So there is life after death?

The city buzzed with life as Cain navigated the crowded streets, his steps quick and purposeful. He was just another face in the crowd, a background character in the grand tapestry of urban existence. But beneath his unassuming exterior, a sense of restlessness simmered, a longing for something more than the mundane routine of everyday life.

As he passed by a bustling café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, tempting him with its tantalizing scent. With a shrug, he decided to indulge himself, slipping inside to escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Seated at a corner table, he allowed himself a moment of respite, savoring the bitter warmth of his drink as he watched the world go by. It was a simple pleasure, but in that fleeting moment, it felt like the world was his oyster, ripe with endless possibilities.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. As he rose to leave, a sudden commotion erupted outside, drawing his attention like a magnet. Curiosity piqued, he stepped out onto the sidewalk, his eyes widening in disbelief at the scene unfolding before him.

A speeding car careened around the corner, its tires screeching against the asphalt as it hurtled towards a group of unsuspecting pedestrians. In a heartbeat, chaos erupted, screams piercing the air as people scattered in every direction.

Without a second thought, Cain sprang into action, his instincts taking over as he lunged towards the nearest bystander, pushing them out of harm's way just in the nick of time. But as he turned to flee, his foot caught on a discarded piece of debris, sending him tumbling to the ground with a sickening thud.

Pain flared through his senses as he lay there, dazed and disoriented, the world spinning around him in a blur of motion and noise. Around him, the chaos continued to unfold, the cacophony of sirens and shouts mingling with the pounding of his own heartbeat.

And as darkness began to creep into the edges of his vision, Cain felt a strange sense of resignation wash over him, a quiet acceptance of the role fate had chosen for him. For in that moment, he realized that even as a background character in the story of life, he had played his part, a fleeting moment of heroism in a world of uncertainty.

The darkness surrounding him felt like a cozy blanket, oddly comforting despite its ominous nature. He floated in a state of limbo, unsure of where he was or how he got there. Then, like a distant candle in the dark, a faint light appeared, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.

As he approached, the light grew brighter until it coalesced into the form of a figure. It was like staring into the sun – blinding and beautiful all at once.

"Hey there!" The figure's voice rang out, startlingly casual despite its divine nature. "Welcome to the cosmic waiting room. You're right on time!"

He blinked, momentarily taken aback by the nonchalant greeting. "Um, thanks, I guess. Where exactly am I?"

The figure chuckled, a sound like distant thunder. "Oh, just between realms, you know? No big deal. Anyway, I'm your friendly neighborhood deity, here to guide you through the afterlife bureaucracy."

"Wait, afterlife bureaucracy?" He furrowed his brow, trying to wrap his head around the concept.

"Yeah, it's a whole thing," the deity replied with a shrug. "But don't worry, you're in good hands. Now, let's get down to business."

With a wave of their hand, a holographic screen materialized before them, displaying a menu of options labeled "Reincarnation Perks."

"Okay, so here's the deal," the deity explained, gesturing at the menu. "Because you did some good, you get to choose your perks for your next life. Strengths, weaknesses, special abilities – the whole shebang. It's like creating a character in a video game, but with more existential consequences."

He nodded slowly, still trying to process the gravity of the situation. "Right, got it. So, what are my options?"

The deity grinned, their expression mischievous. "Oh, the sky's the limit, my friend. Want to be a musical prodigy? Done. How about super strength? Easy peasy. Or maybe you're more of a telekinetic ninja type? We can make that happen too."

"Of course, for every big advantage, there's also a disadvantage in order to balance things out, if you understand my gig," the deity added on.

"I see... are you doing this because in my next life I'm going to have to fight something like demon gods or the like?" Cain asked.

"Nope! It should be similar to the life you have lived, just an alternate universe, can't have you looking for your old friends, can I now," the deity responded.

As he scrolled through the menu, a sense of excitement bubbled up inside him. The possibilities were endless, each perk offering a tantalizing glimpse into the life he could lead.

"I choose photographic memory," he declared, his voice ringing out in the silence of his surroundings. "Mainly because forgetting something and feeling more stupid than I actually am feels stupid,"

As he spoke the words, a surge of energy coursed through him, igniting the latent power within his soul. With photographic memory, he would be able to recall every lesson learned, every book read, etc. It was a useful benefit in modern society.

"And I choose good genetics," Cain said. "Mainly because even though I did work out on a semi-daily basis, body dysmorphia is a bitch and I don't want to be a stick."

Another surge of energy enveloped him, infusing his soul with strength and vitality. With good genetics, he wouldn't be weak enough to not fight back, while also looking good, which is more of a social benefit.

"And I choose extreme pattern recognition," he continued. "Because knowing with certainty who is about to scam you and who you should be around is a good skill in business."

"And finally," he proclaimed, "I choose thought acceleration. I'm not that stupid, but I feel like I have no time to register things properly, even if my mind does it automatically."

After he said all of his perks which would probably be useful in modern society in smarts, physicality, and social wise, even if at heart he was an introvert, networking is an essential skill for a business man, and he wasn't planning to be poor in this life.

"Don't forget, you will also have disadvantages, but they will be disadvantages tailored for you, not general ones like 'terminal illness' which are boring to watch." the deity said.

"Yes?" Cain was a bit skeptical with that statement, but paid it no mind.

"Then have fun in your next life, Cain." the deity said, waving at him with their astral body.

"Thank you for this opportunity, good bye." He waved back, his vision turning white.

Authors Note:

I wonder what the disadvantages will be?