67
"Sixty-seven? That should be…" Aurelian pondered as his gaze fell on the screen displaying the reincarnation worlds and their assigned numbers.
[No need to check,] the ball of white light said. [67 coincides with Ancient Greece.]
Ancient Greece.
Aurelian felt oddly indifferent about the world he got. Mostly because he hadn't even had the time to seriously think about which world would suit him best.
As he looked over the list again, he came to a conclusion. The most survivable world would have been 20th century Europe. As the ball of light had said, he would be reincarnated with a system that gave him an edge over others. In a world without magic or monsters, where the main threats were guns and bombs, having a system cheat would be a complete game changer.
And the least survivable? Definitely Immortal China. Aurelian wasn't clueless about what awaited him there. Before his death, he had drowned himself in plenty of xianxia novels, with Renegade Immortal being one of his favorites.
If the Immortal China world followed the typical xianxia setting, then he would be thrown into a nightmare filled with arrogant young masters ready to cripple his cultivation over the smallest offense, like letting a sect's junior sister give him a back massage would already be courting disaster. And with the constant face slapping? He would probably die from that long before being killed by some lunatic screaming, "Courting death!"
As for Ancient Greece, he wasn't completely ignorant of it, but he wasn't well-versed either. He just knew the popular tales about Hercules and his labors, Odysseus' long journey home, the Trojan Horse, and Zeus' endless infidelity.
"So Ancient Greece it is."
[Such spirit, boy. Your optimism is great to look at.]
[But still, Ancient Greece is not as kind as you think. Of course, this wouldn't be a replica of the ancient Greek tales you heard in your world; yes, it would have the same plot, but with much more danger and more power lurking within.]
[So expect an unforgiving world.]
"So be it! I brought this upon myself, and I have no regrets. Besides, you yourself said I will be granted some kind of cheat, so compared to the average person there, I should be fine."
[That is correct. With the cheats granted as part of the standard reincarnation package, your survival rate will increase drastically.]
[Here is your package.]
Reincarnation Package:
• Level-Up System
• Perfect Physical Appearance
• Great Tools for Pleasurable Activities
Aurelian went through the reincarnation package and it looked fairly standard. Nothing outside the extraordinary compared to the novels he had read.
"So can you break down the basics of the level-up system?" Aurelian asked, wanting to be sure he and the ball of light were on the same page.
[It is a system that allows indefinite growth in the reincantor's strength and attributes, adjusted to the power system of their reincarnated world. Additionally, the system will bestow at least two unique aspects upon its host, chosen from attributes, class, talent, trait, skill, and more.]
"And perfect physical appearance?"
[Yes. The reincarnator will receive an extremely handsome face and peak physical traits. Nothing less than six-foot-two, with a well-built physique. Such attributes are beneficial not only for combat and endurance, but also for diplomacy, persuasion, and forming alliances where looks and presence can decide outcomes as effectively as strength.]
"That makes sense. But damn, tools for pleasurable activities? I approve!"
[Do not be so smug. Such tools are a necessity in reincarnation. As mentioned earlier, in situations where intimacy can be used as leverage or influence, the reincarnator must be fully capable. Consider it both a survival measure and a bonus meant to ensure a fulfilling life regardless of circumstance.]
"Good! Good! No complaints here."
Aurelian was pleased with the scope of his reincarnation package, and he was especially glad to know he wouldn't reincarnate in a bad situation looks wise. And to be fair, Aurelian wasn't like the typical novel protagonist he often read about. He wasn't some die hard virgin loser, for the contrary, Aurelian got as much coochie as a sixteen year old could get. In the grand scheme of things, he lived comfortably. He was good-looking, not a perfect ten or nine, but well above average. His family was wealthy, he never lacked money, and he never truly struggled. He even had an odd obsession with golf. Golf. A sport people joked was only for the rich.
But then again, he lost his mother. And that was the first real crack in his world. Aurelian loved his mother deeply, she was his reason for waking up every morning. Seeing her smile was enough to make his day better. After the car accident, that smile was gone, and every morning after that felt empty.
"So what's the next step?" Aurelian asked, ready to move on and face his new life.
[That's all.]
"That's all?" Aurelian frowned. "I don't see myself in Ancient Greece."
Then, without warning, the space around him twisted, as colors exploded in front of him. Red, blue, gold, violet, all spinning together like a vortex. Aurelian felt his body lift up, like he was weightless, and as if the ground no longer existed. Then, rainbow light began to wrap around him, pulling him forward. Faster and faster, until he couldn't tell where he was anymore.
Then suddenly, everything stopped. And Aurelian fell forward and landed on his feet.
He blinked. And blinked, until he saw himself standing inside a white room. The floor, the walls, the ceiling, there were all white. And the room had no doors, no windows, and he didn't even cast a shadows. It was just endless white stretching in every direction.
"…Okay," he said quietly. "This is new."
Swoosh!!
Then a golden door appeared in front of the room, facing Aurelian directly. What was strange about the door was that it had no handle, not even any mechanism for it to open. Yet it drew him closer, as if calling his name.
Strange, Aurelian thought. He knew that the only reasonable explanation for the door appearing was his reincarnation.
So with that, he slowly walked toward the door. He decided not to rush it, allowing time and fate a chance, in case anything should happen.
Then, just a few meters away from the door, it suddenly opened and drew Aurelian in, a black vortex swallowing him whole.
Falling into something like an endless pit, Aurelian tried to keep calm, but every attempt at maintaining his composure fell short.
Ding!
He heard it. That sound, like a single bell being rung.
[Reincarnator System Initializing....]
[Welcome! Soul No. 445, your reincarnation was successful, and you may begin your quest to
[Warning! Please be advised that failure to complete the stated quest upon dying in the reincarnated world will cause your soul to be devoured by black mist.]
Aurelian read the text, the system exactly as he had expected it to be. He kept falling and falling, the descent seeming to have no end.
Until…
...
Temple of the Goddess Athena, Athens, Ancient Greece.
"Is this him?" a tall, beautiful woman asked.
"It should be. He did come out of the summoning portal, didn't he?" another beautiful woman replied.
Aurelian groaned softly as consciousness slowly returned to him. His head felt heavy, like he had slept for far too long. The first thing he noticed was the cold, smooth stone beneath his back, followed by the faint scent of incense in the air.
He then opened his eyes, and above him stood two women, both impossibly striking.
One of them stood with a natural air of authority, her posture relaxed yet commanding. She wore flowing, regal garments woven with gold and royal red colors. The fabric clung to her figure in a way that made her presence impossible to ignore, her cleavage extremely visible and eye watering, her thighs visible under the tight dress, and her figure? It was overwhelmingly feminine.
The other woman stood slightly to the side, armored from head to toe. Bronze plates covered her body, filled with ancient symbols and battle marks. A crested helmet rested under her arm, and a spear leaned casually against her side. Unlike the first woman's warmth, she radiated sharpness and discipline. Her gaze was keen, intelligent, and calculating, like she was already judging his worth.
Aurelian swallowed.
'Yeah… I'm definitely not dead anymore,' he thought.
"So," the armored woman said, her voice clear, "he's awake."
The regal woman smiled faintly, her eyes lingering on Aurelian with interest. "Good. It would be awkward if our chosen champion didn't survive the summoning."
Aurelian tried to sit up, his body responding slower than he wanted. "Chosen… champion?" he muttered.
The two women exchanged a brief glance.
"It seems," the regal woman said smoothly, "that our guest will need a proper explanation."
Hearing their words, the truth finally settled in.
The armored woman stepped forward and introduced herself. "I am Athena," she said plainly. "Goddess of wisdom, strategy, and war."
Then the regal woman lifted her chin, her presence filling the space without effort. "And I am Hera," she said. "Queen of Olympus."
Interesting, Aurelian thought. It seemed he had reincarnated into a peculiar situation during a time of calamity in Ancient Greece—one so dire that even these two had felt the need to summon him. He was, of course, knowledgeable of them.
First, there was Athena, the war goddess revered by soldiers and generals alike, the sharp mind behind every victory. Aurelian recalled her traits and personality; if the tales from his world matched this reality, then Athena was a goddess who would prove reliable going forward.
And then there was Hera, the Queen herself. Feared, respected, and eternally envious of the countless women Zeus slept with. Most tales portrayed her as a villain with relationship issues, but Aurelian saw her as a victim of Zeus's horny nature. Regardless, he was glad to be on her good side. And damn, seeing her in person, he wished he were Zeus for a moment.
"We summoned you," Hera continued, her voice filled with authority, "because the Trojan War has reached a seeming stalemate."
"For one full year, war has raged between the Greeks and Troy. Our forces, the Greeks, are being ground down, pushed back again and again. Hector of Troy stands undefeated, his presence alone crushing the morale of the men," Athena said.
"The gods of Olympus have chosen sides," Hera continued. "Aphrodite stands with Troy. And she has even gone behind Zeus himself to protect their champions and twist fate in their favor."
Athena crossed her arms, "Balance has been broken, and strategy alone is no longer enough."
Hera's gaze locked onto Aurelian. "That is why I acted."
She took a step closer, "Through my divine powers, I managed to reach across time itself and summon you. A warrior not yet touched by this era. A soul from a blessed age. A legendary warrior."
Aurelian stared at them, their request made sense. It aligned perfectly with the quest of becoming a great hero, and what better way to do that than by winning a raging war for the Greeks?
Still, he could not just enter a battlefield immediately. He had only just arrived. In truth, he was not very knowledgeable about the Trojan War, as he only knew the basics. The great walls of Troy that had never fallen. The famous wooden horse. The Trojan Horse, devised by the brilliant Odysseus, which ultimately led to Troy's defeat. From the way things were unfolding, that moment had not happened yet and would not happen anytime soon.
Then Athena let out a quiet groan. She was not truly convinced about the warrior Hera had summoned. Sure, he was good looking. Too good looking to be a fighter, though she knew appearances alone meant little. Still, she was dissatisfied, as Aurelian showed no sign of combat experience. She saw it clearly in his eyes, and discerning such things was effortless for the goddess of wisdom and war.
Yes, he had a perfect build. Too perfect, even. A body well suited for close combat. But she could tell he had never lifted a sword in his life.
Turning her gaze to Hera, Athena wondered why she had chosen this boy in the first place.
Was it his looks?
Was she trying to get back at Zeus after everything he had done with other women?
No! Athena dismissed the thought. Hera was not that selfish, especially not when everything now seemed to rest on this one man.
Stepping forward, Hera placed a hand beneath Aurelian's chin, feeling the structure and softness of his face. A pleased smile curved her lips before she straightened him up.
Then she rested her hands on his shoulders and spoke, "From reading your fate, you will be strong enough after three months in this world. I do not know how that will happen, but I trust the weave of the Sisters."
She leaned closer. "Go! Leave this temple and search for a girl named Thaleia. She will help you adjust to this world."
As Hera stepped back, Aurelian stood as he pondered for some time.
In his mind, compared to his previous life? Everything felt unreal. Gods, war, fate, prophecy. He had been dropped into a legend that people once told as stories, and now those were his reality.
But one thing was clear. Whatever waited for him outside this temple would decide whether he rose as a legend or vanished as just another forgotten soul.
"Don't worry, Aurelian," Hera continued. "Athena and I will be by your side throughout your journey."
"Be assured of that."
With a single step, Aurelian began his journey in this age of heroes. An age where the might of Olympus had descended upon the realm, and heroes both great and small, from Cadmus to Odysseus, carved their names into history.
And now, Aurelian would walk his own path, carving himself into that same history alongside them.