It was winter in our country in this time of the year, the disciples of our mixed martial school will be scarce once again due to the cold but nevertheless I opened the door.
"I'm home."
Though unexpectedly, most of the students were still here which numbered over 15. This is my dojo which has been passed down from my ancestors since generations, many coveted it for it's reputation as the best martial arts school in Japan but were never able to steal it from us.
"Hanagaki-sensei! What brings you here?!"
His name is Kyouya, one of the masters of this dojo and my former disciple before he graduated from school. He chose the path of martial arts and began teaching in this place after getting out of college.
"Hows your wage, Kyouya?"
"All good sensei, isn't it Christmas? Why aren't you with your family?"
"I came here to invite everyone for a Christmas party. My house is wide enough, so whose willing to join?"
With smiles on their faces, atleast more than half of the people in the dojo raised their hands.
"Eh, you guys are going? What about your families?"
Kyouya asked, surprised by the number of people who wanted to come.
"That's fine, senior. We'll just be there for a couple of hours. Does everyone agree?"
"Yeah!"
Looks like almost everyone is going, what a haul. Last year they attended in the party too.
Our group outside was very noticeable. Who wouldn't help but recognize a group of people wearing the same clothes? Even I was wearing the same red and white Gi we usually wear at the dojo. Since it's customary even if it's just a visit.
"Come to think of it, your daughter will be marrying at the end of the year, right Hanagaki-sensei??"
"Un, I threatened her fiancee that if he hurts her in any way I'll hurt him a hundredfold."
I heard some laughing from behind me, it seemed like my joke worked. Although it wasn't actually a joke. At these times, my hair stands up due to the cold, this season really isn't my thing.
"By the way sensei, at your daughter's wedding. Can we give-"
I turned my head the moment Kyouya began speaking, but he paused after something unbelievable happened.
Something... Something happened.
"M-Master! Shosuke, call the ambulance!-..."
My whole body was feeling numb besides my neck that was stinging like crazy. My hearing was disappearing swiftly and my vision was becoming blurry. There was a ringing in my ear that was so annoying but couldn't be stopped in my current state. My senses are a mess.
"...S-Sensei! Please get a hold of yourself!"
It's too late. Everything was becoming faint.
Was I shot by someone? An assassin? Did they come to steal the possession rights of the dojo?
This is troublesome, it's problematic, but also inevitable. The least that my death can do to aid my family are the insurance money and deposits I made in the case I die, since I already predicted this would happen sooner or later. I was truly relieved that I prepared beforehand.
Everything felt like it all disappeared momentarily. My senses remained dull, but I was sure I was dead.
So why do I feel so alive?
The pain was gone, the ringing in my ears had stopped and my sense of smell was back to normal. My body on the other hand felt like it wasn't wearing anything though.
"Choose, heaven or reincarnation?"
There was a husky but also arrogant voice that came from in front of me, even though I couldn't see him, I can feel his presence.
"I am Clodwal Okamura, I am here to give you a beneficial offer. Would you like to go to heaven or reincarnate into another world? I do not wish to repeat myself."
The person who sounded like in his teens spoke in a manner that would make anyone annoyed. Even I was in so much confusion after his question. Why so suddenly? Asking me that out of nowhere after I just died?
"Don't question my actions, so which is it? I'll warn you just in advance that not everyone you know that died went to heaven. Furthermore, it's a boring place so don't go there. And if you're questioning if I'm an atheist, it's only Cheese sauce fries."
This person can read my mind? Then if my guess serves me right he's bound to be a god that manages the deceased. Then reincarnate it is? I'm not that eager to go to heaven since my parents haven't died yet and I wasn't especially close with my deceased grandparents either.
"I am not responsible for guiding the dead, I am just here to get a chance in talking to you up front."
"Why did you want to talk to me personally then?"
"Reincarnation it is then, very well. Is there anything else you would like to say?"
Did he just ignore me?! Well, if it's like that then it can't be helped. I feel like it would be the wrong choice if I ask him.
"Yes, a question. In which era will I be reincarnated to?"
I humbly asked the fellow who I assume is a god. Naturally I would feel like kneeling on my knees right now as accordance to my culture, but I can't move so it's not possible.
"Era? That question is meaningless. I'll be sending you to a different world other than this so that question has no answer at all. Well then, have a safe trip."
"Eh?"
After that, all my senses returned to me. My eyes started working again, but the first thing I saw was something out of a horror movie.
There was a worm-like creature in front of me. Sprouting out of it looked like stems of a plant while it's mouth were circular in shape with sharp tiny teeth poking at every corner. There were two black tiny beads on the side of it's mouth which I assume to be it's eyes. And in addition to these already creepy features, there were even some wobbly tentacles from it's front that kept moving subconsciously.
After witnessing this, I did the inevitable and immediately screamed. Or atleast I tried to.
I just got here, so why the sudden jumpscare?!
...
But what was even more concerning was, no voice came out. And why do I feel like I'm floating since earlier? A sticky liquid is wrapping me from head to toe.
Looking at the thing in front of me, it was in the same predicament as I. It blinked it's eyes continuously while looking at me and something came to mind.
I'm in the same position as this thing, and right beside me is another similar looking monster. At my back there's also one like them. So... I can guess the situation now.
Slowly, I looked downwards to look at my feet. But my feet wasn't there, instead there were stems like these guys. So basically...
I'm one of them! How obvious!
I heard I was reincarnating but I didn't expect I wouldn't be a human. And where exactly am I? And just why did I have to become one of these guys?
"Test Subject No. 091, bring him here."
The surroundings were noisy as many people in white clothing, most likely scientists ran from here to there for urgent matters. From the translucent thing I was in, I could make out a basket which I was in along with these worm brothers of mine.
"Professor Jhin, we've brought the Heracles Worms."
"Ah, yes stand by here."
Heracles worms? I guess that's what I am, an actual worm. I have to eavesdrop on them just in case.
My line of sight was changing as the man carrying these things and me moved over to the santa looking man examining a young boy. The one holding me might be some assistant of his.
"Pass me one of the pills."
The pills he was referring to, seems to be the translucent capsules I and these things are in.
Wait, hold on...
If we're pills then we'll...
We'll get eaten?
Damn it. Should I get out of here?
"Test Subject No. 091 is about to consume Sample H76."
I have to get out of here!
I tried kicking the barrier which was the capsule open, but it wouldn't budge. This body just seems to be that weak and not suited for fighting.
Then what else can I do? Am I just going to get eaten and digested like this? That's no way to die at all!
But it looks like my worries were put on hold for now, as the assistant picked and handed over the pill next to me to the professor.
For some reason, I can understand their language despite being told this was another world.
But that was close, I don't know what I would do if I got chosen, no doubt I'll complain to the one who reincarnated me and I would have to redo it again if ever that's allowed.
"Open your mouth, Test Subject No. 091."
The boy who looked like a fourteen years old, was fed the pill by the professor. After that, nothing special happened for the next 30 seconds.
"Alright, Professor Grindstone, examine his body for any physical changes."
At his order, another scientist looking guy, but only with a mustache arrived while bringing with him a bracelet-like device.
"Only a strength increase of 20%? It's not enough but we're close."
He said that after seizing the child's hands and making him wear the bracelet. It looked to me that it was something that would show them the results of their experiment.
"It's a failure, he'll be sold as a slave. Take him to sector 5. Bring Test Subject No. 092."
"Roger."
As the kid was silently taken away, another one came to take his place. This one was a grey haired boy this time, it was the first time I've seen such hair color on a young man.
"12%? This is even worse, dispose of Clone Sample H77 and H80. Take this one away to Sector 5."
-30 minutes later-
With this lineup, it had already gone up to Test Subject No. 098 by the time it finally became my turn. Afterall, it was only my capsule that was left.
"21%, another failure. Good god, when will we have results! Take her away, bring Test Subject No. 099 here."
I surely believed it will be the end of me in such a quick way. I was the last sample, but to my disbelief, I feel like that fear disappeared when the one who's going to ingest me came.
It was a young girl with white hair and green eyes. She was beautiful, she was supposed to be, but contrary to my statement there was something bizarre about her face.
Her mouth was slit like it had been cut by a blade. Who could be so cruel enough to do this to a young girl with such beautiful prospects?
But thinking about "who" were things that are currently a luxury to me. I'm going to get eaten!
As the assistant took me out of the rack I and my capsule were in, my body in the pill shook at every one of his movements. I can't believe I was this small, I might even be smaller than a fairyfly now that I take a look at them this closely.
"099, Open your mouth."
The girl opened her mouth and I was surprised with how wide it could stretch due to her mouth being cruelly severed.
Then...
*Plok*
I got thrown into her mouth.
The capsule crashed at her tongue before being slid into her esophagus.
So this is what someone's insides is like. It's a strange feeling as if I'm being licked by my ten dogs at home again.
But then I noticed the capsule was breaking the further I descended. Not only that, I felt like my consciousness was fading...
Just what kind of reincarnation is this?