Races: Online (VR Smartphone App)

According to some human statistics back in 2017, there were about 150,000 deaths per day that occurred consistently enough. It was something that some or many didn't think about as they went about their lives. 

It was not some failing in human character or anything else in the eyes of those who observed it—it was simply something that was unavoidable.

So most turned their eyes, pretended that it did not exist and simply lived each day as if they were invincible. That nothing would take them down—until something actually did. Whether it was disease, accidents, old age… or even their very own hands.

Life was so short and fleeting—but to those who knew that and were unafraid to look death in the eye, they blazed and lived in spite of it. 

A flame that was glorious in sight, burning and always bright before it finally flickered and died but also reaching out to others and also lighting something within them.

That was what most looked for.

A legacy.

Something to remember them by, a part of something in that sliver of eternity—to live on, if not in the actual physical state and whether or not there was some metaphysical location to look forward to—then at least in the hearts and minds of others.

But was that inspiring?

For someone who never actually burned as bright as others or who did not shine enough to ever be seen or noticed… 

What happened then when you finally winked out and were forever out of sight? 

Han Jing didn't want to think of that.

Right now, things were fine… not bad. Actually, you could even say that it was going to be pretty good. Han Jing's circumstances changed for the better and it was far from over.

His life seemed like it was just getting started.

Han Jing walked alongside his father who carried some of the takeout that they bought together. 

"Your sister actually likes mapo tofu?" his father asked. "Your mother always has a pitcher of water whenever we actually have anything spicy. She hates it."

"That's mother, Jinjing is different." Han Jing replied. 

"When she was younger, she really liked sweet and sour pork." his old man muttered. "The two of you did."

"Well, it's not like Jinjing says no if I bring her candy from the convenience store," Han Jing shrugged in reply. His sister accepted almost any kind of goods and it used to be good for bribery. "So she still likes sweets."

"Is she brushing her teeth properly? Dentists and their treatment can get very expensive."

"You don't have to worry about her."

"Then I guess it's you who your mother worries about. You can get through an entire liter of soda all by yourself." His father scrunched up his nose in disgust. "Your kidney and liver can take it while you're younger, but when you get to my age, it's no longer recommended."

"Yes, I know that." Han Jing muttered. "Did mother tell you?"

"She nags, but it's not like I can tell you how to live your life. You're already an adult," his father said. "But you're still living under our roof, so you should listen to your mother and not give her a headache."

"I won't."

"You will, but lessen it."

While Han Jing normally disliked the man. This person who couldn't even take a single day off to be with his family, someone who instead poured the most of his energy into working and earning a living, and didn't even know his daughter's tastes now—he saw the gray in the older man's hair. 

An ebb of reluctance stabbed him in the gut.

It was never too early to start thinking about one's future end rather than confidently thinking that you lived forever and were untouchable. 

There was nothing wrong about acknowledging how short his existence was going to be and that it was a good idea to do something worthwhile before he died.

Unless life and death decided to mess with you.

The truck moved through the street in a haphazard manner as other cars quickly tried to move to the side. It was an orchestra of madness and pedestrians were not people simply watching it from the sides.

They were involved as any other.

Han Jing quickly reached for his father's elbow and dragged him to the other side of the pavement. His own heart beating loudly in his chest as he glanced at the road and the speeding vehicle heading towards him.

.. .

.. .

.. .

.. .

He lived.

He died.

He lived again.

That was how most stories started nowadays and it was where he found himself. The young man did not believe in reincarnation nor the afterlife, he could not believe such things that did not have any proof but then the next thing he knew was that he was one with the universe.

...It was hard to explain.

The universe was vast and infinite enough that he was afraid that it would get cold, flinchingly cold and freezing that it scared him that he'd be consciously aware of how the universe did not care at all about his existence or the fact that he was here and suffering in the silence. 

A cosmic indifference that did not care about the plight of human life.

Just as he wanted.

Just as he thought it was—so why was he frightened and paralyzed now? Why did he yearn and crave for acknowledgement, for existence despite all the pain he had lived through and brought him to the very end of it? 

This kind of end scared him.

He wished he didn't exist anymore—or for his consciousness to cease in its existence so he wouldn't have to trouble himself with such thoughts anymore—but then it happened. Within the dark and vast universe, it was almost as if he reached the end.

The edge to where it stopped expanding, or rather, where he couldn't go any further anymore.

Even his own existence, now without any physical cage, was still limited by how strong or weak his soul was. And the light was small. Barely there. A trifle not even worth looking at—the man saw how others sparkled and burned brightly like shooting stars. Novas.

He didn't have 'eyes' per se, but he perceived it still.

All of them passed through the block and wall he reached. Granted access into somewhere—beyond the universe? He didn't know. He wasn't even sure if 'he' was even the appropriate way to describe him now that he dropped his body.

That was when it changed again as he heard a voice. Not being religious, he didn't know what to think of… something or someone powerful that was unaffected by the rules and laws of the universe. 

Something greater.

In his mind's eye, he saw someone pulling through the numerous woves of golden threads that clustered together like grains of sand.

Each one similar yet different from the last. A countless number of lives, memories and hearts all dwelled amidst them all and yet the being didn't pay any heed to them at all. It did not care as much as he thought it did… until it offered and stretched him a hand

Did he want to take it?

He didn't want to take it and yet he knew at the bottom of his non-existent stomach that it was only one chance and then nevermore. While it was hard to distinguish the being's appearance at first, only him realizing that it was a being and not something undistinguished, the being soon began to take shape.

Something green and yet the greenest thing he'd ever seen couldn't compare.

Those eyes—and he realized they were eyes—that vacantly stared at him that it only proved how insignificant he must be. Those eyes stared at him and then leaned closer towards him as if he actually had an ear, body, and he just couldn't see it at all.

"Unnumbered subject. Go."

It shoved him forward. Gently. As if one could even actually feel anything, but then the impenetrable wall—the block he couldn't pass through at all, he felt himself sucked inward and dragged into it like how an apple fell on the grass without question.

These were the laws at work and he might have been inclined to deem it as otherwise.

Before he completely disappeared into the other part of the universe—his eyes latched onto the being one last time and there he found salvation. As if there were actually any hopes of salvation left for someone like him—but there it was.

A kuudere waifu in the flesh.

Maybe it was just his imagination that tried to give shape to the indescribable being that gave chance to move on from this state of existence—but there she was in all of her cold and emotionless glory.

Petitie. Dark green hair. Unwavering eyes.

She looked like an Olive to him.

"Go where—?" he finally found it within himself to try to speak and actually ask, but then he was gone. 

When he finally came to be, things didn't actually make that much sense in the world… Although it was when he opened his eyes that he saw a cat's face looking down at him. 

Blep. 

The mother licked its kitten face with its rather rough and abrasive tongue. He felt himself wince at the sudden lick attack—before his eyes widened and then he realized what actually came to him.

Oh god, it was one of those anime shows he'd actually been watching!

It hit all the checkmarks.

Beautiful goddess seeing him in the afterlife. Check.

Him dying. Check.

Him living again. Check again.

Where were his cheats? Where was his special weapon that was only meant for him?  Why was he a cat? Why was he a cat—why didn't he have any actual choices in this matter at all?