《777》


 Ch. 1 My Two Cent Prologue

    *beeep beeep beeep*


    *beeep beeep beeep*


    ''Damn alarm, forgot to turn it off.''


    *beeep beeep beeep*


    I squint as my eyes open due to the light coming from the window.


    *beeep beeep beeep*


    "Haa...might as well get up"


    I sit up and grab the phone laying next to my head.


    "And snooze. Ah, wait, should have clicked dismiss instead. Oh well, don''t really feel like going through settings right now."


    What time is it anyway? `12:02 pm`


    "Good a time as any. Let''s go see if I have any luck left."


    I get up and get changed. Just a simple black hoodie and jeans. No food today on account of the house being devoid of any. Not even so much as a mouse scurrying by to catch and bbq. *sigh*


    Its been tough ever since I got laid off work due to ''budget constraints''. Bullshit. I was the only one who got fired! Damn manager never liked my white hair, even though I was born with it. It''s not like I didn''t look for work after, but its hard to find night shifts around here.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Haaaa...gotta get that out of my head. Don''t want to spoil my mood for today. On my way out of the house I pick up my last two cents from the hallway table. Now that I think about it I could probably sell this house. Should be enough to hold me over in a small apartment for a few months. Yeah! I''ll look into it after I get back.


    Clutching the change and phone I head out and make my way over to the casino. Would be amazing if I hit the jackpot.


    <hr>


    Once inside the casino I sit at a penny machine at the corner of the floor. Pulling out my change I stare at it for a few minutes. Alright, can''t make any if you don''t spend any. Making an excuse for myself I insert the first coin inside the slot and push the button on the slot machine and watch as the images roll by.


    Come on...come on....come on!!!


    Fuck! Nothing....


    I look over my last coin. Alright, it''s do or die! Or not lol. It would be nice to win though. *clink* and my last coin goes in.


    "Ohhh!"


    I raise my arm up and slam down on the button.


    And.......nothing.


    "Hahahaha"


    Right then, let''s go back home and sulk. Maybe I should stop by a real estate agent on my way home.


    *beeep beeep beeep*


    As soon as I was getting up my alarm rang, scaring me a little making me trip and fall backwards.


    *thud*


    My back beautifully lands on the ground. At least it''s carpet, good looking out there casino designer.


    As I laid there appreciating the designer I hear a thud above me, so I focus my dazed eyes up and see that a man has also tripped and slammed into the slot machine just above me on the second floor.


    Still laying down a little dazed I failed to notice the shadow casting over me growing bigger. Oh, it went over the railing, that''s going to make a mess. Wonder if all the coins will spill over. I should stay by and wait to pounce on it if it does. Finders keepers hehehe.


    Ah....wait, why''s it growing bigger?


    Finally noticing my position I shake off my daze and sit up. Shit! Should have rolled over instead! Now its going to hit my hea!......

 Ch. 2 Discussion

    Forcing my eyes shut I waited for my time to come.


    ........ummm, shouldn''t it have hit by now?


    There was a blinding white light as I opened my eyes.


    "Where the heck am I?"


    The slot machine disappeared, and I''m sitting in a completely diffused white glowing room.


    Is this perhaps heaven?


    I get up and start walking around.


    "Hmm, there doesn''t seem to be an end to this room."


    I''ve been walking for what seems like an hour and I''ve yet to see any kind of exit, much less a change of scenery.


    "Hello there!" (???)


    "Wah!!?"


    A sudden voice calls out from what seems to be coming from all directions.


    That''s a hell of a surround sound you got there.


    "Why thank you!" (???)


    "Guessing you could read my mind then?"


    I ask with a wry smile.


    "Indeed, there are no secrets here."


    "So I''m safe to assume this is the afterlife?"


    "Yes and No Markus" (???)


    "Hahaha, it''s been a while since anyone''s said my name."


    "So what did you mean by yes and no, God?"


    "Yes, I am your so called God!" (God)


    There was a bright flash making me look away. Adjusting me eyes I could finally get a good look.


    Wearing a robe and sporting a fine white moustache, with a healthy almost glowing complexion, actually I think he really is glowing.


    "As for your question. This place is the point between life and death. The bright light at the end of the tunnel, as most would say." (God)


    "I see. So what happens to me would be decided here and now?"


    "Correct! An observant one aren''t you?" (God)


    "Does everybody who comes here get to personally talk to God?"


    If they do then they would certainly be religious after coming out of it. But most don''t, I wonder if their memories are erased after all was settled?


    "This is actually a special case. Every once in awhile a soul must be offered up to power spaces such as the one we are currently in. By offer I don''t mean as a sacrifice, but more of a conduit for letting the rest of the souls to pass through. Normally, souls are recycled by having their memories deposited into special containers and then sent off again to be reborn. However, the ''conduits'' in which they pass through will wear out after some time. That is when another soul is chosen to take its place. Do you have any questions thus far?" (God)A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Hmmm...so someone who is on deaths door is given the choice to become a ''tunnel'' of sorts. Once they wear out, whatever that means, then another is given a choice to be the next conduit. If there is a choice then there must also be a good reason to choose to be a conduit.


    "I understand most of it. But I do have a few questions if that''s alright with you?"


    "Yes, ask away" (God)


    "Alright then, first, what are these ''special memory containers'' you spoke of? Specifically, what are they for?"


    "As the name implies, they are containers for holding the memories of the life the soul once lived. These memories are stored and left to, I guess you could say ''mature'', until they are ripe enough to be born as an entirely new soul. After which they are placed into the soul cycle keeping things running smoothly." (God)


    So each death eventually brings about a new soul. That''s comforting to know when you think about it.


    "In the case of being ''worn out'' what happens to the soul?"


    God gives a quick nod before answering.


    "When a soul has gone through countless cycles it begins to deteriorate. Once it is at it''s final cycle the soul will be taken out of and be presented with an option to either serve as a conduit until it''s reached it''s limit or fade into oblivion." (God)


    What!? So I''m a deteriorated soul that''s reached it''s final cycle? I was wondering how a conduit was chosen. Alright, time for the most important questions.


    I stare at God and ask.


    "What would I get out of being a conduit? Other then not fading into oblivion?"


    God stared right back with a stern expression which gradually changed into a smile.


    "Hahaha, you are the first to ask that question! The others only went along with it and thought that there were only two choices." (God)


    Oh! So this was a test?


    "Exactly!" (God)


    "Oh right, you could read minds..."


    "Hahaha, let''s see, what you get out of it eh? Oh, I got an idea!" (God)


    "Woah! Wait, so you don''t actually have a plan for this?"


    "No, it''s not that I don''t have a plan its just that you are the first." (God)


    "What do the others get if you don''t mind me asking?"


    "The others would simply be made into what you call angels." (God)


    "I see, so they pretty much become immortal?"


    "That''s correct. Once they are angels they can live how they want over at my personal planet." (God)


    That''s not bad at all actually! But I still want to know of the alternative.


    "Hmm, the alternative eh? If you spend the remainder of your souls time as a conduit then I will grant you a few things, are you willing to listen?" (God)


    Will I listen? So if I listen then that means I''ve already agreed huh.


    "I will listen!"


    "Wonderful! To start, once you are a conduit then you will naturally receive any leftover soul fragments that happen to pass by you. These fragments will grant you physical and mental strength. Be sure to saver every last bit of it as you will not get any more once your time is up. The next thing also comes naturally, that is you will be granted the title of reaper, along with all of it''s skills and abilities." (God)


    Nice! I get to be a reaper! Like the grim reaper!? Hell yeah!!!


    "That pleases you eh? Hahaha, good then I''m glad. Your next abilities and skills will be decided by the types of jobs you''ve had in your life thus far. So how many and what were they Markus?" (God)


    "Jobs? Ehhh, I''ve only had one official job."


    I answer somewhat embarrassed.


    "What did you do in this job?" (God)


    "I worked as an undertaker at my local cemetary."


    "Good thing you''re getting the title of reaper. Hmm, only one huh? Did you do anything on the side that at least earned you some income?" (God)


    "Income? Maybe...ohh! Right! There was one time where I used to upload let''s plays on YouTube. I didn''t earn much due to my low subscriber count but it still made me happy to receive something nonetheless. After that I tried out ecommerce. Again not a lot of money but it was still enough for a meal here and there. Couldn''t really do much outside work due to my condition so I mostly stuck to inside things."


    "Time brings about various technologies I''m sure. Alright! That will do." (God)


    "Wait, what are my skills?"


    "Don''t worry I''ll work something out. Now then! You will get one wish. It could be anything and it will accompany you to your new world." (God)


    A wish? I could really wish for anything? Should I wish for immortality? No, I will get that eventually going by the things God has said earlier. Then maybe a power of some kind? If it''s a world full of magic then it should be a magic power. Hmmmm, this is harder then I thought. The last place I was at was a casino so maybe something related to that? Now that I remember it, I used the last two coins I had on that slot machine. Should I ask for my two cents back? Hahahaha.....well enough for the jokes for now, so what abou-"


    "That''s a fantastic idea!" (God)


    That booming voice jolts me out of my thoughts. What''s a fantastic idea?


    "Your wish will be granted! Now then Markus, you will go into stasis until you have served your part as a conduit. Farewell and enjoy your next life!" (God)


    "Wait!?"


    Everything went dark before I could finish my question.

 Ch. 3 Enlightening Stroll

    "Mmmmhh"


    After a small yawn, my eyes open wide as I sit up in a hurry. Quickly looking around I try to grasp where I am while trying to calm my racing heart.


    "Where...."


    That''s when I remembered the conversation I had which seemed more like a dream.


    "....I guess this is the different world I was told about."


    With my heart finally calming down and coming to terms with my current situation I let out a sigh of relief.


    This place is pretty nice. After a quick glance around I could see that I was in a fairly lush forest. Kind of looks like one of those hidden tropical forests. Huge trees several meters high, blocking most of the sun. Vines tangling around the tree trunks and branches making it all seem connected. Different kinds of flowers and plants sprouting from every spot on the ground. A lot of the fauna I''ve never seen before, it''s like I''m in a different world. Which I am....


    "Hahahahaha...."


    I''ve only been here for a few minutes and I''m already going senile.


    I look down so I could find a spot to place my arms. Don''t want to accidentally touch something dangerous.


    ?!!!


    "What''s this!?"


    When I looked down I finally noticed my body. I had become somewhat bigger. No, I should say my body has become monstrously bigger than I remembered. Last time I looked in a mirror I was only about 152 cm. Now I look like I''m almost 200 cm. I stand up to try to confirm it. Standing and facing close to a tree behind me, I mark where my forehead reaches by rubbing off a little moss from the spot. Yeah, that really does look like I grew taller. That''s not the only change by the looks of it. Unbuttoning the same white dress shirt I had on, which by the way is way too tight! After unbuttoning my shirt I could see that my chest has become well refined. I don''t mean to brag, but Damn! I look good right now! Like holy shit, I look like an Olympic athlete and mixed martial artist at the same time.


    Leaving my shirt unbuttoned on account of it being too tight. I proceed to assess the rest of my body. Everything from my head to my toes has become well shaped and, well, better looking. I can''t say I was ugly before but I definitely wasn''t all too handsome. *cough* moving on. I can''t really see my face but I''m guessing it''s also changed like the rest of my body. This is a pretty good surprise. This was probably one of the quirks of being a conduit from God.


    "Haaaah"


    With a quick breather, I try to figure out what to do from here. First thing on my mind is to change out of these old clothes. Everything is too tight. Even my shoes barely fit. I look like a hipster rockstar about to take the stage. Hmm, I wonder. I pluck a hair out of my head and see. Yup, still white. Looks like I''m still considered an albino, although my skin was no longer pale but kind of glowing somewhat, like a dimly lit l.e.d, except all over my body it seems. Also, I felt no pain from plucking my hair just now...


    God did tell me I''d get skills and abilities and whatnot but how exactly do I check that? This is supposed to be a world of magic so let''s try something.


    Raising my left arm I concentrate on my palm and visualize a fireball forming. After a few moments, I yell "fireball!"


    ....nothing.


    This is embarrassing. Glad nobody saw that. Well shit, even by thinking status or something in my head nothing pops up. Weird, this always worked in some of the novels I''ve read.


    "Haaah"


    After a quick sigh, I turn towards a thin low hanging branch and stick it in the ground end up to see where it will fall. Landing pointing to my back and left. Guess I''m going that way, and I decide to head off.


    <hr>


    After about a few hours of walking, I realized something. I don''t feel tired. It''s not a normal not tired like you could feel a little worn but still have plenty of stamina to go on. No, this is like am I even moving kind of not tired. Is it because of my new and improved body? No, there has to be more to it. Another thing I noticed, I''m also not hungry. I have a strange feeling that I may not even be human anymore...Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Ah well, can''t do anything about it now. I don''t even know where I''m going, haven''t seen any monsters either. Or any signs of life for that matter. Not even so much as a bug. If there aren''t any bugs or animals how to these trees and plants even grow? Thinking needless things I continued on.


    <hr>


    Its already getting dark and I''ve still yet to see any change in the scenery. Well, there has been change, like different plants and stuff, I''m not in any sort of loop. It''s just that I''m still in a densely lush forest. To top it off it''s getting darker! I should rest up for the night, even though I''m not tired, I should still be wary. Spotting a nearby tree with a good big branch a little ways off the ground I head over. I wonder if I''m able to climb this? I bend a little at the knees and jump.


    "Wooooooahhh!"


    I launched about 30 meters in the air and began to descend after reaching the peak of my little jump. Crashing through branches, and vines along the way I finally come to a stop once I hit the ground embedding me a few centimeters in the ground face down.


    "Plehh pleeh pluvvgh!"


    I raise myself up while spitting out mud and dirt from my mouth.


    "Fuck! Didn''t think that dirt would be the first thing I eat in this world, hahahahaha"


    Standing back up and patting myself down to remove the debris I collected I noticed that my clothes were ripped in several places. Eehh, don''t I look more of a zombie than a human right now? That fall didn''t even hurt even after hitting so many branches and the ground. Am I really a zombie!? Oh wait, I have a heartbeat, I could tell because it''s racing right now from the scare.


    "Phew"


    Looking up, I could tell that the sun has already set, but I could still see clearly as if it was day with the only difference being that it''s a little tinted. Almost as if I''m wearing some sunglasses. Low-quality ones at that. Oh yeah, how the hell did I manage to jump so high? I know I should be stronger looking at my body build but that height I reached is just unreal. I don''t even know if it was mentioned in that dream/convo I had with God since I don''t remember most of it. I''ve always had a problem with memory.


    It''s dark but it still looks like daytime. I''m not in any way tired or mentally drained, just befuddled. Hehe, that''s always been a funny word. *ahem* anyway, I might as well check my body specs. With that thought in mind, I head over to a nearby tree, the one I crashed through on the way down, since it''s already in a bad state. Take aim and give it a light left hook.


    *bpoossshh!*


    The tree is split right where I hit and it collapses.


    ....that was only at about the strength you would fist bump somebody. Okay then. I head over to the fallen tree and try lifting it.


    "Hahahahaha!" I wonder if this is how Superman feels like when he''s on earth! This feels so great! To be able to lift this tree which is practically 40 meters tall and 10 meters wide with a single hand!


    ....Am I a muscle-headed freak now? I don''t really feel like fighting anything at the moment so I guess that''s a no. Good, but by the looks of it, I''m still a freak. I set the tree down and continue my walk. It''s confirmed that I''m horridly strong, I need to watch my strength if I ever encounter any sentient beings, or else I''ll break them. Hah, I''m already talking like I''m not one of them. Even though I''m technically not, coming from a different world and all. Does this world even have humans? God told me a new world but that doesn''t mean that it has to be inhabited....


    I stop walking as I realize this can be a very important factor! Was I bamboozled!? That would suck! I kick a tree down in my excitement and my right pant pocket rips open. I look and see two somethings falling out and hitting the ground. Eh? Picking them up I could see that these look like some type of coin.


    "Hahahahahahaha!!" He really did give me back my two cents! But these look different there''s some strange writing I''ve never seen before along with some unrecognizable images. Could this be this worlds currency? If it is then this isn''t an uninhabited planet! Hell yeah!


    Let''s calm down for now. Right, since I ripped my pocket I''ll stick these coins in the other one. Only managing to stick a few fingers in my left pocket I feel something. Pulling it out it looks like a piece of paper. Well, that''s because it is a piece of paper. Quickly opening it I see that it''s a note addressed to me.


    ''Markus, I hope you are enjoying your new body. After millions of years serving as a conduit, you''ve managed to amass a vast amount of leftover soul energy. I gotta say you lasted longer then I expected. Well anyway, your current body should be in peak form already, meaning it is no longer possible for you to increase your stats. Any life form you encounter, you could easily defeat with a flick if you use your soul energy, your brute strength is also unmatched. Would this make it boring for you? Perhaps. But leveling up was never the goal I had intended for you to begin with!


    Now you may or not have noticed yet but you''re immortal. You will never tire nor die. You''re not dead just eternally alive. Considering you once were an undertaker I felt that making you a reaper was only logical. That''s right, you are now this worlds grim reaper! You can now sense the deaths of all things in this world. As well as see their time spans. You also get a cool scythe! With it, you can tear the soul right out of its host and do what you will with it. To sum it up, I''m basically giving this world over to you. You''ve collected so much soul energy over the years that just you alone will keep this planet going for millennia. So I hereby give this planet and all its inhabitants and deities over to you! P.S. Turn this page over for an overview of all your skills and abilities. -Love God''


    Ummm....what? What!? I''m the ''God'' of this planet!?


    <hr>


    I needed a few hours to come to terms with what the note said. Even after looking at it, again and again, it didn''t change, so I just accepted my newfound fate. Haha, a reaper as a god, I wonder how that''s going to turn out.