5 The Mothership
*POV - Womb-Room; The Mothership*
Kasper stirred within the warm darkness, a vague sense of disorientation clinging to him like cobwebs. This wasn't quite the plush hotel room he envisioned for his afterlife vacation. More like a... squishy, soundproofed pod? A muffled giggle escaped his lips as the bizarre image of being trapped in a shrink-wrapped burrito popped into his head.
"Well," he thought, a hint of amusement battling with confusion, "reincarnation seems to be working. But seriously, how long is the check-in for this place? Nine months of silent observation feels a little excessive, even for an all-inclusive experience."
Just as existential dread threatened to engulf him, a soft chime resonated within the confined space, followed by a wave of warmth that spread through his being. "Ah, finally!" he thought, relief replacing his earlier anxieties. "Some in-room entertainment, at least."
[Binding - 0%]
[Binding- 25%]
[Binding- 50%]
[Binding- 75%]
[Binding- 100%]
[Hello, Host] a robotic voice chimed in his mind, [I am your personalized System, created by the Father.]
Kasper squeezed his non-existent eyelids shut, then threw his head back and cackled. The sound echoed strangely within the confines of his... well, wherever he was. "Ha! System, you sly dog! I knew it wouldn't take long for you to activate! Now, spill it – what amazing tricks can you do?"
A hint of smugness, entirely imagined, colored his internal monologue. He might not have had physical proof of the system's existence yet, but his wishes had been too specific to be forgotten. Still, a little confirmation wouldn't hurt.
[Yes, Host. As requested, the System lacks any and all sentience unless prompted by the Host or Father. Confirmations or responses will only be prompted upon the Host's acknowledgement or request,] the System chimed.
[Status] - Hosts Status.
[Inventory] - Infinite storage and management.
[Shop] - Items from every conceivable Anime-verse.
[Achievements] - List of merits achieved by Host.
Relief washed over him as he absorbed the details of his built-in system. "Really? This is great!" he exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across his face (assuming he had one yet). "It'll make everything much easier to manage. Smart move on removing those quests, Kasper. Imagine grinding for years, then getting everything revoked because you accidentally insulted a talking squirrel. No thanks."
He let out a dramatic sigh, even though sound might not have carried in his current form. "Alright, System," he began, already feeling a sense of camaraderie with this internal companion. "Let's get down to business. Mind giving me a download on my current situation? I figured out I'm stuck in some kind of pre-birth pod, but any details on the timeframe would be fantastic. Honestly, there's not much to do in here besides contemplate the meaning of existence, and that gets old after, like, five minutes."
The system responded with a reassuring hum, a comforting presence in the otherwise silent darkness. Kasper settled in, eager to learn the details of his new reality – his first steps on a grand adventure that began not with a bang, but a gurgle from his new mom's stomach.
The System responded promptly, [Host, there are exactly 3 months until you will be born. Your mother is currently sitting in her home, awaiting your father to arrive. From reading her hormone levels, she is currently angry at your father for no reason.]
Kasper couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah, the classic 'hormones at play' scenario."
A wave of information crashed over Kasper, a tidal wave of knowledge that threatened to drown him. "Holy shit," he gasped, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data flooding his developing mind. "No wonder God said I wouldn't be able to handle it all at once. I didn't even know a brain could hold this much information!"
He struggled to stay afloat in the sea of knowledge, desperately trying to grasp at details. General knowledge about cultures and fantastical races swirled around him, mixed with intricate political structures and the fascinating ecosystems of distant islands. It was a sensory overload in a world of darkness and silence.
Suddenly, a question sliced through the cacophony. "Hey, System!" he called out, a hint of frustration coloring his voice. "Why am I missing the good stuff? No secrets about the One Piece, or who the big bad boss is beyond a name? Feels like I'm missing some key intel here!"
The information overload might have been overwhelming, but Kasper wasn't one to back down from a challenge. He was determined to navigate this ocean of knowledge and emerge equipped for his adventure here.
[Message from God:
Hey there, kiddo! Long time no see! Hope you're enjoying your time being a big ol' baby, pffft. Did you really think I'd let you in on all the juicy secrets of the worlds you're about to explore? Where's the fun in that, huh?
Quit being so lazy, get your butt out there and start exploring! Anyway, have a blast and kick some butt.
P.S. - By the way, enjoy needing diapers again. BWAHAHA.
Love,
Giga-Chad God]
"I swear to 'Him' I will kick his ass one day," Kasper grumbled, shaking his head.
--------------------------
*2 Months, 29 days later*
"Hey System," Kasper called out, breaking the eerie silence that enveloped him. "Show me my status, might as well know where I stand right now... even though I can't stand... God, I'm losing my mind in this silence."
After a moment, a holographic display materialized before Kasper, detailing his current status in a vibrant LED panel. But as he examined the information, Kasper couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.
[Status:
Name: Kasper
Race: Human
Age: Fetus <Time 3 till born, hours>
Body, Mind, Soul: ∞ Unable to define due to in-born skills
In-born Skills: Limitless Evolution, Adaptation, Increased Training Speed (10,000% Boost), World Knowledge, ]
At that moment, Kasper felt his surroundings tighten. He understood that it was time for him to take his first breath of fresh air in this new world.
As the pressure built up, Kasper felt himself moving with each passing second.
As he braced for impact, he anticipated the blinding light and clear noises that would accompany his emergence into the world after nine months of cosmic confinement.
"It's a boy!"
