Infinite Skill Devourer
Chapter 35: It’s Actually Her I

Chapter 35: It’s Actually Her I

Ryuen’s eyes widened as he stared at the screen in disbelief.

"That’s not right... I’m supposed to be twenty-two."

He leaned closer to the screen to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

It was just like Yuta’s screen, except Yuta’s was a glitch.

Still, he was supposed to be in his early twenties, not late teens.

Frantically, he scrolled through the details, hoping it was a glitch or an error.

But everything about the information displayed felt disturbingly correct.

Too correct, in fact, leaving him with the unsettling sensation that he didn’t know himself anymore.

His current health status, strength level, energy reserves, mana pool—everything was listed.

Even the in-depth stats: his body count—deaths and the other body count, which wasn’t something to be proud of compared to his death count.

Yet, it was all extremely accurate.

But that age...

His hand trembled slightly as he swiped through the tabs.

Ignoring the fact that he could physically interact with the screen.

’It had to be a mistake, right?’

Except systems didn’t make mistakes.

"Let’s see... uh, System," he said aloud, his tone laced with curiosity. "Explain the reduction in my age."

The screen expanded, doubling in size.

[Your current age is a result of your state and is a feature from the upgrade.]

[The penalty was activated following your unauthorized exertion beyond physical limits, as well as the health point reduction.]

[The regression to the age of nineteen ensures your body can sustain further adaptation and aids your movements.]

"Like I care... Why exactly was it done?"

[The system update includes a multiple-lives feature. Each time the host dies, their age is deducted.]

[Therefore, you died three times.]

"So I’m a cat now," he muttered dryly.

The screen didn’t respond but remained still, the number "19" displayed boldly.

Ryuen froze, the words sinking in.

Died three times.

Age regression.

And a penalty for doing absolutely nothing.

[Clarification: Age regression is a corrective measure to preserve the host’s vitality and system compatibility. Your body requires optimal physical conditions to endure future strains.]

"Optimal?" He almost laughed at how absurd it sounded.

"It feels like my organs are being held together by duct tape right now."

[System Note: Further misuse of your abilities and letting your health points drop will result in additional penalties, including possible regression beyond sustainable age limits.]

His eyes narrowed.

"Beyond sustainable age limits? Are you saying you can regress me into a child—or worse?"

[Affirmative.]

Ryuen clenched his fists, anger bubbling inside him.

"You’re punishing me for using the power you gave me. How does that make sense?"

[Host exceeded recommended usage parameters. All penalties are based on host actions. Responsibility lies with the host.]

He slammed his fist against the cupboard, frustration boiling over.

"This is ridiculous!"

"Treating me like you own me," he scoffed. "If I didn’t actually like having abilities, I’d reject this entire system."

[Apologies, but such requests cannot be made.]

[The host is permanently bound to the system, even at death.]

The screen dimmed slightly, then vanished.

Ryuen let out a heavy breath and leaned back, trying to calm himself down.

Nineteen.

The implications and challenges of being aged down so drastically filled his mind.

He might have been grateful if it had been just two years, leaving him twenty.

But if the system could alter his age so easily, what else could it take from him?

He felt trapped, like a pawn in a game he didn’t fully understand.

Then another thought hit him.

If his age had regressed, did that mean his body’s capabilities had changed as well?

He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers.

They felt... lighter, somehow.

The aches and fatigue he felt weren’t as much as before.

A sign his low iron deficiency had stopped showing signs.

And at Nineteen, it had already been a year since he joined the assassination organization.

Which meant he was in his prime.

He could feel his senses sharper, his mind clearer, and for once, no regrets clouding his thoughts.

He even felt more energized.

Then he came to a conclusion.

The regression wasn’t just a punishment—it was also an opportunity, and he was going to use it to its fullest.

"Fine," he uttered. "I’ll play along, and maybe increase my strength along the way."

But then, Kaori’s words echoed in his head.

"Drag your body to the roof without ripping a stitch."

He smirked and raised himself to his feet, as carefully as he could.

Challenge accepted.

---

It was already eight pm, and Ryuen had rested and eaten enough.

He stealthily stepped out of his ward, ensuring he made no sound.

Every step he took was calculated, his movements careful to avoid tearing open his stitches.

And he dared not flex a muscle.

He could feel the stitches pulling with every move, but he managed to steady his body, relying only on his legs.

He wouldn’t let a few wounds—or an age regression—hold him back.

The journey to the roof was painful but exhilarating.

Despite his body’s protests, he was determined to get answers.

He also avoided the elevator.

It felt too easy, and it wouldn’t be much of a challenge if he didn’t push himself.

But he made it.

Faster than he had anticipated.

His ward was, after all, on the top floor.

As he pushed open the door to the rooftop, the cool breeze hit his face.

It was was calming, and comfortable.

Compared to the hot, stuffy halls and the uncomfortable artificial noise and scent of antiseptic in his ward.

Kaori was already there, leaning casually against the railing with two cups of coffee in her hands.

She raised a brow when she saw him. "Took you long enough."

Ryuen smirked, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. "I made it, didn’t I?"

Kaori pushed off the railing and walked toward him.

"Don’t get cocky," she said. "That was the easy part."

Ryuen tilted his head, intrigued. "Oh? And what’s the hard part?"

She stopped a few feet away from him.

"Listening," she replied, and tilted her head.

Ryuen blinked, caught off guard.

Kaori crossed her arms, "I’ll tell you what you want to know, but you have to promise me one thing," she said with a softer tone.

"And that is?"

"You promise not to tell anyone, even if you come across the person I’m going to tell you about."

Ryuen frowned. "Why tell me anyway? You don’t even know who I am."

Kaori bit her lip and slowly turned away. "Like I said before, you look just like him."

"Except happier—or maybe like he was trying to put up a façade that everything was alright."

Ryuen’s eyes narrowed, then he smiled.

"What makes you think he was putting up a façade?"

"It’s none of your business."

"I won’t ask anymore, Miss Takeru," he replied, glancing at the view below.

Then he shifted his gaze back to her.

"If I told you I know how to get back to the one you speak of, would you do as I say?"

Kaori snapped her head toward him. "That’s impossible."

"Trust me."

"You’re a stranger."

"You have to trust and speak to strangers before actually making friends, y’know."

Kaori gazed at him for a moment before exhaling and turning away.

"I’d do anything to see him again."

"That’s great. Now, what is your real name?"

At the utterance of that question, Kaori pressed her lips into a thin line.

She hesitated, contemplating for nearly ten minutes before finally breathing out.

"Yumi Takeru."

"Bingo."