A man regained consciousness in a freezing cavern, his mind hazy and disoriented.
He couldn't tell where he was or how he'd gotten there.
His wrists, ankles, and torso were tightly bound with coarse rope, and a hard knot pressed against the back of his head, securing a blindfold so tight it almost hurt.
He realized he was hanging—suspended in the air—swaying slightly from side to side with every desperate twist of his body.
Then he heard it.
Chanting.
Low, rhythmic, otherworldly.
Dozens of voices echoing through the cave in a language he had never heard before. It felt ancient—wrong—and yet pulsed with a terrifying power.
Below him, something crackled alive.
A ritual circle—its shape unseen but unmistakable—began to hum, then glow with a sinister light.
The chanting rose to a fever pitch. The cultists cheered as if celebrating the success of some long-awaited prophecy.
The moment the light touched him, agony exploded through his body.
It wasn't pain of flesh or bone—it was deeper.
His soul felt like it was being ripped free.
He could neither scream nor struggle; the pain swallowed everything.
In those final moments, he prayed for the torment to end.
And, eventually… it did.
Darkness collapsed around him.
When he opened his eyes again, he was surrounded by white—an endless, eternal void.No ground. No sky. No sound.
Nothing at all.
He slowly lifted his head.
A figure descended from above, glowing softly. It looked like a man, yet something far beyond human.
Pure white wings stretched behind him, and his presence radiated wisdom so vast it felt ancient.
Just looking at him brought an inexplicable sense of calm.
The man froze, shock and fear twisting inside him. His voice trembled as he spoke to the floating figure.
"W-Where… where am I?"
The winged being's eyes softened.
The angel spoke, his voice calm and gentle—like warm light filling the empty void.
"You stand at the threshold between death and rebirth. I know this is sudden, and everything must feel overwhelming… but take all the time you need. Let your heart settle. I am not here to rush you."
It felt as if the air had been sucked out of his chest.
He couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
"I-I died…? H-how?" he stammered, his voice cracking under panic.
He looked down at himself—then froze.
His hands were transparent.
There were no legs.
No weight.
He floated aimlessly like a wisp of mist.
A soul.
Nothing more.
Time passed—he wasn't sure how long—until the first wave of panic finally drained, leaving only a quiet, hollow acceptance.
His questions slipped out, one after another, and eventually the angel answered.
"You died… in an interesting way, to say the least. Unusual."
The angel's expression softened, as if puzzled by the memory.
"Normally, after death, a soul reincarnates into the same world—human or otherwise—depending on their karma. But you… your case is different. You died earlier than expected, and through a method not meant for mortals."
His eyebrows shot up.
"What unusual way? You keep saying that."
Impatience laced his voice—maybe because the truth still hadn't fully settled inside him.
The angel hesitated for a moment.
Then spoke plainly.
"Your soul was taken… by a ritual. It forcefully pulled you out of your body."
He blinked.
Slowly.
"Huh?"
The angel cleared his throat, flustered by the reaction.
"Ah—right. You wouldn't understand the mechanics just yet. What matters is… because of that ritual, you will not reincarnate in your original world."
A pause.
Then—almost rushed, like he wanted to say it before anything else spiraled—
"You will be reborn in a different world entirely… with a few perks."
The man blinked.
Accepted it surprisingly fast.
Much faster than the angel expected.
"…That's it?" the angel whispered under his breath.
The angel cleared his throat, wings folding slightly.
"Alright then. A couple of things you must know."
His tone shifted—still gentle, but heavier.
"You will be born in a different world. It has magic—or qi, as some call it. They're essentially the same."
A sad expression crossed the angel's face.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but it will not be the world you lived in your whole life. And this new world…"
He hesitated.
"…It is ruthless."
"What do you mean?" the man asked, confusion tightening his voice.
The angel let out a slow breath.
"Yes, ruthless. Beasts stronger than mountains, humans who cultivate power that shatters the sky, clans that wage war for resources… and creatures with ancient bloodlines that dominate the land. The weak perish quickly."
He looked directly into the man's soul—eyes full of solemn truth.
"And because of the ritual… your karma has been distorted. Twisted."
The angel's wings dimmed slightly.
"You can't be reborn as a human."
A pause—heavy, hanging in the white void.
"So… what will I be reborn as?" the man asked, voice unsure.
"I—I mean… I hope it's something crazy strong. You've been saying some weird shit."
"Oh, how wonderfully you accepted that," the angel said, almost relieved—then quickly corrected himself.
"Now then, let's roll out the things—"
He coughed sharply.
"I mean… the living beings you can be reincarnated as."
With a flick of the angel's hand, something shimmered into existence.
A glowing screen unfolded in the air—like a scroll made of light. Ancient runes circled it, rotating gently as options began to load.
"For your case…" the angel muttered, leaning closer, "…we have to see what your karma qualifies for. And, well… your ritual left some complications."
The screen flashed.
AVAILABLE TIERS BASED ON KARMA:
— Extremely Low-Tier Beast
The man's eye twitched so violently it looked ready to detach.
The angel cleared his throat softly.
"Well… the ritual that stole your soul also disrupted your karmic cycle. So your human-rebirth privilege is… gone. And, um… it shaved off a little karma."
"A little?" the man groaned. "Fine—just tell me my score."
"Hold on. I'll convert it into a numerical value. Easier for mortals."
The angel tapped a glowing panel covered in drifting runes.
A number appeared.
"10."
The man blinked. "…Ten. Out of how much?"
The angel gave an apologetic smile.
"…Out of well... Well infinite"
The man stared silently into the void.
The void stared back, pitying him.
He let out another groan—long, drawn-out, and filled to the brim with existential despair.
The angel tried to comfort him.
"Look on the bright side! You'd need negative karma to reincarnate as something non-living. Or as… you know… livestock."
He smiled brightly.
The man absolutely did not.
Desperate, the angel swiped the screen.
"Anyway! Based on survivability, potential, and, uh… what's left of your karma, these are your six possible reincarnations."
The screen shimmered—shapes shifting and rearranging.
Six silhouettes appeared.
---
1. Mud Eel (Tier: Trash Beast)
Description:
A blind, wriggling eel living in shallow puddles. Dies instantly if exposed to sunlight for more than ten seconds.
Angel's Comment: "Technically alive. Technically."
---
2. Rockslug (Tier: Trash Beast+)
Description:
A giant slug with a stone-like shell. Moves 3 cm per hour. Natural enemy: absolutely everything.
Angel's Comment: "Very durable. Until stepped on."
---
3. Chicken-Sized Desert Scavenger Lizard
Description:
Runs fast. Screams louder. Eats garbage. Always hunted.
Angel's Comment: "A very emotional creature. Cries every morning."
---
4. Hornless Mini-Goat
Description:
A tiny goat with no horns and even less courage. Special ability: fainting when scared.
Angel's Comment: "Adorable… but useless."
---
5. Hairless Molebat
Description:
Half-mole, half-bat. Has wings but cannot fly. Has claws but cannot dig.
Angel's Comment: "It has all the disadvantages of both species."
---
6. Lesser Cave Serpent
Description:
A weak, tiny serpent born in darkness. Bite strength: disappointing. Occasionally develops rare mutations…
Angel's Comment: "Very low survival rate. Extremely low. But if—if—you survive, the potential is the highest."
---
The man looked as if his soul's soul had left its soul.
The angel tried again.
"Look on the brighter side—you'll keep your memories!"
"In fragments," the man said, face hollow and lifeless.
"A-and you'll have a system window!" The angel's smile twitched, his composure barely hanging together.
"That just tells me things I can already see…" the man muttered, radiating the kind of depression that could dim a sun.
"W-well—sometimes it helps you understand better!" the angel squeaked, clearly running out of excuses.
The man exhaled sharply.
"Fine. Just—just tell me what you recommend. I don't want to go in completely hopeless."
The angel straightened, relieved to have something solid to say.
"If you want the most potential… and if you're willing to face challenges, then the Lesser Cave Serpent is your best option."
He added softly, almost encouragingly,
"The world you're going to is filled with endless opportunities. And maybe… just maybe… you could rise to be strong."
The man hesitated—but the angel's earnest expression gave him a tiny spark of courage.
"…Alright," he said quietly. "I'll take the serpent."
The angel's face lit up.
"Wonderful choice. May God allow us to meet again—both alive this time."
He placed a gentle hand on the man's soul.
"For what it's worth… I truly wish you luck."
In an instant, the man vanished—pulled into the cycle of reincarnation.
...
the man just looked at the window expressionless
A new screen formed in the air, glowing softly
(SYSTEM BOOTING… WILL YOU SURVIVE?)
Name: Arin
Species: Lesser Cave Serpent ( stupid toddler)
Cultivation: Body tempering 1st stage
Status: Extremely Pathetic
Survival Chance: 1.7%
Stats:
Strength: 0.5 (A toddler will beat you)
Agility: 0.7 (can you even run?)
Endurance: 0.2 (try not to move ok?)
HP: 2/2
Cultivation speed:0(You wish)
Evolution Potential: "lol… good luck."
BLOODLINE:0.1%
Skills:
Pathetic Bite (Lv. 1) – yep it's just... Pathetic.
Fear Sense (Lv. 1) – lol your species has an innate ability to... Shit yourself when senseing danger.
Newbie Slither (Lv. 1) – Wiggle.
Quest:
1. Stay alive for 10 minutes
2. Do not get eaten.
3. Seriously. Do NOT get eaten.
If you do these maybe I will give you a reward