And just like that, I'm dead again. "Ugh, this stupid game…" I mutter as my character collapses on the screen. After grinding all the way to Level 99 in The Last Age, that final boss has wrecked me—again. I'm fed up.
For months, this fantasy MMORPG has been my escape. In reality, I'm stuck living alone in a dingy house my parents left me after their accident, scraping by on a small allowance from distant relatives.
Life outside the game is lonely and hard. But in The Last Age, I can be anyone. I chose the Magic Knight class because swinging a sword and casting spells sounded awesome and that tiny spark of fantasy is enough to make the worst days bearable.
I glare at the screen. "Okay, enough. I can do this," I grunt, smashing the attack button again. My hands move automatically over the keyboard. A few tense minutes later, the boss roars and crumples.
FinallyLevel 100! Experience cascades in huge yellow numbers across the screen. My eyes widen as a new skill icon glows: Meteor. I nearly fall out of my chair. "Yes! Level 100 and Meteor take that!" I shout, pumping my fist.
Adrenaline surges through me. Beating that boss feels incredible, like I just conquered the entire game world.
My victory cheer abruptly quiets as my stomach growls. "Crap… now I'm starving." I pat my pockets. Ten bucks. Enough for a couple of sandwiches. I jump up and tug a worn hoodie over my sweatshirt.
"Maybe I should finally get a job at that grocery store down the road," I mutter, fingers still tingling from the win. But I'm too hyped (and hungry) to worry about that now. Food first, I decide.
The corner convenience store is only a few blocks away. I step outside into the cool evening air, crunching a chip as I go.
Pine Street's lamps flicker on against the purple dusk. I take a deep breath victorious, tired, and ready to celebrate with snacks. For a moment, life feels pretty great.
At the counter, a teenage clerk looks up from his phone and grins. "Evening, Sol! Burning the midnight oil again?"
I half-smile, running a hand through my messy white hair. "Yep, wouldn't miss it," I lie, trying to sound casual. I toss a bag of chips on the counter. "By the way, you guys hiring? I could use some extra cash."
His grin fades. He shrugs. "Sorry, man. We're fully staffed. Maybe try the grocery store down the road."
I force a chuckle. "All good. Thanks anyway!" I shrug it off and pay. Standing outside, I pop open the soda and head down the street, chips in one hand, soda in the other, feeling like a champ. I give the clerk a wave. "Later, dude!"
A few yards later, I'm still munching chips and basking in my victory high until I'm not. Out of nowhere, a pair of headlights flare into view. A sedan comes barreling around the corner at breakneck speed.
"Shit!" I yell, tossing my soda aside as its fizz sprays everywhere. Panic explodes in my chest. I try to jump back onto the sidewalk, but my foot catches on the curb. I tumble onto the asphalt.
The car looms inches away. Time slows screeching tires, the thud of impact. Pain blossoms across my body. Then everything goes white.
I have no idea how long I float in that blank white void. None at all, maybe. And then, I open my eyes.
Everything around me is white. Glowing. Surreal. The floor beneath me, the walls around me, even the light itself is pure white. I'm lying on a simple wooden platform, and the air smells like… nothing, really just a calm, empty clean scent.
Across from me sits a man in white robes. Golden hair halos his gentle face, and feathered wings are folded neatly behind him. He looks at me as if I were expected. The corners of his mouth curve into a kind smile.
"Welcome," he says, with a voice warm. "You have passed on."
I cough, trying to clear my throat, which is suddenly bone dry. "Am I… dead?" I manage to croak.
The man nods. "Yes, Mr Sol, you have died. But do not fear. You have a choice. You may be reborn in any world you desire."
My head is spinning. Reborn in any world? "W-what? I have a choice?" I blurt out.
"This… this is like something straight out of those isekai anime I used to mock on Reddit. Did I just end up in an isekai cliché? Unbelievable."
The angel folds his hands calmly. "Where would you like to go? I can place you in a peaceful world, a world of adventure… wherever you wish."
A crooked grin tugs at my lips. I mean… I'd thought about this. "Well, since you're asking," I say slowly, low-key giddy, "I want a fantasy world full of magic and adventure. And I want to be ridiculously powerful there. Oh, and rich. Comfortable, you know?"
The angel raises an eyebrow, amused. "Your wish is granted," he says simply.
I nearly jump off the platform. "Wait, really? Wow. Thank you so much!"
He smiles serenely. "Your next life will be exactly as you requested.
I feel a huge weight lift from my chest. "That sounds perfect," I say, eyes glittering. A thrill of excitement courses through me stronger than any in-game victory I've ever had. This is actually happening.
"Prepare yourself," the angel says as he stands and stretches his wings wide. A brilliant light floods the room. "So be it."
Suddenly, white light envelops me, as if I'm being pulled through a tunnel of radiant energy. The entire world flips upside down, and then… nothing.
Warmth.
I wake up to golden sunlight filtering through tall windows. My eyes snap open to a painted ceiling, clouds drifting peacefully among birds. I'm lying on a huge bed with silk sheets and a plush blanket hugging me. The air smells like baked bread and pine.
"Where the heck am I now?" I whisper, sitting up. My hands feel real. Solid. I wiggle my fingers. No pain. Miraculously, I feel completely fine.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed. My bare feet touch a thick carpet that feels like velvet underfoot.
I'm wearing clothes I don't recognize: a white tunic embroidered with gold, soft leather pants, and sturdy boots. They fit me perfectly, like they were made for me. I don't remember putting these on.
I stand and take a cautious step. Everything around me is fantastically normal. I whirl around, taking in the room: Tall bookshelves stuffed with ancient-looking tomes.
A chest overflowing with elaborate clothing. A polished sword hanging on the wall. A small table by the open window with a plate of fresh fruit and a goblet of water. Outside, I see a courtyard of exotic flowers and a forest in the distance. No people in sight just a quiet morning.
Across the room is a large, gilded mirror. My eyes fall on my reflection and I do a double-take. Staring back is this me??.
My hair is pure white now, falling in soft layers around my face. My eyes are dark red and intense. My skin is clear and bright.
My body feels around two meter tall and strong , and I can tell I'm lean-muscular. I'm staring at this mirror-image of me with my jaw nearly on the floor.
I can't help myself. "Damn… I look good," I say, half-laughing, running a hand through my white hair.
A soft chime echoes in the room. Instantly, a translucent blue interface shimmers into existence before my eyes, like a floating hologram. Just like in the RPGs I've played. My heart starts pounding.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING...]
It reads like some game UI. My name is displayed, along with stats and everything.
Name: Sol Drake
Age : 16
Level: 1
HP: 1200 / 1200
MP: 800 / 800
Exp: 0 / 100
STATS:
- Strength: 18
- Agility: 20
- Vitality: 15
- Intelligence: 100
- Luck: 50
-Stat Points Remaining: 0
Skills: Angel's Blessing – Each kill grants 10× EXP and allows the user to learn any spell effortlessly.
My jaw drops. I blink at the numbers as if they're a cheat screen. These stats are absurdly high. My intelligence is off the charts. "Angel's Blessing"? Is that really what it says? I scroll through the info.
I can feel something inside me like power surging. A tingling at the base of my spine, warmth behind my eyes. It's real. The magic described in the floating text feels like it's flowing through my veins. I quickly shake out any doubts.
A slow grin spreads across my face. "Yes," I whisper excitedly. "The angel really did it. I'm really… reincarnated."
The system interface fades away, leaving me alone with this new reality. My heart is racing. I pump a fist in front of the mirror, delighted. "Let's see what this world has in store for me," I tell my own reflection.
And one thing's for sure things are about to get interesting.
He felt the magic tingling at his fingertips, the promise of spells and swordplay just waiting to be unleashed. With newfound determination, he made a silent vow: he would not waste this opportunity.
No longer confined to the shadows of a lonely life, he would carve his own path, a hero in a world where he could truly thrive.