### Chapter 2: Accident and Rebirth
Kenji felt a rush of exhilaration as he navigated the unfamiliar landscape. The vibrant colors, the strange sounds of creatures rustling in the underbrush, and the refreshing scent of wildflowers filled his senses. His heart raced with excitement, but uncertainty gnawed at him.
"Just a simple quest, right?" he muttered to himself, trying to quell the nervousness bubbling within. "How hard could it be to find a herb?"
As he made his way toward the distant forest, the cheerful little creature buzzed beside him, offering tips and encouragement. "Remember, Kenji, this is your first quest! You'll get stronger with every step!"
"Right! Stronger! Just as long as I don't run into any giant squirrels," he quipped, recalling the creature's earlier warning.
However, Kenji's resolve was tested sooner than he expected. As he stepped into the shadow of the forest, the atmosphere shifted. The trees towered ominously, their gnarled branches intertwining like fingers grasping for something unseen. A chill crept down his spine, but he pushed forward, determined to prove himself.
Suddenly, a loud rustling erupted from the bushes nearby. Kenji froze, his instincts screaming at him to run. But before he could react, a massive, furry creature burst forth. It was a giant squirrel—easily twice his height—with menacing eyes and sharp, glistening teeth.
Kenji's heart raced as the creature bared its fangs. "Oh no! What do I do?" he yelled, panic setting in.
"Use your powers! Remember, you have a system!" the creature chirped, but Kenji felt utterly unprepared. The only thing he had was an overwhelming urge to run.
In a split-second decision, he turned to flee, but as he did, his foot caught on a root, sending him sprawling. He hit the ground hard, his breath escaping him in a rush. Dazed, he glanced back just in time to see the squirrel charging toward him, its claws ready to strike.
"Not like this!" he shouted, instinctively closing his eyes, bracing for impact.
Suddenly, a blinding flash engulfed him. It felt as if he were being pulled apart and stitched back together. The world around him faded into a whirl of colors and sounds, and just like that, the forest vanished.
When Kenji opened his eyes again, he found himself floating in a vast expanse of swirling light. He felt weightless, as if he were suspended in time. Confusion washed over him, and he shouted, "What's happening?!"
"Congratulations! You have experienced a fatal accident and are being reborn!" a booming voice echoed around him, resonating with authority and cheerfulness.
"Reborn? But I don't want to die!" Kenji protested, feeling a mix of fear and disbelief.
"Fear not! This is merely a transition! You will awaken in a new world with extraordinary powers!" the voice assured him.
Before he could respond, he was surrounded by visions—flashes of his life in Tanigawa, moments of frustration, laughter, and unfulfilled dreams. He saw himself in the office, daydreaming of heroism, longing for a life of adventure.
"Is this really what I wanted?" he pondered, the weight of his previous life settling in.
"Yes! You will now have the chance to fulfill those dreams!" the voice proclaimed, and suddenly, everything went dark.
A moment later, Kenji felt solid ground beneath him. He blinked, taking in the scene around him once more. He was back in the meadow, but something felt different. The air was charged with energy, and he could sense an undercurrent of power flowing through him.
"Welcome back, Hero Kenji!" the chubby creature from before appeared, now fluttering excitedly. "You're in a new body with a unique system! Your adventure starts now!"
"What? A new body? A system?" Kenji stammered, touching his arms and legs, feeling more alive than ever. "Did I really die?"
"Technically, yes, but you've been granted a second chance!" it replied, its eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Now, let's check out your abilities!"
Kenji watched in awe as a translucent screen materialized before him, displaying a list of powers and stats. It felt like something straight out of a video game.
"Strength: 1. Agility: 2. Luck: 10!" Kenji read, his eyes widening at the last stat. "Luck? Is that supposed to help me?"
"Luck is essential! It can turn any situation around!" the creature explained, bobbing excitedly. "Now, let's get started on your first quest again!"
Kenji couldn't help but chuckle, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration flooding him. "So, I'm really going to do this? I'm going to be a hero?"
"Absolutely! But remember, the world is full of surprises—good and bad!" the creature warned, zipping around him. "Now, about that herb…"
With renewed determination and a hint of laughter in his heart, Kenji took a deep breath. "Alright, let's find that herb! I'm ready for whatever comes next!"
And with that, Kenji Tanaka, the once-overworked salaryman, stepped into his new life as a hero, the thrill of adventure coursing through him. Little did he know, the absurdity of his journey had only just begun.