Solo Levelling: Perception

'So I finally died...huh? '

It was the first thing that came to my mind when I got introduced to this endless darkness, extending to no end. There was nothing I could see, feel or sense all around me. Like I was inside my dream but conscious enough to make a difference.

The reason for my death was an uncertain one but I knew I would die some minutes ago of my death already. I mean despite a human get shot, their mind remains active for some time and thus I found the opportunity to have my life flash through my growing dark vision.

Well, I was not able to recollect my life at my last moment so I would do such now.

In my last life, I was an adopted child who pretty much did not get along with his parents even though I was taken by them from the orphanage at a very young age. They thought I was cute, but when I threw away their irritating cat in a dump truck, they got pretty sure about my true nature I guess.

I was not bullied nor hated but living around two siblings who constantly try to grow under my nerves would definitely make anyone fall out of such a family.

Unfortunately, when the first time I decided to go on a vacation with my friends after school graduation to a faraway tourist place which was situated on the border of two Asian countries, I found myself in the crossfire along with my friends.

I don't know why and how all that happened but we suddenly heard gun sounds and the next moment we were on the run. Well, nothing could win over AK and so we, or maybe only I ended up dying.

'Well, not like I had any serious shit going... '

I was waiting for some of the things to witness like the return of Top-G but that's that. Now I was dead and waiting for any kind of clue which could lead me to my afterlife or maybe I might meet some-

[You may meet someone like me?]

Startled I began looking around like a fool even though I knew no one was there and some omnipotent being was talking at the moment. I mean that gender-neutral reverberating voice could be anything but human and since I wanted to remain in the act, I played it fool for now.

"W-Who..."

I asked, entirely panicked like I was shitless scared to be found in such a situation. But...

[You won't get any extra wishes acting like that. I don't get entertained seeing overwhelmed creatures but the genius ones truly intrigue me. Like someone you, child.]

"..."

Well, it was the shitty plan but the fanfiction I followed back then, did the same tactics to make the gods laugh and have their mood lighten up to the point where they got Rinnegan on right and Sharingan on left.

Alas, when I was indeed facing some R.O.B I concluded, that I had no actual plan at all about this situation. I mean, I was a calculative person in the past but planning an afterlife? Nah, totally stretched out.

[Should we get going, my child?]

It was surprising how generous this voice sounded but lost on choices I just nodded and waited patiently.

Not so long after, the space around me began distorting....or to say, it began speeding up and up and up, until the point where I lost myself there for a second, thinking everything around me was nothing but an illusion.

Like I was traveling faster than light and still was able to feel nothing. It was a nauseating sensation but I could not feel my stomach to empty it out so I just held back and even I found the scenery in front of me to clear out, I didn't speak for a long minute.

'Fuck...Being ever smart and acting cool and such couldn't last long... Dying sucks... "

The feeling of death and this sudden change of location made me overwhelmed to the point that I was forced to kneel down on the white ground.

[Take it easy, child. Death is not something you experience every day, after all.]

Even though it was well hidden, I was able to sense mockery a little bit in the voice which came from a definite figure this time who was standing some feet apart from me. I did see them, but since I was too worked up with myself, I didn't try to check them out.

I took my time, adjusted myself, and finally got up on my feet. Oh, by the way, I was completely white from head to toe with no definite characteristic. Like a mannequin of the sort but it didn't creep me out more than the previous episode.

Holding myself, I looked at the person...or thing...it was practically a conjunction of light particles and a golden robe keeping those particles in a place. It had the face of a female who had its eyes closed and a big smile on its face so I would consider her 'her' for now. Seriously, so many Rimuru counterfeits nowadays.

[This is not me, my child but let's not dwell on that since time is something we both cannot afford to waste.]

True, so I nodded and walked forward, and stood silently for the man to say something to initiate the conversation. Well, I do really have no idea what would happen from now on, since I know all those fanfictions and isekai stories are pure bullshi-

[You are going to a fictional world of your choice, hun. So please, choose it wisely.]

"Solo leveling for me, please. "

Well, I take what I said back. And the reason why my answer came instantaneously was because I actually had prepared a plan for some situation like this.

It was a very unbelievable chance that I would be facing these circumstances one day but when I was here, then why not try my luck and get into the world I always wanted to venture into?

[Any reason for choosing that place, my dear child?]

"I am in love with a character of that world and would surely take the risk to have her if I get the opportunity. "

I am straight forward guy, true to my desire. I have no dreams of conquering the world or having a harem of multiple women. There are surely beauties in other worlds as well, and to be honest, if I would have died and been asked about my fantasy world a year ago, I would have chosen Quintessential Quintuplets.

But now, when I have read through the manhwa and novel and saw that particular girl, I couldn't give a damn about any other world. There might be people cursing me out there for my decision but, it is me who died not them.

[Honesty is what I could ever cherish the most. Now since you are going to some supernatural world, I think you may need powers as well?]

My eyes sparkled...well, I thought they did since I didn't have them...but the topic of skills is what I was truly invested in.

Of course, I had thought about it in my previous life as well so I was well prepared, but before that, I needed to ask the light-show some of the things.

"Can I dare ask something? "

[You may, my child.]

Sighing, I looked at the goddess and asked for the primary ground of my doubts.

"Would I get any superpower(s) I want? "

[Until it doesn't deteriorate your future physical body and doesn't make you comparable to me, I shall grant you any three skills of your liking.]

That clears things up but the sweeter the fruit seems, the more deadly poison it may contain. I know I had no particular option but to follow whatever the goddess says at this point, but I needed to know something to prepare myself for the future.

Inhaling deeply, I focused on the goddess before unintentionally I leaked my words in a rather heavy tone.

"Is there...anything you want in exchange for this rebirth? "

I knew there was no free lunch and with great powers, these omnipotent beings always delegated a great ton of responsibility. Not like I was going to back away since neither I had the choice nor intention.

But knowing what I might have to be accountable for was really a necessary step I need to know about.

Hearing my words, the goddess seemed to be in contemplation and didn't reply instantly unlike before, which made me slightly worried. But when she did speak, my worries were not just for naught...

[...Yes, there is something you have to do in return.]

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