"Another trash novel finished. Guess I'll leave a 3-star rating." Victor is a regular reader of any and all reincarnation light novels. "Right time for my 1000th review on this shitty website" while pondering what to write, he reaches over to retrieve another potato chip from the bag and leans back into his chair. A slight creaking sound could be heard as the chair defied the man's weight.

From that description, many would assume he is some overweight bastard living in his parent's basement. What? Just because he eats potato chips? Well, okay, maybe he could be considered slightly chubby, but nothing to make a fuss about.

His hands moved quickly over the dusty keyboard-only illuminated from his two screens and the moonlight coming through his half-open curtains.

Victor likes to think he is the connoisseur of light novels in the field of reincarnation and therefore likes to leave extensive comments on what can be improved in an already written story.

"Why are all these protagonists so dumb? Do they all think with their other head? How does he even have a harem by the second chapter?"

A gentle voice whispered, 'Do you think you could do better?' The voice had a mischievous tone to it. Victor was still busy typing his review and, therefore, was not fully paying attention.

"Of course, I could do better," he said, half mumbling his words.

'Hehe, confident, aren't we, little one? So why not give it a go?'

Victor simply snorted, "If I could leave this shitty life behind and live like these protagonists, I would have done so long ago! Don't tempt me!" After shouting to seemingly nobody, Victor submitted his review and passed out.

He floated within an unknown space for a long time.

Then something seemed to pull.

Gently at first but slowly getting stronger...

'Welcome to my realm….'

A girl appeared before him from the darkness.

Her face was blurred and distorted, but she had a feminine figure.

'I asked many mortals before you, but you were the first to accept my offer!'

"Huh, what offer," Victor said, but no sound came out.

The Goddess seemed to tilt her head in confusion as if she could hear me. 'But you said you could do better than all those previous to you?'

"Wait, previous to me?"

'Yes, all those supposed stories you read actually happened.

"That just makes it even more disturbing."

'Anyway, it's time to pick what to be reincarnated as!'

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

With a clap of her hands, a screen appeared before Victor.

"Ok, so first I need to select a race? What do these points next to them mean?"

'Oh, oops, I forgot to mention you have 10 points to spend. Certain races cost more than others; the points can also be used to buy skills, so spend wisely.'

[Dragon] - 10

[Vampires] - 10

[Angels] - 10

[High Human] - 8

[Human] - 5

[High Elf] - 8

[Dark Elf] - 7

[Elf] - 6

[Beastmen] (Multiple options available) - 2

[Dwarves] - 5

Victor looked over the list and thought deeply to himself.

Considering all those light novels about reincarnation are real... I have an extensive database of knowledge to pull from!

First on the list, Dragons. An excellent choice at first glance. Apex predators, high magic resistance, muscular bodies, and long life spans. More powerful dragons can also transform into humans and roam cities.

But before obtaining a human form, I would have to sleep in a cave and eat animals and monsters raw. I could be killed by other dragons for entering their territory; famous adventure groups will come knocking to kill me for my scales and the title of being a dragon slayer.

Dragons would definitely be my choice if not for the whole living in a cave, eating uncooked and seasoned meals, and my only past time being sleeping… If I can't find anything better, I guess dragon would be a good choice.

Vampires have an infinite life span, are very powerful, and look similar to humans. But what if vampires are hated and hunted down by the church? Also, I would be weak to sunlight, meaning I can't do anything but hide in some dark place most of the time. Nope next!

Angels. The holy magic and wings would be incredible, but I don't want to be worshipped everywhere I go and forced to hold ceremonies for the church… so nope, moving on.

High humans and normal humans have the same issues. If you were thrown into a new world with no relatives, friends, or acquaintances. No money or form of identification. Good luck trying to get into any city or getting a high-paying job.

Usually, in the stories, the protagonist gets around this issue by miraculously saving a noble carriage from bandits and then being invited into the city with no questions.

Wait, didn't the Goddess say they weren't stories but actually happened? How did they always manage to find a stranded noble? They should travel with more protection given how often it seems to happen!

Also, let's be totally honest. If given a chance, why live a similar life to the one you already had? Sure I will have cheat-like abilities to make my life easier, but I always dreamed of being something greater, like a dragon, that's way cooler than a boring human. Also, humans have a shorter life span than the other species on this list, if not the shortest.

Becoming an elf seems like the most viable option here on paper. Extended life, good at magic and archery, and extremely beautiful. That's until you remember they are often captured and sold as slaves or the fact they only eat plants like some kind of rabbit. Hell no, I ain't no vegan, so next!

Beastmen are also often treated like shit by humans; they have short and harsh lives, so yea, that's a no.

Dwarves are short little humans but good at working metal. I have no interest in making weapons or metalwork, and I definitely don't want to become short, so yea, that's a no.

"I like dragons, but I was wondering if there were other options?"

'Wow, you are the first person to ask me that. Most just choose to become a Dragon or Human. There are other options, but I never bothered to show them since they are less desirable to human reincarnators.'

The previous list fazed out of existence, and a new one took its place.

[Slime] - 0

[Spider] - 0

[Goblin] - 0

[Gnomes] - 0

[Wolves] - 1

[Lizard men] - 2

[Trolls] - 3

[Centaurs] - 4

[Mermaids] - 4

Nope, these are all too weak, even having 10 points left over to spend on skills can't compensate for how weak and slow these races evolve. Sure there are stories of super-strong slimes or goblins, but it took years, even with overpowered abilities, to get strong enough to defend themselves.

Before going back and picking Dragon or High Human, Victor asked the Goddess, "Are there undead or spirit options?"

'Uh, sure there are, but why would you want to be an undead?'

Again the screen changed to reveal what Victor had been looking for.

[Skeleton] - 0

[Whisp] - 0

[Ghosts] - 1

[Zombie] - 1

[Mummy] - 1

[Banshee] - 2

[Ghouls] - 2

[Living armour] -3

[Deathlock] - 4

[Lich] -5

[Dracolich] - 8

[Netherborne] - 10

I was planning on becoming a Lich, but there seem to be two better options. Why a lich, you ask? They are immortal and do not need food, water, or money. Any work I need to accomplish can be done by my raised minions. Also, in the stories I read, undead MCs always seem to overtake nations.

A Dracolich seems to be a dragon that turned itself into a lich, similar to how a human can become a lich. I guess it would be just a giant bone dragon.

"Goddess, what is a Netherborne? I have never heard of one before."

'The most powerful undead in existence.'

My better judgment tells me to go with my original plan and pick Lich, but why is Netherborne valued twice as highly as a lich, the supposed king of the undead? Even a dragon turned into a lich is cheaper than the Netherborne.

"Do I start with any abilities?"

'Language understanding and any innate abilities to the race, for example, spiders would have a poison fang ability and elves have wind magic.'

Victor stared at the options for a while before coming to a conclusion. "Ok, I pick Netherborne." Something about that unknown race called out to him as if it was his destiny all along.

'Really, you sure? You can't pick any abilities then.'

Even though I can't start with any abilities... I'm sure I can obtain some later. Also, considering there are creatures like dragons that are way stronger than liches, my life won't be 100% secure if I choose Lich, but if I am an undead at the same level as a dragon, then what could go wrong?

"Yea, no problem. Make me a Netherborne."

'Very well then, best of luck.'

Upon his final words, the world went black as his consciousness faded away for the second time today.