《No Regrets》 Prologue Death isn¡¯t what I imagined. Even my cause of death was strange. Rather than just being killed, I was assassinated. And not by just any old assassin either, but by the woman I was in love with. A woman who I probably am still in love with. From my last interactions with her¡­ she really didn¡¯t want me to die. Unfortunately for us, I¡¯m currently floating through a sea of nothingness. Things just never seem to work out for me. Before I can wallow in self-pity for the umpteenth time, strange lights start appearing in front of me. It reminds me of the fireworks I saw when I was younger. All I can do is stare since I have no body to do anything with anymore. The lights coelesce until a colorful palette paints itself into the empty nothingness. A figure steps out, a long gown trailing behind them. It¡¯s like whatever portal they stepped out of attached itself to their gown as they fully materialized in front of me. My breath would¡¯ve been taken from me if I still had lungs, but whoever it is that stepped out of the portal looks like the most beautiful woman to ever exist. ¡°Flattering but I¡¯m here to offer a deal, not be showered in compliments,¡± she says. Her voice sounds like a choir of angels just serenaded me. Woah, she must be some kind of goddess or something. But wait, did she read my mind? ¡°Yes I did, and yes I¡¯m a goddess of sorts. Not one that your world would know of, but one from a different world.¡± Did she just confirm different worlds existed? But did she mean worlds as in planets or worlds as in different universes? This would be a discovery of a lifetime if¡­ I were actually still alive. ¡°Different universes, though of course there is life on different planets. Now stop asking questions and listen. I have a deal that you would be perfect for.¡± I try not to think about how aliens are real and focus on whatever this goddess wants to offer me. ¡°I can give you a second chance at life. My world is in sore need of an outside perspective and your parameters in your world is one that might change the course of my world¡¯s destiny.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Parameters?¡± ¡°Your karmic potential. How heavily can your actions influence the future? How many people¡¯s fate¡¯s are dependent on yours? With your karmic potential, you were likely a great historical figure in a past life. Multiple past lives even. And it¡¯s the reason why you died so young. Destiny hates people who can change its course more than anything.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that just mean I¡¯ll die quickly in your world too?¡± ¡°Possibly. But you won¡¯t be powerless in my world. You¡¯ll have magic.¡± ¡°What type of world is yours exactly?¡± A smile crosses her face. I can already feel the hook reeling me in. ¡°A world of magic, demons, and monsters. There are vast kingdoms full of bright minds and great heroes. Everyone has magic, though not everyone can use it to its full potential. Some use it for good, others not. And then there are the monsters that prowl outside of the kingdoms, and a continent full of demons. It¡¯s a world full of adventure, something you¡¯ve always wished for no?¡± She¡¯s not wrong. I¡¯ve always been fascinated by fantasy worlds. This might literally be my only chance to live in one. ¡°So do I have to fight back the demon invasion or something?¡± ¡°No. I just need you to prevent the apocalypse.¡± ¡°From¡­ the demons? The monsters¡­?¡± ¡°Something you¡¯ll need to discover yourself. I¡¯m not¡­ allowed to say much on the future. Even I can¡¯t mess with fate that much. Me meddling with just this is already pushing it.¡± ¡°So what exactly is my quest then?¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t a game Misaki. There is no quest. You have to figure it out yourself.¡± This is sounding more and more like something that I¡­ probably shouldn¡¯t involve myself in. But it¡¯s either that or stay dead. ¡°What exactly will I have to my advantage?¡± ¡°Something no one else in the world has. I¡¯m bestowing on you both magic and curse power. You¡¯ll have two different affinities no one else in the world will have.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ how exactly does that work?¡± ¡°Magic is something attached to your soul. You¡¯ll have a special affinity that¡¯s unique to you based on whatever you¡¯re most proud of. Curse power is something that only demons have, and it¡¯s the inverse of magic. Instead of your pride, it¡¯s hidden potential you never thought of. The potential for each is based on your karmic potential so expect to have¡­ a high ceiling.¡± ¡°Great. So how do I use it?¡± ¡°Think of it like this. Magic is your mind, and curse power is your heart. Now do you accept? I do have other things to take care of. You can figure out the rest in my world.¡± ¡°Oh yeah sure. I accept your deal.¡± ¡°And it¡¯s done. Watch your landing,¡± she says before I feel myself free falling through the air. Chapter 1 After reorienting myself from the fall, I realize I¡¯m in a clearing with trees all around me. Interesting place to reincarnate in¡­ Before I panic, I flex my hands. Looking down, it looks like everything''s where it''s supposed to be. It feels strange having a body again after spending who knows how long as a consciousness. Taking a look at my body, it looks the same as it did before I died. At least¡­ the natural parts. I was a bit of a delinquent in school so I had quite the collection of tattoos and piercings. My hair is also back to its natural black, a color I hadn¡¯t seen in a while. Hopefully hair dye exists in this world. The goddess, who I never learned the name of, seems to have given me comfortable clothing. I''m in a pair of black trousers and a white button-up shirt tucked into the waist. A long coat completes the look, one with plenty of pockets on the inside and large pockets on the outside. A decent-sized satchel is hanging across my shoulder while a sword is hanging on my waist. Resisting the temptation of the sword, I dig through the satchel to see what''s in there. Looking into the bag¡­ it looks bottomless? Putting my hand in, information immediately enters my brain about its contents. There¡¯s books, maps, a compass, a waterskin, a bedroll, some rope, a matchbox, an identification card, and a pouch of coins. Identification card? I pull that out and a sleek metal card the size of my driver¡¯s license appears. Huh, it has all of my information on it. Name: Misaki Family: None Sex: Female Date of Birth: 19/06/17 Height: 177 cm Weight: 66 kg Class: Unknown Guild: None There¡¯s also a picture of me to the left side with an official looking stamp of approval on the bottom right corner. Interesting, it¡¯s an actual ID card like the ones I had back in my original world. I¡¯m curious about the class: unknown specification, but I¡¯ll figure it out later. I stash the ID card back into my satchel and pull out all the maps and books stored. I place them all out in a neat pile in front of me. There¡¯s history books on Athania, history books on each of the countries, history books on magic, history books of the adventurers¡¯ guilds, history books on monsters, and history books on demons. I scratch my head. This is going to be¡­ a long study session. Glancing at the maps, it seems I have one for the entire world, one for the continent of Terra I¡¯m on, and one for each country on Terra. There¡¯s two continents on Athania, one called Terra and the other called Hell. It doesn¡¯t take much to guess which continent harbors demons. Hell is significantly smaller than Terra, it¡¯s probably a tenth of its size if I were to guess. Terra itself is separated into five different countries that are separated by wide swaths of land and bodies of water. The country I¡¯m in right now is¡­ no clue honestly. I¡¯ll also worry about this later. Putting the maps away, I start pouring through the books I have in front of me. I put away the books on the countries and adventurers¡¯ guilds and focus on the information I immediately need. A general synopsis of this world, what magic is and how to cast it, and the bestiary on monsters. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. After a few hours pass and the sun hangs low in the sky, I close the books. A loud sigh escapes from me as I lean my cheek against my hand. I¡¯ll have to spend time studying these as I go because there¡¯s way too much information to retain. From what I read, I¡¯m going to need to head to Mythia since it¡¯s where most schools of higher education are located. It¡¯s also where I can find the world¡¯s greatest libraries. More reading¡­ yay. Right now, I need to gather as much information as I can before I make a move. Finding out what exactly is going on in the current political climate, what current events are happening, what kind of beef people have with each other, etc are just some of the things I need to know. There¡¯s unfortunately a lot I need to learn before I can figure out how to prevent the world¡¯s end. Especially when I was given zero hints at to what could be causing it. I can already feel the stress building up from how much I¡¯ll have to do¡­ I let out a groan before laying back on the grass. That¡¯s a problem for tomorrow. Putting the rest of my books away, I get up and stretch. From what the bestiary said, there¡¯s a lot of monsters that wander the areas outside of the walled countries. I¡¯ll have to be careful in case I get ambushed, especially at night. Looking up at the sky, the sun is dangerously low. I¡¯ll need to figure out how to use my magic before it sets or I¡¯ll be in deep trouble. How embarrassing would it be if I died the same day I was reborn? From what I read, magic is a reflection of our souls. It manifests from our pride, what we feel is our greatest strength. This makes magic a deeply personal thing, something that grows with the user as they grow into themselves. It¡¯s not uncommon for someone to have different magical abilities throughout their life. Everyone has magic in this world with the exception of demons. I¡¯ll have to read the books on demons to find out more about the curse power that they have in place of magic. The goddess told me magic is my mind so I should just¡­ will it to happen? Taking a deep breath, I concentrate on my hand. Moments pass as nothing changes. Hm¡­ the book also said that sometimes magic doesn¡¯t work without a target. Glancing around, I settle on the tree right across from me. Aiming my hand there, I try and will something to happen. Nothing changes. I leave it there for a few more moments to see if anything changes but¡­ nothing. What am I doing wrong¡­? As I contemplate that, the tree I aimed at starts giving off a dull glow. Huh? I pick up my things and make my way over to the tree. As I approach, the tree glows brighter until the entire tree is covered in a shimmering layer of light. My magic is¡­ buffing? I concentrate on myself this time, placing my hand over my chest. Not much time passes before I can feel the rush of energy and vigor that envelops my body. I stare down at myself in awe. I¡¯m covered in the same layer of light as the tree. That¡¯s¡­ huh. That¡¯s interesting. I suppose I shouldn¡¯t be surprised. I¡¯ve always played the support to other people in my previous life, it¡¯s only fitting I¡¯ll have to continue to do so here. It¡¯s a bit problematic being a support by myself in the wild though¡­ Time to skim the book about demons. Just as the sun fully sets, I close the book after finding the information I need. Alright, so curse power is the inverse of magic in origin. It¡¯s not someone¡¯s pride, but something that they are ashamed of. It¡¯s strengths they mustn¡¯t use. Things like necromancy or vampirism or mind control. This sounds quite different from what the goddess said. Of course, this book is written from the perspective of the people living in Terra so it¡¯s probably extremely biased. That also means they have no clue how to use it¡­ With that being a bust, I¡¯ll just have to rely on my buffing magic. Monsters roam more freely at night so I need to set up an actual camp. I¡­ should¡¯ve done this earlier before daylight ended. There¡¯s some random broken branches around the clearing edges so I pick them up and place them all in a makeshift campfire in the middle of the clearing. I¡¯m not sure how I¡¯m supposed to make a shelter so I¡¯ll just stay next to the fire until morning comes. Looking at my little campfire, I¡¯m going to need actual kindling. I quickly glance around at my surroundings¡­ it¡¯s a little too dark for my tastes. I¡¯ll just pray to Miss Goddess and hope she has some pity for me. Taking out my matchbox, I ignite the fire without much trouble. It just took five matches before it caught fire. My vigor spell? Not sure what to call it yet, but my spell is finally running out. I reapply it in case any trouble happens tonight. Taking out a pack of rations and my waterskin, I absentmindedly fill my stomach. It tastes bland but it¡¯s something. This is going to be worrisome, I have no clue where I am and it¡¯s likely I¡¯ll need to hunt for food sooner or later. It''s a huge problem considering I grew up with butlers and maids attending to my needs. Hm¡­ I''ve played some survival games before but that''s not exactly a good guide for real life. I guess I''ll just make it up as I go? As I contemplate that, a low growl emanates from my far right. Slowly turning my head over, a dark shadow emerges from beyond the bushes. The growling continues as it steps close enough for me to see its form. A large panther-like creature with glowing red eyes and dark fur that bristles like spikes is revealed. Ah. Well this is unlucky. Chapter 2 The panther inches closer as panic starts spreading through my body. With my hand clutching my satchel in a death grip, I immediately get up and sprint in the opposite direction. The growling turns into a snarl as I can hear the panther leap after me. The vigor spell lights up the way, but it also paints a massive target on my back. I¡¯m running much faster than I ever have but I can hear the panther gaining on me. I¡¯m seriously going to die the same day I was reborn, this is so fucking embarrassing. Wait a second, I have a sword right? I pull the sword from its sheathe as I continue running as fast as I can. I¡­ don¡¯t know how to use a sword though¡­ I knew I should¡¯ve joined the kendo club instead of the stupid drama club. I only joined because a cute girl asked me anyways. And now that decision will be my downfall¡­ God that¡¯s embarrassing. Before I can continue berating myself, I feel the full weight of a predator cat come down on my back. With the strength from my vigor spell still coursing through me, I turn in its grasp and use the sword as a poor barrier between me and its massive fangs. Goddess¡­ I¡¯m sorry but you shouldn¡¯t have placed a sheltered rich kid in a forest full of monsters. That¡¯s just asking for her to get killed without a body to be found. I close my eyes and pray that it¡¯ll be over quickly. After a moment, nothing happens. Instead of jaws ripping my face open, I can feel the panther go slack on top of my blade. Tentatively opening an eye, I can see lifeless eyes staring back at me. With a start, I crawl back and away from under it. Looking again, there¡¯s an arrow protruding from the back of its neck. Before I can guess who shot it, a dark figure walks out from behind a tree. ¡°What¡¯s a defenseless woman like you doing so far out in the woods?¡± the figure asks. It¡¯s a distinctly feminine voice, but it¡¯s slightly deeper than average. ¡°You know, I wish I knew myself.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know how you got here?¡± ¡°No, I know how I got here. I just don¡¯t know why here of all places.¡± ¡°Were you teleported by someone then?¡± Thinking it over, I decide to just fuck it and let her know everything. It makes zero sense for the goddess to dump me in some random place without a reason. And this woman mysteriously appears right when I almost got mauled by a monster? Sounds like something that might¡¯ve been planned. ¡°Yes actually. You have like, a goddess or something?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°What does that have to do with anything?¡± ¡°Just answer. Who it is depends on what you¡¯re going to say.¡± ¡°Hm. Yes, my goddess is the same as everyone¡¯s goddess.¡± ¡°She like, has a gown that looks like a beautiful color palette or whatever right?¡± ¡°Yes¡­? I¡¯m still not sure what this has to do with anything.¡± ¡°Well, she¡¯s the one that teleported me here.¡± ¡°Blasphemy.¡± ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m gonna make up a story that¡¯s going to make you want to kill me after you just saved me from a monster in the middle of the woods? I have no clue where I am, it¡¯s dark out and I don¡¯t know how to defend myself, and you think I¡¯m going to just lie to someone who hasn¡¯t even made any threatening gestures towards me?¡± The woman seems to contemplate it for a moment. ¡°You¡¯re right, it wouldn¡¯t make any sense.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fairly certain she placed me here because she knew I would run into you out here. So are you some kind of special person or?¡± ¡°You¡­ could say that.¡± ¡°Well then listen to this and don¡¯t laugh at me until the end okay?¡± I proceed to tell her everything about the deal and how I have both magic and curse power and how I¡¯m supposed to help prevent the world¡¯s end. ¡°Did you inhale any moon-shaped mushrooms by any chance?¡± ¡°No? What are those?¡± ¡°Right¡­ In that case, let¡¯s revisit this in the morning. Do you trust me?¡± ¡°Interesting thing to ask someone you just met. But well, you did save my life so¡­ why not?¡± ¡°Give me your hand.¡± ¡°Why?¡± I ask as I present it to them. ¡°I¡¯m going to teleport us to my¡­¡± she sighs. ¡°To my home.¡± ¡°You¡¯re gonna bring a stranger to your house? That¡¯s kinda dumb, no offense.¡± ¡°Please¡­ don¡¯t make me regret this. I just can¡¯t deal with this right now and you¡¯re going to die if I leave you here.¡± ¡°Right, sorry. I just get a little too talkative when I¡¯m nervous. Thank you for saving me though¡­ uh. What¡¯s your name again?¡± ¡°I never told you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Misaki and you are¡­?¡± She sighs. ¡°I¡¯m Iris.¡± Iris holds my hand in hers before pulling out a crystal. ¡°So is teleportation your affinity then?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m using a teleport crystal. It¡¯s standard adventuring gear.¡± ¡°Which is something I wouldn¡¯t have known because I¡¯m from a different world remember?¡± ¡°Something you claimed, yes. Like I said, we¡¯ll talk about it tomorrow.¡± Before I can say anything else, I can feel my body do something really weird before I¡¯m suddenly in a different place. It¡¯s a large house from what I can tell, but there¡¯s barely anything decorating it. ¡°Nice place you got.¡± ¡°Sure. Here¡¯s your room,¡± she says after leading me to a door. Opening it, there¡¯s a decent sized bed that looks like it¡¯s never been used and a dresser and a desk and nothing else. This place feels more like a hotel than someone¡¯s house. ¡°Not many visitors huh?¡± Instead of answering, she just pushed me inside the room before closing the door. ¡°Night.¡± Yeah that probably wasn¡¯t the best thing to ask. I look around the room more and find that the other door in the room leads to a bathroom. The toilet is a hole in a raised platform where I would need to squat over. There¡¯s no bathtub and instead the entire room is supposed to be used as a shower. The bathroom floor is lower too so that water couldn¡¯t escape. The plumbing is pretty advanced for a fantasy world. I wonder if it¡¯s all technology or if it¡¯s magic based. Either case, I get to take a shower. Looking through the dresser, there¡¯s towels and very generic looking clothes I could probably change into. They also look like they¡¯ve never been used. That¡¯s kinda sad, does Iris have no friends that come over or something? After a quick shower, I end up crashing hard the second I lay my head on the pillow. Guess I¡¯ll worry about everything tomorrow.