Chapter 2: Reborn

Well snap, I seem to be dead.

Or at least in some psuedo death state. Maybe I got lucky and just passed out? I feel like I've been drifting in this nothingness for a while. Also, there not much to see here, and to be completely honest, I'm starting to get kind of bored.

Which is weird, because I didn't think my soul would have the concept of boredom after death. I didn't know what to expect after I died, I just didn't expect it to be so....boring. I continue to drift, trying to distract myself, when a sudden loud ping caught my attention

*System Activated*

What?

*System loading, choosing the optimal system for host*

Excuse me? Is this what I think it is?

*choosing best scenario/system settings/goals to optimize host survival and skills*

No way! It can't be.

*Please wait as system processes*

It is! looks like I'm living the life of the shitty web novels I always roast! Oh God I'm so excited! I wasn't expecting this but boy, am I ready. I'm a relatively competent person so this should be cake for me. With a cheat system by my side (or insides), I'll become a shitty main protagonist with powers, rivaling a God!

Or maybe not. I should stay realistic for now. I wonder what type of system I get? I hope it's combat based. It said it would optimize the system based on my skills and stuff right? Maybe it'll be martial arts! Thirteen years of taekwondo isn't nothing. Or normal arts! I've been making music with my friends for a couple years and we did a couple of shows. Or it could be just a complete fantasy, World of Warlords style! I have 1400 hours in the game and I'm sure my knowledge in it would be useful. My mind started to drift as I went slightly insane at the prospect of living in a fantasy world with unlimited power.

...

And I, Dean, Slayer of evil, will liberate you from your-

*System complete!*

Oh shit! It's ready!

*Harem King System Initialized loading world*

...

Shit it said Harem didn't it.

*sending host to the 31st World Tree*

Fuck I've been cheated! Give me a real system damn it! It's this type of stuff that got me killed in the first place you asshole system!

*World Loaded*

I open my eyes and get up like I just woke up from a nap. I start to look around me startled and still half pissed. Fuck, I can't believe I really was cheated. I Seem to be in the middle of a grassy plain and when I look ahead, there seems to be a large mountain in front of me.

Wait no.

That's a tree.

That's a freaking tree. I look at the behemoth that spirals into the clouds. the only reason why I knew it was a tree was the obvious braches sticking out of it. Its size was completely abnormal like many towns could fit in the area of land that this mountain took. It takes me a second to get over the sheer shock of the size.

Well, I should at least try to get this shitty system started.

*system closed*

What? Why? No, you gave me a shitty system and now you won't even let me use it?

*System is locked until first scenario is initiated*

...Well fuck. Before I could start cursing I Heard a gruff voice calling me out in the distance.

"Hey boy! You alright there?"

I turn my head to see this well built man riding a carraige towards my direction.

"Um, I'm fine, I'm just a little lost and... disoriented." I reply. By the time I answered he was right in front of me. He looks down at me, analysing me, which makes me slightly uncomfortable.

"You're not from around here, are ya boy?"

"well, I'm from out of town and-"

"No I mean, you're really not FROM here are ya?" he cuts in. What is it with everyone and cutting me off? and how does he know that?

"Sir, how did you know?" I ask.

"It's evident with that dumb look on your face" he responds as if it were obvious. "Also your clothes and the fact that this is the 31st world tree. We don't get them often, maybe once every couple decades or so, but any new comers of this world start at the bottom of the 31st world tree. My father mentioned my grandpa being a transmigrater, and he started here, just like you." he says the last part with a certain sense of pride.

So it seems reincarnaters aren't completely unexpected in this world. That makes some things easier.

"Well sir, you got me," I respond. I mean this guy seems nice enough. Maybe he can help me out? "I'm still confused about this whole situation, do you mind helping me out?" The man smiles. He holds out his hand for me to grab. At least hand shakes exist here.

"My name's Jehan, nice to meet you. And you?"

"Dean," I say confidently. but the moment I reached out for his hand, a notification popped in my head.

*Threat to host's life detected*

I immediately start to pull back my hand, but Jehan was faster. When he grabbed my hand, his smile turns slightly sinister.

"Why so shy? C'mon, aren't you lost? I can help you" he tries pulls me up with him, but before he could I kick my foot up onto the body of the horse. With a hard push kick and a pull of my body, I drag us both onto to ground.

While we were tumbling, he let goes of my hand and gets up first. By the time I was on my knees, he drew out a knife and held it against my throat.

"This could have been so easy. You could have just blindly followed me and I could have knocked you out. By the time you woke up you would already be someone's slave and I would have enough money to leave this damn tree." he tightens his grip on the knife and slightly nicks my neck. "This can still be easy. just cooperate and I promise I won't kill you." He relaxes his body slightly. "Please?"

Fuck you. when he relaxes a bit, I quickly move my head and chomp on his hand. The taste of iron quickly fill my mouth as I draw blood.

"Fuck, you animal!" he curses as he drops the knife. I pick it up, ready to defend my self when something unexpected happens.

The guy in front of me was frozen solid.

I didn't do that right? I didn't accidentally just kill him, right? when did I learn to freeze people? I didn't think I'd have an ice chomp. I frantically look to my left and right to check for witnesses, but I instantly saw her. Her hand was outstretched while ice particles were still fizzing out from it. My eyes widened and I dropped my knife in shock.

*system intializing*

No way.

*First Scenario Found! Welcome Host to Harem King System!*

It's impossible

...

It's Sophia.