In a place far removed from civilization, a young boy of about sixteen breathed laboriously as he dug the ground with a shovel.
Thunk. Thunk.
The air here was extremely cold, frost clung to the grass, and dozens of tombstones sprawled around him.
Beside him was a wagon filled with the corpses of players whose bodies were retrieved from the Ascension Mountain upon their death.
"If only I had reincarnated in the body of some young master… apparently the god of reincarnation felt it would be fitting for me to be a gravekeeper!" He clicked his tongue, frustration evident in his tone.
The youth's name was Zich. After a tragic incident, he had died, bringing an end to his uneventful and monotonous life.
However, instead of his consciousness vanishing from existence like everyone believed on Earth, he found himself in the body of a graveyard keeper in a parallel Earth.
According to the memories of this body, this was a unique family business that only catered to players.
And yes, unlike the junk anime and novels he consumed, both of his parents were still alive and perfectly healthy. No orphan cliché or missing parents nonsense.
He had a perfect family, a loving mother, and a strong, capable father.
But…
"Why do they have to be graveyard keepers?" he sighed for the hundredth time.
When Zich had asked his mother this question, she had said:
"As non-players, it is very hard to make a living, Zich. This is our best bet because not many people find the job of gravekeeping pleasing in this era. We do not have much competition. As long as players die in the Ascension Mountain, our business thrives, and we all know it is impossible for them not to lose their lives."
Zich sighed. "So… we basically profit when players die?"
"Yes." His mother nodded, then quickly shook her head as her son's words registered. "No, we do not pray for that… Why would you think that?"
"Homeyyyyyh, good news! One hundred players just lost their lives!" came the sudden loud voice of Leon, his father, from upstairs.
Zich turned to his mother, at a loss for words.
Lorraine smiled awkwardly. "That… your father does not mean it."
"Wooooo, we will make a lot of money this summer!" came the voice again.
Zich gave his mom an expression that clearly asked: REALLY???
Why did it feel as if his father and mother were a bunch of psychopathic, ruthless villains?
Zich shook the thoughts from his head and returned to his work.
After digging for about two hours nonstop, he finally stood up, his back cracking loudly.
A purple glow bathed him from above. He lifted his gaze and looked upward.
There, he could see the outline of the purple mountain hovering in the sky. It could be seen from anywhere in the world.
That was the place they called the Ascension Mountain.
Upon their sixteenth birthday, a few chosen individuals were randomly teleported to the world inside the Ascension Mountain.
These people were referred to as players, humans with superhuman strength and supernatural powers.
"It is the only fun part about this world," he thought.
No one knew how it had happened, but a few decades ago, the purple mountain had appeared in the atmosphere of the world, and humans were randomly teleported inside it. When they returned, they came back with treasures and powers straight out of fantasy books.
From then on, the few humans fortunate enough to be teleported to this world and return became powerhouses on Earth.
Years later, on the sixteenth year of every teenager, they were teleported to this world. Inside, they would awaken their talent and begin their adventure.
That sudden glow normally meant it was night. However, Zich still had a few corpses to bury, so he was not ready to head home.
Zich picked up his shovel and was about to start once more when a soft and warm voice came from behind.
"Zich, that is enough for the day."
He turned around and saw his mother standing there.
Lorraine was a woman in her early forties with soft green eyes and dark hair, and a slim, lithe physique that was built not in any gym but through constant work in the graveyard.
"Mother, I can still go a few more minutes. I am not tired yet," Zich said.
Lorraine frowned. "Have you forgotten that tomorrow is your sixteenth birthday?"
"Oh, that…" Zich sighed.
"That is right. A proper rest before the day usually helps a lot, so pack up and let us go home," Lorraine said.
Zich looked at the corpses and felt reluctant. He wanted to take care of them. It did not sit well with him to leave them in the open like this.
'Fuck, what am I thinking? Could it be I am beginning to like this job?' He shuddered at the thought.
Without hesitation, he stabbed the shovel into the ground and went to meet his mom.
"If you say so, then."
After reaching their manor, which was built strangely close to the graveyard that was about the size of three football stadiums joined together, Zich went to the shower and took a bath.
His father was still out working in another part of the graveyard, so he had not returned home.
Zich was the first to eat dinner. His mother preferred to wait and eat with her husband.
After his meal, Zich rushed to bed, a bit excited and scared at the same time, since tomorrow was the day of his awakening.
It was the moment of truth and would determine his destiny.
…if he would remain a graveyard keeper all his life like his father and mother, or become a player who would explore the worlds inside the Ascension Mountain.
The moment he closed his eyes, a notification rang through his head.
[Ding. You have been selected to participate in the Ascension Mountain]
[Ding. You have awakened the Spirit Summoner class]
[Your graveyard awaits you… Please kill something to slowly fill it up]
***
This is my official Entry for WSA, please don't forget to add to library, vote and support!