NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: The Void and The Roulette
### Chapter 1: The Void and the Roulette
Darkness. Utter and complete darkness surrounded him.
Ethan felt a brief pang of sadness as he floated in the void, the memory of the car accident still fresh in his mind.
He realized he had died, and for a moment, he mourned the life he had lost.
The thought of his family and friends flickered through his mind, and he felt a fleeting sense of regret.
But as quickly as the sadness came, it was replaced by a numb, indifferent acceptance.
There was nothing he could do about it now. He was in this endless abyss, and he had to face whatever came next.
Just then, a pale blue light appeared in front of his eyes. It was a small, comforting glow in the midst of the overwhelming darkness.
A screen materialized, glowing softly. On it, there were words he didn't quite understand at first.
[**Points: 10,000,000**]
Beneath the points, there was a single button labeled :
[ "Redeem."]
With nothing else to do and curiosity piqued, Ethan reached out, or at least he thought he did—there was no body to move, yet his intention seemed enough.
His indifference began to give way to curiosity and a glimmer of hope.
The screen changed, revealing a large roulette wheel.
The wheel was divided into numerous segments, each labeled with different rewards.
Some segments hinted at new lives, others at acquiring vast knowledge, and some were too vague to discern. But each spin cost 5,000,000 points.
With a mix of trepidation and excitement, he mentally pressed the button to spin the wheel.
The wheel spun, colors blurring together before gradually slowing. It ticked past various rewards before finally stopping on a segment that read:
[ **Reincarnation in the Pokémon World**.]
His heart leaped with joy.
Pokémon had always been his favorite, a cherished part of his past life.
To live in that world was a dream come true. Memories of playing Pokémon games, watching the shows, and imagining himself as a trainer flashed before his eyes.
He could almost hear the music, the call of wild Pokémon, and the thrill of battle.
The numbness that had consumed him moments before began to dissipate, replaced by an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation.
Without hesitation, he spun the wheel again. This time, the wheel stopped on a segment labeled:
[**All Information about Pokémon Breeding, Training, Research, and More**.]
Ethan was ecstatic. Not only would he get to live in the Pokémon world, but he would also possess knowledge that could make him one of the greatest Pokémon Masters of all time.
He Imagined himself traveling through the regions, encountering all kinds of Pokémon, and becoming a legendary trainer.
The prospect filled him with an overwhelming sense of purpose and excitement.
A prompt appeared:
[**Would you like to reincarnate now?**]
He didn't need to think twice. Yes! The word echoed in his mind, and the screen seemed to absorb it.
The darkness around him began to shift, a vortex of colors swirling and enveloping him.
As the colors enveloped him, he felt a rush of emotions—hope, anticipation, and a hint of sadness for the life he was leaving behind.
But the excitement for the journey ahead far outweighed any reservations.
---
He awoke with a start, his body aching all over. Pain shot through his limbs as he tried to move.
He was lying on the forest floor, surrounded by towering trees and thick underbrush.
The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
He looked down at himself and saw that his body was small, that of a six-year-old boy, and it was covered in bruises and cuts.
His clothes were torn and dirty, and his entire being felt sore and weak. Panic surged through him briefly, but then the memories of the void and the roulette came flooding back.
This was his new life, his second chance.
He tried to stand but stumbled, his legs shaky and unsteady.
As he steadied himself against a tree, he realized that his new body was likely the result of some accident or attack, and he would have to find help quickly.
Despite the pain and disorientation, he felt a strange sense of clarity.
The knowledge he had gained from the roulette spin was there, ready to be accessed.
He knew about Pokémon breeding, training, and research as if he had studied them his entire life. He just needed to survive this initial trial.
Gathering his strength, he began to move through the forest, looking for any signs of civilization or help.
The forest was dense, and the sounds of wild Pokémon echoed around him. His heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement.
He knew he had to be careful, but he also felt a thrill at being in the Pokémon world.
After what felt like hours of stumbling through the underbrush, he heard the sound of running water. He followed it and found a small stream.
Kneeling down, he drank eagerly, the cool water soothing his parched throat. As he rested, he heard a rustling in the bushes nearby.
His heart skipped a beat, but then he saw it—a small, curious Eevee emerged from the underbrush, its big eyes watching him intently.
Ethan smiled despite his pain. This was his first encounter with a Pokémon in his new life.
He reached out a hand slowly, and the Eevee, sensing no threat, approached him cautiously. As it nuzzled his hand.
He would find a way out of this forest, heal his wounds, and start his journey as a Pokémon Trainer.
With his newfound knowledge and a heart full of determination, he was ready to embark on the greatest adventure of his life.
As he stroked the Eevee's soft fur, he heard another noise, this time louder and closer.
He turned quickly and saw a middle-aged man stepping out from behind a tree.
The man was wearing a lab coat, and his eyes widened in shock as he saw the injured boy before him.
"What on earth...?" the man muttered, rushing over. "What is a child doing out here, and in such a state?"
Ethan tried to speak, but his voice was weak. The man, seeing his distress, knelt down and began to examine his wounds.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "I'll help you. We need to get you somewhere safe."
Ethan nodded weakly, grateful for the help. As the man carefully lifted him, the Eevee followed closely, its eyes filled with concern. Together, they made their way through the forest.
............