Stuck in Other Worlds and I can’t Describe Doors

Chad

Sometimes I wonder why people clown on my name… Oh right, I can't get bitches for the life of me.

…

Doors.

Such wonderful creations. They open windows into other worlds (rooms) and they're meant to be appreciated for their very busy work. But, it seems as though not many people share that sentiment, often criticizing me for my love of doors.

Well, there I was, preaching the magnificence of the great Mahogany wood that came from a local farm nearby. When suddenly, a truck came barreling down the road, two cop cars in hot pursuit behind it. Sounds of gunfire rang through the streets from out the back, logs, planks, flying out the back door.

Over the next few seconds, I watched my life flash before my eyes, the truck swerving the corner where I just so happened to be. "WHAT THE Fu-" Those were my last words as a large Mahogany log smashed into my head, splattering gray matter all over the pavement.

Life was supposed to end, but it didn't, the intense cold of death's fingers tightly wrapped around my shoulders. Soon, several smaller hands began clawing at my back, the same sensation of pain stood at the center of my dead mind.

Pulling.

The hands were pulling me! But where? I never so much as believed in an afterlife, but this was unbelievable. Or maybe the right term for it should be… interesting. Dragging me further and further down, I passed rocks, diamonds, gold, many a precious metal, magma, and before long, we reached the center of the earth.

Passing what seemed to be the core of the planet, I was simply amazed. Not many people get to see the center of a planet, let alone enter it. This was one of the worst and best days of my life.

But what awaited me on the other side scared me. Instead of exiting out the other end charred or perhaps in the pits of hell, it was just the abyss.

A nightless day.

A sunlit night.

Ever changing.

Yet, it was all the same.

*Drawn out RIIIIING*

A deafening buzz. Like an alarm that won't shut up, or a child on a plane, I could barely even hear my own thoughts. My own thoughts.

I want to go back. I want to go back. "I WANT TO GO BACK!" I cried, trying to fight against it. I knew it was ultimately fruitless, but I needed to do something, lest I get eaten from within my mind like some shit out of Lovecraft.

*BVMMMM-P*

The buzzing... it finally stopped! Huh? Lights, big lights. Show lights to be more precise. All of them pointing at one singular point in space. Shielding my eyes to adjust them, I noticed my lack of hands. Better yet, my lack of anything in general. I was just a white glowing ball, hovering above the non-existent ground.

Looking up, a small figure descended from the heavens, gliding onto the highlighted mark. It was a white-haired young boy with red eyes, around 12-14, probably has Albinism. Still, he got down without the use of wires or fans. Wouldn't be the most surprising thing today, but flying is still amazing to see.

He gracefully landed with a soft poof, a small dust cloud accompanying it. Raising both of his hands to about head-level, he froze for a few seconds before clapping twice. The sound echoed in the endless void, as my body returned to me, clothes and all. And while I clearly saw it die, it was seemingly back to normal, not a single scratch besides the ones I had the day before.

"Welcome, visitor! You really are quite special, you know? I was very bored and decided to ask Death for a soul, you, so I could get some free entertainment. What does this entail you ask? Well, first, I'll give you a random CYOA and you'll build it yourself."

That sounded pretty good all things considered. While I won't be able to ever see my family again, I do get to travel worlds unknown. Anime was always a hobby I enjoyed, and fanfics were something that I read when I wasn't bothered enough to learn more characters. So being able to enter any of those worlds for the small price of my life becoming reality TV was worth it.

"Then, you'll pick a random world for yourself and another person. The second one doesn't matter, just the first. And with that, I'll leave the wheel to spin for you." He finished, a raffle wheel appearing on his right side, and a monitor showing its contents in front of me.

So if I'm getting this right, then, it means the name on the sheet doesn't matter, just the powers. The only thing I have to worry about is the world, one for me and another for some weird dude. Know nothing about him, but I might as well make him suffer a bit. It may just lessen my burden and take his eyes off me, even if it's just for a bit.

A small giggle escaped the boy as he tried to hold back his laughter. What was so funny? "Well, you see here, Chad. At this specific point in time, you are nothing but a soul. And while you may have a body to call your own, it isn't exactly the same. Basically, it means I can hear your thoughts. Not like I could already do that in the first place, but it's very annoying when people talk like I'm not here."

Shit.

"Shit indeed my friend, now go on, roll for your first item." The boy spoke more casually than I expected. He was on par with death, or at least has connections to the concept. So that should be some level of strength.

The last few ticks sounded from the wheel, its movements slowing until it reached whatever it was that chose. The "Celestial Forge" huh? Wonder how that'll work out. I don't exactly have a word counter, nor do I have someone writing my adventures… I think.

"Oh, that one just works when it wants to. You eventually learn that there are people higher above us we can't exactly touch. Don't have to worry too much though, it comes with a sheet explaining what you got." The kid explained, forming a throne made of ice to sit on.

Oh, let's get to the build then. I had two hundred to start, which was pretty good if I recall. And with roll happening once a week, it won't take long before my power starts rising to absurd levels. Though, I do wonder where to go first. But, let's check out what the forge made for me, that way we can build around what compliments it.

Alchemical Tome (My Little Pony -Friendship Is Magic) (400 CP) Buy attempt failed. Adding to balance.

Well shit. Time to find a main character we can rob. But with the forge, it'd be better to run around in a cultivation world, as those adventures take quite a bit of time to complete, which should net me enough time to have enough more power by the time the main group heads for godhood. And I might have just the world in mind.

"Hey ROB! What are the clear conditions in the world? If you don't mind me asking anyway." The question made the kid laugh. I don't know what's so funny about it, but it was to him.

Clearing his throat, he waved his hand and a gust of wind flipped the pamphlet over to the world section, where it explicitly says the clear requirements were simply decided by "Skye"... whoever that is. As for world hopping, I could take some drawbacks in exchange for CP before starting. Which ranged from giving me ten points all the way to a million. I could give myself a head start, at the cost of a literal arm and a leg. I chose my ass hairs.

"You little shit! Holy fuck, you really went that far, god damn. Okay. I'll allow it, but just this one time. If you ask for your pubic hair I will whore you out to femboy enthusiasts." He lazily threatened me from his oversized chair, laying down and waving his hands occasionally.

A shiver went up my spine, but it was expected as I was going this far. I'll just have to sell the "useless" body parts according to the internet and I should be set. So goodbye appendix, you useless piece of shit. Goodbye tailbone, my ass won't need you hurting me further. Sweet free thirty points will always be nice.

I didn't pick any other drawback after those, the lack of 'safe' options really dissuaded me. But, alas, it all came to an end, and I had to announce which world I had selected. Walking up the bored "king", he got and stated. "For the record, I already know what you're going to say, but I need to hear it from you. Mind reading or any of the sort isn't legally binding in court. Even if I could just blast my way out, it's more a nuisance than anything."

So ROBs have to follow the law, neat. "Alright then. I finished and read through the whole thing and I have also selected the world where I will spend a large portion of my time in."

"And where would you like to go?" The young man asked, his voice dripping with glee.

Taking a moment to sigh, I made up my mind, removing any sort of second thoughts on the matter. "The world of Against the Gods. And as for the second world, you told me to choose, it'd be the Binding of Isaac."

Snapping his fingers, the open space in front of me closed in on itself, sucking and twisting itself. It took about a second before it imploded, creating a sort of window to another place, one filled with lush grass and a never ending forest. "Where will this take me? Better yet, when will it take me?" He didn't seem to even bother with my questions, instead, a sudden force pushed me through the damned thing and into the new world.

…

That fucking prick could at least explain where the hell am I in this massive place. Though I wonder how cultivation will affect me? Regular humans don't have any sort of meridians, I think anyway. Perhaps the ROB slotted me with them when I entered this place, would explain the weird suction feeling.

Looking around, I found a piece of paper nearby. Picking it up, a hologram-like menu popped up in front of me.

[Clear Condition has been issued]

[Divine Realm Conqueror]

Objective: Dominate over a High-Rank Star realm.

Objective 2: Seduce Jie Yuan.

Objective 3: Gather all Seven Heavenly Profound Treasures {0/7}

Side Objective: Kill Yun Che {0/2}

Side Objective 2:Collect 300 Profound Cores {0/300}

Side Objective 3: Kill the Scarlet Dragon before reaching Emperor Profound Realm

Side Objective 4: Stop Xia Qingyue from committing suicide.

Rewards: {World Travel}

Side Reward: {Mirror of Samsara}, {Sky Poison Pearl}

Side Reward 2: Unlocks remaining 34 profound entrances.

Side Reward 3: {Lizard} Race

Side Reward 4: {Hub World} (Blue Polar Star)​

​

He just really wants to kill me, doesn't he? At least this confirms I do, indeed, have the necessary faculties to cultivate. Putting the paper inside my pocket, I let out a tired sigh. Onto the main topic, where the hell are we? Turning around, I found myself surrounded by the vast lands of greenery, the smell of morning dew wafting into my nostrils.

Energies unknown to me enter as I breathe, the act circulating it coming almost second nature to me. It felt like I had already done this at one point, directing the flow was like applying gel over an area, washing lines with a massive lump of something. Soon, the area lost it's luster, the cool air of nature lost as most of the energy has been to reinforce my body.

How? Did I just… Maybe I just got the hang of it because it was the simplest form of cultivation. That would make sense, I don't think it increased my strength by a lot. At a bare minimum, I was at least stronger than an average human, somewhere around your run of the mill high school athlete, nothing much in the ways of cultivation, where I haven't even burst through the first major stage.

Moving on, I needed to find some semblance of civilization, knowing whether Yun Che already died should be top priority because he has two of the treasures we need to get our tickets out. Wait, wasn't the number on the thing two instead of one? … I can use this. So long as it doesn't go up, it should be fine.

Turning my gaze to the cliff edge a ways off, I start walking towards it, trying to gain a better view of my surroundings. Once I reached the top, I was quite surprised. The sounds of water racing down the stream, birds chirping, and most importantly, and a view that overlooked a city that was larger than any I've ever seen.

I was about to run over to it, but I quickly remembered that it was the edge, and a fall at this height would be more than enough to kill me. Seeing as I still had some time, I sat on a patch of grass and absorbed more of the profound energy around me. Waving and spreading it around, I felt my muscles build connections on top of each other, my organs felt like they were being reconstructed from the ground up. Sounds became louder, the vibration of ants marching to their queen, the hairs at the back of my neck stood up, as the saliva in my mouth dried. And before I knew it, it had already turned night.

Standing up in a slight panic, I check the counter for my objectives.

{0/2}​

Taking a breath of relief, I lay my back onto the ground, my mind buzzing from hunger and my stomach grumbling for the same reason. While spending the entire day cultivating was not that bad of an idea, I at least got past the first major hurdle. And while I could lay here for the foreseeable future, the headache is not worth rest.

So getting my lazy ass off the ground, I start venturing towards the city, climbing over the tall walls with relative ease and without anyone spotting me. Once inside, I overheard a few drunks loudly talking, annoyed at the situation that was about to befall them the next day.

"He- He-. The damned buffoon! Taking the prized beauty of the city… I'll show him, taking all the prized swan meat for himself…" The first slurred and grumbled to himself, taking a swig of booze to nurse his ego. His buddies do the same, having the same sentiment as him on the topic.

"Youuuu said it bo-aoss! If he wasn't the grandson of that old coot I would have already killed him!"

"Ya! Wha- uh-t he said. If it were me, I'd tie him up to a chair and elope his fiance right in front of him, let her get a taste of a real man."

I think I'm in the right place. And a day before canon starts, little ROB must have felt extra special that day to put me here. Passing by the drunkards, I quietly take one of their coin pouches. They didn't notice at all due to their current predicament. Walking forward, I acted as if absolutely nothing happened, slipping purse into my… oh shit.

Taking a look at my clothes, the realization hit me like a train. While I was Chinese and blended in naturally, my clothes didn't. It stuck out like a sore thumb. Let's just run to a shop, grab some robes, and use these as sleepwear or something, anything that won't make me look like your standard reincarnator.

…

It took me a while. The large place was like a fucking maze! Every street looked the same and most people just ignored me. Thankfully some old guy showed me the directions or I would've been at it for so much longer.

Arriving at the destination, an old lady greeted me, showing some of her wares. There were robes of many colors and for many different occasions, some better than others, and I somehow confused a door for one of them. And while I wanted one with the same design, it was just too expensive, so I just bought one of the cheaper sets. As for the old clothes? The woman was kind enough to offer me a bag big enough for all of them to fit. So I thanked her for her gracious work, and paid for the items, walking out in fashion that would make me a "true" cultivator.

But there was still the problem of having no food, and as my stomach grumbled again for the umpteenth time, and with the small amount left in the pouch, I found it. Someone selling cheap smoked fish on a stick. Buying one from him, my mouth watered in anticipation, removing some bones, I slowly opened my mouth and ripped apart the fish. Something that I should have never done, but was desperate enough to do. With pin needles stuck in my throat, I rushed back out of the city, not caring about stealth in the slightest, the guard still did nothing as I leaped over the high wall and gurgled the river's contents into my gullet, trying my damndest to remove those blasted things.

It was then that an idea popped into my head, why don't I try to make simple constructs to remove them instead of trying to dislodge them? Good idea, but I don't have nearly enough energy to do that, and with the Heretic God Legacy stripping someone of their cultivation, it would prove useless to improve past what we need.

And another brilliant idea shone like a flashlight, why don't I just sneak into Yun Che's room and kill him right now? It doesn't matter if he even dies tomorrow, I'd get the clear conditions anyway. With a plan in mind, I scouted the perimeter of the city, walking around and sneaking into the Xiao clan's estate once it was later into the night and the drunkards retired to their rest.

The place that I needed to go to was located in one of the corners of this place, tucked where no one could see it. And the only place I see that would fit the description is a small section cut off near the forest.

I forgot something, didn't I?

Crap! The murder weapon! How could I be so incompetent to let such an important thing slip from my mind? It honestly baffles me. Taking a quick detour, I try to find a kitchen or food prep area. Some odd fifteen minutes of searching later, I was able to spot a few pots and pans sitting outside with a large building next to it. Crouching down to become less visible, I sneakily moved my way inside, walking in the dark without a map.

Apparently, someone else also decided it was a good idea for a midnight snack, as a large man walked in, opening the front door. He walked past the dining hall with a lamp in hand and went straight into the kitchen… where I was also located. Luckily enough, he didn't notice me, instead, going inside the pantry and bringing out a thick piece of meat.

Grabbing a butcher's knife and a cutting board from one of the cabinets strewn about the room, he placed them all on the floor and started to crudely whack at it, either in a vain attempt of getting ground meat or to tenderize the poor lump of animal flesh.

The sounds of metal hitting wood reverberated throughout the building, this had to be a daily occurrence because not a single soul came out to reprimand him during the entire session. It was like the people here were numb to it, having learned to tune it out after frequent quarrels.

Though it eventually ended, the memory of what happened will never leave my mind. Taking his business outside, I retraced his steps, finding a knife that looked close to a chef's knife. With this, I ran out the mess hall through the front door and once again started my search for Yun Che. And hopefully this time I have everything I need to kill him.

…

Sleeping soundly.

His breath moved regularly, his heart relaxed, and his mind at rest, it was about time I kill my first protag. Raising the knife up to his throat, I clutched it tightly with both hands before plunging it straight in, twisting it to ensure his demise. The sounds of gurgling were short lived as he died soon after.

{1/2}​

Blue light then shone around his neck, pulling out the murder weapon, I set the next one straight for his heart. The light show didn't just yet, the particles then began to mend his body, tiny strips weaving his flesh anew. Shortly there afterward, a yellow ball floated inside the body, holding a green marble that seemed to be of importance. And just like that, he was as good as new. Breathing returned to being soft, and everything was the same, save for the pearl jutting out from the center of his palm.

Greed had fogged my mind, the only thoughts remaining were about entering the realm of OP protagonist. Stabbing him a second time did not prove to be as simple as the first. Waking up from his sleep, Yun Che's eyes snapped open, pushing on my hands with all his strength. With desperation and confusion evident in his eyes, pushed his legs to kick me.

Diverting the force somewhere else, I drifted the knife over to the attack, jamming the thing inside. He tried to scream, but my hand covered his mouth. And using my other hand, I pulled out my weapon and carved a hole in his heart, stabbing it a multitude of times to make sure of my accomplishment. Wouldn't a medicinal expert rise from the grave now do we?

The final signs of his fleeting life left his eyes, and the struggle ended, falling limp and bloodying the bed.

While many would feel disgusted or perhaps disoriented, I on the other hand had but one thought. Why can't I describe the door's material?