"Break up with me? You think you can leave me?"
Her voice dripped with malice. I backed away from the knife glinting in her hands, heart pounding. The dimly lit apartment that once felt like home had become a trap. My ex-girlfriend, Amelia, stood at the door, blocking my escape.
"You're crazy!" I yelled, hands raised defensively.
"Crazy? For loving you too much?" Her eyes widened, manic energy radiating from her every movement. "I gave you everything, and you think you can just leave me like the others?"
I wanted to run, to bolt past her and never look back. But Amelia wasn't just anyone—she was awakened. Enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes made her far more dangerous than any normal human.
"You don't have to do this," I pleaded, sweat trickling down my forehead. My mind raced for a plan, a way out, but there was none.
"No one else can have you," she whispered. And with a single swift motion, the knife plunged into my chest.
Pain exploded through my body. My legs gave out, and I crumpled to the floor. Blood seeped into the hardwood, pooling around me as darkness closed in. Amelia knelt beside me, tears streaming down her face.
"I love you," she said softly.
Her words were the last thing I heard before death claimed me.
---
Awakening to the Unknown
When I opened my eyes, I expected… nothingness. Oblivion. Eternal sleep. Instead, I was greeted by blinding light and a sensation of floating.
"What the hell?" My voice echoed in the empty void.
Suddenly, a holographic screen materialized before me:
Welcome to the Life Simulation System!
Initializing...
I blinked. Was this some kind of death hallucination?
"Congratulations on dying in one of the most pathetic ways possible," a voice said.
I whipped around, looking for the source. A glowing orb hovered beside me, pulsating with light. Its tone was cheerful, yet dripping with sarcasm.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I'm your Life Simulation System, genius. You can call me System. Or Overlord. Or Your Eternal Pain. Whichever you prefer."
This had to be a joke.
"So, I'm not dead?"
"Oh, you're definitely dead. Your crazy ex made sure of that. But instead of going to the afterlife, you've been granted a second chance. You're about to be reincarnated."
"Reincarnated?"
"Yep! In a world where awakening powers is the norm. Everyone gets a shot at being special! Well, everyone except you in your past life. You sucked at that."
"Thanks," I muttered.
"You're welcome! Anyway, you'll be starting life as a baby. From scratch. Isn't that exciting?"
"Wait, hold on! What's the catch?"
"No catch. Just endless simulated lives, each with random traits and abilities. Oh, and you'll attract dangerously obsessed women in every life. They'll probably try to kill you too. Fun, right?"
I felt a headache coming on.
"Why me?"
"Because the universe loves irony."
The holographic screen flashed again:
World Selection: Earth Variant - Awakened Era
Species: Human
Starting Traits and Abilities: Randomizing...
"What kind of abilities are we talking about here?"
"Could be anything! Fire manipulation, flight, telepathy. Or maybe just an enhanced sense of smell. You never know!"
"Great," I muttered.
The screen continued flashing:
Prepare for reincarnation in 3... 2... 1...
The void around me disappeared, replaced by darkness.
---
A New Beginning
I woke up to the sound of crying. Not someone else's—my own.
"Waaaaaah!"
Oh no. I really was a baby.
Blinking through my tears, I saw blurry figures moving around me. Two adults, both looking exhausted yet happy.
"It's a boy," the man said proudly.
"Welcome to the world, little one," the woman cooed.
I had no idea who they were, but they seemed to be my new parents. My mind swirled with questions, but my tiny baby brain couldn't process much beyond basic instincts.
Time passed quickly—or at least it felt that way. Days blurred into nights. My new parents were kind and doting, though I couldn't remember their names. I was too busy adjusting to life as an infant.
By the time I reached toddlerhood, I began to understand more about the world around me. It was a society where awakening powers was as common as learning to walk.
Kids as young as three were known to awaken. Some could control water, others could communicate with animals. The possibilities were endless.
But me? Nothing. Not even a spark.
---
Childhood Disappointment
Years passed, and my lack of abilities became more apparent.
"Don't worry," my mother said one day. "Some people awaken later than others."
Her words were meant to be comforting, but I could see the worry in her eyes.
By the time I turned ten, I was officially labeled as a non-awakened. It was humiliating. Everywhere I went, I saw kids my age showing off their powers.
"Look, I can make fire!" one boy bragged.
"I can fly!" another girl declared.
I kept my head down and avoided attention. Memories of Amelia haunted me—her obsession, her rage, her power. The last thing I wanted was to stand out.
Yet fate had other plans.
---
The System Awakens
On the night of my twelfth birthday, I woke up to a familiar voice in my head.
"Rise and shine, loser!"
I shot up in bed, heart racing.
"System?"
"Bingo! I'm back, baby!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Did you really think I'd abandon you? Your life's about to get interesting. Again."
The holographic screen appeared before me once more:
Welcome to Life Simulation System 2.0!
Initializing…
Congratulations on surviving long enough to awaken your system!
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"It means your real journey begins now. You're about to enter the first simulation."
"What happens in these simulations?"
"You'll live entire lifetimes, face challenges, gain powers, and—oh yeah—attract dangerously obsessed women. Again."
"Can't I skip that part?"
"Nope! It's a package deal."
I groaned. "This is going to be a nightmare."
"Only if you screw it up! But hey, at least you'll have me for company."
"Lucky me," I muttered.
The screen flashed again:
Simulation Starting in 3… 2… 1…
And just like that, my new life began.