Takashi had never thought that his life would end so quickly. At 24, he was a hardcore otaku, living for his passions: anime, light novels, video games, and his precious collection of figurines that filled every corner of his small room in Tokyo. That night, he was coming back from a convention, his backpack filled with goodies - a limited edition Albedo figure from Overlord, a Re:Zero artbook, and a poster signed by a famous seiyuu. The night was cool, the streets bustling with neon lights and hurried passersby. He hummed the opening song of his favorite anime, a blissful smile on his face, when a scream tore through the air.
He turned his head, confused. A figure emerged from the shadows, a man with disheveled hair, bulging eyes, wielding a knife. "YOU!" the stranger yelled, his voice trembling with rage. Takashi didn't have time to react. The blade plunged into his side, sharp pain eliciting a cry from him. He stumbled, his bag falling to the ground, the figurines rolling on the sidewalk. The man struck again, laughing like a madman. Takashi's world faded into a wave of pain and cold. Then, nothing. Just darkness.
In the infinite darkness, he floated, his mind disoriented. Is this death? he thought, a mix of regret and resignation weighing on his soul. He saw his life flash before his eyes: nights spent binge-watching anime, hours on Yggdrasil, the MMORPG that had captivated him with its epic dungeons and powerful characters. He had never traveled, never had a girlfriend, never really lived. If only I had a second chance...
As if in response to this thought, a golden light pierced the darkness. A figure appeared, floating with supernatural grace. It was a woman, breathtakingly beautiful. Her silvery hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering like moonbeams. Her almost translucent dress revealed perfect curves, and her purple eyes sparkled with divine mischief. She placed a delicate hand on her hip, an enigmatic smile on her lips.
"Welcome, Takashi," she said in a smooth voice, like a song resonating in the soul. "I am Célestia, goddess of reincarnation. Your life has ended, but I offer you an opportunity. A new existence, in a world where your dreams can come true."
Takashi blinked his eyes, or at least he tried to, considering he no longer had a body. His mind, still in shock, struggled to process the situation. "A new existence? Like... in an isekai?" he asked, his voice echoing in the void.
Célestia burst into crystalline laughter, her hair undulating as if in an invisible breeze. "Exactly! You know the genre well, don't you? Heroes transported to fantastic worlds, incredible powers, epic adventures... and, let's say, interesting encounters." She punctuated her sentence with a wink, her lips stretching into a suggestive smile that ignited a ghostly warmth in Takashi's soul.
He swallowed, or at least he imagined doing so. "Alright, but... why me? And what's the plan? Will I be a hero with a legendary sword, or what?"
Célestia's smile widened, almost mischievous. "Oh, Takashi, you're an isekai fan, so you know that each reincarnation has a little... unique touch. I'll send you to a world you know well. A world of magic, battles, kingdoms to conquer. And, let's say, a world where you'll be surrounded by beauties ready to adore you."
Takashi felt his excitement rising. "A world I know? Like, an anime or a game? And... beauties?" He imagined a parade of waifus, each more perfect than the last. "What's the catch? There's always one."
Célestia chuckled, floating closer to him. Her scent, a blend of flowers and spices, filled his senses. "No catch, just a surprise. You will be powerful, Takashi. More powerful than you can imagine. And you will have everything a man like you could desire. So, what do you say?"
Takashi didn't hesitate. His previous life had been a series of frustrations and unfulfilled dreams. "I'm in! But, uh... who will I be, exactly?"
Célestia placed a finger on her lips, her gaze sparkling. "That's the surprise. Let's just say that you will be... unforgettable. Get ready to reign, Takashi."
Before he could ask more questions, an invisible force sucked him in. Darkness engulfed him once again, and he felt his soul swirling, as if pulled through a cosmic vortex. Flashes of light danced around him, incomprehensible whispers echoed. Then, a jolt. A sensation. He could move. He was... alive?
Takashi opened his eyes, or what he assumed were his eyes. A strange energy pulsed within him, different, powerful, like an electric current in his bones. He lowered his head to examine his hands, excited to discover his new body. But what he saw froze him in place. Bones. Bleached bones, devoid of flesh, articulated like a macabre puppet. His fingers, long and skeletal, clicked when he moved them. "WHAT?! I'm... a skeleton?!"
He touched his face, or rather, his skull, and felt a smooth surface, without a nose, without lips. Panic surged within him. Is this a joke? Did Célestia turn me into a monster? He tried to scream, but his deep, cavernous voice echoed as if from beyond the grave. "Célestia! What the hell is this?!"
He looked around. He stood in a vast stone hall, illuminated by magical torches casting dancing shadows on the walls. Massive columns rose towards a vaulted ceiling adorned with shimmering runes. The place was majestic, almost oppressive. Where am I? he thought, his mind racing. He tried to stand up, but his body - or rather, his skeleton - moved with surprising fluidity, as if it was made for this.
Before he could understand, a feminine voice, soft but tinged with absolute adoration, interrupted him. "Ainz-sama?"
Takashi raised his head, and his heart, if he still had one, skipped a beat. Before him stood a breathtaking woman. Silky black hair, elegant horns, a pristine dress clinging to her generous curves, and golden eyes shining with boundless devotion. Albedo. Albedo, from Overlord. The succubus, the guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the epitome of perfection itself. She approached, her heels clacking on the marble floor, her intoxicating scent filling the air.
"Ainz-sama, you seem troubled," she murmured, her voice trembling with concern. "Allow me to serve you, to soothe you..."
Takashi blinked his eyes, or rather, his empty sockets sparkled. Wait, wait, wait. Ainz-sama? Albedo? His mind raced. He wasn't just a skeleton. He was Ainz Ooal Gown, the supreme sorcerer, the master of Nazarick, a being of unmatched power. And Albedo, this beauty goddess, was looking at him as if he were her universe.
He tried to speak, but his deep voice resonated, imposing. "Albedo... is that really you?"
She knelt, her eyes gleaming with adoration. "Yes, Ainz-sama. I am your faithful servant, ready to fulfill your every desire."
Takashi felt a wave of excitement wash over him. Damn, I'm Ainz Ooal Gown. And Albedo is at my feet. He thought of Célestia, of her promise of power and pleasures. She didn't lie. A smile, or rather, a skeletal approximation of one, stretched across his face. He raised a bony hand, observing the magical runes sparkling around his fingers. Infinite power flowed within him, like an ocean ready to surge.
Damn, I think I'm going to have a lot of fun, he thought, his gaze landing on Albedo, whose cheeks blushed under his gaze. Oh yeah, I'm really going to have fun.