Chapter 1: The Fallen
Plains of Vabos
Dax awoke to the thick, metallic tang of blood coating his nose—familiar, bitter, and far from new.
The world was a slaughterhouse. Torn flesh lay scattered across churned earth. Viscera smeared grotesque patterns into the dirt. A warm, fetid breeze brushed his skin, carrying the faint rot of death. Still kneeling, he lifted trembling hands and wiped them across his face.
Warm blood coated his fingers, streaking his face red.
Where am I?
The question came with absurd calm.
"Inerous…!"
He called to his AI assistant. Silence answered.
His eyes flickered.
What is going on?
Rising to his feet, he closed his eyes and reached for his last memories.
A hand pressed to his belly. "It worked… I don't feel hungry."
A flicker of elation stirred, but his face stayed blank.
He summoned his old strength—nothing answered.
How strange.
Softly, he extended an arm toward a severed limb nearby, calling on the technique he knew best.
"Telekinesis."
His voice held no panic. The limb shot forward with astonishing speed, slapping into his palm.
Good. My realm remains… but this doesn't make sense. A refined body doesn't lose strength so easily.
Unless…
Before he could speculate further, a surge of memories blasted through his mind. Pain spiraled; he clutched his head, forcing himself to digest the flood.
Realization dawned.
This isn't my body.
That explained the inaccessible power. And Inerous's absence.
Dax's tone turned colder. No joy greeted this rebirth.
The only flicker of satisfaction came from one fact: he had returned to the fragmented family he once possessed.
"You have been treated unfairly in this world. Your talent was stolen, leaving you as a broken soul."
All his life, he had watched as an observer—never able to shape his fate. A life ruined by another's hand.
Rage boiled in his chest.
Even in another reality… I was born to suffer.
As the words formed, a translucent figure appeared before him—his own form, replicated perfectly.
Dax froze.
This world… what exactly is this world?
He had visited countless planets, yet nothing like this had ever appeared.
"I tried my best," the figure said, voice calm but edged with fleeting regret. "I've seen everything, Dax… your memories. How I wish I was strong like you."
A faint smile touched its lips. "At least in one lifetime I was extremely powerful. I also saw your pain… and what you did to Mother."
Dax—eyes previously emotionless—trembled faintly, but he listened.
"Why don't you redeem yourself? You can save her… and quell the guilt in our souls."
The figure began to crumble, as if those words were its only purpose.
"Paint our name in this world… like you, the dread of the Black Doctor in the stars."
The voice lingered as the figure dissolved into Dax.
"Farewell."
Particles drifted into his body. A quiet sadness settled over his heart.
I never imagined bidding farewell to myself in any lifetime.
Dax lifted his gaze to the dark skies. Notifications flooded his vision.
Welcome to Epoch.
A feminine, almost robotic voice echoed in his mind.
"Inerous."
For the first time, a demonic smile curved his lips.
Don't worry, Dax. This boy will feel strength he never imagined.
He spoke to his vanished counterpart.
Epoch System Booting…
1%… 10%… 30%… 70%… 99%… 100%
Name: Dax Godfall
Race: Human
Bloodline: None
Realm: Trait Emperor
Rank: 0
Title: The Mad Scientist
Traits: Synthesis, Insatiable Hunger
Attributes: None
Skills: Telekinesis
Strength: 30
Agility: 6
Physique: 3
Mana: 0
Aura: 0
Luck: -1
System Restoring…
10%… 30%… 70%… 100%
Gene Palace: Restored
Mutant Soul: Acquired
Personal World: Gene Palace (Sealed)
Epoch Storage: Restored
+1 Cil
+1 Annihilation Horn
Star Farm: Restored (Sealed)
Dax stood speechless for a moment.
They even stole his luck… how? Is it some ability like Synthesis?
Old tales from his past life surfaced—witches who stole people's stars, their talents.
It seems those stories weren't fabricated.
With his items restored, true power would return in time.
He hadn't lost much… but why was the lab sealed?
Dax pondered.
Then immense danger prickled his senses.
From the left, in one fluid motion, Dax unfolded his arms.
A shadowy figure appeared in a blink—dual blades spinning with insane momentum, slashing toward his neck.
Before the blades connected, the attacker blasted backward, crashing into a massive tree in the distance.
From that spot, a bulky man in red robes emerged, clutching a book like a priest. He drew a serrated severer from his sleeve and plunged it into the fallen man's flesh, bathing him in blood.
When finished, the burly man twisted with unnatural speed.
"Vos des, Vos Vos, no no."
A hollow, broken voice rasped from lips split by a gaping wound from forehead to chin.
The lifeless man rose—like he was possessed.
What is this?
Dax watched the strange presence in their bodies without panic.
"Hey, Kakarai—be careful. They said that guy was just a regular human, but the bastard bested me."
"No no, no no, Vos?"
The priest's voice pitched high as he moved. His arm swelled massively, punching toward Dax with terrifying speed.
Trifling.
Dax's voice was low. He raised a finger.
The mad priest halted mid-strike.
"Is that disgusting thing someone's face?"
Dax studied Kakarai like a specimen.
Very interesting.
He walked past the frozen priest.
"Aren't you their leader?"
Dax asked, peering into the dark, empty gaps.
From the shadows stepped a young man with long, dark hair, wearing the same crimson robes. His silky locks blended seamlessly with the fabric.
Eyes narrowed with genuine curiosity.
"It was stated that our target had no mana or aura… so how are you doing it?"
"If you tell me, I might just let you leave here in one piece… or two."
A genuine smile spread across his face.
"Who are you?"
"Ohh! How rude of me."
He pressed fingers to his lips, inclining his head in a mocking bow.
"I am Vabon, of the Blood River. This swordsman here is Mike, and the howling priest behind you is called Kakarai."
He raised his head, smile widening.
Blood River?
Dax's eyes widened.
"I see you have come to serve yourselves as sacrificial lambs. How wonderful—this world already favors me."
Dax smiled back. Blood staining his face made him look demonic.
This boy is mad… how adorable.
Though he spoke lightly, deep unease flickered in Vabon's eyes.
"Why don't we begin."
Dax's voice dropped—deadly.
"Kneel."
Raw power pulsed outward.
Mike and Kakarai dropped to all fours instantly—kneecaps shattering on impact. Blood burst from their joints.
Expressions of pure pain twisted their faces.
"What—what is this humiliation?!" Mike screamed, face contorted in agony and disbelief.
"Vos! Vos! Vos!" Kakarai writhed, trembling between torment and ecstatic delirium.
Vabon's polite mask cracked.
This is very bad.
Instinct overrode pride. Without a word, he melted into the earth like liquid—fleeing without honor.
"You were abandoned… left to die."
Dax smiled at the two remaining. He raised one arm forward.
Mike was seized and hurled skyward like a broken kite.
His scream echoed as he reached meters high.
Just at the peak, Dax released him.
The fall accelerated—force intensified—cratering the earth deeply.
Yet ragged breaths still rasped from Mike's chest.
With gentle steps, Dax appeared before him and pulled him up by the ankle.
Just then, Kakarai vanished from his spot—reappearing to smash a malformed fist into Dax's side.
Dax flew backward, crashing into a crater as he coughed out a mouthful of blood.