Reincarnation.
It was a concept heavily romanticized in countless fantasy novels. Some people fervently believed in it, while others dismissed it outright as pure fiction.
If you had asked Ren about his thoughts on reincarnation in his previous life, he wouldn't have hesitated to tell you it was nothing but an elaborate fantasy.
But that was before.
Before the event that changed his perspective forever.
"Aah..." Ren yawned, his body stretching lazily.
As he slowly opened his eyes, he was greeted by an unfamiliar sense of tranquility. His surroundings felt quiet, almost serene, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Ren felt oddly well-rested.
The room he was in remained shrouded in darkness, with only the pale moonlight streaming through the window casting a soft glow.
Taking a deep breath, Ren stretched his arms wide, savoring the feeling of his muscles loosening up. He sat up slowly, glancing around the unfamiliar room, taking in the details of his new reality.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Ren's feet touched the cool marble floor, sending a pleasant chill up his spine.
It had been so long since he felt this calm, so free of the usual burdens that weighed him down.
'So, it's real,' Ren thought to himself, inhaling deeply.
He hadn't completely processed it yet, but this wasn't a dream. This was real. He had been reincarnated.
The memory of how it happened was still fresh in his mind. The sudden screech of tires, the blinding headlights, and the inevitable impact of the truck that took his life.
Now, here he was, in a completely different world—a world that mirrored a familiar tale he once knew well.
At first, Ren had brushed it off as an elaborate dream. He was certain he would wake up in his drab apartment, groggily staring at his ceiling, preparing to face yet another mundane day.
But this was no dream. This was his new reality.
Reincarnation.
It sounded absurd, even as he sat there, living proof of it.
"How does this even work?" Ren muttered to himself, his mind churning with questions he knew he couldn't answer.
'Is there some kind of cosmic agency full of reckless truck drivers tasked with sending people to new worlds? If so, who's running this bizarre operation? And why me?'
Ren chuckled at the absurdity of his own thoughts before shaking his head. Dwelling on such questions wouldn't change anything.
Glancing out the window, Ren noticed the sky beginning to shift. The first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon, bathing the world in a soft, golden hue.
'Good morning, new world,' Ren thought, feeling a small smile tug at his lips.
The night had been unusually peaceful, and he couldn't remember the last time he had slept so soundly. For once, he felt a little lighter, as though some invisible weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Curious, Ren tried to check the progress of "the system" he had encountered last night. However, it seemed the modification process was still ongoing, requiring more time.
With nothing better to do, Ren allowed his thoughts to wander back to the events that had led him here.
This world wasn't entirely unfamiliar to him. From the memories of his current body and the fragments of knowledge he retained from his past life, Ren was almost certain where he had ended up.
This was the world of "The Knight's Eternal Journey."
It was the title of a popular fantasy novel that Ren had once read to pass the time during particularly boring days. He remembered the story vividly—or at least the parts he had read.
The novel had gained a massive following, with readers praising its intricate plot, compelling characters, and heartfelt romance. However, Ren had never managed to finish it.
Why?
Because of the character named Ren Holmes.
Ren Holmes was a minor villain in the story, a tragic figure who was ultimately discarded and forgotten. His death had been so pitiful, so meaningless, that it left a sour taste in Ren's mouth.
It was at that moment, back in his previous life, that he decided to stop reading the novel altogether.
'That Ren… he was truly pitiful,' Ren thought to himself, his expression darkening.
From what he remembered, the Ren Holmes of the novel was nothing more than a stepping stone for the protagonist. A mid-tier antagonist with a backstory that was barely explored, his role was to appear, create some conflict, and then die to highlight the protagonist's strength.
No redemption, no closure, just a miserable and forgotten existence.
It frustrated Ren to no end.
As a reader, he had sympathized with the character, feeling that Ren Holmes deserved better. But now, as someone who had taken on that very identity, the frustration was much more personal.
'So this is my reality now,' Ren thought, clenching his fists.
The novel's world was vast and filled with countless characters, each playing their part in an intricate web of conflicts and relationships. At the center of it all was the protagonist, a charismatic and powerful figure who overcame every obstacle in his path.
The story revolved around his journey to grow stronger, overcome villains, and win the hearts of several heroines.
But for someone like Ren Holmes, there was no grand journey, no happy ending. Just an unremarkable rise and a tragic fall.
'Well, I won't let that happen,' Ren resolved.
Though his position in this world seemed bleak, he wasn't going to blindly follow the script. If fate wanted him to play the role of a pitiful villain, he would rewrite the narrative himself.
For now, however, he would take things one step at a time.
"Although I'm just an extra now," Ren muttered to himself, his voice tinged with quiet determination, "I can't forget how much I've already endured. I'll make sure this life is mine to live."
With those words, Ren stood, ready to face the dawn of his new life.