NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Awakening ( 1 )
The system notification flickered in front of Kim Dokja, a stark reminder of the power he wielded. He was a reader, a witness to a thousand stories, with access to a universe of skills. But this world was different. His abilities were limited by the physical constraints of a mortal body. He sighed, a touch of frustration in his usually calm demeanor. He was used to navigating complex worlds, unraveling intricate plots, and saving countless lives within the pages of a book. But reality was a much harsher mistress.
Marjorie's body was weak, her stats meager, her skills rudimentary. The system displayed her stats:
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- System Name: Oracle's Guardian -
🔺 STATUS 🔻
• NAME : Marjorie
LEVEL : 1
FATIGUE : 0
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HP : 100
MP : 50
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STR: (10) VIT: (10) AGI: 10 INT: (15) SEN: (12)
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PHYSICAL DAMAGE REDUCTION: 10%
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COINS : 0
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▫️SKILLS :
- Passive: Adaptive Learning LV.1, Strategic Intuition LV.1, Instinctive Reflexes LV.1, Echo of Strategy LV.1, Whispers of the Oracle LV.1, Shared Perception LV.1 (Limited range and clarity at low levels)
- Active: Echo of Action LV.1 (Cooldown: 24 hours, Skill Acquisition Limit: 1 skill per week), Shadow Sense LV.1, Temporary Possession (Kim Dokja/Yoo Joonghyuk, Duration: 5 minutes, Cooldown: 7 days, Limit: 1 possession per week)
. INVENTORY : Empty
POINTS REMAINING: 0
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[ System Notes : ]
- Echo of Strategy: Provides real-time tactical analysis of opponents, suggesting counter-strategies and highlighting weaknesses. Accuracy and detail improve with level.
- Whispers of the Oracle: Offers cryptic hints and warnings about upcoming dangers or opportunities. Clarity and accuracy increase with level.
- Shared Perception: Allows Marjorie to briefly perceive the battlefield from Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk's perspectives. Range and clarity are limited at low levels and increase with level. This ability consumes a small amount of MP.
- Instinctive Reflexes: Automatically triggers evasive maneuvers when Kim Dokja or Yoo Joonghyuk issue a life-threatening warning. Effectiveness increases with level.
- Echo of Action: Allows Marjorie to temporarily use a skill demonstrated by Kim Dokja or Yoo Joonghyuk. The skill's duration and power are limited by Marjorie's current level and the complexity of the skill.
- Temporary Possession: Kim Dokja or Yoo Joonghyuk can temporarily possess Marjorie's body. This is a hidden skill, only visible within their own systems.
- COINS : Earned upon defeating monsters. The amount of coins earned depends on the monster's strength. Minimum gain: 10 coins. Coins can be used to upgrade stats (STR, VIT, AGI, INT, SEN) or purchase items from the inventory.
Her strength was barely adequate, her agility modest. The only saving grace was her intelligence, her ability to learn and adapt. "She'll need a lot more than that," Kim Dokja muttered to himself.
He felt a surge of annoyance. Her system was different. It was as if she had been chosen, granted a unique set of skills that resonated with the Oracle's power. "A dangerous blessing," he mused, a flicker of concern in his eyes. He didn't know if he should be relieved or worried about this newfound power that had suddenly become intertwined with their destinies.
He quickly scanned the system's notes. Echo of Strategy, Whispers of the Oracle, Shared Perception… These skills, though basic, held a potential he couldn't ignore. He could already see the possibilities, the ways he could use them to protect Elijah and the world.
The Goblin charged towards Marjorie, its monstrous form a blur of motion. There was no time to waste. Kim Dokja had to act.
He could sense the fear radiating from her, the desperation in her eyes. He had to act quickly, not just to protect her but to protect Elijah, the innocent boy who relied on her for his survival. He could sense a deep well of love within her, a mother's fierce protectiveness, a raw determination to keep her son safe.
His mind raced. He couldn't use his own powers. He was trapped, a spectator, his actions limited by the borrowed body. He needed a new strategy, a new plan.
He felt his consciousness shift, merging with Marjorie's. Her memories, her thoughts, her emotions flooded into his mind. He felt the fear, the desperation, the love for her son, the fierce determination to protect him.
'I couldn't afford to falter,' he thought, a flicker of resolve hardening his features. He felt the weight of responsibility settle upon him, the burden of protecting these two souls that had become inextricably linked to his own destiny.
This wasn't just a story. This was a reality, a world on the brink of collapse.
He closed his eyes, focusing his mind, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategy, a torrent of possibilities. He had to choose. He had to find a way to leverage her skills, to amplify her power.
He whispered the words of power, a ritual he knew well,
"Borrowed Power: Kyrgios Rodgraim, lend me your might."
A surge of electricity coursed through Marjorie's body. The system notification popped up:
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[ Temporary Possession: Activated ]
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[ Duration: 0:30 ]
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SKILLS : Electrification
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Restrictions: [ Physical compatibility limited. Skill duration reduced. ]
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Marjorie's vision blurred, her body tingling with an unfamiliar energy. The room pulsed with a wave of electricity, the air crackling with a low hum. The Goblin paused mid-charge, its monstrous form convulsing. It could sense the shift in power, the newfound threat emanating from its prey.
The electric current pulsed through Marjorie's body, an exhilarating rush of energy that filled her with a newfound strength. She felt the tingling sensation spread through her veins, the power coursing through her limbs. It was a strange sensation, foreign yet strangely exhilarating.
Kim Dokja could feel the strain, the struggle, the limitations of this borrowed body. The electric current wasn't just surging through Marjorie; it was coursing through him too, a constant reminder of the delicate balance between power and control. He felt the weight of her memories, the burden of her emotions, a constant hum of anxiety and vulnerability beneath the surge of power.
He had to act. He had to use this power, this borrowed strength, to protect them both. He knew the Goblin, this creature of the Oracle's domain, was a dangerous foe.
He moved, his movements a blur of motion, a dancer weaving through a storm. He dodged, he weaved, he struck, his movements swift and precise, honed by years of navigating the intricate landscapes of countless stories. He could feel the electricity crackling through his fingertips, a conduit of power, a weapon of destruction. The Goblin's growls echoed in the hallway, a symphony of rage and frustration, as it attempted to regain its footing, its monstrous form convulsing with each electric shock.
The room filled with the scent of ozone, the acrid tang of burning flesh, and the lingering scent of fear. The sound of the Goblin's growls was replaced by a symphony of crackling energy and the sound of flesh tearing.
Within seconds, the creature was no more. A cloud of smoke dissipated in the air, the threat neutralized. The air fell silent, the only sound the rhythmic thumping of Kim Dokja's heart against his ribs, a reminder of the adrenaline coursing through his system.
Marjorie, her body still wracked with tremors, stumbled back, her eyes wide with disbelief. She looked at the dead Goblin, then at the classroom, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, a tapestry of terror and relief woven together by the threads of disbelief.
"Mama?"
Elijah called, his voice a fragile whisper. He approached Marjorie, his eyes wide with amazement. He saw his mother, not as the frail, vulnerable woman he knew, but as a warrior, a protector, a force of nature. He saw the power that flowed through his mother's body, a power he didn't understand, a power that had suddenly transformed her into a force to be reckoned with. He had witnessed something extraordinary, something that defied all logic and reason.
Marjorie, her body still trembling with the residual energy of Kim Dokja's borrowed power, felt the shock coursing through her. This wasn't her. This strength, this power, was foreign to her. It was a force she couldn't control, a fleeting glimpse into a world beyond her comprehension. Her mind was reeling, trying to process the impossible, the overwhelming sensation of power that had surged through her veins, leaving her feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
"Mama?"
Elijah repeated, his voice filled with wonder and fear. His eyes, wide with a mixture of awe and concern, reflected his confusion.
He was too young to understand. He didn't know that Kim Dokja was a stranger, a visitor from another reality, a reader who had been thrust into his world. He didn't know that the power that flowed through his mother's body was a borrowed strength, a temporary gift from another being. He only saw the impossible, the impossible transformation of his mother from a vulnerable woman into a powerful warrior.
Kim Dokja, trapped within the confines of her borrowed body, had to act quickly. He had to address Elijah's concerns. He had to explain. But he couldn't betray Marjorie, couldn't break the illusion, couldn't reveal the secrets of this world. He could only offer a reassuring smile, a gesture of comfort, a promise of safety.
He focused on the Gate, its dark energy waning, its power dissipating. The creature was gone, the threat neutralized, and the Gateway was slowly closing. But even as it receded, a sense of urgency, a feeling of dread, overwhelmed him. What if the Gate wasn't closed completely? What if there was something else on the other side, something worse than these Goblins?
But before he could worry about the future, he had to deal with the present.
With a surge of borrowed power, he moved, his body, Marjorie's body, a blur of motion. He moved with speed and agility, a force that seemed to defy the laws of physics. The remaining Goblins, their forms still reeling from the shock of the initial attack, were no match for his enhanced strength. One by one, they fell, their bodies dissolving into smoke.
The hallway was a blur of motion, a symphony of destruction and chaos. The air was thick with the smell of ozone, the acrid tang of burning flesh, and the lingering scent of fear. The sound of the Goblins' growls was replaced by a silence that was almost deafening.
He knew his time was running out. The system's notification pulsed in his vision, a constant reminder:
- [ Duration: 0:15. ] -
He had to finish this quickly.
He could feel the borrowed power waning, the electric current fading, leaving him weak and drained. The familiar sensations of her physical weakness, the pain in her wounded arm, the nausea that accompanied the transfer of power, all flooded back.
He closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable. He could feel the borrowed power slipping away, the control fading, leaving him stranded within the confines of her frail form.
Marjorie gasped, her body convulsing, her eyes wide with a mixture of pain and confusion. Blood trickled from her nose, mouth and ears, a grim reminder of the strain he had placed upon her body. She stumbled backward, her knees buckling, and collapsed to the floor.
A moment later, she fainted.
The world around him blurred, the images fading as he felt the familiar sensation of being dragged back into the void, back to the realm of the reader. He could feel the disconnect, the pull of the system, the separation from this world.
But then, a familiar warmth, a reassuring presence, broke through the darkness. He opened his eyes, and there he was, Yoo Jonghyuk. He stood beside Kim Dokja, his expression a mixture of concern and annoyance. His gaze, sharp and piercing, was fixed on Kim Dokja, a silent judgment etched in his stoic features.
"Kim Dokja," he said, his voice a low growl, a mixture of concern and accusation.
"What have you done?"
Kim Dokja could feel the weight of Yoo Jonghyuk's judgment, the unspoken criticism. He was right. He had taken a risk. A dangerous, reckless risk. He had used Marjorie, her body, her life force, as a tool to achieve his goals.
And it had almost cost her everything.
But it had also saved them all.
"She's... alright," Kim Dokja said, his voice barely a whisper. "The Gate is closed. They're safe. Specially Elijah."
His words felt hollow, devoid of the usual confidence that usually characterized his actions. He knew Yoo Jonghyuk didn't believe him. He was always suspicious, always cautious, always wary of Kim Dokja's actions. He didn't trust him. And he couldn't blame him. Kim Dokja hadn't always made the best decisions. He had walked a path riddled with choices that had led to destruction and death.
And this time, he had almost repeated his mistakes.
He could see the anger simmering in Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes, the disappointment radiating from his aura.
"You almost killed her, Kim Dokja," Yoo Jonghyuk said, his voice a low growl. "You almost ended everything. We're here because of that boy. We're here because of her. But you were ready to risk everything. Why?"
Kim Dokja looked at him, his heart heavy. The truth was, he didn't have an answer. He couldn't explain the desperation, the fear, the need to protect Elijah. The need to keep us all alive.
"She's the key to our return," Kim Dokja said, his voice a whisper. "Her world is the only path back to ours. I had to save his son."
"And what if she dies?" Yoo Jonghyuk pressed, his voice a challenge. "What if you killed her with your reckless actions?"
Kim Dokja had no response. He had no excuse. But he knew what he had to do. He had to explain. He had to tell him the truth.
"I'm a reader, Joonghyuk," Kim Dokja said, his voice filled with a mixture of regret and desperation. "I've seen countless worlds, countless stories. I've seen the darkness, the pain, the destruction. And I know this world is facing its own apocalypse. I know the Gate is just the beginning. This is just the first chapter."
He took a deep breath, his mind racing, trying to find the right words, the right way to explain the gravity of their situation.
"If we don't save this world," Kim Dokja said, his voice low, "we'll never get home."
Yoo Jonghyuk remained silent, his gaze fixed on Kim Dokja, his expression unreadable. Kim Dokja could feel the weight of his judgment, the unspoken questions.
"We need to help her," Kim Dokja continued, "help her become stronger. Help her find her way. We're all in this together now. We're connected. And if she dies, we die. It's that simple."
Kim Dokja looked at Elijah, who was still trying to wake his mother. His face was streaked with tears, his eyes filled with worry.
The future was uncertain, the dangers endless. But Kim Dokja knew one thing. He had to protect them. He had to help them. They were bound together, readers and witnesses, caught in a story that had only just begun.
And they were fighting for their lives, fighting to return home.
As Kim Dokja felt the pull of the void, the familiar sensation of returning to the realm of the reader, he caught a glimpse of the system notification flashing before his eyes:
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- [ Temporary Possession: Cooldown activated. Duration: 7 days.. ] -
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It was a stark reminder of the limitations of his power. He couldn't just possess Marjorie whenever he wanted. He was bound by the constraints of the system, by the rules of this world.
He looked at Marjorie, her face pale, her body still. The system had drained her, left her weak and vulnerable. It was a dangerous risk, a reckless gamble he had taken. But it had worked.
And it had given him a glimpse of something new, something powerful. Marjorie, with her Oracle's Guidance system, wasn't just a key to their return; she was a force to be reckoned with.
A small, sly smile crept onto Kim Dokja's face. This was the awakening she'd always dreamed of, the power she'd always yearned for. He'd never forgotten her desire to become a hunter, to have her own strength.
He glanced at Yoo Jonghyuk, who was still staring at him, his expression unreadable. He was a warrior, a man of action, a force to be reckoned with.
A small, sly smile crept onto Kim Dokja's face. This was the awakening she'd always dreamed of, the power she'd always yearned for. He'd never forgotten her desire to become a hunter, to have her own strength.
He glanced at Yoo Jonghyuk, who was still staring at him, his expression unreadable. He was a warrior, a man of action, a force to be reckoned with.
He glanced at Yoo Jonghyuk, who was still staring at him, his expression unreadable. He was a warrior, a man of action, a force to be reckoned with. But even he, the stoic warrior, the man who relied on strength and skill, couldn't deny the power that had just been unleashed.
Kim Dokja felt a strange sense of excitement, a thrill that ran through his veins. This was a new world, a new challenge. This was his chance to rewrite the story.
"She has potential, Jonghyuk-ssi," Kim Dokja said, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. "We have to help her. We have to make her stronger. And then, we can all go home."
Yoo Jonghyuk raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "She's a civilian, Kim Dokja. She's not a Fighter."
"She's more than that," Kim Dokja retorted, his voice firm. "She's already an awakening. She's a key to our survival, and to the survival of this world. We have to find a way to help her develop her abilities. We have to find a way to make her into a weapon. And that weapon will help us return to our world."
Kim Dokja could see the gears turning in Yoo Jonghyuk's mind, his skepticism slowly dissolving. He was always cautious, always careful, but he also understood the stakes. He understood the importance of strength, of power.
"How?" he asked, his voice low, his gaze fixed on Marjorie.
"We'll figure it out," Kim Dokja said, his voice filled with determination. "We'll find a way to guide her, to train her. We'll make her stronger. We'll make her our weapon. We'll make her… our key to returning home."
Kim Dokja looked at Elijah, who was still trying to wake his mother. His face was streaked with tears, his eyes filled with worry. He didn't understand why his mom was unconscious, but he trusted Kim Dokja. He knew Kim Dokja had saved him.
The future was uncertain, the dangers endless. But Kim Dokja knew one thing. He had to protect them. He had to help them. They were bound together, readers and witnesses, caught in a story that had only just begun.
And they were fighting for their lives, fighting to return home...