A New Start

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Unedited

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Nothing.
There’s nothing here.
No matter the direction I look, there’s nothing to be seen.
Only a murky darkness.

I can’t even recall how long I’ve been here.
Better yet, I can’t even remember what I was doing before I ended up here.
Maybe … maybe I’ve always been here.

That’d be an interesting thought, but I do still have vague feelings that there’s something more than just nothing.
I may not be able to remember any of it, but I can still feel it.
Instinct … I think it was called.

Regardless, none of this helps me right now.
The important thing is trying to find some change in this void.
Change, even if it’s for the worse, is still something better than this boredom.
I can’t entertain myself with nothing.

As if in response to my complaints, a change occurs.

“Oh?
There was still someone here?”

Well, I say it was a change, but it’s not like there’s an actual voice.

To have reached the point where I’ve finally started hearing voices… looks like giving up is the only option I have left.
For my mind to have lasted this long though, I can only praise its efforts wholeheartedly.

“Oi, has anyone ever told you it’s rude to ignore people?”

Hm, this other voice I’ve invented seems to have a will of its own.
How strange.
Wouldn’t I normally be the one controlling both sides?
Isn’t that how this kind of role-play works?
Well, it’s not like there could actually be another existence here with me.

“You know, I was going to let your attitude slide because I was in a good mood, but now it’s starting to annoy me.”

Oh no, the voice is starting to get mad.
Haha, I’d probably be scared if this wasn’t all a figment of my imagination though.
Now, let me see what you’re going to do, voice.

Disregarding the me who has finally learned to entertain myself, the voice doesn’t respond.
Instead, as if responding to my provocations, the void begins to change.

I remember hearing once that even a snowflake can become an avalanche eventually.
It seems like that’s what I’m witnessing as all of these tiny pinpricks of light gather and merge.
Well, those lights aren’t actually snowflakes though.

Ah, now that I think about it, how do I know what snowflakes are?
Is it related to those lights?

Ignoring me, the lights endlessly gather and eventually there’s no longer nothing.
Now, there’s a shape before me.
My memory may have improved a little, but honestly, I can still only remember what snowflakes are.

“Hm?
Ah, now that I’m able to get a good look at you it seems you’re in a bit of a dangerous situation.”

Interrupting my thoughts, the shape insults me.
I’ll have you know that I’m perfectly fine!
Though … it’s not like I can actually say that out loud.

“Let’s see.
This should help for a while at least, but we really need to get you out of here quickly.”

This time, I wasn’t really paying attention to what it was saying, but the shape seemed to do something to me.
I feel another change, but this one feels like it’s coming from within myself.
It’s strange, but not unpleasant.

“Ah, much better.
However, I still need to get you somewhere a bit more stable.
《Begin System》”

《System in process of rebooting》
《Expected time of completion: Whenever really》

“Gah, I forgot you were like this.
Hurry up and reboot, this kid’s life is in danger.”

《…》
《Expected time of completion: A few seconds at worst》

“Mn, thanks.”

《System reboot complete》

“Alright kid, my job is finished.
I leave the rest of it up to you.”

Huh?
Why are you pushing this all on me?
I don’t even know what’s going on!

《Greetings》
《In a few moments you will be asked to choose your new fate》
《It is recommended to hurry as you don’t have much time left in this place》

Eh?
What do you mean?
I’ve been here for a long time now, how can my time here be almost up?

《I suppose there is just enough time enough to answer your question》
《In the simplest of terms, your soul is in a poor state》
《Being completely honest, it’s amazing that you’ve managed to last this long》

Eh, my soul?
I wonder how it compares to a snowflake.
Doesn’t sound all that exciting though.
Not like snowflakes at least.

《Ahem, moving on》
《I will present you with a few options》
《Please select the one you prefer》

《 ? 》
《 ? 》
《 ? 》

《Ah, I forgot to mention that these choices are random》
《Fufu, my sincerest apologies》

Hm, I don’t really believe this other voice is that sincere, but I’m not entirely sure.
Regardless, if it’s random, then it all comes down to luck.
In that case, I’ll choose the middle one!

《Your choice has been confirmed》
《Congratulations, you have been granted [     ]》

Um, voice?
There’s nothing though?

《Oh my, really?》
《I suppose your gift will have to be a surprise then》
《Look forward to the day you’re able to discover it》

T-this voice isn’t very kind it seems.
Either way, it seems I’ll have to rely on myself for whatever will happen next.
I can’t count on whatever it was that I had been given.

《Now then, because I answered your question, we’re a bit short on time, and I am unable to offer you any other choices》
《Meaning, I have decided the settings for you》
《I do hope you enjoy your new life》

Oh, well thank you, System.
Actually, now that I think about it, maybe System isn’t so bad after all?

Hah!
As if I would be deceived so easily.
System must have chosen the worst settings possible.
Well, I’ll show you, System.
I will survive your test, and then I’ll come back here to prove that I was able to beat your expectations.
Just you wait.

《Fufu, I look forward to that day》
《Farewell》

While unable to fully read those few words, my world once again became darkness.
I wonder what will happen from now on…

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So, I imagine quite a few of you have questions, but the important thing is the reason I’m rewriting this story.
While writing the original story, I did not actually have a decent plan down.
I was writing as I went, and as I went on I found out that such a style of writing is something I can’t do.
A plan was necessary so that I didn’t end up with needless chapters.
Hopefully this update will improve the story, and we’ll all enjoy it even more than the original.
Thank you for sticking with me this long.

– Pira

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