2: First Quest

THE maid looked at her with concern as she witnessed her purple eyes filled with hate yet her lips twitched up to smile.

"Princess, why are you smiling?"

Sera turned toward her. "I finally understand something liberating. What's your name again?"

"Agni… my name is Agni. I've been serving you since you were little. We are of the same age, Princess. Have you forgotten?"

"Listen Agni, Nesca is truly gone. I'm a different soul residing in her body."

Agni didn't know what to say. She'd like to think that the illness did this to her mistress that was why she played along.

"O-Okay," Agni agreed even if she was hesitant.

The wind outside the chamber howled, shaking the dark windows of the dilapidated cabin in the midst of the Cloud Forest.

"Let's keep this secret, Agni. I will live as Nesca from now on. And I will get the justice she deserves and take back everything that was stolen from her!" Sera was determined.

"Princess, are you not afraid?" The maid's voice trembled.

Sera turned and strolled toward the balcony, watching the endless darkness of the surrounding magical forest, while hearing the sounds of the night insects.

"Should I be afraid?"

The system appeared again.

[Host's determination detected.]

[Special ability unlocked.]

[Ability: Demon Princess Authority.]

[Description: Weaker demons are compelled to obey.]

[Ability: Unknown Disease Analysis.]

[Level 1: Basic Diagnosis.]

Sera felt a strange energy flow through her veins. Although she could still feel the pain and the weakness of her body, something inside her had changed.

She was no longer the ordinary human named Sera. She was now Nesca, the neglected demon princess, who has risen from the dead to avenge herself.

She would make everyone who wronged her remember her name.

"I am Nesca… I will be Nesca."

The Awakening had begun.

The glowing blue screen floated at her vision again. It seemed the system was about to give her the first quest.

[Ding!]

[The Revenge System has detected the host's critical condition.]

[Current body status: Extremely weak]

[Unknown disease detected. Vitality below acceptable level.]

[Initiating emergency recovery mission.]

"There it goes…" Nesca grinned. She focused on the system screen.

[First Mission Activated.]

[Mission: Gather Moonstalk Herb from the Cloud Forest.

 

Description: The host's body is suffering from severe vitality depletion. The Moonstalk Herb contains life energy capable of restoring damaged blood essence.]

[Reward: +10 Vitality Points. Minor Disease Suppression.]

Nesca's brow flicked. "A reward that can improve my health right away? It's a best start…"

She was thankful with the sudden appearance of the system, especially now that it was her only advantage to survive.

She would use it until her goal is achieved.

 

NESCA left the cabin with a dagger at hand, despite Agni's refusal. She had to rush to complete the task given by the system, or else her frail body would not survive the night. Thanks to her adrenaline that she got the courage to keep moving.

The eerie sound of the forest reverberated around. Thick white fog covered the trees, making it almost impossible to see more than a few meters ahead. Even the moon could not be seen due to the gigantic trees covering the sky.

"Darn, visibility is compromised…" Nesca muttered. Her second life is at stake if she failed, she can't be coward now.

"I can do this!" she cheered herself.

Nesca could feel the curious magical creatures hid in the shadows, silently observing her as if she was an intruder.

She kept reminding herself that this forest belonged to the Demon Realm, surely the creature that lurked around would be deadly if she wasn't careful. But this time, she made no excuses.

"Moonstalk Herb… where can I find you?" She continued searching even if it felt she was exploring an uncharted territory.

Back when she was still alive as Sera, she never dreamed of stepping into the Demon Realm knowing the danger. Because in the entire continent, the Northern Empire wasn't just a simple territory a human could go into. And offending them means waging a war that might end humanity.

Nesca clasped the dagger as her black cloak accidentally shredded when she accidentally stumbled on a rock.

"She is too frail… yet chubby. Perhaps because she was too sick for a very long time. Soon, I will find out how it happened."

[Ding!]

The notification bar appeared again.

[Do you need a map? Yes/No]

Nesca hit YES.

"Heck, why didn't you offer a map before I left the cabin?"

The system made a giggling sound, vibrating, as if making fun of her.

[The host didn't ask.]

"Wow! You have sense of humor, I see."

With the System's help, Nesca easily navigated the forest until she could find the Moonstalk Herbs. It was glowing silver.

[Moonstalk Herb Detected.]

[Collecting the herb will complete the mission.]

Nesca was in the midst of herbs gathering when a cold wind suddenly passed through the trees along with a guttural sound… like a giant beast coming at her.

She saw the trees trembled, and an enormous shadow moved behind her.

The system suddenly warned her.

[Danger detected.]

[Host's current strength is insufficient for direct combat.]

Nesca clicked her tongue. "Really? You think I'm that weak?"

[Correction: The host is extremely weak.]

She chuckled as her face darkened. "Could you at least pretend to give me an encouragement?"

[The system only provides accurate information.]

Despite the danger, Nesca found herself laughing. This strange system was brutally honest. At least, she liked its sense of humor.

She walked deep into the forest taking extra precaution. Her chest burned, and her legs felt like dragging heavy stones.

"Damn, this body is really a problem, she's too heavy. I really need to go on a diet once I recuperated." Nesca leaned against the tree and wiped the sweat from her forehead as she struggled to breathe.

Nesca thought she was away from danger. But her heart jumped as she saw the gigantic creature. It looked like an ancient beast with approximately a hundred-meter wingspan, if not more.

"Wait, is that a dragon?" she murmured as her eyes seemed to be glued on the creature.

Surprisingly, the creature did not attack. Nesca clearly saw a trail of dark blood spattered around as it moved.

The system flashed.

[Warning.]

[High-level creature detected.]

[Recommended action: Escape immediately.]

Nesca looked toward the opening of the cave where the creature went in. She was sure it was injured.

"How strong it is that even the System seemed to be frightened?" she muttered under her breath. Nesca was really curious.

She could actually run away, using the remaining bits of energy in her body, but it seemed there was an invisible force drawing her inside the cave, urging her to check.

Slowly, she followed the blood trail. The massive cave was filled with glowing black and blue crystals. And a still lake could be seen inside with glowing white carps.

Nesca paused when the temperature suddenly dropped. She felt the overwhelming pressure, maybe because she was naturally weak, and on the verge of death.

"Found you!" she whispered.

There it was. A massive dragon lay at a distance. Its scales were dark covered with deep wounds. Its crimson eyes slowly opened as Nesca entered.

The dragon's gaze locked onto her. But she stood still

Until a deep voice echoed in her mind.

"Little demon…"

Nesca's eyes widened in shock. "S-Sorry for disturbing you. But… do you need any help?"

She waited for the system to response, but it suddenly went silent. Nesca wondered why.

Then a new notification appeared.

[Hidden Quest Detected.]

[Dragon encountered.]

[Warning: The fate of Darantha Empire may change depending on the host's next decision.]

"Oh? The entire empire? That must be a joke, I'm just a nobody!" Nesca complained.

But she couldn't take her eyes off the wounded dragon. It was bleeding profusely.

The creature spoke again in his mind.

"Tell me, human soul. Why are you inside the body of a demon?"

Nesca's jaw dropped. How the hell did this creature know?