Solis shifted his eyes back to the holographic screen and stared at a particular race. It had crocodile textured skin the color of charcoal, its entire blood-red head overgrowing with carabao horns, the hair reaching down its waist comparable to a ghost; and finally, it had very long, lean legs that were shaped like a jaguar's but without the fur-patterned coat, instead replaced by dark scales.
"Actually… I've already made my decision before you started introducing the Red Orc Race to me." Solis disclosed.
"…What? Wait… SERIOUSLY?!" Grazier shouted shrilly as her eyes popped out. "Why didn't you tell me then! What was even the point of me giving a description for the last race?!"
Seeing her inflamed reaction caused Solis to scratch his left cheek in a sheepish manner.
"Well... learning about the strong points of a race is extremely valuable information, you know? All of those racial descriptions you gave me will hopefully serve some future use. Besides, I wouldn't let it pass me to waste an opportunity to acquire more knowledge when it's available, especially coming from someone as brilliant as you."
"…Fine, fine. Just state your choice already so that you can leave." She pouted while shooing him away with her hand.
From each and every race that he has seen, read, and heard; Solis strongly believed that this race was the perfect match for his playstyle. And so, he declared his choice with absolute conviction behind it:
"I choose… the Speed Devil Race!"
He pressed the image of the Speed Devil Race displayed on the holographic screen. Then, a pop-up window to confirm his selection followed suit, in which he answered with the [Yes] button. Afterward, the holographic screen disappeared, and Solis was only left to stare at the little witch who happened to now be standing in front of him without making a sound.
"Alright, we're done here."
Grazier snapped her fingers, and then his body—beginning from the bottom to the top—slowly started to fade away into light particles.
"Uhh… Miss Grazier… I don't feel so good…"
"Well, that's only natural since you're in the process of leaving this realm. I hope for your safe journey in the cycle of reincarnation. This is goodbye, Solis."
"…Will I ever see you again?"
"Get good and you just might."
Her last and final smile she showed him was breathtakingly mesmerizing, something he would possibly never forget and forever be imprinted in his mind. But before he was thoroughly reduced to nothingness, Solis made a peace sign gesture with his right hand as he left a few parting words to linger in the air.
"Peace out, you cute and scary little witch…"
And that marked the end of their meeting,
…
When Solis came to be, he found himself floating still among the white clouds and azure sky. As he instinctively looked below him, a gargantuan landmass of epic proportions occupied his entire field of vision like no other.
"Woah!"
He was instantly captivated by the array of colors dotting the vast expanse, giving it an otherworldly beauty and splendor that he had never witnessed before in his life.
[System Announcement: Please choose the continent you want to travel to.]
A holographic screen abruptly emerged out of nowhere. Subsequently, on the display, he was given four options to pick from: the Demon Continent, Spirit Continent, Exceed Continent, and Untamed Continent.
After having just finished selecting his race from literally over a thousand alternatives, Solis was once again presented with another opportunity to choose; only this time, it was regarding which continent he planned to go to and stay.
"Choices, choices, choices…" Solis muttered to himself.
He unconsciously looked up at the sky and shouted out, "Hey System! Can you give me the backgrounds of these continents?"
[Affirmative.]
A cold-steel mechanical voice responded back to him. Thereupon, he sensed himself being moved in space—Solis was teleported instantaneously.
"Wow…"
Just like how a TV screen changes channels, what he was seeing suddenly switched on the spot. Tall, jaded rock formations of every form stretched majestically as far as the eye could see. Ethereal mist and fog shrouded the lands similar to a blanket, bestowing it a sense of mysticism, of fable. All of the trees on the ground sprouted oddly in shape, with black bark and bright, flaming red-colored leaves. Above him, countless floating islands of different appearances and sizes were drifting about, each with their own waterfall.
"Goddamn… This is awesome!"
Solis was left gaping his mouth at this marvelous sight that was permeating with sublime wonder.
[Welcome to the Demon Continent. Its inhabitants are formally referred to as demonic beings by the outside races because of their proficiency in all sorts of dark, evil, and taboo magic. All year-round, the realm is shrouded by ethereal mist and fog produced by the countless waterfalls from the floating islands that are drifting above it. A myriad of peculiar yet dangerous creatures prowl the grounds and roam the skies as they unceasingly try to hunt down prey in the thick foggy areas. The lands of the Demon Continent are truly cold and unforgiving, for only those strong enough to survive can hope to traverse and uncover its many mysteries.]
The cold-steel mechanical voice of the system narrated.
[Would you like to be incarnated in the Demon Continent?]
"No. I would still like to check out the other three continents, please."
[Very well, then.]
Once again, he was teleported and arrived at a different continent. A sea of ginormous, towering trees as broad as mountains filled the landscape in its entirety. Even though no light from the sun nor moon could shine through the infinite forest's canopy, the realm was unexpectedly well-lit, as there was a great multitude of exotic flowers, stones, and small creatures illuminating the darkness.
[Welcome to the Spirit Continent. This realm dubbed as the Grand Infinite Forest is teeming with all sorts of mythical entities of varying scale and magnitude. Its exotic plants are unordinary because they can sometimes come alive and ambush unsuspecting travelers to make a quick meal out of them. The races living in the Spirit Continent are naturally attuned with nature magic and the arcane arts. Moreover, perpetually tasked with guarding its peace and prosperity is the sharp-eared elven race and the mighty titan race. According to legends of ancient and old, it says that the whole Spirit Continent or Grand Infinite Forest is in actuality only the shell of a cosmic tortoise that's in deep slumber because of God knows what.]
Weirdly enough, Solis could hear a hint of solemnity from the system when it uttered the last part of its lengthy exposition, which gave rise to goosebumps and a tingling sensation in his spine.
"This world is freaking great!"
Solis couldn't help but yell out what he was feeling from the bottom of his heart. Everything he's experienced so far from when he had met the little witch named Grazier, until now where he was exploring the otherworldly continents always managed to take his breath away. He hadn't had this much amazement and fun since the very first time he's tried out full-dive virtual reality four years ago.
[Shall we proceed to the next continent?]
"LET'S GO! TAKE ME THERE, OMNIPOTENT STEAD!"
[The player's heart rate is currently rising to abnormal levels. Please calm down.]
"SCREW THAT! JUST TELEPORT ME ALREADY!"
[...As you wish.]