《The Prologue》 The Afterlife is an Office

Katchuk! Swoosh...

The sound of the convenient store automatic door opening; swinging inwards.

I then casually walked out of the convenient store, whilst holding onto a bag of groceries in one hand and the other my smartphone.

With my phone on loudspeaker, I then speak to the person that is on the other side of the phone call. "Hey, Daniel. Tell Zach that I've bought him a pack of beer like he told me to, some groceries, ingredients, and energy drinks."

"Sounds good! I see you soon then, Adrian." The person that is called Daniel responded.

Daniel and Zach are my actual roommates that I'm currently sharing a rented flat apartment with.

We've been friends since high school. It's only until a year ago, just recently that we all then decided to live together, in order to cut down on the living expenses and rent fees by sharing rooms.

The experience was a first, having to moved out from your parent's house and living abroad, but nevertheless, it's still an exciting first experience to be by yourself. And not be chained down by the rules and house regulations that is set by your parents; house curfew, bed time, etc.

"Do you need anything, Daniel? Whilst, I'm still at the convenient store. I can easily go in and get the stuff that you wanted." I said so responsibly like a nice friend that I am.

Daniel then responded back, "Nothing at the moment." Afterwhich, he then hangs up on the phone, thereby ending the phone call.

The phone call ended, thereby returning backwards towards the phone's home screen. I then lightly pressed upon the off button, on the top right hand corner of the phone, in order to switch the phone off.

Afterwards, I then placed my smartphone into the left pocket of my jeans.

'Hmmm...' I thought so to myself, as I looked up at the evening sky.

Without even the need to check out the weather's forecast, I subconsciously know that it is definitely goanna rain today. Afterall, it's Manchester.

The city of Manchester is unofficially given the nickname as most 'Rainy City' in the UK, due to widespread media and the metropolitan news, despite being the eighth for the average amounts of rain per year in the UK.

'It's going to rain.' I thought.

Looking up at the sky, the darkened grey clouds completely blocked out the blue sky, and blanketing the sun.

It's the calming before the storm, as the wind blew lightly, swiftly passing by my face.

And before I knew it, there was wet moisture gathered on top of my face. The gentle kiss of a few raindroplets before the torrential rainstorm that is goanna occur.

Almost, as if on cue, a torrential storm of rain droplets then began to rain down upon the night sky; hitting and spitting all around me.

The only thought that came to mind right at this very moment was 'Run'.

I then legged it. 'Oh, shit! It's raining heavily. I better hurry home before my clothes are soaking wet.' I thought, as I started sprinting home.

Not too long into the run, something had happened that completely caught me by surprise, the darkened evening sky suddenly lit up. It was lightning. A legitimate thunderstorm.

High voltage electricity steadily building up withinside the large storm clouds above me, and I started to feel anxious and worry about it.

Sound travels much slower than at the speed of light. So it took several seconds later for the sounds of the lightning to show up, a roaring thunderclap, reverberating throughout the entire neighbourhood that I was currently in.

'I'm sure everyone in the entire neighbourhood must have heard that.' I thought.

Crackle! Zaboom! Rumble! Zzz...

The sounds of lightning thunderclapping within the distance.

Unbeknownst to me, as I continued to run, burning exhaustion starting to overrun and build up withinside my legs. And I then started to breathe heavily.

'I'm sure am quite out of shape.' I thought, as I continued to sprint home, unaware of the dark foreshadowing atmosphere that is about to unfold.

For a instance, faster than the time that it took for a flintlock pistol to go off, purple streaks of tinted coloured lightning had actually descended unknowingly downwards from the night sky. Its destination was unknown, but the outcome was unpredictable.

The purple bolt of lightning had actually struct me dead centre, right on the dart, whilst I was still running.

The clothes that I was currently wearing on was soaking wet, as it helped made the bolt of hight voltage electricity extra conductive, which then turns out to be a huge disaster for me.

In an instance, I could instinctively feel my body being suddenly overwhelmed by a strong sharp sense of pain. None that I've ever felt or seen before. It's like swallowing a thousand pins and needles, as my pain receptors were switched on at full blast.

The vast amounts of pain that is currently coursing throughout my entire body, it's enough to easily knocked out a full grown adult, and I am barely hanging on.

My black hair slightly toasted, with a bit of steam or smoke coming off my head.

The place where the lightning bolt struct, the bare skin was singed and badly damaged. It may leave permanent everlasting scars upon my body, if I were to have made it out of this incident alive and well.

But, stuff don't always seems to follow what you likely expected.

Normally, getting struct by a lightning bolt doesn't necessarily kill you. As 9 out of 10 victims came out of the incident relatively unscathed, but with everlasting damages upon their bodies.

But, the 1 in 10 people who gets struck by lightning will surely die, whether it is because of health complications or the chances. Statistics is statistics. And high voltage electricity can easily kill a normal person. So that's why people don't stick a metal fork into a power outlet, as you may be electrocuted to death, due to the high power voltage.

'Did I just get struck by lightning?' I asked myself a question, despite instinctively knowing the amswer deep down.

'What are the chances?' I thought.

I then felt a bit disorientated, my vision gradually blurries.

I suddenly felt a bit weak in the knee, constantly staggering quite a fair bit as I walked, failing to keep a balance.

My heart was beating rather loudly, thumping erraticly withinside my chest. It's almost like it is on drugs. Until just recently, it just got jolted by a bolt of 1 billion joules of electricity.

It would hardly function the same way after being completely exposed to such a high voltage and the astronomical amounts of kilo-joules.

With the smell of burnt human flesh still lingers in the air. The cloth fabric of the clothes that I'm currently wearing are melted, melded, and are stuck closely to my skin. The only way to remove the clothing fabric is to surgically remove it.

As death is steadily looming over me; before long, my heart could no longer take it. So it gave out.

After the heart has stopped beating. The oxygen supply that is being carried to the brain and the rest of the body is suddenly halted. If the heart is not started back up again, within a couple of minutes. I would surely die of oxygen deprivation or suffocation to be exact.

'Is this how I die?' I thought, asking a rhetorical question, before finally closing my eyes for the last time.

There was no one in sight. And within seconds, I collapsed to the ground. I didn't die immediately, but rather quickly lost consciousness.

With death soon to follow, I soon died within my sleep. Without as much of a struggle.

It's hard to say that I've died a painless death, when I've legitimately experience a vast amounts of pain, comparable to a lifetime, all compressed down into a few couple of seconds of pain.

My charred remains remained lying on the side of the street pavement, looking like dead road kill, or a hit and run victim.

It would be legitimately hours before someone would take notice of my dead body, due to the heavy rain, most people would likely ignore it and focus more upon driving.

• • •

Someplace else, which I presumed is the so-called Afterlife or Purgatory as most people calls it.

It didn't take long for myself to regained consciousness after death, and I finally woke up from eternal slumber. Only to find myself to be in a strange new place, completely foreign to me, but rather a familiar feeling.

'Am I in a waiting line?' I thought, asking myself a question, assuming what I just saw was not wrong.

The queue was extremely long, stretching as far as the eyes could see, numbering a couple of thousands or possibly hundreds of millions of people.

There was not one waiting line but several, intending to cut the workload of dealing with numerous dead souls to many, instead of a few field of speciality specialised individuals, just like how a normal work office operates.

The long corridors of the main hall was fairly modern, it certainly looks like something that may particularly be built a couple of decades or centuries into the future, if our architectural buildings has progressed thus far. With interactive modern day technology completely built into the interior designs of the building's main hall.

There is a large flat screen monitor, hanging on top of the main hall, displaying a beautiful virtual women, which can be said is the spoke person of this place. A sort of toirust guide for the dead souls that just recently arrived here.

The beautiful spokeswoman then said, "Welcome to the Afterlife, this here is Purgatory where you will be properly judged for the sins, misdeeds, and deeds that you have committed whilst alive. You will be sentenced by an Administrator..."

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'What is with this ridiculously long queue? So how long do I have to wait until it's my turn...' I asked myself.

Curiously, I thought. 'And where does it eventually lead to?'

The first thing that people would usually think after experiencing their first death experience is 'What happens next?'

Strangely enough, I'm not really that afraid of death, but rather the excruciating amounts of pain that comes shortly before ending your life that has me worried.

Most people would likely throw a tantrum, saying that they Don't want to die, or maybe it's too early for me to die, then what about the people who I left behind. Who would look after them, and so on.

The concept of having your life and soul judged, weighed out by your sins, deeds, and achievements that you committed whilst alive isn't exactly a new thing. But, rather the concept has been certainly reused, recycled, and altered to fit with the new trends of modern day Earth.

'So am I going to Hell or Heaven?' I thought, asking myself an overall interesting question that I have no sure answer to.

'I'm not really that much of a religious person, but I do believe that there is some kind of existence or a higher being than us, that created this world. Somehow spawn the universe into existence.' I thought.

But, I could be wrong. 'Heaven or Hell, whichever of the two that I will be sent to. I really hoped that things would not end that badly for me.' I thought so to myself, whilst patiently waiting in line for when it's going to be my turn to be judge.

Fairly enough, I don't feel any hunger or an ounce of thirst, but rather a deep sense of boredom just because I'm dead.

What seems to be like hours, feeling like half a day was only just couple of hours, around a hour or two. As the lines of a couple hundred people then moved fairly quick.

The long queue steadily shortens, with each appointment lasting roughly ten to fifteen minutes, and there seems to be more than just a few couple of judges/adminstrators, based upon the number of rooms in the main hall.

I then patiently waited in line until it was now my turn to be judge, as I then heard the sounds of a male voice calling "Next!".

A cue for me to enter the appointed office room.

Filled with perspiration, I then lightly clamped my hands down upon the door handlebar, unlocked and opened the office door.

In which then, I immediately entered the office room, and the door automatically closes right behind me as I entered the office room.

What entered my line of sight was not an ordinary common office room; like the traditional office desk, workstation, computer, and such.

But, rather a fancy well established suite room, completely furbished with modern day expensive furniture, explicitly high class interior design. It certainly made my flat apartment home look like a dog house in comparison to this place.

There was a fancy black lacquer desk at the centre of the room. With a extravagantly good looking youth, golden blonde hair and red coloured eyes, whilst wearing a white suit and black long shirt. He remained seated behind the office desk.

And there seems to be a red horn poking out from the sides of the handsome youth's forehead, which certainly indicates that he is not human but rather a demon.

'It would seems to be that this youth holds all the power in which he decides whether I would end up going to Heaven or Hell.' I assumed, based upon my recent observations and reasonable deductions.

And standing by his side, towards the right of him is his own personal assistant. She must be his own Secretary.

A beautiful woman in her early or late twenties; she has long silky silvery hair, a pretty face, light coloured skin, with dorminant amber coloured irises.

Her greyed coloured secretary attire seems to further exemplifies her womanly charms, giving her a more matured intellectually look. But, what is noticeably more eye-catching is her pure white angelic wings that stood out from her back.

'A Angel and a Demon. What a perculiar combination. A complete opposite...' If I do say so myself.

Without even realising that the other side could also possibly read my thoughts.

'With such a combination and their extravagantly good looks, it's not wrong to say that they may be possibly be the perfect couple.' I thought.

☆

The angel secretary that is standing beside the youth with demon horns then smile, even chuckling as we speak, but the look on the youth's face then darkens.

"Oh, Heavens! No!" The youth with demon horns shouted, yelled out in great annoyance.

The youth with demon horns then spoke, directed all of his disgust at me, but personally me, but rather a majority. "I don't even want to think about it. You probably are one of those people who like shipping fictional characters with other people... sigh."

"I've already got plenty of stuff to handle on my plate already right now." The youth with demon horns said, as he sighs deeply.

The youth with demon horns had abruptly interrupted by speaking out, thereby causing me to lose track of train of thought.

'I guess, I should really pay close attention to what I say the next time.' I thought.

But, then it suddenly hit me, I suddenly realised something. 'Wait a minute.' I paused for a sec, before resuming my track of thought, 'I don't even remember saying anything. Much less even uttered a single peep out of my mouth. So how could they hear me...'

Feeling rather perplexed. A sudden thought then suddenly aroused withinside my mind, and I then decided to try it out. 'Can they somehow be able to read my mind or something?' I decided to asked them by simply conveying my words through thoughts.

The youth with demon horns then immediately responded, "Yes, I can actually read your thoughts. I won't be nickname as the 'Father of Demons' if I can't even do that much as an Fallen Arch Angel/Arch Devil. The same also applies towards my daughter, which is currently working as my secretary."

Lucifer proudly announces his presence for all to see, which is only me and his daughter within the room.

It was then that I suddenly took notice of the name that was written upon the gold plated name board, on top of the desk, and it read as 'Lucifer S. Morningstar.'

By the name Lucifer, there is only one man that exists in mankind's biblical history that is named Lucifer. And that is the Devil in biblical Christianity, Satan. The Arch Angel that lead an army of angels to single-handedly rebelled against God, but failed miserably.

Lucifer then gave me a death stare, which was quite unnerving. So I subconsciously took a single step back, due to the instinctual fear and the overwhelming presence that he is constantly releasing.

It was quite terrifying at first, but when Lucifer's daughter has saw how I react. She then rightfully lectured her father, by knocking him off.

"Would you knock it off, father! You are definitely scaring aware our client!" The daughter of Lucifer, his Secretary said so straight to his face.

it sends chill running down my spine, as I unconsciously swallowed a mouth full of air.

I gulped.

Seeing my scared reaction, out of my wits, Lucifer was satisfied plenty enough, and then retracted his death stare.

Whilst, Lucifer who was smiling previously has now turned into a frown.

Cough! Cough!

“Ahem..." Lucifer lightly coughs to clear his throat.

"Anyways..." Lucifer decided to change the subject to move on with the appointment.

"You may at some point have wondered why exactly you are here," Lucifer said, whilst looking at me.

"I'm dead," I responded.

"Valid point! Though I am quite busy here, so I will give you the short version of an explanation instead." Lucifer said to me.

"You have died back on Earth. And this is Purgatory, the world in between Heaven and Hell, where you guys will be judged, whether you will be able to reincarnate or not is thereby decided here." Lucifer said, whilst twinkling his fingers.

"Which world you will end up would be completely decided by random. And you will obtain three random blessings as reassurance." Lucifer said, whilst counting three on his fingers.

"Also your new lives will definitely parallel the life you've just lost, so be prepared," Lucifer said.

He then continues, "It will be like one of those light novels or manga that you children of Earth love. Isn't it that amazing!"

"You'll be given a chance to go on adventures like the main protagonist of your favourite isekai novel or build your own Kingdom. The wonders!" Lucifer said, with a hint of excitement, hyping the journey.

'I can't even imagine!' I thought so to myself.

'I can't wait for it to begin.' I thought.

"Well, we good then? Okay, so lets get this started then!” Lucifer finishes his speech.

Before anyone could even start asking questions, a blue screen panel then appeared in front of me.

Ding!

System Notice Blessing of Yggdrassil - You will be given 3 random abilities granted by the system.

'I wondered what kind of special abilities will I be able to get out from this System.' I thought to myself, rather excited about the whole ordeal.

Ding!

System Notice

As a result of the Blessing of Yggdrassil, you have automatically learned the skill [Golemancy Lv1]!

System Notice Due to possessing the skill {Golemancy Lv.1}, a derivative skill of the skill branch has been generated! The skill {Core Creation Lv.1} has been acquired!

System Notice As a result of the Blessing of Yggdrassil, you have automatically learned the skill [Automatic MP Recovery Lv1]!

System Notice As a result of the Blessing of Yggdrassil, you have automatically learned the skill [Astral Magic Lv1]!

'I know what {Golemancy} and {Automatic MP Recovery} are, but {Astral Magic} is a complete mystery.' The moment that I thought of that, a blue screen panel then pops up explaining what the astral skill is.

Skill Encyclopedia Astral Magic is a sorcery that is derived from the many mysteries of the universe, somewhat correlating to space, stars, and such. At the same time, relating to a supposed non-physical astral plane, and the realm of existence to which various psychics and paranormal phenomena are often ascribed to.

'Interesting.' I thought slightly intrigued, but nevertheless still confused by it all.

Ding!

System Notice

Once reincarnated, a random race will be automatically assigned to you. And 100 unallocated stats points will be given to boost your chances of survival.

P.S Be careful with how you allocate your stats points as it could potentially save your life.

'Oh!' I thought, upon reacting to what I saw in front of me.

Ding!

System Notice Your race has now been chosen - The Terrakhan {Rock Demon} race! You will automatically acquire the prerequisite racial skill of your starting race!

System Notice As a result of being a Terrakahn, you have automatically learned the skill [Mineral Absorption Lv1]!

System Notice As a result of being a Terrakahn, you have automatically learned the skill [Minor Earth Control Lv1]!

'Well, this doesn't seem so bad. In fact, my blessings would be considered extremely lucky.' I thought so to myself.

Universal Race Encyclopedia

The Terrakhan race is said to be a race of rock demons born from the essence of the earth itself. The people of the Terrakhan race usually stay in colonies or tribes that which is located around hot regions, presumably deserts or volcanoes.

They are born from the copulation between a male and female of Terrakhan race, in a similar way as any other type of demon, and are thereby incubated in eggs.

The Terrakhan people place their unhatched egg in hot magma in order to absorb the abundant minerals and resources in the earth. And once the incubation time is up, reaching the end of the egg incubation period, the egg is then dug up and removed from the magma stream, and left on the dry land till the eggshell hardens.

Only after another enough Mana has been absorbed by the infant Terrakahn will the eggshell begins to crumbles, and the newborn Terrakhan infant is thereby officially born.

Terrakhan only consumes rock minerals and metal ores in order to survive.

* * *

"Oh, there is something that I would like to clarify. A normal adolescent human would have an average of 50 total stats points upon birth, but you reincarnated people are different. So aren't you guys are lucky now." Lucifer said.

"Now tata..." Lucifer said to me, whilst waving me goodbye.

Lucifer then looks over in my direction in particular, with a look of extreme pity and slight disappointment, before he then turns around and walks towards his window.

'What! Did he just saw my status screen or something? So what did he see, or to be more exact, what is gonna happen to me after I reincarnate...' I cried out in alarm.

Once I finished reading the blue screen panels that are laid before me, the whole world surrounding me then began to turn to white, as vivid coloured light particles then soon surround me, and my body soon dissolves into the white lite.

In the end, my body then becomes numerous beams of light that disappeared into nothingness.

'Looks like I've got some time to myself before my body completely transitions to another world.' I clearly thought to myself.