“Hohoho, your reaction was priceless!”

I don’t know where I am, or who this stupid old man who keeps making fun of me is. There is some kind of hologram replaying the scene I have come to see a couple of times now, where I get completely mauled by a bus.

Who is this man, is this like a hospital or something? What’s the worst thing that can happen if I ask, right?

Before I ask, I look around me once more to see where I am, but it is the same place as it was when I came here.

An old wood cabin with a cozy interior and quiet little space. The overall scene looks like something that would come out of a medieval movie. By looking outside, I can confirm that we are in some sort of woods, as all I can see is thick, green spruce trees and heavy snow.

Yeah… I have no idea where I am. Probably somewhere very far north, but let’s get back to the old man. I look back at him and see him staring back at me with a smile on his lips.

“Finally decided to ask me, child?”

Something is up, but I will just go for it, as it probably can’t get any worse.

“May I ask where this is?” I ask as nicely as possible with a fake smile on my face to get him to lower his guard against me.

He furrows his brows at me, looking clearly displeased, I don’t know what I did wrong. Should I have said something else, or maybe praised him for his long white beard, or his old but sagely face? Maybe even his full white garbs, looking like something for a Chinese cultivation protagonist.

After a second, his annoyed face is replaced by one with amusement. How? What did I do now?

“Ask your question right out. It’s not polite to make the old people wait and try to play with their feelings.”

I mean, it looks like he isn’t normal, so I will just follow.

“Am I dead? Or more precisely, who are you and what am I doing here?” I ask with a tinge of uncertainty in my voice, as I don’t want to upset him.

He nods for a second before answering. “Well, to put it simply, this is where you died.” He says as points at the hologram where the video of me getting mangled to pieces against a tree is shown. It was really a hard sight to see for the first time, as I was not used to seeing so much blood and gore.

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Before I can speak again, he continues to answer. “I am the guardian, or what you humans would call God, and no, I’m not like the ones from your texts.” He says in what sounds like a bit of an irritated tone.

“You are here, as your only wish in life is going to be fulfilled.” He states as I try to figure out what he is talking about. This entire ordeal has been quite a lot for me to take in.

“Wait! You mean I can become something more? That I can keep pursuing something forever?!” I asked loudly as I was getting excited at the thought. But quickly quiet down when he stares sternly at me.

“Yes, child, I can not understand your feelings, but I can almost feel it from your soul. It’s almost as if it’s begging for it. So I will grant you that wish.” He states as he grabs an old paper and a quill pen.

Before I even have time to think, he starts asking questions.

“What type of world would you want to reincarnate into?”

Without even thinking, I answer. “One where I can pursue something greater and become something more.”

He gives a quick nod at my answer and writes something on the paper, then looks up at me again.

“Why should I grant you this wish of yours?”

The question left me stumped. Why should he grant me this wish? Is there something he wants from it? Is there a second motive?

“Stop overthinking, child!” He scolds me before I can form more accusations in my mind. And I try to figure out a reasonable answer.

“To be honest, I have nothing you would want. So I guess probably your goodwill or boredom, am I right?”

He smiles at me before answering again. “You are right. I would do it even if you can’t think of something. Anyway, is there anything you wish for to bring into this new life of yours?”

I need to think about this. What would I want that could make it better for me? I know this would make my life easier, and a lot better.

“Is it possible to get a system designed to fit me, and more favorable conditions for me in that world?” I ask, hoping he will say yes, as that would be the only thing I would need. But even I know that is a lot.

“That’s a lot, even you think that child. How about this? You can sell something, I will not give any tips. If you can satisfy me, I will grant it.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck, think. What can I sell to a god!? There is nothing he doesn’t have that he would want. Oh right, that might work!

“How about my memories?”

“Oh, why would you want to sell your memories to me? You know then you won’t be able to remember all this in your next life.”

I think about what he says but still goes with it.

“I know, but I there is nothing good in this world either way, and I would probably have a hard time getting used to a completely new world.” I answer with a sigh.

God nods at my answer and writes something down again before telling me.

“I can do that, but as a bonus for you and all your troubles, I will give you one thing. The motivation and urge to grow towards something else will still exist in you. And your system will be the one most personalized and made especially for you.” He says before drawing an enormous cross or something on the paper before my vision goes black.

“That child sure is interesting. I will check back on him in a couple of hundred years. Hope he likes my gift, hohoho!”