A sharp, cold gust of air struck my face. Feeling the ground beneath my feet after all this time should have been comforting, so I stretched. A wry smile formed on my face. I said "feeling," but in reality, I only knew that a cold breeze was hitting me and that my feet were touching the ground. Yet, I felt nothing.
Scanning my surroundings, I took in the forest around me. I had wandered farther than expected… but these trees, so massive… Is this normal?
Lowering my gaze, I noticed something strange: the height from the ground wasn't right. This was a child's body.
I could see strands of my hair, dull and faded. My body was thin, frail. Yet, thanks to the knowledge I had received from Kunivela, I knew that negative energy would eventually grant me an appearance closer to that of a living being. This was due to the early control I had over it as an undead. Focusing for a moment, I cast the spell: Compass.
Once my position was determined, I headed in the opposite direction of where I had sensed a village. But after a few steps, the ground suddenly rushed toward me as I hit the dirt. My leg had given out, a harsh reminder of my current state.
The clothes draped over my body were in tatters, riddled with mold—just like my skin in certain places.
Another problem to deal with.
One thing at a time.
Healing spells are almost all faith-based. They harm the undead. Conversely, negative energy spells, which induce necrosis in the living, have the opposite effect on me.
Negative Pulse.
Watching my leg repair itself, I decided to restore my entire body before moving any further.
A few minutes later, I moved through the forest with far more ease. The mold, being essentially fungi, had been eradicated by the negative energy healing my body.
I had located a water source nearby. Reaching it was a priority—I needed to observe my body and complete my mission.
As I pushed through a bush, I froze. Before me stood a massive beast—an enormous bear. It growled at me, but despite its imposing size, I felt nothing.
For a brief moment, I considered testing a few spells on it, but I saw no need to kill it. So, raising a hand toward it, I released a second-level spell: Fear.
The beast, fierce just seconds ago, trembled violently before letting out a frightened whimper and bolting away. I noticed other, smaller creatures fleeing in a hurry as well. I had caused quite a commotion… but at least, now, the small lake was mine.
Approaching the water, I leaned over to observe my reflection.
Blue eyes.
Extremely pale, almost washed-out yellow hair.
A simple, oversized, and severely aged shirt.
A skeletal frame, skin clinging to my bones.
Not surprising… I had been dead for a long time.
I looked around six years old.
Something about this face unsettled me. Slowly, I brought a hand toward my crotch.
I had to check… but before I could—
[Mission Accomplished.]
The environment around me shifted as memories surged into my mind. Among them, some were already familiar—fragments I had glimpsed while lost in the darkness.
As the flood of memories ceased, I let out a slow breath.
I finally understood why the system labeled these memories as mine. Even certain sensations that had once seemed foreign… I now knew their origin.
So, this is that world…?
"You were born in misfortune, dear girl. You could have had a good life otherwise."
I didn't even know who I was addressing. Narume… or myself?
Slowly, I lowered my hand. I no longer needed to check.
A deep growl snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned and was immediately confronted by an enormous figure. A bear, far larger than the first, stood before me, its eyes burning with fury.
That's when I understood.
The other had been a cub.
This was its mother.
But the memories I had just regained had already plunged my mood into darkness. So, without hesitation, I raised my hand and chanted a third-level spell: Lightning Wave.
A surge of electricity erupted around me. Less concentrated than the third-level spell lightning, but with a far greater area of effect.
Both bears collapsed, their bodies convulsing from the shock.
Since my awakening, I had taken everything rather calmly—likely due to Undead Mind. But now, I truly wanted to know.
How was he doing?
I lifted my gaze toward the direction where I had sensed the settlements.
"How are you, my brother… Naruto?"