Chapter 1 (Edited)

(A/N: It's been a while since I last wrote something. So, sorry if there are some mistakes here and there. I try to make my stories readable that's the least you can expect.)

Before my fall, the last thing I remember is the screeching of tires and pain greater than anything I've experienced in the 20 years of my life. The pain was intense enough to overshadow everything I've experienced.

Now, I'm stranded in pitch-black darkness. I'm unharmed, at least that I want to believe if it wasn't for the eerie and depressing surroundings and utter lack of senses from my body. I feel panicked and confused, wondering where I am at.

There is no light in this place for me to see.

There is no air for me to breathe in this space.

And, there's absolutely nothing in this place for me to feel.

This place gives me a creep.

I wonder if this is the afterlife. That is the only thing I conclude due to my memories.

I clearly remember dying. Getting smashed by a truck wasn't a pleasant memory, though.

My past life wasn't anything noteworthy. I was an orphan. Luckily, I was sent to a good orphanage run by a kind lady in her fifties. She was an orphan, so she took care of every kid in the orphanage kindly. Due to her presence, I spent 16 years in a typical environment without suffering from child abuse.

After 16, I separated to live independently. It was hard at first but doable after making some adjustments. I studied in a public school with a scholarship and managed to earn my living doing part-time jobs at a restaurant.

Luckily for me, I managed to secure a regular job at the kitchen in the said restaurant just after my high school ended. And in this way, I spent my time working in the kitchen for 50+ hours per week till I was 20. I didn't have time to get into any relationship. Still, I did manage to have some casual hookups with my co-workers now and then to relieve some stress.

Just the day after my 20th birthday, I was walking down the street to get some fresh air when I came across a cliche scene. A young girl around 15/16 years old was walking across the street with her attention focused on her smartphone. Unfortunately for her, a truck was heading straight in her direction, speeding over 120 kmph.

Watching this, I immediately ran straight toward her, yelling to get her attention. Unfortunately, she had AirPods in her ears which did a damn good job canceling the noise at the worst time possible in her life. So, left with no other choice, I pushed her out of the way just in the nick of time to escape her life's catastrophe.

But in return for her safety, I paid for my life. I don't regret saving her, but I feel lost thinking about it.

'I guess there's no use thinking about it. Now, I have a more pressing thing to do such as figure out where the hell I am.'

Ending my recollection, I look around the place to get some hints, but I find nothing.

Suddenly, I feel something approaching my place. I looked in the direction to see a source of light coming my way. The light illuminated me because there was nothing here except myself.

[Welcome to the Void, traveler. I am the system responsible for the management of stranded souls out here. Congratulations on getting here, as you can get another chance at life according to your wish. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to do so. Since this is the only chance for you to ask in person.]

Suddenly, the source of light presented a screen in front of me, showing the introduction. I am amazed after reading the info on the screen.

"You said this is the Void, right? Can you give me an introduction to this place. Is this the place people get after their death? If it isn't then why the heck did I get here?" I ask the most pressing question.

[That's right, traveler. This place is called Void. It is a chaotic place outside the dimension filled with absolutely nothing. Time and space have lost their meaning in the Void.]

[And, no, this place isn't the afterlife in your recognition. Usually, dead people have their souls rewashed and reincarnated in their respective dimensions.]

[But sometimes, some random higher dimensional beings can take some souls out for their enjoyment. They can customize these souls and reincarnate in their dimension or send them to the Void for transporting to a new dimension.]

[Void is not a safe place even for these higher dimensional beings. So, they just throw the soul out in the Void, hoping that they find another dimension.]

[I am the sole system responsible for the management of the Void. So, I'm responsible for sending these souls out of the Void by transporting them into some random dimension.]

[And finally, yes, your case is a unique one. Most souls can't even reach the Void without external help. Even if they do, by the time they're here, they've lost their will and personality. Higher dimension beings tackle this issue by putting the soul in suspended animation. Your case is the only one I've seen so far where a soul manages to reach the Void without losing its memories and personality. And that is why I'm here to give you another chance at life as per your wish within reasonable limits.]

I'm amazed after listening to the explanation. I don't have the power required to escape the dimensional barrier. So, my soul must have its own specialty to help preserve my memories and personality.

"What do you mean by 'another life as per your wish'?" I asked after contemplating.

[It is what it is. You can choose how to live your next life. After selecting the world, you can decide how to enter it. But first, you have to draw the dimension for your entry. Shall we get started then?]

Then, two options for 'Start the draw' and 'Wait a bit' appeared below the texts.

"So, do I get to choose the world which I get transported into?"

Before selecting, I asked hopefully. It's best to have some prior knowledge before entering the world.

[No, you need to choose a random dimension to enter. You may get transported into a fictional, technological, or primitive world, etc. There are many types of dimensions. It is up to your luck to decide where you end up.]

That answer cooled me down. But I still have one last question remaining.

"Do I get to keep my memories before entering a new dimension or will it get wiped out and start anew?"

[Don't worry, my only job is to send you to your new home. And it doesn't matter to me whether you keep your memories or not.]

I feel relieved after getting the confirmation. So, I waste no time selecting 'Start the Draw' option on the screen. There's no use for hesitation when I don't even know which dimension I will enter.

[Congratulations, you've selected the 'One Piece' universe. Do you wish to start the transportation procedure?]

After some lottery animations, the results were out. I was surprised to see the familiar name. I am not new to this name. Some of my friends in high school were otakus or anime addicts, whatever you call them. Due to their influence, I did watch one piece till the Arlong arc. But after high school, I couldn't afford to waste more time watching it due to my job.

I couldn't bring myself to regret not watching it in my situation. I did sometimes see some spoilers on youtube while relaxing, which cooled my anticipation for rewatching it. Like, some overpowered villain Imu-sama being the mastermind behind the world government. Whitebeard and Ace's death, whoever they may be. I also saw some thumbnails with a standard villain-looking Blackbeard being an octopus with three hearts or whatever that may be.

I know the basic power structure in that world being haki and devil fruits which is good enough for the start-up.

"Start the procedure. There's no use wasting more time since I know which world I will get sent into."

[Starting the transportation procedure….]

[Please select your name.]

"Victor"

(A/N: This was re-edited on 10/30/2021)