"The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim."

-Sun Tzu

Randy opened his eyes to a blinding white light, disoriented and unsure of his surroundings. The gaming chair, the screens, and the cluttered room were replaced by an infinite expanse of white. He felt weightless, like he did not even exist anymore.

"Where am I?" he thought. A voice, gentle yet authoritative, echoed through the emptiness. "Welcome, Randy, to the crossroads. You have died but your life does not have to end, your soul that is."

Randy blinked, trying to understand what is happening. "I don't understand. Where am I? What's happening?"

"It is very simple, ahead of you there are two doors - " As soon as the voice said it, two white doors appeared in front of him. The voice continued: "You can choose to die and go to the undead land or to live once again."

"I can return to my old life?" Randy asked.

"No. That door is behind you locked forever. You can only get reincarnated into a new, unknown world."

"But how can I know which door leads to new life and which one leads to the undead land?" Randy was scratching his beard, looking confused.

"You simply have to choose, your heart will know."

So Randy did just that, without thinking, he opened the door on his right.

"You choose to live, once again, now you must choose a skill that will shape your essence in this new world."

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A translucent interface materialized before him, displaying a variety of skills ranging from elemental magic to swordsmanship. Each option held the promise of a unique journey in the unknown. Randy's eyes scanned the choices, and his gaze fixated on one that seemed strangely familiar—'Stats.'

"I choose 'Stats,'" he declared with a mixture of curiosity and determination.

The white void responded with a subtle shift, and Randy felt a surge of energy coursing through him. Information appeared in his mind's eye, like a HUD overlay. He could see his own health, stamina, and a list of attributes. It was the digital interface he had grown accustomed to in his gaming days, but now it was a part of his very being.

"Excellent choice, Randy," the voice resonated again. "With the power of stats, you shall perceive the intricacies of this dimension. Use it wisely, for your journey here will be shaped by the decisions you make."

ℓ✺ᾰᖱ!ℵ❡

ℓ✺ᾰᖱ!ℵ❡

ℓ✺ᾰᖱ!ℵ❡

ḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙḉℏ✺✺ṧḙ ⑂✺ṳԻ ℵḙω ℓ!ḟḙ

In front of Randy a translucent interface materialized before him once again. This time it was showing something else.

𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖉𝖔𝖒

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐚 - The Kingdom of Valdia is a kingdom in Aquthra ruled by King Dethert, and occupies the western forests and coastal plains of the Old continent. (Boost: 5% more renown from each battle)

𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 - The Kingdom of Barrania is a kingdom in Aquthra ruled by High King Kaladogg, and occupies heavily forested lands in the northwest of the Old continent. (Boost: 50% less speed penalty and 15% sight range bonus in forests)

Randy did not think much, he knew that Barrania is the one for him, without reading the rest of the kingdoms he picked them and then there was a white light that blinded him. The next thing he remembers was hearing a baby cry. It kept crying, and it didn't look like it was about to stop.

"Will someone shut up this baby?!" He tried to yell but he couldn't. Then he realized, he was the baby crying.