Pain.
That was the first clear sensation he experienced. It was overwhelming yet distant, like an echo resonating deep within his consciousness, pulsing rhythmically in waves. It was a sharp pain at first, before settling into a dull throb that slowly began fading.
Then came confusion.
Fragments of memories flickered briefly in his mind—a rainy evening, the cold air sharp against his skin, and the gentle hum of cars in the background. He remembered rushing through the city streets, late for an important meeting. Anxiety had gnawed at his chest as he glanced repeatedly at his watch, frustrated by the endless delays.
The rain intensified, splattering heavily on his umbrella, as he reached a busy intersection. Neon lights reflected brilliantly in puddles across the street, creating a mesmerizing yet chaotic blend of colors. Impatiently, he stepped forward, not noticing the blinking red pedestrian signal. It was a mistake that would cost him dearly.
The sudden flash of bright headlights came from his right side, illuminating the dark street with stark clarity. He had barely registered the screeching of tires and the desperate blaring of a horn before everything exploded into chaos. A surge of adrenaline shot through his body, freezing him momentarily in place as time slowed around him. He remembered vividly the headlights growing larger, the terror gripping his heart, and finally, the crushing force of impact.
"Am I dead?" he wondered now, the painful memories slowly receding into the darkness.
His thoughts floated gently in an intangible current, gradually becoming clearer. Slowly, awareness returned—though it felt different from anything he had experienced before. He was confined, wrapped tightly in layers of warmth. There was a rhythmic, comforting sound surrounding him: a steady, muffled heartbeat resonating in sync with his own.
"What's happening? Where am I?" he thought, struggling to piece everything together.
As confusion began to fade, panic rose sharply within him. Instinctively, he tried moving limbs that felt weak and restricted, the sensation unfamiliar and alarming. It only took a few moments of exploration to realize the shocking truth:
He was no longer in his own body—or rather, he inhabited a vastly different, much smaller one.
"Did I… reincarnate?" The question hung heavily in his consciousness.
He paused, disbelief mixing with an oddly comforting sense of acceptance. He could recall clearly the moment of impact, the agonizing pain, and then—nothing. Yet now, inexplicably, he was alive again, his consciousness fully intact.
"Transmigration," he whispered internally, both intrigued and unsettled by the concept. Having immersed himself in countless novels filled with tales of reincarnation and transmigration, he always regarded them as fantasies born of imagination. But now, undeniably, he was living that very fantasy.
Gradually, curiosity replaced fear. He concentrated on sensing his surroundings more deeply. Though vision was impossible in this confined darkness, his other senses felt heightened, providing incredible clarity. The rhythmic, comforting heartbeat and gentle movements around him confirmed his suspicion:
"I'm… still in the womb?"
This realization brought both relief and wonder. He was presented with an opportunity—an entirely new life, a fresh beginning. However, excitement quickly gave way to apprehension. What kind of world had he been reborn into? Was it familiar, akin to Earth, or had he entered an entirely unfamiliar realm?
Determined to remain calm, he carefully assessed his situation. He quickly noticed his mind felt astonishingly clear—sharper and more focused than ever before. Complex concepts and ideas that once challenged him now seemed effortlessly simple to comprehend. A sense of confidence slowly blossomed within him, replacing anxiety with resolve.
"Whatever awaits me, I will face it bravely," he resolved firmly. "This time, I won't waste a single opportunity. I'll discover and explore everything this new world has to offer."
Hours passed—or perhaps days, he couldn't tell—but the passage of time seemed irrelevant in his current state. He became acutely aware of every subtle change around him, from shifts in his mother's heartbeat to the gentle sway of her movements. He listened intently, searching for clues about the world beyond.
A faint, indistinct voice occasionally reached him—a comforting melody of muffled words. Though unintelligible, the sound filled him with warmth, driving away loneliness. He imagined his future family, wondering what they would look like, how they would behave, and what kind of lives they lived.
Amid these musings, he prepared himself mentally for what was to come. He knew birth would mark the true beginning of his new journey, an adventure filled with uncertainties and boundless possibilities.
"This is my second chance," he thought firmly, relaxing into the gentle warmth enveloping him. "I promise myself—I won't squander it."
With these resolute thoughts, he patiently awaited the moment of his birth, unaware of the extraordinary destiny awaiting him in this mysterious world called Douluo.