Where… where am I?
Jean looked around, finding himself floating in endless darkness. Oddly enough, he wasn't scared. In fact, he felt peaceful—warm, like a mother's embrace.
Is this what death feels like? Huh... Not as bad as people make it sound.
Honestly, it's way better than the shitty life I lived.
He sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Haah… I could stay like this for a very, very long time."
Then it hit him. He was feeling light—like he was drifting off to sleep.
Sleep? In the afterlife?
That's when Jean knew something was off.
Sigh… Can I not get one worry-free moment in my life? Even when I'm dead, I've still got to stay on my toes? Seriously, give me a break, FATE!
Those were his last thoughts before everything faded, and he sank into unconsciousness.
For how long?
Well… we'll soon find out.
---
"AHHHHHH!!!"
"PUSH! JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE!"
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!"
In a delivery room glowing under harsh white lights, a woman was giving it her all. After nine long months, the baby was finally due—but it wasn't easy. The doctor had to move forward with a forced labor. The stubborn little critter refused to come out, clinging to the comfort of his mother's warmth like a parasite in love.
"AHHHHHH!" she screamed again.
"Just a little more!" the doctor shouted.
"I'VE BEEN HEARING THAT FOR. THE. LAST. TWENTY. MINUTES, DOCTOR!" she barked back, fire in her eyes.
The doctor nervously glanced at the clock.
In all my years delivering babies, I've never—
"WAAAAAH!!!"
The cry of a newborn rang through the room, cutting off his thoughts. The mother passed out from exhaustion just as the baby arrived.
The doctor quickly did his checks—no complications. Everything was fine.
"Time of birth: 19:00, April 25th, 2025," he announced.
The nurses made their notes, and just then, a man rushed in, panting slightly, tie crooked, coat flapping.
"Doctor! How are they?!"
"Ah, Mr. Holland," the doctor said with a smile. "Congratulations—it's a baby boy."
Tyler Holland let out a long breath of relief, then quickly asked, "What about my—?"
"She's fine," the doctor said gently. "She passed out, but it was just exhaustion. No complications."
Tyler nodded, hands trembling with emotion. "Thank you, doctor."
He was given permission to step in.
CREEEAK.
Tyler walked into the room and up to the bed. His wife was asleep, face pale but peaceful.
"You've worked hard," he whispered, brushing a hand across her hair. "You can rest now, my darling."
Then his eyes fell on the tiny swaddled form nearby.
"You gave your mother a hard time, little guy," he said, mock-scolding.
As if hearing his father, the baby's lips quivered like he was about to cry.
Tyler laughed. "Okay, okay. How can I stay mad at you? But you're not off the hook. We'll have a long talk when you grow up."
KNOCK KNOCK.
"Come in," Tyler called.
The door opened, and in walked a tall man in his fifties—standing easily at 1.94 meters, with blonde hair, a sharp jawline, and eyes that seemed to cut through lies. He looked like a king dressed in a sleek black suit, the type that didn't just walk into rooms—he commanded them.
"Dad, you're finally here," Tyler said.
"What, you thought I wouldn't show up?" the man replied with a grin.
"Well, you are a busy man. Understandable," Tyler teased.
Malcolm Holland—Tyler's father—clicked his tongue. He walked over to the bedside, gave a nod of approval to his sleeping daughter-in-law, and turned to look at his grandson.
A foolish grin cracked across the older man's face.
"Well, looks like we've got a new crew member, Tyler."
Tyler shrugged. "Yeah. Looks like it."
They both chuckled.
But while the proud father and grandfather had their moment, someone else was frozen in stunned silence.
What the f—
Did I just reincarnate?!
How is this even possible? Those novels, manga, all those monk chants... were they actually right?!
But why the hell did it have to be into a narcissist family?!
Jean mentally screamed.
FATE, WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH?!
Somewhere deep, very deep inside—beneath the veil of reincarnation and flesh—a single speck of golden light pulsed gently.
Dormant. Watching. Waiting.