In a twist of fate, Adrian Nightshade meets an untimely demise only to find themselves reincarnated into the count's family novel. Confronted by the god of death, they are granted 10 wishes that could start a brand new adventure and a novel world h...
Adrian's vision turned dark after his encounter with the God of Death. When he opened his eyes again, the world had changed. He found himself lying on the cold, damp ground of a dense, foreboding forest. Shadows danced across the trees as a familiar figure stood over him.
"Hey, are you alright?" the figure asked, his voice calm but laced with concern. It was Choi Han, the protagonist of Trash of the Count's Family.
Adrian tried to respond, but pain shot through his body like a lightning bolt. His torso bore a long, deep gash, his head throbbed with a searing ache, and his leg was twisted unnaturally. Each breath felt like knives stabbing his ribs.
"You've got some serious injuries," Choi Han muttered, gently assessing Adrian's condition. "How did you end up here? Do you know how to get out of this forest?"
Adrian struggled to focus through the haze of pain. His memories of the novel flooded back, but he knew he couldn't reveal too much too soon. Pushing through the discomfort, he rasped, "There's... a nearby village. It leads into Henituse territory, at the edge of the Roan Kingdom. They defend the kingdom from the mutant monsters in this forest."
Choi Han raised an eyebrow at Adrian's surprising knowledge but didn't press him further. "Alright, hold on," he said, carefully lifting Adrian onto his back. Adrian flinched at the movement, each step sending fresh waves of agony through his battered body.
"Thank you," Adrian managed to say through clenched teeth. "I'm Adrian, by the way."
"Choi Han," the young swordsman replied simply as he adjusted Adrian's weight.
Adrian feigned ignorance, though the name was etched deeply into his mind. "How long have you been out here?" he asked, already knowing the answer but needing to keep up appearances.
Choi Han's expression darkened. "Too long. It feels like years," he said softly, his voice tinged with the weariness of someone who had endured too much.
With Adrian's guidance, the two made their way through the treacherous forest. After hours of walking, they finally arrived at Harris Village.
The village was bustling with activity as the weary pair entered. Adrian, bloodied and barely conscious, was quickly noticed by the villagers. A group of kind-hearted residents rushed to their aid, tending to Adrian's injuries with care. They stitched and bandaged his wounds before administering low-grade potions to speed up his recovery.
The innkeeper offered them a room free of charge, recognizing their dire condition. Exhausted, Adrian collapsed onto the bed, the lingering pain in his body making it impossible to sleep peacefully.
As he lay there, contemplating his situation, a voice startled him.
"Hello, master. I am ready to serve you now."
Adrian bolted upright, his heart racing. "Who's there?" he demanded, scanning the dimly lit room.
A large blue screen materialized in front of him, shimmering faintly. "I am the system created by the God of Death to assist you in this world," the voice explained. "I don't have a name yet. Would you like to give me one?"
Adrian stared at the screen, still processing the sudden appearance of this game-like entity. "I'll call you Alex," he said after a moment.
"Thank you, master," Alex replied cheerfully. "If you ever want to check your funds, review your skills and abilities, or browse the shop, just call out its name."
Curious, Adrian said, "Shop."
The screen shifted, revealing an extensive catalog of items. Potions, weapons, magical tools, and artifacts filled the display. Adrian browsed until he found two books on swordsmanship and six body-strengthening potions. Without hesitation, he purchased them all.
He drank the potions in quick succession, his body immediately reacting to the potent magic. Sweat poured from his skin as his muscles began to repair and strengthen. Then, he opened the books, the knowledge flooding his mind like a torrent. Exhausted from the process, Adrian fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next morning, Adrian woke up to a sharp, searing pain. His body felt like it had been put through the wringer. The effects of the potions and books, combined with his lingering injuries, left him stiff and sore.
Choi Han noticed Adrian wincing as he tried to move. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm fine," Adrian lied, managing a weak smile. "Just sore. I'll manage."
Choi Han nodded but didn't seem entirely convinced. "Rest for now. We have a long journey ahead, and you'll need your strength."
Adrian reclined against the bed, thinking about the path ahead. The events of the novel would soon begin to unfold, and he was woefully unprepared. "Dammit," he muttered under his breath. "What am I going to do?"
His thoughts turned to the upcoming attack on the village. If he told Choi Han about it now, it would alter the story drastically. But if he stayed silent, people might die. And what if Choi Han eventually discovered that Adrian had known all along?
Did the God of Death really kill me by accident? Adrian wondered again, his suspicions gnawing at him. Or was it all part of some bigger plan?
Finally, Adrian made up his mind. He couldn't keep it a secret any longer.
"Choi Han," he began, his voice heavy with resolve. "There's something important I need to tell you."
Choi Han turned to him, his brow furrowed.
"I overheard a group called ARM planning an attack on the village," Adrian admitted. "I was scared to tell you before. I thought it might change too much, but now... I can't stay silent."
Choi Han's expression darkened, but he remained calm. "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"
"I was afraid," Adrian confessed. "But there's more. I'm not just an ordinary person. I'm a hybrid. I can transform into animals—mythical, ancient, extinct—you name it."
Choi Han regarded him for a long moment before nodding. "Thank you for telling me. Let's make sure no harm comes to this village."
Adrian breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Choi Han's understanding.
(Someone did mention this in the original story, I wrote of this that Adrian shouldn't be just telling anyone about his ability or that kind of stuff but to me Choi Han is someone that thrives off trust if you're willing to tell him things about yourself that are secret to others. He would trust you all easier, but you can tell me if I'm wrong.)
Later, as Adrian browsed the shop, he found a striking black wolf with green markings listed under mounts. Intrigued, he purchased the wolf and a Golden Lasso, a magical tool that allowed him to store and summon animals at will.
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"Hey, Choi Han," Adrian said, his tone serious. "I need to get to Henituse territory for proper medical attention. I can use my mount to travel quickly, but I don't want to leave you here alone. Are you okay with that?"
Choi Han nodded. "Your recovery is important. Go. I'll handle things here and meet you in Henituse territory once it's safe."
"Thank you," Adrian said sincerely. He released the wolf from the Golden Lasso and climbed onto its back. With a final wave to Choi Han, he set off toward the Henituse gates, determined to heal and prepare for the challenges ahead.
