["At twenty years old, I think I've led my life without any regrets. I was raised by loving parents, I've been fortunate to have great friends, and a healthy social life. I've graduated at the top of my class throughout my life, working on my biology major, too.
The thing is, I wouldn't say I was planning on dying any time soon, though, but–
Sometimes, life just comes at you."]
The ambience of the city was drowned out as he stared at his phone, waiting for the crosswalk sign to signal him to go. With autumn at its peak and winter nearing, he wore a thick, gray coat, keeping his free hand tucked in the warm pocket while reading the text that popped up:
[MOM: 8:15 A.M | "It says there's a chance of rain today. Make sure to dress warm and bring an umbrella with you to class. Don't catch a cold!"]
He could only lightly exhale through his nose with a quiet smile at the message, though appreciated the concern. The endless cars passed by within the heart of the downtown, accompanied by periodic honks only drowned out by the chatter of the cluttered sidewalks. Standing there, he glanced to his side; an old lady waited with her cane, along with a businessman in a dark-blue suit who constantly checked his watch. Along with them was a schoolgirl who was practically hopping in place, mumbling to herself as if trying to coax the pedestrian sign to change.
[DEXTER: 8:16 A.M | "Yo, Noah–you completed last week's assignment, right? Mind if I look over your papers before class? Just wanna double check something."]
As he moved his thumb across the phone screen to reply to the text, the beep of the sign turned his attention away. He looked up, not getting the chance to take a single step before the young girl was already skipping into the crosswalk.
At that moment, it felt like time had grinded to a halt, hearing his own heartbeat in his chest while the world around him was silent, all except for one thing–
A truck was speeding down the street, while the other vehicles were stationary at the red light. It was inexplicable, nonsensical to him, almost–why was it still moving? Why was it coming in so fast? It didn't take a leap of logic for him to connect where the truck was heading, and where the girl was–a fatal collision was set.
Nobody else had moved yet, nor said a word; the businessman's eyes widened and his lips parted, though he hadn't taken a step. For the old woman, she reached her hand out, but her body was far too aged to take action.
For the collegiate man, however, he found himself sprinting into the crosswalk without any thought given. As he reached the young girl that had been left stunned like a deer in headlights, he grabbed her wrist, yanking her back with every ounce of strength in his body.
It all happened within a single moment–
He threw her behind him, feeling a sense of relief just as he looked over, squinting as the headlights filled his vision.
["I made it in time."]
–That sole thought was followed by only darkness, as if having fallen into the deepest slumber of his life. At least, it felt like sleep as his eyes suddenly shot open.
"Ah…?" He quietly gasped.
The scenery of the busy city was gone, instead finding himself within a pale interior. Snow-white walls surrounded him with one, clear side that viewed into the bare cosmos—from glistening stars to expanding nebulae.
"Where–"
"Greetings, Noah Soul."
The kind, feminine voice greeted him without warning, causing him to spin around. Sure enough, standing there was a woman with fair, pale skin and silken, silver hair.
She appeared in her late twenties, though her kind eyes held a wisdom beyond clear years.
"Where am I?" He calmly asked.
For some reason, he felt at ease in the presence of the stranger, perhaps it was her soft smile or her kaleidoscope irises.
"The Cycle," she answered gently, tucking her hands in front of her cerulean dress. "Where the souls of those that have passed are set onto their next destination. I am a Guide of those that pass."
"Those that have passed…So, I really did die then?" He quietly questioned, recalling his most fresh memories.
"You did," the woman softly confirmed.
Looking down at his body, he was still in his coat, though there were no visible injuries. Though, if it was some kind of afterlife experience, he could believe his wounds wouldn't persist.
"I see," he quietly said.
"You seem rather calm about it. That's rare," the afterlife attendant observed.
"Well, I guess maybe I'm still a bit in shock. Though, it's well–in that last moment, I sort of realized I was probably going to bite it, y'know? So, I already accepted it, in a way," he remarked, rubbing the back of his head. "So, what's next from here?"
The soft-spoken woman of platinum hair stood by the clear wall that held the scenic cosmos, "There are several paths for those that reach the end of their lives. It relies on the Karma accursed by how each chose to live."
"Karma?" He repeated, unable to help but stare at the glistening stars past the glass.
"Every action, every deed, misdeed throughout your life–it is all tallied up into your karma. Those that end their life with Bad Karma will find themselves reincarnated without their sense of self, reborn into less than desirable lives, of mice and ants, for example," the woman explained.
"Sounds scary," he muttered.
"It's not something to be afraid of. It's the natural cycle of all life. Those with Neutral Karma receive no detriment, but no merit. Those with Good Karma will find themselves reincarnated onto a path of luxury," she continued as the nebulae in the far distance swirled.
"So, where does that leave me?" He asked curiously.
The silver-haired woman's expression shifted only slightly as her wizened gaze fixated on him, "Noah Soul, you, however, possess Perfect Karma. I'd like to congratulate you for the life you've led–it was an exceptional one. You always showed kindness to everyone around you, and lent help to those in need."
"Is it really that exceptional? It's just how my parents raised me–" As he tried to rationalize the compliments, he felt a sting in his heart at the thought of those that brought him into the world.
It hit him just then; the reality of his own death–the loss of his life and those who he had cherished in it.
"My parents…I didn't get to say goodbye or anything, but I guess that's how it goes, huh? I've probably caused them a lot of pain, doing what I did," Noah lamented.
"I'm sure they will mourn at first, but overall, they will be proud of their son," the woman comforted.
He let his thoughts stir for a moment before wearing a small smile, nodding his head, "Thanks. So, what's next?"
"Next, you will get to decide where you will be sent. As you accursed Perfect Karma, you will not be reincarnated," the guide said.
It was with the wave of her hand that the silver-haired woman conjured projections of soft light, displaying varying sceneries–from luscious skyscrapers that displayed colossal screens, to medieval landmarks with mystical beasts in the sky.
"Woah…Wait, what do you mean I won't be reincarnated?"
"You will be sent to the world of your choosing, but you will remain who you are with your memories fully intact," the guide explained. "Unless, you'd prefer reincarnation."
"Well, I guess I'd like to keep on living, even if it is someplace else," he admitted.
The guide smiled as he swirled her finger, shaping the conjuration of light to reveal a pint-sized cityscape resembling that of a city far in the future, "A world just like Earth, only centuries ahead in advancement–Technoloze. Here, you would assume the life of a robotics CEO–a life of luxury."
"Interesting," Noah said, bending over to get a closer look at the construct.
Even in the small-scale showcase, he could see cars that hovered above the ground flying through the constructed city, along with people that possessed mechanical limbs.
The guide waved her finger, shifting the conjuration into that of a quiet valley neighboring a luscious lake, "Your other choice is a world of magic and monsters. It is a vast, beautiful realm in which many races reside, though conflict is found in all corners–Gaios. Here, you have many choices in the life you can assume, from a powerful noble, a revered paladin–"
"Would it be fine if I had something simple? Like, just a small house by a lake…I don't need a whole lot. I've lived in a big city my whole life, so, I was thinking something a bit more quiet," he requested with a smile.
The woman nodded her head slowly, returning his expression, "That can be done, yes."
"Alright, sounds good, then," he accepted graciously.
All of the constructs were dismissed as the guide held her hand out to him, "When you're ready, take my hand. The process of your transportation will begin."
"Alright," he said, reaching out.
As he grasped her hand, letting his palm meet hers, it was as if his entire being was altered, taken far, far away. Across the cosmos, as if guided along unseen rails, he moved, gazing at the endless bounds of creations.
[...Integrating System…]
[Jack-of-All-Trades System Activated.]
[Status] [Level: 1] [Current Experience: 0/1,000]
[Body: 10] [Spirit: 10]
Parting his eyes, he slowly blinked as if having been staring into a shining light for minutes on end. He found himself no longer exposed to the infinite cosmic scape, but instead within a simple interior.
The smell of pine met his nose, looking around at the wooden walls that made up the humble abode. There was some furniture, with a couch, table, and some wooden stands, along with fresh fruit and vegetables in the kitchen.
He glanced down, finding his outfit replaced with a simple, burgundy tunic and black, leather trousers. It took a moment to process it as he slowly walked towards the window behind the kitchen–
A lush, green valley in the peak of spring greeted his eyes, with mountains sitting behind a nearby lake that glistened beneath the sunlight.
The first thing he did was decide to do a bit of taste testing, grabbing what looked like an apple from the wooden bowl sat on the countertop. It was a bit larger than what he was used to, though he had to remind himself that he was no longer in the same world.
He grabbed a knife from the hold, using it to cut into the juicy fruit. The moment the blade carved the flesh of the otherworldly apple, he received a slight tingle–
[EXP: +1] [1/1,000]
["Knife Mastery" Proficiency Up: +1] [1/999]
"Knife Mastery?" He repeated under his breath, finding the message inscribed into his own vision.
With a bit of curiosity, he continued on, splitting the fruit, though as he moved the knife in his hand, he felt a subtle difference–it was much more natural. Like a veteran chef, he chopped the red-skinned fruit up into a dozen pieces within a mere second.
"Woah, that's…weird," he quietly said, looking at the knife.
Using a cloth on the table, he wiped the juices from the blade before setting it down, grabbing one of the fresh slices and popping it into his mouth. It immediately hit his tongue with a mix of sour and sweet, though refreshing all the same.
If he had to guess, it tasted more like a pear than an apple. He took the rest of the slices with him, venturing through the front door onto the oaken porch. The orange rays of sunlight greeted him as he sat himself down, looking upon the glistening lake while popping the fruit into his mouth.
["I'm here–in a faraway world. This is my new life."]