Reborn into a World Without Us

The sea was calm, a vast stretch of blue under the bright tropical sun. Alex stood at the helm of his ship, staring out at the horizon as the wind filled the sails. It had been several days since he set out on this journey, leaving behind the familiar shores of Northern Mindanao. His mission was clear: to confirm once and for all, if this world was indeed the Philippines he thought it was.

Ever since arriving in this strange, humanless world, Alex had been haunted by the idea that everything around him was a coincidence. The animals, the plants, even the night sky—all seemed eerily familiar, yet something deep inside him nagged at the possibility that it was all an elaborate illusion. "Could this really be the Philippines?" he wondered. "Or is it just a place that looks like it?"

He hadn't mapped the entire land of his home base, but he had a rough idea of where he might be based on the wildlife and flora he encountered. The positions of the stars, which he had studied meticulously through his telescope, told him he was in a tropical region. There were no cold winters, no snow, it is just the constant warmth of the tropics. But was that enough to confirm his location?

He needed more evidence, and to get it, he decided to sail north—from what he believed to be Mindanao to the supposed Visayas. If he could find familiar islands, fauna, and flora there, it might just confirm his theory.

After two days of sailing, the outline of islands began to appear on the horizon. The excitement in Alex's heart was palpable. "Could this be it? Am I really in the Visayas?" He knew he had to be cautious; it could still be a coincidence. But as he sailed closer, the familiar sight of the islands and the creatures that inhabited them began to ease his doubts.

The local fauna and flora were a perfect match for what he knew from his old world. The dense forests, the wild animals, and even the smaller plants and insects were just as he remembered. "It's like I never left," Alex thought, a sense of both comfort and unease washing over him. This was indeed the Visayas or at least a perfect replica of it.

But as his confidence grew, so did his questions. "Why was I transmigrated to this world?" he wondered. The God who sent him here had promised a normal fantasy world with swords, magic, and grand adventures. He was supposed to meet people, form bonds, and face challenges with friends by his side. But instead, he found himself in an eerily normal place, no magic, no people, just a world that resembled the Philippines without its human population. "Was this some kind of mistake?" he mused. "Or is there something more to this world than I've discovered?"

Determined to uncover the truth, Alex stayed in the Visayas for a year and a half. During this time, he devoted himself to research, farming, foraging, and mining for resources. He needed to understand this world better, to see if there was anything that set it apart from the Earth he once knew.

During his stay, he confirmed that the local animals and plants were indeed the same as those in the Philippines. The longer he stayed, the more it felt like he was just a ghost wandering in a world that had once been populated. But even with all this familiarity, there was no trace of magic, no sign of the fantastical elements that should have defined his new life. It was all too normal, too grounded in reality.

After his extended stay, Alex decided it was time to move on. His journey north took him to Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines. The voyage was easier now that he had gained experience in sailing. His first nights at sea had been fraught with anxiety. He had stayed awake, checking and rechecking the engines and machines, fearful of any accident that might occur during his first real expedition. To cope with the demands of solo sailing, he had practiced an intermittent sleep technique, grabbing four hours of sleep during the day when the sea was calm, then tending to his farm animals and crops in between.

But now, he was more confident. The three-day sail from Visayas to Luzon was smooth, with the ship performing perfectly. As he arrived in Luzon, he was struck by how similar it was to Mindanao and the Visayas. The local fauna and flora were much the same, giving him a sense of déjà vu as he explored the new land.

Despite the familiar sights, Alex didn't stay long in Luzon. The repetitive nature of the islands began to weigh on him, and he grew restless. He spent only thirty days conducting ecological and environmental surveys. "It's more of the same," he noted, examining the local species. "The unique wildlife here doesn't change the fact that this island is just a larger version of what I've seen before."

With his survey complete, Alex set his sights on the next leg of his journey: sailing from Luzon to China. He had initially considered Taiwan but decided against it. "Taiwan might be interesting," he said to himself as he plotted his course, "but it's not as strategically advantageous as mainland China."

He continued, "China and its neighboring countries like Vietnam are known for their rich deposits of metals and rare earth elements. Taiwan doesn't have the same resource potential. If I'm going to invest time and effort into mining, it has to be where the returns are significant."

As he prepared for the voyage, Alex reflected on his decision. "The Philippines isn't renowned for rare earth metals. From what I know, there are only a few potential sources, and exploring them would be incredibly time-consuming. I've already invested so much time here, and with no signs of aging, I still have a limited window to act."

He reasoned, "It's far more efficient to focus on regions with known deposits. China, with its extensive reserves of rare earth metals, offers a far greater opportunity. Plus, Hainan Province is strategically located. It provides a central point for facilitating the shipment of mined resources from both mainland China and Vietnam."

The voyage to China was long but filled with anticipation. As Alex approached Hainan Province, he marveled at the unique landscape. "This place is untouched by human hands," he thought, taking in the lush, pristine environment. "It's a stark contrast to the environmental degradation I've seen back home."

Upon arrival, Alex began establishing his new base of operations. The first task was constructing the necessary facilities for multiple storage facilities, living quarters like a house, a workshop, and a laboratory

As he worked on setting up his new base, Alex felt a renewed sense of purpose. "This place has so much potential," he said aloud, surveying the construction site. "With the resources here and the strategic location, this will be the perfect hub for my operations."

He took a moment to reflect on his journey. "I may not have found the magic or the grand adventure I was promised, but I've discovered a new world full of opportunities. There's still so much to explore and learn."

With the construction of his new base well underway, Alex felt optimistic about the future. The vast expanse of China and Vietnam held untold possibilities, and he was eager to uncover them. As he finished setting up the essential facilities, he looked out at the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Here's to new beginnings," Alex said, raising a toast to the future. "Let's see what this world has in store."

And with that, he embarked on a new chapter of his journey, determined to explore the mysteries of this world and find the answers he sought.

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Author's note: If you like this story, I would like to be stoned, please.