"Who the hell turned on the lights!?" I yelled out in surprise as I closed my eyes.
Using my arm as cover, I slowly open my eyes and let them adjust to the brightness.
Looking for the source of the light I freeze. Void. An endless white void.
"What the hell!? Where the fuck am I!?" I shouted while looking around frantically.
I find myself on a firm gray couch in what appears to be a single room home type location. I get up and walk to the edge of the room, getting a view of a seemingly endless void. Looking down, the hardwood flooring seems to just float in this void, giving me a surface to walk on.
Trying to find some clue what is going on, I look around the room. I find a mini-fridge and some cabinets that are empty in one corner of the room, a desk with an old desktop PC connected to a CRT display in the opposite corner, and the final thing is the aforementioned couch to the right of the old-looking PC.
Unable to find anything physical to help me, I pull out the chair from in front of the PC and hit the power button as I sit down. Hearing a mechanical drive spin up, I slumped in the chair to wait for the system to start. Glancing around for anything to do while the PC boots, I stare into the infinite white void.
Thinking back to what happened before I woke up, I remember watching TV while having dinner, then it goes blank. 'Was I killed?' I think to myself… 'I mean, I didn't have that many enemies.' … 'OK, maybe dealing in people's personal info wasn't the best idea.'
'Though they could have at least shown me who would be my killer. I mean it would have been nice to know…' As I was thinking to myself I heard the drives in the PC start to slow down signaling the PC had booted.
Sitting up to get a look at the old CRT display, I grab the ancient ball mouse. As I looked at the old display, I took notice of the operating system, Windows 95. I had never dealt with this OS before, previously having only used Windows 7 and various versions of Linux, but I have a rough idea of how to use this machine. On the desktop, there is the basic recycling bin and my computer icons, along with an icon for solitaire. The background had the words 'PLEASE WAIT' in bold red letters slowly scrolling along the top of the screen.
Not finding anything else in the file explorer on the system, I opened up the solitaire to pass time. The hard disk in the PC spun up as it loaded the game before settling back down. A green window appears and the cards are displayed.
'Klondike… I can do this.' I look through the cards I'm given to start and make my first move.
I let out a sigh as I finished my fifth game. It took two tries to win the first game and three for the second. I let out another sigh as I started up my next game.
I had checked the system, and all I found were some system files and the wallpaper. There wasn't even a web browser, though that wouldn't have mattered much anyway. As there is no internet in the void. Even if there was, this system is struggling to play solitaire, so it wouldn't be able to do much anyway.
'Could this be hell?' I wonder. 'I mean, I'm not saying that I didn't deserve it, but this is just cruel. Putting someone in a void with only a shitty PC and one game. What kind of god makes something so cruel?'
I place the 4 of hearts onto the 5 of clubs. 'So dull… is this what will take up the rest of my time?' I mentally question as I put the ace of spades into the foundation.
Around the time I found myself getting tired, the system clock said almost 16 hours had passed while playing solitaire. 73 games played and only 37 wins.
As I got up from the chair, I stretched out my arms and legs that are stiff from sitting for hours on end. A symphony of pops can be heard coming from my joints.
Moving over to the couch, I lay down intent on getting some rest, however the void was just too bright.
"Can someone turn off the lights in here?" I shouted out into the void.
As if someone was listening the void seemed to get a little brighter.
'Did it just get brighter or am I already going crazy?' I question.
I turn over to lie on my front and shield my eyes so I can get some sleep. The couch is comfortable however it would be better if I was given a pillow or something.
*Sigh* As I opened my eyes, I let out a sigh as I saw the white void above me.
'Guess it wasn't a dream.' I think as I sit up and look around the area.
I immediately notice a note taped to the PC's display. I walked over and took the note off the screen.
-PLEASE TURN OFF COMPUTER AFTER USE-
'What? Why?' I thought in confusion.
I tossed the note off the side of the platform and powered the PC back on. Waiting for the system to boot I take notice of my dry throat and empty stomach.
'Well… seeing as someone left a note, maybe they left some food?' I walk over to the mini-fridge and cross my fingers as I open it.
I look inside to see three unbranded water bottles. I quickly take one and down about half of it feeling the cold refreshing water go down my parched throat I stop and silently think whoever placed these here.
I moved over to the cabinets and found a box of pop-tarts. Grabbing a pack, I go sit back at the PC which seemed to almost be booted. I leaned back in the firm computer chair and stare out into the void.
'Who gave me the water and food? I thought this was supposed to be hell, shouldn't I have been left alone with nothing? Is this not hell? Then where am I?'
The PC started up, and I stopped thinking about whether I was in hell. Looking at the home screen I don't immediately notice anything different so I start up the solitaire app and look at the board. The tableau already has a few moves ready. I throw an ace of clubs into the foundation, followed by the two of clubs.
Putting the final card, King of Hearts, into the foundation, I note that this game seemed easier than previous ones I played.
'Luckiest game I've ever had.' I select the option to play again.
Playing again, I note the increased ease in which the game is progressing. The starting tableau already had the ace of hearts, diamonds, and spades ready to go. Two of which were followed up by the corresponding two.
After about 6 hours I had played around 50 games and had won 32 games.
'69, nice.'
I got up from the chair and started on another pack of pop-tarts. Having been sore yesterday after sitting for almost 16 hours, I decided to move around a little more today.
Finishing the pop-tarts, I take a drink from a fresh water bottle. Walking around the room, I decided to experiment.
I walk over to the edge of the platform and toss an almost empty bottle down.
It falls…
and falls…
and keeps falling…
Before long, it is too small to even see.
'Thinking of what a fall in this void would be like makes me a little nervous. Note to self: DO NOT FALL.'
With that thought, I grab the computer chair and desk and move it a little closer to the middle of the platform.
Another 7 hours later I had finished the 70-somthin'th game since my last break, now finding myself at a collective 98 wins in Klondike.
'Two more till 100 wins, cool. I have never played so much solitaire in my life. Past life?' It had just dawned on me that I had died. I would never be able to witness Cyberpunk 2077 get released, however at the rate.
'No more Doritos either. Well fuck, now I'm sad.'
Looking back to the display, I start my next game and it had the ace of hearts and diamonds ready to go.
'Why is this getting so easy? Is there a bug in the Windows 95 Solitaire game?'
Questioning whether or not there was a bug, I place the 10 of hearts onto the jack of clubs, which is then moved to the queen of diamonds, uncovering the 2 of diamonds which is moved to the foundation.
The king of clubs was placed into the foundation, signifying my 100th win.
Congratulations!
"Who's there!?" I yell out in surprise at the female voice, whirling around to find who else was here.
Only to find the place just as it had been since I woke up the previous day.
My name is Cardinal!
"Hello Cardinal." I look around a little. "Where are you?"
In your soul!
"What? In my soul? How? Why? Was it you who left the food and water?" I rapidly ask the cheery voice.
Yep, in your soul! Because I want to be! Because you seemed fun! No, those cabinets fill themselves with whatever you want at the time!
"What about the computer?"
I needed to buy time to get some things ready!
"Why so old? Not even an internet connection!"
Sorry it's all I could grab from your world while bringing you here. Do you even know how hard it is to get a technician to connect multiple dimensions!?
"No, sorry."
Oh! Right!
Welcome, Gamer! To your best chance at godhood!
'Gamer? That's not accur- … OK it is accurate, bu- wait that's not what I should be focused on, GODHOOD?!'
Yep! Godhood!
I am one of the games! A system made to help a being of my choosing grow! I chose you, which makes you the gamer!
"Wait, I didn't say that out loud can you hear my thoughts!?"
Yes! We are connected now! I will grow as you grow, allowing you to grow even more! Now before we continue.
Character Creation!
*Ding* A light blue screen opened in my vision.
Choose a class
[Mage] [Swordsman] [Rogue]
"uh… Cardinal, is this like those stories on that website that is somehow as broken than a Bethesda game?"
Yes! Almost exactly! There are a few differences between each of the systems. Also, that comparison was very accurate.
"OK."
'Well, if this is really like those stories then Mage should be a good starting class for dealing damage at more of a range, but I will have lower health. Swordsman would be good damage at close range, but be nearly defenseless at range. Rogue would probably be better for information gathering and stealth. Swordsman and rogue are too close range for comfort.' Thinking like that I select [Mage].
A list of Mage options appear in front of me.
[Pyromancer] [Aeromancer] [Hydromancer]
[Geomancer] [Umbramancer] [Photomancer]
[Necromancer] [Summoner]
Carefully looking through the Mage classes, I throw out Necromancer as I don't want to be forced to dig up graves. I also toss out Umbramancer and Photomancer since I don't know what the full power would be like. If this is game logic, then Hydromancer should be healing, Geomancer is defence, Pyromancer is strait damage, and aeromancer is also a damage dealing class. Finally Summoner, while hiding behind summons sounds good, they are probably the most limited out of the starting options.
Selecting [Hydromancer] the blue screen disappears.
Hydromancer! Gonna go for the healing!
Next is the actual character creation!
*Ding* As Cardinal says that, a new screen opens up with a 3D View of my body standing there. I move over to the couch and get comfortable.
The first option is Race
Choose a Race
[Human] [?]
"So I'm guessing the question mark is random?"
Yep! Almost any race in the multiverse! From ant to Cthulhu!
'Thats a large range… going to stick with human'
After selecting a race, I was given a fuck ton of sliders.
"This will take a while…"
Pressing done I am greeted by a shifting in my body it feels uncomfortable but it it quickly fades. Looking down at my body, I see it has changed to match the settings I selected.
While my old body was a little on the heavier side, my new one was thinner with a little muscle , not to much but enough to look like I at least took some care of my body. I couldn't see my face, but I knew what I looked like I had a set of deep crimson eyes and matching hair. I had also pushed my height up to 6'2" tired of looking up to people in my past life. Not the only size I increased either.
Now time for some skills!
*Ding* A new window popped up.
Skills Gained – Gamer
[Gamers Body] – Allows you to live your life as a video game character. Reduces the need for food, water, and sleep. Reduce damage to your body, only hp loss can kill you, heal and regrow limbs by resting.
[Gamers Mind] – Keep calm in moments of stress. Immunity from attacks on the mind from anything below a major deity.
Skills Gained - Hydromancer
[Water Ball] – A ball of water that when thrown does STR + 5 damage. 10 MP
[Minor Soothe Wound] – Produces a small ball of sterile water that can be used to soothe the pain of a wound. Heals 1 HP/s 10 MP/s
[Water Arrow] – Creates a compressed arrow of water that does 20 damage. 15 MP
"Soothe wound. In the future I might be able to heal a lot more than just some pains."
Now if you open the options menu real quick and turn on your notifications!
'Options.' With that thought, a new window opened in front of me. Selecting the option to enable notifications a few dings go off. While in the options, I select the auto loot option and hit enable.
Closing the settings, I am greeted by some notifications.
Reward for winning 50 games of klondike - Deck of Cards, +4 luk, +2 int
Reward for winning 100 games of klondike – Custom Deck of Cards x10, +5 luk, +4 int, +3 wis
For putting up with the crappy system – Windows 7 64bit PC
"So now I get a better system."
Yes! It is easier to get something from your own world as a reward than for me to just give it to you!
"huh… OK."
Now would you like to gain a random perk and flaw?
"The Flaw is removable, right?"
Yes! All the flaws are removable after a while. The flaw will be equivalent to your perk so you won't get something almost useless and a flaw that is too great to overcome in this century!
"Well, at least it's balanced. Pull for one!"
Perk Gained
[Inconspicuous Potato] – Polymorph into a potato… (gains the ability to speak to other potatoes)
Flaw Gained
[Unlucky] - -20% LUK
"Not too bad, but a potato?"
Well, at least the flaw isn't too bad!
"Roll again!"
Perk Gained
[Aura of Innocence] – Those within 10 meters of you will see you as innocent, in their eyes you can't do wrong. 500MP/s
Flaw Gained
[Minor Mage] – Your mana is halved
"Half mana?! I chose a mage class and I have half mana? Fuck it, no more rolls."
Sorry. I don't control the spins.
Now Choose a name.
Name… What's my name? Why can't I remember? I guess I'll just make one up.
"Lets go with Gabriel then."
Family Name?
"I don't know… how about you choose."
Me?
"Yes, you. I'm not good with coming up with names so you can come up with a family name… as long as it's not something generic like smith."
How about Collins? Gabriel Collins?
"Fine by me."
OK! Now open your Stats!
'Stats' Responding to my thoughts, a new window opens up
Stats -
Name - Gabriel Collins
Title – N/A
Class – Hydromancer
Job – N/A
HP - 70
HPR – 0.7
MP – 170 (85)
MPR – 1.87
STR - 7
END - 7
DEX - 7
INT - 17
WIS - 11
CHA - 4
LUK – 13 (10.4)
"Why is my charisma so low?"
Your stats were brought over from your old life! Don't worry, you can increase your stats in the future.
"Ok. So what's next world selection?"
Yep! But that's random and depending on the world, you might get a bonus on arrival! If the world is too strong, you might get a weapon, too weak, and you might get something to make it more interesting!
"Random… what's the range?"
They are all worlds from the fictional media in your world. Nothing too dangerous or we would die pretty fast.
"OK, spin."
A wheel started spinning in front of me. I could make out a few names on it I recognized like Subnautica, Minecraft, GTA V, Bioshock, and Telltales The Walking Dead among others. The wheel slowed to a stop clicking past The Elder Scrolls V, Fallout 4, and Pokémon finally stopping on Stardew Valley.
"Stardew?! What am I supposed to do there?"
Whatever you want! Become a farmer, Grind your skills till you can leave, or go after the girls!
The choice is yours!
"Can I at least take this couch?"
Sure, I don't see why not!
Also, this is a very easy world which means I get to give you a gift to make it more interesting!
Item Added
Gacha Token x1
No clue what that will give you, but for this first one it will not be bad!
"A gacha token? How do I use this?"
When you get to your new world, take it out of your inventory and break it in half! You could also just select it from your inventory and select spin, but it's much more satisfying to snap it!
OK, time to get to your new life!
Jumping worlds in
5
4
3
2
1
Jumping!
