called worst of them, the ones who rule over all monsters except the strays.

Humans are the only beings born with mana cores, able to wield magic from the four foundational magic: Elemental, spiritual, Astral, and Arcane. All magic comes from those four forces, the monsters don't have such magic but beastblood a biological and hereditary form of magic that flows through their veins. And to become powerful they use the mana cores inside the human body.

So the only question is, will others be able to see my companion?

[Yes, after a certain level.]

Then a baby dragon.

Monarchs might rule over the monsters, but dragons—especially baby ones—have the potential to rise above even them. A dragon's blood is steeped in ancient power, much like the beastblood that fuels these monsters, but their lineage is even more formidable.

And now that only one is alive, which is a monarch who slaughtered his entire race of dragons since they could have rivaled him, having one now would instantly make me able to rival him in the future.

[Companion chosen dragon.]

[You alone would be able to see it until you reach level ten.]

[Conditions.]

Conditions?

_________

-Condition-

The baby dragon must be fed and will grow as you evolve as well.

_________

I see, that isn't too bad.

[Soul synchronization is completed..]

[Transporting to body…]

Suddenly he feels himself being sucked away, as he's pulled out of the darkness and into what seems like space. The sparkling stars are all over and while being dragged away he sees him again.

No name waving at him wearing the face of Cassin as he waves at him from afar, before filling away, the creaking of an old bed greeting him.

Am I?

He looks down, he has arms, legs, and other limbs slowly regaining life and color after looking completely blue-black.

I'm alive again.

Yet, at the corner of his vision, someone leans on his shoulders, "Brother are you ok?" A soft child-like voice whispers next to him.