Welding was my passion. I developed a love for the craft at an early age. Ever since my stepfather Damon came into my life. He was not only a great man but also an amazing welder. From day one Damon loved me like his own. Even through the time I spent in Juvenile. Damon and mom never quit on me.
When I was around sixteen Damon offered me a challenge. The challenge was simple work with him for 5 months. If I could prove that I could work hard and apply myself Damon promised me a car. Damon was a structural welder. I woke up with him at 3:30 every morning. We worked out from 3:30 to 4:30. Showered at 4:45 after breakfast and when were out the door at 5:45. It was a 3 hour drive to the job site.
In that 5 month span I learned to love hard work. At the end of challenge I continued to go to work with Damon. Every weekend I was right there with him. I had gotten grades on track and in the summer, Damon kept his promise.
Fast forward 5 years and I was working as a welder. That all changed one day.
"Hey Sylvester. That weld on the north side isn't going to hold. There are gaps in the joints. If we put too much weight on that joint, it will fracture for sure."
The blank look on Sylvester face told me everything. He couldn't care less if those beams broke. He main concern was the schedule. We were about three weeks behind because of some back weather and staffing issues.
That was 35 minutes before everything went dark.
A voice called out Silas Dominic. The voice had a light warm tone. I didn't hear a single hint of aggression. My eyes open to see pure white room. In front of me stood a woman. Her hair was a deep blue color. Her eyes resembled the purist sapphire. She wore an elegant white dress. The dress left room for my imagination to wander because the goddess was fully covered. The only thing I could to tell was she had massive boobs.
"Silas Dominic, you have been chosen for the honor of rebirth." The goddess said.
My eyes widen. Why would I need rebirth if I wasn't dead? I couldn't be dead I was just having a conversation with a coworker. I was watching as they lifted a support beam to be place on the north side.
When I said the words north side that's when the screen appeared. It was small, magenta color screen.
The words on the screen were "Death Replay".
I was standing there talking to Alexia. The beam was being lifted. Once it was on top of structure. The joint I told Sylvester about did exactly what I said it would. The joint split and the beam fell. It was about to hit Alexia until I shoved her out the way. I was crushed.
The replay showed me what happened after everything went black. I got to hear the screams and see people scrambling. Alexia was in tears. I heard her screams. Even though I wasn't present, I could feel her pain. Her screams brought tears to my eyes. I am supposed to be there. Hearing those screams and seeing those tears, I made me truly realize my life had ended. Over the years me and her had become more than friends. She was like a sister to me. I knew her mom and brothers. She even came to Damon's funeral. We met in high school. We both had community service detail for probation.
Then I saw something I never expected. Sylvester was standing with the man that did the shitty work. It looked like Sylvester handed him something. Just when I felt the rage building up the recording cut out.
I stood in front of the goddess my fist clenched. I could feel the vein in my forehead sticking out. I was so angry my heart was pounding against chest. His head would've been on a stick in my front yard if I could've gotten my hands on him. That dirty bastard didn't just cut corners. From the recording it looked like he was willing to commit murder.
In my fit of rage had been ignoring the goddess. I was racking my brain trying to figure why Sylvester do this. I was pacing back and forth when it came to me. A few weeks prior there was a rumor that was next in line to take Sylvester position. The owners of the business complex we we're building were tired of Sylvester's excuses.
"That bottom feeding ass worm." I mumbled to myself or at least I thought I did.
The laughter from the goddess snapped me to the present. She was tapping her foot showing me she was losing patience.
"Silas Dominic you are in fact dead. There are two paths before you. The first is you gracefully ascend to the heavens. The second is to be reborn in a new world. A world of magic and wonders your eyes have never seen. In this world you can be whatever your heart desires."
"Anything?" I questioned with smirk forming on my face.
"Anything except a member of the black market. I'll watch over you to make sure you continue to live righteously. Should I find that you aren't living a righteous life I will recall your soul and send it to the underworld."
I nodded rapidly. Her tone sent a unbearable shiver down my spine. There was no room for misinterpretation. She meant exactly what she said.
"I want to live again." I said my head held high.
"Okay step forward please."
Step. Step. Step.
"I Henrietta the Vengeful hereby grant your request for rebirth."
Two emerald chests materialized in front me.
"Before you can be reborn you must choose one ability from each chest. You cannot redraw once you pull a card out."
"Jeez no pressure" I replied playfully.
The chests popped open. I dug my hand into the first one.
Shuffle. Shuffle. Shuffle. Yank.
Bubble Magic.
"Bestowing the power of Bubble Magic"
"Motherfucking bubble magic. What am I going to do become the world's greatest clown." I said in protest.
"Shut up and kneel." The goddess commanded.
I don't why but my body felt like it weighed 9,000 pounds. It felt someone cranked the gravity up to infinity. I tried to speak but the pressure was too much.
"Are you done complaining? A simple blink will suffice because I know talking is virtually impossible." Henrietta said a sinister smile tugging at her lips.
This bitch was enjoying my suffering. I blink over and over again.
"You're free to move."
Those four simple words made me feel as light as a feather.
I went over to the second chest.
Shuffle. Shuffle. Shuffle. Pull.
Enchanted Craftsman.
"Bestowing the ability Enchanted Craftsman."
"Oh I forgot the most important part. Granting you the system."
"System?"
"Yes, every person that is reborn gets one. So don't go thinking you're special or anything. It's called the New World System. It is filled with all the information you need. Crafting recipes, knowledge about the economy, and different political systems. It is also how I keep track of your progress. Do you see the plus and minus signs at the bottom of the status screen.
Nod.
"Well, those are your impact points. Those tell me how your presence is impacting the world. If you get enough positive impact points, you'll be able to draw another ability. That ability will be added to skill set along with the two you already have. Get enough negative impact points and you'll be on the first hell fire express to the underworld."
"So, their like experience points?"
"Yes and No. Experience level up current abilities. Impact grant abilities and increase your standing in the world."
"That make sense"
"Bestowing the New World System."
Once again everything went dark. However, when I woke up this time I was under a tree. The tree these beautiful snow leaves.
[Those are whisper leaves. They are use in different potions. They mostly used in potions to remove sensory debuff.]
"Who the hell said that?"
[It was me your connection to Goddess Henrietta]
"That's right she did mention I was getting a glorified encyclopedia."
[I'm more than an encyclopedia you damn dire wolf turd. I keep track of all experience points and abilities. Not to mention those precious Impact points you were told about. I'm also how you assign yourself custom quest and keep track of quest progress.]
"Well shit you are useful."
[I am and let me be the first to welcome you to Clarveria]