December 23, 2024
Carl Bringston, a 26-year-old orphan raised in Manhattan, one of New York City's five boroughs, had managed to rise above his humble beginnings. Through sheer determination and hard work, he earned a degree in Computer Engineering, relying entirely on scholarships. Now, Carl lived a relatively stable life, working as a game developer for a well-known gaming company.
But tonight, none of his accomplishments mattered.
Sitting alone in the corner of a dimly lit bar somewhere in the city, Carl nursed his third drink. The holidays had brought a temporary break to his busy work life, with employees on vacation as Christmas approached. However, Carl wasn't here to celebrate or relax.
The truth was, he was trying to drown his heartbreak.
Just weeks ago, his girlfriend of four years had left him. The pain of the breakup had been unbearable, and what made it worse was the nagging suspicion that his best friend, Alex, might have been the reason.
Alex wasn't just any friend—he was Carl's childhood companion, his brother in everything but blood. They had grown up together in the same orphanage, inseparable since they were kids. At the age of 10, Alex had been adopted by a wealthy businessman, a twist of fate that changed Alex's life entirely. While Carl continued to struggle and fight for every opportunity, Alex had grown up in luxury.
Despite the drastic difference in their circumstances, their friendship endured. Alex remained close to Carl, never letting the disparity in their lives create a wedge between them. But now, Carl couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that Alex might have betrayed him.
His ex-girlfriend had always seemed fond of Alex—maybe too fond, now that Carl thought about it. He tried to brush away the thought, refusing to believe that Alex could do something so underhanded. But the doubt lingered, like a splinter in his mind, and it grew with each drink he took.
Carl stared at the amber liquid in his glass, swirling it idly as his thoughts spiraled. Was he imagining things? Was his heartbreak clouding his judgment? Or was there a truth he wasn't ready to confront?
The bar around him buzzed with faint Christmas music and chatter, but Carl was lost in his own world. He took another sip, the whiskey burning his throat but failing to numb the ache in his chest.
He wanted to believe in Alex, in the brotherhood they had shared since they were kids. But the memories of recent weeks—his ex-girlfriend's distant behavior, Alex's strange avoidance—refused to leave him alone.
Carl placed the glass down with a heavy sigh, the weight of his doubts pressing down on him.
Carl stood up, left a few bills on the counter, and stepped out into the cold night.
Outside, the streets of Manhattan were blanketed in a soft layer of snow, the city glowing under festive lights.
As Carl exited the bar, the cold night air hit him like a wave. He pulled his coat tighter around himself, his breath visible in the freezing December air. Climbing into his car, he started the engine and began the drive home, the city streets blanketed in a thin layer of snow.
The roads were quiet, the faint hum of the radio filling the silence. Lost in his thoughts about Alex and the betrayal gnawing at him, Carl didn't notice the hooded figure suddenly darting across the street.
His heart leapt into his throat as he slammed his foot on the brake.
The tires screeched against the icy road, the car sliding uncontrollably as it swerved. Carl gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to steady the vehicle, but the thin sheet of snow made it nearly impossible. When he finally regained control, his relief was short-lived.
He hadn't realized he had drifted into the opposite lane.
Headlights suddenly illuminated his windshield, and Carl's eyes widened in horror. A massive truck was barreling straight toward him.
"Oh, fuck!" he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling as adrenaline surged through him. "It's *truck-kun*! Looks like I'll be buried 6ft underground after Christmas." The words barely escaped his lips before impact.
BANG!
The deafening sound of metal colliding tore through the silent night.
In that moment, time seemed to slow. The car crumpled like paper under the force of the truck, glass shattering and spraying like deadly shards. Carl felt the violent jolt of the collision, the world around him spinning into chaos.
And then, everything went dark.
Carl's last thought before unconsciousness claimed him wasn't of Alex, or his ex, or even the life he had fought so hard to build. It was a strange, detached realization that this wasn't how he thought his story would end.
But maybe… it wasn't the end at all.
When Carl opened his eyes, he found himself inside a grand hall, its towering pillars stretching endlessly towards a high, vaulted ceiling. Above him hung an enormous chandelier, its radiant light illuminating the entire space. He blinked in confusion, his gaze drawn to a massive throne at the far end of the hall. Instead of an occupant, an intense, otherworldly light pulsed from the throne, radiating power and mystery. The hall exuded an air of ancient majesty, reminiscent of the medieval era.
As Carl tried to make sense of his surroundings, fragments of his last memory began to surface—the screeching tires, the blinding headlights of the truck, and the violent impact. Panic surged within him. *"The crash..."* His thoughts trailed off as he looked down at his body, only for his breath to hitch in disbelief.
His body was translucent, almost ghostly. He reached out to touch himself, but his hands passed through his form like smoke. His eyes widened in terror.
"What... what is this?" he muttered, his voice shaking. "Am I... dead?"
The realization struck like a thunderbolt. A bitter chuckle escaped his lips as he clenched his invisible fists. "So, this is how it ends. I worked so hard, and now I won't even get to enjoy the fruits of my labor." He sighed deeply, despair washing over him. "But why am I here? Is this heaven? Hell? Or am I just dreaming?"
He glanced around the hall, his voice trembling as he muttered, "Why am I the only one here?"
Suddenly, a melodic yet commanding voice echoed throughout the hall.
"You are not alone. I am here."
Carl's heart skipped a beat. The voice was neither distinctly male nor female, but its presence was overwhelming, reverberating through the vast chamber.
"Wh-who's there?" Carl stammered, his eyes darting left and right. But no matter where he looked, he couldn't pinpoint the source of the voice.
"I am before you," the voice replied, its tone calm yet undeniable.
Carl turned back to the throne, his gaze fixed on the radiant light. Fear and curiosity churned within him. "Wh-what are you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he took a hesitant step back.
The light seemed to shimmer with amusement. "Hmm... interesting. You are the first soul I have chosen from your world."
Carl's stomach dropped at the confirmation. "So... I really am dead," he whispered to himself, the weight of those words pressing down on him.
"Yes, you are," the voice confirmed.
Carl's eyes widened. "Wait... can it hear my thoughts?"
"Yes," the voice replied, a faint trace of humor in its tone. "I can hear everything you think."
Carl froze, his mind racing. *"It can read my thoughts?!"* Shaking off his initial shock, he straightened himself and faced the throne directly.
"If I'm dead," Carl began, forcing his voice to remain steady, "why am I here? And where exactly is* this place?"
"This is my domain," the voice said. "I brought you here."
Carl frowned, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Why would you bring me here?"
"Out of curiosity," the voice admitted. "I wanted to see if a soul from your world could be... interesting."
Carl's expression twisted in disbelief. "Interesting?!" he exclaimed. "You brought me here just because you were curious?"
"Yes," the voice replied matter-of-factly. "But worry not. To make up for this, I will give you a chance."
"A chance?" Carl repeated, narrowing his eyes. "What kind of chance?"
"The chance to live again," the voice said, its tone now brimming with excitement. "You may reincarnate."
Carl's breath caught in his throat. "Reincarnate?" he whispered. "Is that even possible?"
"Of course," the voice answered smoothly. "But such an opportunity comes with a price."
Carl's suspicion deepened. "A price? What price?"
The light pulsed as though laughing. "How delightful! Yes, there is a price. Someday, I will call upon you to fulfill a single desire of mine. That is all."
A cold chill ran down Carl's spine. Something about this promise felt ominous, but he had no other choice. He sighed. "Fine. I accept. But... what are you, really?"
The voice paused as if considering the question. Then, with a faint chuckle, it said, "That is something you will learn in time. For now, prepare yourself."
Before Carl could respond, the light began to shift, forming into a humanoid figure made entirely of radiant energy. The figure approached him, placing a glowing hand on his forehead.
"See you soon, Carl Bringston," it said with a cryptic smile.
A brilliant flash engulfed Carl, and everything went dark.
---
Carl woke with a start, blinking against the bright light streaming into his eyes. As his vision adjusted, he realized he was lying in an unfamiliar bed. Above him, a chandelier cast a warm glow over a room filled with ornate furniture. To his left was a desk with several books and a wooden sword resting atop it. On the other side of the room stood a wardrobe, its doors slightly ajar to reveal clothing that seemed medieval in design.
Pushing himself up, Carl froze as he looked at his hands. They were small and delicate, nothing like his old ones. Panic gave way to disbelief. "This... isn't my body," he muttered.
He stumbled out of bed, walking to the desk. He opened one of the books, but the words written inside were incomprehensible. Before he could think further, a sharp pain tore through his head, forcing him to clutch it in agony.
Out of nowhere, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[SYSTEM CORE INITIALIZATION]
- SUCCESS -
[MEMORY MERGING IN PROGRESS. PLEASE PREPARE FOR DISCOMFORT.]
"What is this?!" Carl shouted, his voice trembling. "Memory merging?! What does that mean?!"
The pain intensified, and a flood of foreign memories surged into his mind. He saw glimpses of another life—a boy named Von Celest Fray, born into nobility in a fantastical world. The agony finally subsided, leaving Carl drenched in sweat but strangely... smiling.
"So, I really did reincarnate," he muttered. "Von Celest Fray... I guess that's who I am now, and it seems that I've reincarnated in a fantasy world. " He paused, looking out the window at the breathtaking view of a fantasy world. A bittersweet smile crossed his lips.
Suddenly, the translucent screen reappeared.
[WELCOME TO THE SIN CULTIVATION SYSTEM.]