It was like any other day. People are getting on with their daily routines. Going to work, school, or running errands. It was a day when Jin, a young man fresh out of high school, trying to decide what to do in life, was walking back from the gas station with a bag of new snacks.
(Maybe college... no, that's just a dead end trap...)I could get a job...but that's also just way too much effort. Jin sighed as he cracked open a monster can and began crossing the street.
While halfway across the street, Jin felt something was wrong. Looking around, he saw that he was the only one walking across the road.
(I didn't think the road would be so empty) Jin thought as he continued to look around
But as he took more of his surroundings in, he realized that he was all alone, no cars, no people, no noise, not even a bird in the sky.
"Okay...this is strange," Jin said with a slight chuckle
"Hello there, Jin," A voice spoke from behind Ji,n causing him to turn around
Standing there was an older gentleman in a clean, immaculately tailored white suit.
"Hello...do you know what's happening?" Jin asked
"Well, I know it will be ahrd ot ehar this...but you're dead, Jin...hit by a truck while walking on the street," the man replied with a solemn tone
"..."
"..."
"hit by a truck, huh...well I guess there are many worse ways to go," Jin sighed as he stepped toward the man
"So are like a grimreaper or something...I thought you guys knew carried sythes and wore cloack and stuff,"
"No, Jin, not a grim reaper...and you are taking your death surprisingly well," the man replied with a small, amused smile
"Well, what can panicking do? I'm dead, and since I didn't feel any pain, I'm guessing I died on impact, so not too bad," Jin explained
"That is true, since you are better than most, I will get straight to it. You have been given a second chance at life. As one of many humans who struggle to figure out what to do with life, I will give you that chance to achieve anything you wish in the world, no matter how bizarre," the man explained.
"Oh, so like the people that get reincarnated in novels, right?" Jin asked
"I guess you can say that...You will get to live your desire, just tell me," the man replied
"My desire...well, if I really think about it, I just want to live a relaxing life. Where I can sleep as long as I want, eat any food I want, without having to worry about working out to stay in shape, or game, read, and watch shows and movies all I want...I know self-indulgent, but it's what I want," Jin replied with a shrug of his shoulders
"..."
"Prfftt ha ha ha...Sorry, young man, I didn't mean to laugh...I think this is the first time a human whom I spoke with chose something so grounding," the man spoke whiping away a tear from laughing
"So is that a now on my wish?" Jin asked
"No, I will grant it, but the world I send people to is always filled with things that cause problems...I will give you a little gift as a thank you for making me laugh for the first time in a few hundred years," the man replied.
"Oh, really, thanks," Jin said with a smile.
"Now I will be watching Jin Kagetsu...to see this new self-indulgent life of yours," the man spoke with a snap of his fingers
With that, Jin felt his speech begin to float into the air.
"Wait whats your name?" Jina sked as he tried to balance himself
"Hmmm...my name...You can call me Mr.Whitlock," the gentleman replied as Jin disappeared into the sky.
Floating through what seemed to be endless space. Jin moved closer and closer towards a light in the distance.
As he got closer, he also began to move faster until he collided with the light. Blinded for a moment, Jin has instinctively closed his eyes.
After a few moments, Jin opened his eyes. Now in a new environment, Jin found himself sitting on a couch in the livingroom of an apartment.
Sitting up, Jin began looking around but didn't find anything of interest. Going back to the living room, Jin lay on the couch and turned on the TV, flipping to the news channel to get a clue of what new world Mr.Whitlock had sent him to.
"Hello folks, for those just joining us, we are at the Justice League celebration event that has been underway for a few hours now. With things for the kids, and adults, and even some of the justice league members, today is a day to get out and be with family and friends..." a new reporter spoke as she gestured back to a large fair happening and a man moving at super sonic speeds as he made balloon animals for kids.
"Great...just why DC...I mean, it could be worse, but everyone is always trying to invade Earth, or psycho clones are blowing up nukes," Jin sighed as he leaned deeper into the couch.
As the thought of everything that could go wrong raced through Jin's head, he heard a robotic voice ring out before a translucent screen appeared before him, displaying a message.
『Grand Mage System Activated』
『Welcome Jin Kagetsu』
"A system...I guess this is the gift he was talking about...I guess it's not all bad," Jin spoke with a grin as she looked at the screen.