"'System, please use the Character Customisation Card.'" The thought brought a mix of apprehension and excitement. This whole situation was completely baffling.
As soon as I had that thought, the screen in front of me changed. It displayed a 3D version of myself, standing there naked, along with a bunch of options to change my appearance.
I wouldn't say I was the ugliest guy in the world, but I definitely had my insecurities. I always wished I was taller, and I'd always been self-conscious about how scrawny I was.
While I was browsing through the interface, something caught my eye. With a quick mental command, the interface switched pages. Instead of all those incredibly detailed options to customize my original form, it showed templates of other people. There were names under each template, which confused me for a second.
'These people… they must exist in the Omniverse or something, right? That would make sense.'
With that thought, I started scrolling through the list, checking out each option. Some of the guys looked monstrous, especially that "Kaido" template. I decided to filter the list, setting the height parameters to find templates between six foot and six foot five. That narrowed things down quite a bit, though it was still a pretty long list.
My eyes eventually settled on one particular figure. He had short black hair, cropped at the sides, a sharp jawline, and strong brows. He was a perfect six foot two inches, and his body was basically everything I'd ever wanted. He had a build somewhere between a bodybuilder and a swimmer, but he also looked like a martial artist. I had no idea who this Toji Fushiguro was, but I knew I'd definitely be thanking him in my prayers for making this so easy.
I confirmed my selection and stood there silently, waiting for the changes to happen to my body. I closed my eyes, bracing for the pain, but the more I waited in the silence of this… abyss, the more I realized nothing was happening. Opening one eye, I glanced at the System screen again, then slapped my forehead.
[Customisation will be implemented once the Host is sent to their first world.]
"I'm such an idiot, aren't I?" I scratched my neck and chuckled at my own stupidity. "I can't believe how long I stood there like a moron."
'System, please explain the Identity Card to me. I've got a feeling I know what it does, but I might be missing some details.'
[The Omniversal Identity Card allows the Host to have a fully integrated life within their current universe. Through the System, the Host will always be an emancipated minor, in case they choose to start off as a teenager. Host will have a bank account connected to the System wherever they choose to go.]
"Well, that's mighty convenient of you, isn't it, System?" I said.
"Though I'd need to figure out how to make money. Seeing as I have no education or job experience, I'm not sure what to do." I sat there in silence, contemplating how my past was already coming back to mess with my new future.
[Host is able to purchase funds via the System Store. Regardless of the universe the host is in, the points to dollar conversion will always be the same.]
I was gobsmacked for a moment. The Gift Pack did give me a free 1000 credits to spend. 'Maybe I should check the conversion rate. System, open the Shop, please.'
I couldn't even begin to explain what the Shop had within its catalogue. It looked like the ultimate Walmart meets Amazon. Anything and everything I could need in my day-to-day life was there. I could even purchase my own home through the Store, though it seemed like these homes were much more advanced than anything that ever existed.
'Makes sense. This Store has anything I'd need for Quality of Life.'
Browsing further, I found thousands of kilos of meat for less than one credit, combat and workout clothing in bulk for even cheaper. Even state-of-the-art laptops, mobile phones, and vehicles were available, though which universe's current technology standards they adhered to, I couldn't guess.
'System, how many credits would I need to convert for one million dollars USD?' It was a valid question. The USD at this time is strong, and I'm hoping it's the same on any other Earth I go to. How did I know this? Dumpsters usually held the previous day's newspapers, so I at least knew what was going on in my country.
[1 credit can be converted to $1,000,000 USD regardless of inflation.]
"Motherfucker, what?!" I yelled out loud, my eyes bulging from their sockets. "You're telling me I have the equivalent of a free one billion dollars just sitting there?!" If I could've breathed right then, I think I'd have been hyperventilating.
Of course, the System didn't respond, as I stood there with the cogs in my brain turning slowly. It took me another five minutes to actually remember that I had other things to do.
"Okay, System, I think it's time I get out of here. I've been dawdling along for a while, and I'd like to start my new life. Please explain the Beginner World Travel Ticket."
[The Beginner World Travel Ticket will send Host to a low-tier world, where there will be supernatural elements that could cause harm to humans, or the Host themselves. As it is a beginner world, the Host has the ability to grow at their own pace, and should find little to no issue with building up their power base.]
That information was a boon for me, as I was slightly worried I would be thrown into some universe where gods would attack me, or some zombie apocalypse type situation.
'Please explain the Adaptive/Reactive Evolution skill, and dumb it down for me so I can understand it easier.'
[Adaptive/Reactive Evolution is the ability to push past any limits with ease. The Host's body, mind, and soul will continue to strengthen and grow infinitely, be it through training, learning, or combat. Example: if the Host was set on fire, their body would automatically evolve quickly until the point the fire no longer harms the Host. As long as you will it, then it is possible.]
Again, I couldn't even comprehend the ability I was bestowed. This seemed like something out of a Marvel Comic. 'Wait, does that mean I could theoretically become immune to the sun's heat? I wouldn't need to breathe in space, and I could handle the pressure of the ocean floor, becoming faster and stronger by the second. This is so fucking broken.'
"Okay, please integrate the skill card at the same time my body is being created." I did not know where I'd appear - in the middle of the road, or in the ocean - so it was a safe idea to have it from the beginning.
'Use Beginner World Travel Ticket,'
[Confirmed.]
As the System spoke, my form turned into motes of light, similar to fireflies in the night sky. It was beautiful to watch, but slowly, the darkness surrounding me seemed to affect my mind, and my consciousness drifted to sleep.
It was an odd sensation: the feeling of the breeze kissing my skin; the sunlight hitting me in certain places, and the foreign feeling of awakening in what was clearly a new body. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the sheer health and power in my muscles. Taking a moment to adjust, I took a deep breath, just listening to the world around me. It felt and sounded like I was in a park or forest. I guess these locations would be better for a random appearance by someone.
I cracked my eyelids open as the sun's rays filtered through. Looking up, I saw a canopy of trees surrounding me, something I hadn't really experienced as a homeless person in the city.
'It's so beautiful.' That was my only thought, and it was correct. Everything was so lush. Opening my eyes fully, I slowly sat up, gazing at the surrounding forest.
'Seems like I'm in some open field in the forest. Might be nice to set up camp here if I'm far from civilization.'
Standing up, I dusted off the dark jeans and white t-shirt I was wearing. I could feel the rippling muscles under my hand, and boy, was that a nice feeling! I felt healthy and whole for the first time in my life. My height was definitely noticeable; I'd gone from what felt like five foot seven inches to six foot two.
"Nice!" I cheered out loud before clamping my mouth shut. I didn't want to draw attention if there were any animals around.
'Hey System, what world am I in currently?' It was a valid question.
[Congratulations, Host! You have successfully arrived in your first world. You are currently located in the movie world of Twilight.]
...
"What the fuck is Twilight? I swear, if it's a kids' movie, I'll try to find a volcano to jump into it." Wait, fuck. A volcano wouldn't do jack shit to me.
[It is suggested that the Host explore their new home!]
"Yeah, fuck you too." I grumbled as I started walking toward the clearing ahead. It seemed hikers had been here before, and the ground was cleared out.
The forest was silent as I followed the path. Everything seemed either terrified or in hibernation. Regardless, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I kept my eye out for anything that moved, but it seemed dead inside.
I continued my exploration for what felt like an hour. The fresh air relaxed me as I enjoyed my first stint in a new world. Lost in thought, I heard someone crying; they sounded injured.
Focusing my hearing, I slowed my pace, trying to avoid snapping any branches that would give my position away. A couple of minutes later, I rounded a tree and saw a girl about my age. She seemed scared, sad, and lost all at once. Her hair was a mess, her clothes were ripped, and she had some cuts and was bleeding a little.
"E-Edward! Please… come back!" she whimpered, crawling on the ground. She looked exhausted.
'What the loving fuck is going on? Is she coming down from drugs? I've seen junkies act the same way.'
"Please… don't leave me…" As she whispered those words, she curled into the fetal position, her sobs quietening.
'She passed out in the forest? System, what the ever-loving hell is going on here?' I questioned my sanity at that moment.
[Congratulations! A hidden quest is completed. Meet the main heroine of Twilight, Isabella Swan! Check your inventory for your reward!]
WHAT THE FUCK?!