As I Gaze Into the Darkness
As I stare into the darkness that stretches endlessly in every direction, I search for something—anything—beyond this abyss.
I remain still for a few seconds before I start running, desperate to find something more.
Though… I'm not even sure if I'm running.
I don't feel my body.
Am I even moving?
Am I going anywhere?
After what feels like an eternity—if time even exists here—small fragments of light begin to materialize. Four of them.
North, South, East, West.
I stop, startled, and observe them closely. Tiny specks of light, each positioned in one of the four directions. But strangely enough… they don't illuminate the darkness around them.
Light that doesn't illuminate? I don't understand.
More fragments appear, each growing in number, clustering together. I watch this phenomenon unfold, unable to look away. It's not like I have anything else to do—but at least now I know I can move.
As I approach the lights, I watch them merge.
Slowly.
The process takes time, but I remain transfixed, captivated by these mysterious fragments.
And then, finally—they fuse, forming four rectangles. One in each direction.
Seeing these rectangles, I try to touch them.
But… I don't know if I actually am touching them. I don't even know if I have arms. I can't see them. And yet… I feel as if I do. A sensation impossible to describe.
I continue staring at the four rectangles when, suddenly, darkness begins to seep into them.
Letters?
Small dots of blackness flood the rectangles, moving like thousands of ants, gathering at the top. Slowly, meticulously, they arrange themselves—forming words.
A title?
I watch intently as the letters take shape, and soon, the words reveal themselves:
The Path of Ascension
Slave
I'm Human
Lost World
Aren't these the titles of novels I wrote?
Stunned, I stare at the names before me.
And then—out of nowhere—light gathers at the center of the books, converging in an instant. A number forms:
110, 109, 108…
A countdown? For what?
"Are you telling me I need to choose one of these novels or something?"
I ask aloud—yet I hear no voice.
But as if responding to me, the covers of all four books flicker briefly before returning to their dull golden hue.
I pause. Processing.
Then, without delay, I try again.
"So… I have to choose one?"
Again, no sound leaves my lips.
And yet—there it is.
Another brief flicker from the four… novels?
Their shape, their titles… They really do seem like my novels.
"Is this like one of those anime or manhwa reincarnation scenarios?"
I think aloud.
Once more, the covers glow in confirmation.
I stand frozen for a few seconds before something clicks in my mind.
"Is this real?"
All four books flash again.
I stare at them, bewildered.
If this is real… does that mean I'm going to become a protagonist in a fantasy world?
Nearly all of my novels—except for a few, which aren't even here—are isekai worlds filled with magic, supernatural abilities, and extraordinary beings.
Worlds where humans surpass ordinary limitations—where some are powerful enough to be considered walking calamities.
Doubts and a flicker of excitement swirl within me.
This is insane. Completely insane. There's no logic to any of this. In fact, I still haven't even fully grasped what's happening.
But…
That countdown is still ticking.
I turn toward it.
87, 86, 85…
Forget everything unnecessary. Let's go over what I remember about these novels first…
The Path of Ascension
If I recall correctly, this was a magic academy novel—an academy where talents were trained to fight for humanity or something like that.
It sounds good. Really good.
But… if my memory serves me right, in that world, war was as natural as breathing.
It was constant. Endless. Death, destruction, plagues, famines… war was the foundation of that world.
I wrote this years ago, when I was around 16 or 17. Honestly… I regret it. I never really put much thought into it. I just wrote whatever I felt like each day. I didn't even finish it.
And if I remember correctly… the world was on the verge of complete collapse. A total disaster.
Not to mention, this novel received inhuman levels of hate. No one liked it.
Not that I blame them. It was full of problems. And honestly… I barely remember anything about it.
Conclusion? Let's move on.
I glance at the countdown.
75, 74, 73…
Slave
Yeah. Absolutely not.
I discard this option without hesitation.
I have no idea whether I'd reincarnate as the protagonist or some random person. In fact, I have no clue what would even happen after making a choice.
But Slave?
Absolutely not.
That world was a desolate wasteland, ruled by strange insect-like beings.
Creatures vastly superior to humans in every way.
Suffering was everywhere. No matter where you were, there was no escape. It was hell on Earth.
My chances of survival there? Maybe 1%—at best. If I ended up as a human… I'd be completely screwed.
This novel was a huge failure—because, well… it was written from the perspective of the insects.
Yep. The villains.
It was during a phase when I was obsessed with insects. And, well… in this story, the protagonist changed like ten times because every time one died, I just moved on to another character.
I tried to be innovative. It turned out horrible.
"Will I be the protagonist of the novel I choose?"
I ask the void.
No response.
That probably means… I won't be the protagonist. I'll be someone else.
I think.
"Alright, next."
I check the countdown.
54, 53, 52…
I'm Human
Hmm…
Not bad. Not bad at all.
This one was a Murim-style novel. And personally, I love Murim worlds.
If I could choose, this would definitely be my pick.
The only downside?
It relied heavily on talent.
But it was one of my more recent novels, meaning it was actually well-written. And, more importantly—I remember almost everything about it.
I know the major events, opportunities, and hidden secrets of the world.
This would be the best option, even if I wasn't the protagonist. I could still gain incredible advantages.
Not to mention… this world was at peace, at least at the start.
Sure, things would change after a few years, but I'd have time to prepare.
"Alright. This will be my first choice."
I watch the countdown.
33, 32, 31…
Lost World
"Yeah. Another absolute no."
I nod repeatedly.
This novel wasn't bad. In fact, it was one of my most successful ones.
A zombie apocalypse story.
Except… the zombies evolved over time.
Then again, so did humans and animals.
But still—living in an apocalyptic world?
No thanks.
In this story, 90% of humanity turned into zombies within the first day.
And that's a risk I'm not willing to take.
A world filled with mutant zombies?
Not a chance. I'd be dead within a week.
"It's decided."
I turn to face the countdown.