Pain.

It was the only thing I could feel. Pain like no other I've ever felt. It hurts so much that even the cold ground gave me comfort.

Am I going to die here?

Really, I wasted all 17 years of my life for nothing. I couldn't even reach the age of the next stage of life, the shitty period of adulthood.

I tried to move my hands, to no avail. I can still feel it despite the pain but I doubt that it was still usable, it might just be phantom pain.

Finally, I laid down and closed my eyes as the images of my parents flooded my mind, just- Just how was I supposed to leave now?

As if my brain didn't know any better, I wailed and wailed with the howling winds as it carried away my voice. Slowly, my wails calmed into nothing but hiccups and sniffles.

Accepting that this is really the end, sadness overwhelmed me as I took my last breath and my choked sobs ceased.

I was no more.

My life has ended in that few minutes lying on the cold hard ground.

Not even able to say a final farewell to my family.

But worst of all. . .

Not even able to delete my history before death.

At the very least, since I'm gone they won't be able to beat me up after looking at my history because all that's left of a dead man is of the good shit he did while he was alive.

Afterall, people are very forgiving towards the dead.

That was the only consolation I could muster before my consciousness drifted away, to anywhere and nowhere.

* * *

[Analysis complete. Beginning soul transcription. . . .]

Cold. . . .

[Soul transcribing. . . . (0.001/100) ]

Huh?

[Estimated time of completion (1 millennium)]

. . . . what's with the weird robotic voice?

[Soul transcribing. . . .(0.00001/100) ]

Was it not at 0.001 before?

[ Current process: (99.98/100)]

Welp, that was fast.

[ Current process: (99.9/100)]

[Ding! Soul transcription complete]

[Initializing assimilation. . .]

[Estimated time of completion: 10 millennium]

Can't it go faster? A millennium is like a hundred years right?

[Incorrect. A millennium is 1,000 years]

Oh. But that's even longer!

[Evaluating complain. . .]

[Complain valid. . . . Beginning time-lapse]

[Initializing countdown. . . 10]

[9. . . ]

[8. . . . .]

[7. . .]

[6, 5, 4, 3]

Wait, wait! That's too fast to be considered counting in seconds!

[2, 1. . . .]

[Launching rebirth. . .]

Rebirth? Holy sh-

I couldn't complete my thoughts as I felt the sudden feeling of being splashed by cold water after a comfortable nap. I shivered when wind blew gently, but instead of basking on it, I felt like it was prickling me.

Huh? Wind?

Eh, whatever.

* * *

Warmth. . .

The sensation that I've missed. After what felt like drifting in space, all cold and alone with nothing but an imaginary voice to cope with the aftermath of death.

I can finally feel something, something that makes me feel alive again (other than the prickling sensation before)!

Which, on second I shouldn't rejoice on . . . Because the warmth may be the inferno of hell. Hold on a second, am I in hell?

[Answer: No.]

Phew. Thank you, imaginary voice person.

[. . . ]

Why do I feel someone judging me with a deadpan gaze? Weird.

Must be just my imagination then. . .¯\_(^v^)_/¯

But then, if I'm not in hell then where am I exactly?

[Answer: The kingdom of Storian]

The kingdom of Historian?

[Incorrect. The kingdom of Storian.]

Did I travel back in time? because I've not heard of a kingdom of Historian standing in the modern era or any timeline as a matter of fact (—v—;)

[Incorrect, time is inconsequential in this world. Also, you have died in your original world.]

[Searching storage. . .]

[Unable to identify file to time travel.]

So this isn't Earth?

[Answer: No.]

How do you know all of this if I, your creator, doesn't even know about it? Is this some sci-fi consciousness theory.

[Answer: Invalid question.]

This f*cker. . . .

[⚠️ Warning: Refrain from use of profanity. Penalty may be imposed.]

"..."

Fuck fuck fuck fuck.

[Penalty implemented. Every profanity used will result in a deduction from health points. ]

Health points?

[-4 Hp]

huh? like a game?

[Current Hp: (1/5)]

What the f-

I mean what is going on. Wait, isn't this situation like those isekai shi-

Isekai shenanigans I used to read in middle school?

If that's the case, then everything makes sense.

I reckon there's like a game menu thing? or was it a profile thing?

Let's give it a shot! Profile. . . .?

[Profile is loading, close profile to open another tab?]

Yes?

「Loading cancelled」

「Loading Profile. . .」

This time, instead of just the robotic voice, there was a translucent blue hologram hovering in front of me. It flickered faintly and moved when my eyes moved.

Even when I shook my head and the screen shook as well. How interesting. . . .

「Profile:

Name: Unnamed monster

Species: Pupa

Age: less than 30 minute old

Class: F

Star: zero ∅

Hp: 1/5

Mp: 4/4

Hunger: 2/10 」

Fu-

Holy mother of Gods, why is my health bar and mana bar so low?! And what the f-

What is a pupa?

[Answer: The weakest species surrounding the stone dungeon. Very common and weak. A very weak monster that aspiring adventurers train with.

The Pupa is one of the weakest monsters because of their low maximum Health points and Mana points.]

You said weak twice.

[Answer: yes.]

For the sake of our friendship I will ignore that. . . .

So when will my HP recovery?

[Answer: A full hunger bar will immediately be cashed out for health points. Current state of hunger bar is insufficient to cash out for health points.

Additionally, the recovery rate of a pupa is the slowest. That is why the population of the pupa is hundred times more than other monsters.]

You're telling me, that this species choose quality over quantity?

[Answer: Incorrect. It is Quantity over Quantity.]

Is there any chance I'll die before a day passes?

[Answer: Probability of dying today, 0.98]

Mother *bleep*

[⚠️ Detected use of profanity. One point of hp will be deducted.

HP left (0/5).

Countdown to sudden death: 10 seconds]

Oh no, I'm sorry I'm sorry!! It's hard to suddenly stop cursing when I swear in every sentences. . . . I'm really sorry, please forgive me just this once!!

I'll even prostrate to you!!

[A final leniency is given. Some constellations have chosen to pardon your choice of words. Furthermore, a skill has been granted.]

I don't understand anything until the skill part, you should really learn to use less fancy words. But thank you, o' great constellations! Thank you!

So, what's the skill?

「Skill Name: Spare me please!

Skill type: special

Cooldown: 1 year

Description: A skill bestowed by the constellations to a pitiful monster that begged for mercy. Effective for escaping punishments and death. Currently only applicable to Rank F monsters.」

Reading the odd description, I couldn't help but think what kinda weird skill is this. . . .

[Answer: Special skills are exclusively unique skills gained from each individual's experience.]

So this weird skill, only I have it?

[Answer: yes.]

I don't know what to feel about that.

[Message received: You should be grateful. ]

Thank you thank you, this little one is very grateful.

Psst, was that a constellation?

[Answer: yes.]

So who was it?

[The Empress of Heaven]

Whoa, she sounds cool.

[. . . .]

***

Oh yea by the way, how do I have a full hunger bar? What do I eat?

[Answer: current available food is egg you've broken out of. Newborn Pupas eat their egg shells before they start eating leaves. Your egg is to your left. ]

I see. . .

I glanced at the yucky, slimey, crushed white slushy. . .thing.

And gagged.

Just wondering, what if I don't eat it?

[Answer: Hunger bar will decrease to zero and health points will be deducted. In conclusion, imminent death.]

I don't have a choice, do I?

[Answer: yes]

Damn it, I'll chew this pice of trash dow, I resigned to my fate. Resolutely picking up the more intact shell up with my mouth as I no longer have hands, I bit it.

To my surprise, the texture was similar to chips albeit rather bland. I wonder why. . .

[Answer: Newborn pupas have no sense of taste until they eat their shell.]

You should've told me earlier!

[. . .]

* * *