{POV???}
Hello.
Well, I'm dead.
How do I know?
I think it's pretty easy to figure out.
Why, you might ask? Well… I'm floating in a dark, silent space, like in those fantasy stories where the protagonists wake up in the middle of nowhere.
There's no ground, no sky, just a void that seems to absorb everything.
I float aimlessly, like a bubble in an ocean of ink.
And if that isn't proof enough, before I appeared here I was finishing a game.
Literally, I was in front of the screen, controller in hand, about to defeat a gigantic dragon when… well, let's just say the dragon wasn't the only one who fell.
First came the dizziness, then an unbearable heat in my chest, and then… nothing.
So, if you combine those two facts, your chances of being transported to a fantasy world increase to ninety-nine percent.
And let me tell you something: I can't help but feel incredibly happy that this has happened.
Come on, who hasn't dreamed of being reincarnated in another world?
I know many of you will agree with me that this is a dream come true.
And I know what you're thinking. You probably think I'm your typical reincarnated person, with a boring life, no family, no purpose.
But you're wrong.
My life was what most people would consider wonderful: I had money, a decent family, friends, and I was even about to propose to my girlfriend.
I had the ring, the restaurant reservation, and even the speech rehearsed in front of the mirror.
And yet… here I am, dead.
Although, to be honest, all that pales in comparison to the idea of having superpowers.
You know how it goes: you die, wake up in a new world, and a god or goddess gives you absurd abilities with cool names.
And if I'm lucky, maybe I'll even get a harem.
Yes, I know, it sounds superficial, but who wouldn't like a little heavenly attention?
A harem is basically a family with benefits… And what can I say? I'm a man of simple tastes.
As I was thinking that, a voice—accompanied by a translucent blue screen—resonated in my mind.
[Welcome to the Monster Rebirth System, where you will experience firsthand what it's like to be a monster.]
There was a long silence.
I hovered in mid-air, blinking at the floating interface in front of me, waiting for it to say something else, something like "just kidding" or "tutorial mode activated."
It didn't.
So the first thing I said, after understanding the message, was a single word:
"Shit."
I know, it's a common word… but it perfectly sums up the whirlwind of thoughts that were overwhelming me.
Will I become a monster?
Of all the possible systems, this is the one you're giving me?
And of course, the reason is quite simple.
If my guess is correct, and I really am going to be transported to the world of the last game I played… I'm doomed.
Why?
Because the last game I played was none other than the Monster Hunter series.
Yes, you read that right: the entire series, from the first one to Wild.
A beautiful collection, full of hours of hunting, screams, frustration, and dragons the size of buildings.
And if they really do send me to that world… well, that means I'm now part of the menu.
The hunters in that universe don't mess around.
They're people who charge into colossal beasts with a smile on their face and a sword the size of a bus.
And if my new "Monster Rebirth System" is true, they'll probably see me as a nice pair of boots… or, with any luck, treat me like a pet.
I brought my hand to my face (or at least tried to; floating in mid-air doesn't help much).
Sigh.
This couldn't be happening.
"Um... system, are you sure this isn't a mistake?" I asked, more out of habit than hope.
Surprisingly, the blue screen responded with a neutral, almost mechanical tone.
[Before addressing the host's complaints, the situation will be explained.]
Ah, great. Not only was he dead, but now he also had a digital administrative assistant.
[The host was one of ten chosen to travel to the world known in his country as Monster Hunter.
The chosen ones were selected at random, for no particular purpose.
Their arrival is a matter of luck… though, considering his case, one could say bad luck.]
Thanks, system. You really know how to lift spirits.
[That said, the reason for your selection is simple: you possess the highest affinity with this system.]
"Affinity?" I repeated, raising an invisible eyebrow.
[Affinity is established after examining the mind of the chosen one in question.]
And that's when I knew it was a blatant lie.
No, don't get me wrong. I'm no genius, but I've been watching anime long enough to know this is just a plot device.
The system probably rolled a cosmic die and I got the wrong number.
Out of all the possibilities, I ended up being the "practice monster."
I vehemently refuse to accept the other option, and having decided that, I proceeded to get offended and angry at the system.
So you're telling me that, after a decent life, I die, I appear here, and your brilliant algorithm decides I'm more akin to a giant bug than a sword-wielding hero.
[Correction: not "giant bug." "Creature of great potential power."]
"Yeah, right. A high-level cockroach, then."
The system, of course, didn't respond.
Apparently, irony wasn't included in its default settings.
As the screen floated in front of me, I started imagining all the possibilities:
What if I reincarnated as a Jaggi? Or worse, a Kelbi?
What if I ended up as a herbivore doomed to die in the first encounter with a low-rank hunter?
Just thinking about it gave me chills.
Well, metaphorically, because I don't have a body.
Yet.
I sighed again.
—I guess there's no going back now, right?
[Negative. Preparing consciousness transfer. Reincarnation initiating in 3… 2…]
Before the countdown ended, I only had time to think one last thing:
"Please, let it at least have wings."