(Y/N): FUCK—!
(Y/N) jolted upright, sweat pouring down from his head. An agonizing headache terrorized him, as he recounted the horrific scenery in the train.
(Y/N): Am I... dead??? But this... headache... ugh...
(Y/N) questioned inwardly, grimacing over the constant waves of ache in his head, dulling his senses. Which was why he did not notice the concerned voice leaking through the door.
???: Y...ng..... Mas... er...?
(Y/N): Am I alive then? But... there's no way I could've survived that... What the fuck... is going on?
(Y/N) mulled over his current situation, the pain and discomfort slowly clearing up. He looks around, immediately noticing an unfamiliar environment.
(Y/N): H-huh...?
He was lying atop a luxurious bed that was softer than the clouds and one that seemed big enough for five people. The room he was in was filled with ornate furniture, ones that looked far from modern. Ones that looked expensive. Too expensive in fact. He looked down, immediately noticing his clothes. Garments that were made of something more luxurious than silk, a material that gently wrapped around his skin. His hands were, familiar yet... Unfamiliar. (Y/N) touched his body and face, checking if he was still alive. As his hands ran through his hair, he noticed it was longer than usual.
Panicked, (Y/N) jumped off the bed, ready to burst through the door and make his escape to who knows where when something caught his eye. As his head hesitantly turned towards a grandiose mirror that was elaborately decorated with a frame carved out from opulent-looking wood, what he saw next was... unnerving.
His face, was one he was familiar with, and yet, foreign to him.
It was the face of Sylas Marcerin, a character from Path of A Hero (POAH).
(Y/N): H-how...? The fuck...?
(Y/N) laughed nervously, finding himself in an inconceivable state of affairs while fiddling with his cheeks and nose comically...
(Y/N): I must be dreaming... Yeah, that's it. Played too much of POAH that I started dreaming of it... Ha.... hahah... hahaa....
(Y/N) moved away from the mirror, lost in his thoughts. Still feeling bewildered, he stumbled backwards on accident, falling butt first into the stretch of lush carpet that covered the room. He pinched himself, hoping to wake up from this surreal experience. But alas, what met him instead was a sharp pain as his nails dug into his skin, waking him up to reality.
(Y/N): No no no no... I don't understand!
(Y/N) cried out, clutching his hair while his mind ran wild, trying to process whatever the hell was happening to him.
???: Young Master! Are you alright?
The voice that had been trying to reach (Y/N) since earlier was now more prominent, disrupting his thoughts.
(Y/N): W-who the fuck are you!? Don't come in!
(Y/N) scrambled backwards, his flight or fight instinct urging him to hide behind side frames of the bed, proving to be a capable but temporary form of cover.
???: Y-young Master? It is I, your humble maid, Ada... H-have I done something to upset the Young Master...?
A meek and frightful voice filled with worry spoke up, unexpectedly calming down (Y/N). (Y/N) took a few deep breaths, trying to let go of his aggressive tone before finally speaking up.
(Y/N): No... Sorry. Can you... leave me alone for now?
(Y/N) apologetically said even as an air of wariness still surrounded him, letting out a small sigh. He had much to think through, and he couldn't do so properly in the presence of another, let alone a stranger.
(Y/N) lets out another sigh, as he stands up and surveys the room carefully. The room itself was humongous. It was the size of a 5-room apartment, heck, it could even be bigger. (Y/N) toured the room, taking in the sights. A wardrobe filled with never-ending luxurious clothes, a study desk with furniture that screamed royalty, and the bed, the one he was on earlier, which adorned a crest — presumably a family crest — equipped with plush pillows and a thick duvet that sprawled messily on the bed from when (Y/N) "woke up".
On one side of the room, there was an overarching window, or so (Y/N) thought. As it turned out, it was the entrance to a balcony, one that overlooked the county owned by the Marcerin family. Overcome with curiosity, (Y/N) stepped out onto the balcony. He was greeted by a gentle breeze that caressed is face, long strands of blonde hair flowing behind him in waves. His amber eyes were met with a beautiful landscape. The Marcerin's Manor was located at the top of a small hill and from the balcony, he could see the majority of the county. It seemed to be early in the morning, apparent from the smell of dew gracing his nostrils. In the distance, (Y/N) spotted both shop and stall owners alike, opening up their businesses, ready to start the day. He saw kids, running about chasing one another, living the carefree life of a child.
(Y/N): So... peaceful... I must've been an idiot to have lived in the city, heh...
(Y/N) chuckled, enjoying the serenity for a while longer while resting on the balcony's railing.
Before this unexpected turn of events, (Y/N) was just a normal salaryman living in a bustling city. A run of the mill average joe. Well, if you ignored his weird levels of perseverance, that is. He did play POAH: Warbound for 5 years, with a total of a thousand runs to boot. But now, things were different. It seems like he is now... Sylas Marcerin, the only heir to the Marcerin family.
(Y/N) walked over to the bed, calmer than earlier, and flopped down onto it nonchalantly, letting the softness of it embrace him.
(Y/N): Okay... Let's... Think this through...
(Y/N) was now Sylas Marcerin, the only heir to the Marcerin family. He couldn't escape from this fact any longer. His handsome features resembled him perfectly, down to the minute detail. It didn't seem like it was a mask or anything of the like. (Y/N) now even spoke in an unfamiliar accent, one that was exactly the same as Sylas' in the game.
The Marcerin family was led by Dominic Marcerin, the head of the family and (Y/N)'s... Sylas' father. Dominic was once a commoner but due to his tremendous talent that specialized in merchantry, he soared up the ranks exponentially, becoming an indispensable contributor to the main force of the Empire, the Lafoye family — the royal family that made the Empire what it was today. Due to Dominic's contribution, he was promoted to the status of a *Count*, which explained the opulent decorations in Sylas' room. A humble personality, albeit meek, yet an imposing foe when it came to the matters of trade, Dominic garnered the respect of many nobles. Truly, a man that was well-respected and acknowledged by many for his skills and ultimately, as a person.
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Count: A popular title in many webnovels! I've seen it many times but my dumbass didn't know the rankings, like is the Count higher than a Baron or vice versa. If some of you are like me, well here's how it works! Here's the ranking in descending order:
1. Duke/Duchess
2. Marquess (pronounced as maa-kwuhs)/Marchioness (mar-shun-nus)
3. Count/Countess
4. Viscount/Viscountess
5. Baron/Baroness
Hope this helps! XD
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(Y/N): Hmm... Have I been transmigrated? Or maybe reincarnated... Haah... What does it matter now?
(Y/N) sighs exasperatedly, shaking his head. Seeing that he is now Sylas, he could only infer that his situation right now is based on the first game of POAH.
In the first game, Sylas was a side character. He was the protagonist's, Ron, best friend. Sylas was depicted as someone who wasn't that special, much like (Y/N). Compared to his father, Sylas didn't display overwhelming talent in any field. At best, he was above average in most. Even in the game, Sylas, as a playable character, was only used as a starting option in the player's party. He was decent, he provided adequate party-wide buffs with short cooldowns. But that was it, his only selling point. He was easily *power crept* by other playable characters, mainly the heroines. And just like most of the heroines... Sylas too, would meet his end before the end of the first game.
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Power creep: I'm a gamer myself but if any of you by any chance may not know what this term means...
"Power creep" in the context of games refers to a gradual increase in the overall power level of characters, items, or abilities as new content is added, making older options feel weaker and less desirable. This often leads to players focusing on the newer, more powerful additions, which can be detrimental to the game's balance and longevity
P.S. copied it straight from Google ahaha, but hope it helps :)
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(Y/N): I can't believe I got isekai'd(?) and I'm still going to die in the end...
Of course, one could probably hope or assume that maybe, just maybe, things wouldn't progress as how it did in the game. For all (Y/N) knew, this could've been another timeline of sorts. But for (Y/N), based on what he knows and had experienced in both games, coupled with his lack of knowledge on his current situation, he could only assume the worst.
(Y/N): What do I even do now... How did I even end up... here?
Thinking back, aside from the whole train thing, the other thing that was out of place was the message he got from YourDeus. It was weird how it all happened at the same time. A strange coincident. He was even forced to accept the reward offered and then right after, this happened.
(Y/N): Is this your doing... YourDeus? Or am I just overthinking this...
(Y/N) mumbled, the idea echoing loudly in his mind.
Ding—!
Out of nowhere, a sudden but familiar chime echoed as a rectangular holographic panel popped up right in front of (Y/N).
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YourDeus:
That's right! I sent you here! How's it for a reward?
Great, right? XD
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(Y/N) tried to grab onto the panel out of anger, but his hands merely passed through it.
(Y/N): The fuck you mean great, huh!? I died and I'm gonna die again!
(Y/N) said in an accusatory tone, his nose flaring in anger and steam coming out of his ears angrily.
(Y/N): Did I... did I really die back there?
(Y/N) asked hesitantly, the truth as scary as the experience itself.
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YourDeus:
...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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(Y/N): HUH!? But you sent me here!!
(Y/N) stammered, throwing a pillow at the panel, confused and distraught by YourDeus' response. How could someone be so... nonchalant about this when they admitted it was THEIR doing.
... ...
(Y/N): Wait a minute... how is YourDeus even talking to me? Weren't they just the developer of the game back in my world...?
(Y/N) pondered to himself, a sudden realization dawning upon him.
(Y/N): Who... or what are you?
A short silence followed, followed by yet another familiar chime.
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YourDeus:
...
XD
Does.
It.
Matter?
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Another nonchalant response, and yet it sent chills down (Y/N)'s spine. He could be messing with someone... or something otherworldly. Their username literally screamed 'God' for fuck's sake.
(Y/N): Haahh... fuck you man.
Despite all that, (Y/N) muttered in annoyance, his head drooping low and his body slouching, already resigned to his fate. Fortunately, it didn't seemed like YourDeus was displeased with his uncouth manner of speaking.
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YourDeus:
As I've said! Just enjoy!
I'll be watching you two with great interest...
This will be my final message to you.
Good luck, Player (Y/N).
UwU
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(Y/N): Wait! I still have things I want to ask! YourDeus! YourDeus!
No reply. True to their word, (Y/N)'s contact with YourDeus had been cut off.
(Y/N): Fuck you, you piece of shit! When I lay my hands on you.....
(Y/N) grit his teeth in annoyance and anger, the unfairness of being thrown into the unknown leaving him at a loss.
(Y/N): Haahh... staying like this is useless. Since I'm Sylas now, I need... I need to remember and prepare for the worst to come.
(Y/N) shook his head, getting up and searching for any sort of writing materials. He found a notebook and a fountain pen in one of the drawers, and immediately got to work. He wrote the heading "Plot". To his surprise, his wrist moved the fountain pen naturally, the tip tracing along the paper and forming unfamiliar symbols. Weirdly enough, (Y/N) could understand it all too well.
(Y/N): Could this be the Empire's language or the language of this world?
(Y/N) brooded over it for a while, finding it strange how it all seemed so familiar. He tried writing something in English. His mind knew the language, but his current body didn't. What turned out was a handwriting worse than a child's who had picked up a pencil for the first time. In spite of this... odd situation, (Y/N) remained resolute in writing it down in English. After all, what he was about to write could be deemed as telling the future in this world, a prophecy. He couldn't risk being compromised and getting into trouble, not at this stage where he didn't know how things worked around here.
With a newfound goal, albeit a short term one, (Y/N) began to write. He recounted the many events that took place in the first game. Meeting Ron, and helping him to grow in order to face the first game's last boss. The final event which changed everything for Ron. The event where Ron finds out that his beloved elder brother, Reyna Heita, was a *Hellsworn* that caused the death of many, including most of the game's cast and of course, Sylas. Naturally, Ron too, didn't escape unscathed. After the fight, he was severely injured, and he only survived through the help of a golem master, an event that was further explained in the second game. He could only survive, if he became part human and part golem. The death of many heroines and Ron's barely functional body at the end of the first game was an outcome that (Y/N) was determined to avoid.
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Hellsworn: A term I came up with (more specifically ChatGPT T_T) that refers to a group of humans who pledged their allegiance to the demons. A group of fanatics who borrowed the power of demons with one goal in mind. Resurrect Araxus.
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That aside... speaking of heroines, (Y/N)'s mind couldn't help but wander to the main cast. A group of drop-dead gorgeous women, who would fall in love with Ron. A typical harem trope. Of course, as an avid fan of the series, (Y/N) had a personal favorite as well, a character he adored. Her name was Isabel Pomile, a senior to both Sylas and Ron in the game. She followed the trope of an elder sister type character*, an air of sultriness about her that contradicted with her soft, gentle nature.
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*: Think of Akane from Highschool DxD! But less uh... horny and lewd bahaha
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(Y/N): Eh.. huehuehue.....
(Y/N) let out a noise that could hardly be considered as a giggle, grinning lopsidedly in a silly manner, as he drooled over the image of him meeting and actually conversing with Isabel, alongside the other heroines.
After hours of intense concentration and working his mind endlessly to recount memories from far back, followed by a bit of useless daydreaming, (Y/N) leans back into his chair, letting out a tired sigh.
(Y/N): Haahh... I guess that's about what I can remember so far. Now... what can I do?
(Y/N) mused, worried about the lack of talents Sylas had. How can he stop things from going haywire, if he can't even defend himself? He could depend on others, but (Y/N) felt safer if he could help himself at the very least. After all, when there's no one around, the only one you can rely on is yourself.
(Y/N): Hmm... is there any way to see what I can do? I mean, usually in novels, the protagonists have like a status window or some shit... Maybe I have one too?
(Y/N) thought to himself, as he rocked his chair back and forth, the fountain pen resting in between his upper lip and nose, unknowingly getting ink smudged all over his cheek.
(Y/N): Status window....?
(Y/N) says hesitantly, not expecting much.
Whirrrrr—!
A small luminescent panel slowly formed in front him, much like the ones he was when he was conversing with YourDeus. Kind of like those holographic touch screens Iron Man had with Jarvis.
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Sylas Marcerin
Skills:
— Magic —
Mana Circulation (S+) (0%)
Support Magic Mastery (A) (19%)
Offense Magic Mastery (F) (1%)
— Physical —
NA
Unique Talent:
— The Thousandth Trier —
Grants the player the ability to nullify pain and boost all attributes momentarily (x1000)
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(Y/N) read the information scrupulously.
(Y/N): Hmm... in terms of magical abilities, it kinda checks out with what Sylas could in the game. I'm guessing Mana Circulation (S+) is the reason for his short cooldowns?
(Y/N) mumbled to himself. As a gamer, this set of information weren't foreign to him. The percentage beside each skill high likely meant Sylas' proficiency level in it. As for the Physical category, well, it was to be expected since Sylas mainly played a support role in the game.
(Y/N): What if I learn some weapon art thingy though..? Would it count as a new skill perhaps?
Putting that aside, there was another cause of concern that haunted (Y/N). It was the way he should "act" as Sylas. In the game, Sylas' screentime heavily relied on his... flirtatious interactions with the ladies. A comic relief, one would say, and that was the trope he embodied. A lecherous friend to the protagonist. Of course, Sylas didn't go too far in this regard, just enough to annoy the ladies and... maybe, or most definitely take a beating from them. Altogether though, Sylas was still a decent person who would offer advice and be a good overall mental support to Ron, with his lecherous trait being his only real flaw.
(Y/N): Do I have to act like that from now on just so I can keep up the act? After all, if others notice something different about Sylas, it could spell trouble for me...
(Y/N) grumbled, finding it absurd. Just then, something on the panel caught his eye. Noticing the skill under the label "Unique Talent", (Y/N) narrowed his eyes, his thoughts wandering to what this special skill could do.
(Y/N): The Thousandth Trier huh? Nullifies pain... and boosts all attributes momentarily... sounds like an adrenaline shot? Seems like I can only use it a thousand times too.
(Y/N) stared at the skill. The skill name alone was intriguing. He entertained the thought that it could be a tribute to him. After all, he did beat the game after a thousand tries. Though, as for the skill, (Y/N) could only infer so much as it lacked the specifics, such as how much would his attributes increase by and for how long would it last.
(Y/N): Well... that's that. Alright, recap time!
(Y/N) cracked his neck, stiff from hunching over the desk and writing for a long time. Right now, all (Y/N) knew was Sylas' current capabilities and the general plot of the story itself. As for his current situation, he knew nothing. Initially, (Y/N) had hoped he could access Sylas' core memories so that he could use them as a reference of sorts. To his dismay, it seemed like only Sylas' muscle memory and minor memories remained, which explained why he could write and understand the Empire's language from the get go. Though, if he remained as is, setting up a goal for him to work towards the long run seemed bleak. He needed more information in order to formulate a plan.
(Y/N): Maybe I could ask the people here...? How do I... act around them though...? I don't know how Sylas' acts outside of his screentime... let alone towards his own family or the people in the Manor on a day to day basis.
(Y/N) grumbled, tired of thinking too much, slowly starting to zone out. Just then, a gentle knock came from the door, followed by a familiar voice.
Ada: Young Master, the Count and Countess calls for you. It is noon now and they expressed their desire to eat with you.
Ada's meek voice snapped (Y/N) back to reality.
(Y/N): Thank you uh... Ada? Could you give me a moment and wait for me?
Immediately seeing this as an opportunity to learn more, (Y/N) urged Ada to stay, hoping he could get her help to show him around in this new home of his... discreetly.
(Y/N) donned on a casual outfit, one that still screamed "expensive". He did so with grace, fixing royalty-like clothes on himself, which were far different from the modern clothes he wore. As expected, with the help of Sylas' muscle memory, donning them on proved to be easy, despite the unfamiliarity that came with it.
(Y/N): Fooooh... Alright. Let's... stay low and learn more for now. I have no choice to wing it as of now but... what needs to get done, needs to get done.
(Y/N) mumbled to himself while fixing his collar, as he reached for the door handle and pulling it open.
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Author's Note:
Thanks for reading! If you're still here and reading through my cringe-worthy work, much love homies.
For this chapter, idk honestly... I feel like it's less interesting than the Prologue? Like it doesn't "feel" as good. After much revision though, this was the best I could do hahaha.
I tried to do some world building, mainly around the MC first. Plus character intro for the MC too. I don't know if I'm doing it well. Even the character template I'm using for the MC, I had to use a bit of ChatGPT to get my ideas rolling. So if it feels fake and whatnot, please offer me some advice and ill see how i can incorporate them into the upcoming chapters!
same goes for the world/character building hahaha.
Alright... enough lame stuff from me, haha!
Once again, thanks for reading and much love to yall!
See you in the next chapter!
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