Chapter 1: The Reborn God
In the heart of a raging sea storm, a small boat rocked violently in the waves. Sitting on it was a boy who looked around fifteen or sixteen years old. With sharp features, jet-black hair, striking blue eyes, and standing nearly six feet tall, this was Muugen — reborn into a new world.
He had just stepped into this second life, yet death already loomed over him. As he struggled to process the surreal danger, a cold, mechanical voice echoed within his mind.
[System successfully loaded.]
[Welcome to the Template System, Host.]
Though stunned and confused, Muugen felt a spark of hope — perhaps this mysterious "system" was his only chance. He quickly pieced it together:
"This is a lottery system. You draw a character and gain their abilities. The price… must be the local currency of this world."
[The host's deduction is correct.]
"System, do I have a way out of this situation?"
As soon as he thought it, a familiar chime echoed in his head — Ding!
[You have received one Gold-tier Draw Ticket.]
Wasting no time, he activated it. Countless golden lights spun in a storm of brilliance until a single card stopped before him. As his hand touched it, the card merged into his body like it belonged there. Slowly, his body began to change.
[Congratulations, Host. You have received the Gold-tier — Orochi Card.]
That name hit him like lightning. Orochi — the final boss from The King of Fighters, the god of nothingness, a being of multiversal power.
It wasn't just any character. Orochi represented cosmic scale destruction and divine wrath. Muugen couldn't help but feel thrilled — and also a little frustrated. He wasn't powerful enough to use it fully… not yet. But deep inside, he knew: one day, he'd reach that level.
For now, he had to survive.
Muugen attempted to activate Orochi's iconic ability, Morokare, but nothing happened. Confused, he asked the system:
"System, why didn't it work?"
[The host has not yet unlocked the Orochi card's full potential.]
That same cold, neutral voice returned.
"Then what powers do I have access to right now?"
[The host may currently use: Flight, and Energy Shot.]
Those were enough. He activated flight — and his body lifted off the boat, rising gently into the stormy air. His clothes fluttered in the wind as if he were born for this. It felt natural, like flying was a part of him.
High above the ocean, a small island came into view. Muugen flew toward it swiftly. He landed just as the storm began to fade.
"Amazing… but flying burns energy fast. I was lucky to find land. If I hadn't, I probably would've gone down in history as the most unlucky reincarnate ever."
He stripped off his damp clothes and laid them by a fire to dry. Using an energy shot, he expertly hit a fish and began roasting it. As the flames crackled, he tried checking his system again.
Thinking the word "system", a soft Ding! rang out again. A glowing blue interface appeared before his eyes:
[NAME: Muugen]
[AGE: 16]
[ABILITIES: Flight, Energy Shot]
[CURRENT MIMIC: Orochi]
(Title: God of Nothingness, Will of the World)
[Progress: 1%]
[Abilities: (Unlocked)]
[Beli: 0]
Muugen took a deep breath and bit into the fish roasting over the fire. The salt, the smoke, the stillness of the island — everything reminded him that this world was very much alive.
"I'm safe… for now. But this peace won't last."
He glanced at his system panel again.
[Progress: 1%]
Too low. Still, it was a start. He needed more abilities. More beli. More information.
He stood and scanned the surroundings of the island. Nothing unusual in sight, but the air felt… off — as if something, or someone, was watching him. A presence he couldn't see, but could feel crawling under his skin.
"If Orochi's power can be sensed in this world, then someone must have noticed it already."
Extending his arm, he began gathering energy into a glowing shot. Suddenly, words flickered into view before him.
[System Alert: Host is being targeted by an unidentified force.]
Without hesitation, Muugen activated his flight and soared to the tallest cliff on the island. As he gazed into the distant sea, he spotted something approaching — something massive. At first glance, it looked like a warship… but something about it radiated far greater danger.