Chapter Three: The Mysterious Alien (Part Two)

I have no idea how much time passed before that sharp, metallic voice of the red alien once again echoed inside me. “Respected Earthling, sir, my friend and I have discussed your situation at length and we unanimously believe it was our operational mistake that caused you to lose your precious life. If we do not help you, we will face the judgment of the Supreme Court of Planet U. So after our deliberation…”

“Hey, can you cut out the long-winded speeches?” I interrupted, now utterly impatient after realizing I was a soul. “I just want to know if you can turn me back to my original form. The rest is none of my business! If you have something to say, say it quickly! If you have something to do, do it now! I’ll say it again, if you can’t restore me, I’d rather be dead!”

“Alright, alright…” the red alien replied awkwardly, scratching its head with a tentacle. “Under your circumstances, my friend and I have considered every possibility, and perhaps there is only one way, though it might require you to make some sacrifices.”

“What way?” The moment I heard there was a possibility, I focused all my attention.

“Well, I can have the ship travel at light speed, reversing the flow of time and sending you back to the past. However, with our technology, the ship can only sustain light travel for just over ten minutes, so you can only choose to return to a point within the last decade or so. Once in the past, we will locate your former self and infuse your current soul into your previous body. This way, we avoid violating any interstellar homicide codes or body usurpation laws.”

“Wait, so you mean I get to be reborn?” I’d read plenty of online novels about reincarnation lately, never expecting such a thing could happen to me. My eyes suddenly lit up. I knew exactly what a second life meant—another chance to live, to start over! Wasn’t that exactly what I had always hoped for? “I’m fine with that, but if I go back, won’t this world descend into chaos? And what if, after a decade, I reach the present again—wouldn’t I just die once more?”

“Please rest assured, sir, that will not happen. Once you return to the past, your original world will be completely isolated from the one in which you are reborn. The universe itself consists of countless parallel realities. Light travel merely pierces the barriers between universes, transferring you from one to another. Two parallel universes do not produce ethical or physical conflict.”

Although I’d attended college, this explanation still left me a bit confused, but I got the general idea. “So, what you’re saying is that after I’m reborn, I’ll be living in a different universe, with no connection to this one—right?”

“Hehe, your comprehension is impressive, sir. That’s essentially correct. However, my friend and I can’t help but feel guilty for forcing you to leave your universe.” The red octopus-like alien sounded genuinely remorseful. Suddenly, an idea dawned on me.

“Alright, enough with the apologies. We Earthlings are quite magnanimous. Since I can be reborn, it doesn’t matter which universe I end up in.” I was almost giddy with excitement—rebirth meant knowing the future! That alone was exhilarating enough. But then, a thought struck me: What if, like in all those reincarnation novels, I came back with some special abilities? I couldn’t help but ask eagerly, “Excuse me, but if I’m reborn, will I have any…ahem…special powers or perhaps some sort of invincible abilities?”

“Powers?” The red alien looked quizzically at me. “I’m sorry, what do you mean by ‘powers’?”

Hearing its reply, I nearly fainted. Clearly, these aliens had no concept of fantasy novels. Embarrassed, I coughed and explained, “I mean, is there any chance I’ll have abilities others don’t—like being bulletproof, or being able to fly through the air at will?”

“Oh, I see what you’re getting at, sir. Unfortunately, our technology doesn’t extend that far. If we equipped you with external protective devices, you might become bulletproof, but we don’t fully understand the human physique, so modifying your body isn’t feasible. You must understand—the most sophisticated instrument in the universe is the body of an intelligent life form. Even though Earth’s technology lags behind, the complexity of your biology is beyond imagining.”

“Oh…” I replied, disappointed, but unwilling to give up. “Since I’m only in this situation because of your mistake, and since I have to go to another universe, shouldn’t you at least give me some compensation? Otherwise, I’m dying for nothing and being tormented for nothing…” I was really getting into the spirit of extortion—how could I let these two foolish aliens off the hook without getting something in return?

Perhaps the concept of greed was foreign to them, as the red alien pondered a moment before answering, “You have a point, sir. While our planet’s technology isn’t the pinnacle of the universe, it’s still tens of millions of years ahead of Earth’s. I can’t disclose our latest advancements, but I can share technology that’s a few centuries ahead of Earth’s—that wouldn’t violate any regulations, as it’s long outdated for us. Additionally, I can help unlock your brain’s potential, boosting your cerebral capacity to six percent.”

“So, you mean you’ll teach me technology centuries beyond what exists on Earth?” My eyes shone at the prospect. If I could use such technology after being reborn… I could already see visions of gold and silver piling up before me. I swallowed hard, grinning from ear to ear. “Excellent, excellent, I won’t be shy about accepting that!”

“Very well. Since you’ve decided, let’s proceed quickly—we need to return to Planet U for our cosmic exploration report.” The red octopus was certainly efficient, and I was more than ready! Just imagining what I could achieve with advanced technology made my heart race. If I weren’t just a soul, I probably would have burst a blood vessel from excitement.

“Now, sir, I will transmit the selected advanced technology of Planet U into your soul, and as the ship travels at light speed to another universe, may I ask, to which year—or, as you say, how many years ago—would you like to be reborn?”

I thought it over. If I was to be reborn, I wanted a true fresh start. But with this advanced technology and enhanced brain capacity, I didn’t need to go back to childhood. Suddenly, I remembered that phone call before the accident—the voice on the other end, and memories of her made a faint smile appear on my lips. I suddenly laughed aloud, saying, “I’ve made my decision! I want to return to my high school days!”

“Understood. Please prepare yourself—we’re about to begin…” The red octopus rapidly tapped dozens of buttons with its eight tentacles. A sound like a wave of energy washed over me, and in an instant, my consciousness once again sank into a deep, endless slumber.