My eyes slowly opened as I felt my consciousness gradually returning. Due to the brightness, I ended up closing them again and tried to calm my breathing in that moment. Confusion and a spark of panic were my main emotions at that instant. As if it had just happened moments ago, I could remember my death. I could still feel the phantom pains. A trillion thoughts raced through my mind at that moment. I had died, and for some reason, I was still alive. This was something I had seen in many forms of entertainment, but for me, it had always been just that — fiction. But it seemed my current situation was solid proof that I had been completely wrong.
After some time, I felt my thoughts and emotions calming down. I let out a loud sigh and opened my eyes again. What I saw was an unfamiliar blackish-blue ceiling, adorned with various hand-drawn designs. It was truly beautiful.
I brought my hands to my face and rubbed it gently. Even though I hadn't actually slept, I felt the kind of fatigue one experiences after just waking up.
Looking closer, I observed my hands. Pale, delicate, and soft. Very different from those I had in my previous life. My parents were archaeologists, and for as long as I could remember, I had accompanied them on their adventures. Naturally, I grew to love it, and after years of studying, I decided to pursue the same career professionally. Unfortunately, the very thing that brought me so much happiness was what ended my life. During a major discovery, the site where my parents and I were collapsed on us.
I sighed again, feeling my eyes sting as tears began to form. My parents... my beloved parents were dead. I was dead. I knew most people would say I should be grateful for this second chance. And despite all the confusion, part of me was happy for this opportunity — but leaving my entire past behind was difficult.
Slowly, I sat up from the bed I had been lying on, taking a moment to calm myself again. Sighing, I began to take in my surroundings. It was a room with beautiful décor, heavily influenced by fantasy and astrology.
Just as I was about to stand up, a soft sound and a slightly translucent light-blue screen appeared in front of me.
[System Initiated! Welcome to the EXTRACT and COLLECT System, Host!]
My eyes widened in surprise at the sight. I reached out and saw my fingers pass right through the screen. In my past life, I might have thought I was going crazy from overwork, but after being reborn, I doubted nothing anymore.
Soon, a childlike excitement filled me. Of course, like most people, during my teenage years, I had seen plenty of anime, manga, and various kinds of novels and fanfics. Although that diminished a bit in my adult life because of my career, I still remembered most things clearly. A system, or a "golden finger" (I always thought that name was weird), was something most transmigrators received during their reincarnations, usually based on RPG or game mechanics.
"Well... thank you. Could you tell me your functions, please?" I asked quietly. I still didn't know my current situation, so it was best to speak softly and avoid being mistaken for crazy if anyone overheard.
[Ding! Of course, Host.]
[The Extract and Collect system is a gift given to you by an entity I am not authorized to reveal.]
[Its primary function is the extraction and collection of important artifacts. To explain further, the host will use an item/function of the system called the 'Extractor'. The Extractor currently has three quality tiers: green, yellow, and red. Using the Extractor, the host can deploy it in a specific region/country, and from there, it will collect a wide variety of items and artifacts. Depending on the item/artifact, the 'Collector' function can be used. Each artifact has a grade of importance ranging from 'E' (a normal item) to 'S' (an artifact deemed priceless by the system). Depending on the artifact, once added to the 'Collector', the host may gain a characteristic related to that artifact.]
[Example: The current extraction world unlocked is the 'Fate Series'. If the host obtains an artifact related to Artoria Pendragon, depending on the artifact's quality, the host may receive a characteristic of the character, a skill, an item, or even a 'template'.]
[Each Extractor has a success rate per use. Every use consumes durability. When durability reaches zero, the Extractor breaks and the host must acquire a new one.]
[These are the system's main functions. However, there are also classic functions such as:]
[Status: Displays all information related to the host. A basic feature of every system.]
[Inventory: A space where the host can store items obtained inside or outside the system. Living beings are excluded.]
[Recycling: A function where the host can recycle low-level items and artifacts deemed useless. Recycling gives 'Ancient Coins' depending on the item's quality. Ancient Coins are the system's currency, obtained either through extractor excavations or recycling, and can be spent at the shop.]
[Shop: A place where items can be purchased with Ancient Coins. The primary goods are Extractors for the system's main function.]
[And that concludes the system introduction.]
I sighed after reading all the information the system explained. Basically, I got stronger AFK — if we're being honest. The only real concern was obtaining enough Ancient Coins to buy new Extractors. Still, the system itself was very interesting. As far as I could remember, I had never seen anything quite like it in any of my readings. And in a way, it fit my old profession very well. How fascinating.
"System, do I have any kind of starter pack or something?" I asked while resting my chin on my hand.
[Ding! Of course, Host. Since this system does not feature a mission function, the primary way to obtain artifacts and Ancient Coins is through an initial Extractor provided by the system.]
I see, I see. Well, that's reassuring. But from what the system said, the only extraction world currently available is Fate Series, which might seem cliché given my profession, but was actually one of my favorite anime/game franchises.Wait... obtaining artifacts and powers from Fate Series would be strange if I were in a conventional world...
"System, what kind of world am I currently in? Is it a conventional one like my previous life?"
[Ding! Unfortunately, upon acquiring the system, conventional modern worlds become inaccessible due to higher regulations. Therefore, the host's current world and any future accessible worlds will always be related to fiction and/or pop culture. And to answer the host's question, the current world is based on the work 'High School DXD,' which existed as entertainment in the host's previous world.]
My God... this is crazy.Besides discovering that the worlds from works I knew actually exist, I ended up in one with an extremely high difficulty level.
"System, where am I currently located? Has the canon story already begun?"
[Ding! The host's current location is Moscow, Russia. Regarding the timeline, the host is exactly one year before the story begins.]
Alright, alright. Fortunately, I'm at a considerable distance from the center of all the problems, which is Kuoh City in Japan.I never understood why protagonists would go into the center of so many problems and dangerous creatures while being weak. Some kind of masochism, maybe? Fortunately, I won't—
[Ding! As a form of assistance to the host, one piece of information will be provided. Even though missions are not a feature, the host must fulfill certain requirements as payment for their rebirth and the gift of the system.]
My big mouth... ahh...
Anyway, there's nothing I can do about it.
"System, can I deploy my Extractor now?"
[Ding! Of course, Host. Please select the location where the Extractor will be deployed.]
Soon, a world map appeared on the same translucent blue screen in front of me.This brought several thoughts... where should I deploy it?Britain would be a good choice — full of powerful figures like Artoria, Morgan, Merlin, and even Mordred... but there's also the Middle East with Gilgamesh, Ishtar, Ereshkigal, and King Hassan...
In the end, I selected the Middle East as my initial choice.Maybe it was a bit foolish, but... I really like Gilgamesh. His powers are so stylish... humpf...
[Ding! Area selected! Extraction starting...]
Well, while the extraction is ongoing, I need to check my current situation.I know I'm in Russia, but I should find out the details. I stood up from the bed I had been sitting on all this time and began exploring the room for information.And yes, I tried asking the system, but it has no information about that.
Eventually, I found the greatest help: a diary.
After reading most of it, I managed to gather some information.My name is Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova.Yes, like the historical figure, but fortunately — or not — I am not her.I am a Russian girl with a father who is a military officer and a mother who teaches at a local elementary school.I'm sixteen years old, and it seems the previous owner of this body suffered from some psychological issues and, with the use of certain medications, ended her life. Poor girl...
I let out a sigh and left my room to start exploring the house.Apparently, my father holds a very high position because the house was huge and luxurious.While walking around, I tried to gather any useful information since I couldn't act completely different to avoid suspicion.Fortunately, my only real concern was my mother — but according to the diary, she was very calm, and my father rarely came home.And regarding friends?Due to my new father's job, we had moved into this house only a few days ago, so I didn't have to worry about that either.
After much walking and reading, I returned to my new room and sat in an armchair to process everything I had learned.
Truly, this new life was going to be quite complex.