Chapter 8: The Reaper's Origin Order

Odin's mental faculties gradually recovered after what seemed like a long time. His eyelids fluttered open, only to discover that he was still lying on a hospital bed. The lighting in the room was quite dim. However, it was enough for him to make out the silhouette of his adoptive mother, who had dozed off while propped up in a chair by his bedside. His little sister and Nicole were no longer in the room. They'd probably gone back home to rest since it was already nighttime.

"What happened?" He wondered, slowly recalling the last moments he'd experienced before descending into a coma. He'd been conversing with his adoptive mother when a splitting headache assaulted his senses. But just as his consciousness was turning blurry, he'd caught a glimpse of a red crystal-like display manifesting before him. It had seemed both real and unreal, filling up his entire vision just before he lost consciousness and slipped into darkness.

"Weren't the words - Reaper's Origin Order inscribed on the crystal-like display? Could it be the killing order promised by the golden book entity?"

No sooner had he mumbled the words than glowing lines of dark red text manifested before his eyes.

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[Reaper's Origin Order Activated Successfully]

[Virtual Interface to ease communication between the Order and the host activated]

[The host can now explore the functions of the Reaper's Origin Order through the interface]

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"Virtual interface!" Odin exclaimed while still looking at the glowing text before his eyes. When the golden book entity had mentioned the killing order, he'd pictured it being in the form of a mysterious treasure, such as a weapon or, maybe, a strange kind of token, to support his evolution through slaying his enemies. He had not imagined that it would instead be in the form of a game-like interface.

"If it's in the form of a game interface, does that mean I can also view my stats?"

As soon as Odin thought of the word stats, the glowing rows of text before his eyes disappeared. Before he could blink, new lines of dark red text started filling up his vision once again.

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Host: Odin McGill

Race: Human

Evolutionary Level: 0

Total Origin Points: 0/10

Attributes: Strength 0.9, Dexterity 0.7, Physique 0.9, Spirit 1.8

Meta-Powers: None

Learned Killing Arts and Related Skills: None

Unassigned Attribute Points: 2

Unassigned Skill Points: 2

Genetic Energy Life-Level: Type-0 (Ordinary Mortal)

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Pending Missions: F-Grade Mission -> Kill ten Type-0 creatures within the next twenty-four hours to commence your evolution through killing (This is a compulsory mission: Failure means that the host isn't ready to become the master of the Reaper's Origin Order)

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"Kill ten creatures within twenty-four hours!?"

Odin was quite startled after perusing through the contents of the virtual interface. For a moment, he couldn't stomach the fact that the Reaper's Origin Order was assigning him a mission to kill ten creatures even before the start of the apocalypse. How was he to complete such a mission, especially when most animals were under the protection of the law?

Odin's brows creased together into a frown as he read through the mission content again. It was then he noticed that there weren't any limitations to the "type-0" creatures he'd to kill. If the type-0 creatures were just ordinary beings, then killing ten insects of whatever species would, without a doubt, allow him to complete the mission. Then he would be able to have a head start on the path of evolution, even before the apocalyptic age could descend.

"What's with the two unassigned attribute and skill points?" Odin wondered as he pushed the matter of the mission to the back of his mind. "Since the Order is like a game, doesn't that mean I can raise my attributes and skills using these unassigned points?"

Odin didn't bother to find out from where the unassigned points had originated. Instead, he decided to test out their use by attempting to assign them to one of his attributes through a mental command to the Origin Order.

"Assign one attribute point to Physique."

No sooner had he given the command than he felt a slight warmth spreading through his entire body. Before long, he started feeling extremely comfortable, with a sensation of fullness washing over all his systems. His body seemed to have endless strength at that moment, giving him a belief that he could punch through a wall. However, after a few more seconds, the weird feeling slowly subsided, and his body returned to its normal state.

"Did my physique really improve?"

Odin hurriedly cast his gaze onto the interface before his eyes. His physique stat had already increased from 0.9 to 1.9, while his unassigned attribute points had reduced from 2 to 1. It seemed like assigning attribute points could really improve the condition of his body.

Odin could hardly contain his excitement. If the Origin Order functioned like a game, leveling up beyond a certain level would award him some attribute points. He could then utilize those unassigned points to make his body stronger. In a short time, he would grow powerful and have a chance of protecting his loved ones from the dangers of the apocalypse.

"Odin, you're awake!"

Suddenly, he heard Aunt Lucy exclaim. He hurriedly dismissed the interface using a mental command before inclining his head to face the lady who'd looked after him for the past twelve years.

"Are you now feeling any better?" She asked, placing her palm on his forehead. "Do you feel pain anywhere?"

"I'm fine, Aunt Lucy," Odin replied with a smile. "I promise that I'll no longer make you worry."

A smile of relief lit up Lucy's face. "For a moment, you had us worried. But when the doctors checked your vitals and put you through more imaging tests, they found that there wasn't anything wrong with you."

"Oh!" Odin said, glancing around. "How long have I been here, and where is this?"

"We're in a private ward of the Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital," She replied. "You've been admitted here for a total of three days. Tomorrow would be the fourth day."

"That long!" Odin exclaimed.

Aunt Lucy nodded. "Are you sure that you are now fine? Maybe, we should call the doctor to take a look at you since you've just woken up."

"There's no need," Odin replied, his tone unwavering. "It'll just be a wastage of resources and more time which I could utilize to accomplish more important things."

"Don't say that, Odin. Your health is more important than money or anything else you want to do."

"Aunt Lucy!" Odin's tone suddenly turned very solemn as he inclined his head slightly to lock eyes with his adoptive mother.

"Yes, Odin! What is it?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes, of course," Aunt Lucy replied, her tone growing a bit agitated. "How can you even ask that? We've been through a lot over the past twelve years."

"Then, please listen to me," Odin said, still holding her gaze. "I know what I'm about to say might sound crazy, but it's the truth. Did you hear about the story of how we were attacked by wolves when we were still in Yellowstone?"

"Yes." Aunt Lucy nodded. "I heard the story from Nicole and confirmed it through the news. I hear five of your colleagues plus two rangers lost their lives after being assaulted by several wolves in the park. It's really a blessing that you're still alive after facing such a calamity."

"Seven people died!" Odin exclaimed.

"Yes."

"Do you know the people that survived?"

"No," Aunt Lucy said. "I've been here in the hospital with you for three days. So, I'm not exactly up to date with the current news."

Odin sighed. "As I already said, what I'm about to disclose might sound crazy. However, it's the truth. Are you aware that the wolf that attacked us was abnormally huge? To be specific, it was the size of an elephant and quite ferocious."

"Yes," Aunt Lucy replied. "Nicole described the story of the wolf so vividly. I also heard about the mutations in the wild animals from Nicole's uncle."

"Then, that makes my job easy," Odin said, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "The attacks of mutated animals on humans in the national parks are just the start. The ecology of Earth is about to experience a considerable change, and more ferocious animals and diseases will soon appear. If we don't prepare for the change, we might soon perish."

"Oh!" Aunt Lucy said, seeming not convinced. "Why are you saying such things, Odin? Are you sure you're okay? You are a scientist. You know that a few mutated animals won't mean the world's end."

"Aunt Lucy, just trust me," Odin pleaded. "I know this might sound crazy, but I have seen the future. That's why I was in a coma. Very soon, an apocalypse will descend upon this world."

"You've seen the future?" Aunt Lucy placed a palm on Odin's head again, probably to check if he was okay.

"Yes, I have," Odin affirmed before going ahead to narrate some of the details of the apocalypse. He talked about the evolution of man-eating zombies and how the beasts would grow powerful enough to threaten human civilization. However, at the end of it all, he realized that his efforts to convince her were futile.

As an educated woman who was also an experienced engineer, she couldn't allow herself to believe that a group of beasts could overpower the technology of humans. According to her, the whole notion of such an apocalyptic event ending Earth's civilization within less than four years was simply crazy.

"You know what, Aunt Lucy," Odin said with a sigh after she had given her stand regarding the apocalypse. "Let's forget all about the apocalypse for now. Is it possible to help me with some money tomorrow? There are a few things I wish to do."

"Oh!" Aunt Lucy said, smiling. "Now that's the Odin I know. How much do you need?"

"30,000 dollars."

"What?" Aunt Lucy gasped in shock. "Why would you need all that money? Are you kidding me?"