"Well... So that's it?"
The translucent image of the man was rising towards the clouds.
"It's really not so bad. At least the pain is gone..."
Stretched out in the middle of the street was a lifeless body.
"What a strange position to die in... From up here, I can see one of my legs flew far away!"
The street was beginning to fill with onlookers.
"At least it was a nice car. Getting killed by an old clunker would have been more humiliating!"
Parked several meters ahead was a black sports car, its crumpled front painted red.
"Truly a beautiful car. That touch of red actually looks pretty good, it complements the design."
The soul continued to ascend, making its way upward.
"What makes someone drive so fast early in the morning?"
People began crowding around the car.
"Maybe if I didn't have to work overtime today, I'd still be alive."
The translucent image of the man was now among the clouds.
"The bright side is my boss is screwed. No one else is working overtime today, he let everyone else off but me. What an idiot, hahaha!"
As his vision darkened, the soul vanished into the clouds, his laughter carried away by the wind.
----
'I never thought heaven would look like this... I mean, why is the line so long?'
Ahead of Lucas was a massive, orderly line. Thousands of souls waited patiently to be seen.
'What a beautiful place. If this is just the reception, paradise must be even more stunning...'
White granite columns held up a ceiling of golden clouds. The marble floor reflected the floating images of the souls.
"Next!"
An androgynous voice called out. The line moved one step forward.
'Looks like it'll take a while.'
Lucas observed while reminiscing about his life.
His days at the orphanage, being adopted, starting school, his first love, his first humiliation, graduating high school, and then the death of his adoptive father.
"Next!"
Another soul was called forward.
Snapping back to reality, Lucas realized only one person was now ahead of him. Looking forward, he tried to figure out what was happening.
'The soul stands in front of the counter for a few seconds, then the door behind the androgynous being opens...'
"Next!"
It was now Lucas's turn.
As he floated towards the counter, he clearly saw the being behind it.
Long golden hair, green eyes, an androgynous face, and white robes. Their skin was porcelain-like, flawless and pale.
Still floating, Lucas couldn't fully approach the counter. Suddenly, everything around him went dark.
"What?!"
The vision returned. Lucas was now in a room, seated on a chair. In front of him was a small table and another chair, where the being sat after entering.
"William Anderson, 27 years old, died in a car accident. Confirm?"
The being's voice echoed off the walls as they looked at him.
Lucas was stunned. The sudden change in setting was still sinking in.
"Son of Elizabeth and Mark Anderson. Lived a relatively peaceful life as the heir to a corporate conglomerate..."
When no response came, the angel continued.
'Corporate conglomerate? Easy life? William? WHAT IS GOING ON??'
Lucas's thoughts were chaotic. Something was wrong.
"W-wait! Something's wrong. I'm not William! My name is Lucas!"
The soul interrupted the angel in front of him.
"Your car accident was caused by a do-"
The angel, who had kept speaking, suddenly froze. Their eyes widened in surprise.
"Lu-Lucas?!"
Their voice trembled.
"This can't be! We weren't expecting any Lucas today!"
Closing their eyes quickly, the angel fell silent, seemingly searching for something in their mind.
"Yes, Lucas Forscher! Son of André and Marta Forscher. Just an ordinary office worker..."
Noticing the being's surprise, Lucas spoke again.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Lucas. I'm still figuring out what went wrong!"
'Mr.? Where did all this formality come from suddenly?' Lucas wondered, curious about the sudden change in tone.
"No, but... Yes, we weren't prepared... Of course, I'll check immediately, sir!" The angel seemed to be communicating with someone else, their eyes still closed.
"Mr. Lucas, we sincerely apologize. There was a mistake with your death. You weren't supposed to die today. Once again, we're sorry!" The angel seated across from him looked regretful and ashamed as they faced the poor soul.
"I wasn't supposed to die? What do you mean by that? Does this mean I can't enter paradise? Am I going to become a lost ghost?"
Lucas was incredulous. His thoughts were a mess. If he wasn't meant to die, what was he doing here?
"Please calm down. I'll answer all your questions!" The angel spoke, trying to soothe the soul before them. "You weren't supposed to die today. Your passage to the afterlife was scheduled for when you turned 87. A peaceful death in your sleep at your granddaughter's house."
Lucas listened intently. The being's words seemed to have a calming effect, as if by magic.
"Actually, there was a mistake. Look."
Suddenly, a screen appeared above the table. Images began to play.
"This is the car. Right here is a small dog. This animal would have crossed the road, and the driver would have swerved at the last second, resulting in a fatal crash when the vehicle overturned!"
The angel's white hands moved as they narrated the simulation of what should have happened.
"But an unplanned factor occurred..." The angel said, glancing at Lucas as the images shifted.
"From the footage of your death, you stepped in front of the vehicle to save the dog, were hit, and are now here..."
If Lucas had a mouth, it would have been hanging open.
"Wait a minute," said the seated soul. "If the driver was going to swerve at the last second, why did I get hit?"
"Well... The driver was drunk. He tried to avoid the animal on the road, but since you were a person, he hit the brakes as soon as he saw you. However, his speed was too high..." The angel now wore a sorrowful expression.
"I was killed... By mistake?..."
"Unfortunately, we can't send you to paradise just yet. Your arrival wasn't expected," the angelic being continued.
"However, we have two options for you!"
"Two options?"
"Yes! The first option is to remain in purgatory and wait for the time of your natural death."
"Sixty years in purgatory..." Lucas was in disbelief.
"Or... You can choose to reincarnate in a new body!" The angel's androgynous features now showed excitement.
After a few moments of silence, the seated soul began to speak.
"Sorry, but would I be reincarnated on Earth again, living the same life as before?"
"Yes, you would be reincarnated on Earth and have the same life choices. Unfortunately, we can't change your fate..."
Lucas pondered. Living the same life again seemed horrible, but waiting sixty years with nothing to do wasn't much better.
"Are these my only two options? Isn't there another way? Maybe try reviving me or something..."
"Another way, you say?"
Suddenly, the angel leaned closer, scanning the room as if ensuring no one was eavesdropping, and spoke in a whisper:
"There is one more option, though it's rather unorthodox. I noticed from your record that you're a fan of RPGs, both games and literature." The angel was almost whispering.
"A parallel Earth exists, a world where dragons, elves, fairies, and the like are real. Sadly, this world has been abandoned by our Father and is under a curse from the demon army. So, we can't offer you this option... Unless you explicitly request it."
'A fantasy world...' Lucas's thoughts raced, his imagination running wild.
The angel, now back in their seat, wore a mischievous smile as they observed the man's expression.
"I've decided!" The soul snapped back to reality.
"Please, go on, sir. Tell me your choice!"
"I want to be reincarnated, but in another world!" The soul was resolute.
The angel's eyes sparkled.
"As you wish!" Suddenly, a wave of light began swirling around the soul seated in the chair. "As a token of apology, we'll grant you two gifts!" The angel's voice echoed through the room.
"First, the gift of memory!" The light around the soul intensified.
"Second, the gift of mana!" The light now swirled in a blue hue, pulsating brightly.
Lucas was mesmerized; the sight was breathtaking.
"Now go! Show this world the amazing life of Lucas Forscher!" The angel proclaimed joyfully as the lights engulfed the soul until it disappeared.