Reincarnated Jester: Taming Players

"Which one should I study first?" Jung teased as if it were a dilemma. Choosing one meager skill or evolution for the system was the easiest choice in his life.

The system decided not to voice her opinion.

"Okay, tell me what I need to do. Is it already in the inventory?" Jung asked as he felt her agitated emotions.

[Correct. Once you are in range, any items you gather will automatically be stored there,] the system explained for the first time and continued. [It's just a pill you need to swallow.]

"What's up with pills in this world? Why is everything stored there?" Jung asked in surprise.

[Maskera, this world decided that way. It's easier that way to store energy. But enough of your questions—do what I told you,] her anticipation was off the charts.

"I got it, geez," Jung commented, searching through his items.

There were two new pills in his inventory, one for the mutation skill and one for the system. "I think I found it."

After saying that, he took out the pill and examined it. It was beyond his expectations, with a blue hue and sphere-like shape; it barely looked like a pill. Then he gobbled it down without delay and waited for the effect.

Before he could even tell the change, a system announcement rang in his ear.

««Archetype System V3.0»»

«Rewards: Unknown; Unknown; Bonus skill; Finding yourself.

Nero had to wait a long time because Jung was taking his sweet time. Right after skimming through his status window, he looked at the sky.

It was a high ceiling in this case, but the point was to think. Wasting time in meaningless thoughts didn't fit him. So, he brought his vision back to the floating screen and said, "Let me get things straight."

Before he could even start, the system spoke her mind. [Go ahead; I am waiting. Do you, by any chance, like your last quest?] Her formerly indifferent attitude faded.

"I have to create an original archetype? But how?" Jung asked, not caring about her transformed voice.

[Yes, you have to do it. Why? You aren't confident? After experiencing all this life, don't you think you can pull this off?] Her words carried meaning—encouragement for him to rise in power.

None of that mattered to Jung. "AHAHAHAHAHA!" His hands were on his face, but they couldn't stop his amusement. "Damn, I love this shit." He was trembling with excitement; it felt like he had opened a completely new world.

"How come I've never thought of that?" Jung blamed his narrow mindset. "At least we have an obvious goal," he spoke as if his quest was crystal clear. There were too many uncertainties—no start, no direction, only the finish line.

But it was something he wanted to do. Someone who reincarnated 12 times shouldn't be content with average archetypes, no matter how many he could get. Creating something never seen before would be a great ultimate goal on his path to transcendence.

And he was the only one who could do it.

Joyfully, he looked at the cat. Questions filled his head; however, he didn't want to ask them. He would uncover everything step by step and knew that the system wouldn't help him—at least not any more than that.

Nero's impatient mood was adorable, but he had one more pill to absorb. While combining mutated pills to create a skill, he questioned personal matters. "Version 3.0. Great progress, but what are the changes?"

[There are no changes,] she said with no particular emotion.

"What do you mean? You evolved, right?" Jung asked again.

[I am more of myself than I was before,] now her tone carried sentiment. She didn't even try to hide it. [But I have a long way to go, just like you.]

"Tell me more," Jung said, holding the completed pill in his hand.

The system could read his genuine reaction, so she spoke. [I still don't have my memories and don't know the true purpose of my mission.] She hesitated but said regardless. [I have to observe you just to help myself.]

"You can do that," Jung expressed his honesty. "You helped me more than once, and you are still helping me. If you have to just observe me, go ahead. I have no qualms about that. Only be careful not to fall for me. Just so you know, I am taken."

Yes, he still included humorous remarks, but his words touched her. He could tell this with his entire body.

Even a soft laugh could be heard. [I am aware. I have seen your dreams.] Now it was her time to be mischievous.

"What do you mean? What dreams?" Jung wanted to argue until Nero hopped on his shoulders and said,

"Just swallow that stupid pill and let's get the hell out of here." Not only was she tired of watching Jung constantly talking to himself, but this dungeon was getting on her nerves as well.

"My bad, off we go," he said, dashing out of the room and eating the pill.

[Mutation skill obtained.]

-You can mutate yourself based on your environment and the enemy you are facing. This means changing your body to better adapt to any situation.

(Warning: Shifting is instantaneous and brings immense pain. Staying in mutated form is not advised.)

"What is this progress? What are the requirements? Benefits?" Jung tried to snuff out some information, but his attempts were futile.

'This is the longest description of the skill,' he thought and headed the way he came from. 'And there is no archetype assigned to it.'

He smiled, knowing this was the starting point for him to create a fresh archetype. Just as this strange duo was about to leave the dungeon to meet the waiting players, he heard another system notification.

[One god is thankful for your service.]

[But another god is itching to eat you alive.]