When I came to, I found myself in a pure white room.
Just a moment ago, I was lying in a hospital bed.
Where on earth is this place?
As I was pondering that, a voice reached me.
Yet, no matter how much I looked around, not a soul was there.
It seemed like someone was speaking directly into my mind.
“You seem rather puzzled. You have just ended your previous life. However, your soul holds much greater potential within it. I find it unfortunate that, due to your circumstances, that potential never blossomed.”
Is that so?
I graduated from university like anyone else, and worked at an ordinary company.
There was a lot of overtime, and sometimes I even had to go in on holidays, but I don’t think it was bad enough to call it a Black Company.
My memories are fuzzy for some reason, though.
My salary barely increased, and since my parents hardly helped with university expenses, I was just scraping by paying off my so-called “scholarship” debt.
Still, I always thought that was just normal.
With no time or money, I never even had the chance to get a girlfriend, much less get married.
If anything, I guess you could call that regrettable, but it’s not a particularly unusual life these days.
“Ah, it is precisely that mindset—thinking of such a life as ‘normal’—that is strange.”
The voice in my head sighed.
“In your world, isn’t it called ‘corporate slave’? A life with no freedom, just like livestock. And in a world where you can’t win the ‘parent lottery’, your choices are limited. That’s no environment for hidden potential to bloom.”
Hidden potential?
Did I really have something like that in me?
It’s hard to believe.
“No, you certainly did. I am truly sorry that you never had the chance to notice that potential. Therefore, I wish to give you the opportunity to live once more, in another world.”
Oh, is this one of those Reincarnation stories I often read in novels?
“The world where you’ll be reborn is what you might call a ‘World of Swords and Magic.’ There are monsters, civilization is not very advanced, but it’s a lively place with room for growth and prosperity. Heh, it’s a world I created myself.”
Ah, so this voice belongs to God.
That explains why my thoughts were an open book.
Even if it’s all in my mind, I feel a little bad for speaking so casually.
“No need to worry about that. I know you are a good person. Therefore, I shall grant you a Blessing as you reincarnate. You can be reborn either as a Hero with outstanding Sword Skill, or a Sage gifted with Magic Skill.”
A Hero or a Sage, huh.
There was a time as a child when I admired both.
Wait, as a child?
How old am I, anyway?
“Your memories aren’t all pleasant ones, so I’ve left them somewhat hazy. The memories of an advanced civilization may serve you in your new life, but I see no need to bring along painful recollections.”
God, you’re quite kind.
Thank you very much.
“The fact that you can honestly give thanks like that is one of your virtues. Now then, will you choose to be a Hero or a Sage?”
Both options are tempting, but somehow the weariness won’t lift, and I don’t feel energetic enough to become a Hero or a Sage.
Would it be possible to live quietly in the countryside, making things with my own hands?
“I see. Perhaps even your soul is tired.
Hmm, I don’t recall many cases of someone choosing to reincarnate as a Producer. Ah, but being a Producer on the Frontier is another possibility open to you. Would that be acceptable?”
Yes, I’d like to be a Producer on the Frontier.
I can’t remember clearly, but I feel like I’d rather leave behind things I made myself, instead of just selling things while being hounded by quotas.
“Understood. I’ll honor your wish. Also, your memories of your previous life will not return at birth, but only after you’ve grown up a bit.”
Thank you for listening to my request.
“I hope your new life will be a wonderful journey. With my Blessing, people will naturally gather around you, and you will become a force to be reckoned with. If it’s you, with your kindness, perhaps you’ll be able to make the world a better place.”
And so, I was reincarnated—not as a Hero, not as a Sage, but as a Producer.