I winced and looked around. We had been moved into a sterile-white room, the only feature being a holographic screen floating in the middle of it. It was only when I instinctively tried to take a step forward that I realised that I cold, in fact, move what appeared to be my own body. What the hell?
Katherine grinned and waved her arms expressively. "Welcome to my SYSTEM interface! With this, you can customise where, when and who you will end up. Do you like it?"
I energetically nod my head and immediately start pressing buttons. 'First off, I will definitely want a SYSTEM, because it will make my life SO much easier. Now, what sort of world do I want to visit first? While I like the idea of a LitRPG-type world, I think a cultivation-style world is the way to go, at least a first, since the whole point is to gain immortality, become a god and all of that stuff, which certainly sounds appealing since dying was unpleasant enough the first time.'
'Although... it would be nice to see Katherine again...'
*achoo*
I look around and the goddess in question is blushing heavily and won't meet my eyes.
"... you can read my thoughts can't you"
"M-m-maybe... only surface thoughts though, I promise! Also, um... if you DO ever manage to become a god, you could visit me... only if you wanted, though."
"Aww... I'll do my very best then, Kat!" After realising I just gave a goddess a pet name, I blushed heavily myself and immediately busied myself with the menu again.
'Well, what race should I be? Not human, that's boring... some sort of elf? No, too generic, I don't wanna be a trope. Some sort of spirit beast would be cool, but I don't want to be hunted by some overeager sect disciple, so something decently strong from early on. Dragon? I'll be a bit of a target if I'm discovered young, but it fits the criteria, and if I can choose where I'm born then that shouldn't be a problem.
'What do I want to look like? First off, must be female, I do NOT want to get gender-bent, no thank you. White hair, yes. Wait, I'd better make sure I can change it or I'll be utterly incompetent at any sort of sneaking. Tall, that's a must, since I may not be able to use any skills to alter my appearance at first. Wait, hang on a second...'
"Hey Kat, do I have to have parents? Because I really don't want to have to del with that shit if they realise I've basically stole their daughter's body."
"Hmm, that's a good point, I'll just create an egg in a remote place for you, is that ok?"
"Thanks, love." I reply nonchalantly, not noticing I just caused her to completely stop breathing for a few seconds. Having put the finishing touches to my human appearance (AN: will be described in greater detail later on) I read through the descriptions of the cultivation types and rules of the world I would be going to, as well as the general rules involving spirit beasts (AN: will be put in the book at the beginning at some point).
"Now that you're finished, open up the SYSTEM shop real quick" said Kat from next to me. Doing as she asks, she then explains how it will work.
"So, the SYSTEM shop will have pretty much anything you need. I'll give you three freebies, so don't waste them, I would recommend getting a top-tier cultivation manual among other things. You will also probably need a martial art, but I'll leave it up to your discretion. Now, are you ready to begin your new life?"
When I nod in the affirmative, she directs me into a circle I had previously missed and instructed me to close my eyes, which I do... and then promptly reopen them in surprise as I feel something soft and warm press against my lips. I'm about to say something, anything, when she presses her finger to my lips and smiles. The last thing I hear is "Good luck", and then I feel nothing at all.
I'm back in the dark.