Josh Hammott must be delirious.  

‘Where am I? Didn’t I die?’ 

He thought.

‘Is this Heaven? Or Hell?’

“Nope, you’re not in Kansas anymore, either.”

“But I come from Texas…”

‘Wait, what? Who?’

All of a sudden, Josh’s vision cleared and before him stood a figure wearing a black hoodie, its face covered, its hands in its pockets. The figure wore faded grey jeans and looked to be standing in some sort of living area.

“Even though neither of us are alive! Ha!” 

The strange voice said. The voice wasn’t quite the same as before, as if it was quoting some movie character.

“Oi, you should know I am a guy…stop calling me ‘it’.”

Josh’s mind was working in overtime as he tried to piece together the information.  

“Are you God?”

“Hohoooo no. I’m not omniscient or almighty.  But I am your creator.”

“What’s the difference?”

“This isn’t real. To you it may be, but to me, this is just some novel I am working on. And you’re the main character!”

‘Wha…’

“But-“

“Nope, the life you lived and the people you once knew, even you right now are just words on my computer screen. Sorry to burst your bubble. Have a seat and eat some white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.”

Josh took a seat on the nearby sofa. Thanks to this break, Josh took the time to look around. On the wall was the latest technology on the market. The biggest TV he had ever seen, a sound system that would make you feel as if you were actually there, and all the game stuff he could think of.  By the game consoles was some strange device that looked like a jukebox-vending machine-crane game.  

“I’ve got several of those. That one is for games. Just type in which game you want, and it will get it for you. There are others for movies, music, books, and more.  Just make sure to clean up before getting out more.”

“What is this stuff for?”

“For you, of course.  You have to have something to do while we wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“The Readers! This is, after all, for them!”

“Right, a novel MC…Why me?”

“Why not? Anyways, we’re getting off subject.  Let me explain what is going to happen to you.  You are going on an adventure with many Readers as the Game Masters, so to speak.  You will still be yourself, but the things happening around you will be at the mercy of the Readers.  I can grant you the gamer ability, just like you read in those reincarnation novels, and one item that contains a set.  For example, a BAG of FOOD, a BOX of CLOTHES, or a COMPUTER filled with PORN…or not. That last one would be weird, huh.”

“What about my house with my family?”

“?! OoOoOoh! I didn’t think of that! Hmmmmmmm…No.”

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“What?! Why not?”

“I do this for your sake. Imagine the Readers selecting some post-apocalyptic world. Your family would die in front of you! How about this. After fulfilling certain requirements, the Readers will determine which gifts to give over time. Maybe it will be your family, maybe it will be a rock.”

“Ugh...”

“Whelp. Let me explain the first part. The Race Selection.”

Josh sat silently knowing full well this might be the only time this stranger will say this.

“Good, the Race Selection will be carried out by the Readers.  Races will have a certain amount of stats and a certain amount of starter skills.  For example, a Dwarf, an average starting race, will have 30 stat points and 3 starting skills.  These skills are [Fairy Language], [Construction], and [Blacksmithing] for obvious reasons.  The Readers will determine your starting race, whether it be a weed or a dragon. I will fill in the other information later, but for now, the Readers will say random things and I will select the Top Five.  Then I will create a poll later on containing the Top Five. Then everyone can vote on the more detailed selections.  Got it so far?”

“Well…what about where I’m going, or what about skills I can choose?”

“First off, don’t get ahead of yourself.  Second off, once you are in the world, you can obtain skills through training or scrolls.”

“Okay…I can tell this is going to take a while, but what is this room really for?”

“Hahaha, astute, aren’t you? This room will be available for you to use during your stay in whatever world.  But time in that world will freeze and only continue when you go back. So don’t think about hiding in this room forever.  You can also contact me here, as well as any Readers that wish to speak with you.  That, of course, will come later.”

“Who are you?”

“Ah, the million dollar question! Who I am currently is Dead Skeleton!”

The figure pulled his skeletal hands out of his pockets and took of his hood to reveal a weathered and cracked skull that had a burning yellow flame for eyes.

“What kind of name is that?”

“Would you prefer the Gamer Tag I use on CoD, Evl_Gngr? Or perhaps my MMORPG name 3v1lG1ng3r?”

“Heh?! What is with those names?”

“What, I don’t wanna use my real name yet!”

“Ugh…”

“Anyways, Josh Hammott, age 18, born on November 16th, average athletic build, decent looks, curious by nature, and graduated in the top 25 of your class. You have slightly above average capabilities that make me look pathetic.  You had a full ride to your favorite college, the girl of your dreams actually likes you, and you’ve never known failure.”

“Where are you going with this?”

“I wish you luck in this unfair world. See you in a little bit.”