I blinked a couple of times, trying to make sense of what I was seeing,
....
Okay, judging from the situation, I had no idea how to react.
Backing up a bit, I was riding my bike back from the library, happy to find a new series to read. It's not very often that happens, so I mostly make do with rereading books I've enjoyed in the past. It was a good long series, so I was hoping to make some hot chocolate and relax. Unfortunately, that wouldn't happen.
Based on the the three before me, I figured I was dead. That would account for the grassy hill we were on when it should have been winter, and the horrible screech that accompanied my arrival.
The three gods (I assumed they were gods, as it made sense) seemed somewhat unorthodox. There was a kid who looked un be about 9 or 10, a middle aged gentleman, and an elderly fellow. That wasn't what was weird, rather ...
"Curse that stupid green troll! I only had 4 more spaces!"
Yep. They were playing a children's board game. I think all my delusions about divinity flew out the window then and there.
I cleared my throat, and all three of them jumped to attention. The board and pieces disappeared in the process, but as soon as they saw me the shock in their eyes changed to relief.
"Sorry about that. Most people go to other places when they die, so its been ages since we had a visitor."
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The middle aged gentleman spoke first, and behind them the gameboard reappeared.
"Let me guess, you thought I was your boss coming in for a checkup?"
The grandpa laughed. "The kid's got spunk. Not many come through here who have that kind of guts.'
"So,I got ran over by a truck, and now I'm being reincarnated to a fantasy world with magic, demons, and demihumans?"
This time their jaws hit the floor. Literally. Apparently that's a perk of godhood, some idioms can become reality. Trust me on this, it's better not to describe the sight.
Inwardly I sighed. 'I think you guys need to get out more. There are way too many similar stories out there. Although it's good that it wasn't a tractor."
By that point the gods had gathered enough sense to hold a conversation. The older two started arguing about what to do while the kid took advantage of the distraction to talk to me.
"Hey Mister! My name's Fun! You want to play, right? Rules and Grandpa Luck will agree."
"We must still follow the procedures. Even if he ... What was that, Fun?"
"Who're you calling grandpa, pipsqueak?!"
Oi! You guys are gods! Please at least act like it.
"While this is unexpected, we should probably move on. We have a HUD that should be able to explain things as they pop up, but your job is to tackle dungeons. You will start from a small city called Triton in the Argonian Empire. As a part of the system download, you get a free beginner's pack and a unique skill to help out"
I nodded. Seemed pretty standard for a dungeon diving RPG. One thing intrigued me though.
"What is my unique skill?"
Fun jumped us and down in excitement. In front of me a pedestal with a crystal orb materialized in the same way as the game board from earlier. Instinctively I placed both my hands on it and words flashed across my vision:
System transfer successful.
Unlocked Unique Skill: Double Rewards for Half the Cost
System reboot starting
As my consciousness fled, the last words I heard were:
"Huh. So laziness IS useful.