Darkness. It wasn't the cold, empty darkness of a grave, but a warm, rhythmic embrace. My last memory was the familiar scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of the life support machines in my hospital room. I had fallen asleep expecting more of the same: pain, stillness, and the ceiling I had memorized over years of illness.
Instead, a voice like chiming silver echoed inside my skull.
"Please choose a system."
"Where am I?" I thought, feeling a wave of panic. "What was that? Who's talking?"
"Do you want to see what systems you can choose?" the voice asked, ignoring my confusion.
"Yes?" I replied, my mental voice trembling.
"Say... Status."
I did as instructed. Immediately, a translucent, dark screen flickered into view against the void. It was filled with glowing titles, many radiating an almost divine pressure:
- God Maker System
- God of Magic System
- Eternal Monarch System
"You had a difficult path in your previous life," the voice explained softly. "The God of Systems has given you a chance for a grander second life. You may choose an 'Overpowered' system to guide you."
I thought of my years trapped in a hospital bed, watching the world through light novels and webtoons. I didn't want things handed to me. I wanted the satisfaction of earning my health.
"I choose the Hard Work System," I declared.
"You have chosen the Hard Work System," the voice confirmed, then added quickly, "Please choose your next system."
I froze. "Wait, what? Next?"
"Choose the next system in three seconds," the voice commanded, its tone suddenly clinical.
"Wait, I need to read the list! I—"
"Three... two... one... Time expired. A random system has been selected for the second slot."
"What? What system did I get?" I cried out, but the voice was already fading.
"You will know in your next life. It begins in... three... two... one..."
The world shifted. I felt weightless, floating in a thick, comfortable fluid.
"It feels... good here," I whispered in my mind's silence. "Where am I now?"
"You are in your mother's womb," the voice replied.
"You're still here?" I asked, relieved to have company. "Can I see what happened? What was that random system?"
"Say Status to view your dual systems."
I focused, and the screen reappeared.
[NAME]: Unnamed
[PRIMARY SYSTEM]: Hard Work System
[SECONDARY SYSTEM]: Dungeon Maker System
"A Dungeon Maker System?" I asked. "How does that work?"
"It allows you to create labyrinths using the power of your soul. However, your body is currently too weak for such a task. Both systems will remain sealed until you are born and reach the age of five. Only then can you create your first dungeon."
"What about the Hard Work System?" I pressed. "Can I use that now?"
"You can," the voice answered. "It helps you gain skills through repetition. But right now, your infant mind is exhausted. Sleep. We will see what you become in the years to come."
A New Morning
Time blurred into warmth and muffled heartbeats until, suddenly, the world erupted.
The darkness was split apart by a light so bright it felt heavy. I wanted to retreat, to return to the long sleep I had enjoyed for months, but the voice came back one last time.
"Good morning. I suppose it is time for you to wake up."
I squeezed my eyes shut against the brightness. Sounds flooded in—strange, melodic syllables from a language I didn't recognize. It was jarring and foreign, yet there was warmth in the tone of the people speaking.
Slowly, I forced my new eyes to open. The blur began to sharpen into shapes and colors. My heart pounded against my ribs—a strong, healthy beat I had never felt in my previous life.
I looked up, and for the first time, I didn't see a hospital ceiling. I saw a world of new endless possibility.