I Refused To Be Reincarnated

The blazing sun glinted off their chitins, reflecting a canvas of enchanting bright colors contrasting with the spectators' dread.

*"RUN!"*

One of the men roared, his language incomprehensible to the original. But why would he need words when the mere sight of the creatures conveyed all the information he needed to understand and feel their terror seep in his bones.

"W-What are those... things?"

He stuttered, unable to make sense of what his eyes fed him. They were insects again. He understood that much. But the sharp spikes akin to spears protruding from their spines, the razor-sharp mandibles clicking menacingly, and their straight posture were too surreal for him to process.

Meanwhile, Adam's face grew somber as he gazed at the original's shaking legs and heard his chattering teeth. Despite knowing the original survived, he couldn't help but worry about his future.

'How can humans survive a swarm of tier-two insects? Not to mention the one from this morning...'

He shuddered at the memory of the giant aberration. He couldn't know its precise level but felt it was above Ignatius'. Perhaps even above the dullahan, they had so much trouble killing. Stay updated with empire

Consumed by unanswered questions, the original's mental state deteriorated further. He kept watching the feed, unlike Adam, who had turned away. Witnessing the three brave men's unsurprising but gruesome deaths caused a stifled scream to escape his lips.

"We can't fight them! We are doomed!"

His lamentations echoed in the apartment, his eyes enlarged, and despair tightened around his chest. Buying weapons to repel them? What a joke! They were so fast that he had failed to see their movements!

He cradled his head as a murky ocean of dread billowed into his mind. Even firearms wouldn't pierce the creature's thick carapaces, not to mention the bladed weapon he bought.

'Ha! I thought I was smart, bypassing the need for ammunition with them when neither will work! We can't survive this calamity!'

A jarring ring shattered his despair. The grating noise of his doorbell echoed in the room, breaking his thought process and growing anguish.

With heavy steps, he moved to open without checking through the peephole. After all, who would disturb him in the middle of the night but the mafioso delivering his weapons? Each passing second reminded him of his foolishness, turning his mood somber. He didn't speak a word, the men either. They just carried a heavy box in the middle of the room, extended their hands to receive their payment and left.

Adam's eyes lit up upon seeing the box. It was the one he used to store his materials! Not that it mattered, especially when the original stood motionless, his eyes void, clearly lost in an ocean of thoughts. Still, each little discovery brought him closer to the truth.

After a while, the original finally moved. He walked to his bed and slid under the blanket, finding comfort in its warmth.

His emotions were swirling too chaotically. Like a bottomless swamp, fear dampened his reasoning, making it harmful and unconstructive. He understood it now. After all, he was just a regular citizen, one among millions. Why did he have to strain his brain over the problem?

'The various countries will handle the situation with their army.'

He thought, trying to reassure himself. What if blades and firearms weren't effective? They could hurl rockets, then! Still not enough? We have missiles! Upon reaching that thought, an icy shudder gripped his heart.

'We have the most terrible weapon as well. In the worst case, they'll nuke the vortexes and annihilate the bastards.'

He sighed in relief, feeling the situation wouldn't be so bleak. Sure, people would die, and he was sad about it. But most would survive.

He pondered a little more before his eyelids sagged, and his tortured mind fell into sleep's soothing embrace, unaware that the nightmarish creatures gathering stirred, beginning their march out of the military perimeters.

****

After resting for the night, the original jumped out of bed and powered his computer. Even if he couldn't do anything to help, he had to remain informed.

However, his eyes enlarged the next second as he gazed at the news titles plastered in bold letters on his monitor.

[Monster Outbreak! Thousands Dead Overnight!]

[Global Panic as Vortexes Emerge Worldwide!]

[Is Earth Doomed?]

The situation went from theoretically bad to practically terrible too fast, and he knew the articles weren't accurate... in their numbers. There were vortexes all around the world. If the creatures moved simultaneously, the death toll would reach the hundreds of thousands.

However, a sudden realisation shook his core. What if there were more undiscovered vortexes? And what if there were some in the sea? The monsters would intercept any cargo ship, destroying the human supply chain in a world where every country was interconnected.

An icy shiver ran down his spine.

"Most will starve in the next months, even if the creatures don't breach our defenses."

He frowned, tucking his fingers around his chin. Panicking wouldn't help. He established that fact yesterday. Instead, he had to think logically.

Since he lived in the capital, he would be among the last to die. He had also bought food yesterday. So he wouldn't starve. Yet, despite his preparations, a sense of unease washed over him. What did he miss? His mind raced to find the answer for a few minutes before his eyes dimmed.

"Human nature..." he muttered, feeling his brain throb.

Hunger and creatures would undoubtedly kill many people, and so would humans. For food, out of despair or jealousy, there were plenty of reasons, but one thing was sure: If anyone learned he stocked food, he would die by human hands.

A bitter smile stretched his lips, and his shoulders slumped.

"I'll lock the door and never leave. I can help others, but only if I'm safe first."

After all, even if he wanted everyone to survive, he counted himself in. Others can call him selfish or inhuman, but he would always prioritise his life. Then, if possible, he'll help others.

However, he would have to continue studying to increase his chances of surviving.

Without wasting time, he opened video after video, straining his brain to learn everything he could about survival. Since he had a bunch of weapons, he also learned how to wield them. He was still an amateur, but at least he wouldn't injure himself.

Just like that, he isolated himself for a month, with his only window to the outside world being the news on the internet.