An Echo of Determination: Isekai Investigation Unit

"Soul Number 577137823616561, Please enter." I find msyelf coming aware in an office chair. "Hey, uhh. Where am-" I look forward and see an amorphous ball of light, sitting in an office chair. "SILENCE!" It shouts,

"I just got done dealing with an entitled ass who did nothing with his life. It looks like im dealing with a similar case. You died of a heart attack while watching Final Fantasy 14 Cutscenes- after binging dragon ball Z for the 2nd time that year." He glares at me. "You basically died of exhaustion and overly entertained, you did nothing with your. life."

I shrug. "Not like the world gave me a chance to do any-"

"SILENCE! I didn't ask for any explanation or excuse. You have 300 Karma from the kindness you showed to others. Choose two items on this list.- and I'll choose a world for you." He grins Menacingly at me. "I dare you to say anything but two powers. I double dog dare you."

I look at the list and only see minor powers that will literally get me dead in most Shonen worlds.

"can I at least ask where I'm going first?"

His menacing grin turns savage. "NO! YOU NOW GET DETERMINATION FROM UNDERTALE AND THE ECHO FROM FFXIV. SO NOW YOU ONLY GAIN POWER BY DYING AND BY WORKING REALLY HARD!"

"Wait but all I did was ask a Question!"

"HAVE FUN IN A DRAGON BALL DEATH WORLD! YOU'LL BE TAKING KRILLINS PLACE! DON'T WORRY THOUGH, YOU WON'T BE SHORT LIKE HIM. YOU'll ACTUALLY GROW AS TALL AS 6 FOOT 1 INCHES."

My soul is pushed through a portal.

the last thing I hear before waking up in a body not my own was-

"HEY! GET AWAY FROM THAT SOUL! YOU WERE FIRED LAST WEEK FOR BEING TOO CRUEL TO SOULS!"

"YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME, ISEKAI INVESTIGATION UNIT!!"

-------

Shit! shit shit shit! my head is killing me. The memories slam into me like a freight train, and Krillin is actively resisting. (you are being erased, your soul is being strengthened by the echo.)

Not like this. I didn't even want to take over this body. I just wanted to be happy. Why did I have to die in the first place?!

(you are being erased, your soul is being strengthened by the echo. Failing.)

I REFUSE! I WILL NOT DIE TO SOMEONE WHO IS ALREADY FATED TO DIE AND BE USELESS TO THE PLOT 90% OF THE TIME!!

(Your determination is resonating with the Echo. the strength of your soul has eclipsed the soul of Krillin. Devouring.)

I gasp for breath as my body shifts. Actually this isn't my body at all. I quickly look at a mirror. an notice that I look a lot less like krillin and a lot more myself. In fact this bodies memories also didn't have a nose. But I have a sharp but small nose now. my face is shifting around constantly. raising Cheekbones and growing out hair.

(Your soul has become strong. Your potential for growth is now much Higher. Enabled strength through training.)

Damnit, the bastard gave me the echo. but disabled my ability to get strong through training? in this death world? FUCK! well, at least the echo was able to Enable it again.

I no longer look like Krillin so I should probably get out of here. I look around, and notice that there are people outside. the room. and they're knocking. "Krillin, you have been accused of leaking secrets of the Ouran Temple. You are summoned by the leaders of the temple." SHIT! Guess I gotta fight my way out.

I open the door and immediately throw a punch- which is dodged. "Hey! who the hell are you! I knew it! He was selling secrets!"

I am ganged up on, knocked to the ground and beaten to death. "Serves the spy right. Now we have to find kril-"

Is the last thing I hear before everything goes black.

---

But then I am back in the room, as if nothing happened.

I hear the knocking again before I can get my bearings. "Krillin, you have been accused of leaking secrets of the Ouran Temple. You are summoned by the leaders of the temple."

(Your general power level has been increased by 1.)

(you have absorbed Krillins understanding of martial arts.)

(Your power level is now 9>10. all attributes increased by a multiple of 1.5)

Wow, I always wondered why power levels didn't make sense. I guess more power level by 1 is a better improvement than just additive. I also know Ouran Temple martial arts now.

Before I can finish my thoughts, the door is smashed down. "HEY! who the hell are you!? Where's Krillin. I smile at him and step forward. preparing to go in with a punch to the solar plexus and plan to knock him out with a punch to the cheek-

I get to knocking him in the solar plexus- only for him to shrug it off.

"Good technique, too bad you stole this knowledge with the help of that traitor." I am then smashed in the side of the head by a staff at lightning speed. I attempt to stand up, and am smashed again just as I hit him in the face, which he also shrugs off. I try to push off the ground and continue.

(your Determination has Resonated with The Echo. Power Level Permanently increased by 10>12 Ouran temple martial arts has advanced. You are healing at an accelerated rate. You are now generally 2.5* stronger in every aspect.) I stand up, and force myself to punch harder. and he winces when I hit him in the gut again, he flinches slightly when I punch him in the face.

But now he just looks angry, "Let me help you there Junior brother." I hear from behind before everything goes black.

---

I come to awareness to that damn knocking. Damnit People in the world are fucking monsters.

I'm just a damn otaku.

(Your power level has increased to 12>15. You are now 5 times faster, 2 times more aware of your surroundings and have a 2.5 times increase in body strength. You have become Peak human for this planet. Bottleneck reached. Defeat one enemy to erase bottleneck and become stronger. Unlocking Your Ki by doing so.)

I move forward as the door is bashed in. My rage and killing intent is felt by the guards. "Halt! You are on Ouran Temple property. Return the texts you have stolen with that traitor!"

I charge forward faster than he can react and send him flying. I guess I'm strong enough to fight grunts now. But I'm still fucking weak.

(Enemy Knocked out. Bottleneck Removed.)

"Let me avenge you! junior brother!" I get into a stance. and glare at them. "How dare you flaunt such stolen techniques!" the second grunt rages. I charge forward fists cocked back in an aggressive but guarded stance.