Ugh, my head feels dizzy and my whole body's sore everywhere, did I drink too much? If so that’s strange because I don’t recall drinking today and I hardly ever drink. Just as the dizziness and pain were dying down, I started to notice my surroundings well at least the lack of it because darkness is all I can perceive. As I was trying to move my body admittedly a little terrified as anxiety took me thinking I got kidnapped or blinded or somehow both—adequate response when waking up in a space unknown and aching body.

That's when I realized I don't have a body. Well, technically, I do, but it's just not the one I'm used to. Heck, it's not even made of flesh and blood.

I'm a gem. A glowing gem now apparently with multicolor hues like the rainbow ever shifting, surrounded by stone formed underground.

And somehow, I can recognize that this gem was somehow me. That's when it hit me, 'Ah, so I did die, didn't I?' I remember sitting down waiting for the bus and reading a fantasy book on my phone that I recently got hooked on. Then I heard gasps, but I was too engrossed with reading to look and guessed it was another insignificant event I didn't care about. The next thing that comes to my attention is the sound of a vehicle racing the road, growing closer and faster.

When I finally pulled myself out of my reading and looked up, I saw a car running far above the speed limit coming towards me. As I watched it coming mind blank, my body petrified, seeing and hearing people running and screaming. I think I tried to move but my body wouldn't obey. As it ever got closer in mere seconds. "SMASH!!!"

The last thing I remember is darkness, followed by the sound of a thundering crash and the car's beeping as it slowly faded to nothingness.

Then after an eternity or a second, as my consciousness woke, a being The System spoke directly to my ethereal self. Of a deal, a promise of a new life with my memories intact reborn in another world with magic and swords, a world under the jurisdiction and protection of The System, a world named Aetheria.

My part of the deal would be solving a problem, a cancer as it metaphorically put it. The System would gift me the capabilities to solve it, but did not guarantee my success as greater help would create an imbalance in the world something counter-productive as it would cause bigger problems. If solved I would be free to do as I wished in the world without interference.

If I were to fail a new replacement would be needed, unfortunately, a replacement is highly unlikely due to the special trait of my soul. A unique soul I possess able to travel through dimensions and planes with little consequences that just happen to come through The System's domain. Or so I was told, as my special trait allowed The System to interfere with me with minimal repercussions.

If it got beyond control, the final solution would be to annihilate the problem, as a consequence would result in the annihilation of the world the problem resides and cause detrimental damage to near worlds and dimensions by the impact. The System desires it to be solved at the source instead of annihilating it with everything around it.

What other choice do I have, I wanted to live. Not a new life without my memories as The System informed me of the cycle of reincarnation I would take if I chose to refuse. I still have things I want to do, to see, to feel, to love, I want to live to the fullest if given the chance, perhaps my failure would result in a worse outcome than if I chose otherwise, but when was life, not a struggle? Plus, I have The System's help don't I then I'll take those chances!

"System sign me up! I affirm to your conditions." As I somehow gave my intent to The System. I precieved something in my mind.

Affirmation detected...

Signing contract...

Binding commencing...

The System holds gratitude for your cooperation and applauds your bravery.

Good Luck

And so, we come to the present. 'Huh well that was sort of anti-climatic' I thought being reborn would be, I don't know just a lot more. One moment I'm floating in a void in an ethereal form with my consciousness conversing with an all-god-like omniscient and omnipotent System, next I'm a glowing gem.

Blame me for not asking but at the very least I thought I would be a living being, well a biologically certified living organism that is. I mean I can think, I have a conscious, I can see(somehow) so I consider that being alive. Even if it goes against everything biology vouches for.

Well, fuck you science this is the world of magic. I laugh to myself at my little antic, as I try to shake off my anxiety about this whole situation that is frankly overwhelming. Also, you know getting over the whole I died shit. I take a few breaths or mentally I did to settle down.

I am still panicking on the inside, anxiety my soulmate forever with me but my other soulmate optimism comes along with it. Glad you guys came with me I guess we truly are soulmates. I snicker to myself once more. 'Okay, look ahead Aiden a new life, a chance to start anew, and magic to boot. We'll get through this.'

As I do my habitual self-comfort speech, I realize that despite all that happened and will happen, I'm me. I find solace in the fact that although everything is now different and will be in the future, I'm still the old me, a socially anxious, empathetic, considerate, fantasy magic-loving, creative, honest, laughing a lot, lovable theater kid idiot who is good old me, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

'Now who or what am I in this world?' as a familiar blue hologram appears in my mind, as soon as I think so.

Name Aiden Race Dungeon Core Titles The System Chosen, Knowledge of Another World Dungeon Name N/A Level 1 Affinity Arcane (3 selections available) Current Mana 55/1000 Self Mana Generation 1/hour Exterior Mana Conversion 10/hour(Max) Abilities Absorb Mana, Absorb Mass, Interdimensional Storage, Alter Environment, Create Trap, Create Resources, Extraction, Enhanced Mind, Summon Monster, Monster Link, Transfer Room, Expert Mana Manipulation, Expert Mana Sense, Expert Mana Conversion, Expert Mana Purification, Summon Companion (single use) Traits Born of Arcane Mana, Pure Mana Crystal Origin, Blessed by Dimensions (3 selections available) Perks N/A (5 selections available)

'Well, would you look at that if it isn't the renowned status screen in the fantasy RPG genre, one of my many dreams I never thought would come true just did.' Was it worth dying for it though 'Heh, who am I kidding of course it was!'

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Ignoring my nonsense, that's a lot of something. Well, I think it is as I haven't had the pleasure to see anybody else's, one thing for sure is I see some very obvious ones unique to my situation. As I focus on those another screen pops up in front of the other in my mind.

The System Chosen

Chosen by the very system that governs this and myriad dimensions, are scarce enough to be called a myth now you are one of them.

-As The System Chosen you have received benefits unique to yourself

-Having a microscopic probability The System to act favorably for you

Knowledge of Another World

You who hold memories of another world, though a scarce occurrence had made a great shift in the lives of the beholders. Some went mad, some became heroes, and some changed the course of the world. Be wise and careful for it could be a blessing as much as a curse.

-Allows one to look into the memories of another world the beholder possess

-As long as you interacted with it, and exists in this world you can create it

'Okaaay, this is also something.'

I know, I know not exactly insightful is it? Be that as it may, without much context and/or comparison it's pretty much all deduction and instinct. Well better than nothing let's start with The Chosen One. 'Uhh Aww' I know it's not that but hey close enough for me not to mention it sounds fancier. Gonna tick that one off my list of dreams that'll never happen. 'Hey, that makes two in a day at this rate I might need a new list. How does becoming the most beautiful gem in the world for starters? Narcissistic you say why my good sir what a narrow-minded and prejudiced thought. Why for us gems it is a great and proud ambition. Never let a gem racist make us conform to your twisted views I say!'

Annnd I'm getting sidetracked. Anyway, yes, the chosen one(heh). I don't know how to feel about the whole myth thing. As of now, 'meh' the same problem of lacking information. At least it's not bad, probably. The first effect should be the gift The System promised me. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I focus, it doesn't give me more information about the benefits I received.

The next with the same problem as before don't know what it does, I mean on the off chance it actually happens. I don't like the probability, but hey, free stuff is free stuff, and I'll take it even if I can't use it.

For the knowledge of the another world, the descriptions help as it gave me intel that there are people like me with memories of the past life. 'Huh, I wonder what made the system choose me then, was that not what was special about me?'

'I'll figure it out someday.' moving on [Allows one to look into the memories of another world] Huh? 'Hmm, I wonder what kind of memories it allows and how it works.' at the thought, a powerful recent memory came to mind.

Suddenly I found myself back at the bus stop, sitting on the same bench, with my phone in my hand looking at the novel. 'what... huh...why...?' My mind starts freezing at the familiar scene.

Soon, I heard the gasps, and then my vision shifts to look up only to meet the very car that killed me, exactly like before.

I tried to move and do anything however all effort proved futile as my efforts did nothing but remind me of my powerlessness. 'I can only relive the memory, I can't do anything.'

The touch of my phone, the shock making my body immobile, the screams and panic I hear, the sound of car wheels grinding on the street, the smell of gas and polluted air everywhere in the city.

But what caught my attention was the car heading straight for me, especially now seeing it for the second time. An elderly with dull unfocused eyes switched to panic a moment later, the haphazard struggle to stop the car in turn only increases it.

As I watch and relive all of it, as it was about to reach me but centimeters away, fear overwhelming me at the prospect of dying again I shouted in my head 'Stop! StOP! STOP!! STTTOOOPPPP!!!!!'

Then I was back to where I was a glowing gem formed in the underground surrounded by stone.