System in Assassin's Creed

Alaric dropped his phone onto the bed, rubbing his tired eyes.

His tiny apartment smelled like instant noodles and sweat. Empty cans and wrappers covered the floor. The fan rattled in the corner, struggling to keep the room cool.

Three days. No sleep. No shower. Just webnovels.

His military pension had seemed like a golden ticket six months ago. Retire at 28.

No more drills, no more longing for a home that never existed. Just endless novels, Fantasy kingdoms, Cultivation realms, and heroes who didn't need parents. 

He grabbed another energy drink, but his fingers slipped. The can tumbled to the floor, rolling under the bed.

Pain spread up his spine, sharp and sudden. A sharp pain shot through his chest. His fingers clenched the sheets.

Then his vision blurred. 

What—  

He crashed sideways off the bed. The floorboards punched the air from his lungs. His chest tightened as he struggled to breathe. 

Ambush?

But there were no bullets here. No IEDs. Just weak flesh giving up. Pathetic. 

'Damn it… Am I dying… from reading too much?'

Then everything faded away. 

--- 

Alaric opened his eyes to white.

Not the sterile white of a hospital. Not the blinding white of the sun.

Just...nothing.

No walls.

No ceiling.

Not even a floor.

"Cozy, isn't it?" 

A man sat cross-legged in front of him, silver robes draped lazily over his shoulders. White hair, golden eyes, and an easygoing smirk.

"Took you long enough to wake up," the man said.

Alaric sat up slowly. "Who…?"

"Call me Kami." The man stretched, cracking his neck. "You're dead, by the way."

"Dead?" 

"Yep, a heart failure... congrats," Kami said, voice lighthearted. "Honestly, dying from too much webnovel reading? New record."

Alaric stared. "So... okay... I'm... dead." 

"Ten points to Gryffindor." 

A beat passed then Alaric's fists clenched. "Can't you just send me back?" 

"Nope. Your corpse is currently traumatizing EMTs." Kami snapped his fingers.

The void flickered, showing Alaric's body being zipped into a black bag. A medic stepped on a half-eaten bag of chips. "Gross, right?" 

Alaric turned away. "Tch... So what now? Heaven? Hell?" 

"Neither. You're getting a redo." 

"... What do you mean a redo?" 

"New world. New life." Kami waved a hand.

A massive spinning wheel materialized, splitting into three sections: [WORLD], [POWER], [FAMILY]. Gold lavish designs glowed.

"Spin once each. Whatever you land on becomes your reality." 

Alaric's brow furrowed. "I didn't ask for this." 

"You didn't ask to be born the first time either." 

"Cheap philosophy." 

"Accurate philosophy," Kami tilted his head. "Like how your parents left you at an orphanage because they thought you'd starve if they kept you. Noble intentions. Tragic execution." 

Alaric stiffened. "Don't." 

"They were addicts. Died in a ditch two months after ditching you." 

"Stop." 

*Sigh* "Okay... spin the wheel, soldier." 

Alaric crossed his arms. "And if I refuse?"

Kami shrugged. "Then you stay here. Forever."

Alaric glared. The wheel began to shine, symbols swirling.

Dragons, spaceships, a hooded figure leaping across rooftops. His fingers twitched. 

What's the point with all this?  

But the itch from years of military routine kicked in. 'Atleast there's some action, but my NEET life was already nice.'

He grabbed the wheel. It spun with a metallic hum. 

--- 

First Spin: WORLD

The needle slowed. 

ASSASSIN'S CREED - 1693 

"1693... Pirates?" Alaric grimaced. 

Kami shrugged. "Better than cockroach reincarnation." 

Second Spin: POWER 

The wheel whirred again. Symbols blurred... swords, magic staves, glowing eyes. 

SYSTEM SHOP (NARUTO UNIVERSE)

"A shop... Really?" 

"Think of it like Walmart meets ninja magic," Kami said. "You'll trade reales, the local pirate cash, for jutsus, weapons, whatever. No freebies. No AI assistant. Capitalism at its finest." 

Alaric pinched the bridge of his nose. "What's the catch?" 

"Grind or die. Standard rules." 

Third Spin: FAMILY

The wheel spun a final time. 

KENWAY FAMILY - COUSIN OF EDWARD KENWAY

"Born poor. Stay poor unless you hustle." Kami smirked. "Good luck." 

White light engulfed Alaric. 

"Oh... this is all too sudden... then, goodbye?" 

"Not goodbye," Kami called. "See you soon." 

--- 

Alaric's first breath was a scream, then a slap stung his backside. 

Alaric's body felt tiny and fragile.

A firm hand patted his back, making his body jerk as a reaction. It was a new and unfamiliar sensation.

"Healthy lungs," a woman said tiredly. "That's good."

His vision was blurry, but he could make out figures above him.

A tired woman with dark hair and gentle eyes.

'I'm guessing that's my mother? This is too awkward for me...'

A tall man stood beside her. Blonde hair. Strong features.

'And the father... to be fair, for a farmer? He's handsome.'

"What will you name him?" the midwife asked.

The man, Leonard Kenway, spoke. "Alaric... Alaric Jonathan Kenway."

"...Alaric Jonathan Kenway," His mother smiled softly. "A strong name. Sounds like a scholar's."

Alaric, now a newborn, could only stare.

'Great. Just great.'

Hunger twisted his stomach making his mouth open instinctively.

Then a cry escaped.

'Damn it!'

His mother rocked him gently. Warmth surrounded him. His eyelids were shutting down.

Alaric closed his eyes. 

Time to grind.

Wait... I don't feel the system? 

System?

System Shop?

Shop System?

Hmm... Walmart?

Fuck...