My name is Allen Rivers. I'm 22 years old. Yeah, I know—you might've heard that name somewhere before, but come on, it's not that rare. Plenty of Allens out there.
Back in my world, I was just another corporate drone—average grades, average job, average life. I never imagined I'd end up… reincarnated.
You know how those stories go. The tired, overworked office worker finally gets a break. They suffer through life, get kicked around by society, and then—bam! They wake up in a new world with powers, potential, and girls fawning over them. Classic.
But me? I hadn't even died. Not yet, anyway. So I never bought into all that reincarnation stuff. Why should someone only get a second shot at life after dying? Doesn't make sense.
That was until I found myself in a glowing, surreal space, floating like a ghost. Literally. My lower half was gone, replaced by some kind of ethereal tail. I looked down and realized, yeah, this wasn't a dream.
"So, Allen Rivers, male, age 22, death via sudden cardiac failure. Like in your previous lives, you're... let's say, unusually compatible with spiritual disciplines," the voice said from the shadows.
"…Are you just calling me a lifelong virgin in a fancy way?" I deadpanned. "Also—previous lives?!"
"You've seen me floating here, and you still don't believe in reincarnation? You really think you're having a dream right now?" the figure countered.
Okay, fair point. The ability to float, the translucent body, the disco lights surrounding me like a space-themed rave—this place screamed "afterlife."
The voice belonged to a figure swinging gently on a swing, right in the center of this cosmic room. It wasn't some majestic king or otherworldly deity. It looked like a shadow puppet—pitch black with a faint humanoid outline, like a rejected character from an anime.
He didn't look like the ruler of any afterlife I'd imagined. No scythe-wielding lady, no talkative green-haired loli, not even a minotaur or swimsuit-clad goddess. Just a lonely guy on a swing.
"The author has no creativity," the figure said casually, as if reading my mind. "He couldn't figure out what the god of reincarnation should look like, so he made me vague."
"You couldn't even hire a sidekick ghost to keep you company?" I muttered.
"Budget cuts," he replied with a shrug. "Anyway, I'm the guy who'll handle your reincarnation. So… pick a world."
"…Wait, I get to choose?" That part definitely didn't line up with any reincarnation lore I'd ever read.
"Yep. After so many lifetimes with no meaningful relationships, the cosmic balance demands that you get a break. You can keep all your memories too."
"…So I don't have to go back to my old world?" I asked cautiously. "I didn't exactly die of old age, you know."
"Time works differently here," he explained. "One day in this dimension is a year in yours. You've been here an hour. Your body's long gone, and if you returned, your family would freak out. Besides, it's not like you were getting anywhere with romance back there."
"…Is hugging a girl really that important?" I asked with a skeptical frown.
"It's sacred," he answered with dramatic intensity. "The foundation of life! Your eternal virginity has ruined the spiritual balance. Whole ancestral lines were cut off because of you!"
"…So now I have to be reborn just to fix your cosmic spreadsheets?" I muttered.
"Can you really guarantee you'll find love if you go back?" he challenged. "Mr. Yamamoto?"
"Don't you dare compare me to that guy!" I snapped. "I've got options!"
"Sure. Healthy options?" he raised a metaphorical eyebrow.
"Oh please, and what? You've got a 'healthy' solution for me?"
"As a matter of fact," he said, pulling out a glowing scroll, "I've got a few tailor-made worlds for you. All scientifically certified to boost your social… vitality."
He flicked his hand and projections filled the room like holograms.
"In World No. 1, you're reborn into a laid-back family on a tropical island. Every summer and winter break, you visit your charming aunt and live out a slow-paced romantic comedy."
"…Okay, decent start."
"In World No. 2, you're an American teen on a camping trip. Then the zombie virus hits."
"Hard pass."
"World No. 3: matriarchal society. You're the only male martial artist in the World Fighting Tournament. Earn the respect of the masses through fists and dramatic speeches."
"…Interesting."
"World No. 4. You're reborn in a world full of mysterious creatures called Pokéfauna. Your goal is to catch them all, battle Gym Leaders, defeat the Elite Four, and become Champion."
"…You mean Pokémon?"
"Legally distinct Pokéfauna," he said with a wink. "Also, yes. Real deal."
"Now you've got my attention."
"World No. 5: Like the last one, but all the creatures are girls. And you're their trainer."
"…What the actual—?"
"World No. 6: Classic medieval setup. You're a knight sent to protect a mysterious tower from waves of monsters with the help of unique heroines."
"Okay, but that's just tower defense with fanservice."
"World No. 7: You're a high school student who meets a woman drowning in debt. You help her pay it off… by becoming an idol talent scout."
"That got oddly specific."
"World No. 8: You're a college student who moves to a remote mountain village where a mining accident occurred. Cue spooky romance mystery."
"That's just weird. Why would I willingly move to a cursed village?!"
As he described each world, detailed visualizations danced around me—cinematic stills of vibrant towns, battling monsters, close encounters with magical girls… definitely not anything that would air on regular TV.
"And before you say it," the figure added, "you don't have to be stuck in a mountain village. I can tweak the setting so you're in a more urban workplace."
"…The 'countryside as workplace' thing is just a rebranding, you know that right?"
"Do you want it or not?" he asked, leaning forward.
Allen paused, eyes locked on the shimmering image of World No. 4. A lush forest, a Trainer running with a Charizard, laughter echoing through the trees, a glimmering stadium on a faraway cliff. The real Pokémon world. No mods, no bootlegs. Real battles. Real growth.
He smirked. "Alright. I choose World No. 4. Drop me into the real deal."
The god grinned. "Good choice. Your new life begins now. And don't forget…"
The light swallowed Allen whole.
"You owe us a proper ending this time."
***
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