"Omnes Est Vanitas" such is the Latin that stands for {All is Vanity}.

Surely that was what I shortly after my unfortunate death.

If I had to describe it frankly, it was... omniously equal.

Whether the rich or poor, young or old, wise or even a fool; in the end isn't it just all the same?

Death greets all equal.

Life is a short journey and full of regrets.

And till the end of it, aren't just all matters vain?

The ignorant of the blessed and the trauma of the cursed.

I once had a respectable job, a CEO of development in a chemical manufacturing cooperation, {Yamasa}.

Well though none of it matters no more since...

But till then, mind staying around hearing my story?.... whilst it last?

My childhood was a distant tragedy...

Raised from only by my single mother; my father has left her behind, a stable income a pipe dream.

Not much is needed for an explanation.

Strangely however, I never resent my father,

... though perhaps because I never had time to.

He was alike a stranger, I didn't knew him.

I was not obliged to him, neither was him unto me

Other than the biological father and son relationship, we had nothing that could bridge.

Study, study, and more studing... That was my curse from a young age, my ambition that reached the ceiling;

a fulfilling role in society so that I may repay my debts to my mother.

The impression of my mother for a good and old age came to mind.

Most students my age were preoccupied with worthless things that didn't matter, while I focused on competing for the top rankings.

Assuming that within with my tireless efforts, that I may delight in success.

Though known throughout my life as a branded introvert, I was recognized as a valuable honor student.

Peers seek out to me regardless of intention, and I would be inclined to consider that a plus.

Quickly after my graduation, I was hired to a cooperation, where there I work till the dawn of my life subsequently.

Monotonous...

There came great grief regrettably,

... mother passed away before I could made any honourable position,

And that... I lament to failed repaying her.

Could've made her proud....

Her only boy is an honorable man now.

Then life went on by and so then the funeral was long due.

Left with my own devices, I held still true to my only past principal;

to work hard to obtain a fulfilling life.

What's fulfilling?

Maybe because I was considered a inspiration or an fine role model, but I was cared and worked on notably by my seniors and juniors in return.

Work hard for the company, and don't let anything go any less then perfect.

Hard working, complexity, formalities, service, perfection

Unending, relentless, rest unheard of.

With great ambition and will, I always chased perfection relentlessly to achieve every promotion, ignoring things that stands in my way, that's where I placed my worthless pride.

Not so much as money concerned, bonuses are a great meter stick for the competition.

While years passed by, little by little so did I climbed up to the upper echelon

And eventually before I knew it my comrades had already gave a bottle of sake; celebrating my 60th year birthday.

I.... Am already at the submit now, and what did I gained from it?

Nothing... Just an empty void that awaits me

Look straight through me...

Mother had already passed on, I have no family....

Who knows where father is;

I hope he might have had a proper burial done for him as well.

Having no heir to pass on; I've passed my blossom age,

I'm already a CEO; any further and it would be a miracle.

And all my subordinates?

They all are probably many generations younger.

No beating around the bush, I know reality

It's basically a matter of time before I'm replaced by a younger candidate and off to retirement I go....

My wander in imagination land had halted....

An another endless night; rechecking employee's documents and reports.

As if this day was like any other.

Till little do I know...

The lights went out.

Was it a black out?

May that be unusual...

Did a earthquake hit a power plant?

I attempted to search my pocket somewhere

Standing up I and checked my smartphone, except it wasn't there...

Actually....

?

In fact nothing really was there, my shirt, the wall, the ceiling, and even the night sky that pierce from the glass window was pitch black...

My body?

what happened?

Sela~

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By

J.J. Kusuma

27/12/2017

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Takashi Maeda, do you wish to spectate your pitiful death?"

Though amidst the darkness, a raspy voice called out my name.

I felted such omnious hand, resting on my shoulder.

"Who are you? What had happened?"

Alarmed, I hasty turned to faced the orgin of the voice.

But then it seems... a old man with tailored vest with black attire appeared from behind, and since then everything instantly hued brilliantly white.

"So do you wish to know how your life ended?"

"Um... pardon?"

"Ah~ sorry for the sudden surprise, I'm The Kami that governs the wheel of life and I have come here to announce your death."

"I died?"

"Yes indeed~, in fact from a sudden heart attack caused from a overwork and stress"

"Oh",...

"I should have listened to my doctor back then, so I really did died... How unfortunate my life was *sigh~"

"That was a iindeed unfortunate, but perhaps you wish to spectate your death?"

"My death?"

"Yes I could replay the very incident in front of your very eyes, that is if you're still concerned about that old body..."

"Acually.... Forgive me for making you repeat your intention, but I rather be left unaknowleged abou it"

"So then it's a no then, may I hear any comments about how you lived your life?"

"Just full of regrets, I lived an unfulfilling life and suffered desolation because of my young foolishness Kami-sama"

"Hmm... understanding your regrets; I can, for not having a child nor wife, or and even your parents had left you early.... You lived a simple yet hard working life"....

"But rejoice for I have come not only to announced your death but also to declare your next fate"

"My fate Kami-sama, my afterlife?"

"Partially correct but yes, I've given a choice to you to choose either to enter heaven's paradise though with your clinging regrets,

or relive your life by reincarnating your new body in another world?"

"The choice... is yours~"

"Reincarnation.... Or heaven..."

"Ah~ then Kami-sama, may I choose to reincarnate?"

"Reincarnation it is then?"

"Yes"

"Well now then, I well breifly explain briefly about what was to happen afterwards so do listen well~"

"Oh... um, ok~"

"The world, in which I will reincarnate you to relive your new life is in a fantasy-like world"

"Oh, do you mean similarly to those in manga Kami-sama?"

"Ah yes, the more you are familiar with the concept the easier it is to explain, and before sending you off to this world, we will discuss the details your identity.

Well that's the gist of it.

And of any race of the world are yours to choose, for a template for your new body~"

"Ah many thanks, but I was rather simple don't follow to such matters. May I please ask for an example?"

"Ah yes, Races that are found in a fantasy world. For example, beastman; with the characteristc of a half-beast and half-man, demons, or even if you are comfortable with your original form, a human is good may be a choice too~."

"And whether it's fauna or flora, as long as it's a valid body, you may choose among them."

"Then... If it's not a bother, may I have a recommendation?"

"Ah a recommendation?... if that was the case, then.... how about the vampire race? Though their vitality are weaker a than humans, they have exceeding high magic capabilities and have a longevity."

"Then... if you don't mind, could I please choose that option please"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes please"

"Hmm.... You've been the politest mortal I've met since the past century"

"Thank you Kami-sama?"

"Then for your cooperation with me, would you like to have a dedire granted?"

"A wish?"

"Yes a wish, a wish of your desire will come true as long as you relive in your new life~"

"That's... That's amazing, thank you Kami-sama"

"Yes but in return for compensation, I will take something from you worth of equal value of what's you've ask, you don't mind that do you?"

"Ok..."

Compensation, meaning a wish will be granted for the price of something of equal value in return. In extreme cases then basically to be heavenly gifted in one aspect but morbidly impaired in another. Its a great gamble if ask to greedily. I should ask want I want most, no more than that then~

"Now then, please state your most wish desired wish with warning that a curse of a equal value will be bestow after the wish is confirmed"

...

"Then what shall it be?"

"If I had to choose, may I ask unparalleled wisdom and intelligence?"

"Hmm that's not a bad wish, but aren't you already wise beyond your years?"

"Yes, but I wish for unparalleled wisdom and intelligence for deciding the best decision throughout my new life."

"You don't want any other powers, weapons, or even great wealth then?"

"No Kami-sama, I don't"

"Hee~ ok, then this is the last call before I state your compensation and release you on your own. Do you want to change?"

"With all due respect, no Kami-sama"

"Then with this I herby bestow to you, Niizuma Shiori;

a body of a vampire,

gifted with unparalleled wisdom and intelligence,

for compensation of a blindness of an eye and The Morbid Seal of Grim; Imprisoning the Dragon of Grim Death... May you endure and perserve happiness"

Then the self proclaimed Kami-sama held my forehead and a painful rush came within.

And with that my consciousness fades faintly away...

I suppose I have to wait for my deal indeed...

Wait Niizuma Shiori?!??

Sela~

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By

J. J. Kusuma

28/12/2017

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After my very short yet fateful meeting with Kami-sama, my consciousness slowly returns.

I guess I was possessing a new body in a new world.

Finally!

Unfortunately this was the very first thing that hit me...

Heavy... Such a heavy feeling atop of me.

It feels as if my body was dragged down,

I can feel some difficulties breathing

Some kind of clothing weighed me down?

It also felt rather cold, chills was the better word here.

What could this be?

As my hearing starts to develop, I then later found out some familiar sounds

The loud and pounding roars of water; a terrible windy rainfall, though it was rather more intense and up close.

Continuous streams of pouring water, crashing dramatic every where angle, from the earthly floor till the highest trees.

Sometimes even the loud roar of thunder came along too

It's seems any other noise could I make.... irreverent

It caused even my cries, faint from clashing agaist it

The water seems to keep hammering my body like a rattle fire

Never stoping, never tiring, but always incuring agony

The surging feeling of the cold that keeps repeatingly , slashing my flank

Similarly to a whip, the sudden spike of cold into my body

The water that creeps in and the winds that stabs

This justs hurts....

This thick smell of nature would be nice if it weren't for the scowling cold winds that comply along with it.

Keeps on stinging throughout my lungs and back.

Even made me coughing a couple of times.

Eventually,... I felt a warm sensation flowing from my nose towards my cheek

Nosebleed?

The sky was dark and the downpour grew ever so furiously

Why was I here?, Why was I placed here? Did Kami-sama made a mistake?

I was bewildered and gravely disappointed.

Finally, meekly opening my eyes, I was... greeted by a rundown village.

Something as such like a lost ruin, buildings had degraded to rubble, nature taking over, and a few wild beast hosting nest.

Where I lay you ask?

Trembled at the ground floor, thats where I was.

It felt that I was left for death!

Truly truly do I feel terribly weakened.

Even as such of mustering a single ounce of strength would require great bursts of will.

My hands and legs felt numb from the blistering cold and a headache...only made it worse.

Inhaling because harder as the water keeps seeping in causing my wheezing to grew faint.

Should I let it go, should death again be my second fate?

I know I shouldn't, rather I don't want to give up...

But the odds are stacked against me....

But then again second chances such like this don't come by often!

I must preserve! I shalt not die in vain twice!

Desperately I crawled whilst on my stomach, reaching out to the half hanging wall, least it had some of a cover to shield me.

It was hard to distinguish distance, and the dark scenery didn't help either.

Not hesitation that was needed, eventually I concluded to navigate blind.

The mud was sticky and unpleasant, it smelled terrible as I sunk my knees and arms, introducing filth to pretty much every skin there was.

Clearly I hadn't worn a rain jacket, instead I was barely with any clothing.

A rough and worn down shirt with gapping holes was all I had. Any other necessities wasn't on me.

After much struggle and somewhat and hour had pasted, the rain still hadn't subside. But then I finally did manage to lean myself to a the nearest cobblestone wall. Ah~ so many things happened, and such tribulation after a reincarnation... Was I really unlucky or Kami-sama is just sadistic?

I finally gave up and slept on the wall, whether I make it tomorrow or not, it's a matter I rather do at later date. The fatigue and famishment hindered my sleep, but thankfully somehow I did manage...

Sela~

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By

J.J. Kusuma

29/12/2017

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------