Neo woke with a violent gasp, his lungs burning as if he'd just clawed his way out of cold, dark water.
His hand flew to his chest, fingers digging into unfamiliar muscle, heart hammering against his ribs like it wanted to break free.
The room spun for a moment, rough wooden walls, the scent of pine resin and smoke, a simple bed beneath him that creaked under his weight as he sat up.
"Fuck… I actually died," he whispered, voice hoarse and raw.
The words tasted like gravel. Failed the exam. Bike skidding on wet pavement. The screech of tires. Darkness. And now this.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, bare feet meeting cool floorboards.
The room was small and old, built entirely of weathered wood that had seen generations of use.
A single window let in slanted afternoon light, dust motes dancing in the beam.
No posters, no phone charger, no clutter of modern life, just a sturdy chest, a simple table, and the faint smell of herbs hanging from the rafters.
Neo pushed himself up, legs steadier than they should have been, and crossed to the mirror hanging on the far wall.
He stopped in front of it, breath catching.
A stranger stared back.
Light blue hair fell across a face that was unfairly handsome, sharp jaw, fair skin with a healthy flush, and striking blue eyes that seemed to hold both clarity and quiet depth.
He turned his head slowly, watching the reflection mimic him.
'This guy… he's way better looking than me. Feels weird. Like I'm wearing someone else's skin.'
A wave of guilt hit him then, sharp and sudden.
Mom. Sis. Dad. Their faces flashed through his mind, his real family, the ones he'd left behind in a hospital room somewhere far away.
"Mom… Sis… Dad…" His chest tightened painfully.
"I hope they're not too broken. I was supposed to be there for them. I'm sorry I couldn't do better."
A gentle, melodic voice spoke directly into his thoughts, warm and soothing like a hand on his shoulder.
Don't worry, Neo. After your death, thanks to your heroic deeds, the mayor honored you.
Your sister received financial support. She married a good man, and everyone respects her as the sister of a hero.
Your father found purpose caring for orphans. He spent his remaining days praised by all the people you helped.
A wave of relief crashed over him, so strong his knees nearly buckled.
Sadness lingered at the edges, but the knot in his chest loosened.
"Thank you, Luna… really. At least they won't suffer because of me. That's all I wanted."
For a moment, the emotions felt almost too good, pure, untainted warmth.
Then reality snapped back.
He looked down at the strong hands, the unfamiliar body.
Luna must have sensed his rising unease, because her voice returned quickly.
This body's original soul passed in an accident. I asked his permission. He agreed. You carry no crime here.
"Still feels wrong," Neo muttered, gripping the edge of the bed until his knuckles whitened.
'I'm basically a thief in someone else's life…' But the thought of his mother, his new mother, giving him this chance steadied him.
He couldn't waste it drowning in guilt. Not for both of them.
He closed his eyes and reached for the memories as Luna had suggested.
They flooded in, clear and vivid.
His name was Neo. Only son of a female bar owner who was married a deceased village guardsman.
They lived in Balor Village, a modest settlement on the distant outskirts of the Kingdom of Nyr.
Life here revolved around the river, fishing, baking, hunting the clever, vicious monsters that prowled the wilds beyond the fields.
These weren't game monsters; they were brutal, intelligent, and unforgiving.
The accident came next. Playing near the waterfall with the other village kids.
The captain's son, arrogant little bastard, shoving him hard, laughing as he called it a "game."
The fall. The roar of water. Darkness.
Neo's breath hitched. He clutched his chest again, eyes stinging with sudden tears as phantom terror clawed through his bones.
The body remembered. The fear. The betrayal.
"That bastard pushed him… just because he could?" His fists clenched until they shook.
'I won't let this life end the same way. Not again.'
He forced slow, deep breaths, steadying himself against the wall.
The door creaked open.
A woman stepped inside, and the air seemed to thicken.
She was stunning in a way that hit like a physical force, full-figured and confident, with a tight leather shirt that hugged her narrow waist and strained against the generous swell of her breasts, the deep valley between them on full, mouthwatering display.
A short, flowing blouse swayed around her hips with every movement, teasing glimpses of smooth thigh.
Rich red hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a beautiful face marked by amber eyes, exhaustion, and raw worry.
Mary. His mother.
The body's memories surged forward with overwhelming warmth and safety.
Neo felt it in his bones, this wasn't just acting. The love was real, deep, instinctive.
Mary's eyes welled with tears the instant she saw him.
She crossed the room in two strides, cupping his face with trembling hands.
"My son!" Her voice cracked.
She pulled him into a fierce kiss on the lips, deep, desperate, full of relief, before crushing him against her.
Neo froze for half a second, awkward heat flooding his face.
'This is my mom now… get a grip.' But then the warmth of her body, the soft press of those heavy breasts against his chest, the familiar scent of her skin, leather, herbs, and something sweetly feminine, melted the hesitation.
He wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in the valley of her cleavage as she hugged his head close.
The sensation was overwhelming. Soft, pillowy flesh enveloped him, warm and yielding, her heartbeat thudding steadily beneath his cheek.
Her fingers threaded through his light blue hair, holding him there as if afraid he might vanish.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Mom," he murmured into her skin, voice muffled.
"I'm here now. I won't make you cry again."
Mary's breath hitched.
"The Guards found you at the base of the falls where the water ends. If not for them spotting you floating…" She couldn't finish, the words catching in her throat.
Neo pulled back just enough to look at her tear-streaked face, then hugged her again, this time pressing his face into the curve of her neck.
The closeness was electric, her full breasts pillowing against him, the heat of her body, the way her curves molded perfectly to his frame.
A confusing rush of familial love mixed with something deeper, hungrier, stirred low in his belly.
He breathed her in, letting the emotions anchor him.
"Don't worry, Mother," he whispered, voice thick.
"I just slipped. That's all."
Mary drew back slightly, searching his face with those amber eyes.
She wiped at her tears, scanning for lies, but ultimately softened.
Her son had always handled his pain alone. She wouldn't push. Not yet.
She had her suspicions about the captain's boy, but that could wait.
Neo gently wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks with his thumbs, forcing a small, genuine smile.
"I'm okay. Really. Let's take it one day at a time. I've got a second chance… I don't plan on wasting it."
Mary's lips curved into a tired but radiant smile.
She brushed a lock of blue hair from his forehead, her touch lingering.
"I'm going to prepare a bath for both of us. I just came back from work, and you need cleaning up too."
Neo nodded, throat suddenly dry as she turned to leave.
His eyes dropped, unable to help himself.
The sway of her massive, rounded rear beneath the short blouse was hypnotic, full cheeks shifting with each step, the fabric fluttering teasingly against smooth skin.
Heat pooled low in his body, a slow, addictive throb of awareness.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Neo sat on the edge of the bed, heart racing with a chaotic mix of love, guilt, desire, and fierce determination.
This new life was already far more complicated, and far more alive, than he'd imagined.