"ON YOUR FEET, EVERYONE UP AND ARMED! THIS IS NOT A DRILL," barked out a rough and familiar voice, attempting to rouse the exhausted soldiers from last night's guard rotation. As the soldiers began to, at first groggily, then with a sense of foreboding as a whistling was heard, hurriedly put on their gear.
Snapping my eyes open, I immediately reached for my rifle. I could hear the yelling around camp and the faint but growing sound of a high pitched whistling. Going into a crouch from a sitting position, I surveyed my surroundings. Immediately I turned from the base and focused on my surroundings.
I took in the scene around me, scanning for any potential threats to the camp. We were currently on home soil, deep in the heart of the country. After they drafted all of us and proclaimed the war with China was intensifying, the EU was quick to join in on attacking the US.
I didn't have time to properly take in the forest around me before I instinctively dropped down as the whistling reached its loudest. Right as I was flopping down a loud explosion erupted as pain landed through my body. I had no time to question how we were under attack within the Midwest, nor could I ponder the idea of betrayal. As I exhaled my last breath my brain began to process my whole life as it all flashed before my eyes. My childhood. My loving but haggard mother. My strange father who hardly wanted anything to do with a family. My teenage years. My first love, the birth of my first and only child, followed by my first major heartbreak. The struggles of being a father, the joys of raising a daughter. The day of the war breaking out, the notice of being drafted. The memories of friends and family, most long dead. Until finally, darkness.
*Somewhere within an extra-dimensional space*
'Are you sure I can take him? You won't… I don't know, smite me,' A certain entity inquired.
'You may take him. You can borrow him until his mortal coil once again expires.' [SEALED]
'I appreciate you allowing us to borrow one of your own. This one's soul seems to be well suited for this. I know there isn't anything we can truly offer you but… we owe you a favor.' The entity attempted to pander.
'Enough. Just take care of him. Do not lose or damage him.' [SEALED]
Both an infinitely long and simultaneously instantaneous time passed when the soul of the soldier appeared before a certain entity.
'I know that I'm dead but this is not how I pictured purgatory, nor the waiting space before being judged.' Thought the soul.
'That would be because this is neither purgatory nor the day of judgment. Rather you are here because I asked a favor from your Creator.' The amused entity remarked.
As the certain entity spoke an indescribable pressure hit the soul. It wasn't malicious, nor was it harmful. Rather it was more like a natural phenomenon, likely due to the soul being in the presence of a greater existence of some kind. Rather than being upset or frightened, the soul appeared… giddy? Perhaps excited?
'Wait… am I getting isekai'd?' The jubilant soul questioned?
'I suppose you are. Wait… you're not curious about anything else? Not even frightened? You… are you damaged? No you don't appear damaged.' The entity remarked perplexedly.
'If you received permission from my Creator then it's above my pay grade. Instead, I'm excited about the idea of being isekai'd. However, can you tell me what happened to my daughter?' Although initially jubilant the soul finished his remark in a somber tone.
'Sadly I don't have a happy story to tell you. When the base you were stationed in was attacked, not even three minutes afterwards the US released its nuclear arsenal upon the world. In less than fifteen minutes the whole world responded with the same. Within an hour after your death your child followed after being swallowed by a subsequent nuclear explosion. If it's of any comfort, her death was nearly painless.' The Entity explained while attempting to console the soul.
'I see… at least she's spared some of the cruelty of life. It's a shame she's missed out on the joys of it as well.
Anyway, what will this cost me? I'm assuming this is some sort of entertainment. I doubt there's any true grand ambition behind this.' The soul processed and questioned.
Caught off guard by how fast the soul moved on, the Entity stared blankly at the soul for a few moments before replying, 'A price? How pragmatic… sure, entertainment is fine. In fact, if you can manage to be entertaining enough I'll even allow you sponsors. Those sponsors will be able to interact with you, but only partially.
Now then, let's get to the meat and potatoes of your transfer… I will construct a body that compliments your soul. It will be rather similar to your old one. You will also be provided with the [Anything Copyright Infringement System ©️] which will provide you with a few functions. These functions include RPG like progression, Shop (anything from skills to items. Items include anything from a simple cola all the way to ring worlds, skills, abilities, bloodlines, and anything else imaginable. Additional system functions can also be purchased.), and Gacha. Now then, any questions?'
After mulling this information over for a moment the soul replied, 'No, this sounds pretty straightforward. Do I get any choices or beginner packages? That's usually standard for these tropes.'
'You aren't being given choices. The world is already chosen. I'll include anything A.I. for you within your system that will handle the beginner packages.
Before I send you off, let me leave you with some advice. Don't stray from your path. When you arrive in the world, it may not function as you would normally believe it to. You aren't limited only to the scope within the world. Lastly, don'tleave any regrets.' The Entity spoke as he began to channel energy.
The Soul couldn't even say goodbye before the energy spiked to the extreme and he was blissfully whisked away.
Reappearing within another void, the soul was confused. Before he could process what was happening a sudden pain coursed through him. A mind boggling, excruciating pain. Just as fast as it hit the soul, it went away.
With a gentle chime a mechanical voice was soon heard saying, 'Greetings host. I am the artificial soul link assistant that has been paired with your system in order to assist you. Before you are shoved back into your flesh prison I have a few questions to ask you before you officially start your new journey. First question, would you like to start from nothing, working class, middle class, or upper class? This will only affect the material wealth of the host.'
While being initially annoyed by the pain, then perplexed, the soul settled back into a calculating but indifferent emotional range before replying, 'Make me rich, I've never been rich before.'
With a metaphysical click and a slight hum, the A.S.L. asked another question, 'Understood host. Second question, what kind of ties would you like to have in this world? You may choose three. To better understand, the world you are about to enter is the world of cyberpunk. After choosing three ties, the system will give you a final, mystery tie.'
Hearing this the soul was momentarily stunned again. With a hum the soul replied, 'Assuming this can't be used against me by the corporations then I would like to be a hidden shareholder of Arasaka and Militech. Preferably large enough to make a decision without ever doing so. As for my third tie? Give me a solid bond with all of Heywood. Preferably the kind where the Valentinos and Padre hold me in high regard.'
With yet another whir and metaphysical click, the A.S.L. spoke once more, 'Generating background… generation complete. Applying fixes… fixes Applied. Manipulating reality… complete. Final question: host, what age?'
'Oh, that's easy. Make me eighteen again. Oh and make sure my so-called flesh prison is in good physical condition while you're at it. Please and thank you,' the soul quipped.
With a final metaphysical click and a more intensive whir, the A.S.L. replied, 'Understood host. All parameters set. Please standby for transport.'
As the whining grew louder and the energy grew turbulent, the soul was quickly whisked from the void for the final time, ready to begin his journey in this new world and possibly beyond.