Cough Cough
“What in the bloody hell?!” I snapped, dazed and confused. “I only just sent power to the central computer. Why did the rocket blow up?”
Blinded by the explosion’s brilliant blast, I fumbled around on the floor of what I believed was my lab. I had come to the office early today to finish working on my prototype and run some additional tests. System functionally had been confirmed yesterday, so this startup should have been completely safe.
“Years of hard work gone out the window…”, I groaned. “What am I going to do? I won’t have anything to show the investors tomorrow.”
I put the matter aside and then realized that something was deeply amiss. Crawling for several minutes, my vision failed to clear. Nothing about my surroundings felt familiar to me. I would have expected to run into my old oak bookshelf, the cabinets lining my office walls, or my ergonomic desk by now, but I found nothing.
“I hate to break it to you, but you’re dead. A competitor paid one of your night cleaners to sabotage your prototype. They didn’t intend for it to kill you, but they also didn’t give the fellow any directions. A few hammer strikes to the rocket’s central computer were all it took for you to join me here,” a snickering voice said, amused by the situation.
“No… No, I cannot be dead. This… this has to be one of those reality television shows I watch on G4. One of my colleagues asked you to prank me because I kicked their ass at paintball last week, didn’t they?”
My prototype rocket was designed to carry humanity to the stars, not for weapons of war, so it was chock-full of intricate safety mechanisms. For combustion to occur, my rocket fuel must be in an aerosol form. Sending power to the rocket engine couldn’t have possibly caused it to blow up… Unless someone other than the janitor had also been tinkering with my prototype.
“You guessed it, your colleagues overrode your decision. They were militarizing the rocket behind your back, hoping to score a lucrative military contract. They were after hefty stacks of cash, while you were working to build a better tomorrow for humanity.”
“Damn it… I put my trust in those fools! The whole reason I started this project was that I wanted to do more than just make tools to kill people. I thought I found other like-minded people, but it turns out they did not differ from everyone else.”
As I was about to veer off on a tangent about those idiots, the voice cut in. It informed me that its time was limited and asked where I wanted to go.
“You’re a pretty rare find these days, if you haven’t figured that out. It’s become such a big problem that the big man upstairs has us reincarnate those we come across. So, do you have any specific destinations in mind? I can send you anywhere you want, even the ecchi universes you read about in those visual novels,” the voice suggested, somehow aware of my Steam catalogue.
“Dear lord, are you insane?! Living there may sound amazing, but in reality, it would be an utter nightmare. Some of their convoluted storylines would make me insane.”
After thinking for a moment, I decided I wanted to be reincarnated in a sci-fi universe. One of the biggest contributors to my interest in rocketry was Star Trek. Waking up on Saturday mornings to watch the original Star Trek reruns and other sci-fi shows was the highlight of my childhood. The thought that I could one day propel myself into space and see things no man had before fascinated me. Not to mention… I also quite liked the idea of getting myself a few xeno wives.
‘Hehe… I always wanted to be just like Captain Kirk or Spike Spiegel.’, I thought as a dirty smirk crept onto my non-existent face. “Ahem… I think I’ve made my decision. Could you send me to a sci-fi universe? Nothing too fancy, just somewhere I can have breathtaking adventures, travel the cosmos freely, and above all else… encounter many attractive women. I focused so much of my energy on my dream that I never found myself a girlfriend. This time around, I won’t just bury my head in work; I will find happiness for myself, no matter what form it takes!”
“Now that is a rare request. The number of people I’ve sent to sci-fi universes can be counted on one hand. I can certainly send you to one, but…”
Sci-fi universes were apparently the least popular destinations, so they were in the worst state. The limited flow of ‘Chosen Ones’ had led to minimal societal evolution. Potent stagnation resulted from society’s failure to evolve over thousands of years, even with technological progress. Sometimes things had grown so bad that they sent souls of the damned there as punishment.
“I see… Well then, maybe I should change my request. The idea of being dispatched to a location more dreadful than hell doesn’t appeal to me whatsoever,” I said while learning about some of these worlds.
“Sorry for trampling your dreams, man. If you want a fantasy world, I can offer several great options! They would be happy to accept a brilliant man like your- “
A far older voice cut into our conversation, asking me to wait. Since I was one of the few interested in sci-fi worlds, they didn’t want to let this opportunity slip by.
“Say we sweeten the deal a bit more; would you consider being reborn into one of our problematic sci-fi universes? To be frank, the universe in question is on the brink of collapse. It has a few decades at most before it tears itself apart at the seams,” the older voice inquired, being forthright with me.
“That depends. What are you offering me? Saving a universe on life support will be very difficult, so the benefits and compensation should reflect that.”
“Of course! We will provide you with an arsenal of powerful tools to aid your endeavors, and all the combat, magical, and scientific knowledge your heart desires. On top of that, you will be granted a body that will keep up with all your demands. Put in the effort and no matter what, from battling the most horrid abominations the universe has ever seen to pleasuring your harem, it will never fail you.”
Because I heard what my benefits package was, I was close to accepting the offer impulsively. The only reason I didn’t was that this seemed too good to be true. If the benefits were this good, how fucked up was this universe?
“The benefits package is certainly tempting, but can you tell me what is wrong with this universe? I would like to know what I am signing up for before deciding.”
“Unfortunately, we are forbidden from disclosing any detailed information to people like yourself. Several individuals in the past used what we told them to turn their universes into their personal playgrounds. Those universes were corrupted beyond repair and ended up being purged to protect their neighbors,” the older voice explained. “A certain event occurred in the past which destroyed the original universe’s world barrier, causing it to fuse with its neighbors. While I cannot say what universes were fused, I can tell you they were mostly sci-fi realities.”
“Endless adventures and tons of exotic beauties to pursue, sounds like my kind of place. If you grant me the ability to savor the fruits of my labor with my harem for many lifetimes and make me the son of a nobleman, I will accept the job.”
As the last word left my mouth, both voices simultaneously accepted my alterations in unison. Startled by their enthusiasm, I wondered if I should have requested even more. My conditions were already been set, so changing them at that point was impossible.
“Thanks man! You are really saving our asses here. Several reincarnators before you passed on this because they didn’t think it was worth it,” the original voice stated.
“Yes, you have our utmost gratitude!” the older voice said clearly more relaxed. “As thanks for taking this on for us, I’ve given you a few extra surprises. Hopefully, you will like them.”
Before I could inquire about it, the immense information they promised me began flooding into my consciousness. The unfathomable pain from the information dump overwhelmed me in seconds, causing me to black out.
---New Life---
<Master, my sensors indicate your brain is showing signs of activity again. If you can hear me, please respond.> (???)
“Ugh… Why does everything hurt so much? I feel like I just completed a triathlon after being jostled around the back of a FedEx truck,” I grumbled, slowly opening my eyes.
As my new world came into focus, the first thing that greeted me was a hand-painted mural which covered the ceiling. Made in remembrance of some ancient conflict, my new body’s memories trickled into my mind. Still sore from the earlier memory dump, I could feel a migraine coming on, so I sat up to request some water. Before I could get the words out, my jaw fell open from shock.
Given the high-end mural on the ceiling, I expected to be in a luxurious suite, but nothing quite like what I found. Every wall was covered from top to bottom with hand carved cedar panels or stain glass windows. Fine silk adorned the windows, and Gold Carrara marble made up the flooring. If my family had splurged this much on my bedroom, I would have no trouble securing the finances I needed to prepare for the future.
‘Hehe, it also means we probably have several attractive maids. I wonder what my personal maid looks like!’ I thought, looking around for the person who had spoken to me a moment ago.
Discovering I was by myself, I concluded that whoever had been present earlier had departed. Eager to see the rest of my home, I was about to climb out of bed when a familiar metallic sphere appeared before me. About the size of a grapefruit, the robot focused its camera on me from behind a large red lens.
“Is… is that you, Luxion?” I asked, hoping I was mistaken.
<Yes, it is, Master. I am relieved to see you alive and well again. An assassin poisoned your dinner three days ago; you’ve been in a coma ever since. Had you not awoken this morning, I would have been forced to declare you dead and seek revenge for you.> (Luxion)
Confirming I had been reborn into the world of Mobuseka as Leon Fou Bartfort, all my initial excitement withered and died. As the reality of my situation sank in, I could clearly remember everything this body had endured until now. The life of an impoverished nobleman’s son was dogshit; we were a single poor harvest from losing everything. On some occasions, we had to eat fucking grass just to dull the pain of hunger.
‘Those assholes, they tricked me!’ I thought, rage boiling up in my heart. ‘How the hell am I supposed to save a universe on the brink of destruction if I am trapped here on this rock!? Shit… Well, no use crying over it now. I’m stuck here, so I have to use Luxion’s technology to achieve my goals. If I’m lucky, it should be doable in a few years… maybe.’
After taking a deep breath, I refocused my attention on the matter at hand.
“An assassin, huh?” I repeated as I rolled out of bed. “Whom could I have pissed off in my short time in the capital? I haven’t even been here five days…”
<It was your stepmother, Zola Fou Bartfort. She intended to claim the spoils you brought back from my island after your funeral. Shall I have my drones eliminate her, Master?>
Zola Fou Bartfort, my father’s legal wife, was the reason our family was so broke. Her allowance and separate living accommodation here in the capital accounted for seventy percent of our household’s monthly expenditure. The memories I gained from this body told me she was even worse than in the light novel.
“Should have guessed that lamprey was involved in this. She has always had it out for my older brother Nicks and myself. Whenever she’d pay the family estate a visit, Nicks and I would be forced to sleep in a damn shed. Here recently, that bitch tried to marry me off to a friend of hers who was twice my mother’s age!” I said, growing angrier by the second.
The more incidents that came to mind, the more I developed a desire to suffocate her slowly. Before I gave the order, I remembered a promise I had made to my father. I had sworn not to interact with Zola’s household to avoid causing trouble back home. Since I was a man of my word, she would live to see another day.
“As much as I would love to see the witch buried six feet under, I made a promise not to involve myself with them. That said, it would be foolish of me not to keep tabs on her. Have a few of your surveillance drones keep watch over her household. If they even think of making another attempt on my life, bring the entire house down on all of them.”
<Of course, Master. I will dispatch drones immediately.>
With the matter settled, I stretched my sore body, then staggered over to the dresser. As I shifted through the drawers looking for a change of clothing, my eyes glimpsed myself in the mirror. My search halted, and I raised my gaze to my reflection. Unlike the plain-looking Leon I knew, the man looking back at me could have easily been a model.
‘A chiseled chin, bright emerald eyes, luscious raven hair, perfect pearly whites, and skin without a single blemish… Damn, I’m drop dead handsome!’ I thought.
Upon closer examination, I realized my body was a lean, muscular work of art. As I closely looked myself over, my remaining memories snapped into place. Sixteen years of grueling training was what it had taken to reach this point, and it was all to secure a better future. Early on, we learned hard work and honesty were useless aspirations if you didn’t have the power to protect the fruits of your labor.
‘Thank you, my former self. You spent every free waking moment training to get us here. I promise you, I won’t let your efforts go to waste.’ I thought clenching my fists.
The betrayal by my colleagues was still fresh in my mind. I had spent twelve years of my life perfecting that rocket design. It was the key to achieving my dream of space travel, but they saw a quick cash grab. Hopefully karma eventually bit them in the ass!
<Master, why are you striking weird poses in the mirror?>
“I am making sure there is no lasting damage from the poison. Fortunately, my body and mind appear to be in pristine condition!” I said, resuming my search for a change of clothing. “By the way, how did I end up in this luxury hotel? I believe we agreed to stay at a quaint inn near the port.”
<My apologies, Master. After the attempt on your life, I moved you to a more secure facility. Since your arrival here, Zola’s assassins have attempted to verify your condition. All attempts to reach you have been thwarted by the hotel’s security team.>
“I understand. Thank you for watching over me during my unconsciousness. Since the assassins are still snooping around, it would be best to eliminate them. If I used myself as bait, do you think your droids could carry out the deed?”
<Of course, Master. That said, if even one slips past them, your current gear will not be suitable enough to protect yourself.>
Following his gaze to the doorway, I found my old rifle, rusty sword, and worn leather armor hung on the coatrack. While they had kept me alive until now, it was high time I got myself better equipment. With Luxion’s advanced technology at my disposal, this upgrade would be quite substantial.
“Yeah, you have a point. Could you please craft me some new equipment?” I requested, forming a list in my mind. “For personal defense, I want some lightweight composite armor that resists bladed and blunt weapons. If possible, a personal shield generator would be great too.”
Startled by my request, Luxion’s levitation motor momentarily cut out. I caught my friend before he hit the floor, after which he quickly recovered and apologized for his short circuit.
<Master, my mass fabricators can certainly make those items for you, but are you certain you want to proceed down this path? Wearing such advanced equipment will draw the attention of more than just Zola’s assassins. Bandits and unscrupulous adventurers will make attempts on your life to get their hands on them.>
“It will be the last mistake they ever make then.” I cackled with a wicked grin. “Because I would like you to craft me an energy sword, laser pistol, and plasma rifle as well. If Zola and others want to take what I struggled to achieve, they can pry it from my dead corpse.”
<Well said, Master! It will take me a day to collect the required supplies and produce your requested items. They haven’t been used in quite some time, so some maintenance is required.>
I nodded my head and ordered room service, then exercised in my room until the food was ready.
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Hello everyone! It’s been a while since most of you have heard from me.
I’m back with a rewrite of my previous story. For those who aren’t aware, my account was hacked at the end of last year by a disgruntled fan. I lost all my progress, and my Scribble Hub account was deleted. With over a year of work gone, I nearly called it quits for good.
However, after a much-needed break, I’ve decided to start writing again—this time with backups and better security. Unlike last time, I will only be posting three chapters a week. Writing five chapters a week was a tall order, and my life has changed since then; I have a girlfriend now, and we’ll be searching for a home in the coming months, so three is the best I can manage.
Tentatively, chapters will be posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:00 AM EST, though that may change depending on the week. Real-world obligations and work come first; this is a hobby, not my career.
If you’d like to join my Discord server, here is the link: .gg/YTYN36rRzZ
See you all in the next chapter!
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