Pov: Vikanshu
I was suspended in a vacuum of utter blackness, like a void of complete darkness. It wasn't just empty; it felt cold and static, devoid of pressure or temperature, like being trapped in a soundproof, black box. The last thing I remembered was a sharp blow to my head. Now, I couldn't feel my body—no hands, no feet, not even my head. I realized that whatever struck me must have taken my life, and now I was just drifting in this emptiness.
Is this the afterlife? It didn't resemble anything I had read about. Did my mom and dad come to this place too? I couldn't see anything around me.
As panic set in, I felt, or rather I couldn't feel, but still sensed that I was lost. My thoughts were unclear. Even after thinking hard, I struggled to describe what I was experiencing. I tried to calm my mind and began to sing, or at least remember the lyrics to my favorite song.
I recalled the lyrics, "When things go wrong, when there's 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 the tune. I didn't know how long I had been doing it when I suddenly heard a voice.
"Ding! Congratulations. You have been selected by the System to become its host."
A scam? Another world? The scenario felt sickeningly familiar, like something from a cheap online story. Was this truly how the universe operated? Like a poorly written web novel? I focused, trying to assess my sanity. Just as I was about to express my thoughts, the voice spoke again.
"Host, your sanity is intact. You are not hallucinating. You have been chosen by powerful beings to be reincarnated into another world. As part of this lottery, you have been assigned a mighty system to assist you on your journey to becoming the greatest being in the universe."
I needed to understand my situation. I needed a way out.
"System, where am I? What lottery are you referring to? What reincarnation? And what are you?"
The System replied, its voice monotone like a robot. "This place is the void outside of your known world where other worlds exist. You are here because you have been chosen by higher beings to reincarnate into another world to address its issues."
It continued, "I am your personal system created by those higher beings to help hosts like you."
Personal system. Right. I still didn't have clear answers.
"System, who are those beings? Where will I be reincarnated? What is your purpose?"
The System's voice hinted at annoyance. "Those higher beings are beyond your understanding as a mortal. You will reincarnate in a world that combines various power systems: magic, cultivation, and technology. Your mission is to save that world from destruction. As for me, I am a devouring system that helps hosts consume. The creatures you hunt become part of you; you only need to consume and evolve to become the strongest being in that world."
"So, I have to hunt creatures and consume them to gain their strength? I have to kill and devour beings to grow stronger and save this world?"
The System, now a dry, irritating hum, replied, "Correct. The consumption model is necessary."
"Why can't you choose someone from that world to save it? Why me? I'm not into killing or devouring others to get stronger. Choose someone else. I still have dreams to pursue."
A defensive tone filled the mental echo. "Vikanshu, you need to understand that I am not responsible for your death. You were already gone, struck down by a high-speed rock. We merely summoned your soul from your world. As for the killing, you will only target beasts and monsters, and perhaps some wrongdoers. This is for the greater good."
"I still don't see any good reason. You haven't even explained the problem. I'm sure if you linked with a local inhabitant, they could do a better job of saving that world than I could."
The robotic tone shifted, replaced by a quick, synthesized urgency. "Reconsider, host! You have the opportunity for a new lineage and true power—everlasting existence is within reach! Isn't that worth it? You could achieve what humanity has long desired."
Hearing this, I asked, "What dream are you talking about?"
The being, who called itself the System, replied. This time, its voice was enchanting, as if trying to tempt me, offering a deal. "Vikanshu, you could achieve immortality once you connect with this system. Think carefully about it."
For some reason, this offer, which might entice anyone else, repulsed me. Without hesitation, I said, "I don't want an immortal life given by some higher being that comes from consuming beings in another world."
The System pulled back slightly. "Host, you won't devour anyone significant; just some beasts and monsters that threaten humans in that world."
"So the beasts I'd be consuming... they are just part of the food chain? They didn't invade?"
"They are native species."
With that, I firmly rejected the offer. "Then you're asking me to become a cosmic virus—an apex predator with no natural role there. I would be killing things that belong just to feed my own immortality. I don't believe in this mindless pursuit of 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 continue discussing your principles and dreams?"
"No, I don't want to join your journey. My dreams and principles are important. The higher beings are doing this for their own amusement. Send me back, and if that's not possible, let me go 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 sensation of falling into an abyss. At the same time, the System's cold, digital voice sounded again:
"System encountered uncertainty. Initiating protocol to eliminate uncertainty."
"Eliminating uncertainty!"
"Elimination process succeeded!"
"Finding a new host for binding!"