Pov: Vikanshu
I was suspended in a vacuum of utter blackness. It wasn't just empty; it felt like a cold, static devoid of pressure, like being sealed inside a soundproof, obsidian box. The last thing I remembered was something hard hitting my head. Now, I couldn't feel my body—no hands, no feet, not even my head. I understood that whatever hit me must have taken my life, and now I was just tumbling in this void.
Is this the afterlife? It didn't look like anything I'd read about. Did my mom and dad come to this place as well? I couldn't notice anything around me.
As I stated to panic, I feel, actually I can't feel when I have no body, but still I felt like I am, I am, I am lost. Even my thoughts are not clear even after thinking a lot I can not describe the feeling I am feeling. Still I tried to calm my mind and to do it I try to sing or at-least try to remember lyrics of my favorite song.
Recalled the lyrics, "When the things go wrong
When there trouble all along
you always support me, O my love
There is no one, nor was there anyone except for you, O my love."
I started humming this song, I don't know how much time had passed but then at some time I heard a voice.
"Ding! Congratulations. You have been selected by the System to become its host."
A cheat? Another world? The plot was instantly, sickeningly familiar—cheap online fiction. Was this really how the cosmos worked? Like a badly written web novel? I tried to focus, to check if I was still sane. Just as I was about to voice my thoughts, the voice sounded again.
"Host, your sanity is intact. You are not hallucinating. You have been chosen by great beings to reincarnate into another world. As part of this lottery, you have been assigned a mighty system which will help you in your path as the greatest being in the universe."
I needed to access my situation. I needed an exit.
"System, where is this? What lottery are you talking about? What reincarnation? And what are you?"
The System replied, its voice a monotonous voice like a robot. "This place is the void outside of your known world where worlds exist. You are here because you have been selected by higher beings to reincarnate into another world to solve its problems."
It continued, "As for your other question, I am your personalized system created by those higher beings to assist hosts like you."
Personalized System. Right. I still had no clear answers.
"System, what are those beings? Where am I going to reincarnate? What is your function?"
The System's voice carried a hint of processed disdain. "Those higher beings are beyond your understanding as a mortal. You will reincarnate in a world that combines different power systems: magic, cultivation, and technology. Your mission is to save that world from doom. As for me, I am a devouring system that helps hosts consume. The things you hunt become you; you need only consume and evolve to become the strongest being at the top of the world."
"So, I have to hunt creatures, then consume them to gain their strength? I have to kill and devour beings to get stronger and save this world?"
The System, now a dry, irritating hum, clipped back, "Affirmative. The consumption model is required."
"Can't you choose someone from that world to save it? Why me? I'm not into killing or devouring others to grow stronger. Choose someone else. I still have dreams to achieve."
A defensive spike entered the mental echo. "Vikanshu, you need to understand this first that I am not the one that killed you or involved in your death. You were already dead, struck down by a high-speed rock. We merely summon your soul from your world. As for the killing, you will only target beasts and monsters, and perhaps some bad people. This is for the greater good of that world."
"I still don't see any good reason. You haven't even told me the problem. I am sure if you bind yourself to any local inhabitant, he or she could do better than me to save that world."
The robotic tone cracked, replaced by a swift, synthesized urgency. "Reconsider, host! You stand to gain a new lineage, true power—everlasting existence is within reach! Isn't that worth it? You could achieve humanity's long wanted dream."
hearing this I asked, "What dream are you talking about?"
That being who call himself again said but this time rather than a robotic voice it said in enchanting voice as if a devil wants to convince me, to offer me a deal, in such voice it said, "Vikanshu you could achieve immortality once you bind with this system, think carefully about it."
I don't know why but this offer which may entice 100 out of 100 people disgust me, without thinking a second I replied, "I don't want an immortal life given by some higher being and achieved by consuming inhabitants of another world."
The System retreated slightly. "Host, you won't devour anyone significant, just some beasts and monsters that harm humans in that world."
"So the beasts I'd be devouring... they're just part of the food chain? They didn't invade?"
"They are native fauna."
Hearing this, I solidified my refusal. "Then you're asking me to become a cosmic virus—an apex predator that has no natural place there. I'd be killing things that belong, just to fuel my own immortality. I don't believe in this mindless chase for power. Find someone else."
The System sounded deeply annoyed. "Host, I will ask you one last time: Do you want to bind with me, or will you just talk about your insignificant principles and dreams?"
"No, I don't want to be part of your journey. My dreams and principles are not insignificant. The higher beings are doing this for their amusement. Send me back, and if that's not possible, send me to the afterlife."
The System went silent for a moment. Then it conceded. "Okay, host. I will comply with your request. Thank you for your response; I hope you don't regret it."
Suddenly, I felt the terrifying, accelerating sensation of falling into an abyss. At the same time, the System's malicious, digital voice sounded again:
"System encountered uncertainty. Initiating protocol to eliminate uncertainty."
"Eliminating uncertainty!"
"Elimination process succeeded!"
"Finding new host for binding!"