Chapter 2 — The Being Beyond Stars
Jacob never imagined the afterlife would come with menus.
The gacha board stretched across the void like an infinite tapestry of shifting symbols. Each icon radiated a distinct energy some warm like sunlight on old bones, others cold as a sniper's breath on the nape of his neck.
He floated before it, barely more than a consciousness. The orb hovered nearby, its soft radiance pulsing with a rhythm that reminded him eerily of a heart.
"Before you proceed," the orb spoke directly into his awareness, "you deserve understanding. Ask what you wish."
Jacob grunted internally. All right then. Let's start with the obvious: what the hell are you? The orb shimmered with an emotion he could only describe as… gentle humor.
"A higher-dimensional entity, as your language would frame it. I am custodian of transition, shepherd of wandering souls, arbiter of continuation pathways."
So… a cosmic social worker?
A warm pulse laughter.
"Close enough."
He took a mental breath.
Why me? I've lived, fought, served. I wasn't perfect. Why offer me… whatever this is?
The orb brightened.
"Not perfection. Potential."
Potential? I'm ninety-one years old. My potential's all used up.
"Not your body's. Your soul's."
Jacob didn't know what to say to that. For the first time since waking in the void, he felt something like unease.
The orb drifted closer.
"Your life was defined not by survival, but by choice. In Vietnam, you chose to shield your squad. In Iraq, you chose to save a child. You chose compassion when fear might have dictated otherwise."
Jacob snorted mentally.
I was just doing my job.
"A convenient lie humans tell themselves to avoid realizing the magnitude of their own decisions."
He didn't have an answer for that.
---
The Board Awakens
The gacha board flared to life.
Rows of cosmic slots arranged themselves into three distinct categories:
World
Perks
Drawbacks
Each slot spun like a roulette wheel made of stars.
Jacob stared.
You're serious about this? My next life hangs on a damn slot machine?
"It is not as random as you think. Fate requires both will and risk. This interface balances the two."
Sounds like bullshit, Jacob muttered.
"It often does."
A soft breeze seemed to ripple across the void, though there was no wind, no air, no sensation. Only the metaphysical equivalent of anticipation.
Jacob floated closer.
What happens if I don't like the results? Can I reroll?
"No."
Can I refuse reincarnation?
"Yes."
And then? The orb didn't glow this time.
"Then you cease."
Jacob went silent.
True, permanent death. No heaven. No family waiting. Just nothing.
After everything he'd seen friends lost, comrades buried he knew one thing: He wasn't ready to fade into oblivion.
Not yet. All right, he said finally. Let's roll the damn thing.
---
WORLD SELECT
The board hummed, colors spinning.
Jacob braced himself not that he had a body to brace with.
WHIRRRRRR—
The cosmic roulette blurred with names he didn't recognize and others he almost did:
Elarion Prime
Vrykos Dominion
Middle-Earth Equivalent
Aetherion Cluster
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Dragon Ball Universe
Dark Souls Universe
Fae Ascendancy
Terminus Rift
Cyberpunk-Alpha Timeline
It slowed.
Slowed—
—clicked.
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Jacob's nonexistent heart skipped.
Marvel? Like the movies? Superheroes… aliens… Thanos… gods?
The orb pulsed.
"Correct."
Jacob's mind raced.
Well damn. Guess I'm gonna get vaporized by a purple raisin with jewelry.
The orb dimmed slightly.
"Do not be so certain. Your next rolls may empower you greatly."
Or screw me over.
"Also correct."
---
PERKS — THREE ROLLS
Three shimmering columns unfolded.
"You will receive three advantages," the orb intoned. "Their manifestation will determine your new body's potential."
Jacob watched the first perk slot spin—
Perk Roll #1
Names flashed:
Enhanced Physiology
Minor Telepathy
Ki Manipulation
Magic Affinity
Kryptonian Biology
Asgardian Body
Saiyan Heritage
Cosmic Energy Channel
Superhuman Adaptation
Divine Spark
It slowed.
Jacob's awareness tightened.
The wheel clicked.
Stopped.
⭐ Kryptonian Biology
Jacob felt something inside him flare, like sunlight warming a winter-broken back.
Holy hell… like Superman?
"A pure Kryptonian template," the orb confirmed. "Your cellular structure will absorb and metabolize stellar radiation, granting you an evolution curve unmatched by most species."
Jacob blinked mentally.
Will I be… born like that?
"Yes."
He swallowed not physically, but out of instinct.
Kryptonian.
In the MCU.
That was… absurd. Terrifying. Hopeful. Dangerous.
He didn't know whether to cheer or panic.
---
Perk Roll #2
The second wheel spun.
The colors this time were darker, more intense. Names flickered:
Pyrokinesis
Soulfire Embodiment
Sunshine
Rage Empowerment
Healing Factor
Titan Physiology
Mana Furnace
Battle Instinct
Celestial Seed
Gravity Mastery
Jacob felt a prick of dread.
The wheel slowed.
Slower.
Clicked—
⭐ Sunshine
The orb brightened significantly.
"The Grace of the Sun," it said. "The power wielded by Escanor of the Seven Deadly Sins."
Jacob jolted.
Wait, Escanor? As in the guy who becomes a literal sun demigod at noon?
"Yes."
A slow, dangerous, incredulous awe spread through Jacob.
Both Kryptonian physiology and Sunshine?
He didn't know whether the universe loved him or wanted him to explode in utero.
"This combination is… unique," the orb admitted. "You will grow beyond ordinary limits."
How strong are we talking?
"At your peak? Enough to trouble cosmic beings."
Jacob whispered: Holy shit.
---
Perk Roll #3
The final perk wheel spun with a ferocity the others hadn't.
Jacob sensed something odd something fated.
Names flickered:
Telekinesis
Longevity
Berserker State
Flight (Baseline)
Adaptive Genius
Energy Projection
Elemental Mastery
Perfect Regeneration
Power Copy (Weakened)
Solar Furnace Core
The wheel slowed.
Clicked—
⭐ Adaptive Genius
Jacob felt something flicker inside him, quickness, calculation, instinct.
So… I'll be smart?
"More than smart," the orb said. "In your new life, you will learn at rates far beyond mortals or even demigods."
Like Tony Stark smart?
"Given time and experience, potentially."
Jacob felt unsteady in a theoretical, metaphysical way. This was too much. Too powerful. Too stacked. He didn't trust it. Which meant. There was a catch.
---
DRAWBACK ROLL
The drawback column did not spin immediately.
The orb dimmed.
"The burden you carry must balance your gifts."
Jacob bristled.
So what's the price? Weakness? Vulnerability? Time limit?
The wheel began to turn.
Slower.
Heavier.
Almost reluctant.
Drawbacks flickered past:
Mortal Disease
Chaotic Mutation
Solar Dependency (Extreme)
Emotional Instability
Cosmic Beacon (Attracts Entities)
Memory Loss
Spiritual Fragility
Host Body Rejection
Power Volatility
Destiny's Chains
It slowed.
Jacob's awareness tightened.
Clicked—
❗ META KNOWLEDGE LOSS
You will forget all knowledge of Marvel canon.
Jacob froze. All of it?
"All."
Movies? Shows? MCU timeline? Avengers events? Infinity Stones? Thanos? Villains? Nothing?
"Your memories of Marvel media will be erased long before your rebirth."
That isn't just a drawback, Jacob snapped. That could kill me! What if I end up in New York during an alien invasion? Or near a celestial egg? Or
"Your power compensates. But yes, your new life will lack the foresight your former mind held."
Jacob simmered but deep down, he understood.
His advantages were too strong. This was the only way to keep the equation balanced. He forced himself to calm.
Fine. I accept it.
The orb pulsed in satisfaction.
---
The Final Question
Jacob drifted closer to the orb.
All right. One thing before you toss me into a womb or something equally weird where am I going? When am I going?
The orb dimmed ominously.
"That element… is random."
Jacob froze.
Random? As in I could show up in ancient times? During the Battle of New York? Mid-Infinity War?
"Correct."
What about where?*
"Also random."
Jacob swore loudly though only mentally. You're telling me I could be born on Earth? Asgard? Another planet? In the wrong timeline entirely?
"Yes."
You're enjoying this, aren't you?
"…Possibly."
Despite everything, Jacob chuckled.
All right, friend. Spin the wheel of fate. Let's see where this old Marine ends up.
The orb's radiance intensified until the void looked like a star being born.
"Very well. Your soul will descend shortly. Prepare for memory erosion."
Memory?
His thoughts began to haze.
Blur.
Fade.
Marvel events dissolved like mist. Names, storylines, universes—they all slipped through his grasp. Only one thought lingered: Do it. I'm ready.
The orb pulsed one final time.
"Good luck, Jacob Walker. Become more than what you were."
The universe fractured and Jacob fell.