Episode 2: A Cursed Beginning
Ashikawa opened his eyes. A new world, a new body, and the beginning of a new life. But even in this new life, there was an eerie calm—no emotions, no feelings.
His body was tiny. He couldn't speak, couldn't move. As if he'd been reborn—like a newborn baby. But inside this new body was an old soul—Ashikawa Hojo, trying to understand this unfamiliar world.
"I remember… I remember everything."
His mind was still as sharp as before, but something had changed—his emotions were gone. Now he only analyzed things, understanding everything like a machine.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
> [STATUS SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
A translucent virtual screen floated in front of him, displaying all his stats.
Name: ???
Age: 1 Month
Level: 1
EXP: 0/100
Mana: 1
Strength: 1
Ability: 1
Intelligence: 109
Skills: Appraisal Skill, Item Box, EXP Gain Multiplier (x1.5)
God's Gift: Appraisal Skill, Item Box, EXP Gain Multiplier (x1.5)
"So it's true…" Ashikawa thought. "This really is another world… and this system shows my status."
He noticed his intelligence was far above normal, but his strength and mana were that of an average infant. The system worked just like a status menu in an RPG.
But as his focus shifted away from the system, a terrifying enemy stood before him.
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Julius Alfred vs. Demon King
A brutal battle raged on. A man dressed in royal armor was fighting a demon shrouded in black mist. His body was covered in wounds, but his eyes burned with power.
Without thinking, Ashikawa activated his Appraisal Skill.
> [TARGET: DEMON KING]
Race: Demon Lord
Power Level: ??? (Too high to analyze)
Abilities: Curse Manipulation, Soul Transfer, Dark Magic
Threat Level: Unknown
Ashikawa's eyes widened. "The Demon King?! He's the one I was meant to kill! But… my new father is fighting him?!"
He looked to the other side. Julius Alfred.
> [TARGET: JULIUS ALFRED]
Race: Human
Power Level: S-Rank
Abilities: Holy Magic, Curse Resistance, Sword Mastery
Status: Dying
"My new father is Julius Alfred… one of the strongest humans in this world. But… he can't win this battle."
Beside Ashikawa lay a woman—dead. Her clothes soaked in blood. She was likely Julius Alfred's wife—Ashikawa's new mother.
His family was falling apart the moment he arrived in this world.
---
The Demon King's Move
Julius Alfred's sword gleamed and pierced through the Demon King, activating a powerful curse.
> [Curse of Decay Activated]
The Demon King's body would turn to ash within 20 minutes.
But the Demon King laughed. "You think I'll die so easily?"
He chanted a dark spell and transferred his soul into the body of Julius Alfred's elder son—Leon Alfred.
Leon was only 4 years old, but now he held the soul of the most powerful Demon King. His body glowed, and his eyes turned crimson.
"Hahaha… How wonderful. A new life, a new body, with even greater power… this will be fun!"
Julius Alfred's eyes widened. "No… Leon!!!"
But Leon was no longer there. He had become the Demon King.
And with a single strike, he ended Julius Alfred's life.
---
The Last Survivors
As Julius Alfred fell, a little girl descended the stairs—just 3 years old.
Alicia Alfred. Ashikawa's younger sister.
But the moment Demon King Leon saw her, he raised his hand, and Alicia was trapped in a magic dimension.
Ashikawa watched in shock. Once again, he had lost his mother, his father, and now… his sister.
The Demon King slowly approached him.
Those red eyes stared straight at Ashikawa.
"What is he going to do? Is he going to kill me too?"
But then, Leon Alfred—the Demon King—smiled. "You… you're my little brother, aren't you?"
Ashikawa's thoughts froze. "What? Hasn't he completely taken over Leon's body? Then why is he calling me brother?"
The Demon King used Appraisal on him.
> [ANALYZING…]
Target Name: ???
Unique Abilities Detected
God's Gift Detected
The Demon King's smile widened. "So… you have some special powers too."
"Look, you're just a baby. You can't kill me yet. But your unique abilities… they're quite interesting. I'll let you live… maybe you'll entertain me someday in the future."
And in an instant, he vanished.
---
A Dark Fate
Ashikawa watched everything without emotion.
His new father—dead.
His new mother—dead.
His new sister—kidnapped.
His older brother—turned into a monster.
And now… he was the only one left.
"So this is how my story begins…"
A world where only power matters.
A life given for a single purpose.
To kill the Demon King… to avenge his family… and to rise as the strongest being in this world.
In Ashikawa's tiny eyes, a new resolve sparked.
"I will live… and I will change everything."
[Episode End]
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