Chapter 1: Chapter 1 – An Invitation?

I feel strange but warm and comfortable, as in a type of comfort that I've never felt before. Not like the best feeling ever, but just weirdly unfamiliar like how you'd imagine a baby feeling inside their mother's womb.

Hey, what the heck! Is this really the best time to analyze what type of comfort I'm feeling? Where am I? And what happened?

Ok, slowly... I started paying attention to how I'm feeling instead of thinking just to calm down a bit, this is all too sudden.

First things first, what is the last thing that I remember? Yeah fuck, How did I forget that?

I was lost for words for a while, I was grieving my own death as ironic as that is.

Sigh... I actually died alone in my room overdosing not suicide but close enough. How close? At the last moment, before I completely blacked out, I felt happy at the prospect of death, and die I did.

This means that there is actually life after death. I'm not surprised as I had no particular belief system before, I saw the fragility or rather how illogical our minds are. Beliefs are merely the by-product of our fears and our inability to comprehend life, so we invent beliefs for security and comfort.

A wise man once said, the desire for an answer is detrimental to the truth, because when there is an emotional investment on our part we'll cease to see things as they are but merely see what we want.

After all, was said and done, I was still pretty sad and chose to just sit in silence for a while and sort out my thoughts.

Ok, let's assess the situation. First, where am I? Unknown. Next, What Am I? I can feel something, which means I have a nervous system which also means I'm actually alive just not what I used to be, an adult human. I'm either in a womb or an egg or something.

It's completely dark, but this feels good. Actually, I'm not complaining.

Hmm, now what? It's been just a couple of minutes since I first gained consciousness, I can think with absolute clarity just like when I was alive but there is nothing much I can do.

I stayed in that state for a while, it was pleasant, then I started dozing off...

For now, I'll rest, I'm tired not physically but mentally I just died and reincarnated into something. I've left no one back at home, just some acquaintances and other superficial relationships. No one would be negatively impacted by my death, fortunately... or unfortunately.

...

 

After some time has passed.

I don't know how much time has passed since the last time I woke up, I just remember dozing off and now I woke up.

I feel different, I can move... Oh my god. I can actually move.

I think I'm a bird, from the body parts that I managed to move that's what it feels like. Beak, check. Talons, check. Wings, check. What the fuck? I'm a bird, I'm doomed. Hopefully, a strong bird of prey.

Yeah, from the way my beak feels like it's hooked and I have strong sharp talons which probably means I'm a predator... hopefully.

I feel like I can move and there is no yolk left, so I will try to break this egg and see what my new life is like. I moved my head up, and bit the roof of my current home, in doing so I managed to make a hole through which a bit of light came in. My heart started beating faster not because I'm excited, No. I'm scared shitless of what lays before these fragile yet strong eggshells that made me feel secure in this short while.

I continued to remove the eggshells, then I poked my head out of the egg.

And Boom!! Sweet baby Jesus!!

I'm looking at a giant eagle, it's either she's fucking huge or I'm pretty small. It seems like she's my mother. She? Hmm, I feel like I instinctively knew the gender.

I got out of the egg, looked up at the giant eagle, and felt an overwhelming feeling of reverence. She's simply a beauty, a gorgeous creature even more from up close. It's a bird that I've never seen before in my life which means this is another world, now this is exciting.

The eagle that is standing before me is pitch black and she has golden eyes with a tinge of green. Looking at her eyes they don't look like the eyes of a mindless beast that is driven merely by instincts. No, there is an intelligence behind those golden pearls which is scaring the hell out of me.

Her beak is light gold but mostly black with a hook at the end, befitting one of the best predators of the skies. Her talons are also light gold, scally with long dark sharp claws protruding from them.

Speaking of instincts, these rough-looking egg shells are looking strangely delicious. I moved my body around and bit on the shells then swallowed them.

The moment I did, I heard a sound.

-Ding!

[System Initializing...]

What the actual fuck? I saw a string of golden words before my eyes.

[22%

-

59%

-

95%

-

 

100%]

[Connecting to the Host's consciousness... System connected.]

Then I heard a majestic voice speaking directly inside of my head instead of words.

[Hello Zed, this is a system made by 'The Order of the Endless River' led by Immortal Emperor Xenyx. You've been chosen as a possible candidate to join if you so choose. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask?]

"Screech, screech!!"

What in the actual living... Ok ok... deep breaths. I froze for a while because I was shocked by what I was hearing.

"Screech?" I wanted to say hello but this is what came from my mouth.

[Well, Hello there! You can just think, we're connected so I can understand you telepathically]

'Ok, Hi Hello Sir. What are you?'

[A system made by the Order of the Endless River. If you want the details of what I am then I'd have to disappoint you]

God, this system is very intelligent and it can talk inside my head. My heart is beating probably 300 beats per minute because I'm too excited. All of this screams a huge big ass opportunity and no way in hell I'm gonna miss it. Wait, can it read my thoughts?

I was waiting for it to say yes.

It didn't respond.

'Can you read my thoughts?'

[No, those are private and I don't have the power to.]

'But, we're speaking through thoughts right now??'

Is it messing with me?

[It's normal, one-word intentions. I know that you came from a world devoid of magic so you'd be limited by your imagination. This is a magical world, you are an intelligent reincarnated monster eagle and I'm a sentient being that is talking inside your head. Point is, you need to drop all of your ideas of what you previously thought is impossible or possible. Anyway, to keep it short when there is an intention of communication behind your thoughts I can pick them.]

Oh yeah, I see. Thank god, imagine if it could read my thoughts it would be a nightmare. There is stuff I don't want to share with anybody not because they're dreadful or something, just privacy I suppose and the freedom to share parts of yourself at your own will.

Ok, Let's not waste time. Three keywords here, Order of the Endless River, Immortal Emperor Xenyx, and finally an invitation that I can either accept or decline.

'Alright, How may I address you, Sir?'

[I have no name so it's irrelevant, I suppose system, you, hey... I don't care either way. As I said before I pick up your intention to communicate with me so I always know when you're talking to me.]

Hmm, I like his logic makes sense. Enough chit-chat, Let's cut right to the chase.

'Understood, What is the Order of the Endless River?'

[The Order of the Endless River is like an organization you can say, that spans the multi realms founded by the Immortal Emperor Xenyx in order to lessen the suffering of the world to a certain extent. This is all you need to know for now.]

'When you say to lessen the suffering of the world to a certain extent, what do you mean by that?'

[I'm sure you've heard the saying 'If you save a dog it probably won't change the world, but it will change that dog's world forever. The purpose of the Order is just that to save people and leave a positive impact on the world]

Damn, so I'm that dog. Lucky, I've never thought I'd be so glad to be called a dog in my life but here we are. However, he's not talking just about me.

'You mean to save people right?'

[Yes.]

'So where do I fit in this scenario?'

[You will save the people of course, with the help of this system.]

'Is this guy dumb or just messing with me?' The system thought inwardly.

'Is it more like a specific type of mission to save certain people or just save people I come across in general?'

[There is no grand mission to save anybody. You will receive quests to save people you come across and you will be rewarded accordingly if you so choose to accept them of course.]

Okay okay, I like where this is going.

Just as I wanted to ask another question, I heard cracking sounds. When I turned to look I saw two eggs being open from the inside and two eagle chicks poking their heads out.

It turns out, I have siblings. One male and one female. I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse, I've heard of a certain type of birds that are too competitive when they're young to the point that only one remains I hope they won't attack me...

"Screech..!"

"Screech!"

Fortunately, they just looked at their mother then at me, then they began eating their eggshells.

Shit, I forgot. I also started eating the rest of my egg, when I finished I felt a cool sensation spreading over my body and I felt myself getting a bit stronger afterward. Ahh, what a good feeling it's like having an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day.

Just as I was reveling in the taste of my previous home, I felt a push behind me and I fell beak first into the ground with my bum pointing to the sky.

"Screech!!"

I stood up and looked back only to find my female sibling looking at me in a weird way. Then, she kept following me. She's strangely energetic for someone who's just hatched. I don't know if that is normal. I'm no bird expert but probably no. It seems this world is different in a lot of ways.

I need to think of a name for them, after all, we'll be spending a while together because I have no feathers so I can't fly.

Oh my god, I got so caught up being excited about the system that I forgot something very important!

I have a system, but I have no fucking way to defend myself. I'm helpless, weak and I can't even run. Is this a joke?

I looked up and saw the mama bird looking at us, there was definitely intelligence behind those eyes which made me feel a bit safe.

Now that I think about it, this body is mine not someone else's so technically this is my mother in the very sense of the world. But I who have lived a different life before can't take the concept of suddenly having a mother seriously. It's about emotions and bonds, not a wording technicality. It's different so I don't have any feelings towards her which is a shame.

However, looking at the siblings I actually like them and I feel a certain closeness towards them maybe because they look cute and dumb. A mother is just something that feels way beyond me now, not that I am someone who needs any sort of emotions to know what should be done. Just to be safe, this giant gorgeous bird is still the only one who can protect me right now.

I moved towards her, looked her in the eyes, and made a couple of excited sounds.

"Screech!Screech!"

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Then, I moved my head towards her talons and picked them gently like a tickle. When I looked up I saw a bit of surprise in her eyes. I don't know why maybe I acted too intelligent? But I did nothing that would stand up, I think it's the eye contact. They say the eyes are the window to the soul and the way she looks at me is like someone who's having an active inner dialogue and can evaluate what is happening around them just like me.

The mama Eagle made a very low sound as if she was saying something then spread her magnificent wings and flew from the nest.

I again, the idiot that I am, completely forgot to check my surroundings but who can blame me actually It's just one thing after another. From the moment I woke up the second time before I hatched, I don't even think 5 minutes have passed.

The nest is big, the siblings are playing with each other in the corner and I'm standing in the middle. From where I'm standing all I can see is huge trees seeming like they're penetrating the sky. It's dark but I can see very clearly, I feel powerful already Night Vision. If I was still human in this darkness I wouldn't even be able to see my hand but now I can see up to 600 meters approximately.

I moved to the edge of the nest in order to see what is below, but all I saw again were trees. What is strange is that these trees are very close to each other, the nest is built on a big branch that seems to be connected to several trees at the same time. I don't hear anything, just the sound of the siblings messing around behind me.

The moment I thought of the siblings my heart sank and I directly jumped back only to see them still playing there. Pheew, I was reminded of the last time that crazy chick pushed me and I was scared she'd do it again only to throw me off the nest. Now that I think about it, I was hearing them playing so there was no way she was close to me. I just got scared because the ground is very far if I fell from this height I'd die without a doubt. Better safe than sorry I guess!

After I looked around and checked my surroundings I calmed down a bit, we seem to be very well hidden, or at least that's what I'd like to think.

I started walking around the nest while flapping my wings just to get used to my new body and build some new muscle memory, when the siblings saw me they started doing exactly the same which I found to be funny.

'You're still there right?'

[Yes.]

'Who is this Immortal Emperor Xenyx?'

[A living being who ascended from the lower realms thousands of years ago and is still known to this day as one of the peak geniuses in the path of cultivation. His story is long; you don't need to know the details now. However, what you need to know is that he's the founder of this Order, the one who created me, and the one who chose you.]

Choose me? Shit that doesn't sound good, I feel somewhat intimidated being on the radar of such a powerful being but he seems alright.

'Why did he choose me?'

[No idea.]

Ouch, this somehow feels like an insult. However, I don't really think I'm special in any way. No, the opposite I'm shocked that I was chosen instead of I don't know how many millions or even billions of souls. I've always been someone who's fascinated by life's randomness, luck, fate, or coincidences. Call it what you will, so if an opportunity presented itself I'd go for it.

'You said that I've been chosen as a possible candidate, how can I join?'

[I just need your confirmation before merging the host's soul with the system, right now there's only a fragment of my being inside your head to communicate. If you say no you will forget everything about the system and the Order and continue your life as an Umbra Storm Eagle.]

The moment he said so, a dark panel appeared before my eyes with golden words written on it.

-Ding!

[The system wishes to merge with your soul. Do you accept it? YES/NO]

'YES!'

[Merging in Progress...]

It seems like when the system is directly answering to me he speaks inside my head but when there is an operation in progress I see golden words in front of me.

[Merging Successful.]

[Congratulations host and welcome to the Order of the Endless River. If you have any more questions please ask.]

-Ding

[You ate eggshells with magical properties |Experience Points +150|.]

[Congratulations host for leveling up from 1 to 2. +5 Stats Points, +2 Skill Points.]

Oh, I leveled up already thanks to the eggshells. Nice! Though that's not important right now there is still a lot of stuff that I don't understand.

'Well, Thank you! First of all, You are an intelligent being, not exactly a programmed system right?'

[To be fair, both statements are correct. I am indeed a system, meaning I have been programmed to help the host grow strong yet I am also aware of my programming, myself, and can think outside of my program thus intelligent.]

'I see, so tell me the most important question is how do I get stronger? and you said Umbra Storm Eagle I suppose that is what I am?'

[Let's start with the second question. Yes, that is what you are. As for how to get stronger, the beings of this world use mana to strengthen their bodies, cores, souls, and other various methods. You being from this world, of course, can also grow stronger like this but there are system perks such as growing stronger through leveling up by either practice, defeating other beings, and quests. You know the game you played in your high school years? Exactly like that! This system was made especially for you. Look at this.]

 

[~Status Window~

Host: Zed - Umbra Storm Eagle(Hatchling).

Level: 2

Experience Points(Exp): 40/540

Cultivation Realm: Body Refinement(Low)

 

Health Points(HP): 57/57

Magic Power(MP/Mana): 112/112

Spiritual Power(SP): 190/190

Magical Resistance: 11

Physical Resistance: 4

Spiritual Resistance: 19

Vitality: 16(4)

Strength: 9(2)

Stamina: 5(1)

Intelligence: 22(5)

Agility: 18(4)

Spirit: 31(7)

Available Stats Points: 5

Available Skill Points: 2

Karma Points: 0

[Skills]

[Quests(Locked)]

[Map(Locked)]

[Party(Locked)]

[Shop(Locked)]

]

A Dark panel appeared in front of me, it looked like it was made of black smoke because I could see smoke flickering at the sides and everything inside of it was written in bold gold characters. It looked very imposing and it had an ancient mystic feel to it.

The moment I saw the status window in front of me, I was shocked and excited!! I understood how big of a cheat this is, the living beings of this world don't have a level or status window to raise their levels, so getting stronger is difficult, and takes time, and a lot of effort.

As someone who played a lot of games growing up, I also tried an MMORPG and it was to this day my favorite game genre.

I played it for more than 10 years!

Even though I was super excited and could just die from happiness, I was still thinking logically there are two issues that are bothering me.

'This is great, I understand the system, or at least what you've shown me of it so far. I have a question, you said that you can't read my thoughts yet you mentioned a game I played before. How does it work?'

[Yes, I cannot read your thoughts but I have access to your memory in order to facilitate our communication. Remember when I said this system was customized for you? It was created with that game in mind, you'll find some of the previous functionalities from your old game and other things of course.]

I actually don't know how to feel about this, but it doesn't matter for now. What matters is I have a way to get stronger in this way and I can become powerful and practice magic. How crazy is that?

At the top left of the windows, there was a picture of me, a baby eagle chick. Besides, it was four bars that represent Health, Mana, Spirit, and Stamina respectively. I could tell just by looking at the colors Dark red, Dark blue, White, and Light golden.

Below them were of course the other details. There were a lot of things that I should pay attention to, so I will ask him.

The biggest puzzle right now is the cultivation realm Body Refinement(Low), it seems to be my current realm but how does it relate to leveling up, stats, and what is it exactly?

'What is this Body Refinement?'

[The power ranking in this world is like this, beings with no mana whatsoever being the lowest of this hierarchy then Body Refinement, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation each realm has four smaller realms low, mid, high, and peak respectively. There are higher realms beyond Core Formation of course, but all in due time. In the Body Refinement stage, you can use the mana in the world to strengthen your body parts.]

Hmm, sounds reasonable. Though I still had other questions.

'What realm is the Mama eagle?'

[She's at Foundation Establishment(Low) realm.]

Shit, she is? She did seem pretty strong and intimidating as hell plus her body looked very tough.

I still had dozens of questions but I'll take it slowly no rush, I'm still a flightless defenseless baby there isn't much I can do, I think.

'How do I close and open this status window?'

[You can ask me or just think about what you want it to do.]

I can't keep asking the system for something as small as this of course, so I'd do it myself. I thought about the status window disappearing from my sight. And it did! I thought about it opening up and behold, I feel like a wizard already.

I started to look at my stats again to fully understand my current situation.

'Why is the gap between my spiritual attributes and physical attributes so big?'

[Your physical attributes are low due to two things, first, you're still a hatchling and second, your species are more magical than physical. You have an affinity with the power of Wind/Darkness. The spiritual attributes are high due to the host's soul being older and from another world.]

My spiritual attributes are surprisingly high, I need to make good use of them.

That is good, wind and darkness huh? I like it, which reminds me of looking at the icons at the bottom of the status window. The skill icon is surrounded by golden light like an aura slowly moving around it, while the others seem to be unavailable. There is just the name without any sort of movement.

I thought of how I closed/opened my status window and tried the same thing with the skill icon.

The moment I did, The content inside the window was changed and replaced by seven golden columns each of them representing a skill.

I wanted to explore this on my own so I didn't ask the system, I need to get used to this.

I thought about seeing the skills description and they immediately appeared.

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