Reincarnated in the Same World for the Nth Time

Aquila stared at the words written on the system window.

He had clearly defeated the final boss, but strictly speaking, he had only pierced the Evil God with a spear, and he had never actually taken his power.

He recalled his final battle with the Evil God.

A dark and distorted form.

Death blossomed wherever his footsteps touched.

With just one touch, the marble temple decayed, the plants withered, and humans all became twisted and dried up.

It was an abyss as vast and endless as if it had swallowed all the light.

‘Starting all over again, huh…?’

Aquila cut off his train of thought and sighed.

The past could not be changed. He had painfully realized that through countless repetitions of this cycle, but the regrets still lingered.

Still, he knew all the important items and quests, and he had memorized all the patterns, so he would be able to clear this round more easily than before.

Besides, he had the Blessing of the Sun God this time, so he wouldn’t be easily consumed by the power of darkness.

Aquila looked at his skill window.

If there was anything that bothered him, it was that the blessing of the Sun God was still continuously activated without stopping even though the Curse of Deadly Poison was currently restricted.

‘It might be constantly activating since it was said to be permanent, but if not, it might be an aftereffect of throwing up blood.’

Aquila glanced back at the skill description with an unreadable expression.

【Stolen Divine Power (Minor): Grants partial access to the power of darkness.

— Engraved on the soul. Permanent.】

The Evil God basically wielded the power of darkness, but that was not just simple power of darkness, it was closer to the pure embodiment of malice.

The power that annihilated and consumed everything.

It could create black spheres that sucked in surrounding objects or summon scythes from the shadows.

Even the hidden corners that no one paid attention to were within the Evil God’s field of vision.

He couldn’t even count how many times he had been caught after accidentally stepping into the shadows and having his location revealed.

“Hmm?”

Then, Aquila paused for a moment and rubbed his chin.

To defeat the Evil God, he had used every possible means, so he was familiar with all of its abilities.

One skill, in particular, stood out: .

That power was a search-specialized ability that could scan a specific area while hiding in the shadows.

Since it was the most annoying ability he faced when dealing with the Evil God, it was also the most desirable ability conversely.

‘If I stole the Evil God’s power, then I might be able to imitate that ability as well.’

Although it was only a fragment of the God’s power, and he wouldn’t be able to see the entire world as the Evil God did, it might still be usable within certain limits.

Aquila’s eyes sparkled with interest.

This world was completely different from the reality where he was from, but if he progressed through the main scenario well, it would be no different from a high-degree of freedom open-world game.

In other words, with the right abilities, almost anything was possible.

After all, he had navigated through previous cycles in exactly that manner.

Aquila tapped the letters on the skill window.

Skills that used mana could be used naturally since he had gotten used to mana breathing.

The blessing of the Sun God, which he had received at the same time, was being activated on its own, so he should be able to use the stolen divine power without much difficulty.

“Only one way to find out.”

Aquila calmly closed his eyes with a light heart.

Just like activating a skill, he began to control his breathing slowly and focused on using the stolen divine power.

The room, which was dark because the curtains were drawn, seemed even darker than usual.

And then, at some point—

Ting!

【‘Stolen Divine Power (Minor)’ is activated.】

【Type: Search】

【Specifying search area!】

【…Due to unupdated local data, the range is further limited.】

【Adjusting distance!】

【Vision will move immediately!】

【Beware of motion sickness!】

After several alerts sounded, Aquila suddenly felt as if the ground beneath him had vanished.

Soon after, his vision became jumbled up and he was overwhelmed with terrible motion sickness, as it was when he had ridden on the rampaging dragon at some point.

“…Urgh!”

The pounding headache and nausea felt like someone hammering inside his brain.

He gasped for breath, but he couldn’t tell if he had collapsed or was still standing—his body’s senses were entirely disconnected.

Then, suddenly, his vision became bright.

At first, all he saw was green.

Gradually, familiar trees, flowers, and neatly grown grass came into view.

Aquila barely shook off the headache and began observing his surroundings.

Although he had not been down there yet, it seemed as though it was the garden he could see from the window in his room.

‘Movement is…’

As soon as Aquila thought that he wanted to see somewhere else, his vision turned, strangely enough, even though he didn’t feel like his head was moving.

He was within a shadow.

He tried to step into the sunlight but couldn’t.

He could only observe from the darkness.

The building that was presumed to be the Reshenhardt mansion could be seen not far away.

However, he could only see the exterior of the mansion and the area behind it was blurred, so he seemed to be unable to see beyond a certain range.

‘So, I can only move through shadows.’

As soon as he tried to move into the shade of the tree in front of him, his surroundings immediately changed.

He tried to move as he pleased to get used to the controls.

If not for the persistent nausea that worsened with each shift in perspective, he might have spent more time experimenting.

After just a few jumps back and forth to get used to it, the extreme nausea forced him to stop.

Ugh.

He thought that this was enough and was about to quit when someone stepped into the shadows.

Ting!

【Location: Reshenhardt Family Garden (Required)】

【Search Result: 2 Humans】

【Weapons Detected】

It wasn’t surprising for notifications like these to appear when using a detection skill, but the content of the message was concerning.

Aquila focused his vision, trying to regain his senses that were blurred by the motion sickness.

And there, he saw familiar faces.

It was Shen and Yuzelia, who were busily walking around the garden.

The flowerpot Shen held contained white flowers that hadn’t been there when they left the room.

It seemed that they had managed to find the moonflower.

Yuzelia raised the blue watering can and seemed to say something, but the voice was not heard.

‘Doesn’t this thing have an audio function?’

Then, little by little, sounds began to be heard as if a closed door was being opened.

“Thank goodness there was a flower bed nearby! Oh, should we head this way?”

“Wait a moment. Oh, thank you! Let’s go!”

Shen greeted brightly as he took the shovel that Yuzelia had been holding unsteadily because she was supporting the flowerpot with both hands.

As if she was in a hurry, Yuzelia, who was a few steps ahead, had just stepped out of the shadows.

Ting!

【1 human has left the search area!】

【Search Results: 1 Human】

【Weapons Detected】

He wondered if the shovel was considered a weapon, but Yuzelia had taken the shovel with her.

Then…

【Weapon Detected: Dagger】

Aquila looked at Shen, who was still in the shadows.

This servant was smiling widely like he was very happy and quickly followed after Yuzelia.

Ting!

【1 human has left the search area!】

The backs of the two people gradually moved away.

Now that they were going to come back with the flower, he had to go back.

Aquila watched their silhouettes blur before closing his eyes.

He felt the same sensation as when he had started the search: as if the ground beneath his feet had fallen out.

【Ending search!】

【Vision will return to normal!】

【Tip — Please be aware that your body will be defenseless while using ‘Stolen Divine Power (Minor)’!】

While he was reading the kind system’s tip this time as well, his vision completely darkened.

When he finally opened his eyes, the familiar ceiling of his room came into view. Aquila lay sprawled on the floor, utterly drained.

Because of the headache, nausea, and a bit of fatigue, he barely managed to crawl to his bed.

“Crazy…”

Aquila muttered a curse without realizing, leaning his pale face against the pillow.

This feeling was similar to his body’s state after drinking a lot of strong liquor in a row.

He thought that he might actually die if he kept moving around so much while using the stolen divine power.

“Ugh…”

While Aquila was struggling with pain, Shen and Yuzelia, who had finished their task, returned.

They were startled to see him in a worse condition than before they left the room.

Of course, Aquila didn’t have the energy to explain himself.

That was because his head was pounding like crazy whenever he tried to lift it up.

Perhaps thinking his condition was due to the curse, Shen and Yuzelia wore solemn expressions.

After that, everything went smoothly.

Yuzelia was half-doubtful until she started pouring the water, but after seeing the flower infused with divine power faintly emitting a yellow light, she couldn’t take her eyes off it.

Shen, assisting her or tending to his usual duties, showed no signs of suspicious behavior. If anything, he looked even more concerned than before and worked with greater devotion.

‘It seems he doesn’t have any intention of harming me right now.’

He didn’t know with what intention this servant had a dagger, but he would find out if he kept an eye on him.

Aquila looked at Yuzelia, who was pouring a great amount of divine power into the water inside the watering can, and then closed his eyes.

There was still a long way to go before everything was ready.

In the meantime, he would need to get rid of this damned hangover first.

***

Unlike Aquila’s worries, time passed peacefully without anything happening.

As a result, he nearly passed out and didn’t wake up until late morning.

“Good morning, Young Master. Did you sleep well?”

Shen, who greeted him, looked exhausted as if he had stayed up all night. However, his face was noticeably bright.

Just by looking at that, he could tell that things had gone well.

“First, let’s have breakfast…”

“Where is the priestess?”

As he interrupted him and asked about Yuzelia, Shen’s eyes widened.

She had been there until he had fallen asleep, but seeing that she wasn’t there now, it seemed that she was in another room.

Shen seemed to hesitate for a moment because of breakfast, but then he went outside, saying that he would go bring Yuzelia.

Before long, Yuzelia entered the room, carrying a flowerpot.

“You were right, young master! After watering the flower with the divine water and watching it carefully, it started glowing yellow!”

Nearly running into the room, she presented the flowerpot with the brightest expression Aquila had ever seen on her.

The petals, stems, and leaves of the moonflower were all glowing yellow, and they were so vivid that they almost looked golden.

It was the result of Yuzelia’s prayer.

Aquila didn’t know how earnest her prayers had been, but even in other cycles, he could count on one hand the times he’d seen such radiant golden hues.

“…Amazing.”

Aquila unconsciously murmured.

“Will this break the curse?”

“Yes. Definitely.”

Yuzelia’s eyes sparkled with certainty.

Aquila glanced at Shen, but this servant’s face was also about to burst with happiness.

He extended a hand toward Yuzelia.

“Let’s finish this before breakfast. It’s your turn to pray for me now.”

“…Can I really pray for you?”

“Yes, you’re the priestess, aren’t you?”

Considering Yuzelia had managed to make such a golden flower bloom, she should be more than capable.

Yuzelia took his hand, but her hand was shaking slightly, so it seemed that she was very nervous.

“Just pray as you usually do. Like when you give a blessing.”

Yuzelia nodded and took a deep breath to calm herself.

She held Aquila’s hands dearly in hers and recited the prayer.

Her voice, initially quivering with anxiety, gradually steadied as she continued.

“…Thus, we offer this flower to the gracious Sun God, Rasphallara, beseeching them to save the suffering, dispel the shadows, and bestow blessings as warm and radiant as their light.”

Yuzelia raised her head, after finishing her heartfelt prayer.

That was because there was a kind of promise that the prayer to the Sun God had to end together.

“May the sun’s overflowing joy and gentle grace be with you.”

“And also with you.”

As Aquila recited the familiar prayer, Yuzelia smiled softly.

Then, a subtle glow momentarily circled around them before quickly fading away.

“The light…”

Yuzelia murmured faintly.

Aquila, who had been carelessly looking at the air, lowered his gaze.

‘Perhaps Rasphallara has heard Yuzelia’s prayer and is watching over us.’

He released her hands and picked up the flowerpot.

Even without the glow from before, the flower that was glowing yellow, imbued with the divine power of the Sun God, was still fresh.

“Now we just need to brew this into a tea, and it’ll be done.”

Shen, who had been nervously watching them, immediately raised his hand and shouted.

“I’ll—I’ll brew it right away!”

This servant seemed to genuinely want to help.

“I’ll go with you!”

Yuzelia jumped to her feet.

Her face was flushed with expectation and fear, as if she wanted to know right away if this flower would be effective in lifting the curse.

After hesitating, Aquila eventually nodded.

He didn’t trust Shen enough to send him alone, so it was perfect.

“I’ll come too.”

“What?”

Shen sounded startled, his voice betraying his panic.

His fidgeting and constant glances toward Aquila clearly suggested he was hiding something.

“The kitchen is really busy right now, so, um…”

It was hard to believe that the kitchen being busy had anything to do with Aquila, but his face was so desperate that it somehow looked troubled.

He looked so obviously flustered, what could possibly be in the kitchen?

As Aquila sent him a suspicious look, Shen, after hesitating for a while, finally shook his head and shouted.

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry, Young Master. Let’s go to the kitchen.”

Yuzelia looked at Aquila with a puzzled expression, but he was just as clueless.

Shen, seemingly determined to prevent further questions, quickly opened the door and waited for them.

Aquila followed Shen, leaving behind the growing suspicion.