First, there were loud noises and flashing lights, then I felt a quick, sharp pain shoot through my entire body, then nothing. Nothing at all. The world turned black, darker than the night sky.
I honestly didn't even register what happened or how it came to be. All I know is that I didn't cause my own death; it was an accident.
I got in the middle of something else, or perhaps someone else.
It doesn't really matter how I died. I'm mostly just pissed that I did.
I had so much left to do, and life was just starting to take off.
I had tons of cash and a long-term plan which would make me end up exactly where any man would ever want to be. Completely financially secure for the rest of my life, with extra to spare for future family and potential problems arising along the way.
Now I'm instead sitting in a chair, or rather, floating? As my "body" is in some kind of semi-corporeal state of existing.
After I died, everything went black, but not long after I arrived here, or rather just appeared here.
I can see myself as usual, although I'm slightly transparent and everything here is still dark. Not really sure if this area is endless... or I just can't see further?
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. We just had to double-check your death."
Double-check my death? Where is this voice coming from, and what the fuck is it talking about?
"As you may have understood already, you died, and you were caught up in quite the show too..."
So this is god talking now?
"I'd like to speak to you before we make any decisions, so I'll take on a form you can relate to."
A bright white light appears in front of me, it starts faintly but gets progressively more and more bright. Soon, it illuminates the entire area around me, and I just have to close my eyes. This shit is actually burning my eyes out. But hold on a second, if I'm already dead, then why do I care about my eyesight?
As I open my eyes again, there is a lamp floating above, keeping the area bright enough to see a few meters around. I'm sitting in a somewhat comfy chair, which has comfortable armrests, so pretty good actually.
A few meters in front of me is an old man, balding and with an uncomfortably long, stark beard flowing down to his feet. He has some type of white robe, which reminds me of traditional religious outfits or the pope.
"Greetings, Jack. I am what you could only describe as a god. However, my job is not really the same. I am one of many who are in charge of the universe. I make sure that what should happen actually does happen, and that Destiny and Fate act as they supposedly should."
...
"Uhmm, hello.. God?"
What the actual... So god is real? He said he was one of many, so something similar to a god?
"I know you might have quite a few questions Jack, normally I would patiently wait and answer any questions. However right now I feel the need to intervene. The reason why is because you are a unique case". He says then leans ever so slightly forward, his needlessly large beard following.
"The reason I had to double-check your death is actually rather simple. Destiny and Fate are in charge of when and why people die. This time, Destiny and Fate have not updated us on your death, even though you are clearly here and dead."
"To put it simply, Destiny or Fate has another purpose for you, and when I looked into it, I realised that you don't actually belong on earth to begin with. You were supposed to exist in a completely different world, and because you lived and died on Earth, Fate still thinks you haven't made your mark in this other world."
...
What... I die, and the first thing I hear is that I don't even belong on earth!? What is he going to say next, that he wants to reincarnate me there instead?
"So, Jack, according to Fate, you should have lived in another world and done stuff there, and Fate is my boss, so I feel forced to just simply put you into the world you are supposed to be in. Reincarnating you there instead."
...
Okay, hold up. He actually wants to reincarnate me into whatever world I'm "supposed" to be in? So my entire life was just a lie then?
Everything I worked so hard for, climbing the ladder of social status. Making my own fortune, trying hard to keep my friends around and simultaneously working on myself? Just to be told I never even should have existed. This is bullshit.
"However Jack, I know you worked hard on earth and became proficient in many areas. As such I'd like to give you something to make up for all the years you would miss out on. Reincarnating you as a 28 year old into a completely new world, broke and empty-handed, just does not sound fair."
"Hold on, old man, are you seriously saying you're just going to reincarnate me to whatever place Fate wants me to be? I don't have any say in this?"
The old man leans back and gives a heavy sigh, he looks visibly exhausted but with a slight hint of stress in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I cannot explain it very well. However, I am forced to make you connect with your own Destiny and Fate again, and therefore, you will be sent to the right place this time."
"Huh, okay then. So, can I ask why I wasn't connected with my "Destiny or Fate" on earth then?" Jack says.
"I am merely guarding and keeping the rules in check. I can not explain why or how you managed to sneak right past, maybe it was even part of your Fate?" The old man cryptically says.
"Alright then, you won't give me any answers, so why don't you just go ahead and do what you're supposed to. Reincarnate me or whatever." Jack says, visibly irritated.
The old man once again sighs.
"Before you go I would like to give you something to make your life easier, anything you would like to bring or have with you to this world? It could also be something like a superpower, you can choose."
A superpower? So to make up for my missing 28 years he wants ME to come up with something to help ME out. Because I don't know shit about this world there is no way I would ever pick an item or money.
"So can I choose anything? Like, what are the limitations of this?" Jack says with a glint in his eyes.
"You can choose anything. However, it has to be something achievable by a human. Also, I'll make sure you already know the language, so don't worry about that."
Very comforting, old man, very...
But anything achievable by human means? So anything that you can train or increase normally, however I want it to be maxed out.
Skills? Like, what skills would I need the most?
But wait, maybe... I can instead just simply... Hehehe
"Alright, old man, I wish for all of my attributes to be as high as humanly achievable!"
..
...
The old man leans back and seems to think about it deeply. He mutters something to himself, but after roughly a minute, he answers.
"Accepted."
WAIT WHAT?? He agreed to it??? Or is this just a scam now?
"As you wish, Jack. I shall transport you to this new world, and your body and brain will be at absolute peak performance." The old man says in a tired voice.
"I am once again sorry that I can not explain everything properly to you. However, I still hope you understand the situation at least a little bit better. I am giving you this boost for free, Jack, just to make sure you feel accepting of the proposal."
This feels weirdly like a scam, or like he is forcing me to accept. Just the fact that he accepted such a wish, perhaps he is just scamming me, and I'll just be a little bit stronger than usual.
The old man stands up from his chair and says, "I shall now send you away, Jack, to this magical world filled with the same delights and despairs you are used to. However, you will be quite strong from the beginning."
Wait, did he say magical world?
"Does magic exist in this world? Or why did you say magical just now?" Jack asks with a confused look.
"Oh, of course, Jack, there are mages and wizards of all sorts in this world. Similar to those in your fiction and games."
WTF I COULD HAVE ASKED TO BE A FKN WIZARD INSTEAD GOD DAMNIT!!
The old man lifts his arms up high and everything slowly transforms, darkness becomes light as everything fades into light.
"Good luck, Jack" the old man says in a slightly more encouraging voice.
"You never told me what type of world I'm going to!" It is the last sentence Jack manages to utter before disappearing.
The old man looks to be pleasantly relieved before he goes back to his original form, a floating ball of light.