Liam felt weightless. It was as if he was drifting into an endless void. His consciousness swam through the darkness with deafening silence as his background. That’s when he remembered the accident. The car, the impact, Ben’s frantic shouts... Everything flashed briefly before the darkness consumed him again.
Then suddenly, an almost blinding light appeared.
Liam's eyes fluttered open, but the light wasn’t harsh or overwhelming. It was soft and natural as if the morning sunlight was streaming through the curtains of his room.
"Am I dead?” He blinked as his senses gradually returned when he tried to concentrate.
He was immediately struck by how strange everything felt. Beneath him lay a strange bed, rougher than his own. And there was no pain in his body. It was actually lighter in some way.
He tried to sit up, and the moment he did, a sharp realization hit him.
This wasn’t his room.
“Is this heaven?”
Liam’s heart pounded. He swiftly turned his head to look around the tiny, stark white room he was in. Sunlight peeked through a half-closed curtain, casting golden light on his walls. There was also a simple desk, a single chair, and a few scattered clothes that were messily laid on the floor.
He couldn’t believe that heaven looked like a cheap apartment.
Confusion settled in as Liam swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He looked down, expecting to see his usual tall, muscular build but instead saw thin, pale legs. His hands, resting on his lap, were smaller, the skin much rougher.
‘What is happening?’ Panic shot through Liam.
“What the hell—” Even his voice sounds unfamiliar. It was softer and younger. He quickly looked for a mirror and when he saw one beside his bed, he quickly took a hold of it. His hands were somehow trembling.
That’s when Liam’s face turned pale.
The reflection that stared back at him was a stranger’s face. He blinked, hoping it was some sort of hallucination, but the unknown face remained.
Now he has dark brown hair, a youthful but boyish face, and a pair of brown eyes. It was drastically different from his black hair and mature features that he used to have.
His looks tells that he could have been no older than 20 or 21. The reflection mimicked his every movement, and that’s when it truly sank in.
This wasn’t his body.
“W-what is this?” he whispered, touching his face, his fingers trembling as they traced unfamiliar features. His mind raced, desperately trying to make sense of the situation. “This can’t be real. H-how is this even possible?”
Suddenly, a soft robotic voice echoed in his ears, making him flinch. A holographic screen with words, glowing faintly in the air, appeared before him.
[System Initiating…]
Liam‘s eyes became wide open, his heart racing faster as the words danced before his eyes. He waved his hands, trying to dispel the strange holographic words, but it stayed firmly in place.
[Welcome, Host. Initializing Body Transfer Protocol.]
"Body transfer? What the hell does that mean?" Liam muttered in the air, his heart, beating faster.
- - -
[Previous body: Liam Ashton (Status: Deceased)]
[New body: Rain Hemsworth (Status: Alive)]
- - -
Liam stared at the floating text, his mind in confusion.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"Wait, deceased? I'm... dead?" He swallowed hard, his hands gripping the edge of the bed to steady himself as he read the words on the screen one more time.
That’s when the memory of the car crash came rushing back. And now, here he was. He’s alive, but not as himself.
Rain Hemsworth… that name sounded vaguely familiar, but Liam couldn’t remember where he first heard it. He glanced around the small room again, feeling the weight of the situation sinking in.
He was inside someone else's house.
How was this even possible?
That’s when more text appeared before his eyes.
Basic Talents Unlocked:
- - - - -
Acting: Beginner (2/3)
Screenwriting: Intermediate (1/3)
Directing: Intermediate (1/3)
- - - - -
[Congratulations, Host! You have been given a second chance in life.]
Liam let out a shaky breath, his mind spinning with the sheer absurdity of it all. A second chance? For what? He had already reached the pinnacle of success — over a hundred awards, countless honors, and global recognition.
What could he possibly do more?
Liam sank back onto the bed, rubbing his face.
"A second chance…" he whispered, the words tasting foreign on his tongue. He closed his eyes, thinking of the years he had spent in the limelight, the exhaustion of always being in the public eye and the crushing pressure of maintaining his popularity.
Maybe this was fate’s way of giving him a break — a reset.
[System Integration Complete.]
[Ding!]
[System: Become a Legendary Superstar!]
“...”
“Are you kidding me?” Liam ran a hand through his hair, disbelief creeping into every fiber of his being. He glanced at the floating text again, squinting his eyes at the talent levels that were displayed before him.
Just when he thought that this life right now was intended for him to rest, the system just really had to destroy all his hopes.
“And what about my talents? Acting: Beginner? Screenwriting and Directing: Intermediate?” He scoffed. “Is this a joke? I’ve won more awards than I can count, and now I’m back to square one?”
There was no response from the system at first. Then, the words disappeared again, as if the system was thinking before responding.
[Host, your current talents reflect the abilities of the body you now inhabit and not your own. More talents and skills will be unlocked as time progresses and as you gain experience in this new life.]
Liam groaned. “Experience? I’ve spent years perfecting my craft! I’m not starting over as some rookie.” He stood up, pacing the small room, his hands clenched into fists. “I didn’t ask for a second life. I was fine. I was at the top. I had everything.”
[You have been given a second chance, Host, just like what you wished.]
The robotic voice echoed again.
“I don’t want this second life,” Liam snapped. “I was happy with my first one. Or at least... I thought I was.”
The system remained silent for a moment before responding again, its tone almost understanding.
[The System understands. As a token, the System will allow you to make a choice. You do not have to decide now. You have until tomorrow to make your choice.]
“What choice?” Liam frowned.
[The choice to continue in this new life or to reject it.]
Liam stared at the air, surprised by the system’s response. Could he really just... reject it? Go back to being dead?
The thought of returning to that darkness, the emptiness that had swallowed him after the crash seemed scary. But at the same time, this wasn’t his life. He didn’t want to live someone else’s dream, start from nothing, and fight through the grind of the industry all over again.
“And if I reject it?” he asked quietly.
[Your soul will rest peacefully, and this body will also cease to exist.]
“What do you mean?”
[The soul of this body had already departed in this world, Host. It’s only your soul that’s keeping it alive.]
“...” The answer sent a shiver down Liam’s spine. However, before he could ask more questions, the system talked one last time.
[Before you make your decision, host. Please visit your funeral first.]
Liam blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion.
“My... funeral?”
[Yes. It may help you decide. The funeral is being held until today.]
Liam’s heart skipped a beat in joy. That means it wasn’t long since he died!
Today. His family, friends, and colleagues were all probably mourning his body right now. He wasn’t sure if he could handle seeing them grieving, knowing he was alive in a different body.
But if he rejects this life, then might as well take this as an opportunity to see his loved ones for the last time.
[That’s all host. For now, take the time to reflect on what you truly want.]
The floating text faded and so did the automated voice, leaving Liam alone in the room, the weight of the system’s offer pressing down on him. He sat back down on the bed, his mind spinning in circles.
Liam’s fingers gripped the edge of the bed tightly as he tried to make sense of his emotions.
“Hah… what do I do?” With a deep breath, Liam stood up, determination settling in his chest. If he was going to decide, he needed to see what he had left behind first.