“I don’t know how it happened, it all occurred too fast.”

“If I remember correctly, it was raining heavily. I was waiting at the train station when…”

“Ah, that’s right. I was pushed. Wait, where am I?”

The consciousness attempted to look around, but all it could see was utter darkness surrounding it.

“This is… creepy. I can’t even see my hands even if I try to wave it in front of me.”

“Am I even waving them? I couldn’t feel it…”

All of a sudden, a blinding light penetrated the darkness. It was so bright that the consciousness didn’t even notice its own lack of physical form as it was too distracted by the light.

“Welcome to the afterlife.”

A monotonous voice of a woman suddenly spoke inside its head.

“Wha-!? Who are you? Where am I?”

“Unable to process your first query. As previously stated, you are in the afterlife.”

“Afterlif—“

Just as the consciousness was about to speak, it was interrupted by a loud ‘ping’ sound followed by a gray box appearing in front of it.

[SYSTEM]

Please determine your race.

“Ehh? What the hell is this?”

“…”

“Race? I, well, I’m Asian…?”

[SYSTEM]

Error, no such race as “Asian”.

“What? Isn't that racist? What do you mean by 'race' then?”

[SYSTEM]

There are two types of races, Anthropoid and Non-Anthropoid.

“That… doesn’t really give me anything you know?”

[SYSTEM]

Anthropoids are humanoid creatures, anything that walks upright, has more or less four limbs and vaguely resembles a human. Non-Anthropoids are any creature other than those.

“Eeeeeeh? Are you asking me if I’m a human or anything else? I’m obviously human!”

[SYSTEM]

Your race is [Human]. Do you confirm?

“Of course! What, do I look like a frog to you? I’m—”

The consciousness paused. It tried to look at itself but sees nothing.

“Whaa—what’s happening? Where’s my body? What the hell is happening?”

[SYSTEM]

Confirmed. Your race is [Human].

Acquired: [Human Ingenuity] Passive Skill, [Stamina Regeneration 1] Passive Skill.

“Hey, answer me! Where is my body?”

“As of the moment, your body is being recovered from the incident which has caused your death.”

The female voice once again echoes inside the consciousness’ mind.

“D-death… You mean, I’m dead?”

“Yes.”

It replied unfeelingly.

“…”

The consciousness fell silent.

[SYSTEM]

Please determine your class.

The consciousness ignored the gray box in front of it, only contemplating the fact that it is, in fact, dead.

“I’m really dead, huh? Well, that makes sense. I was pushed to the train tracks after all. Why am I even denying it right now?”

It sighed softly.

“I don’t even care. Choose whatever you want.”

[SYSTEM]

Choosing randomly…

“Ehh? Wa-wait, I was just—“

[SYSTEM]

Your class is [Arcane Artificer].

Acquired: [Wood Crafting 1] Passive Skill, [Arcane Crafting 1] Passive Skill, [Craft] Active Skill.

“Eeeeeeeeeh?”

“Wait a second, undo! Undo! I was just… won’t you even ask if I confirm the class or not?”

[SYSTEM]

Please determine your subclass.

“…”

“Whatever. If I’m already dead I might as well enjoy this last bit of fantasy.”

“Fine then, show me all the available subclasses.”

[SYSTEM]

There are 1,716 subclasses. Please choose from #1 - #858 or #859 - #1716.

“T-THAT MANY? T-then, show me a random one instead.”

[SYSTEM]

Blacksmith / Subclass

A crafting-type class focusing on forging metallic weapons, armors and accessories.

“Uh, well, it’s a typical blacksmith alright. Show me another one.”

[SYSTEM]

Summoner / Main Class / Subclass

Summoners specialize on conjuring monsters and other entities to fight in their stead and do their biddings.

“You can pick a main class as a subclass? What’s the difference then?”

“…”

It appears that neither the voice nor the box answered the question.

“Er, can I have additional information on the subclass system?”

[SYSTEM]

Subclasses are a lesser type of class that serves to support the individual at a minor degree. It is possible for one to pick a main class as a subclass but its effects and abilities will be greatly reduced to a supporting role as opposed to picking it as a main class.

“I see… Well, that’s to be expected. It would be overpowered otherwise.”

Suddenly, the consciousness remembered the main class that was randomly picked for it.

“Wait a second… Can you show me the details of Arcane Artificer?”

[SYSTEM]

Arcane Artificer / Main Class / Subclass

A crafting-type class, Arcane Artificers produces works imbued with magic such as enchantments. It is also the only class capable of creating pure magic items.

"My main class is a crafting-type? How am I supposed to fight and grind then? What a terrible game design."

“And what's with pure magic items? Well, anyway, show me another random class.”

[SYSTEM]

Ruler / Subclass

A social class that focuses on controlling and commanding others through non-intrusive means.

The consciousness spat out its non-existent saliva.

“Whaaat? Isn’t that too strong? And what do you mean by non-intrusive means?”

[SYSTEM]

Intrusive control attempts to influence the target by applying debuffs onto them. These includes hypnosis, mind control, fear etc. while non-intrusive control influences the target by affecting the caster/user’s characteristics.

"Uhhhhhh..."

“Oh, I see. Basically, intrusive control forces you to do what a person says while non-intrusive control makes the person worthy of obedience so that people willingly follows them… am I right?”

No response.

“Hmm... Being able to control others huh? Hehe, maybe~…”

After contemplating for a while, the consciousness finally decided.

“I pick that Ruler as my subclass then!”

[SYSTEM]

Your subclass is [Ruler]. Do you confirm?

“Yes!~”

The consciousness joyfully agrees with its mind filled with malicious intent.

"Still, this is awfully elaborate for something like a dream... I’ve heard stories of people’s lives flashing before their eyes but this is too different and bizarre. The human mind really is vast."

[SYSTEM]

Confirmed. Your subclass is [Ruler].

Acquired: [Charismatic 1] Passive Skill, [Subject] Active Skill.

You will now be transferred to the world in (5) seconds…

“Huh?”

(4)

“W-w-w-wait, wait, wait! What?”

(3)

“Aren’t I dead? Isn’t this just some kind of near-death hallucination?”

(2)

“At least tell me where I’m headed!”

(1)

Suddenly, the darkness that was surrounding the consciousness appeared to get sucked away to a single point and replaced by a vivid blue sky light. Within just a split second, it went from floating in the middle of total darkness to falling from a very high altitude towards the ground.

“WHAT THE HEEEELLL!?”

“What is happening!? Why am I falling!? This feels all too real!”

[SYSTEM]

You have now arrived in the world of Drasil!

For immersive purposes, your body has retained your gender (Male) from your previous life. Your appearance has also been copied as much as possible, adjusting to the new characteristics of your body. Enjoy your stay!

"P-previous life? What, you mean, I've been reincarnated or something?"

He quickly examined his body, touching every possible part and confirmed that it was indeed his body with minor changes.

"I have a body! I can touch things! I can't believe this... Am I really alive?"

He pinched himself, skeptical of the idea that he's alive again despite dying just moments ago.

The sharp, stinging pain that caused his forearm to swell red was a welcomed pain. A confirmation that he's been given a new chance, a new life to live.

"I'm really alive! I'm really alive!"

Yet the lush, green land that's rapidly approaching him reminded him that this wasn't the time to rejoice.

"Crap, I forgot! How am I supposed to break my fall!?"

"Crap, crap, crap, crap..."

"Uh... uh.... System!"

[SYSTEM]

Level: 1

HP: 100

MP: 100

[Inventory] [Skills] [Map]

"I, uh, I would like to see my skills! Hurry!"

[SYSTEM]

Passive Skills:

[Arcane Crafting 1]

[Charismatic 1]

[Human Ingenuity]

[Stamina Regeneration 1]

[Wood Crafting 1]

Active Skills:

[Craft]

[Subject]

"What? That's all?"

"..."

"How am I supposed to save myself with these? I’m falling to the ground!!"

Strangely enough, although he sound and acts panicked, he’s not as panicked as someone would normally be in this situation. Perhaps his first-hand experience of being run over by a train has affected him in other ways…

“No way, I’m done already? I was given a second chance only for me to die at the very start?”

He closed his eyes and waited for his inevitable death once again, as he did before.

However, just when he was about to hit the ground, mysterious colorful circles with unfamiliar characters written on them suddenly appeared on the ground where he was supposed to land, significantly slowing down his fall. He was now slowly descending.

“I’m… not dead?”

As he slowly opened his eyes, what he saw was not the same darkness engulfing him but the lush, green forest of narrow trees.

With his legs slightly shaking, he took a single step forward and thoroughly examined the sensation of grass. The smell that it gives off, the sound of its crunching, he took it all in. He was alive.

His body could no longer hold the weight. His legs collapsed to the ground, while his hands grasped the grassy soil.

He was so overwhelmed that he didn’t notice the small, green creature that’s wielding a crude spear sneaking up behind him. And then—

"Spat!"

A sharp pang of pain suddenly permeated throughout his left shoulder.

Blood trickled down from it as he slowly looked at it with great distress and confusion. Protruding out of it is what looks to be a rusted tip of a poorly-made spear.

Jagged and deformed, it sticks out of his left shoulder like the head of an arrow coated in blood-red paint.

“Eh?”