Chapter 1 : Death and Rebirth

Death and Rebirth

Boom!

It was the sound of an explosion. As flames burst forth, Lin Yun's vision was swallowed by darkness. Scorching fire seared his body, but he did not die immediately—his body simply lost all sensation.

Clinging to the last shreds of consciousness, Lin Yun recalled what had just happened.

Originally, he had been a not-so-successful assassin. Relying on a black, stone-like family heirloom, he had started from scratch and established the assassin group 'Fang'.

But unexpectedly, a rival assassin organization came after him; his enemies launched a direct assault on his hideout.

Faced with overwhelming numbers and strength, Lin Yun knew there was no escape this time.

Holding fast to the conviction of "better to be broken jade than intact tile", and to prevent his enemies from obtaining the black stone, Lin Yun chose to detonate the base and perish together with his foes.

And so, just as he had reached the peak of his life, Lin Yun died...

But it seemed even the heavens felt Lin Yun's death was far too stifling. In the final moment of his life, the black stone in his hand began to glow, and then both the stone and Lin Yun's corpse vanished without a trace.

Amidst utter chaos, Lin Yun lost all physical sensation, but even so, his mind continued to operate.

"So this is a soul? Without the shackles of a body, things feel much lighter."

Lin Yun thought so. Though he could neither see nor hear nor feel, this relaxed state was truly wonderful—far from the deceptions and betrayals of the world. It seemed that continuing like this might not be a bad thing after all.

Just as Lin Yun began to think this, an ancient, weathered voice echoed.

"Praise death, sovereign of all, Lord of Darkness. You shall be reborn!"

It was a profound, mysterious voice, sounding both distant and close to his ear. Though the obscure language was not any Chinese he knew, he could understand it.

"Lord of Darkness? What's that?"

Lin Yun was confused, but the voice did not answer his question. Instead, a synthesized electronic sound rang in his mind.

System: Detecting altar status, please wait...

Soul Altar: Locked!

Blood Altar: Activated. Gained ability—Blood Absorption.

Death Altar: Activated. Gained ability—Undead Revival.

Abyss Altar: Activated. Gained ability—Abyssal Summoning.

Detecting suitable profession for host's body, please wait...

Top three options:

1. Vampire Queen (Blood Altar), compatibility 100%.

2. Lich Lord (Death Altar), compatibility 32%.

3. Evil God Cultist (Abyss Altar), compatibility 11%.

Optimal choice will be selected automatically. First profession: Blood Altar—Vampire Queen. Using Blood Altar abilities will grant bonus effects.

Note: The first bloodline will not affect the host's use of other altar abilities, nor inhibit the host from acquiring other altar professions.

Match successful. Profession fusion complete. Searching for suitable reincarnation vessel for host, please wait...

A stream of information flooded into Lin Yun's mind, so much that he couldn't immediately process it.

"What's going on?"

Lin Yun was bewildered, but in the next second, a powerful force started pulling at him—it felt as if his head was being shoved into a toilet, and someone was crazily hitting the flush.

Disgusting...

Lin Yun felt a wave of dizziness. When it passed, she slowly opened her eyes and looked around in confusion, seeing four burly men in shabby cloth armor circling around her with swords and knives drawn.

From this upward angle, it seemed she was lying on the ground. Instinctively, Lin Yun tried to stand, but was met only with pain and weakness throughout her body.

She had to give up trying to move, and as she stared blankly ahead, one of the four men, apparently the leader, spoke up.

"Damn it, I'm exhausted from beating her, and this little bitch hasn't made a sound. Is she dead?"

As he said this, Lin Yun felt her throat burning. She coughed a few times.

"Cough, cough..."

Hearing this, another man beside the leader spoke.

"Boss, listen, she made a sound—she's not dead!"

"I heard!"

The leader replied impatiently. He had worried about beating her to death, but now it seemed she was fine.

"Hmph, learned your lesson? Scream again, and I'll cut your tongue out."

The leader threatened. Lin Yun was still in a daze and didn't respond.

"Boss, I think you scared her silly."

"You're the one who's scared silly! Now hand over the ring!"

"Oh, right."

Another man hurriedly nodded, taking out a silver ring and handing it to the leader.

The leader waved the ring in front of the girl and leered.

"See this? This is a mind-control ring made personally by the Empire's Great Mage. Once you put it on, you'll have to obey!"

As the man said this, he grabbed the delicate hand of the girl to put the ring on her. But another man reached out to stop him.

"Boss, wait, don't put it on yet. If you put it on now, she'll turn into an idiot, right?"

The leader shot him a frustrated look. "She isn't an idiot yet—you sure sound like one yourself. Our task is to turn her into a fool who'll listen to us. Get it?"

He laughed slyly, then gave a knowing look.

"Hehe, I know that. But boss, if you make her an idiot now, what's the fun in playing with her?"

The younger man gave a "you know what I mean" look.

Hearing this, the leader paused, then laughed as well.

"That does make sense."

"Right?"

"Damn, you're exactly right!"

"So let's have some fun first, and then make her a fool. Sound good, boss?"

"Good. Very good."

The leader said as he sized up the dazed girl lying on the ground.

"It's settled, then. I'll go first. You all keep watch outside!"

"Boss, after you—is there still a share for us...?"

"Relax, there's enough for everyone. Now get out, get out!"

"Yes, boss! Don't worry, not even a fly will get in. Take your time, we'll be waiting."

"Go on!"

"Got it!"

The three left, leaving only the girl and one burly man in the dilapidated hut.

Eyeing the beautiful young girl on the ground, the man rubbed his hands together.

"Girl, don't be shy now, I'm coming for you!"

As he spoke, the girl furrowed her brows.

"For who?"

The brute was caught off guard that she spoke, not understanding why she'd ask that. But he answered anyway.

"For you, of course!"

"For me?"

(To be continued...)

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

If you've noticed, the pronoun switched from he to her in the middle of the chapter...

There's only one reason for that!

Glorious GB!!!!