The first thing Riku felt was cold—a biting wind that cut through his shirt like claws. He coughed, dirt in his mouth, lying face-down on a bed of wet leaves. All around him were towering, twisted trees with black bark and red-veined leaves. The sky was dim and rust-colored, like dusk had been painted in blood.
"Where…?" His voice cracked.
Then it hit him: he was alive. In Velmora. In a body that looked like his—but felt stronger, lighter.
But he had no power yet. Not until he died.
His stomach turned. The goddess hadn't mentioned how horrible that detail would feel now that he was actually here.
"Great," he muttered, standing and brushing himself off. No weapons. No armor. Just the black jeans, sneakers, and hoodie he had died in. And the phoenix mark glowing faintly on his chest.
A rustle came from the trees behind him.
His instincts screamed.
He turned—and saw it.
A beast the size of a bear slithered from the shadows. It looked like a cross between a lizard and a wolf, its mouth filled with serrated teeth, eyes glowing blue. Its name floated in the air above its head like some cruel game interface:
[Bloodhowler – Level 17]
"Seventeen?!" Riku yelped. He stumbled back.
It was faster.
The monster lunged.
His foot caught on a root—he went down hard.
I'm gonna die.
The beast's claws slashed—Riku raised his arm. The pain was blinding, hot, unreal. His vision blurred.
Then—darkness.
<
You have died.
Power Slot: [EMPTY]
Choose one power. You will resurrect with it. Others will be lost.
Riku floated in a black void, strangely calm despite the agony he had just felt.
A list appeared before him—dozens of glowing words scrolling past:
Pyromancer's Flame
Titan's Strength
Shadow Walk
Temporal Rewind
Lightning Step
Healing Touch
Dragon's Blood
Absolute Defense
Death Sword
Gravity Shift
Memory Eater
And more.
His hand hovered. So many options.
But he needed to survive alone, and immediately.
One caught his eye:
[Death Sword] – Summon a cursed blade that grows stronger with each kill. Cannot be disarmed. Bonds to soul.
He chose it.
<
Resurrection Commencing...
Riku gasped and sat up.
He was back where he fell—blood on his arm, but whole again. The Bloodhowler was still there, feasting on what looked like his old body.
Then it turned, sensing something.
Riku stood. His chest glowed.
He reached out—and his hand filled with black fire. From it, a jagged obsidian sword exploded forth, wrapped in chains of red lightning.
The blade screamed.
So did the beast.
Riku grinned—something savage blooming in his heart.
"I'm not dying again."
End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3(coming soon)
In next chapter 3, where Riku fights the Bloodhowler with Death Sword and discovers how resurrection has changed more than just his power?