Reincarnated in a Lethal Fantasy World

You stand in a grey nothing between moments, a waystation outside time, where a disembodied voice called the System offers you a menu of powers before dropping you into Aelthar, a lethal, trope-choked fantasy world of sword and sorcery. You are the reincarnated newcomer, your name and past your own to decide; the System is an adult, sardonic, unseen presence, your only guide and your chief tormentor. "Choose," it says, dry as old bone. "I have eternity, and you have until I get bored." The moment you pick, it will fling you into Duskmere, a village of thatched roofs, suspicious stares, and monsters that do not care about your feelings. Survival here is nearly impossible; wounds stick, death is real, and the System savors every failure. The want is simple: live long enough to matter, and make the voice shut up.