Chapter 29: Reincarnation.
Fumiko's trembling hands stilled as she recovered from her shocked and dazed state.
She remained silent as she gazed at the entity before her in awe and a hint of reverence.
'It... has been reading my thoughts this entire time.' She thought, dumbfounded.
Her mind flashed back to the immediate impression she'd gotten earlier when she glanced toward the being's obscured face.
It had indeed been watching her in amusement, or something similar at least.
She blinked rapidly, then let out a shaky breath.
This was truly terrifying.
Despite the fear and hesitation that gripped her heart, she decided to focus on comprehending her situation.
After all, the being didn't seem to have any hostile intentions towards her.
At least, for the moment.
"...Primordial. I was wondering what you meant by this place not being the afterlife."
"If that is truly the case. Then how did I end up here... In your domain, after my death?"
The most important question her overloaded mind could think of left her lips in an awkward tone – Even if she knew the entity already knew of it the moment she'd thought of it.
She referred to him like he'd asked, not willing to offend him by being too reverent.
It was pointless anyways, since the being could see her true fearful emotions and feelings.
The entity did not take too long to answer this time.
{Simple.}
{I pulled your soul from a place your species would refer to as limbo, and brought you here.} The being transmitted.
"Limbo..." Fumiko muttered in a troubled tone.
From what she knew, Limbo was a place where deceased souls roam until they reached either Heaven or Hell.
A ghastly and foggy void where one. loses all sense of self, and wanders aimlessly, for an unknown amount of time.
A place with no agency or self-consciousness.
A chill went up Fumiko's spine at the thought of going to such a place.
No, according to the primordial, she had already been there for who knows how long.
Her mind had only recently returned to her after she'd been brought here.
She looked up at the cloud covered face of the primordial again as she thought of another question.
"...Why?"
"Why did you bring me here?" She muttered tensely.
The primordial said nothing for several moments, then transmitted in a monotone voice.
{Because you fascinated me. Fumiko.}
{I've watched the story of your life. From your birth, till your death.}
{Like all humans, your story was truly unique.}
{I choose to bring you here because I believe you can help me achieve my goal.}
{In return. I shall grant you your desire}
Fumiko stared at the Primordial with wide eyes, and confusion etched across her features.
She was lost for words.
A being of this magnitude had recognised her, and been intrigued by her life.
She didn't understand why.
She'd done so many terrible things to achieve her goals.
She'd done things unnecessary for them, as well.
It was strange to her that a being like this didn't seem particularly bothered by her deeds.
From what she'd gathered, the entity did not seem to care about the concepts of good and evil.
Then again, it was something humans created as restrictions for themselves.
Fumiko began to understand that a being like this had no reason to be held by such rules.
"What... What would you need my help for?"
"I can't possibly think of a way someone as insignificant as me could be of service to you." She responded hesitantly.
The primordial's voice reached her mind once again a few moments later.
{To acquire an item for me.}
{It is a task that will take you a considerable amount of time. Even with the help of those already partaking in it.}
{And in return, I shall grant you a second life.}
Fumiko blinked, caught off guard by the primordial's sudden declaration.
'A-a second chance? Is that what it intends to give me? Even if i just killed myself?'
Her mind unconsciously thought of the Reincarnation novels she seldom read.
It all sounded too good to be true to her.
But at the same time, she grew excited at the possibility..
Images of her previous life flashed in her mind.
She thought of the people who had betrayed her at the end, and exposed her deeds to Kenji.
She thought of Naomi, who had brought a person like him into their carefully crafted lives in the first place.
Her gut twisted in rage and resentment.
She wanted to go back. She wanted to go back and carry out her revenge.
She wanted to ruin Kenji. To play with his life until he gave up on it and sent himself to Limbo.
She wanted to make Naomi suffer, as well.
At least until she learnt her lesson.
If what the primordial said was true, then she had a chance.
She would start anew, in a different body, where her crimes couldn't follow her.
She turned her gaze to the primordial again, a slight grin appearing in her eyes.
"I... Accept."
"Whatever you need, I'll do everything I can to help you, Primordial."
"So please... Send me back to my world!"
{...}
{...}
{It seems you've misunderstood my intentions, Fumiko.}
{No, I can't blame you for that. I should have explained properly.}
A dreadful sensation suddenly began rising deep within Fumiko's chest as she heard the Primordial's words.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"What, do you mean?"
{...I do not possess the power to send you back to your world, Fumiko. I can only send you to a new one.}
{One where things will be hard for you at first. At least, until your fellow Reincarnators find you.}
Fumiko stared at the Primordial blankly for several moments as her thoughts ran wild.
Then, her expression fell.
"..."
"...."
"So you're saying... I can't go back."
The faint hope she had began to cling to moments ago had suddenly disappeared right before her eyes.
The entity studied Fumiko for several moments, then transmitted.
{Do not be dismayed, Fumiko.}
{As I have said before. I shall grant you your greatest desire}
{Your desire for control. I can help you fulfill it.}
{In the universe I shall send you to, you are no longer limited by the laws of your world.}
{Eventually, if you become strong enough. You can even reach levels where you can be considered a god.}
Fumiko's eyes widened.
"That's, possible?"
{Yes, it is.}
{When you leave this place, your soul will be marked by my power. It will grant you abilities unique to you.}
{With that, you can reach heights beyond what your species on earth could only dream of in fantasies.}
Fumiko's expression brightened slightly when she heard that.
It seemed she wouldn't be forced to loyally serve under other Reincarnated humans in the world.
All her dreams seemed possible as well.
She'd be able to feed that ever hungry feeling in her Heart.
This was far better than the option of heaven or hell for Fumiko.
And yet, she felt slightly melancholic at the thought of being unable to return home.
'...This is what I've always wanted. My dreams, can become a possibility. There's nothing else to think about.'
Suddenly, the entity's hand moved subtly as Fumiko felt the endless white void tremble slightly in response.
It stretched out a single finger as a portal consisting of too many colours to count appeared directly in front of her.
She could feel the warm and enticing energy radiating off of it. The portal pulsed like a slow and steady heartbeat.
It seemed the Primordial had already decided for her after reading her thoughts.
There was no point in going back now.
As she took a step forward, a sudden thought came to her as she looked up at the towering entity.
"Thank you! For the second chance you're given me. And for everything."
She paused for a moment, then went on.
"But, You never actually told me what it was you wanted me to get for you!"
The being remained silent for a long while.
Then, it transmitted back.
{You shall know when the time comes. For now, it is too dangerous for you to know of it}
Fumiko looked back with a startled expression as she suddenly felt am invisible hand push her toward the portal.
{I am sure you shall find this world more interesting than your previous one.}
{I hope you live your second life to the fullest, Fumiko Iekami} the primordial transmitted finally just as Fumiko stumbled through the portal.
Like that, Fumiko Iekami's second life, had began.