I Die to Rise: Resurrection System-Chapter 70: Final Prep!
Lizzie slipped out of Cassandra’s room first, her hair still messy, a satisfied grin plastered across her face as she skipped down the hallway, not bothering to hide where she’d been.
Two minutes later, Kurt cracked the door open, peeked both ways down the corridor, and stepped out.
He straightened his coat, running a hand through his disheveled hair, and reached into his pocket for his cigarettes.
Just when he was about to pull one out, a notification chimed in his vision, bright blue text reminding him that a day had gone by. One whole day without rest, dedicated to prepping.
[EMERGENCY QUEST COMPLETE: Survive Reaper Encounter for 24 Hours]
[Reward: +25 Points]
[Available Points: 70]
Kurt stared at the notification for a moment, then dismissed it with a thought. Seventy points. That was more than he’d ever had at once, and if there was ever a time to spend them, it was now.
"Right then," he muttered. "Best time as any."
He glanced left and right, confirming the hallway was empty, then ducked into the nearest bathroom. The door clicked shut behind him, and he locked it for good measure.
He sat on the closed toilet lid, pulled up his full interface, and focused on the section containing his abilities. The list materialized before him, glowing faintly in the dim bathroom light.
[CURRENT ABILITIES]
[Kinetic Absorption - E Rank] - Absorb and redirect kinetic energy (→ D: 10 points)
[Gas Lord - C Rank] - Generate and control gases (LOCKED - Requires Attribute Increase)
[Pain Resistance - F Rank] - Reduce pain sensation (→ E: 5 points)
[Fire Lord - C Rank] - Manipulate flames (LOCKED - Requires Attribute Increase)
[Osteokinesis - D Rank] - Control structure and density of bones (→ C: 15 points)
[Prehensile Tongue - F Rank] - Extend tongue up to 15 feet with enhanced strength (→ E: 5 points)
[Kinetic Charge - D Rank] - Imbue objects with kinetic energy; detonate on impact (→ C: 15 points)
[Essence Drain - F Rank] - Absorb small amounts of Essence from living targets (→ E: 5 points)
[Predator - D Rank] - Enhanced claws, jaw, and senses (→ C: 15 points)
[Teleport - D Rank] - Teleportation across one city block distance (→ C: 15 points)
[Toxin Tide - F Rank] - Generate and neutralize toxins (→ E: 5 points)
[Photokinesis - F Rank] - Generate and manipulate light (→ E: 5 points)
[Strength Aura - E Rank] - Emit aura that increases physical strength and endurance (→ D: 10 points)
[Swindler - F Rank] - Steal physical, tangible objects (→ E: 5 points)
Kurt rubbed his jaw, thinking. The System had made it clear earlier, he couldn’t upgrade Fire Lord or Gas Lord past C-rank until his physical stats matched those of a C-rank hunter. Whatever the hell that meant.
So the goal was simple: upgrade the abilities he used most. The ones that would keep him alive when the Reaper came knocking.
He started with Kinetic Charge, mentally controlling the interface as he selected the upgrade button.
[UPGRADE CONFIRMED]
[Kinetic Charge → Kinetic Overdrive: C-Rank]
[Notice: Kinetic Charge has evolved Kinetic Overdrive]
[Cost: 15 Points]
[Available Points: 55]
[New Description: Kinetic energy can now be applied directly to the host’s body, enhancing physical speed, strength, and reflexes. Can also be charged into objects for detonation on impact]
Kurt felt it immediately, a faint hum beneath his skin, like his muscles were coiled springs waiting to be released. He clenched his fist experimentally, and for a split second, his hand turned deep orange before returning back to normal.
"Interesting," he muttered to himself. With this, he’d be able to do more than charge objects. Kurt would be able to generate explosions from his body and amplify his physical strikes and movements through them.
He stared at the next ability: Teleport, and upgraded.
[UPGRADE CONFIRMED]
[Teleport → Warp King: C-Rank]
[Notice: Teleport has evolved to Warp]
[Cost: 15 Points]
[Available Points: 40]
[New Description: Teleportation range increased to multi-city distance. Host can now teleport other people and objects from a distance without direct contact]
Kurt’s grin widened. No more needing to touch someone to bring them along. He could yank enemies into traps or pull allies out of danger.
"Now we’re talking." He moved on to the next, Predator, and upgraded that as well.
[UPGRADE CONFIRMED]
[Predator → Apex Predator: C-Rank]
[Notice: Predator has evolved to Apex Predator]
[Cost: 15 Points]
[Available Points: 25]
New Description: Enhanced senses now rival apex predators. Host gains wolf-like traits—improved night vision, heightened hearing, tracking via scent. Claws and jaw strength doubled.
Kurt’s fingers twitched, and he felt his nails sharpen slightly, retracting just as quickly. His hearing sharpened too, he could hear Rook’s footsteps two rooms away, the faint hum of the refrigerator downstairs, even Lizzie’s humming from somewhere in the apartment.
He had 25 points left, meaning he could only upgrade one more ability to C Rank. What was it going to be?
Kurt pondered between Strength Aura or Osteokinesis and settled on the latter. It just seemed like the better choice, offering him more versatility.
[UPGRADE CONFIRMED]
[Osteokinesis → Bone King: C-Rank]
[Cost: 15 Points]
[Available Points: 10]
[New Description: Better mastery over bone structure and density. Host can reshape bones into complex constructs. Bone regeneration accelerated]
Kurt flexed his arm, and beneath the skin, he felt his bones shift subtly, testing their new flexibility. He could already picture it... the terrifying shit he’d do with it, like use his spinal column as a spiked whip. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
He had ten points left. Not enough for another C-rank upgrade, but enough for two E-ranks. Kurt glanced at Prehensile Tongue and a devilish grin tugged on his lips. "Fun memories."
Kurt upgraded prehensile tongue then chose randomly on his next choice. And as fate would have it, it landed on Swindler, his decision was made.
[UPGRADE CONFIRMED]
[Prehensile Tongue: E-Rank]
[Cost: 5 Points]
[Available Points: 5]
[New Description: Tongue can now extend up to 30 feet. Enhanced control, strength, and precision. Can be used to manipulate objects or disarm opponents]
[UPGRADE CONFIRMED]
[Swindler: E-Rank]
[Cost: 5 Points]
[Available Points: 0]
[New Description: Can now steal objects from targets within line of sight without physical contact. Weight limit increased]
Kurt leaned back, exhaling slowly. His entire body felt different. He felt sharper, faster, more capable. Like he’d been operating at half-capacity before and someone had finally flipped the switch.
He glanced at his physical stats out of curiosity.
[Strength: 43]
[Agility: 44]
[Perception: 43]
[Luck: 35]
Apparently, it still wasn’t enough to unlock the upgrade for his C rank techniques. He’d probably need to push past 60 in each stat to reach true C-rank status. But that was a problem for later.
"I’ll be damned if I don’t go down fighting," he muttered to himself.
He stood, unlocked the bathroom door, and stepped into the hallway, only to nearly collide with Rook.
Rook’s expression was both calm and serious. "I hope you’re prepared, because in a few hours, we’re doing something incredibly reckless."
Kurt grinned, lighting the cigarette he’d been reaching for earlier. "Isn’t that what we always do?"
"Fair point." Rook shook his head, almost smiling.
He turned and raised his voice, addressing the scattered guild members. "Everyone! It’s high time we get some shut-eye! We’ll need all the strength we have in a few hours!"
The announcement was met with tired nods and murmured agreements. People began drifting toward couches, spare bedrooms, even the floor, anywhere they could catch a few hours of rest before the storm.
But Kurt didn’t sleep, he couldn’t sleep.
He sat in the living room, cigarette smoke curling around him as he stared at the countdown in his vision.
[REAPER BANISHMENT DURATION REMAINING: 04:47:22]
***
Four hours later, they stood in the barn.
The sigils were drawn. The blood was in place. The trap was set.
Kurt stood firmly at the center, surrounded by his guild, each member poised for what was to come. Nearby, Emma leaned casually against a support beam, her gaze steady as she surveyed the room.
Not far from the entrance, Cassandra’s hand rested on the hilt of her blade, eyes laser-focused like Emma’s. Unlike Emma, though, Cassandra wore a grin... she was looking forward to this.
Lzzie sat next to Sam, her hands already itching to slam into a banishment sigil should things go wrong. Sam just sat quietly on a crate, pale but determined, and in the shadows, Zaza simply lingered.
Beside Kurt, Rook stood with arms crossed, a silent pillar of strength. Everyone was present. Everyone was ready.
Kurt’s fingers hovered over the countdown display, pulling it up one last time as the numbers blinked steadily.
[REAPER BANISHMENT DURATION REMAINING: 00:00:05]
[00:00:05]
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
[00:00:04]
Emma’s hand tightened into a fist.
[00:00:03]
Cassandra’s grin widened, already slowly unsheathing her blade.
[00:00:02]
Lizzie held her breath.
[00:00:01]
The air split open with a sound like tearing fabric, and a Reaper stepped through.
