What is life?
I asked that question my whole life, all 24 years of it. I thought I would have figured it out by now, well... Nope.
Still struggling to deal with everyday life and the shit it throws at me, not a day goes by without me having to go through a random problem that pops out of nowhere.
In a third world country, depression isn't a rare thing to find. On the contrary, it's so widespread, by now it became the norm.
You don't have to look that hard to find someone with a traumatic past or experience. It could literally be your neighbor, your friend, even your boss at work. Literally anyone.
My point is, I'm one of those who had to deal with a traumatic past.
And how am I dealing with it you might ask.
By simply immersing myself in another world by any means possible. games/movies/anime/manga/novels you name it, an escape of sorts. at least... it works.
And right now, I'm immersed in one of those worlds.
TheLastofUs, a masterpiece in my humble opinion. Although the ending is a bit too depressing for my taste.
***
[ Pov ] : Andrei Varga
" Yhawn... Hmm, it's past midnight already?" I asked no one in particular while looking at the time, my back hunched in front of my laptop.
' Damn, I gotta stop playing already. My shift is in the morning.' I thought to myself.
" But it was the right call to replay ''' The Last Of Us 1'''. I missed so many details and background storys the first time around." I thought out loud with a profound sense of fulfillment.
" All right, gotta hit the hay already. don't want to get Sara on my back for being late again. honestly, what's wrong with that woman. It was just one time." I shivered for even thinking about her shrill voice yelling at me.
I got myself self up from my awkward position somehow, legs numb and back deformed like that one Disney story, The hunchback of something or whatever.
" Argh, I really need to get a decent setup for my gaming escapades. Cuz this ain't cutting it." But like anything in this world I need a lot of money for that.
I took a quick refreshing shower and then dropped into my soft mattress, leaving my tired body to do the rest.
And finally, that sweet sweet sleep took me into its arms.
***
[ Pov ] : Third Person
Darkness.
No pain. No dreams. No awareness. Just... nothing.
Then, light. Gentle, but unnatural. Like a spotlight with no source.
He blinked.
He was standing now, barefoot on something smooth. Not cold, not warm. The space around him stretched into emptiness.
"You're awake," a voice said.
He turned. The figure standing across from him wasn't human. Not in the way it looked, at least. Its shape shifted every time he focused. Male, female, neither. A silhouette filled with stars. It felt disorienting to look at.
"...So I died," he muttered. It wasn't a question. He just felt it deep down.
The figure didn't answer, not directly.
"You have two options."
He narrowed his eyes. "Why me?"
"That's not important."
"It kinda is." Browse creased from the visible frown on his face.
The entity tilted its head, or what looked like a head.
"You want meaning? There is none. You died. Heart failure, in your sleep. Quiet. Peaceful. And now, here we are. The cycle of souls, the machine of rebirth, continues. You were just supposed to go back in. Start fresh, forget everything. Like a system reset."
"So why stop me?" He asked, both confused and somehow intrigued.
"Because you're... interesting."
"That's it?" His intrigue didn't last for long :(
"You ask good questions. You think too much. Most souls don't."
He stared for a moment, unsure if he was supposed to feel complimented or insulted.
The entity continued. "So here's the offer: Restart like everyone else. Factory reset. New family, new body, no memories of the life you had. Or… pick your world."
He blinked. "My world?"
"Any world you've imagined, seen, played, read. But with limits. You'll spin for one thing and wish for another. One will be a power or ability. The other, a system. But they must fit the world you choose."
"..."
"You can't go to a world like Earth and wish to fly or shoot lasers out of your ass. It has to make sense. Fit the tone, the rules, the setting."
He stared at the Entity, then let out a small laugh, dry and tired." Haha... haaaa."
"This is insane."
"Probably."
He looked down at his hands. They were the same ones he remembered. Pale. Thin. Still with the little scar on his knuckle. He rubbed it absently.
"Why would I go back? To a world that ate me alive slowly?" Still remembering the years of struggle and anguish he had gone through.
The figure said nothing.
He looked up again.
"...Alright. Fine. I'll bite." What other choice was there, and he certainly wouldn't go back to that world, even if he wouldn't remember any of it.
" I want to go to The Last of Us." He said with a determined tone of voice.
"Why?" Questioned The entity.
He paused.
"...Because it's broken. Like me. No rules, no fake smiles, no deadlines or rent or people pretending they care. You live or you die. Simple."
The Entity didn't nod, but there was a sense of understanding in the stillness.
"And the infection?" it asked.
"I'd rather fight monsters I can see than live with ones in my head." For he already experienced what it's like to do that for years.
Silence.
"Alright," the Entity said. "Then pick. Do you spin for power and wish for a system? Or spin for the system and wish for your power?"
He bit his lip, thinking.
Inner voice kicked in.
' So this is it. One chance. Two moves. Spin and wish. No redo. This isn't a game. But it's as close as I'll ever get.'
"...Let me think." He had to make sure if he was going to such a chaotic world, he would be prepared for any and all surprises that he encounters there.
The silence that stretched almost an hour was broken by Andrei's sure and determined voice now that he made up his mind about what he wants.
"... First, I would like to spin for a power then think of what system I'll wish for." He said, having calculated the risks and benefits.
" ... "
His thinking process is of what the Entity said about there being a limit to what power he'll get or wish for, like in his situation when he chose an almost ordinary World. Making it impossible for him to gain any supernatural power or anything that goes beyond a humans limits.
So he would gamble for a power/ability, if he got a good one he'll wish for a system that supports it or gives him a home advantage in the world of The last of us. And in case the power/ability was mediocre, he would wish for a growth system that helps him reach his limits in any respective skill he would need in the next world.
He wouldn't lose either way, but he would love to have the first option play out for him.
" You've intrigued me quite a bit, it's a very sound thinking process... Interesting." The Entity gave him what felt like the most pressure-inducing stare he'd ever had experienced.
He could feel sweat dripping from the side of his head.' I forget for a second there and didn't remember I was standing in front of something beyond my comprehension... Phew.'
The Entity raised it's arm and with a snap, a grand looking wheel materialized by it's side.
Click! Voooom!
" Go on." Said the Entity pointing at the wheel.
"... Here goes nothing." Andrei said, psyching himself up.
And with a powerful push he spun it.
Whooosh.
Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.
The clicking sound made him more anxious for results more than he thought he would be.
The spaces where there are options for what he'll get being blank with a *???* Sign.
Tak. Tak.
Tak.
After what felt like an eternity the wheel stopped. A dark purple sphere exited the triangle that was aligned to the arrow.
Now hovering on top of the Entity's hand.
" Haha, would you like at this. Be proud for your Gamble produced an exemplary success." That small laugh unnerved him more than when The Entity was silent.
But still, his Gamble was a success.' Fuck yes, I still have some luck I guess.'
He reached for the dark sphere that slowly drifted to him, once it made contact with his hand it felt like something rushed into his mind giving him the basic overview of what he got. And what he read shocked him greatly.
" ... "
[ Template ]
Name: Mixed Assassin Template
• Function: Grants combat/tactical knowledge and instinct of top 10 assassins
• Unlock Order: Reverse (10 to 1)
• Unlocked at Start: Rank 10 - Arthur Bishop
- Template Unlock Costs (Shadow Marks)
* Further information is locked until Mixed Assassin Template integration.
" This is... Insane, with just this I'll be set for life in that kind of world." He said, with fever. Shaking from excitement.
In a world where you will eventually need to dip your hands in human blood, this Template is a huge boon.
Although he acted strong and fearless before, he dreaded the future where he had to make the choice to take a soul of another.
" Sigh..." He let out a breath he unknowingly was holding .
" Now for the system." He wasn't sure if what he's going to ask for is possible, but none the less. It's like they say, if you don't try, you will never find out.
" ... " Like the whole time he was here, the Entity was there waiting motionless and divine looking.
" I would like a system that is in the form of a shop. Or a supermarket of sorts. It would encompass different products like:
Clothes/Weapons/materials/food/etc...
Basically a grand supermarket that I can buy anything from." When he finished his systems description he crossed his fingers, hoping inside that his request would be granted.
It would help him greatly. No, more then that. It would be like an ultimate cheat in that kind of world.
The Entity started at him for what felt like an eternity then it said. " .... Granted, but there will be some restrictions and rules to it."
" ... " It was his turn to be quiet, he had a feeling it wouldn't be granted. But alas that didn't come to pass.
" Okay I accept, can I see it's basic information." He wouldn't be too greedy, he already got a good Template. the shop system being granted is just the icing on top, even if it's restricted.
" Catch." Said the Entity while throwing a shimmering looking white orb at him.
He caught it, and without further contemplation. He looked through the information.
[ Shop System ]
• Name: Grand Shop
• Items: Weapons, tools, food, medicine, clothes, more
• Daily Limit (Base):
- 30 item types
- 5 units per type
• Upgrade path: locked.
* Further information is locked until Shop System integration.
"... Hmm, it's actually better then I thought, and that (base) and upgrade path means it's not in it's full form. This is more than I actually hoped for. thank you so much." He was truly grateful for the Entity that was giving him a second chance with such advantages, he didn't know why it was so generous to him.
He thanked it while doing a bow out of respect and gratitude.
" ... " What he didn't know was when he bowed his head, there was an unmistakable genital smile on it's face area.
" This was simply your choice, I am impartial in what I do." Said the Entity.
"I-i would like t.." before he could continue his sentence, he got interrupted by what the entity said next.
" Now that you made your choice, and we've granted your boons. It is time for your journey to begin. And yes I know what you want, it will be also granted." Said the Entity.
Click!
With a snap of it's fingers, the current room turned into a flickering static of lights before a rip in reality appeared beside him sucking him inside.
" Wait!!... Thank you so muc-" He couldn't even finish when darkness claimed him.
The room turned back to it's Serene silence.
".... Interesting." Said the Entity, with another slight smile.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Word count: 2077 words.
Thank you for reading.
To be continued.