When the world finally stopped spinning, I found myself floating in an infinite black void and when I tried to look down at my body, I found only more darkness. 'What is this place? Don't tell me I just got scammed or something.'
A flash of light in the darkness answered my question, and I cast my gaze over to see what could only be described as a title card, unfolding in flowing purple cursive.
'My Life in Cartoon Suburbia.'
The title was imposed over a top-down view of a suburban town, one that mixed modern with a distinctly nostalgic ambience thanks to the brick-paved sidewalks, old gas-powered street lights, and the sprinkle of greenery from the trees lining the streets.
Once the lettering was completely revealed, a prompt appeared beneath it in smaller text.
'Click to Begin Character Creation'
Wondering how I was supposed to click anything without a body, I tried picturing myself reaching out with a hand and felt a slight tingle through my mind as the title card shifted, transforming into another display.
'Choose your Race'
Below the blurb of text was a long list containing what I assumed to be every mythical race ever conceived as it stretched on and on into the infinite void, 'This is way too many options, isn't there a filter or something?'
'Would you like to filter results to the most suitable options: Y/N'
'Don't have to ask me twice.'
I selected yes and watched as the list got significantly shorter, though there were still at least a hundred options, 'Fortunately, I have nothing but time.'
Reading through each race didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Most of them, I wasn't even the slightest bit interested in. I wanted something different, but living as an eight-foot-tall minotaur in a suburban town would be a bit too much. For the races that did interest me, I clicked on them and got a short but detailed blurb of information.
Eventually, I narrowed it down to a few options with one clear favorite among them all, 'I guess this is why they have us sit around in purgatory; if I had any shame or hang-ups remaining, there's no way I would have ever chosen this before.'
[Race: Primordial Incubus]
While normal Incubi are known for their deviant proclivities, which include draining the life of their victims through sexual acts, their Primordial cousins possess a far more powerful form of magic. Instead of constantly draining and searching for another target to seduce, Primordial Incubi form Covens, a collection of eternally loyal thralls that willingly serve their demonic lord, providing a continuous source of tantric energy, allowing the Incubus to grow incredibly powerful. However, despite this important distinction, Primordial Incubi still possess an unparalleled and perpetual sex drive, causing intercourse to be a physical need rather than a lustful desire.
Fortunately, the demonic spawn are masters of seduction and all carnal acts thanks to their intrinsic magic that they use to great effect. This magic grows in power along with the age, size and bond of the Incubus' coven. Meaning that many Primordial Incubi are excellent providers and protectors, caring for their Thralls with genuine displays of affection and love.
With this reputation, some women even actively search to join the Coven of Primordial Incubi, as not only do they gain a perfect lover and partner, but the magic of the Coven also increases the natural beauty of the thrall and grants them eternal youth. Those who are successfully converted into Thralls will gain the seal of their Incubi on their body, marking them for all eternity and begin searching for other potential candidates to expand their lord's Coven.
'Would you like to select this race: Y/N'
'If I'm gonna be living in a dating sim, why not give myself a head start?' I thought shamelessly before selecting yes, and once more,e the display in front of me changed as a new text screen popped up.
'Edit Appearance'
[Human Form]
Underneath the words was a blank 3-D human model that looked more like a mannequin than an actually living being. But next to the model were a series of slides, each with a different label such as eye color, nose, lips, and more.
There was even a scroll bar on the very side, and with a thought, I went down the list and realized that every single feature a person could possess had a customizable slider.
'This is insane,' I muttered in my mind, but regardless I started to mess around with the sliders. Before long, I found myself fully entranced in the process as I sculpted my character, down to the individual hairs on my body. At first, my adjustments started off modest as without thinking,g I recreated the face and body I had in my last life, but then I realized it would be a waste of a paradise if I didn't make the most handsome version of myself.
Going back to the beginning I immediately increased my height to a staggering 6 '5 and then went over to the physique tab and messed around with the fat to muscle ratio until I had the broad shoulders, chest of an olympic swimmer the developed lower half of a lifelong cyclist, and the core of an underwear model with a sculpted eight pack, a defined v-cut and mouthwatering obliques.
From there, I moved onto my face, giving myself full lips, a slender nose, a cutting jawline, high cheekbones, and as little facial fat as possible without looking like a skeleton.
Next was my hair, which I kept almost the same, short and black but styled in a messy wolf cut to give myself a rugged air. I also changed the color of my eyes to a dark blue, the same color as the open ocean.
The final change I made was one that lies directly below the belt. I had been firmly average in my previous life, so I decided to change things up, and while there seemed to be no limit,t I kept my proportions somewhat tame, though I would have to be careful about wearing tight pants, and I would wager no woman would ever feel unsatisfied after spending the night with me.
Taking in my human form, I nodded fully satisfied with my appearance, before clicking a tab at the bottom,m causing the display to switch.
'Edit Appearance'
[Demon Form]
Instead of a blank canvas for me to paint over, the model that appeared before me was a heavily modified version of my human form. The most obvious change was that I had grown several inches, putting me at seven feet tall at the very least. My skin was now an ashen gray, and faint tattoo-like birthmarks covered my shoulders, chest, and ribs. I also had a leathery whip-like tail extending from my back that ended in an arrow-shaped point, and from the knee down, my legs transformed into a pair of dark furry goat hooves.
Other than that, the changes were mostly cosmetic; my hair was longer, growing out into a full mane from which two obsidian horns rose up near the edge of my forehead. My ears were also pointed like an elf's, and instead of blue, my eyes were a dark purple.
'Are you satisfied with your appearance: Y/N'
I selected yes, and as my selection confirmed, the void around me transitioned from night to day as one final title card appeared in front of me.
'Welcome, Ramon Young, to ToonTown.'
As the world became almost painfully bright, I felt a force pull at my consciousness, leaving me with just enough time for one last thought, 'ToonTown…that's the name of my paradise…really?'
—
A blaring alarm made me lurch upright in bed, and I looked around in a slight panic as I didn't recognize my surroundings. Then everything clicked into place, and I let out a sigh of relief before a large grin crossed my face. Throwing off my bare sheet, I stood up and looked around the hardly furnished studio apartment before finding the door to the bathroom and barging inside.
Looking into the mirror hung above the sink, I found myself staring into a pair of dreamy dark blue eyes, 'My dark blue eyes.'
I smiled at my new reflection, "Looking good, and feeling even better."
[Ehem, excuse me, I don't want to interrupt your moment or anything, but I'd like to go back to sleep as soon as possible.]
My heart pounded against my chest, and I whirled around as a voice echoed out behind me only to find nothing but empty space, "What the fuck!?"
[Don't worry you're not going insane, even though there is technically a voice inside your head. But don't worry this is probably the only time you hear me talk this much in a while. I'm just here to give you the rundown so you can get started on your adventure]
"The rundown on what? And just who the hell are you?" I asked slowly, backing out of the bathroom .
[Fortunately those two questions have the same answer, I'm your system and I'm here to give you the rundown on well…myself! Here, why don't you take a look!]