Chapter 1

Awakeners

22nd day of the 11th Moon, year 659.

Bellamy was in the middle of his morning routine exercises when he saw glittering lights several blocks away. He narrowed his eyes for a better look through the windowpane. The strange lumination entered several buildings and residences in the neighborhood. It looked like a firework with an ego that visited every floor of every building.

What the hell is that? A monster here in Farinmore?

The light drew closer, approaching his approximate position. It was now visibly green with purple and blue aura spheres around it. He could no longer keep up with the fast-approaching illuminated figure. This did not bode well, he thought and staggeringly ran to hide behind the fridge. Then he woke up.

It was a dampened 11th Moon morning. The leaves on the trees outside were darkening and turned a mellow yellow or bright orange. Bellamy Aarick, age 16, sat next to his bed in a cramped up, single room renting-apartment. Drenched in sweat, he peeked toward the night table clock. Six in the morning, just woken by an unpleasant dream. He sighed in relief since the illuminated figure was finally out of sight.

There was a sort of impulse not felt since that day, and traumatic memories interrupted him.

...

Nine-year-old Bellamy's parents mysteriously disappeared, leaving no traces behind. Human Adventurers, and even a few famous Hunters who graduated from the Hunter Institution of Farinmore, did their utmost in search parties but could not learn of his missing parents' whereabouts. And that was not the only missing-case.

People of all species across Thrae started disappearing almost ten years ago. Humans, elves, dwarfs, and beastmen, most of who have yet to return. However, there were special cases where groups of Thraeans did return. They would be known as Returners. Among the Returners, some would be named Awakeners. Sadly, this never included his parents.

...

Half an hour passed, and Bellamy managed to finish his routine exercises for real this time. A cup of instant noodles, pickled cucumber, and soy-braised eggs started to fill his stomach. That was the most he could afford at the moment. Having lived in an orphanage most of his life meant that his income was next to nothing. If it wasn't for Hroar, his employer, he couldn't even have afforded to live in his current small apartment.

There was zilch exciting news happening; only rumors of new Dungeons appearing in Oriasey, minor missing cases, and the development of Voicetronia 2.0. Before Bellamy could shut down his Voicetronia feed, the impulse from earlier repeated.

Swoosh!

First floor.

Swish!

Second floor.

Swoosh!

And finally, the third floor.

Swissssh!

Bellamy inherently knew that something was approaching from downstairs. It all happened in the blink of an eye.

"At last!"

A voice of a child? Belonging to a Sprite?

The figure had rapidly slowed down and was now only an arm's length away from Bellamy's face.

It's rather cute, he thought, although startled by the sudden emergence of the Wood Sprite.

"I'm here to relinquish my master's powers to you! Whoopsidoo!"

Was the Wood Sprite also a poet?

The Sprite flew a few rounds in the small apartment room, dove down, flew up, and haphazardly took a few aerial somersaults.

Backflip!

Front flip!

"Tadaaa!" The Wood sprite grinned, showing off his tiny, razor-sharp canines.

"Now, back to business!" the Sprite yelped with his cute voice.

Momentarily, a black, transparent interface appeared in front of Bellamy. It was about 50 centimeters wide horizontally and 40 centimeters in length vertically. He had read about this experience and seen it on the news. But then again, he had never expected to experience it for himself. It was a Soul Window. It was widely known that only Awakeners were able to utilize a Soul Window.

As the Wood Sprite placed his tiny hands on the startled Bellamy's forehead, system notifications started popping up in the Soul Window.

[The user of Death's Door Soul Transfer wishes you to be his successor.]

[You will be granted an Elemental Awakening.]

[You will be granted the former user's Class.]

[You will inherit Wood Sprite. Growth type pet. Rating: Platinum.]

[You will inherit 0 to 3 items.]

[You will inherit 0 to 3 titles.]

[You will Awaken at Level 0.]

[Do you accept Death's Door Soul Transfer and all of its benefits?]

[Yes/No.]

!!!

What in the Seven Hells?!

…

An unbelievable scenario enveloped the 16-year-old.

The black interface followed Bellamy's vision. When he glanced to the sides, the Soul Window followed, never leaving his peripheral.

I can't see through it very well. A thought had just crossed his mind, and the black interface abruptly shifted its transparency to almost becoming invisible.

It can hear my thoughts!

The flapping Wood Sprite leaned back while in the air, resting its oversized head on his unfolding miniature hands. It seemed tired after its brief moment of showing off.

Bellamy thought back to the contents of his previous dream and recognized the glittering lights covering the Wood Write. He creased his brows at the feeling that his dream was actually real.

[Do you accept Death's Door Soul Transfer and all its benefits?]

[Yes/No.]

…

Bellamy stood still as if someone had just punched him in the face, and time had frozen. His insides were in upheaval.

The relaxed Wood Sprite was now in the middle of a snoring-session, oblivious to its surroundings. The wings that sprouted out on each side of a small backpack fluttered so fast that his eyes weren't able to count each flap.

Okay...Stay calm.

Bellamy rectified his posture.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, and he had to grab it. Two options were placed before him on the Soul Window.

[Yes.]

[No.]

...