IN TO THE WORLDS CHAPTER 1

It was a beautiful day, with the warmth of the sun embracing everything in sight. The plants swayed gently in the breeze, as if dancing in joy. Everything seemed like an ordinary day in someone's life—just not in Erin's.

In a secluded playground, a body lay motionless in a pool of blood. Upon closer inspection, it was clear the girl had been dead for several hours. She was dressed in a typical blue-and-white high school uniform. The cause of death was unknown, and perhaps even the soul that once inhabited the body didn't know the answer—only the body itself held the truth.

If one had the sixth sense, they might see a soul lingering near the lifeless form, staring at it with a look of melancholy.

"On my birthday, of all days," I muttered bitterly, forcing a half-hearted smile in a futile attempt to lift my spirits. My gaze remained fixed on my body lying there, cold and still. Today was supposed to be special. It was my birthday, and I had woken up feeling unusually happy, knowing that my favorite anime was releasing a new episode. I had planned to watch it as a reward after school. But fate had played a cruel joke on me. How foolish I was to feel so happy.

I tried to push thoughts of my body aside and focus on what mattered—my family. I wanted to see them one last time, to tell them everything would be okay. But before I could act, an invisible force began to pull me away. It was a mysterious, unrelenting force dragging me far from the playground.

I glanced around in confusion and saw a tiny void materializing in front of me. It was so small, no bigger than an ant, that it would have gone unnoticed if not for its pull. Before I could process what was happening, the void sucked me in. It swallowed me whole, and as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, leaving no trace behind—as though it had fulfilled its purpose.

Erin's soul, once a light blue hue, shifted to a deep purple—a reflection of her emotions in this incorporeal form. She glanced around, her curiosity piqued. Surrounding her was an endless expanse of white, a void devoid of landmarks or features.

"Is this some kind of anime plot?" Erin's soul mused aloud, her tone laced with disbelief. The thought was absurd, but humor felt like the only way to cope. Life had already been cruel enough; making a joke out of death seemed fitting. At least now, she thought, nothing could scare her anymore.

She began to wander aimlessly through the vast, empty space. The endless white stretched on, giving her the unsettling feeling of being completely alone. "Is this what they call the afterlife?" she muttered, her voice echoing faintly in the silence. The quiet was oppressive, as though some unseen force dominated the place.

As she floated forward, her vision blurred, and something began to take shape before her. A blue screen materialized out of nowhere. Erin blinked, her mind racing to connect the dots. "Wait a minute… I know this!" she exclaimed, recalling one of her favorite anime series, Bringing My Toy to Another World.

But instead of displaying stats or abilities, the screen featured a roulette wheel with five colored sections: blue, green, purple, red, and gold. Erin immediately guessed the golden section was the highest tier.

"How do I even spin this thing?" she joked, feigning ignorance. Of course, she knew exactly how to use it. What anime enthusiast wouldn't recognize a system like this? With a mix of sarcasm and excitement, she spun the wheel, fully expecting her usual bad luck to land her a purple or blue result.

The wheel spun, faster and faster, until it stopped—on gold. Erin stared in stunned silence, her mind momentarily blank from the shock. "No way," she whispered. "I actually hit the jackpot?"

If anyone could see her now, they'd witness a soul glowing with every color of the rainbow, radiating pure joy. "I could die all over again," she said, laughing as euphoria washed over her. The blue screen shimmered and transformed into a dazzling golden hue before disintegrating into fine particles that flowed into her essence.

Suddenly, a melodious voice echoed in her mind, soothing yet commanding. "State three wishes, and they shall be granted."

Erin froze, trying to process the offer. "Three wishes? Really? Sounds way too good to be true." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What's the catch?"

The voice chuckled softly, its tone calm and reassuring. "You are wise to be cautious, young one. Yes, there is a condition. I am intrigued by the worlds you've seen in your memories—the stories, the places, the adventures. They seem… amusing. I wish to experience them through you. Become my traveler, explore these realms, and entertain me. In return, I shall grant your wishes."

Erin considered the proposition, her thoughts racing. It still seemed too good to be true, but honestly, who was she to argue? If any weeb were given this opportunity, they'd jump at it without hesitation. A grin spread across her ethereal face.

"Well," she said with a hint of mischief, "guess I've got nothing to lose."

As Erin accepted the offer, a table and chair materialized out of thin air. On the table lay a sheet of paper and a golden-rimmed pen, gleaming in the soft light of the void.

"How am I supposed to use those? I don't even have arms," Erin quipped, half-joking to lighten the mood.

The voice responded with a soft chuckle. "Simply use your mind to sign your name. It's easier than you think."

The paper floated gently upward, accompanied by the pen, as though held by invisible hands. Erin watched, her excitement barely contained, as it danced in the air—a sight straight out of the fantasy anime she loved. Quickly tamping down her awe, she focused on the task at hand. With a thought, the pen moved, tracing her name elegantly across the page.

The moment she signed the contract, a golden screen shimmered into existence before her. On it were three blank spaces awaiting her wishes.

"What should I wish for? Something overpowered, obviously," Erin muttered to herself, grinning. Every anime fan dreamed of being overpowered, and she was no exception.

For her first wish, she thought, I want unlimited arcanepotence. As soon as the thought formed, golden particles spiraled into her soul, their light dazzling and mesmerizing. She basked in the glow for a moment before moving on.

"My second wish," she said, her excitement growing, "is to have universal knowledge and understanding."

This wish was a no-brainer. As a traveler venturing into unknown worlds, it would allow her to instantly comprehend any magical system, language, culture, or history. With this ability, navigating any realm would be effortless.

"The last wish…" Erin whispered, her voice trailing off as she fell into thought. Deciding on a final wish was harder than she expected. Her gaze lingered on the golden screen as the pen hovered, waiting for her command.

Finally, the last wish was written: Immortal resilience with free will. Immortality was essential for survival, but the freedom to rest eternally whenever she chose made it the perfect balance. This way, she wouldn't be trapped forever if the burden became too much.

With her final wish granted, the golden screen dissolved into countless shimmering particles that merged into Erin's soul. Slowly, a new body began to form.

First came her skin, fair and flawless, smooth as jade and glowing with an ethereal light. Her outfit materialized next: a flowing black dress with off-shoulder sleeves. A brown corset, adorned with a central medallion and gold accents, cinched her waist, giving her an elegant yet fierce appearance with a touch of medieval flair. Thigh-high boots in deep brown completed the look, their heels enhancing her commanding presence.

Her long, dark brown hair cascaded in soft waves around her shoulders, framing her face. Her sharp, captivating gaze reflected her newfound power. Her pupils glowed gold momentarily before fading back to hazel brown, leaving an otherworldly impression.

Erin stared at her reflection, stunned. She had been beautiful in her previous life, but this was on another level entirely. "The eyes…" she murmured. They reminded her of the Wizard Arthur series, especially the final episode where Arthur tried to save Merlin. "I cried so much during that scene," she said with a wistful smile.

But her musings were cut short as she glanced down at her outfit. "The outfit though… I think I know where I'm headed." Reality set in, and her pirate-inspired attire offered a glaring hint.

"Yep, guessed right. Good luck, young one!" the voice said cheerfully, its tone brimming with amusement.

Before Erin could ask for clarification, her vision blurred once more. When it cleared, she was greeted with a terrifying sight.

WHY AM I FALLING FROM THE SKY?!