YUTA'S POV
"The choice is yours, Yuta. What will it be?" Aria questioned once more, her eyes gleaming with ecstasy, which tugged at my heartstrings.
"Before I answer, I want you to answer this question: Where are you transporting me to, what identity am I going to take up, and what are the details about this new world?" I asked, nonplussed by her strange yet tempting offer.
"Of course, the world I want to send you to is Valdel, a world just like the one you lived in, except better. There's magic, strange powers, kings, and queens..." She explained with great difficulty.
"So, basically, it's like the world I lived in but in prehistoric times?" I asked, seeking clarification, and she nodded.
"Interesting..." I murmured, immersing myself in deep thought. That made sense, considering I was being transported into a world full of adventure.
"So, what's the catch?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Catch... There is no catch... Why would you think there was a catch...?" She pretended to be oblivious to my question, letting out a nervous laugh that stopped abruptly upon noticing the frown on my face.
"Fine, I'll tell you the truth," she finally gave in, letting out a small sigh before speaking. "The thing is, the world I want to send you to is kinda in the middle of chaos. The world is in need of a hero because they're currently being overrun by Vampwolves, a group of gigantic mystical creatures formed by the merging of vampires and werewolves."
Her words made me freeze in my seat, consumed by intense fear. It was one thing to start life anew in a strange world, but fighting magical beasts was a line I wasn't willing to cross.
"What???" I panicked, my voice laced with desperation. "Count me out of that suicide mission. God should just send some angels to deal with the Vampwolves already, instead of offering humans such pointless offers."
Aria's expression turned pleading. "Come on, Yuta, it isn't that bad. I bet you'll like it there. Besides, I can't ask God for angels because He kind of assigned me to oversee that world."
Her confession sparked my intrigue. Of course, it made total sense.
"I get it now – you totally slacked off on the job, didn't you?" I accused, my voice thunderous, as she pretended to be hurt by clutching her chest.
"I'll have you know I didn't slack off, not once, at least not on purpose," she protested. "I had a lot of other things to do."
Her excuse fell flat, failing to tug at my heartstrings.
"Oh, really? Tell me, what were you so busy with?" I pressed, my skepticism evident, and her eyes widened in shock.
"In case you're forgetting, I'm a heavenly being. I don't have to explain myself to you," she yelled, her tone evasive.
The look in her eyes said it all – she wasn't busy at all, or if she was, it was with something stupid.
"So, Yuta, what's it going to be?" Aria asked confidently, taking a seat in mid-air. "Are you going to accept my offer or not?"
I was torn. Accept her offer or take my chances back home? There wasn't much left waiting for me back home, but going to Valdel was equivalent to committing suicide.
I gazed down at my so-called guardian angel, and she had this smirk on her face, like she was plotting something. My decision was made in that moment – I wasn't taking her offer.
"Thank you, but I'm going to pass," I said, my voice firm.
Aria's smile faded, her voice laced with urgency. "You can't do this to me, Yuta. I need you. God is going to be furious with me if I can't find a single human to agree to go down to Valdel for me."
She tried to entice me further. "Look, I'll give you a new identity. You'll be Prince Yuji Mitsuya, a handsome prince that all the ladies want. You'll be wealthy, and you can choose anything in this room to aid you in your quest."
Instantly, all sorts of weapons erupted from all over. The weapons were a thing of beauty, unlike anything I'd ever seen before.
Her offer was tempting, despite her obvious ulterior motives. Getting the opportunity to wield any of those weapons would be an honor, but it was a shame I could only pick one.
"But what if I could get to wield more than one of those weapons and still get back at a certain guardian angel?" I thought, a diabolical plan crossing my mind.
"I'll take it if you agree to boost my health, magic potential, and promise you'll let me take anything of my choosing..." I informed sternly, my eyes narrowing as I waited for her response.
"Done," she replied almost immediately, her tone sincere. "I promise before God Almighty that whatever you choose will be handed to you."
She pressed on, curiosity getting the better of her. "Anything else?"
"Not really," I confessed after a moment of intense thought.
"Great!" Aria exclaimed, rising to her feet. "Now, it's time to whisk you away. Have you decided on what you want to choose from this room?"
"Yes," I said, casually stepping a foot into the portal, a provocative smirk spreading across my face. It was finally time to teach Aria a lesson for all the suffering she'd let me endure.
"I chose you, Aria," I said, my voice dripping with malice, as I submerged into the portal.
Aria's face contorted in panic. "No... No... No... You can't do this to me..." she screamed, trying to grab hold of me, but a blinding light enveloped her.
I felt my consciousness being pulled apart and put back together. The sensation was disorienting.
When the light faded, I found myself in a forest clearing. I looked down at my hands and gasped. They were no longer the rough, worn hands of a bakery worker. They were smooth, pale, and delicate.
I touched my face, and my fingers brushed against unfamiliar features. My skin was smooth, my nose was straight, and my lips were full. I ran my hands through my hair, and it felt like silk.
It was surreal. My heart was racing uncontrollably from ecstasy. Quickly, I ran down to a nearby stream to check my reflection.
I gazed upon my reflection, and my eyes widened in awe. I was a breathtakingly handsome man. My hair was white, cascading down my back like the purest of snows. I had never been conventionally handsome in my previous life, but in this new body, I was stunning.
Everything seemed to be in place – my eyes were an enchanting shade of bluish-green, my lips were the loveliest shade of pink, and my height was impeccable.
A sense of excitement and trepidation filled me. What would this new world be like? What kind of life would I lead?
As I stood there, frozen in awe, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves around me. My new ears picked up sounds I had never heard before – the songs of unfamiliar birds, the rustling of small creatures through the underbrush, and the distant rumble of a waterfall.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and felt the cool forest air fill my lungs. This was a new beginning, a chance to start anew.
But just then, I heard a howl not too far from me, followed by a warm breeze on my face. My heart racing, my feet trembled as I forced my eyes open to the largest pair of scary red eyes I had ever seen.
The beast's fur was a dark, mottled grey. Its muscles rippled beneath its skin as it moved, its limbs ending in razor-sharp claws. The creature's face was a twisted blend of lupine and vampiric features, with high cheekbones, a pointed chin, and a nose that seemed to twitch as it sniffed the air.
Two long, curved fangs shone in the daylight. In that moment, I froze, my mind racing with terror. Was this how a Vampwolf looked up close?