Darkness. Softness. A strange, muffled world where everything felt oddly comfortable yet incredibly weird.
'Why does it feel like I'm wrapped in a giant marshmallow? Wait… am I dead? Did I get reincarnated as a pillow? No, wait—this feels suspiciously like a womb… oh no.'
[System Booting…]
'Oh, fantastic. A voice in my head. Just what I needed.'
[Welcome, Alex Finch. You have been reborn in the world of Calkord. Due to unforeseen circumstances, your soul has been selected as the host for the Self Development System (SDS). Please be advised that detailed information about your current situation is unavailable.]
'...What? What System? That's the name? This is what I'm working with? Real creative. At least call yourself "Infinite Growth Interface" or "Ultimate Power Program" or something.'
[As a first-time user, you have been granted a Basic Gift Pack.]
[Inventory (1)]
'Oh, a gift? I do like free stuff. But what is it? And why do I have an inventory as a fetus?'
[To access, please navigate to the Inventory tab.]
'You know, it wouldn't kill you to just tell me. But sure, let's explore the system while floating in my personal sensory deprivation tank.'
Despite being in the warmest, safest cocoon of his new life, Alex found himself oddly restless. He focused, and suddenly, a menu materialized in his mind's eye:
[Self Development System]
Status
Shop
Goals (*)
Inventory (1)
Missions (2)
Skills
'So many options, and yet, none of them scream "escape this fleshy prison"… Alright, let's see what my status looks like.'
[Status]
Name: Alex Finch
Race: (?)
Age: 0 (Fetus)
Class: None
Cultivation: None
Attributes: [Locked until birth]
Talents: [Locked until birth]
Titles: [None]
'Yeah, that's about as useful as a diet cola at a steakhouse.'
[Would you like to open your Basic Gift Pack?]
'Hell yes. Please be something cool and not, like, baby socks.'
[Basic Gift Pack Opened. You have received:]
Novice Mental Fortitude: Allows clear thinking even in infancy.
Basic Language Comprehension: Grants understanding of the native language.
Minor Soul Strengthening: Boosts soul resilience for better adaptability.
Basic Elemental Mantra: Foundational cultivation technique. Information directly transmitted to the host's mind.
A sudden rush of knowledge surged through Alex's consciousness, outlining the details of the BasicElementalMantra—a rhythmic breathing and circulation technique designed to establish a strong foundation for future cultivation.
'Ugh, that was weird. Like getting a crash course in breathing techniques from an overenthusiastic yoga instructor.'
Feeling slightly better about his new reality, Alex mentally poked at the "Goals" tab, but it simply flashed red, refusing to open.
[Goals are assigned post-birth.]
'Typical. Even the system won't let me slack off before I'm born.'
[New Missions Assigned:]
1. BeBorn
Reward: Special Talent
2. AchieveFullMasteryofBasicElementalMantra
Reward: Knowledge Pack - Identity, Family, and Basic Surroundings
'Oh, great. My first mission is literally "exist". At least the rewards seem decent.'
Curious, he turned his attention to the Shop.
[Shop]
Shop Points: 0
No items available. Earn Shop Points through achievements and missions.
'Of course. Nothing is free in life, even before life actually begins. Capitalism strikes again.'
He then shifted to Skills, but the tab refused to open, displaying a dull gray color.
[Skills will be available post-birth.]
'Yeah, yeah, I get it. No prenatal superpowers for me. What a scam.'
With nothing else to do, Alex turned his thoughts inward. He was AlexFinch—or at least, he had been. Now, he was something else entirely. A new world. A new body. A new system attached to him like some overly attached AI assistant. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he would make the most of this second chance.
'I don't know what's waiting for me out there, but one thing is certain—I refuse to be weak. If this world is going to throw challenges at me, I'll break through them all. No excuses. No regrets. Let's do this.'