The fluorescent lights of the convenience store hummed, casting a sterile glow on the rows of snacks and drinks. Shigeno Ken, a second-year high school student, mechanically restocked the instant noodle shelf. His uniform felt heavy, not just from the day's grime, but from the weight of a year that had reshaped his life. A year ago, his parents were gone, leaving him with an echoing silence and the sudden, crushing responsibility of survival. The convenience store wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills, kept a roof over his head, and allowed him to continue his studies. It was a mundane existence, a far cry from the vibrant, fantastical worlds he often escaped into through manga and anime.
As the clock ticked past nine, Ren, as he preferred to be called, finally clocked out. The cool night air was a welcome change from the stuffy store. He pulled out his phone, scrolling aimlessly as he walked towards the train station. The usual late-night advertisements flashed across his screen – discounted games, trending fashion, celebrity gossip. But then, a peculiar banner caught his eye. It was simple, almost too simple, with just a stark white background and black text: "Tired of your current life? Want a change? Click here."
"A survey, probably," Ren muttered, a cynical smirk playing on his lips. He was waiting for the train anyway, and his phone was practically empty of anything valuable. Even if it was some elaborate phishing scam, hackers would find nothing but dust in his digital pockets. "Why not?" he shrugged, tapping the link.
The website loaded quickly, surprisingly clean and professional for what he assumed was spam. A single question dominated the screen, stark and direct:
1. Do you wish to be transmigrated to another world?
Ren chuckled. Isekai, the genre of being reincarnated or transported to another world, was wildly popular. It was the ultimate escapism, a fantasy he'd indulged in countless times. "Yes, please," he thought, tapping the 'Yes' option without hesitation.
The next question appeared:
2. What kind of world do you wish to live in?
This one made him pause. His mind raced through countless anime worlds he'd recently devoured. Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san with its charming, supernatural inhabitants and hot springs; The Quintessential Quintuplets and its heartwarming, chaotic romance; My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (Oregairu) with its sharp, introspective dialogue and complex relationships. Each offered its own appeal. He couldn't pick just one.
A mischievous idea sparked in his mind. "How about a mix of these animes?" he typed into the text box, a grin spreading across his face. It was an absurd answer, but then, the whole survey was absurd.
Finally, the third question:
3. What powers do you desire?
This was the classic. Super strength? Magic? Immortality? Ren pondered for a few seconds, then a truly potent, almost cheat-like ability came to mind. If he was going to dream, he might as well dream big.
"Reality manipulation," he typed, a sense of daring washing over him. The ability to reshape the world itself, to bend existence to his will. It was the ultimate power.
He hit 'Send.'
Just as the satisfying 'Submitted!' message appeared, a low rumble vibrated through the platform. The train was arriving. Ren tucked his phone into his pocket, preparing for the usual evening rush. But this evening was anything but usual. A sudden, chaotic surge of people behind him, jostling and pushing, caught him off guard. He stumbled, losing his footing, and in a terrifying instant, felt himself plummeting forward.
The last thing Shigeno Ren saw was the blinding headlight of the oncoming train, followed by a sickening crunch that echoed not just through the station, but across the news channels that would soon broadcast the gruesome end of his first life.
Ren awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling. It was made of dark, polished wood, intricately carved, unlike anything he'd ever seen in his cramped apartment. The air smelled faintly of incense and old paper. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the soft, diffused light filtering through a paper screen. He was lying on a futon, in what appeared to be a traditional Japanese room.
"Where... where am I?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse.
Ding!
A translucent blue window shimmered into existence before him, startling him. It looked like something straight out of an RPG.
[Welcome, Shigeno Ren, to your new world!]
Ren stared, then his eyes widened in disbelief. The ad. The survey. It wasn't a scam. It was real. He was… he was isekai'd?
[Congratulations on your successful transmigration! I am the System, your guide and administrator in this new existence.]
"My new world?" Ren repeated, a mix of awe and trepidation bubbling within him. "And my power? Did I really get reality manipulation?"
[Indeed. As per your request, you have been granted the power of Reality Manipulation.] The system's text scrolled down, revealing more details. [However, to ensure a balanced and engaging narrative, your power requires a small effort to activate. You must complete three (3) chores each day to earn one (1) Reality Ticket.]
"Tickets?" Ren frowned.
[Yes. There are various types of Reality Tickets, each granting a specific manipulation. For example, the 'Ticket of Relationship' allows you to instantly alter the relationship between individuals. You could, for instance, make someone your girlfriend, lover, or even your wife with a single use. Conversely, you could turn an ally into an enemy, or sow discord between others.]
Ren's jaw dropped. "Wait, so I can just… make someone my girlfriend?"
[Precisely. However, please note: upon the use of a Relationship Ticket, certain historical events in your life will subtly shift to logically accommodate the new relationship, maintaining narrative consistency.]
"So, like, a new past will be created?" Ren mused, a strange mix of excitement and unease swirling within him. This was far more powerful than he'd imagined.
[Correct. Beyond the Ticket of Relationship, there are many others: 'Power Ticket' to grant or enhance abilities, 'Intelligence Ticket' to boost intellect, 'Fame Ticket' to alter public perception, and more. Their uses are limited only by your imagination and the availability of tickets.]
"Why me?" Ren finally asked, the initial shock wearing off, replaced by a familiar cynicism. "Why was I chosen for this? Nothing in life is free. If I'm getting this, what's the catch? Am I the product?"
The System's text shimmered. [Your new life, Shigeno Ren, is being documented. Consider it a grand documentary, with you as the central figure. Much like the Isekai stories you consumed in your past life, you are now the protagonist of your own unfolding narrative.]
"A documentary?" Ren scoffed, but then a thought struck him. "And... no higher beings can interfere? Like, no gods or demons trying to mess with me?"
[This world is, in essence, your compensation. It technically belongs to you, a gift for allowing your existence to be documented so you're technically a god with no authority. Demons exist in this world; have you forgotten Yuragi-sou's plot? But don't worry, no external higher beings are permitted to directly interfere with your choices or actions. However, this world will not be fully handed over to you until you provide a 'satisfying ending' to your story.]
"Satisfying ending?" Ren blinked.
[Indeed. You are not merely the protagonist, but also the author of your own story. Your decisions, your actions, will shape the narrative. The ending is yours to write.]
Ren fell silent, processing the incredible revelation. Protagonist. Author. His own world. His own story. It was overwhelming, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once. Compared to his previous life, struggling to survive, this was... infinitely better. A second chance, with the ultimate power.
As the System's window faded, disappearing as abruptly as it had appeared, Ren was left alone in the quiet, traditional room, the weight of a new world, and a new destiny, settling upon his shoulders.