A life of constant boredom — Ash wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy.
Waking up every day with no one to talk to, nowhere to go, and absolutely nothing to do. That was his reality, for the last seventeen years. Solitude wasn't just his lifestyle — it was his existence.
Abandoned at birth. Dumped into an orphanage. Kicked out for "reasons" at age eight.
Since then? On his own. No family. No future. No point.
"Fuck this shit," Ash muttered, dragging himself out of bed. He slipped on his worn-out house shoes and shuffled toward the bathroom, preparing for yet another day of absolutely nothing.
Brush teeth. Wash face. Stare in the mirror. Repeat.
"Another day, another dol—"
He stopped mid-sentence, eyes locking on the street through his window.
"What the hell is that... a fuckin' tru—"
BOOM.
A monstrous crash shattered everything. The wall exploded inward as a massive truck plowed through his apartment. There was no pain — only instant blackness.
When Ash opened his eyes again… he didn't have any. He existed, but without form. No limbs. No breath. Just floating — adrift in an endless void.
Then he heard it.
"Welcome back, Ash~"
"...!!"
Panic surged. He looked around, or tried to, but there was only darkness.
"H-Hello?" he called out. "Where am I? Who's speaking to me?"
"Fufufu~ Silly, you won't be able to see me. Think of me as... an old friend. Or something like that."
The voice was alluring — feminine, melodic, dangerously soothing.
"Before you ask — yes, you died. Crushed by a truck. Rather unceremoniously, I might add. You've been transmigrated, dear. Right now... you're in your mother's womb."
Ash went quiet for a moment. Then exhaled through a soul that didn't have lungs.
"Well... not like I had anything worth staying for. But alright. If I'm in a womb, what are you doing here?"
"To give you a gift, of course. We won't meet again for a very long time, so I wanted to give you a little head start."
"Now, a warning. I'm not omnipotent, nor am I the strongest being. I'm powerful, sure — but compared to what's out there? I'm just another speck."
Her voice dipped, then brightened playfully.
"Still, I've gathered a few goodies over my lifetimes. You only get to pick one. Make it count, my love~"
In front of Ash, a screen blinked into existence. A system-like interface filled with options.
Primordial Bloodlines. Ancient Beast Lineages. Unique Soul Types. Elemental Resonances.
Not powers — not yet. But the seeds of something greater.
His soul practically sparkled as he scrolled through.
"Okay, wait—if you're not the strongest, how do you have all this insane shit?"
"Fufufu~ That's what happens when you live through tens of millions of years, darling."
"…Tens of… y'know what, never mind."
He continued browsing — until one option caught his eye.
[Create Your Own]
He paused.
"Tch. So you say you're not all-powerful… and yet you let me create my own bloodline and soul type? Bit contradictory, don't you think?"
Without waiting for a reply, he selected it.
"Wait—huh? the woman said, her voice fading in confusion.
And just like that, Ash's soul vanished.
He reappeared in a blinding white space. No body, just his soul drifting.
Then another voice echoed in his mind — colder, more formal.
[Welcome back, Master.]
"…Okay, what the hell is up with all this 'welcome back' shit?" Ash grumbled.
[I am your system spirit. From now on, I will guide your journey. Your task begins here: you must create your own appearance, innate abilities, bloodline, and soul type.]
"Wait, so no powers?"
[Correct. You are not selecting powers — you are shaping your potential. What you create here will form the foundation of your growth. Everything must be earned.]
"Huh. Alright, so I'm building my ceiling, not skipping to the top floor."
[Exactly. The stronger your design, the harder your path. Every trait will generate quests, trials, and conditions. For example: if you choose a divine-tier bloodline, expect to face beings who want to rip it out of you.]
"…Sounds fair. Do I at least get one of these traits active at the start?"
[Yes. You will begin with the lowest level version of your weakest creation. Everything else must be unlocked.]
Ash sighed.
"Let's get this over with."
And so, Ash spent what felt like days shaping himself — forging his bloodline, choosing a soul type, defining traits buried deep in his being. No immediate power. No cheap shortcuts. Just potential.
Still, it was more than he ever had.
And as he completed the final parameter, he muttered under his breath:
"…fuck it."
Once done, the white room faded — and he was returned to the womb.
[See you soon, Master~]
The woman's voice lingered sweetly.