Chapter 1 - Second Chance

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of monitors casting an eerie light on the sterile walls.

Machines beeped rhythmically, their cold metallic sounds echoing through the room. The air was heavy with the scent of antiseptic, and the atmosphere was one of somber resignation.

Lying on the hospital bed I glanced at the ceiling with an oxygen mask. My eyes felt heavy and dulled by the pain that had become a constant companion.

My frail body was a stark contrast to the image of the strong, energetic person I used to be.

I was battling a terminal illness that had stripped away my dreams and left me with little hope.

As the days passed, I found solace in the world of novels and anime. Among my favorites was "Douluo Dalu II," a story of martial arts, soul beasts, and a young hero named Huo Yuhao.

The vivid descriptions of the fantastical world provided a temporary escape from the harsh reality of my own life.

One day, as I lay in my hospital bed, something extraordinary happened. I felt a strange sensation as if my consciousness was being pulled away from this frail body.

The monitors beeped more urgently, and my vision blurred as the panicked voices of the medical staff resounded. I felt relieved.

When the fog cleared, I found myself in a world that was both familiar and surreal. I was no longer in the hospital but standing in the middle of a gloomy forest. The air was cold, and the sounds and sensation of heavy rain downpour filled the air.

"Huh..?"

Confused and disoriented, I looked down at my hands and realized that I was no longer in my sickly body. Instead, I had now inhabited the form of Huo Yuhao, the protagonist of "Douluo Dalu II." 

"What the hell?!"

I touched my face and felt the bafflement of this miracle.

As the initial shock wore off, I felt a surge of energy coursing through me. I marveled at the strength and vitality that now filled my new body.

It was a stark contrast to the frailty he had endured for so long. But along with the physical changes, I also carried the memories and emotions of Huo Yuhao.

I could feel the weight of his past, the struggles, and the regrets.

The realization struck me – I wasn't just an observer anymore; I was an active participant in the unfolding story.

Boom! Crackle~

Suddenly, I found myself standing in the midst of a dense forest, raindrops cascading off emerald leaves.

The air felt charged with an otherworldly energy.

"It's raining."

Stunned, I surveyed my surroundings. The vivid colors, the sound of raindrops on leaves, the cool breeze – it was all too real.

This wasn't a dream; I had stepped into the very world I had read before I died.

In the distance, thunder rumbled, and I hurriedly sought shelter in a nearby cave.

The rain intensified a torrential downpour that matched the tumult within my mind.

As I huddled in the cave's embrace, I pondered the implications of my newfound reality.

The world outside the cave sparkled with an otherworldly glow.

I marveled at my own vision, the ability to see clearly in the darkness.

It was then that I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a pool of water within the cave.

The face staring back at me had the familiar features of Huo Yuhao – blue hair, aquamarine eyes, and pale skin.

As the rain outside gradually subsided, I took a deep breath, accepting everything that had happened to me.

I calmed down my tumultuous emotions like a monk as I leaned on the rock's rough edges.

"What should I do?"

I was lost in the things I could have never imagined, the journey of Huo Yuhao was long.

It was fraught with countless dangers. My memories of Doulo Dalu II weren't that clear to the point I would be able to memorize the events that would occur.

Just as I pondered the mysteries of my transmigration, a sudden notification disrupted the quietude.

A semi-transparent floating screen materialized before me, its dark panel and reddish text reminiscent of a sci-fi interface.

[Objective: Reach Star Dou Forest.

Reward: 'Godhand']

The words hung in the air, and a surge of curiosity coursed through me. 

"What was this mysterious system, and why was I given such a specific task?"

Star Dou Forest, a place renowned in Douluo Dalu II for its perils and wonders, now beckoned as my destination.

"For now, I should just follow the main storyline and shouldn't deviate from it."

The 'Godhand' reward remained shrouded in ambiguity, yet its allure was undeniable and unknown.

'Maybe, this is a clue to why I have gone to this world? The system... it's a common troupe for transmigration stories.'

As I emerged from the cave, the forest air seemed to hum with an unspoken energy. Drops of rain clung to leaves like glistening jewels, reflecting the emerging sunlight. 

"Beautiful."

I breathed a sigh of fresh air and felt the fullness of the cool weather soothing my skin.

With a newfound purpose, I set forth into the forest, guided by an inner instinct that echoed Huo Yuhao's memories.

The lush canopy above whispered secrets, and the earth beneath my feet cradled the weight of countless stories.

'Wow, this place is amazing.'

It was incomparable to the previous world where it was filled with cities, with barely any nature left in it due to the advancement of civilization.

As I ventured deeper, the forest revealed its wonders – vibrant flora, mystical creatures, and the occasional rustle of unseen life.

I made sure I was careful of the path, otherwise a baboon would jump at me like what occurred to Huo Yuhao, but was later saved by the Skydream Ice Worm.

I glanced around at the water stream from the river, numerous salmons cluttered around to lay their eggs while still alive and fresh. It was the perfect time to catch them before they completely rot.

'I should stop here and set camp.'

My stomach grumbled as I went to grab branches to create fire, I used the Baihu Dagger from Huo Yuhao's mom to turn tied stems into a rope before tying those materials to create a cooking pot holder.

'Now, it's time to make two traps for the salmons and bunny. Thankfully, there is an apple tree just next to me.'

I glanced towards the apple tree where the fresh red apples were hung as I climbed to the tree with my newfound healthy body.

I grabbed a couple of apples and went to search for rabbit holes after planting a fish trap just next to the river.

Soon, I found a rabbit hole not too far, which was only a kilometer away from camp.

I set up the trap and went inside the bush, I waited for an entire hour with patience from my long experience in hunting.

When the sun reached above the horizon, a bunny got out of its nest. It cautiously glanced at the surroundings before landing its eyes at the apple. 

'Come on. Come closer.'

The bunny approached the apple in light steps and as it reached the perimeter, I pulled the rope and the ground fell into a hole, dug several meters to the ground.

"Hah! Caught you."

When I went back to camp, I skinned the rabbit and made another separate fire to steam the meat.

I went to the cutting board where I had gathered vegetables. 

I had plans to make a rabbit stew using Huo Yuhao's knowledge of the various spices and vegetables including my knowledge of the past.

Sling! Sling!

Similar to how chefs sharpen their knives, I sharpened the Baihu Dagger using a porous rock from the river.

Then, I went to peel and chop the vegetables into suitable sizes before I went to create an axe and chopped a smaller tree into wooden logs to make a wooden cooking pot and spatula.

I went to the river and took several salmons in the trap before pouring water into the cooking pot. Then went back to camp.

It took an hour or more for this process, I took the rabbit meat and chopped it into separate parts inside the boiling cooking pot.

When the rabbit stew and grilled fish finished, my ears perked up at the sound of bushes rustling.

I placed down my grilled fish and placed my hand on the sheathed Baihu Dagger.

'Spirit Beasts? Evil Spirit Masters?'

I just hope it was just friendly people. But, since this place was in the middle of nowhere and close to the Star Dou Forest.

There was high chance for them to be Spirit Masters.

When the bushes revealed two figures, I relaxed my shoulders and sat back down on the log seat.

"Look, Bei Bei! There's delicious food!"

Tang Ya drooled at the cooking pot and grilled fish like a cat, as Bei Bei sighed.

Tang Ya approached me with a happy and

curious look.

"Wahh, little brother is this fish for sale? How aromatic! Did you make it! It must be since you're the only one here!"

"Umm... yes. You can take one if you like. I can't finish it all."

I smiled at the familiar characters and placed my hand for a handshake.

"Huh? Little fellow, why are you..?"

Xiao Ya eyes gleamed with a confused look.

"Ah... sorry. It's just a habit whenever I meet new friends."

"Friends..??"

Tang Ya and Bei Bei, both were important characters in the story. If I could befriend them that would be advantageous.

"Here."

"Wahh! Thank you! You're a courteous little fellow."

I gave a grilled fish to Xiao Ya and she happily took it. She took a big chomp off of the salmon and she exclaimed with a surprised look.

"So delicious!!!" (Umai!!!)

I heard the approaching figure and turned my head towards Bei Bei, who was the future Captain of the Seven Shrek Devils.

"Hello there."

"Hello."

Bei Bei gave a kind smile before turning his head at Tang Ya with a sighing look.

"Ah... Slow down, Xiao Ya, this little brother here still hasn't eaten. Yet you started eating already?"

His tone was gentle, he was obviously the type of guy to be in the sports team as the captain with his face and body.

"What did you just call me?! Didn't I already tell you about this, Bei Bei?"

Bei Bei placed both of his palms towards Tang Ya in a retreating stance.

"Oh, oh... alright, Xiao Ya Teacher, that should be fine right?"

"Hmph! I'll forgive you, for now, you should know your place!"

'This guy is definitely a pushover when it comes to his girlfriend...'

"Here, I have more grilled fish."

I handed a grilled fish to Bei Bei, and hesitantly he said, "Gentleman do not take stuff from others! Little brother, you still haven't eaten yet. Did you catch these fish in the river?"

"Yes, I did, but you can take one, I have more grilled fish."

Bei Bei finally took the fish and all of us sat down around the campfire.

"Little brother, what's your name?"

"This is my first time meeting you. My name is Bei Bei. The Lady there is Tang Ya."

"Huo Yuhao."

When the time finally came, I opened the lid of the stew, and the fragrant aroma of the rabbit stew enticed the drooling Tang Ya.

I poured the soup stew into the wooden cups along with the veggies and the rabbit meat.

"Wah! It smells so good!"

I handed the rabbit stew to them and took several minutes to clear everything with Tang Ya being the big eater.

"Phew! It's amazing! I have never eaten such a tasty meal like this before!"

Tang Ya turned to me with an excited look.

"Huo Yuhao. I want to hire you as our cook. Is that okay?"

"Do you even have money, Teacher Xiao Ya?"

"Later on, I will! What's your problem? Huh?!"

'It's time to bail out. These couples are noisy.'

I smiled and turned to where the Star Dou Forest was before saying.

"Xiao Ya, and Bei Bei. I'll head out first, I have things I need to do."

"Huh..? Leave? Are you really going to leave? What about being our cook?"

"Huo Yuhao, this place is pretty desolated. Furthermore, it's not very far from the Star Dou Forest. Where do you plan to go?"

"..." I shook my head and replied.

"Thank you, but I am fine."

I soon left with my back facing them, I was sure that they'd try to convince me to join their Tang Sect and would quietly follow me. That's how the plot happened anyway.