As I turn around, the first thing I see is the countdown.
30, 29, 28…
I quickly move toward the book titled I'm Human.
"Hey, if I touch one of these, will I reincarnate into the world I wrote?"
I ask, seeking confirmation.
Instantly, the books flicker.
I guess that confirms it…
"Will I reincarnate as a human?"
No response.
Either way…
23, 22, 21…
"If I don't choose, will I be sent to one at random?"
Another flicker.
19, 18, 17…
"It's decided."
I move until I'm right in front of I'm Human, as if trying to pass through it. And just as I'm above it—
"I choose I'm Human!"
15, 14, 13…
As soon as I say those words, the four books tremble and begin to shine intensely, extinguishing all darkness. The light is blinding, yet strangely, I can see clearly. The endless void around me vanishes, replaced by a world of pure white.
Seeing this, I'm fascinated for a moment, but I quickly look down at myself—only to confirm that I have no body. I have no physical form. All I see is white. I'm floating—or at least, I think I am.
"Is it just my mind? Or my soul?"
I wonder. Honestly, I have no idea.
I keep staring at the I'm Human book. But aside from glowing, nothing happens. The letters on the cover now shine with a golden light, but there's no other reaction…
I turn to check on the others and—
"You've got to be kidding me."
There it is. All the books are now closed and shining identically—except for one.
The Path of Ascension
That book is open—more than open, so wide it looks like it's about to split in half. It's floating in the air, and its pages are flipping at an incredible speed.
I stare at it.
…
Then, I look at the countdown.
7—it seems to have frozen at 7.
"I CHOOSE I'M HUMAN! I'M HUUUUUUMAAAAAN!!"
I scream at the top of my lungs, and with my nonexistent hands, I try to pry open I'm Human—but it's no use.
It won't budge—not even a single damn inch.
Out of nowhere, I see all the other books—except The Path of Ascension—disintegrating into tiny glowing fragments. Just like how they formed, they're now breaking apart.
I desperately try to grab and piece together the scattered fragments, but… it's impossible.
Before I can think of a solution, I feel something wrapping around me—pulling me toward it.
I struggle, but it's useless. I have no control over myself.
I turn to look—and what I see sends a chill down my spine.
The book The Path of Ascension—its pages have stopped flipping. They've settled on what looks like the very beginning of the novel. And now, those pages are glowing—glowing with a brilliant, almost blinding golden light.
I'm horrified. I'm getting closer and closer to it…
Honestly, I don't remember much about this novel, but I could swear I'm screwed if I go in there.
"HEY, HEY! I DIDN'T CHOOSE THIS! I CHOSE THE OTHER ONE! I CHOSE I'M HUMAN!"
I scream, I struggle—but nothing works.
I turn for a moment, and a wave of dread washes over me.
That damn book is right in my face, directly in front of me…
The world spins, and that's when I know—I'm doomed.
The book is absorbing me.
"Son of a b—"
I don't get to finish my last words.
Everything goes dark.
And after I disappear—
In that white world, The Path of Ascension shatters into a thousand pieces.
And once again, darkness reigns.