Reincarnated With Three Unique Skills - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Dungeon City
Light.

Blinding light pierced through Ethan Smith’s closed eyelids, dragging him back to consciousness. He groaned and shielded his eyes with his arm, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Where was he?

As his vision cleared, he found himself lying on a grassy field under a bright blue sky. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of flowers and the distant sound of a flowing river. It was a stark contrast to the cold, suffocating apartment he had left behind. He sat up, looking around in bewilderment.

“What is this place?” he muttered to himself, still trying to comprehend the reality of his situation.

The last thing he remembered was collapsing onto his bed, feeling his life slip away. And then there was that strange system panel offering him skills for crossing a dimensional boundary. Had he really died and been reincarnated into another world?

He shook his head, trying to focus. This was real. This was happening. He had chosen three skills from that extensive list, but what were they again?

“Status,” he said instinctively, hoping that the system panel would appear again. To his surprise, it did.

—

[ Name: Aengus Degaro (Ethan Smith) ]

[ Race: Human ]

[ Level: 0 ]

[ Occupation: None ]

[ Class: None ]

[ Age: 18 ]

[ Strength: 9 ]

[ Agility: 7 ]

[ Defense: 8 ]

[ Mana: 100 ]

[ Skills ]

-[ Appraisal: Provides the ability to analyze and understand the properties and value of objects and beings.]

– [ Skill Absorption: Allows the user to absorb skills from others, up to a certain limit, enhancing their own abilities.]

– [ Universal Synthesis: Enables the user to combine different materials or energies to create new items or effects.]

Ethan stared at the panel, the implications of his chosen skills sinking in. These were powerful abilities, ones that could make him a formidable force in this new world. But why had he been given this second chance?

Setting that aside, he began to explore the system again.

“Aengus Degaro?” He noticed that his name had changed somehow. Did this mean he had a family in this world? But wait, why couldn’t he recall anything about them?

“Ah, forget it.” It didn’t seem likely he’d be able to find them soon anyway. He was in a dense forest, after all.

He had the body of an 18-year-old, but completely unfamiliar face.

Suddenly finding himself in a perfectly healthy body felt a little strange yet extremely comforting. Although he wasn’t able to see his face clearly, he could tell from his assumptions that he had a fairly handsome face with a well-toned body.

“Agh, It feels really weird, like suddenly wearing someone else’s skin. Fortunately, he was born as human male. That’s a relief at least.” Ethan muttered, examining his body with Details, of course his pee pee as well.

“His skin was fair, smooth and unblemished, almost unnaturally perfect, with a sheen that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. His eyes, an impenetrable void of starless midnight, held a depth that felt both chilling and captivating, as if gazing into them would reveal an endless, shadowed expanse.

His silky hair cascaded in dark, lustrous waves, adding a touch of elegance to his otherwise enigmatic appearance. The unfamiliar attire he wore, a brown leather coated, intricately designed hunter’s outfit—seemed both advanced and archaic, its texture and cut suggesting an otherworldly origin.

The whole ensemble created a disconcerting sense of perfection, as though he were a hyper-realistic creation from a high-tech simulation. If he was in earth, he would have been called as Male God.

Despite the surreal quality, the experience felt profoundly authentic.

Before he could ponder further, a rustling noise caught his attention. He turned to see a figure emerging from the treeline. It was a young woman, dressed in simple yet elegant blue robes, her eyes wide with curiosity and concern.

She had long, flowing silvery hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves, catching the light with a hint of red. Her eyes were a striking shade of emerald green, sparkling with intelligence and a hint of mischief.

Her eyes turned sharp instantly seeing an unfamiliar person, and she instinctively reached for her dagger at her waist.

“Hey, who are you?” she spoke breaking the silence, approaching cautiously.

Ethan sensed the undisguised caution in the young woman’s stance and raised his hand in a gesture of peace.

“Calm down, lady! I mean no harm. As you can see, I am harmless here.”

Her brow furrowed with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. “Ohh… What are you doing in the wilderness, and where are you from?”

Ethan tried to lower his hand, but the sharp glint in her eyes, as piercing as a blade, compelled him to keep it raised.

Ethan quickly made up a story of getting lost, alongside his memories forgotten.

“I see..” She relaxed her brows, but a hint of suspicion still remained.

Ethan cheered realising she believed his made up story somehow.

“Can you tell me where I am?” He asked relaxing his muscles. He stared the young woman in curiosity. Seeing a real-life fantasy world woman made him a little dazed. The young woman was truly beautiful—a perfect piece of art.

She finally allowed herself to let out a small smile.

“You’re in the Kingdom of Araknis, just outside the Dungeon City. My name is Aria. I found you lying here for a while now, thus the caution so far.”

“Hm… Araknis? A kingdom straight out of a fantasy novel. Ethan couldn’t help but marvel at the irony.

“I’m Ethan,” he replied, standing up and brushing the grass off his clothes. “Thank you for helping me, Aria.”

She nodded. “So, Where do you want to go from here? Any plan in mind?”

He hesitated. He had no idea what to do next. This world was completely foreign to him, and he had no connections, no purpose. But then he remembered the skills he had chosen, the potential he now possessed. Maybe this was his chance to start anew, to forge a new path for himself.

“No,” he said finally. “I don’t have anywhere to go. But I want to learn more about this place. Can you help me?”

Aria replied with a welcoming smile, “Ohh, Of course, why not? Come with me to the Dungeon City. Anyone is welcome here. There’s much to see, and I’m sure you’ll find your place there soon.” She said, relaxing her muscles as she examined, he had no weapons at hand, and he is just a level 0 invidual.

“Dungeon City?”

“So, there are dungeons in this world as well? GREAT! ”

He wondered inwardly, feeling genuine excitement. This place seemed like the best starting point for his journey. His chosen skills should be very useful here.

“Thanks, Aria. You’re really are kind. I am grateful for your help. Your kindness knows no bound.”

Aria blushed a little at the compliment before taking Ethan to the Dungeon City.

Aria was in a similar age group as Ethan, theoretically, so their conversation flowed smoothly along the way. Aria’s smile was captivating him for a moment.

The journey to Dungeon City was filled with wonders and amazement. The landscape was a patchwork of rolling hills, dense forests, and sparkling rivers.

Every now and then, they passed small villages where people went about their daily lives, tending to fields or selling their wares in bustling marketplaces. The people were friendly, greeting them with warm smiles and curious glances.

It was like a medieval period on Earth. People’s lives were simple, yet filled with magical wonders. They all seemed to be wielding magical skills.

Ethan learned from Aria that everyone in this world was born with a system, which they awakened at the age of 10.

And here he thought he was unique in having a system. It was a significant blow to his expectations.

He had hoped to become strong and rise to the top quickly using his overpowered skills, but now he felt his journey might be a bit tougher.

It was also a world filled with very strong individuals who preyed on the weak within certain limits. Well, the kingdom’s law and regulations were not just for show.

Aria told him about the Kingdom of Araknis—a land rich in history and magic, ruled by a benevolent king who valued peace and prosperity. It was an affiliated kingdom of the Kairos Empire. It was the real big fish.

The Dungeon City, officially named Arcadia, was a hub of adventurers, hunters and merchants, bustling with activity due to the numerous dungeons surrounding it. The city attracted people from all walks of life, seeking fame, fortune, or simply a new start.

It sounded like a place where Ethan could truly belong, a stark contrast to the loneliness he had felt in his previous life.