From Thug To Pornstar: I Reincarnated As Jonny Sins, So What!

Alex-or rather, Jonny Sins, as Lustina kept referring to him-stood catatonic within the endless void, still struggling to believe that all of this could actually be real. The smooth, disembodied voice of Lustina purred along inside his skull, but he was too wrapped up in his head to really focus on what she was saying.

"I can't believe this," Alex muttered. His reflection—the muscular, impossibly handsome figure with a smirk too confident to belong to his old self—stared back at him. "Jonny Sins? Jonny Sins?! How did this happen? I'm supposed to be dead, not. not this."

"Are you done with your sulking, my sweet hero?" Lustina's voice was drizzling with sarcasm as her playful tone sent tingly feelings to his ears. "Because if you are just going to keep whining, then I can pause the tutorial till you have had a proper cry."

Alex scowled. "This isn't funny. I don't even know what's going on. One second, I'm falling. because of a stupid banana peel, and the next, I'm. here. Wherever here is." He waved his hand vaguely at the swirling blackness surrounding him.

"Ah, yes," Lustina mused. "Death by banana peel. Truly, one of the most poetic ways to leave the mortal realm. But that's behind us now! Look ahead, my dear. You've been chosen for something far greater."

Alex let out a sigh; he was getting really frustrated. "Chosen? For what? To be a. porn-themed hero in some fantasy world? I didn't ask for this!"

Lustina giggled. "No one ever does. Fate has a wicked sense of humor, doesn't it? But think about it: a fresh start, new adventures, and powers you never imagined! You've been gifted with a system that will make you stronger, smarter, and more charming than you ever were back on Earth. Isn't that exciting?"

"Exciting isn't exactly the word I'd use," Alex muttered. His mind was racing with questions, each one wilder than the last. "What kind of world is this, anyway? And why Jonny Sins? Of all the people I could have become—"

"Because Jonny Sins," Lustina said with a theatrical cut-in, "is the ultimate representative of flexibility and success in the most different professions. A doctor, a soldier, a teacher-he has done everything. Versatility means power in the Realm of Eros. And you, my dear Alex, will be turned into something like a versatile hero.

Alex groaned. "I don't want to be the ultimate anything. I just want to go home. Can't you just. undo this? Put me back in my apartment? I'll even clean up the banana peel. I swear."

A:

A soft sigh echoed around him. "It's cute how naive you are. But no, there's no going back. Your old life is over. And besides." Her voice dropped to a whisper, low and knowing. ".what did you really have back there? A dead-end job? Endless loneliness? An addiction you couldn't shake? Be honest with yourself, Alex. You weren't living. You were surviving. Here, you have a chance to live."

He fell silent, the depth of her words much deeper than he had fathomed. The truth to everything hit him like a ton of bricks: the void in his life. Spent, as a matter of fact, on auto-pilot, screening out reality and routines to avoid having to face his failures. Maybe. this was some kind of second chance.

"Fine," he finally said. "Let's say I accept all this. What's next? What am I supposed to do?"

Brightening, Lustina said, "Now you're getting it! Your journey starts with a simple test-your first quest. Every hero must start somewhere, and your path starts with The Audition."

Before him appeared a glowing panel, shimmering with anticipation, with the text from before:

[Quest 1: The Audition

Is this your chance to finally make a debut as the Hero of Many Professions? Prove your charm and adaptability in your first role.

Reward: 100 Charisma Points, and you learn an exclusive skill!]

"Wait," Alex said, furrowing his forehead over the words. "What's the meaning of 'audition'? For what position, precisely?"

Lustina's laughter sounded like a soft tune of malice. "Oh, you will definitely enjoy this, but your charming tongue, quick thinking, and. let me rephrase. Acting ability is something you are going to try. You wouldn't have to bother much, love—I am just standing in front of you and instructing you everywhere.

"Guiding me how?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice. "I'm not exactly an expert in, uh. performances."

"You have me," Lustina cooed. "Trust me, I've seen it all. We'll polish your skills together. Now, let's get you into the world, shall we?"

And before Alex could utter a word of protest, the darkness stirred and began to writhe about him. Colors burst into creation, swirling and eddying as if handfuls of paint had been flung on a wetting, spinning canvas. An instant later, a shining, busy city materialized with buildings of marble and glass; the air smelled of roses, and of something far more intoxicating-the scent his heart leaped for without cause.

He felt solid ground beneath his feet and looked down. With some relief, he was fully dressed: white trousers, a close-fitting vest, and the cloak that was flung across his shoulder dramatically. Just what he needed for the hero.

The people thronged the streets-beautiful, proud people-laughing and talking, with purpose. Charm seemed to cling to every face while every glance danced with intrigue. Across the street was strung a banner in glittering letters that read:

Welcome to the Annual Casting of Champions!

"Annual casting?" Alex muttered, his legs taking one step forward. The muscles in them felt stronger, more balanced than they had in some time. His whole body felt. different. Taller, broader, he walked with a natural confidence unfamiliar to him.

"Look alive, handsome," Lustina purred. "Your audience awaits."