2025-02-23 19:07:22Rico's eyes widened as he saw the glowing text appear before him, floating in the air.
This was no dream. His life, as he knew it, was about to change forever.
The being holding the scroll waved his fingers once more.
Suddenly, Rico's body shimmered, glowing faintly before disappearing from the spot.
All around him, the scenery shifted, and soon everything was consumed by a vast expanse of white clouds.
!!!
"What now?" Rico muttered to himself, looking around in confusion.
"Where am I? What is this place?"
Ting!
A soft chime echoed in the void, followed by a voice in his head.
[System integrating with Tiyaga...]
Huh? What's with this system? Rico thought, bewildered by the sudden intrusion of the voice.
[Integration complete!]
[Congratulations on making it to heaven, Rico Tiyaga Santos.][I am called Luna, your heavenly guide.][I was your monitoring spirit or let's say, your guardian angel—while you were in the Earth realm.][I shall be your guide from now on.]What?! Rico's mind raced.
I had a guardian angel? But... I was abused, humiliated, and suffered for as long as I can remember,
he thought, recalling the painful memories of his earthly life. None of it made sense.
He spoke aloud, "So, why am I in this empty place? Shouldn't heaven look more... like paradise?"
[This is a place where ordinary beings first meet their guardian spirits for guidance.]
[However, in your case, we've merged.][There's no need for introductions now. We'll head directly to where you'll be temporarily residing.]Ting!
The white, cloudy expanse around Rico began to shift again.
Slowly, the scenery transformed, and what had once been an endless sky of clouds was replaced by a vast landscape.
In the distance, Rico could see the entrance to a city that looked like it came straight out of a medieval fantasy.
The city was grand, its towering walls made of smooth stone.
Gates stood wide open, inviting travelers and citizens alike.
The streets were lined with beings—some humanoid, others unlike anything Rico had ever imagined.
As he neared the city, the sight overwhelmed him.
There were creatures from legend—winged beasts that soared through the sky, some large enough to carry riders on their backs.
Huh... is this heaven? Rico thought, his mind unable to fully grasp what he was seeing.
Enormous, winged creatures—some resembling horses but far larger, with broad wings and shimmering coats—flew overhead.
They were majestic, creatures of myths and dreams.
Some of them carried beings in armor or robes, gracefully soaring above the city.
!!!
The sight was too much for Rico, and he stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet and falling onto the hard stone ground.
"Ouch!" he winced, rubbing his elbow. "Wait... I can still feel pain?"
[Of course, you feel pain.]
Luna's voice chimed in.
[You were given a new body as soon as you appeared before the Heavenly Order of Judges.] [This body allows you to feel physical sensations, just as your earthly body did.]
Rico slowly got to his feet, dusting himself off.
His eyes were still wide in awe as he took in the massive city before him.
"This place... it's incredible."
[This is the city of Oroa, one of the many cities where ordinary beings reside in the Heaven of the Righteous Faithful.]
[And that creature you're looking at is a Serapheon, a beast often used for transportation here.]As Luna explained, a light floated in front of Rico, pointing to the winged horse-like creature that had captured his attention.
Ting!
A soft chime echoed once more, and glowing text appeared before Rico's eyes.
[New skill obtained: Gauge – Ordinary Rank]
[Using skill: Gauge.][Serapheon – A heavenly creature used for transport by those ranked higher than Ordinary. Known for its loyalty and speed.]Wow, this is... this is so heavenly,
Rico thought, feeling a rush of excitement as he marveled at the skill and the new world around him.
He took a step toward the city, his curiosity growing with each passing moment.
"Hey, Luna, does everyone here have a guardian spirit like you?" Rico asked, his mind racing with questions.
[No, that's not how it works...] Luna began to explain.
[Every human has a guardian spirit assigned to them from birth, but most never meet theirs.]
[The only time a person meets their guardian angel is when they pass through the veil of death and ascend to the heavenly realms.]
Rico nodded, intrigued. "So, what happened to my guardian angel?"
[Normally, when a soul passes into heaven, the guardian angel disintegrates and becomes part of the being's ancestral lineage.]
[But in your case, I became part of the system that now governs your ascension.]
Luna continued, explaining how a guardian spirit's role is to protect the being against spiritual attacks on Earth—things like witchcraft, curses, and dark forces.
The strength of a guardian spirit is linked to the faith of the person they protect.
Each person has two guardian spirits from birth: one representing the good deeds they do, and another representing the dark deeds.
The one that is "fed" more—through a person's actions—grows stronger, and upon death, determines whether the soul goes to heaven or the underworld.
Rico's eyes widened. "Wait... so you were with me the whole time, watching everything?"
[Yes, I was your silent protector, witnessing your journey.]
"And why didn't you help me?" Rico asked, frustration creeping into his voice.
"I prayed for a better life. I prayed for things to get better."
[We act as catalysts. We cannot create from nothing.] [We only protect and guide when the soul calls upon us through good actions or faith.]
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Rico grumbled, feeling a bit irritated.
!!!
Suddenly, a thought struck Rico.
"Wait... why don't I feel any attachment to Earth anymore?"
"I don't feel anything for Reyna, or even anger toward Mateo," he realized.
His emotions seemed distant, detached, like he had been wiped clean.
[Your soul has been cleansed.] Luna's voice was gentle.
[This is not just any heaven. This is the Heaven of the Righteous Faithful.][Here, all beings live under the Shadow of the seraphim, free from earthly attachments and grudges.]
"So, I won't feel any of the emotions I had before?" Rico asked.
[Correct. You are free from those burdens now.]
[Do not worry about earthly matters. We will focus on your ascension now.]Ting!
A final chime echoed, and the presence of Luna seemed to fade away.
Rico blinked, realizing that the guiding voice had vanished.
[Guardian mode off.]
Suddenly, two glowing notifications appeared in front of him.
[Main Quest Generated!]
[Side Quest Generated!]
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Eila's fingers snapped, and four scrolls appeared before Rico, each one floating and slowly unfurling, their text glowing with divine light.A system chime echoed in his mind, mirroring the options displayed on the scrolls.Ting![Main Quest Generated][Description: Choose Your Destiny][Option 1: Archangel Michael's Crusade]Trait: The Holy OneDescription: Holy magic is enhanced, and the wielder gains the ability to summon one of Archangel Michael's swords. Weaker opponents perish in its presence, while equal beings are greatly weakened and stronger beings are slightly diminished.---[Option 2: Halls of Valhalla]Trait: Warrior of OdinDescription: Favored by the god Odin, any wielder who takes up arms in battle will never lose the will to fight. All stats increase by 1.5x during combat, making them a formidable warrior with Viking resilience.---[Option 3: Mount Olympus]Trait: Favor of the GodsDescription: Blessed by the gods of Olympus, the wielder receives a random blessing f
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Rico stuttered, feeling the weight of Thalor's intimidating presence as he walked to the chair.It felt like sitting before a king, and he instinctively respected the authority the overseer held."I can tell you come from the Heaven of the Righteous Faithful, Tiyaga," Thalor said, his voice steady and commanding."It is rare to find beings from there coming here. Most end up living as ordinary, while those who ascend join Archangel Michael's crusade." Rico listened intently, aware of the significance of his arrival."But I was surprised when you fell here and exhibit the energy from the Heaven of Righteous…" Thalor continued, pausing to study him."And I can sense that you have the blessing of our lord Ares.""So, Tiyaga, I will ask again: What is your purpose here?" Thalor's question hung in the air, and Rico felt the pressure mounting. "Huh?" Rico thought, deep in reflection.It dawned on him that he didn't have a purpose for being in Helikon; it all felt like a whirlwind of emoti
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Placing his hand on the stone, he envisioned the kampilan—a traditional Filipino weapon.Divine energy surged from his hand, wrapping around the ore as it began to shift and solidify, transforming into the weapon he had imagined.As it took form, he spoke with reverence,"I, Tiyaga, behold my weapon before the Creator Elohim and in the name of my Lord Ares. I name you Anito." The weapon shimmered as it fully awakened, a black blade with a lining of silver along its edge.The blade itself bore tiny white spots around the hilt, like stars against the night, and a short rope extended from the hilt, bearing the banner of Ares.Near the hilt, in delicate engraving, was the mark of Hephaestus, affirming its divine origin.The sight was mesmerizing—a weapon uniquely his, resonating with power and purpose, crafted through divine will.The weapon solidified in Rico's hand, gleaming with a faint, divine light that pulsed as if alive.Just as he marveled at Anito, a system display flashed befor
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Behind him, his subordinates, synchronized in movement, mirrored him, showing their deference and silently apologizing for their late arrival.The hall held its breath as the commanders nodded approvingly, acknowledging Rico's respectful gesture.The room, still silent, watched the display of respect, surprised by the discipline and unity they radiated.Rico's group had made a powerful entrance, one that would not be forgotten anytime soon.As Rico took his seat, Demetrius's sharp eyes observed him closely, a glimmer of intrigue flickering.Mmh…fascinating. I can still sense the faint residue of Holy Aura around him, he mused silently, his gaze assessing.Another commander across the hall noticed the same and exchanged a confirming nod with Demetrius,both struck by the rarity of what they were witnessing.For a novice-ranked warrior to wield Holy Aura was unheard of—it was a privilege reserved for high-ranking beings.Few possessed the strength and mastery to channel it, and for Rico
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Huff! Huff! Huff!The air was thick with the sound of heavy breathing, each member of Rico's squad gasping as they braced themselves against the relentless training.Hours had passed with no breaks, pushing each of them to the brink as Rico, now armed with his Holy Aura, had sparred them into exhaustion.Despite his rank of Warrior (Novice), Rico's strength far surpassed his title, and it showed.He stood amidst his battered, bruised subordinates, grinning as he took in the sight before him.The training uniforms on most of them were torn, ripped at the seams or stained with dirt and sweat.Some even bore visible bruises, reminders of the blows they'd taken.They looked like they had just returned from a real battle—but this was only sparring.Rico had found something profound here.He had been bullied on Earth, labeled a loser, but here, he felt respected, valued, and at peace—a priceless feeling.His memories might remind him of his past life, but the present offered something great
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A ding echoed in Rico's mind as his abilities settled into place.With his senses heightened by Battlefield Awareness, Rico watched as his subordinates hesitated before charging at him.He shifted into his stance, focusing on his Dance of the Evasive Wind and moving with fluid precision,sidestepping each strike with graceful, measured footwork.His reflexes felt sharp as he ducked a blow from Leonidas, spinning to deflect a kick from Callista with his arm, his grin never wavering."Come on! Is that all?" he taunted.Theron attempted a bold swing toward him, but Rico activated his Shield of Fortitude, absorbing the impact with ease.The divine energy around him seemed to pulse as the shield dissipated the blow, leaving him unfazed."Not bad, but let's see how you handle this."Rico's expression shifted to one of fierce determination as he activated Wrathful Strike Series,channeling his divine energy into a powerful attack, deliberately slowing his strike to test their reactions.His
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[Skill Acquisition Complete]New Active Skill: Divine Power GatheringDescription: A concentration technique that allows Rico to draw in divine energy from his surroundings, replenishing his reserves. When used in combat, it allows him to regain strength and infuse attacks or defenses with extra divine power, enhancing their potency.Effects: +25% Energy Recovery Rate during use, minor defensive boost while gathering.New Passive Skill: Divine ReservoirDescription: Enables Rico to store larger amounts of divine energy within his body, which can be accessed at any time, even if he is fatigued or low on stamina.Effects: +30% Maximum Divine Energy Capacity, improved endurance under divine-powered abilities.Attribute Boost:Divine energy: +30Endurance: +8As the information from Divine Power Harnessing settled within him, Rico could feel the steady, calming pulse of divine energy humming through his veins.It was as if he had tapped into a wellspring of strength, one that was now his
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Every time he flipped a page, Luna absorbed the details, feeding him each technique and movement with startling clarity.It wasn't just reading;it was as if the techniques were becoming an extension of himself, directly embedded into his muscle and mind.As he continued through The Wrathful Strike of Ares, he saw flashes of explosive power in his mind's eye.The techniques weren't just single strikes but a series of devastating, controlled bursts.Every move combined raw strength with the momentum of follow-throughs,Creating a rhythm of explosive energy that could break through even the toughest defenses.Finally, after several minutes, he reached the last page of the manual, and a familiar Ding! sounded in his mind.A system notification appeared before him:[Skill Acquisition Complete]New Active Skill: Wrathful Strike SeriesDescription: A sequence of explosive, chained attacks infused with divine energy, ideal for overwhelming an opponent and dismantling defenses. The technique
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Meanwhile, Lysander settled back into his seat with a grin, looking quite pleased with himself.His eyes flicked momentarily toward Rico, who caught the glance and understood that a rivalry had just been set into motion.Rico finished his meal with heightened awareness, aware that his days here were about to grow more challenging.With that, the trainees quickly finished their meals and began filing out of the hall, their thoughts filled with both anticipation and a growing sense of rivalry.Returning to their residence, Lycus turned to Rico as they entered their room."Lysander is after you. Be careful," he warned.Rico smirked slightly, a spark of excitement lighting his eyes."I figured as much."Lycus raised an eyebrow. "You seem to be… interested.""Ah, nothing," Rico replied, quickly masking his eagerness.But a hint of a battle-hungry grin betrayed him."Right… nothing," Lycus said, giving him a knowing look.He then gestured toward the manuals piled on Rico's table."So, which
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Everyone turned their attention to the feast before them, and Rico quickly picked up on the ritual,finding himself already integrated into the customs with the help of his Wisdom of the Worlds.Demetrius sat at the head table, glancing over at Rico with a look of intrigued appraisal."So he's a commander, huh?" Demetrius thought, noting the young ascender's nervousness as he took his first bites.He could tell this was all new to him.Rico, on the other hand, was overwhelmed with satisfaction as he dug in, savoring each flavor."Wow, I've never tasted anything like this… it's so satisfying!" he thought, barely able to contain his excitement.Just as the meal was drawing to a close, the large double doors at the entrance began to open slowly, creaking with the weight of their grandeur.Everyone looked up in unison as a powerful figure entered.Flanked by two guards who seemed even more imposing than Demetrius, the Overseer of Helikon, Thalor, strode into the hall.Rico's breath caught
