In a void where concepts of space and time don't exist, darkness reigns. There's no light. No life. Calling this a place seems pointless, as the notion of a "place" itself has no meaning here.
But wait. Something stirs in this emptiness. A figure—floating or perhaps falling—drifts without purpose. The being has been here for who knows how long. Slowly, it opens its eyes, revealing confusion.
"Uh, wh-where am I?"
A voice echoes in the nothingness.
"Hello? Can you hear me? Hello, hello!"
"W-what? Who's there?"
"Thank god you're connected. Listen closely. Yuki, the immortal king realm cultivator, betrayed by your brother during your last test to reach the Immortal God Realm, right?"
"Right, but who are you?"
"What matters isn't who I am, but your potential. Your test was canceled halfway through. Heaven has granted you a second chance. Start from scratch. Prove that heaven doesn't make mistakes. Now goodbye and good luck."
With that, Yuki loses consciousness. His soul travels through realms, eventually reaching an open sky. A newborn boy with red hair gasps for air.
"Wait, what just happened? I heard a voice saying I've been given a second chance."
"Congratulations, ma'am. You have a healthy boy."
"Honey, look! Our son looks exactly like you!"
"Yes, dear. Isn't he cute?"
"Have you decided on a name?"
"Yes, my precious baby, your name will be Yuki Takahashi."
"Did I just get reborn as a kid?!"
Three years pass.
"Three years since my rebirth. In this time, I've discovered this world is rich with spiritual energy. Not one cultivator exists. If I'm right, I will be the first of this era. Why do I say 'this era'? It's simple. This world has tales of cultivators. Either this planet is new or they've migrated away.
I have loving parents: a beautiful mother and a handsome, wealthy father. My parents are orphans but are now among the richest families in the country."
Meanwhile, in rural Japan, chaos erupts. A mother runs, clutching her three-year-old daughter, pursued by thugs.
"Hey! Don't run! You can't escape!"
"You can't escape!"
As one thug reaches out, the mother throws something, hitting him in the face. She plunges into a crowd.
"Useless!"
But a dead end looms ahead.
"Nowhere left to go. Hand over the girl and I won't kill you," the thug growls.
"Stay away from her!"
He pulls a gun, shooting her hand.
"Mom! No!" The girl screams, closing her eyes.
In that moment, a bright light bursts forth from her, striking down the thug, who collapses.
The next day, the hospital hums quietly. A girl stirs awake.
"Where am I?"
The nurse smiles gently. "Looks like you woke up. You and your mom were attacked by street thugs. When the police arrived, both of you were unconscious…and the thugs were dead."
"Mom? Thugs? Dead?"
A sharp pain shoots through her head. She cries out, clutching it as memories flood back.
Nurse: "Hey girl, what's going on? Doctor! We have an emergency for patient number 47!"
A few minutes later.
Doctor: "Phew! Alright, everything's normal now. I think the news hit her hard. That's why her head hurts after hearing about the death. Tell her to rest for now."
Nurse: "Hey girl!"
Girl: I think I've lost track of everything. Is this a dream? Is it real? If this is true, then thank you, God, for giving me this second chance.
(Silence hangs in the air, thick with uncertainty.)
Girl: Anyway, my name is Lauren Suzuki. Somehow, I think I've traveled back in time. In my past life, I was a government agent, following orders to the letter. In my last mission, I was betrayed. My organization turned on me because of my abilities—magic that 99% of people can't use.
Doctor: "So, how are you feeling, little one?"
Lauren: "Oh, I'm fine. But can I ask you something?"
Doctor: "Sure, go ahead."
Lauren: "What's the date today?
What happened to me?"
Doctor: "Today's date is July 7, 2024. As for you, you and your mother were unconscious when we found you. We also discovered the bodies of street thugs nearby."
Lauren: I see. 2024. That means I traveled back 17 years. Those thugs… Today is the day my mother died at their hands. Afterward, I became an orphan. A soldier adopted me.
Doctor: "Hello? Girl? Hello?"
Lauren: "Oh, sorry, Doctor. I don't know who they are. This morning, they burst into our house, starting to shoot at us."
Doctor: "Don't worry, kiddo. Let the—"
Lauren: No! I can't let anyone get involved in this mess. I know how to find the mastermind behind this. But first, I have to check on my mother.