Chapter 2: The Abandoned Child
Third-Person POV:
Far on the outskirts of the Empire, a dense, oppressive forest stretched endlessly.
A middle-aged woman was running through it, clutching something tightly in her arms.
She wore a servant's outfit and a long cloak that fluttered behind her as she ran.
Her breathing was ragged.
"I have to run… faster!"
She kept running as if something terrible was chasing her.
She glanced down at the bundle in her arms.
It was a baby—
the child she had been protecting all this time.
With determined eyes, she pushed her legs harder.
"Young master, I will protect you… even if it costs my life! That was my promise to her!"
The baby in her embrace was still sound asleep, unaware of the danger lurking in the forest.
Swish!
An arrow shot past her, grazing her cheek.
Her eyes widened and she stumbled as she dodged it.
A branch snapped nearby.
"Well, well… you dodged that?"
A heavy voice echoed from the trees.
Three men stepped out from the fog, carrying bows and swords.
Clad in black, with cruel eyes and confident steps—they were obviously not decent people.
The woman stepped back, trembling, but her glare remained sharp.
"Damn all of you…"
One man chuckled mockingly.
"Oh? I'm so scared."
They approached slowly.
She bit her lip and held the baby even tighter.
No… I can't die here. I made a promise!
With the last of her strength, she began running again through the undergrowth.
Arrows flew—striking trees, tearing through leaves, and digging into the ground.
One arrow finally struck her shoulder.
Blood spattered—
but she didn't stop.
"As long as I still live… I won't let you touch the young master!" she screamed, her voice hoarse.
Her steps grew sluggish.
Her vision blurred.
And ahead—
she saw a large river, roaring with a fierce current.
With trembling hands, she gazed at the baby one last time.
"I'm sorry… young master."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wrapped the baby in a thick blanket and placed him inside a small woven basket hidden under her cloak.
"I can't protect you anymore… May the Gods grant you a miracle."
With one final push, she lowered the basket into the river.
The current swept it away.
"Goodbye…"
Her body collapsed just as the footsteps of the pursuers drew near.
One man with black hair stepped forward, looking down at her lifeless form.
"Tch. Already dead. But… where's the baby?"
His companion spat onto the ground.
"Probably tossed into the river? With a current like that, there's no way it survives. Let's report back."
They turned and vanished into the forest.
Meanwhile, far downstream,
the basket continued to drift.
Inside, the baby stirred faintly, still asleep.
On his forehead, a faint blue glow pulsed—
forming a strange symbol resembling a circle and a star.
A quiet breeze brushed across the river.
A soft electronic voice echoed near the child's ears—though he could not hear it.
[Welcome back to your new world, Zaky Ikito.]
.
.
.
Zaky's POV:
What… is happening?
I muttered in the darkness.
Yes—darkness.
All I could see was absolute blackness, so deep it could swallow the sun.
…Alright, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it was really, REALLY dark.
I tried moving my body, but nothing responded.
I felt a strong pulling sensation dragging me somewhere, yet the darkness made it impossible to tell where.
Is this… death?
Huh. Doesn't hurt at all…
Am I being pulled toward heaven or hell? Who knows…
I did a lot of good things in my life, so obviously I'm going to heaven, right?
Right…?
If I had been hit by truck-kun I would've reincarnated.
Yeah, I know that sounds dumb…
but reading so many transmigration novels makes you hope a little, okay?
As if reading my thoughts, the pulling force grew stronger.
From afar, I saw a massive golden pillar of light rising into the sky.
The closer I got, the more the darkness faded.
When I reached the pillar, a voice boomed:
[O human who defies fate, I grant you two choices:
Enter heaven and rest in peace…
or begin a new life again.]
The voice was ancient, powerful.
Even as a normal guy, I could feel its weight.
"New life? Ah—!"
I just realized I could talk again.
[Yes. Choose as you wish.]
I swallowed, hope rising in my chest.
"…Will this new life have magic? Swords? All that stuff?"
[Naturally. I shall bestow my power and my lord's power upon you as well—
?????#@]
The voice distorted, as though being blocked.
I didn't care.
Without hesitation, I shouted:
"I want a new life!"
[As you desire, defier of fate.]
[A system shall also be granted to you.]
[I cannot speak further. Your time is up. I will send you now.]
Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled again.
The ancient voice faded behind me, but before it disappeared completely—
[Enjoy yourself… defier of fate… or ????? ]
My consciousness dimmed—
and then—
I felt my body again.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
A bright light struck me, making me flinch and close them.
Ugh… the sun? Why is it so bright…
I tried moving my hand—
but something soft wrapped around me.
A blanket?
I struggled until my hand slipped free.
I lifted it—
—and froze.
Wait… why is my hand so tiny?!
It wasn't a grown man's hand.
It was a baby's.
My brain lagged.
"Gya!? Gwa!!"
(What's happening!? Why am I a baby!?)
Only baby noises came out.
Great.
Suddenly, a translucent hologram appeared in front of me.
===== STATUS =====
Name: ??? (Zaky Ikito)
Race: Human (???)
Age: 0 Years
Level: 0
Mana Core: Locked
Blessing: ???
Techniques: –
Skills:Imagination
Stats:
• Strength: G
• Endurance: G
• Agility: G
• Intelligence: E
• Stamina: G
• Luck: –
• Mana: –
• Charm: F
Points: 0
Stat Points: 0
Missions: None
[Protection Mode Active]
Hah?? So this really is a system??
Not a dream? I thought I was dreaming…
But isn't the protagonist usually reincarnated directly as an adult? Or at least regains memories when they grow older?
Before I could sort things out, I heard rushing water and chirping birds.
And now I'm stuck on something?! Perfect.
The basket I was in had stopped—caught on some rocks by the riverbank.
I grumbled internally, trying to think of a plan.
Then, like every cliché novel ever written, footsteps approached.
Through a crack in the basket, I saw someone walking toward me.
Light steps, soft fabric brushing with the wind.
"Eh…? Is that a baby?"
A young woman's voice—gentle yet startled.
A beautiful face with soft brown hair appeared in view, her brown eyes widening as she saw me.
"A baby… in a place like this?"
She crouched down to inspect the basket.
Her breath hitched when she saw me more clearly.
"…So beautiful," she whispered, voice trembling between awe and disbelief.
I stared back, unable to speak.