(Executive's POV)
Finally, the moment had come. The 1000th soul had finally entered the realm of reincarnation. The one-week-long wait for the 1000th human from Earth to undergo death was finally over...
It might take longer than expected, but at last, I could fulfill my role and receive my reward.
I just hope that this time's souls had the potential to make it to the end. Or at least make a worldwide contribution. That way, my reward would be more significant! Getting my second SSS-grade skill would no longer be out of reach.
The 1000th soul had made its way to the reincarnation path. Each soul who entered beforehand had an aura that varied from weak to strong. This time, this last soul seemed to have the weakest aura of this batch. The will in a form of cloud, contained in this soul, was flickering from time to time, suggesting that this soul was weak-willed.
It was pitiful seeing a soul with no potential being chosen to participate in this deadly clash. The great opportunity would be wasted.
What? Life after death? Heaven? Just how oblivious could this soul be! To think that he would have thought of this grandest "Path of Reincarnation" as some measly resting place of the Angels? How pathetic!
"This is no heaven. This is the path to reincarnation, the life that you all from Earth are fantasizing about"
Annoying! This soul was making me annoyed!
Albeit annoyed, I still had to fulfill my role of giving a background of this marvelous event.
"As much as I want to illuminate this place's greatness, we don't have much time left at our disposal. Let me explain the details. This is Euphoria… omitted... Now, do you have any questions? We still have a minute before the Prologue commences"
A 5-minute time allotment per soul was actually invested for queries, but no one would blame me for making shit out of this weak soul, right? He should be honored that I was willing to invest my one minute for the measly soul of his.
"Just 55 more seconds!"
Too annoying! I wished I made it 30 seconds instead of a minute. One minute was still too much to waste on this soul!
What? He was crying? BWAHAHA, Pathetic! Even the soul of a 13-year-old kid from earlier didn't shed a tear! How could a 20-year-old guy wail in this majestic place?!
We were actually not allowed to use our skills during the introductory process. But curiosity really got me good this time.
Let me peek at his inner desire!
As I entered his soul, I saw thoughts that continuously blocked my eyesight. This soul had been thinking too much! His father, mother, even his ex-fiance? The debt collector, opportunities wasted, regrets, disappointments!
Too much! I was seeing too much!!
These insignificant things that those moron humans were indulging themselves into!
I could only dig deeper into his soul and see his inner desire!
In the deepest part, I saw a light that shone remarkably. It was a figure of a girl whose beauty transcended into the levels of the angels! Albeit, she was too young. Only 4 years old.
I saw how she spent her life in hardships from being abandoned by her mother to living a life of poverty with her father and finally getting the disease that was nearly incurable in the human world.
BWHAHAHAHA, how pathetic?! To think that he would drop the single potion that could save his daughter's life? How pathetic!
I shot off the soul as I felt fear of being contaminated by its shortcomings. There was no way that I would let myself be stained by even this soul's tears!
After going out, I could only let out a sigh and released some "encouraging" words hoping that this soul would still do good in Euphoria and bring me good rewards.
"So that's the situation. You pretty much lived a hard life, but who does not? Every 1000 souls who entered here have their own story to tell. Your inner desire tells me that you want power. A power to protect your loved ones, your daughter, and give her the life she deserves. Well, behold, the World of Swords and Magic offers you a chance to do that! Money? Life status? Power? Euphoria could give you all that!"
Nice words befitting the high me. I bet that with these words, this weak soul would awaken its fighting spirit and soar high!
Or so what I thought. He just continued sulking till the last second. I had no choice but to end this meaningless process. Besides, I had already planted the beginner package into his soul. It was the life force that contained the beginner's system.
"Now's the time. You are now going to be transported to Euphoria. I wish you a nice journey and survive till the next time"
With a flicker of my finger, a crack appeared in the void. The powerless soul got dragged rather easily unlike the previous ones that took at least a minute. This soul was indeed the dark sheep of this batch.
I watched the soul flew farther and farther until it finally entered the World of Sword and Magic.
"His only reason to live has vanished. With that state, I doubt that he will survive the Prologue", I sighed.
"I hope he'll get a decent role at least."
--------
[Congratulations! The Host has successfully drawn the role of "Extra!"]
(James' POV)
As I got out of the path of reincarnation, what welcomed me was the bright light that continued to prick my eyes. I held my arms before my head, shielding the bright light. Through that, I was able to witness the crowd that surrounded me.
It was a pack of students wearing a uniform of the same type. The crowd was talking excitedly and seemed not to notice my intrusion.
'I need to get out of this place, out of this world. I need to go back to Hope!'
With that thought, I ran blindly toward an unknown path. I squeezed into the crowd that was continuously erupting with excitement.
"Finally! We are 16 years old!"
"Yes! We can now awaken and receive our random box!"
"What type do you think will I get? I wish I would get a skill type"
"Skill type is good, but don't you think that information type is good too? Like maybe the number combination in lotto? That would make you an instant billionaire and you won't have to waste your energy hunting stuff!"
Just what were they talking about? Awaken? Random box? Skills?
I remembered hearing from that voice that I would enter the World of Swords and Magic but I didn't expect it to be like this.
I didn't want this. I needed to be with Hope! She was still infected by the disease! I needed to find a cure!
Just 26 more days…
I couldn't help but be broken again once I remembered that Hope was alone on Earth.
She had no one to depend on. Her mom wouldn't even bat an eye even in her dying state. And I didn't even want to think of the worst, which was the bad men that were lurking in our community, doing something immoral to her.
I remembered that last week, the body of a 10-year-old girl was found….
Shit! I needed to go back!
This other world, power, opportunity, and whatsoever, I didn't give a shit to all these! Without hope, I had no way to continue living!
There was no Hope in this world. I couldn't live here.
[It is detected that the Host currently has complicated thoughts in his mind. The downloading of this world's resources is currently on pause]
It was this announcement from this system again.
I felt the life force that entered my soul earlier transformed into this system. I would have been happy if it was the 16-years-old me but now, I had something important to do.
I reached the end of the crowd and what greeted me was the barricade of people in medieval armor.
"I am not a student here. Seems like there is a mistake here. I need to go out now"
I immediately explained to them the situation. Surely, they would understand me, right? Just how could a 20-year-old me be mistaken for a high school student?
However, life seemed not to treat me well most of the time.
"HAHAHHAHA, not a student? Is this supposed to be a joke? Then how would you explain your uniform and your name tag?", a man in the medieval armor laughed
A uniform? Name tag? Wait…
At that moment, I looked at myself through the reflection shown in the shining medieval armor. I was dumbfounded by how I didn't see myself but rather, a figure of a roughly 15-16-year-old guy who looked so innocent.
The reflection showed me wearing a uniform that was similar to the students from earlier. Also, the name tag with a written name "F-rank Student 55", or should I say, a description?
F-rank Student 55? Was that me? Just what was happening?
I was clueless for not so long as the system rang in my mind, giving me the answers to my current doubts.
[Since the Host has drawn the role "Extra", the host's soul is transported into the body of F-rank Student 55, an extra in this world]
[This World's Extras have no name. Only a vague description]
[Ding!]
[It is advised for the host to continue the download of this World's resources before taking any further action]
I got it. I died and was transported into this world where I had to fulfill something to survive. But what came after that? Everything would be worthless without Hope!
Ackkk, I couldn't get Hope's off my mind. She needed me at this moment! What if she didn't lock the door? What if someone did something to her???
I needed to get out of this place now! But how… I didn't even know how to leave this place, even more, go back to Earth…
As I was immersed in this struggle, the system's announcement caused me a great shock…
[It is possible to go back to Earth. In fact, once this World's prologue has ended, everyone from the 1000th participants who survived will be transported back to Earth.]
[It is recommended for the host to not worry for you will be transported back with your previous body and you would even be able to take all things you earned or gathered in this world, back to Earth.]
[All the wealth, items, knowledge, and even the Power that the host desires]
Hearing these replies, I didn't realize that the tears that continued to let out of my eyes had long settled. Not to mention the smile that appeared on my face without my knowledge.
Going back to Earth was possible! Not only that, but I could also take back the money needed to buy a potion for Hope!
[Ding!]
[The host needs to know that the "Mana-Distortion Healing Potion" is a common commodity in this World and can be purchased for just 50 coins]
Great!
I didn't know but the moment I heard that, I immediately stood up from my kneeling position, and wiped off the trace of tears from my face.
My pathetic composure was instantly washed off and was now exchanged by the smile and hopeful me.
I only needed to do my role and survive the prologue.
Hope… I would be back… just wait for me