I was currently walking along the long stretch of road on my way to school. Honestly, it was still too early, but I had to wake up early because I had quite a distance to walk just to reach my destination.
My name is Seive Romero, an ordinary young man from a small province in Luzon. I love reading Japanese manga, with the isekai genre being my favorite. Since my parents don't give me money to buy manga and comics, I chose to save my allowance. Truthfully, I had just enough money for transportation, but I preferred to save it for my personal interests.
I only needed to cross the street to reach the school gate. I patiently waited for the passing cars to clear the road. As I quietly stood there, I noticed a black cat suddenly leap into the middle of the street. My heart pounded in shock as I saw an oncoming vehicle speeding straight towards the cat. I didn't think twice. Instinctively, I dashed toward the cat.
Everything happened so fast. I felt intense pain as the vehicle struck me. My body rolled across the road, and soon enough, I started feeling numb. The pain faded, but I was clearly aware that I was drenched in my own blood. Forcing my eyes open, I turned to look across the street. There, I saw the black cat, its crimson eyes staring directly at me.
I closed my eyes again. I never thought I'd sacrifice my life for a cat. I couldn't help but think of the black cat's color — maybe I was the one struck by the bad luck it carried into this world.
Slowly, dizziness consumed me. Perhaps this was the end of my simple life. I never thought I'd die so young. I hadn't even experienced having a girlfriend.
"Hey! Wake up!" I was startled by the deep voice that echoed in my mind. I suddenly opened my eyes, amazed that I didn't feel anything anymore. "Get up!" the voice commanded again inside my head.
In shock, I quickly stood up and looked around. A crowd had gathered around me. I also noticed the yellow tape surrounding the center of the road. The cars had stopped, and I could hear the sirens of police vehicles and ambulances. I stood up and looked down at where I had been lying. Only blood stained the street. I was confused by what was happening.
I tried to walk and ask for help. I spoke and shouted, but no one seemed to notice my presence. I even tried to touch them, but my hand simply passed through their bodies. I held my head and looked down. I was truly dead. I was now nothing but a wandering spirit.
"Come here!" the voice echoed in my mind once more. For the second time, I was startled. Apparently, even spirits could still be surprised.
"Where are you?" I asked cautiously as I scanned my surroundings.
"Here," the voice replied. I looked around again but still saw nothing. "Look down," it instructed. Following its command, I looked down and saw a black cat beside my foot. I jumped back in shock. I didn't run away, though, and instead focused my attention on the cat.
"A-are you… the one talking to me?" I asked nervously. The cat stared straight at me, sending chills down my spine. Was this… death itself?
"Yes, it's me," the cat confirmed. I was speechless for a moment. I tried to process my surroundings, preparing to flee.
"Fool! Where do you think you're going?!" the cat shouted. I ignored it and bolted in the opposite direction. But before I could get far, a black portal appeared before me. The cat leaped out from it, nearly causing me to stumble in shock.
"Calm down, I won't hurt you," it assured me.
I sighed deeply before mustering the courage to speak. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" I asked, one after the other.
"You don't need to know who I am. But I'll tell you anyway, since you're already dead," the cat answered.
"D-dead…?" I stuttered. I didn't know what to do anymore. Maybe this was all just a nightmare. I wanted to wake up.
The cat let out a sigh — strangely, an odd gesture for its kind. "You saved my life, so I'll give you an opportunity," it said. "I am one of the five Divine Beings of another world. I'll give you a chance to live again in that world. You will be reborn with a physical body. However, you can never return to this world."
I pondered over its words. I couldn't fully grasp what it meant, but after a few moments, I managed to understand. "What kind of world are you talking about?" I asked, my fear gradually fading now that I realized it wasn't Death itself.
"The world of Archadia is different from the one we're in now. Unlike Earth, various creatures inhabit that world. Elements and magic thrive there. It consists of five continents, each ruled by a Divine Being," it explained.
I nodded as I listened. Clearly, the world it described resembled those in the manga and comics I've read.
"I accept your offer," I replied with a smile. Truthfully, I didn't want to leave the world I grew up in. But now, I was nothing but a soul. I couldn't waste this chance to live again.
"Very well. Let's begin the process," the cat said, as a black portal opened behind it.
Before I could even respond, I was already being sucked into the black portal. I panicked at the sudden turn of events, but I couldn't resist the powerful force pulling me in.
I spun uncontrollably inside the dark dimension of the portal. It felt like I was falling endlessly down a deep well with no visible bottom. The violent force made it impossible to steady myself. When I looked downward, I noticed the cat calmly descending, seemingly unaffected by the turbulence.
We remained in that situation for nearly five minutes. Eventually, I saw a light below us. At first, it was tiny, but as time passed, it grew larger and larger — a sign that we were nearing the exit.
I was grateful I was already dead — otherwise, this portal alone might've killed me.
"Prepare yourself. We're almost there," the cat warned.
We continued falling until the light engulfed us. Moments later, I could clearly see my surroundings.
I looked around. We were standing atop a tall hill. From here, I could see a vast forest below, and not far from it, a small city. The sky was an ordinary blue with white clouds, but the yellow sun and the two moons beside it were unusual. I also noticed strange creatures flying in the sky.
"Welcome to the world of Archadia. We are currently in the small city of Seria, part of the Eastern Roswelt Kingdom, located on the continent of Baldwin," the cat explained. "As promised, I'll grant you the opportunity to be born here. I'll also bestow upon you a portion of my remaining power. I'll now begin the process."
"Wait! Wait a second. I still have a few questions," I said, panicking. Everything was happening so fast — I wasn't ready for what was about to happen.
Just earlier, all I wanted was to get to school. Now, I was in another world, about to start a new life.
"Speak," the cat said calmly. I smiled, not wasting the chance to ask.
"After I'm reborn and live in this world, what will happen to me? Won't you give me a mission or a task?" I asked. It wasn't what I expected to happen after arriving in another world. In the isekai manga I've read, the protagonist usually receives a mission and becomes the world's hero, destined to defeat the Demon King.
The black cat stared at me seriously, as if reading my mind. After a moment, it opened its small mouth. "I am no longer one of the five Divine Beings who rule this world. I have no reason to concern myself with this world's fate. I'm only helping you because you saved my life. After fulfilling my promise to you, I will leave this world," the cat said seriously. "I have no mission or conditions for you. Besides, you won't even remember this conversation after the process is complete."
I wanted to ask more, but I noticed the firm tone of its voice, leaving no room for further discussion. I simply nodded and prepared myself.
The magic circle beneath us grew even brighter. Soon, my body began to float. I felt nothing, simply going along with the flow. We were in the middle of the process when the light around us suddenly shattered. I was startled and turned to the black cat. I could see the shock on its face as well. I had no idea what had just happened.
A few moments passed in silence. It was clear the cat had failed to fulfill its promise. I didn't say a word and waited for it to speak. A hint of anxiety crept over me. If I couldn't be reborn, what would happen to me now?
"It seems my power isn't enough to complete the reincarnation spell," the cat admitted. It looked at me, seemingly deep in thought. "I can no longer fulfill my offer to you. But I can't just abandon you here. After all, I was the one who offered you this opportunity and brought you to this world. So, in return, I will bestow upon you my power."
"Then… how will I survive in this world? And what will happen to you if you give me your power?" I asked sadly. I didn't fully understand what it meant, but I could sense its concern for me. But I never expected gratitude from it. Besides, even if I hadn't saved it, I doubted it would've died — it was a powerful being, after all. I was simply foolish for risking my life for nothing.
"I understand what you're thinking. Honestly, I don't have enough reason to help you. I'm not even sure why I'm doing this," the cat admitted bluntly.
My sadness faded at its words. So it never really intended to help me in the first place, even after I risked my life for it.
"To answer your question, I won't die by giving you my remaining power. Over the years, I will regain my former strength, so you have nothing to worry about," it added.
"I'm not worried," I quickly replied.
The cat ignored me and continued its explanation. "I no longer have enough energy to use the reincarnation spell. But I can turn you into a Spirit."
"A Spirit?" I whispered to myself.
"Yes, a Spirit. A being with the ability to use magic and spells, but without a physical body. In your current state, you are nothing but an ordinary soul. But if I turn you into a Spirit, you'll gain enough power to survive in this world," it explained.
I thought about it for a moment. I wanted to become human, but I had no choice. 'Wait… a choice?' "Can I become something else aside from a Spirit?" I asked hopefully.
In the isekai manga I've read, it's not only humans who live in other worlds — there are Beastmen, Elves, Dwarves, and monsters.
"That's possible. I can turn you into a monster," the cat replied directly.
"A monster? Is there no other option?" I quickly asked.
"If I can't turn you into a human, I can't make you a Beastman or Elf either. I don't have enough power for that. The only physical form I can offer you is that of a monster. If you want, I can make you a snake, a wolf, or a dragon. Just pick one," it said.
I grimaced at its response. Sure, being a dragon sounded powerful, but I couldn't imagine moving around with such a strange body. I sighed deeply before speaking.
"Alright, I'd rather be a Spirit," I decided.
"In that case, let's begin the proc—"
"Wait!" I interrupted. "Are you sure this will work? If this fails again, I'll have no choice but to become a monster," I asked worriedly.
"Don't worry. I'm sure this time," it assured me.
The cat began the process once more, and the magic circle appeared beneath us again. Its design differed from the previous reincarnation spell. Just like before, I felt nothing. My soul began to float, radiating light. I closed my eyes and focused on the process.
At first, I felt nothing, but soon I sensed a violent energy creeping through my soul. This time, I slowly began to feel pain. I wanted to open my mouth and scream, but no sound came out.
The agony lasted for more than an hour. Eventually, the pain subsided. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at myself. I was no longer wearing my uniform — instead, I now wore strange golden garments. I looked ahead and saw the black cat.
It looked the same as before, but I could now clearly see a faint energy surrounding its body. I was surprised — this was the first time I could see its energy.
"Congratulations, the process was a success. You are now officially a Spirit," it announced.
"Really?" I asked happily, to which it nodded. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I didn't have to worry about becoming a monster.
"Your adventure as a Spirit in this world begins now. Just like the MMORPG system in your world, you'll start at the lowest level," it explained.
"MMORPG? You know about that?" I asked in amazement.
"Of course, I spent over ten years in your world," it answered. "As I said, you'll start at Level 1. As you progress in this world, your level will rise, and you'll learn new abilities and skills."
"Then how do I level up?" I asked, familiar with the idea from RPG manga.
"You're a Spirit, so you won't grow stronger through Experience Points gained from defeating creatures. Instead, you need Death Energy. You can absorb the energy of recently deceased beings," it explained. "I won't stay much longer. I've exhausted my energy and need to rest."
"Wait! Aren't you going to guide me?" I asked anxiously. I still had many questions. I wasn't familiar with this world yet.
"Sorry, but I can't help you anymore. But don't worry — we'll meet again," it said as its body slowly vanished. "One last reminder: don't forget to activate the System," it added before disappearing completely.
I stood frozen in place. Everything happened so fast. Who would've thought a simple student like me would die and end up in another world?
This is where my adventure in a new world begins — not as a human, but as a Spirit.
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