The truck hit me before I could process what was happening.
One moment I was crossing the street, my mind occupied with mundane thoughts about dinner and work deadlines. The next, the world tilted sideways as metal and momentum collided with flesh and bone.
Pain exploded through my body, sharp and all consuming, then faded into a strange numbness. Sounds became distant. The concerned shouts of bystanders, the screech of brakes, the wail of approaching sirens. All of it felt unimportant, like background noise in a movie I was no longer interested in watching.
Then nothing.
Darkness wrapped around me, not frightening but almost comfortable. Like falling asleep after an exhausting day.
When awareness returned, I found myself standing in a space that shouldn't exist. White stretched endlessly in every direction, not a room or a void but something between. The absence of everything and the presence of nothing.
"Well, well, well. Another one."
The voice came from everywhere and nowhere, amused and playful in a way that immediately set me on edge. My survival instinct, somehow still functioning despite being dead, flared with warning.
A figure materialized before me, shifting and changing with each moment. Sometimes male, sometimes female, sometimes something else entirely. Their features refused to settle, as if reality itself couldn't decide what they should look like. Only their eyes remained constant, bright with mischief and an intelligence that felt ancient and terrible.
"What..."
My voice came out uncertain, the question dying before it fully formed.
"You died."
They said simply, circling me like a predator examining prey.
"Truck. Very cliché, I must say. But effective."
The casual way they mentioned my death should have bothered me more than it did. Instead, I felt a strange detachment, as if I was observing this conversation from outside my own body.
"Who are you?"
"Oh, many names across many worlds. God. Devil. Trickster. Administrator. Pick whichever makes you comfortable."
They grinned, the expression too wide and too sharp.
"I prefer to think of myself as an entertainer. And you, my dear deceased human, have the potential to provide excellent entertainment."
"Entertainment."
I repeated the word flatly, my emotional intelligence trying to parse the implications.
"Indeed! You see, I've grown terribly bored lately. Watching souls pass through the cycle, seeing the same patterns repeat endlessly. So I've taken to offering certain individuals a choice."
They stopped circling and stood directly in front of me, that unsettling grin still plastered across their shifting features.
"I will send you to another world. A very interesting world, full of conflict and suffering and the occasional triumph. And I will grant you three wishes to help you survive there."
The offer hung in the air between us, too good to be true and probably carrying consequences I couldn't foresee. But what alternative did I have? Return to the cycle? Fade into nothing?
"What's the catch?"
"Smart question!"
They clapped their hands together in delight.
"The catch is simple. You will amuse me. Your struggles, your victories, your failures. I want to watch something interesting. Bore me, and I might just revoke my generosity."
A threat wrapped in playful language. This entity, whatever they truly were, held absolute power here. Refusing wasn't really an option, but at least they were being honest about their expectations.
"Three wishes."
I said slowly, my mind already working through possibilities.
"Any three wishes?"
"Within reason. I won't make you omnipotent or destroy worlds for you. But skills, abilities, systems? Those I can provide. So choose carefully."
I thought about the worlds I knew from fiction, about power systems and abilities that might help me survive in an unknown place. The god had mentioned conflict and suffering. War, probably. Dangerous situations that would require strength and adaptability.
Then an idea formed, something that felt right in a way I couldn't fully explain.
"My first wish. I want Ryougi Shiki's character template."
The god's grin widened impossibly further.
"Oh? The void touched assassin from the Nasuverse? Interesting choice. Her body, skills, talents, and those magnificent Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Yes, I like it. Granted."
Before I could react, my body began to change. My perspective shifted, lowering slightly as my frame became smaller, more feminine. Long black hair fell across my vision, and when I raised my hands they were delicate but strong, the hands of someone who had killed and would kill again.
I felt knowledge settling into my mind, muscle memory that wasn't mine becoming mine. Combat techniques. Assassination methods. The weight of a tanto blade at my hip that hadn't existed a moment ago.
And behind my eyes, something awakened. Lines appeared on the god before me, glowing paths that traced across their impossible form. Points where those lines intersected, vulnerable spots that whispered of ending and termination.
The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. The ability to see death itself, to comprehend the mortality of all things and sever it with precision.
"Fascinating."
The god leaned closer, studying my new eyes with interest.
"You can see my lines. Not that you could kill me, of course, but the fact that you can perceive them at all is delightful. What's your second wish?"
I forced myself to focus past the overwhelming influx of new information, past the strange sensation of inhabiting a body that was simultaneously mine and not mine.
"A gacha system."
The god tilted their head, intrigued.
"Explain."
"A system that gives me missions related to the world you're sending me to. Missions tied to important events, to the original plot of that world. When I complete them, I receive gacha tickets that let me summon random Noble Phantasms from the Fate series."
The god's laughter echoed through the white space, genuine and delighted.
"Oh, that's creative! Tying your rewards to your interference with fate itself, gambling on random legendary weapons and artifacts. Yes, yes, I love it. But the missions won't be easy. To amuse me properly, they must challenge you. Push you to your limits."
"I understand."
"Then granted! Your system will activate once you arrive in the new world."
Two wishes down. One remaining. I knew what I wanted to ask for, but the god's earlier comment about not granting omnipotence made me hesitate.
"My third wish. I want immortality."
The god's grin faded slightly, replaced by something more thoughtful.
"No."
The flat refusal surprised me.
"Why not?"
"Because true immortality is boring. Watching someone who cannot die removes all tension, all stakes. Where's the entertainment in that?"
They crossed their arms, that mischievous glint returning to their eyes.
"However, I'm willing to negotiate. What if instead of immortality, I remove your lifespan?"
"Remove my lifespan?"
I repeated, trying to understand the distinction.
"You won't age. Time won't erode your body or mind. You can live for thousands of years if you survive that long. But you can still die. Injuries, disease, being killed by enemies. All of those remain threats."
The god stepped closer, their shifting features settling into something almost serious.
"Eternal youth with the constant danger of mortality. Now that's interesting. That keeps things exciting."
I considered the offer, weighing the benefits against the risks. Living forever meant nothing if I died in my first real fight. But not aging would give me time to grow stronger, to adapt, to learn the new world without the pressure of a ticking clock.
"Deal."
"Excellent!"
The god's enthusiasm returned in full force.
"Then it's settled. Ryougi Shiki's template, a gacha system tied to fate manipulation, and agelessness with the ever present threat of death. You're going to be so fun to watch!"
The white space began to distort, colors bleeding in at the edges as reality prepared to reassert itself.
"Wait."
I called out, suddenly aware of how little I knew.
"What world are you sending me to? What should I expect?"
"Oh, where's the fun in telling you everything? But I suppose a hint wouldn't hurt."
The god's form began to fade as the distortion intensified.
"It's a world of conflict between the infected and the uninfected. Of mobile cities and catastrophes. Of conspiracies that span continents. A world called Terra."
Terra. The name meant nothing to me, but the way the god described it painted a picture of constant struggle.
"And one more thing."
Their voice echoed as they disappeared completely.
"You'll arrive somewhere random. Good luck surviving long enough to figure out where you are!"
Then I was falling, tumbling through colors and sensations that my new mind struggled to process. The white space shattered like glass, each piece reflecting different images. Cities on massive vehicles. People with animal features and crystalline growths emerging from their bodies. Wastelands scoured by natural disasters.
The fall seemed to last forever and no time at all.
When it ended, I found myself standing on solid ground, the transition so abrupt it left me momentarily disoriented.
Cold air hit my face immediately. I was outside, somewhere with a chill that suggested northern latitude or high altitude. Maybe both.
My Mystic Eyes activated automatically, and the world exploded with lines of death. Every surface, every object, every living thing around me traced with glowing paths that showed me exactly how to end them.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. The eyes were a tool, not a curse, but their constant activation would drive me mad if I didn't learn to control them. Slowly, carefully, I pulled back on that awareness, dimming the perception until only faint traces remained.
When I opened my eyes again, the world looked more normal. I could still see the lines if I focused, but they no longer overwhelmed everything else.
I stood in a forested area, bare trees suggesting either autumn or early spring. In the distance, I could hear water, maybe a river or stream. The air tasted clean but carried an underlying metallic tang I couldn't identify.
A glowing notification appeared in my vision, translucent text hovering at the edge of my perception.
[System Initialized]
[Welcome to Terra, Irregular]
[Current Location: Classified]
[Mission System: Active]
[Gacha Tickets: 0]
[Survival Chance: Calculating...]
The text faded after a moment, replaced by nothing. Apparently the system wouldn't hold my hand beyond basic notifications.
I checked my equipment instinctively. The tanto at my hip felt right, balanced perfectly for my new body. My clothing was simple, a red leather jacket over a white shirt and black pants. Practical, understated, nothing that would draw unnecessary attention.
My survival instinct pulsed gently, confirming no immediate threats but suggesting I should find shelter and information soon. This body didn't need food or water as urgently as a normal human might, but exposure to the elements could still be dangerous.
I chose a direction at random and started walking, my new muscle memory guiding my movements with unconscious grace. Every step felt natural, efficient, the body of an assassin moving through the world with practiced ease.
The forest continued for what felt like hours. No signs of civilization, no indication of where I was or where I should go. Just endless trees and the occasional glimpse of wildlife that scattered at my approach.
Then, finally, I heard something different.
Voices. Human voices, speaking in a language I somehow understood despite never having heard it before. A gift from the god, probably, or a function of the system.
I moved toward the sound carefully, using trees as cover, my presence barely registering as I approached.
Three figures came into view, all armed, all watching the path ahead with obvious wariness. They wore mismatched equipment, not quite military but definitely combat ready. Mercenaries, maybe, or some kind of security force.
But what caught my attention most were their features. One had cat like ears protruding from their head. Another had scales visible on their neck and arms. The third looked mostly human but had crystalline growths emerging from their shoulder, dark and jagged.
Infected. The god's words echoed in my memory. A world of conflict between the infected and the uninfected.
I observed them for several minutes, learning what I could from their body language and conversation. They were waiting for someone, another group perhaps, and they weren't happy about being stuck out here in the cold.
My Mystic Eyes traced lines across them automatically, showing me dozens of ways to kill all three before they could react. The knowledge came unbidden, tactical assessment mixed with murderous capability.
I pushed the thoughts aside. No reason to fight. I needed information, not corpses.
Deciding to avoid potential conflict, I circled around their position and continued deeper into the forest. If there were people here, there had to be civilization nearby.
The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, when I finally found it.
A road. Actual pavement, maintained and clear of debris. And in the distance, the faint outline of structures that suggested a settlement of some kind.
I followed the road as darkness fell, my enhanced perception letting me navigate safely despite the lack of light. The settlement grew closer, revealing itself to be larger than I initially thought. Not a village but a small town, buildings clustered together with lights visible in windows.
At the town's entrance, a checkpoint. Guards in official looking uniforms stopped travelers, checking papers and asking questions. I watched from a distance, understanding immediately that I had no documentation, no identification, nothing that would let me pass through legitimately.
I could try to sneak around, find another way in. My assassin skills made that feasible. But something held me back, a reluctance to start my existence in this world with criminal activity.
While I debated my options, a new notification appeared.
[Mission Available: First Steps]
[Objective: Enter a populated settlement and gather basic information about Terra]
[Reward: 1 Gacha Ticket]
[Accept: Yes/No]
The system's first mission, simple and straightforward. Confirmation that I needed to engage with this world rather than just surviving in the wilderness.
I accepted mentally, and the notification faded.
Before I could formulate a plan, my danger sense flared sharply. Something was coming, something dangerous, moving fast through the forest behind me.
I turned, my hand already on my tanto, my body settling into a combat stance without conscious thought.
A figure burst from the treeline, moving with inhuman speed and grace. They spotted me immediately and changed trajectory, closing the distance in seconds.
I had a brief impression of long silvery white hair and pale skin before they were right in front of me, stopping so abruptly it defied physics.
A woman, tall and beautiful in a way that felt alien. Her eyes were red like fresh blood, and when she looked at me, I felt the weight of something ancient and powerful in that gaze. She wore dark clothing that seemed designed for mobility, and a massive weapon, some kind of ornate sword that looked more like art than armament, rested in a sheath at her side.
"You."
Her voice was melodic but carried an undercurrent of something dangerous, something that reminded me of deep ocean trenches and crushing pressure.
"You're not from around here."
It wasn't a question. She stated it as fact, as if she could tell just by looking at me.
My emotional intelligence parsed her body language, reading wariness mixed with something I couldn't quite identify. Loneliness, maybe. Or recognition of a kindred spirit, someone else who didn't quite belong.
"I'm new to this area."
I answered carefully, my voice coming out with Ryougi Shiki's characteristic calmness.
"Just arrived today."
"I can tell."
She stepped closer, studying me with those unsettling red eyes. There was something inhuman about her movements, a fluidity that suggested she was forcing herself to move slowly, to appear less threatening than she truly was.
"No travel permits, no visible identification, and you're carrying a blade despite looking like a civilian. Either you're very stupid or very confident."
"Neither. Just adaptable."
Her lips curved into a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. There was sadness there, buried deep beneath layers of control and distance.
"Adaptable."
She repeated the word as if tasting it.
"That's a good trait to have in this world."
She shifted slightly, and I noticed how she positioned herself. Not threatening, but not entirely relaxed either. Like someone who had learned to always be ready, always prepared for violence even in mundane moments.
"My name is Skadi."
The introduction felt deliberate, like she was testing how I would react to the name.
I didn't recognize it, had no context for whether it should mean something. But my danger sense pulsed faintly, confirming that this woman was extremely dangerous despite her calm demeanor.
"Shiki."
I offered in return, using the first name that came to mind. My new name, for this new life.
Skadi nodded slowly, her red eyes never leaving my face.
"Shiki. A strange name for a strange person."
She glanced past me toward the settlement, then back.
"You're trying to get in there. Without papers."
Again, not a question. An observation stated as fact.
"Yes."
"They won't let you. Increased tensions with Reunion have made everyone paranoid about outsiders."
Reunion. Another term I didn't understand but filed away for later investigation.
Skadi was quiet for a moment, seeming to debate something internally. When she spoke again, her tone carried a weight that suggested this wasn't something she offered lightly.
"There's a back entrance on the east side. Less official. The guard there can be... persuaded... to look the other way for the right price."
She was helping me. Why? My emotional intelligence suggested it wasn't kindness, exactly. More like recognition. One outsider helping another because she understood what it meant to be alone and unwelcome.
"Thank you."
I said simply, meaning it.
Skadi's expression shifted slightly, surprise flickering across her features before being suppressed.
"Don't thank me yet. Terra isn't kind to people like us."
People like us. The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
"People like us?"
I asked quietly.
She looked at me for a long moment, and I saw something in her eyes. Pain. Fear. The kind of deep, existential dread that came from knowing you were a danger to everything around you.
"People who are better off alone."
Her voice was soft but final, carrying the weight of hard learned experience.
"People who bring catastrophe wherever they go, no matter their intentions."
She turned to leave, and I felt the urge to say something, to reach out. This woman carried burdens I couldn't fully understand, fought battles against herself as much as against external enemies.
"Skadi."
She paused but didn't turn around.
"Being alone doesn't make you safe from yourself. It just makes you lonely."
The words came from Shiki's memories, or maybe from my own understanding. Either way, they felt true.
Skadi's shoulders tensed, and for a moment I thought she might respond. But then she simply continued walking, disappearing into the forest with that same impossible speed, leaving me alone with the sound of wind through bare trees.
I stood there for a moment, processing the encounter. Skadi. The Walking Catastrophe, if I had to guess based on her words and demeanor. Someone with power she feared, isolation she chose, and loneliness she endured.
I understood that more than I cared to admit.
Shaking off the melancholy, I turned toward the east and began searching for the entrance Skadi had mentioned. The back entrance she described revealed itself after twenty minutes of careful searching, a break in the fence line guarded by a single individual who looked more bored than vigilant.
I approached directly, no point in sneaking when they had clearly already spotted me.
"Papers."
They said automatically, not even looking up from whatever they were reading.
"Don't have any."
That got their attention. They looked up, taking in my appearance with calculating eyes.
"Then you're in the wrong place."
"I was told this entrance was more flexible about documentation."
Understanding crossed their features, followed by a mercenary smile.
"Flexible costs. Five thousand LMD, and I never saw you."
LMD. Local currency, probably. Which I didn't have.
I reached into my jacket pocket, more out of hope than expectation, and felt something solid. When I pulled my hand out, paper bills sat in my palm, crisp and authentic looking.
A gift from the god, maybe, or a function of the system. Either way, I wasn't going to question it.
I counted out five thousand, the numbers printed on the bills matching what the guard had asked for, and handed them over.
They counted quickly, nodded, and stepped aside.
"Welcome to Sal Viento. Don't cause trouble."
I walked through the gate, entering the settlement without further incident. The mission notification flashed.
[Mission Complete: First Steps]
[Reward: 1 Gacha Ticket]
[Gacha System Now Available]
New text appeared, a menu hovering in my vision.
[Gacha Tickets: 1]
[Use Ticket? Yes/No]
I selected yes, curious about what this system would provide.
The menu transformed into a spinning wheel, golden and ornate, covered in symbols I didn't recognize. It spun faster and faster, colors blurring together, before slowing gradually and landing on a single icon.
[Congratulations! You have received: Gáe Bolg]
[Cursed Spear of Piercing Death. Noble Phantasm of Cú Chulainn. Ranked B. Anti-Unit type.]
Knowledge flooded into my mind, information about the weapon and how to use it. A spear appeared in my hand, red and wicked looking, practically vibrating with lethal intent.
I stared at it for a long moment, processing what had just happened. The gacha system worked. I had summoned a legendary weapon from the Fate series on my first try.
I dismissed the spear with a thought, storing it in whatever space the system provided, and looked around at the settlement I had entered.
Sal Viento. A town in a world called Terra. Populated by infected and uninfected alike, caught in conflicts I didn't yet understand.
But I was here. Alive, or whatever counted as alive for someone without a lifespan. Armed with the skills of an assassin and the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Connected to a gacha system that would provide legendary weapons as I interfered with fate itself.
The god wanted entertainment. Wanted to watch me struggle and survive and hopefully thrive.
I could do that.
I would do that.
Terra spread out before me, dangerous and unknown and full of possibility.
And somewhere in the wilderness, a woman named Skadi walked alone, carrying her own burdens and fighting her own battles.
I wondered if our paths would cross again.
Something told me they would.
For now, though, I had a world to learn and a life to build.
I had all the time in the world to do both.