When I woke up, I found myself in endless darkness. One would think that they've died, is what I imagine but there's something odd about this situation that I just can't think of it like that.

First off, I don't remember having done anything that would lead me dying.

Or rather, it's what I like to think.

In fact, I don't remember anything. I've forgotten who I am even. It's just that the concept of death is the first thing I thought of, even though I'm not sure what death even is. It's certainly strange but I'm not panicking nor do I even feel it's even necessary to panic.

I just feel... Nothing.

Maybe this is that thing called limbo? Or maybe I'm just a spirit wondering about?

In any case, I have no power to change this state of mine.

♪♪♪

Time passed and I'm still alone with my thoughts.

For some reason, I know how much time has passed. 500 years, 3 months and 7 days. As for why I know this system of time in particular, I don't know.

But even though I know that system, I have no way of knowing if that time is a very long time or not.

After all, I'm in this endless space where time doesn't seem to move, I only imagine it to move.

And as another 500 years had passed, there have yet for anything to happen.

Now, after a long or short time has passed, I'm feeling very bored. I wish something were to happen soon. I could wait for another 500 years if I have to.

Then suddenly, as if granting my wish, I bright white light engulfed my 'vision'.

[You have waited for a long time. Forgive me.]

I heard a voice that shook my vision with every letter.

I don't know who this voice belong but something tells me that they're someone important.

[If you think I am important, then believe so.]

Did you hear my thoughts?

[Of course. A spirit's means of communication is through thoughts only, so it's natural that I should know how to read your thoughts.]

That's nice. I finally have a conversation partner. Will you stay with me? At least for 1000 years?

[My apologies. I can't give you my attention for that long.]

Ah, seems like 1000 years is a long time. Then what about 100 years?

[I can't be with you for that long either.]

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Bummer.

[Cheer up. You will have many conversational partners soon.]

Really!?

[Yes. I will be sending your soul to a world that I manage. Of course the vessel for your soul, you'll be the one to choose.]

A vessel?

[Right. You see, the residents of my world have something called a 'body'. This 'body' can interact with many things in my world but it could also be harmed.]

Would that also apply to my soul?

[No, just the body.]

Hmm... The part where I could interact with 'things' seems attractive but not the 'getting harmed' part. Could my 'body' be invulnerable?

[That I cannot do. A soul cannot control such a body and for that, you'll be stuck in the body forever. You wouldn't also be able to interact with things as well.]

Right. Scratch that.

[Of course, there are species in my world that have a tough body. Maybe you could use that.]

That seems promising. Then I'll have the one with the toughest body.

[For that, it would be the species called dragon. Conqueror of the skies and hoarder of treasures. One of the long-lived species that could live for a thousand years.]

Only a thousand years. That's such a short time.

[Maybe for you, but for them it's a long time.]

Having 'lived' for a thousand years myself, I found it short.

[Then could any other long-lived species suit your needs?]

What are they though?

[After the dragon, there are the demons. Capable of living up to 5000 and the second toughest body. Although they're the enemies of most species.]

Pass. I'd rather not be targeted by the other denizens of your world.

[Thought so. Then the next one is the mythical beasts. Capable of living till they're 10000 years old. They're treated as gods by some races.]

I'd rather not be treated as a god. I just like to interact with things and have conversations with the residents of your world.

[Then the fae. The oldest one of them is currently 13000 years old. They're mysterious to the other races and the protectors of the forbidden places. They're small but long living ones had grown to the size of an average human.]

Sounds like something that couldn't interact with other people. Also, what're this human species?

[They're the most abundant intelligent species in my world. Although their lifespan is short and their body is one of the weakest, they have a very high birth rate.]

The fact that there's so many of them means that I could interact with them if I'm a human as well. I'll have many conversational partners!

[It isn't only the humans that could interact with themselves. Other races could talk with humans, so long as they know their language and culture.]

Humans are the most viable choice, if not for their weak body and short lifespan...

[Then how about the longest living species then?]

What is it?

[This species is called a vampire. Their lifespan is eternal and their body is as vulnerable as that of a human but they could regenerate their body at an incredibly fast rate. They are able to regenerate whole bodies in at most a decade, if their vital organs didn't receive a mortal wound.]

Aren't they actually immortal!?

[Yes, they're a species that would disrupt the order of the world so I gave them weaknesses. One of them is the weakness to sunlight and fire. They're also hunted down by humans in the past so there are very few left. But now, it is believed that vampires are extinct and only a few of the long-lived races know the vampires.]

Then if I were a vampire, no could recognize me?

[Yes. They also look like a human, and their pale skin is the only difference.]

But the weakness in sunlight and fire... It sounds troubling.

[Worry not. I could remove those weaknesses.]

But wouldn't that disrupt the order of the world?

[If it's you, I'm not worried about that.]

You seem to trust me a whole lot. What am I to you?

[That I cannot say. You can figure it out for yourself if you wish.]

Now that just makes me curious.

[We can have that conversation later. So, do you want to become a vampire?]

If you would remove the weakness in sunlight and fire then I'm on board. But what about the other weaknesses? Depending on how troublesome they are, could you remove them as well?

[Then, vampires have a weakness to silver. They prefer blood than anything else for food and if a vampire does not drink blood for an extended period of time then they will go berserk. It is also one of the reasons why they're hunted down in the past. That and the fact that they're believed to be undead and unholy due to their cold body temperature.]

But practically no one knows about that, right?

[Yes.]

Then I'm safe.

[As for the other weaknesses, they're very small so I'd rather not bore you with that.]

Well, just having someone to talk to makes me happy.

[I'm glad to hear that. Then, the specifications of the body. Do you have any preference?]

Um... I don't have any reference on what's nice and so...

[Oh right, my apologies. Then why don't you just say what you want your body to be.]

Maybe make my body something appealing to the residents there. In particular, to the humans. And not just appealing. A form captivating enough that humans wouldn't even think of hurting my body. Something like that.

[Then, in short, your body would be cute?]

Although I don't know what's cute and what's not, so I'll leave it to you.

[How about the sex of the body?]

You mean if I would be the one to give the seed or carry the offspring? Then I don't have a preference. I'll leave it to you as well.

[And with that, we're done. All that's left is to grant you my blessings. The negation of your weakness to sunlight and fire, as well as an ability to help you learn more about the world.]

Oh, thank you.

[You're very welcome.]

After he said that, my soul began to glow in a beautiful yellow light. It seems he's transferring my soul to my new body.

Hmm. Although I am very grateful, I have this feeling that you don't usually do this kind of thing. Giving a soul preferential treatment, I mean.

[You're right.]

...What am I to you? At least give me a hint.

[I suppose you're right.]

My soul begins to fade as if I'm being engulfed by the yellow light.

Hey, quickly tell me. I might disappear before I could even hear it.

[You're the soul of—]

But before I could even hear his last words, the white light disappeared and my vision was filled with the darkness that I'm so familiar with.

But this time it's different.

I can feel now.