My eyes shot open in both horror and shock, recalling the events of what felt like a fever dream. Before I deduced it to be a dream, however, I noticed my surroundings.

It would have been less strange had I not know this scenery. All around me was the vast universe, for the lack of better wording, stars and other space objects. I couldn't call it the sky seeing as that, weird as it is, from up and down, to side by side, everything around me was the same sight, with slight differences of sizes of the slight twinkle.

I instinctively retreated back, rather than seeing–I felt that something had moved in front. And my guess turned out to be spot on, seeing as my eyes could make out the slight shit of the background. I unconsciously held back my breath, afraid of what the thing in front of me would do, the background shifted once again, as if it cocked its head on the side, like a puppy confused by its owner's actions.

"A puppy, really?"

I jumped back, surprised by the sudden voice—I didn't hear it using my ears, rather, it felt like it was speaking inside my head.

"Wh—" I swallowed what remaining saliva I had in my mouth before continuing, "is it safe to assume that I'm... dead?"

I bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying 'afterlife' realizing that I needed to be careful with my words, not knowing what could this entity possibly do to me. The words surprisingly came out fluidly, as if I was not bothered by dying, I was always a free spirit, but never would I have thought I'd die a gruesome death from making a stupid mistake.

"Indeed, you are. Now then, I'm neither a genie nor the devil, but I could at least tell you some things before you get spirited away. What would it be?"

I somehow imagined the entity to have its hands on his—or her chin, deep in thought. The voice that came out in my head wasn't a boy's or a girl's... it's peculiar to describe as is.

"Reincarnation?" Was the first thing that came to mind. I don't particularly have a good relationship with my family, but neither was it bad. I had some strong bonds with someone, but it was all over either way, I could only hope that my death wouldn't have too much of an effect to her.

"There are countless worlds that exist. Thirty percent are the normal ones, another 33% percent are worlds where, as light novels depict, magic exists. The remaining thirty three is the same, but with significantly higher "difficulty". As for the one percent... it's the hardest of worlds to live, I'd explain more after you've made your choice, we've little time to spare, therefore, I can't explain everything perfectly."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

It sounded neutral, even as it had that lengthy explanation. I figured the entity must've said this countless times already, its voice tinged with exasperation and disinterest—or it could just be my imagination.

"... Is it safe to assume, the harder the worlds are, the bigger the rewards? or something of equal value?" Though there was little to go by, it was still something. That something could potentially prolong this entertainment, or what I assume to be some kind of zoo for the gods.

"Yes," the reply was brief and curt, as if asking me to hurry up with my choice.

It didn't take long for me to come to my choice, but it didn't hurt to confirm.

"Can I be reincarnated like this," I presented myself. "And with memories?" but then it wouldn't be reincarnation, it would be something like getting isekai'd.

Another short and curt response echoed a, "no."

"Then... would that change in the hardest of worlds?" I could feel I attracted the entity's interest. It paused for a good minute before replying.

"Still a no, however, you'd have the same look as you grow up, plus you'll retain your memories as early as you're born. That much 'we' can give, seeing as you're one of the few to make those kind of demands, what's more, it's not for an easy life you humans seem to like."

I heard a subtle cackle as it replied, seemingly looking for a reaction out of me. Though I could only raise an eyebrow as it was more or less correct. "If you succeed in entertaining 'us', you can have anything you want. Beyond your wildest dreams. So tell me, what is it you desire?"

I uncovered something disturbing, yet equally interesting without knowing it. Attracting a god's interest or whatever it was, didn't seem to be all rainbows and sunshines. Something within me smiled, though, the term anything was limitless, and I was most definitely entranced by the idea of entertaining them to get what I want.

"I wish to live all my fantasies I had in the world I'm going to reincarnate in—"

I cut myself off before going on a long and painful speech.

"Little sisters, dog-ears, cat ears, maids, a cute slave girl, and a beautiful master—"

"Wait, wait, wait. Stop!"

"Oh my..."

Before I could continue, a warm light enveloped my whole body, I didn't reject it as the feeling was soothing, warm even. I made sure to mentally thank my entity friend, but was cut short as I blacked out.

«_____»

"Look, dear!"

I hear a woman's voice.

"He's so cute!"

I hear another. It felt like one of the hangovers I felt, but much, much worse. I was going in and out of consciousness, I was tired to no end.

The voices was drowned out by the cry of a baby, seeming much closer than the others. I pried my eyes open with what little strength I had, to see blurry figures of both a man and, a younger girl. Only then did I realize I was the one making those cries.

"Huh...?"

As the voices stopped, a woman's voice came from above. Her head peered down on my little face as her facial structure before to contract more and more from worry, and fear.

Right. Babies are supposed to cry.

Since the cat's out of the bag, I did what I could only do, and grabbed the fingers of the younger girl poking at me worriedly. I chuckled, creepy as it sounded with my baby form, with all my might. The room was stunned silent, before bursting into laughter.