To say Alaric was baffled would have been an understatement. There he was, absolutely sure he died, but instead of meeting his final end, he was very much alive. Well…at least he felt alive with his familiar consciousness, mind, and emotions, although he couldn’t feel his body. On top of that, he was seeing weird letters imprinted in his mind. What is happening?
As if in response to his query, a flood of information entered his mind. Instead of dying and being reborn into misery like he feared, the act of defeating the foreign monster and saving the world had tipped the karmic scales in his favor. Now, instead of being punished for committing what he considered a taboo, he was being rewarded by this…system. Some kind of soul afterlife management system?
Alaric couldn’t physically laugh at his own joke but he did feel some mirth. I still don’t understand what these choices mean. It was a lot to process, especially with everything that happened just a few seconds ago where he was locked in a life-and-death battle.
The incorporeal words flickered for a moment before another line appeared below.
Subject [Soul #19892321] requests assistance from an administrator.
Initializing…Request granted.
Alaric sensed another presence enter his awareness. A calm presence that felt benign but powerful beyond imagination.
[Greetings, Soul #19892321... Ah, Alaric is it. You must be somebody special for being granted access to an administrator. Let’s evaluate the Karmic deeds of your previous life. Hmm…interesting, exceptional…what? That’s not possible.]
Alaric chose to keep quiet. He didn’t want to inadvertently offend this powerful presence or entity. Besides, he didn’t have a clue about what he did that was not possible.
[A mere soul from a system-less planet managed to defeat a class 3 Anomaly?]
Suddenly, the black void he occupied blazed with white light and eventually transitioned into the familiar fight scene with the Thing. Alaric felt as if he was witnessing a replay of his fight with the Thing from a different perspective. After the conclusion of the fight, the scene reverted to being a black void.
[I retract my words. You are not a mere cultivator. Consider me impressed. Ask your questions.]
“I thank you…honored administrator.” Alaric decided to show the proper respect. “Can you let me know what this system is and what that entity was?”
[You can simply address me as administrator. The origins of the system cannot be disclosed to you…at least, at this current moment. Just know that the system will guide you in the new world, as it does to any cultivator. You will be rewarded by the system based on your effort. Don’t worry, you will learn more about what the system represents and does when you are reborn in the new world.]
Alaric was not disappointed. He figured as much and continued to listen intently.
[I can disclose bits of classified information about the Anomaly since your role in defeating it was absolute. However, you are strictly forbidden from sharing this classified information with anybody. Doing so could incur severe penalties from the system.]
Alaric nodded in agreement.
[Anomalies are usually considered enemies of the system. These could be any type of creature, entity, or construct that acquires power outside the scope of what the system permits and uses it towards their personal advancement — often at the cost of innocent lives. The Anomaly you encountered was not especially strong — only class 3 — but extremely powerful for a system-less world. It appears the Anomaly was able to open a dimensional rift into your world — somehow without triggering the system’s alert.]
“It was trying to destroy our world — an easy target — to fuel its own growth?”
[Correct, we apologize for that. Typically, we have defenses in place to prevent that sort of thing. An Anomaly is not just a threat to a world, but also a threat to the system itself. By defeating it, you have done a great service and, hence, earned your rewards. Aside from that, you have been rewarded for your extraordinary karmic actions.]
“Are there any more of those Anomalies in the new world?”
[There are, but they have been either incapacitated or in stasis. Don’t worry about them anymore. The system will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what caused this incident. Now, let’s focus on your new life and the choices you’ll have.]
Alaric was ready. He felt a huge weight shift from his shoulders. I don’t have to bear the burden of saving the world anymore. I did my part. Now, I can start my journey once again. A new life.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
[Okay, here we go. First of all, you will retain the memory of your previous life — as stated before. Use that knowledge however you see fit. Second, to make your transition into the new world smooth and advantageous, you can choose your point of rebirth in the new world.]
Suddenly, the black void transformed to show a huge stellar object that quickly zoomed in his vision. The new planet? How beautiful. The new planet looked like his homeworld. Alaric had soared up the skies numerous times in his life and saw what his homeworld looked like from space. Even with his emotions numb, Alaric appreciated the thread of nostalgia that tugged at his heart.
Focusing on the planet below, he could see multiple land masses. Half of the continents sparkled with tiny motes of light in the dark. It was night-time. The other half was a mosaic of deep green, crimson, yellow, white, and black. Everything else was a shade of deep blue - the ocean. Of course, without his senses and power currently active, he was utterly oblivious to what was going on in each region, the mana concentration, or even any sounds.
“The planet is beautiful.”
[It sure is…from a distance. Planet TSR-0351, locally known as Gaia, is every bit as dangerous as it is beautiful. After manual review, the system decided this planet would feel the most familiar to your original homeworld. Now, are you ready to choose which part of the planet you want to be reborn?]
Alaric considered for a moment. “If I am being given a choice, that means there are good and bad options. If I am being rewarded, why can’t the system simply designate a favorable location for me?”
[Ah…I forgot to mention. Your rewards are based on your accumulated Karma Points in the previous life, system merit, and experience points you earned for defeating the Anomaly. These will be distributed based on the choice of location, identity and status, and cultivation resource reward.]
“Now I get it. It is a balancing act. If I select the best option from one category, will I only be able to choose mediocre options from the other categories?”
[Yes, you are partially correct. Your choice of selection in one category will determine the future available rewards in other categories based on your remaining Karma points. It will also adjust the final experience points you will receive.]
“I see. Can I see all the available options I’m eligible for in all the categories first?”
[You want to view and sort through all the 7891 different options currently available to you without any adjustments?] The administrator sounded a little playful.
Alaric, on the other hand, released a sigh. Well, I tried. Too many options will only serve to confuse me. “Er..no. Let’s proceed normally.”
Alaric saw more lines added to the system message.
Available regional rebirth options are as follows:
1. Zephraxis - The mighty empire, Zephraxis - once considered an equal to the Aurion Empire - suffered a mysterious catastrophe 500 years ago which resulted in its decline. Now known as the ‘Fractured Empire’, it is controlled by a fractured monarchy with rival kingdoms led by warlords and noble houses.
It is home to expansive river systems, fertile plains, rolling rivers, and crumbling fortresses. Currently, it is in a state of civil war with multiple noble houses waging war to claim the ‘Zephyr Throne’, which has been waiting for its rightful ruler for 20 years.
2. Nereid’s Veil - Bordering the unexplored ‘Dark Continent’, Nereid’s Veil is known as ‘The Archipelago of Mists’. It is governed by a loose union of merchant captains and pirate lords known as the ‘Confederacy of Pirate Kings’.
It features thousands of islands, sunken ruins, coral ruins, underwater runners, and fog-shrouded shores. A humid subtropical climate dominates the islands with mild storms and occasional typhoons. It exists in a state of shifting alliances with pirates often switching sides for gold and forming new ‘Fleets’ every year.
3. Isfrost - The southernmost continent of Gaia - Isfrost - is also known as ‘The Glacial Dominion’ due to its eternal winter and constant snowfall with only brief periods of sunless twilight. The ‘Theocracy of the Eternal Frost’ - frost priests who worship the “Frozen Saint” - reigns supreme in this region.
Frozen seas, tundras, glacial valleys, and ancient ice-locked ruins adorn this continent. This continent is under religious tyranny, and heretics are subjected to harsh punishments by frost priests for their sins.
4. Ignavus - The northernmost continent of Gaia - Ignavus - is home to constant volcanic tremors, scorching heat, and toxic fumes. The volcanic landscape, ash deserts, lava lakes, and underground magma caves give it the name, “The Ashen Peninsula”.
The Monarchy of the Flame Sovereign is the final power which exercises its power through martial tyranny. The volcanic warlord king rules by fear, crushing rebellion with fire-based cultivators.
5. Verdalen - Verdalen hosts sprawling jungles, dense forests, ancient tree spires, and hidden ruins. It is also known as ‘The Verdant Crown’ due to its perpetual canopy of green mist and warm, humid climate.
It is a mysterious place which is surrounded by a magical barrier that keeps outsiders out. Rumour has it that it is ruled by a druidic council that governs forest tribes known as the ‘‘Council of Rootbound Elders’.
6. Krotaar - Home to black stone deserts, jagged mountain peaks, colossal stone effigies, and underground caverns, it is another landmass that borders the ‘Dark Continent’. Also known as ‘The Iron Wastes’, it features frequent sandstorms and harsh winds.
Here, warlords compete for the last remaining water sources. It is ruled by the Warlord Confederacy.
7. The Aurion Empire - It is known as ‘The Heart of Civilization’ due to its prosperity and relative stability compared to the other major continents in Gaia. It is home to temperate forests, fertile plains, silver rivers, and majestic mountain ranges on the northern border.
Four distinct seasons, with relatively pleasant summers and gentle winters, make it a suitable place for prosperity. The central powers - ‘Imperial Monarchy’ and ‘The Orthodox Church of the Radiant Flame’ - are delicately balanced by the strong local autonomy of noble houses and guild associations.