Chương 25: Nabi and Ava

Nabi Yoon is qualified to meet her mentor. Commencing teleportation to Mentor 'Ava Garcia'…

"Oh my, aren't you just stunning!" Ava squealed, clasping her hands together.

"Your reflection doesn't begin to do your beauty justice!" Following her teleportation, Nabi found herself in the middle of a living room. Standing before her was her mentor, Ava. She possessed elegant facial features that bordered on the divine, carrying a confidence that demanded the attention of the entire space. Yet, beneath that elegance lay something horrific: a dreadful, suffocating pressure radiated from her being, going far beyond the signature aura of a regular Kaiser.

Her house contrasted with her grim presence. The place felt modern and lived-in, with a washer and dryer humming against one wall, an enormous flat-screen TV dominating the living room, and a mounted cross just above the display. Beneath the screen was a campfire, safely contained within a stone hearth. The kitchen opened into the living room. In the middle stood a polished granite island holding a collection of appliances, such as an air fryer, an espresso machine, and a rice cooker that hissed steam.

But it was the dining table that seized Nabi's attention. An abundant spread of food covered the surface. There were tacos piled high, golden-brown quesadillas, husked tamales, and a steaming hot pot of pozole. A basket of crisp tortilla chips sat toward the side, accompanied by mounds of fresh guacamole. For dessert, a tres leches cake waited in the corner to be devoured. Nabi gasped at the feast.

"How did you know I love Mexican food? Can I even eat this? I thought the System disabled that." Ava waved a dismissive hand.

"That rule existed solely because the System lacked the capabilities to simulate actual food when copying and pasting Earth's cities into its domain. You aren't confined in there during this intermission."

"Copy and paste? Simulate? How does all that work?"

"In due time, my disciple. But first…" Ava scanned Nabi's body, pinching her biceps.

"I'll need to put some meat on your bones. At this rate, you'll end up a literal reaper." Ava nudged Nabi toward the table and pulled out a chair. Then the massacre began. Nabi shoved the tacos and tamales into her maw, using the tortilla chips as a chaser. The flavors exploded on her tongue, overwhelming her senses. She hadn't satisfied her hunger in almost an entire week, causing her palate to reset completely. She swallowed too fast and began choking, pounding her chest as her eyes watered.

Ava slid a glass of iced horchata over and settled into a chair opposite her disciple. She rested her chin in her palm with a satisfied grin as she watched Nabi drain the glass. A nostalgic smile spread across Ava's lips.

"I still remember the day my mentor fed me during the intermission. The System freezes your metabolism during the race, but the instant you leave the sanctioned area, your core wakes up, making you believe you have been starving for a lifetime." Nabi nodded earnestly in agreement and slammed the empty glass onto the table. She wiped her mouth with the back of her sleeve and released a belch that rattled the silverware.

"I finally feel like myself again," she said, slumping into her chair and rubbing her stomach.

"So, what was all that about the System simulating Earth's cities?" Ava slid the cake over.

"Nobody is certain of the System's logic, but it is clear that it idolizes Earth in its own way. It recreates your cities down to the last brick, and we even consume your media and culture." She paused, letting out a faint giggle while covering her mouth.

"I've been here so long, and now I'm talking about Earth as if it weren't where I originated from." Nabi halted her fork, loaded with a piece of cake, and turned her gaze to Ava.

"You're from Earth?" She looked past the table and glanced at the cross above the TV.

"That explains the cross on the wall and the Mexican food."

"Born and raised in Mexico City. I lived there until the System summoned me back in 1805. I leave the cross up there as a reminder of my roots… of who I used to be." Nabi dropped her fork right before it entered her mouth.

"Eighteen… 1805?! You've been here for around 200 years!?" she exclaimed.

"You look like you're in your thirties! How are you still alive? Are you actually a Grim Reaper who lives forever?" Ava burst into laughter.

"I appreciate the compliment. You've likely noticed that your physical constitution increases as you level up. It doesn't just increase your strength, but also your lifespan. And the best perk of all: your youth." She gently palmed her chin and fluttered her eyelashes.

"Quantis Corp has conducted extensive studies on the maximum life expectancy for each rank." Ava began ticking off each point on her fingers." Awakened can live to 100. Elites have an average life expectancy of 200 years. Upon reaching the Peak Rank, that ceiling pushes to 300. Ascendant Ranked generally live to see 400, and the Prestige can reach 500 years." She took a moment before continuing.

"As for the highest rank, Kaiser … there hasn't been a single recorded case of one dying of old age, as they have all fallen in the field." Nabi leaned back, crossing her arms behind her head.

"Meh. Immortality is overrated anyway. Shining bright like an idol, then fading out, is the ideal life for me."

"So, you mentioned something about 'The Great System's 'logic' and how it 'idolizes' Earth. Isn't the System just some mythical supercomputer? Or some kind of AI running the world, like in those manhwas?" Ava shook her head with closed eyes.

"Far from it, my dear. Nobody knows the System's true identity, but what I can tell you is that it is much more than some computer." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Didn't the announcements feel off to you? Like they were coming from something or someone more than just an algorithm?" Nabi frowned, tapping her chin in thought.

"I was locked in on the details of the level, so I wasn't really paying attention to its tone. But now that you mention it… it does refer to itself in the first person." This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Exactly," Ava snapped her fingers.

"But these are just theories. There's no point in worrying about this right now when you have other priorities. So, do you have any questions about this world? This race?"

"Can I ask you anything?" Nabi said.

"Of course! That is the entire purpose of this intermission."

"Why did I obtain this class?" Nabi asked. Ava's cheerful expression vanished instantly, replaced by a stern gaze.

"That was the one thing I was hoping you wouldn't ask." She released a long breath.

"But you deserve to know. Especially because you will bear this class for a very long time." Ava straightened her posture.

"In Astoria, the class you awaken is determined through genetics. You can inherit a class from either your mother or father. And, on rare occasions, both." She pointed a finger at Nabi's stomach.

"Humans born on Earth don't have these cores. So, the System must implant one into you artificially. This process happens after the System vets the entire population of Earth to find suitable candidates for the Natural Selection." Ava stood up and began clearing the empty plates off the table.

"The selection criteria is primarily based on your constitution. Bodybuilders are often selected to receive a Tank class, while fencers will usually become swordsmen." She loaded the dishes into the dishwasher.

"But that isn't the only means of selecting candidates. The process is far more invasive, as the System scans through every facet of your brain. It digs through your memories, your mental state, lived trauma, and even your occupation, searching through variables that even we don't know the full scope of." Nabi winced, lifting her hand to her head. The idea of a greater being violating her brain like that made her skin crawl. Ava started the dishwasher and turned back to Nabi, leaning against the granite island.

"Nobody can truly pinpoint the reason as to why they were selected for a specific class, except…" She paused for a beat.

"…for the Blood Reaper."

"The catalyst to adopt the Blood Reaper class has been identical for me, my mentor, and the recorded seven generations of mentors before her. The sample size isn't large enough to call it definitive proof, but to call it a coincidence would be naive." Ava hesitated, drumming her fingers against the countertop, avoiding Nabi's gaze.

"Well? Go on, spit it out!" Nabi exclaimed, on the edge of suspense. Ava murmured the word under her breath, barely audible.

"S…de."

"What?" Nabi leaned her head forward, cupping her ear.

"Side?" Ava shut her eyes, letting out a long breath.

"Suicide, Nabi. It's suicide. During the act itself. When you're in that gray moment of limbo, teetering on the edge of life and death—" She looked directly into Nabi's eyes.

"That is when the System marks you as a candidate for the Blood Reaper class and summons you to this world." The chair screeched against the floor as Nabi shot up from her seat.

"Whoa. That's some dark shit. But you've got it all wrong. I've never tried to off myself. Hell, the thought has never even crossed my mind. I love my life!" She lifted her shoulders in a shrug, tossing her hands upward.

"I apologize, but I might've broken your chain." Ava looked at her with wary eyes, clasping her hands on top of the granite surface.

"It's okay to talk about it. I know what it's like to feel trapped. Mexico is a slightly different place now compared to back then, but I dreaded stepping past the threshold of my own door. Every day was a gamble for survival until one day… I simply couldn't endure the weight of it anymore—""I said you're wrong!" Nabi shouted, slamming her hand onto the dining table.

"Listen, I'm not depressed. I'm not suicidal. And I'm definitely not weak. I'm not lying to you!" A moment of silence followed, then a wide smile spread across Ava's face.

"Well, how accurate is history anyway? One of our past generations could've been mistaken, or the System simply miscalculated the vetting process when choosing you. As I've said before, it isn't some AI; it can definitely make mistakes." With a loud clap, she shifted the tone of the room.

"Alright, we don't have much time left in this intermission. It's time I gifted you your boon for the race!" The tension inside Nabi slowly drained away after hearing about the potential gift. She exhaled a long breath and lowered herself back into the chair.

"The majority believe the Reaper class represents the end of life," Ava started, "and they aren't entirely wrong. Our counterparts—the Soul Reapers—prioritize harvesting the souls of the perished to enhance their capabilities. But just as the name implies, we Blood Reapers harvest a different medium: blood."

"The majority associate blood with violence. When they see red. They see slaughter. Carnage. But they forget about blood's main purpose." Ava planted a hand on her chest.

"Vitality."

"Blood is required to live. It is what fuels your engine. You may not have realized this yet because you haven't been so much as scratched during the race. Not only does siphoning blood from an enemy injure them, but it will also restore your health." A smile spread across her face.

"From death comes life."

"Yes, the Blood Reaper's main purpose is bloodshed and carnage. But in time, you will also function as a valuable healer and sustainer for your team."

"But how will I become a healer for others if I can only heal myself?" Nabi asked.

"You will obtain healing spells for others much later in your cultivation, as this is a class focused mainly on combat. That is why I will gift you one of my abilities now. One that embodies the nature of the Blood Reaper." Nabi lit up at the potential boon.

"A skill?! You're allowed to just give out skills here?"

"Of course! A boon is a boon." Ava chuckled at her enthusiasm.

"It is rare, though. Most mentors will resent their disciples, as the System forces them to bestow their hard-earned legacy on a random stranger from another world." She shot her a wink.

"But I'm quite fond of you, Nabi."

"What happens if the mentor doesn't give the disciple anything?" Nabi asked.

"Nothing. The System wouldn't go so far as to punish a Kaiser for not helping their disciple. But the majority will take in their disciples, as it is much more beneficial to curate them into an asset, rather than tossing them aside. Especially because they bear a class that already has a proven track record of reaching the Kaiser level." Nabi squinted, narrowing her eyes into slits.

"Am I an asset to you?"

"Of course not!" Ava waved her off.

"All I am asking is that you do not forget exactly who helped you through your toughest times! Now, come here and receive the boon your mentor is graciously gifting you when she isn't obligated to do so!" She beckoned her over. Nabi grumbled as she approached her mentor. Ava reached out a hand and tapped Nabi's forehead with her fingertips. The pain was immediate. A spike of energy drilled into her head and beneath her eyes, causing her to pant uncontrollably as beads of sweat ran down her face.

The sensation of agony stretched on, feeling as if hours had gone by. Then, without warning, the pain stopped. Nabi opened her eyes, and the blistering headache had disappeared without a trace. She felt fine. More than fine, as if she had just gone through a relaxing head massage instead of brutal torture.

"Well?" Ava asked.

"Open your status screen!" Nabi immediately flicked her finger in the air. The holographic window blinked into her periphery. She scrolled down until she reached the abilities section.

"How… how is this even allowed?" Ava crossed her arms with a smug smile on her face.

"Pretty cool, isn't it? Luckily, I haven't needed to use the ability myself, but I'm sure you'll find some use for it during your journey." Nabi surged forward, launching herself into Ava's embrace. Ava patted her head, then gently pried her off.

"Now, for today's last agenda before I meet with Gray: getting you out of those stuffy office clothes! I've already laid out some things for you to change into."

"Oh, thank God! You really don't have to waste your good clothes on me. I'd be satisfied with something simple like a hoodie and some baggy sweatpants." Ava turned around and sprinted into her bedroom. A few seconds later, she returned with hangers of clothes dangling from both her arms. Nabi recoiled in disgust. They were dresses. But not just any dresses. Voluminous and frilly monstrosities with floral patterns puked all over the front. It looked as if someone had stolen them from a haunted dollhouse.

A blinding shade of yellow wove through the fabric, and matching headbands adorned with oversized sunflowers dangled from the hangers.

"There is no chance I will let my precious disciple be caught dead in sweatpants!" Ava declared, spreading her arms wide. She plucked the yellow dress from the hanger, holding it up against Nabi's silhouette to gauge the fit.

"Now, let's see if this matches your personal color." Nabi's ring pulsed with a dark light, the scythe warping into her grip. She plunged the weapon down. The floral dress ripped cleanly into two halves, the remains drifting to the floor like falling leaves.