The Author's POV Chapter 2: Ive reincarnated inside of my novel [1]

Numerous questions flooded my thoughts as I stared blankly at the hovering screen before me.

Ren Dover?

Who is that?

From what I recall, my name was… hmm?

What's my name?

Propping myself up in bed, a vacant expression crossed my face as I gazed dazedly at the window to my left.

Jet black hair

Pale white skin

Blue ocean-like eyes

The image reflected in the window wasn't my face—it was that of a total stranger.

The features were somewhat appealing, but not the sort to make anyone shout, 'He's so handsome!'

Apart from the eyes, it was an ordinary face, one easily forgotten after a few days.

Regarding the body, this new frame was quite lean, showing some muscle tone but needing more bulk.

Yet this wasn't my body at all… I was supposed to be overweight. Still, staring at the window's reflection, I couldn't deny I controlled it, since every touch to my face mirrored the youth doing the same.

Perched on the bed's edge, I eyed my slim legs—unseen since high school—and rose to my feet.

"guh…"

I staggered a few steps, a sharp pain surging through my head, triggering an intense migraine and dizzying vertigo.

Agonizing pain—worse than anything I'd known—overwhelmed me entirely as I pressed my hand against the wall for support.

"Huff…huff…"

What felt like hours flew by in mere seconds, and the torment gradually faded, leaving me sprawled on the floor, gasping desperately for breath.

Only after ten minutes could I finally rise again.

Surveying the room, I saw a plainly furnished space with essentials: a crisp white bed, a broad old wooden desk, a tall wardrobe, and a compact bathroom.

While scanning the area, my gaze landed on a peculiar tablet-like device atop the desk.

Craving answers, I hurried to the desk and the device, hoping it would reveal what was happening.

As I moved, an odd feeling prickled my mind, like a disconnect in my motions.

Initially, I figured it stemmed from suddenly slimming down, but more than adjusting to the changed physique, it felt like unfamiliarity with this body altogether.

It resembled a delay in my actions, though as I kept moving, the lag steadily vanished.

I couldn't say why, but perhaps my soul hadn't fully adapted to this new form?

Putting that aside, one crucial matter demanded verification. I suspected what occurred, but confirmation was needed—and the desk tablet seemed perfect.

Reaching the tablet, I cautiously tapped its surface, and then…

-Wham!

Holographic data popped up one by one in front of me, startling me greatly.

Composing myself, I examined the displayed information.

=======

User ID : Ren Dover

Age : 16

Picture : (Holographic image of myself)

Program : Hero program Year 1

School Rank : 1750/2055

Potential : D rank

Profession : Swordsman

======

"I see"

Gazing at the details in a stupor, I uttered a wry chuckle.

"It seems that I reincarnated into my own novel, and as a random character that had nothing to do with the story to boot"

Not the protagonist, but an utterly obscure mob.

As the author, I should know every character in the novel, but who on earth was Ren Dover?

I never created such a character.

Given the circumstances, I ought to stop viewing this world as mere fiction, since I was now alive and navigating what appeared to be my novel's storyline.

If you're wondering why I stayed so composed here, it's straightforward.

I despised my old life.

In my final breath, I realized death didn't faze me.

During those last instants, my sole thought was, 'What a shame to go out like this.'

I'm not sure when it happened, but I had long surrendered to life. Strangely, fate granted me another shot—as a figure in my own incomplete novel, no less. Though it stings not being the protagonist.

That was completely false, actually.

Who'd want to be the protagonist?

Me?

Ha? You must be insane?

Why would I choose to be some righteousness-obsessed idiot drawing peril everywhere? I just gained a fresh start— no way I'd squander it. I'm not that foolish.

Though envy stirs within me for his future harem—after all, I crafted them into stunning beauties—who gives a damn! I remained a virgin across all 32 years of my existence, so extending that streak a touch longer won't sting at all.

Brushing my virginity concerns to the side, this realm features magic and skills!

No way in hell would I waste moments flirting with girls when I could pour that time into mastering magic! I can already envision unleashing massive fireballs. The very idea forces a wide grin onto my face.

How could excitement not surge through me? Hailing from a world devoid of magic, now that it's within my grasp, I'm absolutely determined to master it!

"But hold on……"

Given that they rated my potential at D rank, it signals my talent ranks low to medium at most.

No chance of surviving the third cataclysm with such meager talent.

Resting my hand on my chin, I dove straight into plotting my path ahead.

"Sure, my talent lags behind others in the Lock, but factoring in how D rank potential draws huge demand from other academies, I could thrive comfortably post-graduation from the Lock…"

"Yet, grabbing the [seed of limit] would let me shatter my limit forever…but that impacts the protagonist…"

"Wait, with his talent already pegged at SSS, snagging it myself shouldn't cause issues, right?"

Hmm, it just hit me—I built a complete cheat protagonist, didn't I?

Aside from the [Seed of limit], I granted him top-tier talent plus the finest gear. Isn't that overly biased?

Being inside the novel now, I get why readers griped about the protagonist's overwhelming power.

"Hmmm, yeah, time to tweak the protagonist's balance."

Not at all a flimsy justification I conjured to claim some gear for myself……

Slipping on my shoes and snatching the room keys from the apartment entrance, I stepped out.

"Even without the [seed of limit] for the protagonist, his other cheat treasures will let him surpass limits anyway, so it's okay if I claim it."

Right from my reincarnation moment, I vowed to live life on my terms.

To hell with 'Efforts never betray'.

Success demands cheats like mine—knowing future twists and cheat item spots.

…

Stepping beyond the Lock, a soothing breeze swept over me.

"Fuuu…so invigorating!"

Extending my arms in a stretch, I made for the train station.

With the academy kicking off in a week, I must seize every chance to boost my stats in that span. At this stage, the MC hovered at rank E nearing D—vastly superior to my rank G. Thus, I'll maximize this week to narrow the gap with the protagonist somewhat.

My top goal now: secure the [Seed of limit]. Eliminating my cap will propel me to loftier peaks and accelerate training. The nearer you edge to your limit, the sluggish training turns. That's why superior potential fuels swifter progress.

To locate the [Seed of limit], I need to venture to Clayton Ridge on Ashton city's outskirts—Ashton being my current home, humanity's capital.

Post-first cataclysm, the world map transformed utterly. Earth once sprawled as vast oceans dotted with continents like Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania. Yet the cataclysm fused them into one massive landmass.

Then came the second cataclysm, shrinking human lands progressively until equilibrium hit: 3/8 demons, 3/8 fantasia, 2/8 humanity.

Humanity holds the east of this new continent, overlapping old Asia. Fresh cities and structures rose, with five shining brightest: Conviction city, Dromeda city, Lewington city, Park city, and Ashton city, humanity's heart.

Why do these cities matter so much? They form humanity's final bulwark.

Every city guards human borders against demon incursions and threats from rival races.

At the northernmost frontier of human lands, Conviction City shields humanity from the looming menace of the orcs—a race fueled by endless war. Brutus, the orc chieftain, inspires sheer dread, dubbed the 'one-man general' amid the chaos of battle. His savage prowess shocks all who witness it, leaving them dumbfounded by his ruthless might.

Dromeda City guards the western flank, perched right between demon realms and elven woods. Thankfully, elves steer clear of conflict unlike the bloodthirsty orcs, making demons the prime threat. Yet even without elven involvement in the fray, the demons' terrifying power drives Dromeda to the brink of despair.

Lewington City defends the southern reaches of human domain against invading demons from below. Much like Dromeda, it suffers nonstop demonic raids, though its peril dwarfs that of its counterpart in sheer intensity.

Sharing a border with elven lands, Dromeda forces demons to divide their armies, wary of sudden elven strikes, which lightens the load during human-demon clashes.

Lewington's plight, however, plunged far deeper into catastrophe. No elves, orcs, or dwarves lurked nearby. Without rival factions to split demonic might, every invasion slammed the city with undivided demonic fury, devouring massive resources year after year.

Park City lay to the east, standing apart from the others by facing the vast ocean head-on… compelled to battle horrifying sea beasts.

Following the second cataclysm's mana explosion from other dimensions, beasts across the land went berserk. They first appeared utterly deranged, but within days, horrifying transformations emerged. Towering sizes and insatiable bloodlust defined them. That fluffy pet dog from moments before could become a ravenous monster devouring you alive. Fortunately, their lack of cunning kept them manageable—if you simply stayed clear.

Finally, Ashton City pulsed as humanity's core. The ultimate bulwark against all invaders, the safest stronghold housing the Lock. Renowned as the pinnacle of training academies, it forged legendary heroes destined to spearhead Earth's reconquest.

The Lock sprawled across countless kilometers, packed with cutting-edge training gear. It offered over 20,000 dorms, 800 practice arenas, 1,000 lecture halls, and 2,000 elite instructors dedicated to student needs.

Lock students reveled in countless perks, including complimentary access to every public transit system—just like my current ride.

"Here's my card"

Handing my student ID to the ticket booth attendant, I eyed the station map.

"Oh? You're a student from the Lock?"

Shooting a surprised glance at my card, the ticket lady straightened and scrutinized me intently.

"Yes"

"Where to?"

"Station 24 near Clayton Ridge, please"

Scanning me from head to toe, the ticket lady flashed a warm smile, then returned my card along with a ticket.

"I see. Have a safe trip!"

"Thank you"

With that, I stepped aboard the air train heading to Clayton Ridge.