《Born Again, Still Lost》 Prologue "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." ¡ª Steve Jobs Son Dae-Woong had read this quote a dozen times, but it never made sense to him. How could he love something when he didn¡¯t even know what to do? At seventeen, he was expected to have his future figured out. His sister, already well on her way to becoming a successful lawyer, and his younger brother, brilliant techie and effortlessly charming, had their paths clear. But Dae-Woong? He was still floating in a sea of uncertainty. He had tried everything¡ªfactory work, managing a restaurant, dabbling in business ideas¡ªbut nothing ever stuck. It wasn¡¯t that he lacked ambition, but rather, nothing had sparked that fire inside him. And love? That was even more elusive. Every attempt ended in failure, like a puzzle with missing pieces. The evening sun was low as he made his way through the busy streets of Seoul, the hum of the city surrounding him. His parents had insisted he attend career counselling, another attempt to push him toward some semblance of a future. But the more they tried to nudge him into a direction, the more lost he felt. He didn¡¯t belong in any of those boxes they¡¯d created for him.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. His phone buzzed with a message from his sister: "Don¡¯t waste time. You need to figure this out, Dae-Woong." He sighed and pocketed the phone, walking a little faster. He wasn¡¯t sure what he was walking toward¡ªanswers, maybe. Or just another evening of hearing what he was doing wrong. The evening air felt cooler now, the city bustling as always, when suddenly, everything stopped. A loud screech of tyres. A flash of headlights. And before he could process what was happening, he was thrown into the air. The world turned into a blur of colours, and pain flooded his body. His heart raced as time seemed to stretch on forever until it didn¡¯t. There was darkness. But not the kind of darkness that meant the end. Dae-Woong awoke with a gasp, his eyes snapping open. The sound of bustling city streets no longer filled his ears rather it was filled with cheers of joy, and he woke up, disoriented, breathing heavily. He looked around, confused. This didn¡¯t feel like the place he¡¯d been before. The world was brighter, somehow. His heart pounded in his chest as his gaze flicked to his hands¡ªhands that felt different, younger. Reincarnation Dae-Woon blinked, disoriented, as his gaze shifted from the unfamiliar ceiling to the warmth of a man¡¯s arms. His first instinct was confusion¡ªwho was this? The man was tall, with silver hair that shimmered like moonlight, and deep blue eyes that held a sense of joy. His brown tunic was simple but elegant, and his posture radiated calm assurance. He was speaking to someone, but Dae-Woon couldn¡¯t quite make out the words. Turning his head slowly, Dae-Woon¡¯s gaze fell on a beautiful woman resting on the bed nearby. She looked to be in her twenties, with a gentle smile that softened her golden eyes. Her presence was calming, almost ethereal, and as she caught sight of him, her expression softened with something akin to recognition. But the words they were speaking... they were foreign. A language he couldn¡¯t comprehend. Dae-Woon furrowed his brow, his mind struggling to catch the meaning behind their voices. Was this... where was he? Why couldn''t he understand them? His confusion deepened as the man¡¯s tone grew more reassuring, though it felt distant. Suddenly, a voice rang out in his mind¡ªa clear, emotionless tone. ¡°Initialization complete. Loading data.¡± A sharp pain shot through Dae-Woon¡¯s skull, so intense that it felt like his head might explode. His breath caught in his throat, and a strangled gasp escaped as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. He couldn''t hold back, and before he knew it, he was crying uncontrollably. The man, startled, quickly adjusted his hold on Dae-Woon, trying to calm him. The pain ebbed away just as quickly as it came, leaving Dae-Woon dizzy and disoriented. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, but the world around him swirled like a blur. And then, in the blink of an eye, he found himself standing on a jagged rock in the middle of a dark void. The sensation of weightlessness clung to him, as though he were lost in a dream. The voice returned, deeper this time. ¡°Welcome, host Dae-Woon, to the planet of Niphus.¡± Niphus? The name echoed in his mind, but the world around him remained unfathomable. The voice continued as if sensing his confusion. ¡°The body of Son Dae-Woong has perished on Earth due to a fatal accident¡ªa car accident caused by an intoxicated driver. As the purpose of life was not fulfilled by the host, he has been reincarnated by the Noctivane System, the system of life and death, into the body of an infant on the planet Niphus.¡± He was confused, however, before he could think further, everything seemed to collapse. He was pulled back into the warmth of the woman¡¯s arms. The man, clearly unsettled by the infant¡¯s relentless crying, handed the child over to her. Dae-Woon¡¯s mind raced. He looked up at the woman¡¯s face¡ªimpossibly beautiful, with glowing golden eyes and golden hair that shimmered like sunlight. This had to be his new mother. She spoke softly, her voice like a melody that soothed his frantic thoughts. ¡°Hi, baby. Are we finally awake?¡± Before Dae-Woon could fully grasp what was happening, the door creaked open. A tall man entered, dressed in a flowing white robe with golden embroidery. His presence was imposing yet dignified. He approached Dae-Woon and, without a word, placed his hands over Dae-Woon¡¯s chest. A strange energy surged through the air, and he began to chant in an archaic language. Golden light enveloped Dae-Woon, and he could feel the power resonating deep within him. The man¡¯s voice carried both authority and warmth as he spoke. ¡°Your name shall be Vestian, named after the eternal flame of Ves, the progenitor of all light. You shall never falter nor fade, for you are bound to an authority beyond time¡ªever enduring and never unseen.¡± As the man finished speaking, a translucent blue screen appeared in front of Dae-Woon, displaying strange information. __________________________________________________ Name: Vestian If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Status: Commoner Level: 01 Age: 0 yrs, 7 hrs, 34 min, 49s Race: Human HP: 100 MP: (LOCKED) Strength Framework: (LOCKED) Wealth Framework: (LOCKED) Title: (Reincarnator) Missions: Cultivation: (LOCKED) Skills: None Potential: Magic (9 stars), Martial Arts (7 stars) Agility: 0 Intellect: 47 Strength: 0 System Points: SFP: 50, MFP: 50 System Store: (LOCKED) __________________________________________________ Dae-Woon stared at the screen, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar terms. His mind swam as he tried to grasp the concept of this "system." What were these strange measurements? What did it all mean? Suddenly, a soft beep filled the air. The voice returned. __________________________________________________ ¡°Mission: (Automatic) Skip 3 years [Reward: Unlocking system features].¡± [Initializing time skip] [Deleting memories as an infant] [Speeding up perception of time] [Terminating time skip] [Loading memories during time skip] __________________________________________________ A shift in reality. The world around him blurred, and Dae-Woon felt as if time itself were bending. When the sensation faded, Vestian found himself back in a familiar room. The stone brick walls were rough but solid, and the faint scent of wood smoke and herbs lingered in the air. The room was modest, yet it held a rustic charm. A small hearth in the corner provided warmth, and the wooden furniture¡ªsimple but functional¡ªcompleted the homely feel. A bed made of thick hay wrapped in rough linen lay against one wall, with a woollen blanket resting on top. Near the bed, a large wooden chest stood, its surface worn but sturdy. The floor creaked with every step, the uneven wooden planks telling a story of years of use. ¡°Vestian, dinner is ready,¡± his mother called, her voice gentle yet commanding. The warmth in her tone brought a strange comfort to Dae-Woon¡¯s heart. He turned and saw her¡ªIsabella, a former adventurer and healer. She smiled at him as she worked near the hearth, her golden eyes glowing softly in the flickering light. As Dae-Woon made his way to the rustic dining table, his eyes landed on three bowls of soup and pasta she had prepared. The scent of the food filled the room, simple yet nourishing. The door opened, and in walked Arthur, his father. Tall, with a presence that seemed to fill the room, he wore leather armour, a stark contrast to his wife¡¯s peaceful demeanour. A former adventurer himself, Arthur now served as a knight for the Arctoth Duchy. His tier 3 knight rank meant he could harness aura in battle, his sword spirit abilities making him a formidable force. In his arms, he held a one-year-old child¡ªDae-Woon¡¯s younger sibling, Alea. As they all gathered around the table, Dae-Woon felt a strange sense of belonging. Though this life was foreign, the warmth of the moment, and the comforting presence of his family, offered a kind of solace. Niphus Not long after the birth of the cosmos, all that existed was darkness. None but one race could survive within this void. The race of entities that lived within the void were called Ancient Titans. They possessed powers so dominant, that they could dismantle the very fabric of causation. However, they were not without flaws. Their brilliance was tainted by unquenchable greed. In order to satisfy their ambitions for domination, they engaged in conflicts that lasted ages, resulting in ongoing turmoil in the universe. Throughout the eons, the numerous factions of deities diminished until merely two powerful houses persisted: The house Aeus, dubbed the rulers of mana and the lords of magic, and the house Eheia, the masters of aether and the progenitors of life. The Aeus focused their magic on creating destructive spells and impressive devices of annihilation, while the Eheians formed powerful beings, enlivening them with their aether, to unleash chaos in their honour. During these times of chaos, an unimaginable phenomenon took place. Niara Roland Eheia, the radiant heiress of aether, and Phos Valorin Aeus, the prodigy of mana, had fallen in love. It wasn¡¯t a mere romance; it was an unshakable, forbidden bond. Their union was an affront to the very existence of the Titans. However, their love didn''t bow to the hatred of their houses, and Niara and Phos refused to continue the cycle of war and decided to flee. Their vanishing seemed to upset the delicate balance between the houses and triggered a disaster. Furious over the treachery, the two factions unleashed their entire might against one another, leading to mutual destruction. The formerly grand pantheons of Aeus and Eheia were diminished to emptiness, leaving Niara and Phos as the only entities remaining. Devastated by the unfathomable loss and the ruin wrought by their kind, Niara and Phos resolved to atone. In their grief and unity, they created a new world¡ªa planet unlike any other. With Niara¡¯s touch, life blossomed, vibrant and eternal. With Phos¡¯s power, magic suffused the land, infinite and wondrous. Together, they moulded this realm, harmonizing life and mysticism in a divine balance. This planet, born of the union between Niara and Phos, was named Niphus¡ªa living testament to the fusion of life and magic and a promise of a new beginning. Niphus is a gargantuan world, roughly 200 times larger than Earth, with seven sprawling continents, and vast oceans that cover nearly most of its surface. Its population includes not just humans¡ªwho number an astonishing 7 trillion¡ªbut also a diverse array of species such as dragons, elves, dwarves, fairies, spirits, demons, monsters, and beastmen. Vestian''s home lies within the Fern District of Prophia City, a metropolis about five times the size of New York City, housing 20 million inhabitants. Prophia City is the outermost urban centre of the Arctoth Duchy and borders the Excarres forest. The city is arranged in the form of concentric circles. At its core stands the City Lord¡¯s manor, a towering symbol of authority. Encircling the manor is the Allyria District, home to the city¡¯s nobility and wealthy. It is composed of five sections numbered from section-1 to section-5, with section-1 being closest to the manor and houses the city¡¯s essential offices and workspaces. section-5 is the lowest tier of the Allyria district and houses the estates of some lower nobility and some wealthy commoners. Its opulent estates are shielded by a high, circular wall. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Encircling Allyria lies the Financial District, bustling with trade and commerce. This is where the merchants trade, where the blacksmiths hold their forges and where the majority of the city¡¯s commerce takes place. The outer ring of the city is divided into two parts: on the east lies the Fern District, a primarily agrarian area with a population of around 4 million. It boasts sprawling farms, lush fields, and a rustic charm that contrasts with the urban core. On the west side is the Adventurers¡¯ District, which borders the legendary Excarres Forest. This mythical woodland is approximately seven times the size of Europe and serves as a natural border between the Aslelon Kingdom and neighbouring territories. The Aslelon Kingdom itself is a vast realm, four times the size of Russia, with a population of 4 billion people. Its social structure is rigid, dividing its inhabitants into seven classes: The Royalty The Nobility The Clergy The Pseudo-Nobility The Commoners The Slaves and Serfs While social mobility is difficult, it is not impossible. Individuals can elevate their status through wealth or power. Magicians of the 5th class or higher, as well as knights who achieve the same rank, may request the title of viscount, alternatively, those who can amass a fortune greater than 1 million gold crescents may purchase the rank of baron from the imperial household. The title of nobility can also be sold to commoners or other nobles at one¡¯s discretion. There are 7 types of nobles in the Asleon kingdom: The Grand Dukes, The Dukes, The Marquises, The Margraves, The Counts, The Viscounts, The Barons and finally those who hold the title of a Baronet. Those of noble birth who don¡¯t possess territories are known as pseudo-nobles. This includes the nobles who lost their territories and the children of noble birth who lost the fight for succession. Only the nobility and pseudo-nobility are permitted to bear house names, leaving commoner families like Vestian''s without one. His family resides in a comfortable two-story home in the Fern District of Prophia city. The house, though modest compared to the estates of the nobility, is well-suited for their needs. The house consists of two floors, with a lawn in the backside of the building and the front. The first floor includes a kitchen, a dining room, a meeting room, a bedroom where Vestian¡¯s parents sleep, and a hall for relaxation. Whereas, the second floor houses two bedrooms: one for Vestian and the other for his younger sister, Alea. Each room is modestly furnished but comfortable, with simple wool beds, desks, and shelves for personal belongings. System Vestian¡¯s night was anything but peaceful. When he woke in the dead of night to the incessant beeping sound, he thought, for one blissful moment, that it was his alarm clock back in Seoul. His eyes cracked open, searching the darkness for his old, familiar bedroom¡ªthe cluttered desk, the textbooks he never quite got around to reading and the posters of idols that his sister teased him about. But no. This wasn¡¯t Seoul. The wooden beams of the ceiling loomed above him, and the smell of fresh hay from the stable outside mixed with the earthy aroma of his rustic home. Vestian¡ªno, Dae-Woong?¡ªhe blinked. A wave of dizziness washed over him. Then came the message.
Message: [New Mission available, think ¡°open system menu¡± to see further details]
Vestian stared at the blue screen in front of him. For a moment, his mind couldn¡¯t process what he was seeing. It was like someone had cracked open a window between two worlds and let the wind through. Was he dreaming? Was he hallucinating? He sat up, the coarse wool blanket slipping from his small frame. His small frame. That thought hit him like a punch to the gut. His hands darted out, grasping at his arms. Tiny. Delicate. Childlike. His heart thumped painfully in his chest as his memories scrambled for footing. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be a kid. He was¡­ Seventeen? Three? No, no, no. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to steady his breathing, but it only got worse. ¡°Open system menu,¡± he whispered, desperation lacing his voice, hoping it would give him answers. What else could he do? A glowing blue screen popped into existence in front of him, bathing the room in soft light. He flinched, almost falling off his bed in surprise. __________________________________________________ Name: Vestian Status: Commoner Level: 01 Age: 3 yrs Race: Human HP: 100 MP: 0 Strength Framework: Level-1 Wealth Framework: Level-1 Title: (Reincarnator) Missions: Cultivation: (Mage cultivation: Level 0)(Martial arts cultivation: Level 0) Skills: Insight Veil Potential: Magic (9 stars), Martial Arts (7 stars) Agility: 0 Intellect: 47 Strength: 0 System Points: SFP: 50, MFP: 50 System Store: Level-1 __________________________________________________ His eyes darted over the words, but his brain refused to process them. Reincarnator? Age: 3? System? None of it made sense. ¡°System,¡± he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± An emotionless, slightly robotic voice chimed in. ¡°Welcome to the System, Host! I am here to aid you in your journey through life.¡± ¡°Journey?¡± he repeated, his voice rising. He swung his legs off the bed, his small feet dangling above the floor. ¡°What do you mean, journey? Who are you? What is this?¡± The System, unbothered by his panic, continued in its emotionless tone. ¡°The System is an entity designed to assist certain beings, referred to as Hosts, in their endeavors. You are one such Host. Congratulations!¡± Vestian pressed his palms to his temples, his thoughts spiraling. The memories of Dae-Woong¡ªhis life in Seoul, his struggles, his death¡ªwere vivid, too vivid to ignore. And yet, there were Vestian¡¯s memories, too. Growing up in the Fern District, playing in the fields with his sister Alea, learning to milk a cow with his father. They were both him, but neither was whole. His mind felt like two puzzle pieces jammed together, edges grinding painfully. ¡°I¡¯m going insane,¡± he muttered, half to himself, half to the System. ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t real. This can¡¯t be real.¡± The System didn¡¯t seem to care about his existential crisis. ¡°Would you like to undergo the System tutorial? It will help clarify any questions you may have.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°Fine,¡± he spat. ¡°Do it. Just do it.¡± The screen flickered, and a new message appeared: ¡°The System is an entity that exists to aid certain beings called ¡®Hosts¡¯ with their various endeavors in their lives. Within each universe, there exists only one Host System. The System is tailored to suit the needs of each Host.¡± As the words scrolled across the screen, the robotic voice narrated them. Vestian tried to focus, but his thoughts kept spiraling. Was he Vestian, the son of Arthur and Isabella in the Fern District? Or was he Dae-Woong, the hapless teenager from Seoul who couldn¡¯t seem to get his life together? Was he both? Was he neither? He glanced down at his hands again, tiny and pale in the moonlight. They were trembling. His breath came in short, shallow gasps. He wanted to scream, to cry, to claw his way back to reality¡ªwhatever that was. But instead, he sat there, paralyzed, as the tutorial droned on. ¡°The System can be interacted with in two ways: the System Chat and the System Screen. The System Chat allows the Host to communicate with the System telepathically or verbally. The System Screen provides information and amenities to the Host.¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± he snapped, his voice cracking. ¡°Just shut up!¡± The System paused, as if processing his outburst. Then, in the same cheerful tone, it said, ¡°Would you like me to continue the tutorial?¡± ¡°No!¡± he yelled. ¡°I don¡¯t want any of this! I want to go home! I want to be¡­¡± He trailed off, his voice faltering. Go home? To where? To Seoul? To the Fern District? The realization hit him like a wave, pulling him under. There was no home. Not anymore. He didn¡¯t belong in either world. He was trapped in between, a stranger in his own skin. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he angrily wiped them away. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair,¡± he whispered. ¡°This isn¡¯t¡­ how it¡¯s supposed to be.¡± The System, oblivious to his turmoil, chirped, ¡°Shall I save your progress and remind you of your first mission?¡± ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, too exhausted to argue. __________________________________________________ Mission: Undergo the System tutorial [Reward: Knowledge regarding the System¡¯s functions] __________________________________________________ ¡°Great,¡± he said bitterly. ¡°I¡¯ve already failed that.¡± The System didn¡¯t respond, and the screen faded away, leaving him alone in the dark. He lay back down, staring up at the ceiling. His mind churned, replaying fragments of both lives. His mother¡¯s warm smile as she served dinner in the Fern District. His sister¡¯s teasing laugh as she ruffled his hair back in Seoul. His father¡¯s calloused hands holding his as they walked in the fields. The blinding headlights of the drunk driver¡¯s car. Which memories were real? Which were dreams? He didn¡¯t know anymore. And that terrified him. The next few days went in a daze, as he tried to make sense of what had happened. In the end, he concluded that he was now Vestian, and that he had memories of his past life in a world called earth, and that the being called system was something akin to a magical being that wants to help him in this world. Later that night in his room, while the entire city slept, Vestian thought in his mind ¡°Undergo system tutorial.¡±. Almost immediately, the dull voice greeted him. ¡° Is the host ready to complete the system tutorial?¡± Vestian replied: ¡°... yea¡±, with a hint of embarrassment The system then spoke: ¡° As I mentioned earlier, the system is an entity designed to assist individuals like yourself, known as ''Hosts,'' in their endeavors. Each universe possesses a unique host system, tailored specifically to the host.¡± ¡°You can interact with the system in two ways. They are ¡­¡± As the voice went on the screen flashed with the information being explained. ________________________________________________________________________ Methods of interaction: System Chat: Communicate with the system telepathically or verbally by saying "system" followed by your thoughts. System Screen: Think "Open system" to access the system menu. The system menu comprises two sections:
  1. Host Information: This section displays your current status and attributes:
__________________________________________________ Name: Your name. Status: Your social standing. Level: Your overall progress. Age: Your current age. Race: Your race. HP: Your current health (out of 100). MP: Your current mana reserves (initially 0, with a maximum of infinity). __________________________________________________
  1. System Features: This section provides access to various system functionalities:
__________________________________________________ Strength Framework: This subsystem helps you develop physical strength. It tracks your progress and provides guidance. Wealth Framework: This subsystem assists in accumulating wealth. It tracks your financial progress and offers insights. Title: Any titles you acquire throughout your journey. Missions: Tasks you can undertake to earn rewards. Cultivation: Your current level in both Mage and Martial Arts cultivation. Skills: A list of the skills you possess. Potential: Your inherent aptitude in different areas. Agility: A measure of your speed, reflexes, and overall agility. Intellect: A measure of your intelligence and cognitive abilities. Strength: Your current physical strength. System Points: Currency used within the system. SFP (Strength Frame Points): Used to purchase items that enhance your physical strength. WFP (Wealth Frame Points): Used to purchase items that aid in wealth accumulation. System Store: A store where you can purchase various items using points. __________________________________________________ After all of the explanation was over, the system voiced ¡°This concludes the system tutorial."