Still with his eyes closed, Dravin took a deep breath and gasped as the air filled his lungs.
A gentle breeze brushed his skin, and the suffocating darkness of the burning heat was replaced by a wave of relief.
[Host… are you listening? I know you're awake. Why don't you get up already?]
What is this annoying sound? My eyes feel too heavy. I need more sleep. I binged a webnovel until dawn.
Dravin buried his back head deeper into his pillow. The gentle breeze blew across his face, carrying the fresh scent of wet grass after a rain.
Did it just rain? Even more reason to wake up late.
He squeezed his eyes shut, and fumbled beside his bed for the Labubu big doll his little sister gave him.
But his palms found nothing, just the slightly rough texture of a bedsheet that felt like cheap cotton.
Why isn't this bed as soft as usual? And where is that giant Labubu?
[Host… Don't be in denial. You're not waking from sleep. It's from death.]
Dravin frowned in annoyance, because now he couldn't fall into a deep sleep.
Why do I keep hearing this stiff voice? Ah, it's Monday. It's that day. It's…
A flash of vivid images ran through Dravin's mind, from where he was stuck in traffic until the moment he got fried.
No… No… No…
"NO!" Dravin screamed, bolting upright and panting hard. His heartbeat hammered against his ribs.
His hands instinctively touched his body and face. He looked at both arms, his skin still intact with no blisters or burning sensation.
He let out a long sigh of relief. "Such a weird nightmare."
[Hi, Host. You're in the first stage of grief. But I hope you're not in denial for long. We have so much work to do.]
A translucent blue screen appeared in front of him, making Dravin blink in confusion. His lips parted and closed, unable to form a word.
"Wh—what are y—you?" He stammered and flinched. His body was still slightly trembling from the vivid nightmare.
The translucent blue screen had an emoji-like face that could blink and speak, and it stared at Dravin with a pitiful look.
[My name is Rubby and I'm your guide. And I think you need to accept your new reality as soon as possible, Host.]
The emoji's head spun rapidly, a bright blue light glowing and hurting his eyes.
Dravin squeezed his eyes shut. A series of memories flashed through his mind.
Those memories vividly had him in them, but at the same time, they felt like they belonged to a different person.
It was as if he was living two different lives with the same body and name.
Again, the imagery he thought was a nightmare ran through his mind.
The burning pain that still felt like yesterday spread across his skin, making Dravin quickly open his eyes as the memory made his chest tight.
He panted hard, staring at the blue screen in front of him that smiled creepily, like a grim reaper who had been waiting for him for a long time.
[So? Do you accept your reality now?]
"That I am dead and now occupy this poor, pathetic, lonely man who keeps thinking of ending his life? Who are you? And why did you do this to me? What do you want from me?" Dravin half-shouted, his tone filled with anger.
He still couldn't believe he died in the most embarrassing way.
His heart ached just thinking about it, all because of a clumsy staff member.
Oh no, it must have been that brand of induction stove with its questionable credibility.
Dravin closed his eyes, his hands pulling at his hair.
[You should be grateful you got a second life, host. It's—]
"With this pathetic loser? Are you kidding me? And this pathetic world where everyone's just so depressed for nothing? Why did you drag me into this pit, which is worse than death?"
Dravin scoffed, his nostrils flaring. His fist tried to punch the translucent screen, but the annoyingly zen-like emoji didn't budge, remaining calm and relaxed.
[I know you're frustrated and are entering the second phase of grief. But Host, I'm not patient enough to wait for you to get through all five stages. Just accept it and be calm. That way, we can start talking with a cool head.]
"What if I can't—no, I won't accept it?"
[Then, you will just die. What more could a dead person ask for than a second chance at life?]
Dravin took a deep breath and looked around the room where he sat on a single bed with an iron bed frame.
As far as he could see, this wasn't a bedroom but one of those small, single-room apartments with only a bathroom.
What caught his attention, however, was that the bed was near an open window with a stunning view.
A stretch of cherry blossoms lined a park where the green grass was still wet from a recent rain.
It was the kind of peaceful scene that made the Dravin of this world cling to his life.
Such a loser.
Dravin turned to the screen with an unimpressed gaze.
His jaw clenched as he straightened his posture. He knew there was no point in being dramatic and staying in denial.
Even though he was upset at being dragged into such a useless life, there had to be something special about this second chance.
"Tell me then! What does this second chance have for me? I'm listening." His voice was firm, his face still displeased.
[Whoa… Charisma. They weren't wrong when they said you have a special charm. Even your displeased voice has a weight that could make me shiver.]
Dravin frowned in distaste. Why did the voice sound more human all of a sudden? Does this Rubby have a personality?
"Who are 'they'?"
[The Higher-Ups. The ones who brought you to this Vitaronia. They were amused by how you died while doing what you love. They believe you are suitable for the role.]
"So they enjoy human death? Are they Gods? Can I meet them?"
[You may or may not be able to meet them; it depends on how you perform your role.]
"Role?"
[Yes. Please pay attention.]
NuLife Balance System Progress: 0%
Name: Dravin Austin
Age: 25 years
Role: Demon Hunter Chefluencer
Wealth: 1530 Goldin
Coins: 0
Charisma: 550,000/1,000,000 (You gain based on your personal connection to people)
Fame: 0/1,000,000 (You gain based on how good your external reputation)
Aura: 0/1,000,000 (You gain or lose based on your good and bad deeds)
Skills:
> Cooking: 100% (You can cook any recipe without practice and won't fail)
> Taste Bud: 70% (Your taste sense is beyond an average human's. With this level, you could easily know a dish's ingredients from one bite)
> Viral Master: 60% (Your understanding of viral content is beyond that of an average person from this world. With this level, you could make anything viral with a 40% chance of failure)
> … (You can buy new and upgrade your skills with coins at the shop)
[Regardless of all the stats and skills, your only goal is to complete the NuLife Balance System to 100% by doing missions.]
[Any questions, Host?]