My day started as any other, and being fresh out of high school meant preparing for either college or the workforce, or at least that was what I was preparing for, but now...?
I'm in a floating office in what looks like... SPACE! Sitting across from two other dudes who look just as confused as I do.
Taking the chance to gather any information, I decided to speak first. "Uh... Hello?" But all that earns me is even more confused stares.
One of the dudes started to talk as well, but there was no sound, and unfortunately, I'm not a lip reader.
As we stewed in silence, it seemed we all had the same idea to get up and look around, but as we took our first steps, an omnidirectional voice spoke.
"Sam Barnes, your audition is beginning in 3... 2..."
"WAIT, WHAT AUD-"
"1"
As the countdown ended, my worldview spun, and I was on a stage on what looked like Broadway.
"-ITION?!?" The last part of my scream seemed to echo in the vast theater.
As my confusion grew, a low, confident voice spoke out. "Ah, Samuel Barnes, quite the average chap except for maybe your looks; your records showed you were quite a heartbreaker in school."
Let's just say that did nothing to stop my rising confusion. "Wha... What does that have to do with anything going on?!?" 'Did I get kidnapped by a wizard with a grudge against good-looking dudes? I'M NOT EVEN THAT GOOD-LOOKING!'
The mysterious person seemed to chuckle as they responded, "Not the first time being accused of being a wizard, but a grudge against beauty? That's a new one, but worry not, Mr. Barnes, there is no grudge, only an opportunity to change your mundane life."
My mind seemed to stop for a moment. 'Did they just read my min-'
"Yes, I did." The now amused voice said as it cut off my thought process.
"Don't do that! Just... just let me think." For some reason I wasn't as freaked out as I should be; maybe it was all the media stuff about reincarnation or transmigration that seemed to dominate nowadays.
While I wasn't a hardcore fan or anything, my friends seemed to love them, and it has dominated a good portion of our talks, so I picked a few, and goddamn it… this situation is so familiar to some of them.
"A-are you a god?" I asked even though my gut told me I was asking something pointless.
The voice replied in an amused voice, "I'm so glad that humans are so creative nowadays; a century ago you would have been either screaming for God or calling me the devil."
Well, that answered my question, I think. "So, what can I do for you, Mister God? As you said, I'm quite average." I didn't want to beat myself up about the evaluation given by a god, but it still kind of stung.
The voice seemed to not regard my internal dilemma as it spoke. "You have been chosen to partake in my new GodTube series, bringing entertainment to fellow gods and goddesses."
'GodTube, like in dragon-'
"Not like that!" The voice boomed to cut my thoughts off once again. The air vibrated just with that, and I heard myself take an audible gulp.
"That aside, mortal, you have been randomly selected to partake in this program, and there is no choice but to comply. I've already spoken to your world's guardian god and been given permission to send your soul elsewhere."
Ah, it seems like I'm really fucked now. "Do I get to know where I'm going?"
"Nope!" The voice replied with a pop of the p at the end.
"There is a chance you may recognize it in due time; your artificial backstory will come with some world knowledge for you to digest mentally."
"Wait, so am I going just as me? No additional things or powers?" My voice was tinged with a bit of frustration.
"HAHAHAHA, What a mortal you are! If I were to send you as you are, you'd be drowning in mediocrity again!"
Okay, that hurt even if it was true.
"But worry not, mortal, I've struck a deal with the embodiment of chaos to channel its effects into you as long as you've earned it."
'This god... It keeps dropping bombs on me, and I don't even know how to react anymore.'
"Chaos also seems fond of what you humans refer to as a 'gacha,' and it has been using it for quite some time, so it should look something like this..." As the voice rambled on, suddenly a screen filled my vision.
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Chaos Gacha System loading...
1%...2%...10%...50%...
Loading Complete!
Transmigration rewards pending...
Please seek the Administrator Entertainer for confirmation of rewards.
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"Administrator Entertainer... Is that you?" I asked the mysterious voice with skepticism.
"Ah! It did work! But yes, mortal, that is what I'm referred to as."
"Okay... Great... Can I get my rewards now?"
"What? Mortal, do you wish to get rid of me so soon?"
"Kind of? You've hit me with a lot of info really fast, so I feel kind of overwhelmed and mentally tired."
"Ah, it seems to have slipped my mind that mortals such as yourself have fragile minds."
I know I shouldn't take that as an insult, as it was said by a literal god, but with all the little things (and big things) piling up, it just continues to sting.
"Yeah, yeah, my fragile mind can't take much more of this conversation...so please just send me on my way?" My voice is laced with enough sarcasm to make the densest Japanese protagonist realize that I'm upset.
"Fine, mortal, I shall grant you your rewards and send you on your way." The Entertainer seemed to sense that any further this mortal may become uncooperative.
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Transmigration rewards granted!
You have received 3x Random Gold Tickets!
Would you like to draw now?
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'Yes, please.'
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Rolling Random Gold Ticket...
Ding! You have rolled a Rare Item!
[Rare - Vial of Lifeblood]
A vial containing condensed vitality in the form of blood; drinking it grants enhanced vitality, a minor healing factor, and an increased lifespan.
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'Sounds useful, I think... I don't really know the extent of its abilities yet, but they are all pluses'
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Rolling Random Gold Ticket...
Ding! You have rolled a Rare Item!
[Rare - Familiar Contract]
A contract that allows those who sign it to become registered in your gotcha as a familiar that you can treat like any other familiar. They must sign the contract while knowing what it does; otherwise, it does not work.
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'I don't know how useful this will be... It could be great, or it could be utterly useless depending on where I end up, but only time will tell.'
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Rolling Random Gold Ticket...
Ding! You have rolled a Rare Familiar!
[Rare—Black Knife Tiche]
A Black Knife Assassin who helped assassinate Godwyn the Golden during the Night of the Black Knives, in addition to being an incredibly skilled assassin, Tiche's knife is imbued with a lesser form of Destined Death, making the wounds she inflicts unable to be healed and ignoring durability to an extent.
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'Wait a flying fucking minute... I recognize some of those names... Is this from Elden Ring? I never really beat it, so I don't exactly know. BUT summons were kind of busted if I'm correct, and this Chick's description goes hard.'
Two items and a familiar—my offensive and defensive abilities rest almost entirely on a familiar... This is... This is going to be rough.'
"So, Mortal, are you ready to begin your new journey?"
"Fuck no, I'm not, but I'm guessing it doesn't really matter if I was really ready or not."
"Smart mortal! It doesn't really!"
And before I knew it, my world was spinning as if it was sucked into a whirlpool.