In the face of an opportunity to realize the perfect life he'd yearned for, there was a question to ponder: would you seize it, even if it came with a caveat?
For some, this chance would be seized with open arms, a golden opportunity, while for others, the skepticism would outweigh curiosity.
Jian Wei fell into the former category, decisively accepting the offer extended by an Angel to partake in the Heaven's Gate Project.
He saw this as a chance to rewrite the narrative of his existence, to distance himself from the desolate life he'd left behind a mere few hours ago.
And so, within the expanse of the multiverse, Jian Wei found himself within a dimly lit office, being regarded with a mixture of disdain and allure by an Angelic figure of breathtaking elegance. This ethereal being had ushered him away from Earth, following his departure from life.
This Angel guided him to the Celestial Realm, where he was handed a character creation form, a template to shape his forthcoming life.
—--
"Hair color?" Jian Wei surveyed the array of options before him. The form was a compilation of multiple-choice inquiries, a mere shading of a circle cementing his decision.
"Blonde is common… silver or white could be intriguing," he ruminated, fingers scratching his scalp.
This was just the initial question, and already he felt the weight of uncertainty in choosing his new identity.
"Red, resolute," Jian Wei declared, his pen defining his selection.
The once-grayed alternatives were now immutable, a choice forever etched.
With the first query addressed, he now faced the second, a riddle as intricate as the prior.
—--
< Choose Eye Color >
– Blue
– Green
– Hazel
– Red
– Gold
– Gray
– Brown
– ….
– ….
—--
"Red hair, perhaps green eyes to complement? Ah, and a touch of heterochromia."
After moments of contemplation, green eyes became his choice. There was an inexplicable connection he felt to that combination – red hair and green eyes, reminiscent of a charismatic hero from a beloved tale.
"Gender? Male, without question," he muttered, shading in the corresponding oval. 'In this new life, as a man, I'll seize every chance I missed before.'
Weight…
Height…
Body Build…
Skin Color…
Each question answered in a manner tailored to his aspirations, his eyes now fixed on the next set of options.
—
< Facial Aesthetic >
( Plain )
( Average )
( Cute )
( Attractive )
( Handsome )
( Charismatic )
( Mysterious )
( Alluring )
—--
'Some tempting choices here, but the last two could be perilous,' Jian Wei mused. 'Best to avoid risks, and opt for Handsome. Next!'
—--
< Race >
( Human )
( Elf )
( Dwarf )
( Demon )
( Beastkin )
( Dragon )
( ….)
( …. )
—--
The first instinct was Elf, a race synonymous with beauty and longevity. Yet, upon deeper reflection, he altered his decision.
The answer was simple: diversity. If every face held handsomeness and beauty, wouldn't the value of aesthetic diversity diminish?
Elves basked in the embrace of time, their lives stretching over ages.
He too desired longevity, but mingling with Humans had its allure. Being a Half-Elf struck him as a promising avenue.
Discrimination worried him, yet he understood the risk he must take to carve his path out of obscurity.
To maximize his future charm, he opted for a race blending both worlds: Half-Elf.
As he shaded his choice, the other races faded away, his selection cemented.
Strangely, a sense of relief washed over him, knowing his chosen path could no longer change.
—--
< Lineage >
( Royal Descent )
( Noble Lineage )
( Influential Clan Heritage )
( Commoner Origins )
—--
Jian Wei regarded the options with gravity. A royal lineage lured, yet he'd read tales where regal life was rife with peril and political treachery.
Intrigue and betrayal among kin didn't appeal.
'Standing out doesn't require nobility, but I'm unfamiliar with the new world,' he mused, fingers grazing his chin. 'Ascending from a commoner's status could be perilous. I might be born to a farmer or a gangster, facing adversity.'
Given the value of his impending existence, he opted for Noble Lineage—a balance between comfort and visibility.
Yet, the next set of choices left him gaping, unexpected inclusion on the form.
—
< Essence Enhancement >
– Note: This choice bestows unique attributes on your next life. Choose discerningly.
—
'Darn! Bestowing me the power to decide my… attribute, with bonuses?' Jian Wei's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Truly, an unexpected boon. I'm going for it.'
—
( Calm )
– You will possess acute perception and unrivaled composure.
( Radiant )
– You will radiate a natural charm, captivating those around you.
( Witty )
– Wit as sharp as a blade, your words will be your most potent weapon.
( Energetic )
– Boundless energy courses through you, invigorating your every endeavor.
( Cunning )
– Deft at manipulation and strategy, your actions shall ripple unseen.
( Stoic )
– Emotions will yield to your iron will, granting you unassailable resilience.
—-
Faced with these options, he pondered their implications.
'Radiance has its charm, but stoicism offers unparalleled strength,' he contemplated. 'In this world I venture into, resilience could be a treasure. Stoic it is.'
—--
< Tenacity Trait >
( Dauntless )
( Resolute )
( Steadfast )
( Persistent )
( Adamantine )
( Indomitable )
( ….)
( …. )
—--
'Dauntless speaks of bravery, but Indomitable suits my purpose,' he reasoned.
Shaded choice and sealed fate, he continued to the next queries.
—--
< Unique Quirk >
( Whistler )
( Enigmatic Smile )
( Always Hungry )
( Unwavering Curiosity )
( Melodic Voice )
( Absentminded )
( ….)
( …. )
—--
He chuckled. 'A quirk? Enigmatic Smile, perhaps. Unassuming yet captivating.'
—--
< PP Size >
– This choice has consequential implications in your next life. Make your choice prudently.
—
Jian Wei was dumbfounded by the audacity of this question.
'Offering me power for my… assets? And with bonuses?' His teeth gnashed in disbelief. 'Disguised enticement for my satisfaction!'
After much contemplation about his personal comfort and, well, his "little brother's," he marked his choice with a mixture of annoyance and determination.
A chuckle, rife with jest, danced behind him.
Jian Wei turned to find the alluring Angel, a mischievous grin painting his countenance. An unexpected blush dusted his cheeks, and a pang of uncertainty gripped him.
'Did I… err in my choice?' he pondered, feeling eyes linger upon his selection.
With resolve, he averted his gaze, diverting his focus from the teasing Angel.
More queries followed, and he answered each with the clarity of a character in a game, albeit one lacking a preview.
'Creating a character without seeing the final outcome, a missed opportunity,' he mused. 'A shame.'