Capture Target: I'll have them all

My name is Ishida Riku, and I am 21 years old. I typically spend my time either studying or playing games, and I have a deep love for reading novels, particularly in the fantasy and science fiction genres. These stories allow me to escape into different worlds. While I enjoy the company of others, I often find solace in solitude, relishing my own thoughts.

However, today is special, as I get to attend my friend's birthday party. Surprisingly, I'm immersed in the fun, surrounded by people I cherish, sharing laughter and creating wonderful memories. The celebration is taking place in a private room at a trendy restaurant, where the savory aroma of delectable food mingles with the upbeat sounds of music, crafting a vibrant atmosphere.

A large banner reading "Happy Birthday Alan" adorns the wall in bold, colorful letters, while a table brimming with an array of mouth-watering dishes—from pizzas to sushi—beckons to be savored.

"Hey, I'm reading this awesome new fan fiction right now! If you're interested, I can share the link," Alan said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as we all turned toward him, eager to hear about the story he had discovered.

I'm sitting here with my friends, a tight-knit group of five boys, all enjoying a fantastic time together. Alan, the birthday boy, is celebrating another year of life filled with memories and laughter. He's a bit on the heavier side, with a round face and a mop of curly brown hair, but his bright smile and contagious laughter always light up the room. To my left is Taro, our resident athlete, who's built like a tank and has an unyielding passion for sports. Next to him is Kenji, the tech-savvy genius, always tinkering with gadgets and finding innovative ways to make our lives easier.

Then there's Alan, the bookworm, always nose-deep in a novel or fan fiction. Today, he's eager to share his latest discovery with us.

"No, I can't right now. I'm in the middle of a game, and I need to focus on that video game at the moment. Maybe some other time," I replied, my mind drifting back to that game.

Lately, I've been immersed in an R-18 game called Capture Target. Set in a magical medieval world, it features all sorts of creatures you've come across in various novels. The objective? Capture females of different species. It's incredibly captivating.

"Well, in the novel I'm reading, the main character chooses to reincarnate in a world of slavery, where he forms a harem of slaves. But if you had the chance, what would you choose?" Alan asked, his excitement palpable.

"By the way, if I get a chance, I would love to dive into some harem anime where there are tons of stunningly beautiful girls," said a guy with vibrant red hair who was sitting near me, and everyone around the table nodded their heads in enthusiastic agreement, sharing the same excitement.

"And I'd absolutely love to be transported to the game I'm currently playing because it has everything I adore," I replied, fully engrossed in the conversation. At this point, I completely lost track of time, and we were all far too drunk to even notice what time it was. It was astonishing how quickly time passed, and before I could register it, it was already 11 P.M.

"Oh man, oh sheet! Next time, please remind me not to drink too much and to make sure I get home on time," I exclaimed in a panic as I realized the late hour. "I really need to leave now; I have to finish tomorrow's college project, so bye!" I said hurriedly, picking up my bag. To make matters more interesting, I noted that I was not the only one in a hurry; my friends began checking the time too and were even more rushed than I was. They had their parents waiting for them at home, and the thought of being scolded for arriving late was likely weighing heavily on their minds.

Nothing like that was a concern for me, though, because I was an orphan, and the freedom that came with it felt bittersweet in moments like these.

"So bye, see you tomorrow in college," We said goodbye to each other and left for our home. As my house was not far from this place, so I thought it was right to walk and that again was my mistake, because I again very quickly forgot that I am very drunk right now and my limbs were not working properly and I can't walk straight. But by the time I understood this, it was too late because it was dark in front of my eyes and before I could understand anything, by that time I lost my senses and my eyes were closed.

I tried to remember what happened, but my head was spinning like a top and my mouth was dry like the Sahara desert. I didn't know how long I was unconscious, but when I opened my eyes, I was disoriented and confused. The darkness was suffocating, and I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.

"What The hell, Where am I?" I shouted at the top of my lungs, but my voice was swallowed by the void. I was met with an eerie silence, and it sent chills down my spine.

I opened my eyes wide, trying to see anything, but only thick black darkness was all around me, as if I am in space or, to be more precise, in a void because as far as I can see, that was nothing, not even a particle. I was floating in an endless sea of blackness, with no anchor to hold onto.

"Did I die? But how come I don't even know? And dude, I was about to graduate in just two more days. I also died without knowing the reason for my death," I thought to myself, my mind racing with questions and fears. I tried to move my arms and legs, but they felt heavy, as if they were tied down by invisible chains. Panic set in, and I started to breathe heavily, my heart racing like a runaway train. Where was I? How did I get here? And, most importantly, was I really dead?

(Humans are also very strange, they have to remain attached to worldly things even after death.) I was just thinking all this when someone said this from behind me, Hearing this voice from behind my back all of a sudden, I was horrified but when I gathered my courage and tried to look back to find out who was there, and there was no one there. The voice was echoing in the empty space, and I could feel the chill running down my spine. I tried to convince myself that it was just the wind or my imagination, but I knew it wasn't.

"Wh... Who, who are you?" I stuttered, my voice trembling with fear. "My name is Ishida Riku, I am a 16-year-old teenage boy, I mean, now a ghost, look, if you want to talk, come forward, please." I was so scared that I couldn't properly speak out a sentence. My words were stuck in my throat, and I could feel my heart racing like a wild animal.

(Ok, I really got a stupid person, let's make it short: you were dead, you reincarnated. Can you please wake up so I can complete my work. That girl, she is trying to wake you up for the last 3 minutes, but you are still asleep.) I heard that voice again, but this time I also couldn't see anyone, so I asked her the most important question.

"Wait! That means I'm still alive, and what do you mean by a girl trying to wake me up?" I asked, trying to process the information.

(well, to answer that, first of all, you died but because you did some good things in your life then you got this chance and you can take rebirth. It's important to understand that your previous actions have given you a unique opportunity to start anew, to experience life once more, and hopefully make better choices this time around.)

"Oh so my good deeds may come in handy but please tell me how I died and who are you and where am I. I need some clarity on this bizarre situation I find myself in."

(You had overdosed, unfortunately, and that led to a moment of impaired judgment. In your daze, you didn't pay attention while crossing the road, failing to look at the traffic lights, and as a result, you were struck by a truck. It was a tragic end, but not the end of your journey. I am your guide in this process, here to help you understand what has happened and what lies ahead. I will do the rest after you wake up. So please, WAKE THE HELL UP, YOU IDIOT! There's so much more for you to experience and learn!)