Damn.
Damn.
Goddamn!!
Why does Monday always feel like a curse?
Why does everything fall apart the moment the week begins?. Where am I?. What is this place?. I cannot recognize anything around me, but one thing is painfully clear. I am dead.
Let me remember what happened.
There were two kids. Maybe brothers. And I was on my way to a party. Yes, that party. I had taken a shower, put on my clean and expensive clothes, and sat in my luxury car. I was not alone. There was a fine shyt with me.
We stopped at a gas station. That is where I saw the kids. They were laughing and playing in the middle of the road. They were playing so happily that I almost felt jealous of their carefree joy. However, they did not notice the large truck approaching from behind. I shouted, Get off the road.
But the moment they saw the truck, they froze in fear.
Shit. I left my car and ran toward them. But life is not a movie. Maybe all three of us died at the same moment.
This is my fault. My pride delayed me by a second.I could have stood there watching, gone to the party, told everyone about the tragic scene and listened to them pretend to care. People with money love to act deep and compassionate. Hypocrites. And honestly, I was no different.
I wonder what that bitch did with my car after I died.
Anyway. Where am I now? If this is death, is this what the afterlife looks like?. Everything is dark. Maybe I am on my way to hell.
I should have done at least one good deed before dying. Something that could reduce my suffering in hell. Still, at least I did not die poor or miserable.
I died rich. I died with status. And I died not virgin.
"Yes, and you also achieved something great."
A blinding light appeared out of nowhere, almost burning my eyes. But instead of fear, a warm feeling wrapped around me.
As my sight adjusted, the light shaped itself into a woman.
"Greetings, child of the mortal world."
The longer I looked, the clearer her face became, until she looked impossibly beautiful. A divine presence.
"Your action has created great influence in your world. Dear child"
– What action?
"The two children you saved."
– They are alive?
I almost shouted from shock.
When she answered yes, every regret inside me disappeared.
At least I died saving someone.
But we were hit by the truck, I said.
"The truck stopped in time" she explained.
"But a smaller car behind it overtaken and hit you three. You shielded the children and took most of the impact. Your skull received a heavy injury. That was the cause of your death. The children survived after many years of medical treatment."
Tears formed in my eyes. Tears of relief. My parents must finally be proud of me for the first time.
"They are proud" she answered as if reading my mind. "And not only them. Many people know your name."
– Is she reading my thoughts?.
"Of course. I am a goddess."
– Oh, That's right. So why does everyone know me?
Because the children you saved became extraordinary. She showed me a vision of two grown men. You saved the future creators of a vaccine that saved the world during a crisis. This is #### vaccine.
– That is my name.
"Yes. The world honored you. Their prayers granted you reincarnation. That is why you are here, between worlds."
– Reincarnation. This is far beyond my understanding.
But the goddess continued speaking.
"You received a blessing, but also punishment for your past sins."
– I know, I accept it.
Whatever the punishment is.
"You will be reborn in a world where strength is measured by levels. You will begin at the maximum level. But your level will only decrease, never increase. Every action you take will lower it. You'll know after you get there"
A blessing and a curse.
She was about to offer me an easier life, but I interrupted her.
–Do not give me the easy option.
Send me to that world.
I will face the consequences of my past.
Because I had been a scammer. The wealth I enjoyed was built on lies and ruined lives. I used to gain people's trust, lead them to the edge of a cliff, take their money, and then watch them fall. Sometimes, people even died because of this.
But I wanted to choose a better path.
Although I left the past behind, the past didn't leave me. The people I used to scam with didn't want me to leave this game because I was good at it. They threatened me with the crimes I committed and wanted to make me their dog. Even though I managed to avoid them, I inevitably had to get involved in this messed-up business again. For about eight years, I lived as a filthy scumbag who appeared rich and wealthy.
"Okay, I will send you now", the goddess said.
A world where levels only go down.
I need a plan. I will decide on the plan and everything as soon as I arrive.
There's no use dwelling on the past and feeling sad. I will make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to do the good deeds I couldn't do before and experience what it's like to be a good person. After all, even if I did one good deed in my past life, I died without truly feeling it.
"Your transfer begins."
Suddenly, a force pulled me forward.
The pressure became unbearable.
My skin tore, my clothes shredded, my bones shook. My eyes felt as if they would burst. Perhaps another piece of divine punishment.
Then everything changed. Warm sunlight. Fresh wind. Birds singing.This must be the world the goddess spoke of. A message appeared in my vision.
[Transfer to the other world completed.]