1 Reincarnated

"As terrifying and painful as reality can be, it's also the only place where you can find true happiness." — James Donovan Halliday, Ready Player One.

~~~

The story begins one night on a New York City street corner. There was a crowd of people and a whisper echoed, hands holding cell phones. As if they were watching an attraction. But in reality, what they saw right now was a young man lying covered in blood.

The young man who was dying was the hero of this story.

'Urgh.. What are these idiots doing? Why are they only watching? Can't anyone help me?"

Even though the young man was in this pitiful condition, people still pointed their cell phone cameras at him. Even among the crowd, a woman was doing a live stream.

The scene disgusted him. If he had enough energy, he would have shouted, "Fuck you all!"

The boy's name was William. He was ordinary, like most people. Capitalist slaves, earning minimum wage, lots of bills with almost no time to enjoy life like the others. For 18 years, his life never incised any achievement at all. There was really nothing special about him.

Willy gripped the envelope in his hand tightly. He just got a big loan for his mother's surgery. However, a truck hit him while he was trying to cross and just left him on the scene.

'Damn it! What if I couldn't make it? Will the surgery be canceled?'

Willy's thoughts and feelings were racing.

His first thought was of his mother's future.

William really couldn't bear to leave his mother alone. She was the most admirable figure in his life. A single parent who raised him in such a cruel difficult world.

It couldn't be helped, bad luck could happen to anyone.

The warmth on Willy's body faded, his breathing stopped. The heart was no longer beating.

After struggling to survive for a while, Willy's life was finally over.

At least in this world.

Willy felt like he was drowning in a deep ocean. His eyes were closed, but he knew he was in the infinite darkness. His body felt like it was sinking, yet it never hit the bottom. Suddenly, Willy's back felt a touch of warmth. Then it spreads throughout the body.

'Warm.'

A bright light pierced Willy's eyelids.

*woooong*

Willy opened his eyes slowly. He looked around.

'Where is this?'

Willy was standing on a path lined with rocks. Torches with dark blue flames lined the road.

At the end of the road was a well and there stood an old man wearing a black robe.

The old man saw Willy from a distance as if he had been waiting for him for a long time. Willy's seems to be called by the figure and he walked towards him.

Sky blue eyes stared into Willy's eyes as if they could see everything Willy had been through.

"So how? Pretty harsh, wasn't it?" the old man asked.

Willy's forehead frowned, he was a little confused by the words of the person in front of him.

"Sorry, I don't understand. Who are you? And where is this? I… i was hit by a truck" he stop a moment and found his own answer "i am dead am i?" Willy said.

"Well, you're awake now. What do you think happens after people die?"

'I see.. i guess, this is the afterlife,' thought Willy.

"That's right," said the old man. Willy was surprised, while the old man smiled faintly.

"Can you hear my thoughts?" Willy's eyes narrowed, staring at the man.

"Of course. I am a God. God, Holy Spirit, Grim Reaper, Devil. There were many names. But my real name is Posea."

Willy's eyebrows shot up as if to say 'oh'. Actually, he didn't really believe in mystical things. Gods, goddesses, angels, demons, or spirits. To him, it was just a superstition. But who would have thought, now that entity was standing in front of him.

"Honestly, I'm not a believer. Am I going to go to that place? Hell?" Willy's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't hide his concern.

"Hahaha. Don't worry, you're not going there. Tonight you're lucky," answered Posea. The lines on his face widened.

"Figures, I'm not going to hell. Then where will I be put?" Willy frowned.

"A place that everyone wished for, especially for those whose lives are full of suffering. A place to start a new life. A life full of happiness." Posea put his arm around Willy's shoulder, then one of his hands pointed upwards.

"You will be Isekaied."

Willy was surprised. Not because he was told he was going to live a new life. But because of the phrase 'isekai'.

'What did he say? Isekai? Does God likes anime?!' Willy forgot that the person in front of him could hear thoughts.

"Hey! What's wrong with liking anime. Everyone has their own preferences," protested Posea. Willy's words seemed to offend Posea because he likes anime. Though Willy did not mean to offend at all.

"There's nothing here to offend you. I was just surprised."

Posea feels a little awkward. He just realized he was a little too sensitive. He quickly regains his posture

"Ahem." Posea cleared his throat, trying to restore authority. "Alright, let me take you now. To your new world."

"Ah, please wait. I'm actually not really that interested in starting at a new worlds"

Posea laughed loudly. "Don't worry." Then he whispered into Willy's ear. "You'll get a privilege." After that, Posea smiled broadly while looking at Willy.

Willy didn't budge at all. In fact, he wanted to return to his world.

"I like your 'isekai' offer. But I'd rather return to my home. I.. i still have responsibility."

The responsibility that Willy meant was his mother.

Willy looked into Posea's eyes expectantly, hoping for his understanding. Because this Posea was God, and God was synonymous with mercy. Willy hopes to be understood then sent back to his world.

But that wouldn't happen.

"Huh? You turned down my offer."

Instead of mercy, a feeling of humiliation welled up in Posea's chest. For Posea, rejection was an insult.

"Tch." Posea spitted to the ground. "Nonsense. You haven't tasted the beauty of your new life. That's why you still can't let go of your old life. Come here! Don't talk too much, I'll take you to your new world."

"Sorry, Posea. But I still have a lot of things to do. Especially my mother. She's alone, with her current condition, it's too much for her."

Hearing that, an idea popped into Posea's head

"What if I take your mother's life?" Posea smiled wickedly

Willy. He couldn't hold himself back anymore.

"You goddamn god! I've struggled all my life alone, with only my hands. You, who claim to be God, where when I need you? I endured suffering for years. Then suddenly, you took my life and forced me to go to another world!"

Like pouring oil on a fire, Willy's words made Posea enrage. His eyes were fiery, ready to destroy the world and everything in it.

"What did you say?" An angry tone escaped Posea's mouth.

A hand grabbed Willy's neck from behind, then he was thrown into the mouth of the well.

"You said you've been fighting alone all this time, right? Then prove it. You see that?" Posea pointed into a well filled with murky water.

"That murky water will become your new world. It's ten times sadder there than your previous world. If you can survive and get out of that world, not only will I return you to your original world, or live happily with your mother. I will grant all your wishes.

Posea's mouth moved closer to Willy's ear.

"There are no happy families, inborn superpowers, or harem empires. There are only those two hands that you are proud of! When you have realize how foolish it was to refuse the new life I offered you, go seek the prophets and find me again"

Willy's breathing quickened, so did his heart. He had a bad feeling. Regret appeared. Willy thought he should have been more level-headed and persuaded Posea.

"W-wait a minute—"

Unfortunately, Willy was too late.