Death isn't the end?

*Number Zero*

Death was warmer than life. Number Zero's first thought when he regained his senses.

That's something you should've expected from someone jazzing the creepy skeleton-look for ages to beat a 17-year-old's score in a kid's game. Well, Number Zero did it. He smashed the kid's score into pieces.

But what now? Why could he think when he died? Was this the part where some devil grilled him in a pot, or some blonde chick with wings led him to salvation?

The questions bothered him, despite not having a physical body to speak.

As a bonafide atheist, he spat at both choices. If going by realism, he concluded two possibilities. Either he was in a deep coma lying in a room, or he was still alive as a brain in a vat… the theory proposed by some nutty scientist to develop the strongest artificial intelligence.

'That'd be flipping awkward!'

[Power initiating…]

A monotone voice you will hear on some broadcast echoed, and stylish violet letters blocked his vision. This definitely wasn't a coma state.

[Character Selection starts.]

[Male or Female.]

'Is this going to be his new avatar for interacting with people on screen? Shit… looks like I got the short end of the stick this time.'

These filthy humans never cease to amaze him. First, they made him live through hell for some greater good, then turned his death into the masterpiece of the century with this.

'What did that doc use to say every time he took my blood… 'Hail Hydra' if I recall correctly.'

Calming his seething anger, he mulled over his other non-existent options.

He had to make a choice.

'Fuck. Please make me a man.'

[Choose your appearance.]

Rows of presets appeared before him with a giant mannequin of his skinny-to-bones self blinking on the right side. He held enough potential to pass as an antagonist in any third-class horror movie.

From the oh-so-charming blonde showing his sparkling white smile, to the burly beardo you could find in a nightclub—none of these suited his preference. As if someone heard his complaints, more presets showed up. One even had green skin like a friggin' goblin.

'Can't I get my old looks back?'

The model on the right changed. Short, messy dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a sharp jawline. A body that could easily pass as athletic and a skull tattoo on the left side of the ribs.

The vague memories of the past reeled in his mind.

'This man, I remember him. That's… me as the 'Shadow'.'

The nostalgia of an almost forgotten memory made him warm and fuzzy. He started as an assassin because of his superb natural healing. Somewhere down the line, he began enjoying a carefree yet thrilling life. The scent of stiff notes was one thing. The aspect of sitting on top of the chain fulfilled something in him.

It gave him purpose. A sense of belonging.

Yet.

Everything came crashing down when he tried to bite more than he could chew. The normal university professor turned out to be some bigwig with a squad guarding him. They apprehended and caged him like he was some sort of animal.

He shook away the nightmarish memories and passed a mental command to whoever listened to him.

'If I have to become an artificial intelligence, why not be my original self?'

[Name your character.]

'Number zero… never! I'd rather use my old name Brennus… what was my last name again?'

No matter how deep he got into his fuzzy memories, he found nothing.

[Brennus, is this your final choice?]

He reviewed the name and appearance on the screen and passed an agreement, of course, a mental one.

[Constructing the custom avatar.]

A ripple passed through the darkness and a blue light emerged. Pixels swirled around a pillar of blue light and flashed a blinding light. What remained there was his new body with closed eyes.

[Initiating transfer…]

An irresistible force pulled him and everything went black.

When Brennus's consciousness returned, he blinked at the dark sky stretching far. It wasn't like the void he was in a minute ago.

'Wait, I can blink?'

He brought his trembling hands to my face. He could feel his full cheeks, his chest, and his pulsing heart. He stretched his limbs and sighed.

'Those idiots developed some amazing technology.'

[You can now customize your status.]

"Status?"

Before his words passed through, a large window surfaced. He read the violet text with great concentration.

[Choose your race. Chaos Points available: 1600]

[Human (Already purchased): The horizon for humans' evolution is limitless, the only thing holding them back is their emotions.

This race possesses no racial abilities or superpowers.]

[Newborn Angel (1000 Chaos Points): The celestial beings living in Heaven. The angels are known as god's servants by some, and messengers by others.

Racial abilities — Enhanced strength, speed, stamina, durability; flight; and long lifespan.

Weaknesses — Once their wings are removed, they lose their powers and become mortals; heavenly-made weapons and Judas' silver can inflict lethal injuries.

The influence of emotions can make them fall into the Fallen Angels race.]

'They even gave me the choice to be something other than human.'

"Oh dear, you are so wrong."

A female voice echoed around him. It sounded ancient, seductive, sharp, sweet. It was a mix of every female voice he ever heard.

"Who?"

Two golden glowing eyes tore the darkness, stuck in a large menacing skull. As the darkness died down, Brennus could see his surroundings. He was standing on a path leading into the spread open maw of a giant skull.

"Fufufu," a sweet giggle resounded. "You shall know my name if you finish my trial."

'Who was this mysterious woman leading me by the nose?'

"Though your theory of a brain in a vat is rather cute, it's not the truth. You, my friend, is going to be reincarnated."

"Reincarnated?"

Her words tempted the young man. Still, something too good to be true always came with strings attached. That's something he had learned in the twenty years of his life.

The woman giggled, breaking into laughter soon after. The path shook to the roars of her laughter. Brennus balanced his body and glared at the skeleton.

'This power… she is goddess… or some demoness?'

"Ah, my bad. I never laughed like this for ages. Now, let's get to serious business."

"Which is?"

"Choose your traits carefully. The world you live in has gods, demons, and mutants running amok right about now. Any carelessness will lead you to death."

"Okay…" Brennus replied blandly. He couldn't care less if the world had demons or gods. Even though he knew the powers he possessed were supernatural in nature.

"Quite calm here, aren't you? Does 'death' not faze you kid?"

Brennus shook his head. "I don't know. I was living like a dead man for years. Death can't be worse than that, can it?"

The woman chuckled. "I knew it. You're the perfect man. I shall not stop you any further. However, I'll say it again. Take your time in choosing your race and traits."

Perfect man? Did his skeleton self arouse some nympho god? He hid a shudder and nodded at her words. Getting assaulted by an abomination was worse than death.

The woman's laughter echoed for the last time, then an eerie silence descended. Brennus plopped down and looked over at the races. If what she said was true, he was in for a nice ride with the Angels and Demons.

[Newborn Demon (1000 Chaos Points): The demonic entities living in Hell, commonly referred to as Incarnation of Evil.

Racial abilities — Enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and durability; long lifespan.

Weaknesses — Extremely weak towards holy objects.]

[Kree (250 Chaos Points): The alien race living in the Kree Empire.

Racial abilities — Twice the strength, speed, stamina, and durability of an average human.

Weaknesses — They cannot breathe on other planets without special equipment.]

[Werewolf (750 Chaos Points): Humans born with the power to shapeshift into a werewolf.

Racial abilities — Enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and durability; high physical resistance.

Weaknesses — They are forced to transform on a full moon night; the closer they are to the full moon, the more instincts their behavior will become.

They are extremely weak to silver.]

[Aesir (2500 Chaos Points): The children of Asgard, still known and worshipped as 'Gods' by humans.

Racial abilities — Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability; Enhanced healing factor; Allspeak to converse with any race; long lifespan; potential to awaken a cosmic power.

Weaknesses — Every Asgardian is fated to participate in Ragnarok.]

The list seemed endless, containing weaker races and the strongest race being. 'Celestial' race costed 50,000 Chaos Points. Brennus rubbed his chin as he contemplated his choices.

'It's hard.'