Chapter 2: Selecting a system
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Who am I? No… I am… Ain. Yeah. Jack's cruel fist took my life too soon. Too soon for what, you ask? For everything. For Lana. For thrusting practice. For the life I should've lived. Matter of fact is that I should be furious, but right now, it feels… pointless. All that's left are faint echoes of what could've been: me thrusting, Lana screaming. A beautiful life lost. How unfortunate.
Oddly enough, I feel peaceful, like all my regrets, struggles, and dreams have melted into the void.
But peace, like every other good thing in my life, didn't last.
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in a morgue or even heaven, as I might have expected. I was standing in a void—an endless nothingness that felt heavier than death itself. The silence was deafening, oppressive, like it wanted to crush my soul. My body, if you could still call it that, felt… different. Lighter. Stronger. Was I a ghost?
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. I bet I could last 80 rounds like this, I thought, trying to amuse myself in the void.
And then, a voice broke the silence. Feminine, calm, but with an authority that could make gods sit up straight. "You shouldn't be here."
I froze. "What do you mean? I died. Jack's fists, remember?"
"Yes, you did," the voice replied. "But not in the way you think. The universe made a mistake. Your death disrupted a chain of events that was never meant to be. You, Ain, were not supposed to die."
A mistake? By the universe? My sinister grin spread. Their fault, not mine, I thought. The concept of cosmic negligence was oddly comforting.
"Let me guess," I interrupted, suppressing a smirk, "you're going to reincarnate me into a new world where I'll be overpowered and adored?"
"No," the voice replied, its tone unchanged. "This is not some wish-fulfillment story. Jack has been… very naughty."
Wait, what? Jack? why Jack ?Before I could piece things together, an ethereal knee slammed into my groin. Hard.
I crumpled, wheezing. "What the hell was that for?!"
"For your inappropriate thoughts."
Okay, fair. I was trying to flirt with the omniscient voice. Lesson learned.
The voice continued, now sharper. "Fate can be rewritten. You, Ain, have been chosen to correct the course. To reclaim your life, your purpose, and the future stolen from you. Do you accept?"
I narrowed my eyes. "I refuse."
There was a pause. "Why?"
"Because you clearly need something from me," I said, grinning smugly. "You don't just hand out second chances for free, right? You want someone you can control, and unfortunately for you, I'm nobody's pawn."
The voice sighed. "You misunderstand."
"No, I don't," I shot back. "But! Out of the goodness of my heart, I'll consider your offer… if you come and suc—"
The void trembled. An oppressive, murderous aura enveloped me, pressing down so hard I felt like I might implode. "I MEANT… just send me a system!" I squeaked, waving my hands in surrender.
The aura receded. "Very well. You shall have a system."
A glowing orb appeared, hovering before me, crackling with power. The voice softened. "This system will aid you in your mission to reclaim what was lost. But remember, with great power comes—"
"Responsibility. Yeah, yeah, I've heard that one before," I interrupted, rolling my eyes.
The orb flared brighter, and a voice spoke directly into my mind:
"Welcome, Ain. Choose two abilities: one skill and one system. Your choices will determine your path forward."
Five options appeared in my mind:
1. Fist of the Immortal SS (Sealed): Learn and counter any martial art instantly, identifying weaknesses with pinpoint accuracy.
2. Time's Embrace SS (Partially Sealed): Manipulate time in short bursts—rewind, slow, or speed it up—at the cost of energy and health.
3. Mind Over Muscle SS (Sealed): Enhance your physical abilities to superhuman levels within human capabilities, turning your body into an unstoppable force.
4. Soul Reaver SS system (Sealed): Absorb the strength and skills of defeated opponents, growing stronger with every victory.
5. Echo of the Fallen System (Rank ??, Sealed): Channel the techniques of legendary fighters from history, summoning their skills to aid you in combat.
The choices were dizzying. Each option promised ridiculous power, but they all came with restrictions. My brain itched with possibilities, but then reality set in. "Hey, wait. These are all sealed, right? How much power do I actually get?"
The voice replied flatly, "You can access 0.00000000000000001% of the system's full potential."
"Wow. I'm overwhelmed by your generosity," I deadpanned.
After a moment's pause, I grinned and said, "I choose… the Deep-Throating Baby-Making skill!"
Silence.
The voice, now laced with exhaustion, replied, "That is not one of the options."
"Fine," I sighed. "I'll take Time's Embrace and the Echo of the Fallen System. Let's get this over with."
The voice hummed with approval. "Very well. Your choices are made. Your journey begins now."
The orb's light engulfed me, and I felt a surge of energy unlike anything I'd known. It was overwhelming, chaotic, but exhilarating. As the light faded, I stood alone, ready to face whatever came next.
And so, my second life began—complete with a penchant for bad jokes, an absurd amount of unresolved issues, and just enough power to make me dangerous.
Jack, I'm coming for you.