I stared in shock at the glowing figure in front of me, my earlier train of thought scattered like ashes in the wind. The figure's form shimmered, radiant yet indistinct, as if it were both there and not. Despite the overwhelming strangeness of it, I couldn't tear my gaze away. It was... mesmerizing, almost as though it beckoned me into some deeper understanding that my mind couldn't quite grasp.
The figure chuckled, its voice deep and resonant, vibrating the very air around me. "Careful, mortal," it said, a tone of mockery lacing its words. "Staring too long can have some... unintended consequences."
I blinked, suddenly aware of how long I had been gawking. I quickly forced my mouth to move, trying to regain some semblance of control. "W-what am I doing here?" I stammered, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound composed. "What is this? Where am I?"
The figure's response was as calm as it was unsettling. "I've been watching you for quite some time," it began, its voice carrying an eerie, almost predatory quality. "Your pain. Your suffering. Your rage. And your triumph. You endured torment that would break most, yet you found the strength to take revenge on your tormentor. That, I respect."
I stiffened, feeling a strange mix of pride and confusion. "If you respect what I did, then why am I here? What do you want from me?"
The figure's voice turned cold, its tone shifting like ice scraping across metal. "However," it said, "your final choice disappointed me."
I flinched, anger bubbling up. "You think I went through all of that suffering just to keep living? I didn't want to keep going—I wanted out!"
A long silence followed, the weight of it pressing down on me. I could feel the air grow thick, suffocating almost, until the figure spoke again. Its voice softened, just slightly, but there was still an undeniable edge to it. "I understand your despair," it said, "but that is not what this meeting is for."
I frowned, unable to shake the unease creeping up my spine. "What do you mean? What do you want from me?"
The figure's tone grew more assured, more powerful. "I will offer you another chance. Not just life, but something more—a purpose, a reason to keep going."
I crossed my arms, unable to hide my skepticism. "A purpose? And what's the catch?"
The figure seemed to smirk, though I couldn't see its face clearly enough to confirm. "No catch," it said, its voice smooth and almost tempting. "Only a mission."
I raised an eyebrow. "Mission? What mission?"
Ignoring my question, the figure continued as though it hadn't heard me. "You will be given another chance at life. This time, you will have the freedom to do as you please—for the most part."
The figure continuing, "First, you must decide where you want to live this second life. Do you want to return to Earth? You'll have a new body, wealth, everything you've ever dreamed of. Or would you prefer to go to another world—a world where magic is real, where power can be gained through magic?"
I froze, my mind spinning as the implications of what it was saying began to sink in. "Magic?" I muttered, almost breathlessly. "Tell me more about this... other world."
The figure's form seemed to glow brighter, pulsing with a sort of energy that sent a strange shiver through me. "This world is abundant in mana. It is a realm where magic exists in every corner. You could wield powers beyond your imagination, but it is not a world for the weak. You will need strength and unwavering resolve."
I stood still, contemplating this new world. The idea of magic, of powers I could control—was it a dream? It felt like something from a story, but the figure's voice had an edge of truth to it that was hard to ignore.
"What about Earth?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Could I go back there instead? Live a comfortable life?"
The figure's tone grew slightly colder. "On Earth, you could live a life of luxury—money, fame, everything you desire. But there would be no magic. No powers. And the mission I offer you would not apply."
I curled my lip in distaste. The idea of wealth and fame was tempting, but without power? It would be a hollow existence. I quickly made up my mind. "I'll take the other world," I said, the decision feeling right in my gut.
The figure seemed pleased, the space around it shimmering as though it approved of my choice. "Good. Now, you must choose how to begin your journey."
It raised a hand, and three glowing symbols appeared in the air, each one radiating a different energy. I focused on them, each one stirring something deep within me.
"Option one," the figure intoned, "You will have an exceptional talent, but you will remain human. With this, you will have a system—a guide to help you grow, to help you achieve greatness. It's a path of clear progression."
The second symbol flickered, and the figure gestured to it. "Option two: You can be reborn as a different race, there will be a system to assist you. Your talent will be average, your path uncertain."
"And the third?" I asked, already leaning toward it. I wanted power, but I needed something more than a simple talent.
The figure's expression shifted, darkening as though it was preparing to deliver news that wasn't quite what I wanted to hear. "Option three," it said, "You will gain an outstanding talent and be reborn as a unique species. Your body will be different, your potential immense, but you will bear a handicap—one that will test your resolve in ways you cannot yet imagine."
I thought about it for a moment. The first option was tempting—a system to guide my growth. But I wasn't interested in staying human. The second option... it didn't seem like enough. I will have a system but average talent—it would be a struggle, and not the kind I wanted.
I needed something more. "Can I know the handicap beforehand?" I asked cautiously, not wanting to make a mistake.
"Obviously not," the figure responded with a smirk that I could almost hear. "You'll have to live with the consequences of your choice, mortal. And you'd better hurry, time is not on your side."
I hesitated for only a moment before nodding firmly. "Fine. I'll take option three."
The figure's voice took on a note of approval. "Excellent choice," it said, its tone becoming more cryptic. "Now, let me explain your purpose. Your goal in this new world is simple: conquer it. How you achieve that is entirely up to you. You can dominate through power, charisma, or manipulation. You can form alliances—or crush your enemies. But remember—only one can be the true conqueror."
The weight of those words hit me like a ton of bricks. "Others?" I asked, my voice suddenly tight with unease.
"Yes," the figure confirmed. "Five others have been chosen, just like you. Some will be reincarnated as you are about to be, and others will be natives of this world. You can choose to team up with them—or you can choose to defeat them. But remember, only one of you can stand as the true ruler of this world."
I clenched my fists, the challenge lighting a fire within me. "Alright. What do I get to be?"
"Ah, the question I've been waiting for," the figure said with amusement. "You will be reborn as a vampire. This unique species will grant you great potential, but it comes at a cost."
My heart raced. "What cost?"
The figure's voice grew cold once again. "You will be blind."
My stomach dropped. "Blind?" My voice cracked as panic clawed at my throat. "How can I conquer anything if I can't even see?"
The figure's expression remained unreadable, but its voice was dismissive. "You'll figure it out. But enough questions. You've made your choice."
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could say another word, the figure's hand glowed with blinding light, and everything around me disappeared into nothingness.
"Wait—just a—!" I cried out, but my voice was swallowed by the light.
The last thing I heard was the figure's mocking tone. "Don't disappoint me, little mortal."
Then, everything went black.