"Sh-"
Lugh's body was inches from being torn in half.
If someone were standing behind him, then that person would undoubtedly see the golden gaze of the female royal knight, solely faithful to the Imperial Princess, through the gaping hole in his abdomen.
Researchers say that at the moment of a person's death, the sense of hearing would be the last one to gradually vanish into oblivion. It was also stated that the mind would linger for some time before fading to what's uncertain, to what's beyond death, to what some humans fear.
'Is this it for me? Well, it feels like a shitty dream. I wouldn't be surprised if it was.'
There were no regrets.
Significant connections were not formed.
There were no attachments to reluctantly leave behind.
He did not last an hour in this fantastical world of the novel he 'loved.'
Even in his previous life, he could not think of a single truly pleasant, memorable memory that did not involve his buried emotional scars.
'But why do I feel bad for Maya…? I guess I feel sorry for the efforts she put in for me, regardless of whatever reason she has.'
He did not know why he even struggled at the last moment to escape when he heard Maya's voice.
Lugh's consciousness was gradually fading, including every thought in his head.
It was after an indefinite amount of time that his eyes changed from seeing the stars above to darkness with no end.
*
[Ding!]
It was the first time Lugh heard the cliché sound he sometimes imagined hearing while reading fantasy webnovels.
[You are in critical condition!]
[You are in critical condition!]
Who the hell would not be when their abdomen was replaced with a donut?
'But where am I?'
Looking around, I believed that my current condition was one of the arguable universal truths that could only be reached after dying—nothingness.
My soul was hovering, and the surroundings were similar to an empty room with no gaps for light to enter through.
It was maddening.
It was something that would make anyone go crazy as fleeting time flowed to eternity.
[Someone started healing your critically injured body.]
[You are steadily recovering…]
[Estimated Time before the body's Full Recovery: 7 days]
I looked at the dark-purple colored 'system window' that appeared in front of me.
One thing was certain…
'I am not dead yet. '
But I could not comprehend my current situation.
…Where am I?
…What is this place?
…How am I here?
If this system window did not notify me of its existence, I would be alone in this eerie place of emptiness.
With such thoughts flooding my mind…
[Ding!]
[The original owner of the body, Lugh of Eshu, has already perished from every fragment of the cosmos.]
[You are given the opportunity to change the story's predetermined ending.]
[Current Ending: Swallowed Divinity]
I clenched my fist, knowing this ending enraged not just me, but hundreds of thousands of readers.
Everything was going smooth, until the Hero's Apocalypse's author decided to screw everything.
Knowing what kind of world this story had, I could confidently say that my character… or what would become of me the moment I continue this path, would be less than cannon fodder in the middle of the main scenarios.
Overpowered characters.
Overpowered villains.
Of all these entities, Lugh of Eshu was the most unfortunate of the bunch.
'He could plunder talents, yet the conditions to successfully steal them are outright criminal. Moreover, they're different from the original talent possessors as each one would be showered with penalties. Of course, there are easy ones… but just as easy these talents are to get, the worthless they are.' I thought in my mind as I continuously read the flow of messages from the 'system.'
[You will be given a choice.]
[Choice Alpha]
Description: Continue to live as the Lugh of Eshu with the main mission of preventing the world's end. You will be provided with 'privileges' upon accepting this choice.
Mission Duration: For as long as the Hero's 'Helix Trigger' remains dormant.
Completion Reward: [?]
Failure Penalty: [Shattering: Swallowed Divinity]
'...'
After the [Choice Alpha], my gaze landed on the second option.
[Choice Omega]
Description: Refuse to live as the Lugh of Eshu and return to your previous world, Earth, five minutes before your death.
Mission Duration: N/A
Completion Reward: N/A
Failure Penalty: [New Ending: Swallowed Universe]
*
It was at that moment I saw something I was highly unfamiliar with.
If I have to put it into words—it was ominous, tempting, and chilling.
Of all the fantasy novels I had read in my previous life that involved transmigration, system, and perhaps higher power, the 'returning to your previous world' discussion seemed to always include 'high stakes' consequences and were mostly seen at the end of the story.
'But if I refuse here, it'll let me return to Earth before truck-kun hits me?'
For anyone with loved ones they could return to…
For anyone with a stable career and a genuinely joyful life worth living…
For anyone… content with their lives.
Transmigration was a nightmare.
However, for someone whose entire family was no more.
…For someone whose career was uncertain.
…For someone who just existed but was not truly living.
Transmigration was an opportunity.
Without a doubt, I decided to go to another war in life…
[Confirm your choice.]
[Choice Alpha – Choice Omega]
"I will choose Choice Alpha."
—But this time, in a different body.
My words filled with conviction pervaded the void.
I did not care even if the [Completion Reward] was not explicitly mentioned.
All I cared about was a new life blended with elements I would not regret living.
[You have confirmed your choice.]
[Chosen Path: Choice Alpha.]
[As stated, by choosing the 'Choice Alpha,' you will be granted privileges to assist you in your journey.]
It was at that moment that a seemingly endless number of cards of various colors illuminated the darkness.
Grabbing the one crimson-hued card that floated closest to me, the system showed me what it was.
[Talent Card – Rabbit's Libido]
Description: [Live a life full of vanilla and perish uselessly.]
Talent Rank: Rare
Talent Unique Effect: [Passively increases your stamina recovery by ten times during sex; after sex by ten minutes.]
[Would you like to choose the Talent Card—]
Even before the 'system' could end up asking, I suddenly let go of the card into oblivion as if I was allergic to it.
"The fuck is that?" I chuckled, finding it ridiculous.
After an unknown amount of time of looking, grabbing, and thoroughly reading these talent cards, and thanks to the system's assistance in sorting them out, I finally found what I needed.
First of all, there was no use in forcing myself to tread the path of weak to strong; it's worthless in that story, especially since the main characters were all monstrous beings that could cut through the skies.
That being said…
"This should be fine… should be, yes."
Holding a card bathed in white aura, I confirmed it to be one of the privileges to have as a transmigrator.
[Talent Card – Soul Placation]
Secondly, reading fantasy webnovels, there was something I realized that was applicable in the real world…
Holy.
Unholy.
Neutrality.
These three make up reality.
[Talent Card – Grim Reaper's Favor]
Despite its seemingly grand name, it's a double-edged sword.
There was no need to ally or become an enemy of the other.
"I will stand in the middle of the story."
*
Hovering in this void, days had already passed, and I was hours away from waking up.
However, before that, I opened my [Status Window] to check the finalized stats I currently possessed, thanks to numerous privileges as the outsider of this world.
[Status Window]
Name: Lugh of Eshu (Possessed)
Age: 19
Soul Order: Dim Soul
Main Talents: Plunder (Growth); Soul Placation (Unique); Grim Reaper's Favor (?); Remember (Rare); [Sealed]; False Dragon's Physique (Growth); Weapon Mastery (Growth); Eye That Witnesses Heaven and Hell (?)
Plundered Talents 2/3: Emergency Self-Healing; Sprint
Mana Level: 1
…
"I hope this is enough… not to compete, but just to survive."
Even if I had a hundred talents, it just would not be enough.
[Ding!]
[One hour before waking up.]
With the reminder from the system, my anxiety seemed to reach its peak.
I didn't know where I was at this moment.
What if the holy empire captured my body, and gradually healed it just to torture me again?
Damn it.
[Ten seconds…]
It was then that my soul shone in the darkness, and the surroundings began to shatter.
Crack...!
I escaped death the second time and have now returned to my new reality.
Just before opening my eyes, something pleasant and alluring wafted through my nostrils.
With light entering through my retina, the surroundings eventually turned visible.
Red lights. Red curtains.
Witnessing the scenery, coupled with the smell, I couldn't help but frown.
'I don't like this…'
Simultaneous with words that popped into my mind, the curtains opened, which then revealed a key figure in this story.
"Maya…?"
'You again?!'