Two days had passed since Ell's reincarnation into this world.
At first, when Ell awoke, he panicked. He thought everything he remembered had just been one big dream… but no dream could ever feel this vivid.
Now, with memories of his sixteen years on Earth, Ell—who was now known as Cael—had awakened in another world he never thought he'd see.
Cael chuckled quietly.
Life certainly is weird…
In this life as well, Cael was an orphan. He lived in an orphanage near the academy, together with other children who were like brothers and sisters to him.
Cael, as it were, stared at himself in the mirror of his thoughts.
Ocean-deep blue eyes. Hair as dark as if carved out of the darkness. And a face so handsome it would make women stare in wonder—and men glare in envy.
Yet…
His body was still skinny.
Now and then, he couldn't help but wonder if the weak body from his previous life had followed him into this one, too.
Suddenly, Cael heard a strident voice from behind him while he was lost in thought.
"CAEL! What are you doing?!"
Cael turned around immediately.
A nun stood before him—probably around fifty years old—gazing up at him like a demon ready to discipline him.
Then she scolded him instantly.
"Cael! Why are you walking around? Patients should be in bed!"
Cael already knew what was coming.
Sister Ammy was normally gentle, but there were times when she turned terrifying.
She walked up to him, grabbed his ear, and shouted loudly.
"HEY! I ALREADY TOLD YOU NOT TO STAND UP!"
Cael winced as if his eardrums had shut down.
Making a small pout, he said, "Sister Ammy… don't I look good?"
He pointed to the bandages wrapped around his body.
"These bandages are hiding my beauty, so I wanted to see what I look like with them. My friend told me that maybe I would look cool."
Sister Ammy paused—then burst out laughing.
"Cael… even if you're handsome, nobody will marry someone who's skinny and covered in bandages."
Hearing this, Cael felt utterly embarrassed.
She's not wrong…
He climbed back onto his bed, lay down properly, and said, "Sister, see? I'm lying down now. So for goodness' sake, lower your voice, or I'll end up getting rejected for being a guy who can't hear."
Sister Ammy burst out laughing again.
"Cael, worry not. When you grow old, you can also run an orphanage like me and spend the rest of your life enjoying quietness."
Cael's expression softened.
He gazed at Sister Ammy, and a strange heaviness settled in his chest.
What a pity…
She was kind and gentle, yet she had been abandoned in this orphanage because her son and daughter-in-law didn't want her at home.
Noticing his sad look, Sister Ammy stopped laughing and spoke in a quieter tone.
"Hey, Cael… I know what you're thinking."
"So what if my son and his wife left me? I still have you and the other kids here. You're all like my children."
"Taking care of you all is the best thing I've had… besides raising that useless son of mine."
Even as she tried to joke, Cael felt his heart swell with emotions he had never known.
In his previous life, he had barely known what love was.
He remembered two days ago, when he had woken up here and hadn't recognized her—she had been on the verge of tears… until he noticed her badge, called her name, and quickly lied, saying he had just been joking.
For that, Sister Ammy had scolded him thoroughly that day.
While Cael was thinking, Sister Ammy spoke again, her voice gentler this time.
"Cael… are you certain you want to do this?"
"I know you want to go out into the world and learn more, but the outside world isn't as safe as it sounds…"
Cael nodded, turning to her.
"Sister Ammy, you can stop worrying. I'm not reckless. I wouldn't do anything that puts me in danger without thinking."
Sister Ammy's eyes narrowed instantly.
"You fool! Do you still remember how you almost died two days ago because you said, 'I can hunt a G-Rank goblin'?!"
Cael fell silent.
He knew she was right.
That day, Cael had died.
And Ell had taken his place.
Even though Cael killed the goblin, the poison it produced caused severe damage to his body—far beyond recovery—and dragged him into death.
Cael bowed his head.
"Sister… sorry. I won't do it anymore."
Sister Ammy sighed, then softened.
"Don't worry. I know that after coming so close to dying, you won't make the same mistake again."
"But still… take care of yourself."
At her words, Cael said nothing.
He couldn't tell her the truth.
That this world was, in fact, a game world: The Fate of Your Choices.
A story-based RPG he had reincarnated into.
He couldn't tell her how dangerous this world really was… or how many people would die if the protagonist didn't follow the route he expected.
Sister Ammy noticed his silence.
With a soft touch, she placed her hand on his shoulder and spoke in hushed tones.
"Cael… just take care of yourself."
Then she turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Cael slowly exhaled.
"Man… what a life."
Which of the gods heard my last wish and reincarnated me into this world?
As he was still thinking, a blue light flickered suddenly before him.
Cael's eyes went wide.
His lips spread into a gigantic smile—so wide, as if he had just conquered the world.
A message appeared in the air before him.
System Notice:
Welcome, User, to the realm of The Fate of Your Choices.
We wish you all the best for a delightful journey ahead.