by Kajack
I obtained some books, the only downside was that most of them were stories and things related to teaching language and the path to mortal cultivation and common things, which I already knew. The only book worth anything was the one talking about the geography and sociology of this world, the continent, the seas, and the cities. Now I should be considered a genuine tour guide. Having absorbed this thick book I now know every city on this land, at least on this continent and some of its customs. Knowing all of this can help me adapt and advance further. This world is called The Forgotten Domain, when I knew of this, I wondered... forgotten by who? I searched through my memory to gain more information about more possible continents, but besides knowing that the continent’s name is Seeking Continent, I found nothing more related to it. I couldn't help but laugh at the story behind it, due to my recent behavior, that the first ancestor who put foot on this land came seeking immortality.
I was strolling through the city, as usual, this is what I do in my free time: look for books and check the best spots for assassination, I know the city like the back of my hand and there are very few things to talk about. Besides this is a 3rd rank city, plus a newly formed one, only one hundred years ago. Depending on how you look at it, I call it a village with a wall, that is truly lacking. Cities in each country are divided into ranks, 3rd rank being the lowest, 1st rank the highest and above that is Imperial City, the capital. Depending on the rank of the city, they have some benefits, they could be of some help more or less in a war. A 1st rank city has more population, more wealth and more benefits from the Imperial Capital. The village doesn't have any benefit at all, during wartime most of the villages ceased to exist. After the war is over people either start a new village where they are able to reconvene or they reconstruct the old one.
Someone is following me! Someone wants to perish, wonderful... Huh? Is it an elderly man?
“System Scan.”
Normal Human.
“Young boy, wait.” The voice from the old man was very feeble, I could feel his body was filled with death, there was no salvation for this man, he's almost dead. I checked him with Death End.
Remaining Time: 23 hours.
As I suspected, death is coming for him.
“What do you need, grandpa?”
“I have a favour to ask you, could you please follow me?”
“I don't know you, why would I follow you?”
“You will be rewarded.”
I followed this old man to a big house, this man must be from a wealthy family. A maid opened the house for the old man to go inside.
“Greetings lord, the family is expecting for your arrival inside.” After greeting the old man the maid finally noticed me, she got scared.
It seems my title of ‘Cursed Kid’ scares people, I laughed to myself.
“Please, young boy this way.”
“Where are you taking me old man? And what was the favour you needed?” I asked impatiently, who knows perhaps I could earn big this time.
We finally reached a big room, several people were talking. The old man sat in the main position at the head, he made me a hand gesture to sit next to him. The other people inside the room were stunned by the gesture from the old man.
I didn't wait for the people in the room to recover, now that I was sitting I could see clearly. I saw one big and strong man, another man a little thinner than the first man, but they looked to be siblings, both of them around 25 to 35 years old. There were also three women: I could not call them beauties, but they had nice chests, and good curves, their facial features were a bit lacking.
This was starting to get interesting. As expected, the young man couldn't bear it anymore.
“Grandfather! What is the meaning of this! What is that little kid doing here! He's cursed, he brings bad luck!”
“Silence! He's a guest! You should give a bit of face to his master Demon Ye! Bring Shi Yin here!”
Since when did I become his disciple? This little kid here can already beat him, tsk. I will tolerate it for now, I thought as I examined my surroundings carefully, I had no reason to trust these people as of yet.
The mood is very awkward... no one is talking and from what I can see the old man's time just went down to 20 hours. I wonder who Shi Yin is? I will check the System meanwhile.
Name: Ye Bai (Unacknowledged)
Rose Assassin’s Guild: Code Name: Eternal Rest, Bronze Rose rank, R: 478, MD: 187, C: 1,020
Race: Unknown.
Age: 5 years 8 months.
Life Span: Unlimited.
Body Cultivation: Mortal Realm, 7th rank (3,500/7,000).
Qi Cultivation: None.
Death Core: Lv1 (423/10,000).
Soul: Spirit Soul Realm (0/300,000).
Status: Dead.
XP (20,000).
Death Points: 0
Functions: Inspect: On, Quest, Inventory.
Passive Skills: Advanced Soul Resistance Lv 1 / 10 (1/5,000), Rolling, Rolling, Rolling Lv 8 / 10 (10,000/40,000), Death Sense Lv 1 / 100 (500/10,000), Throwing Weapon Lv 20 / 100 (0/15,000).
Active Skills: Death Infusion, Deathly Fighting Foundation Lv 4/5 (9,000/10,000), Movement Foundation Lv 4 / 5 (9,000/10,000).
Traits: Poison Immunity, Poison Knowledge, Mortal Monster Hunter.
Bloodline: Common Death Bloodline (Evolvable) (5/50 Uncommon or higher).
Death Body: Transform the entire body, influenced by death. All Death Attack, Darkness Attack, Time Attack, Poison Attacks, damage +50%. Consumes 1 Death point per second.
Death Tempering: Tempers the main body through death. Consumes 1 Death point.
Death End: Able to know the time of the death of any living being. Able to know the cause of the death.
Wielder of the Death: Unlock Death Talent. Death Talent: 1-Orange.
Wielder of the Darkness: Unlock Darkness Talent. Darkness Talent: 3-Red.
Wielder of Time: Unlock Time Talent. Time Talent: 3-Red.
I didn't notice that my badge already had 1,000 contribution points, I will have to check later what I can exchange it for. Not bad though, 20,000 XP points saved, and I'm close to the so-called Origin Realm. I wonder what I can do with it. Last time with my Roll skill directly evolved I was able to do it, maybe this time will be the same, though Ye Qing said some people at that moment were being enlightened. I'm having a hard time not just spending all my XP to finishing leveling both skills so I will be insanely powerful, but it’s difficult without spending too much XP.
Chapter 24
Shi Yin
“Grandfather, I'm here.” said a feeble voice, ambling, each step was done with care.
What I saw stunned me, “What's going on here?” This little girl was around eight to ten years old. She was cute, this kind of woman, in eight or ten more years will be a stunning beauty. This continent will fall at her feet! What stunned me was not her beauty, it was rather she had a 90% resemblance to my current body! She had long black dark hair, big black eyes, a cute and soft smile, yet her aura was of death... Her skin was the most perfect skin that a woman could desire. She was slightly taller than me, but her actions, her body structure; if it wasn't for the fact that she had already grown some breasts, we could pass as twins.
The people in the room were stunned as well... How come they look like siblings?
“Explain!” I said in an arrogant, fierce tone.
The old man sighed, “Everyone sit, this concerns the future of our family.”
“This is my granddaughter, Shi Yin, she will turn nine years old this year. She was born the day we venerate the dead. She turned weak recently—didn't eat, and didn't sleep. She was like a barely living corpse, we sought all the help we could, but realistically we are just a normal family with a small bit of wealth. A famous doctor came and told us that it was probably of an unknown constitution, and since it was an unknown one, it was hard to know what could be done,” The old man paused, it seemed that he needed to catch his breath.
Nine years old, and
then at three years old, hmmm my soul also fully healed on that day. Her body constitution appeared the same day my soul got healed? She also looks like me, what the hell is going on?
System, what the hell is going on?! Do you know something?
Unknown!
“Her mother died the same day she was born. I loved my daughter dearly, how could I allow myself to see my granddaughter, the last gift my precious daughter had given me, wither away in such pain. I blame myself... If only I had the strength! I could roam all over the continent looking for help. The only thing I could do, was remain near my precious three year old daughter. The more time I spend with her the weaker I feel, yet I can feel my daughter getting better. She moved, to eat, to talk. Unfortunately, all my attention was set on my granddaughter and this made the Shi family decline. My sons and my grandsons saw Shi Yin as the misfortune of the family, isolating her and silently hating her existence...”
“Father...” The eldest son, after hearing his old man talk, felt shameful and guilty. He wasn't the only one, the rest of the people present also all lowered their heads, out of shame and guilt.
They wronged Shi Yin... she was just a little kid, yet they treated her like literal trash. They tried to ignore her existence as much as they could. She had their father's full attention, and without their father, the family was declining steadily. Yet, they did nothing to stop that.
Wait! How can it be? Am I related to this girl? If someone was related to her, the System should know about it…
I looked at Shi Yin and used Death End on her.
Lifespan: 3 years.
My mind was spinning, how the hell does this make any sense! Is her lifespan really only three years? She was born growing normally... at three years old... my soul healed... hmm. I was pondering about this ‘little girl issue,’ and how it related to me, when the old man broke my thoughts.
“I didn't feel it at first, but after a few months of testing, I was sure about it. I could feel the curse on her dissipating the day you appeared in the city, she was getting healthier, growing and being like a normal kid without me by her side. As for me, I felt normal, the weakness in me disappeared.”
You aren't giving me enough time to think. Old man! I complained in my mind!
“I wanted you to come here for several reasons, I know people call you 'Cursed Kid,' I have been watching you, I know you have some way to tell when someone will die. Young boy, when will I die?”
I turned my head which was still looking at Shi Yin to look at the old man and replied to him.
“In nineteen hours.” I could hear the old man laughing, hahaha... Tears were falling down his cheeks, all his life’s sorrow, regrets, everything was dissipating while laughing.
Finally, this crazy old man went nuts. No wonder... this issue with his granddaughter is too strange, anyone would lose their mind.
“Great!” said the old man with a happy smile and laughed again. His family members didn't understand what was happening, what is this all about grandfather? This is the thought they had in their minds.
What is so great old man? You are dying here! Not good! He's doing it on purpose. I couldn’t imagine why the old man would do this.
“Stop it, old man! You are shortening your lifespan!” I yelled and cursed at him. “Don't you dare die on me!”
“I know you are leaving in two months!” the old man yelled back at me. If you leave, Shi Yin will revert to how she was before you appeared in the city. I brought you here to ask you for a favour—take care of Shi Yin. I mentioned that I will reward you, I will give you the most prized treasure I have! My precious and beautiful granddaughter Shi Yin! That is your reward.” The old man laughed, he smiled and looked at his granddaughter before he said to her, “He will take good care of you.” The old man’s last thought was, 'This is for the best,' and then he passed on, falling to the floor.
What is this insane old man saying. He’s giving me a little girl as a reward? What the fuck will I do with a little girl! That is not useful at all! Bad! I was so angry at the burden this man had just left me, I couldn’t think straight.
“No, I don't agree. You shameless old man! You set me up! Old man!!!” I said as the family members stood in shock, both at the now dead old man and at me screaming at his dead body.
Shiiit!
It was too late, the old man... was dead, there was no coming back for him.
Chapter 25
Reality
Found a death aura. Wish to absorb it?
“Yes.”
Death Points +45
Good, at least you did something good old man, you provided me with some points!
“He really died?” The eldest son couldn't help but have an unbelievable expression on his face. He looked at me, “You can tell when someone will die?”
I couldn't help but laugh.
“You will die right now,” I said coldly.
I could see him getting scared, he trembled... what he didn't notice was that someone was backstabbing him. A small dagger pierced the eldest son's heart, he didn't have time to see who killed him. What a cruel world... sigh... I better adapt to it. I could have prevented it but... who doesn't like free death points, hahaha.
Found a death aura. Wish to absorb it?
“Yes.”
Death Points +25.
The other two women rushed to the third one and stabbed her several times, she bled like a pig and died too. Shi Yin was also watching the situation without moving at all, her reaction surprised me. They are killing each other; they are family and this little girl didn't care at all. Did she know this would happen? I thought to myself, as the little girl seemed unaffected.
Shi Yin seems to have noticed what I was thinking.
“Greed. My uncles and aunties always targeted the Shi Families’ wealth. They are greedy people, that is why they are killing each other. Originally, the Shi family was the wealthiest family in the country. Many people thought the Shi family was gone for good and its wealth was lost. My grandfather worked hard to restart the family to try to make it wealthy, and he more or less did it with his own money. When I was born, my mother died. My grandfather took care of me, seemingly forgetting about the Shi family, but in truth, he didn't forget the family, he did it as a test. He wanted to see which of his sons would manage the family, yet both of his sons didn't do anything, they just complained to their father. At some point, my grandfather gave up. What was the point to bring the Shi family back... with two useless sons that couldn't even manage a small family and a little girl who was left to die,” Shi Yin paused and looked at her young uncle with two women by his side.
“I'm not like him, I don't have his ability to know when you will die but I know what you will feel soon. Betrayal.”
“What are you saying, you little piece of trash. The ones who are going to die today are you and that kid. For your sake, our father wasted half of the fortune of the Shi family! Luckily I discovered our father's secret before he died! Now, hand the map to the remains of our Shi family.”
“How did you know?” said one of the two women, looking to Shi Yin.
“Seems this little kid is smarter than we thought,” said the other woman.
The young uncle turned to face one woman, which was smiling at him innocently. The woman moved her hand and caressed his cheek.
“You are too cute, my husband.”
“Why...” This was the last words the young man could say before he followed the same fate as his dead elder brother at the hands of his beloved woman.
Clap, Clap, Clap…
I couldn’t help but congratulate their performance.
“What a good drama! I guess you two are sisters and you are also after the Shi family remains?” I said smiling at them, lovely XP. I calmly took two arrowheads from my pocket and infused them with poison.
“You can't just simplify things like that! That man hurt us...” before the woman could stop talking I shot my two arrowheads, they pierced through both women's head
s in less than a second. Both bodies fell to the floor.
Congratulations on killing Mortal Realm, 5th rank. +50 XP.
Congratulations on killing Mortal Realm, 7th rank. +70 XP.
Found a Death Aura. Wish to absorb it?
“Yes.”
Death Points +85.
“Finally quiet. Seriously your grandfather gave me a huge headache,” I said, and turned my head to examine this interesting girl.
“...”
“...”
“...”
This silence is killing me. Should I kill the little girl? No, I can't do that, I don't like killing little kids. In addition, she is somehow related to me, I need to try to understand what happened to her... Maybe this will help me in some way. The System doesn't know shit regarding this. Of course! How dumb can I be, I’ll just ask her here directly, she should know more about her own issue.
“Erm, Shi Yin. What are you?” I asked without much of tact.
“Human, I guess?” She said looking at me with her big black eyes.
What's wrong, before she gave me a huge speech, and now this kind of answer. I thought as I continued conjuring questions about her.
“Aren't you sad your entire family members died—you are alone now.”
“You are too direct, you don't know how to handle girls,” Shi Yin said with a calm face while looking straight into my eyes. “They weren't my family, since the moment I was born, they cast me to the side. The only one who truly cared about me was grandfather. Ironically, the one who killed him was me. I have a question to ask you.”