12 Despair

It is dark and I can't feel anything. I can't even move my arms or legs. What is... happening. Why can't I think clearly. Just what... happened? REMEMBER ALREADY ME!

Oh yeah. I went to the village and, and I... I died. He tortured the villagers and me and we all eventually died. I was killed in such brutal way too by being thrown into the fire...

Suddenly the voice of a young man was heard. "Hahaha. It sure was fun watching you trying to stand up to him. But I didn't think you would be that stupid. Hahahaha."

I was in shock. "Who, who are you." I tried to speak but the words just echoed in my head.

"Me? I am the god of despair. And the reason why I chose to watch you was because you had become my little toy. I wanted to see you in pain. That is all." He suddenly said these words which shocked me. I was just a toy?

"A toy? Me? You have got to be kidding me." I said in a dark tone as I could feel my anger boil up inside of me.

"Yeah. That is just what you are, a toy. But you should be glad my little toy. After all I was the one who pulled you out of the cycle."

"The cycle?"

I then heard him chuckle. "Yeah. The cycle. It is basically what makes the souls go round and round. First of all, they get purified. Then their soul gets molded into a new form. Then it is given certain properties and talents based from what it did in its last life. But you, you are now my toy and I will control cycle. And I choose to only give you partial purification. After all, you wouldn't be much fun if you can't remember anything."

Then I suddenly felt my body, no, my soul burn. It was a completely new kind of pain to me. I cant even explain how much it hurt. It was to the point where I was about to give into despair when it stopped...

"Good. Now the partial purification is now over. Now it is time to mold you into a new form. What should it be? Hmm, how about... a snake. Yeah. I want you to slither on the ground for a very, very long time. And properties... How about the ability "devour"? Yeah that should be a good one. But you have more karma than expected... Hmm, then let us do "Absolute Intimidation" as well. And lastly a "system". Hehe. This is going to be fun." I then heard him clap two times and then I felt my soul take a new shape. Then I felt a new kind of burning burning feeling.

"Good. Now it is time for you to go." I could faintly see a smile somehow and then I was suddenly falling down and above me was only sky.

What is happening? Hello? Hey. God of despair this isn't funny. Tell me where I am please and why I am falling.

I feel my body flying down towards the ground at greater and greater speeds than I never could have ever imagined. And the faster I went towards the ground the faster I was about to hit it.

But right before I hit the ground my body suddenly stopped and then I fell gently down onto the ground as if I hadn't just fallen down at least a 100 km.

Eh? Where am I? Why are there trees everywhere?

Answer. You are currently in the spirit realm.

Eh? Who said that?

Me? I am the system.

System?

Yes master. I was put into your soul as the god of despair had wanted me to.

Oh. I see now. Then... where are we now?

Master, we are currently in the lower part of the spirit realm. Here there prowl many spirit beasts which could easily kill you in your current state.

I, umm, see. The god of despair also mentioned other abilities. What were they?

The first ability, devour, will make you able to eat other creatures and grow stronger the more you devour their souls or bodies. The second ability, absolute intimidation, is making you incredibly intimidating to the point where if a normal person were to look you in the eye, they would die instantly.

But you were also given to me?

Yes. But I am a tool more than an ability. Tools are permanent while abilities are not because of the cycle.

Oh. I see. So how are you not purified?

I will be purified when I enter the cycle. After all, I lose all data that I had gathered before.

Oh. I, I see. Then do you have a plan in mind?

I am not a person. I do not have thoughts or ideas. I can only be given orders.

Umm, okay? Then... calculate the safest way to progress the fastest and not die while doing it.

Calculating. Calculation error. Not enough data.

Welp. Guess I will have to do this on my own.

I slither into the forest and into the new way of life that I am going to be having for quite a while.

In the mortal realm.

"What? He isn't dead?"

"No. He was saved by a god and taken out of the cycle where he would have become trash. We will have to find him but his current location is unknown."

"I see. Then we will search every nook and cranny in every realm for this guy. Then we will kill him again."

The ball of black mist sighed and looked away from the boy in front of him. Then the mist muttered, "Useless."