I was born into a wealthy family, where medicine was not just a profession but a way of life.My mother was a renowned surgeon, admired by students and sought out by patients from across the country.My father was a therapist, able to ease pain with just a gentle word, even when medicine itself was powerless.
From childhood, I knew the path laid out for me. Toys gave way to textbooks, games to practice, nights of sleep to nights spent studying.I wanted to be a surgeon like my mother. I wanted to save lives, to leave a mark, to prove myself worthy of their name.
It seemed my future was carved in stone, as if by a scalpel: university, residency, first surgeries, respect from colleagues. I moved forward without hesitation.
But at some point, I realized: yes, people called me a talented young doctor. I was only twenty-eight, and I had already performed dozens of operations. Even my superiors ordered me to take a few days off so I wouldn't collapse right there in the operating room.I slept almost thirteen hours straight — and still felt drained.
To clear my head, I decided to walk through the city, just like in my student years.What a strange life, I thought.
With my looks and my family's wealth, I had always drawn attention from women. Now I was a respected surgeon, yet I had never dated anyone. There had been confessions, but back then I was too obsessed with studying.And here I was: wealthy, respected… yet utterly alone.
Maybe I should try to find a girlfriend? Yes… it's time. But first… coffee.
Then a piercing scream shattered my thoughts:
— Kyaaa!
I turned. A man was running straight toward me down the street, a knife glinting in his hand. His eyes were fixed on me.
Damn! I have to stop him before anyone gets hurt!
I stepped forward. The attacker hesitated for a split second — enough for me to knock the knife aside and slam him face-down onto the pavement. Those self-defense courses hadn't been for nothing.
But death always comes when you least expect it.The knife I thought I had disarmed was suddenly buried in my abdomen. A sharp, searing pain pierced through me, and only when the weapon clattered onto the asphalt a few feet away did I notice the blood pouring out. One glance was enough — an artery had been severed.
My strength was draining fast. The man broke free and fled.No… I still have so much left undone… I've never even been on a date… And this is how I die?
My stomach burned, the fire of pain stronger than anything I had ever felt.
Confirmed. «Heat Resistance»… successfully acquired.
What?.. A skill? I… I just got stabbed… So I really am going to die from this wound?.. Damn it…
Confirmed. «Pierce Resistance»… successfully acquired.«Physical Attack Resistance»… successfully acquired.
Of course I'm bleeding. I'm human. A human gets stabbed — he bleeds. Damn, I… I can't take this anymore…
Confirmed. «Pain Nullification»… successfully acquired.
Why am I suddenly remembering the last anime I watched?.. Oh right, Komi Can't Communicate...
Confirmed. «Creation of Komi Shouko's Body»… successful.
H-hey… what?.. Komi Shouko's body?.. I can barely hear you…
The fire and pain vanished. Only the cold remained — freezing, paralyzing.
Confirmed. «Cold Resistance»… successfully acquired.In combination with «Heat Resistance», skill has evolved into «Thermal Fluctuation Resistance».
I can't move… this is… the end…
Confirmed. «Paralysis Resistance»… successfully acquired.
If reincarnation exists… next time I won't be the victim… I'll strike first… No, that's not right…
Confirmed. Unique Skill «Predator»… successfully acquired.
Damn… on the verge of thirty… still a virgin… just a little longer and I'd have become a sage…
Confirmed. Extra Skill «Sage»… successfully acquired.Evolving Extra Skill «Sage» into Unique Skill «Great Sage»… successful.
I've heard all of this somewhere before… nothing unique! This isn't funny at all!.. It's just rude…
My thoughts faded, and I drifted into darkness.
Strangely enough, death was not as lonely as I had imagined.Those were my last words in that world.