A New Start: Birth

The rustle of movement surrounded a beautiful figure perspiring on lavish silks as she clenched her teeth to bite back the pain, manicured nails biting into her fragile flesh as they fisted into the bed trying to keep her still. Meanwhile, maids ran back in forth carrying tubs of water and soft cloth stained red from the precursor of life.

It was almost time, she knew, it was almost time to finally welcome her baby into the world, and despite the pain, she wanted to be awake to see her beautiful baby. No matter what the maids said, she could not simply pass out while she left the life of her treasure in the hands of others. No, as a mother, she had her pride and would, therefore, never let her precious children be handled by others as she ignorantly slept, unaware of the possible dangers her children faced at the hands of others.

She needed to pull through to firmly welcome her youngest child into this world. Even if she felt horrible, even if it hurt so freaking much as if someone were tearing her apart limb from limb, slowly enjoying the pure agony distorting her beautiful face, she needed to stay awake. Even through all that pain, she would not surrender to the sweet embrace of darkness, neither would she scream out to the heavens like a poor, miserable wretch. Her pride was too big to let her do that, afterall, she was no spring chicken to this sort of pain and she refused to let this amount of torture keep her from being the first to see her baby, and be it as it may be, adversity and pain had never once scared her, and today was no different.

Suddenly, she felt a sudden push on her abdomen and felt something coming out. 'It was time.' No sooner did the thought pass her mind than it took for her to quickly call over the midwife. Flurried steps rushed towards her cries as they quickly guided her into a series of breathing techniques to get her to control the pain so that she could use all her strength to push out the little darling from between her legs. To her, it was all a blurry mess as she felt her strength evaporate from her limbs, but it was enough. Loud, shrill cries pierced the air as she collapse on the bed.

"Congratulations madam, you have successfully given birth to a healthy baby boy!" Her head maid joyfully informed her, carefully placing the newborn between the exhausted mother's arms, taking precaution that the baby was in no danger of falling. Meanwhile, the mother smiled looking at the treasure between her arms, finally she could rest in peace.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ????? POV

Darkness surrounded him in a moist embrace as his foggy mind drifted in and out of consciousness. He couldn't think, he couldn't speak, but he didn't care as he felt his soul at peace for the first time in what must have been a long time. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that he mustn't be here, he knew that he needed to snap out of this trance and move forward, but his body wouldn't comply. Suddenly, a cold, meticulous voice rang out, but he couldn't make out a word it said as bright light stung his eyes and a chilly burst of wind froze his fragile body. All too soon, a pair of firm, raspy hands took a hold of him, and, despite his struggles, they pulled him out of the warm comfortability he was in.

Pain, that was the first thing he felt when he was engulfed in the stinging bright light. He wanted to call out to whoever his attacker might have been, but all that came out was a high pitched shrill that tortured his poor ears, and not long after, he was placed down on what must have been a soft mattress as gentle white arms surrounded him.

'What was happening?' He couldn't help but wonder, not expecting for anyone to reply. However, he was startled out of his wits when the same cold and stiff voice answered him.

"Welcome to your new life Master Host, you have been reincarnated into a new world as stated in our contract."

'Contract? I don't remember ever signing or agreeing to any contract whatsoever!' He couldn't believe it. All he had wanted was a second chance to make things right, to go home one last time and give his parents the biggest hug he's ever given and kiss them on their cheeks like he used to do as a little boy while telling them how much he loved them; all he wanted to do was to go back home to the annoying little sister he used to envy so much and kiss her forehead, treasure her a little more before finally saying how much he regrets taking her out that night, that miserable night that was their last. But, no, instead he finds himself in some strange new world with some creepy voice in his head telling him that he must abide by some bullshit contract he never even heard about before agreeing to be reincarnated.

"It is the rules Master Host, you didn't really think anything was free in this world, did you?" Despite the mechanical voice, he could make out the obvious sarcasm which tinged its very voice, and at that he couldn't help but laugh a laugh that sounded like cute gurgles to outside world, but to him it was tinged in hysteria and dry, humourless laughter that couldn't be any more appropriate in his situation. He was scammed. He knew that he had been, without a doubt, scammed by some evil entity. What god or higher power bullshit?! He was clearly taken advantage of by some fucked up sadist looking to find some enjoyment from his torment, but, well, that worked perfectly to his advantage. Whatever fucking power or entity that had the twisted sense of humor to bind him in a contract may sit in its throne all it wants, but the fact is that it gave him another chance and, this time, he wasn't going to blow it, gods and devils be damned.

'Very well voice, have it your way. Tell me what are the terms to this contract of yours.'

"I prefer to be called Administrator, but to answer your question Master Host, there are 3 parts to your contract: the preparation period, the mission, and the rewards and punishments."

Beautiful, moss green eyes lid up at the mention of rewards, it seemed that the power in charge wasn't as big of a bastard as he initially thought. Nevermind the mention of punishments, afterall nothing could ever be given too easily as he had just been reminded.

'What does that mean exactly?'

"That is to say, that before you can complete the tasks given to you by the one who brought you here, your physical body must mature first and adjust to this new world. Therefore, the boss has kindly given you 7 years to make any preparations needed to successfully complete your given missions. Afterwards, your first mission will be given on your 7th birthday and must be completed within 6 months of given date. If its accomplished successfully within the period of time, you will be rewarded greatly, but if you fail you shall be put under tremendous pain as your first warning. Fail 3 times and your soul will be destroyed. Any questions?"

It was a lot to take in and it seemed to him he had no room for error; after all, the thing he hated most in this world was pain in any shape or form. With that said, there was only one last question in his mind to be answered:

'Other than the rewards, will I get any other advantage to help me complete these missions of yours? For example, providing me with information or special skills."

To that, the administrator could hardly hold in its ridicule from leaking into its voice.

'Of course not. Providing you with such a long preparation period was more than kind enough, there isn't anything else to be given to you. The rewards will be more than enough if your good enough and halfway smart enough to complete the tasks first. After all, this is not a charity. Don't be a greedy fool who can't at least make his own money, my role here to observe and make sure the contract is obeyed, no more no less."

At the Administrator's condescending words he couldn't help but curse out the bastard who thought it a good idea to basically leave him there clueless and vulnerable to any danger without any sort of advantage, but what could he expect, this wasn't one of those cringy hero movies where everything was given to the protagonist from the very start. It seemed that he needed to work hard and prepare in these coming 7 years if he wanted to live long enough to correct his past regrets. What else is new, life was never all that kind to him, or, else, how could he fall for that stupid bitch and get himself tangled up in this shitty situation. He would need to come up with some sort of plan soon, but, for now, this new body of his couldn't take much more and he could only helplessly fall asleep amidst white arms grieving for his future to come. Why couldn't anything ever be simple for him?

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