My Ribdiculous Reincarnation Episode 3: Clocktower Second Hand / Voice in the Hero's Head that Tells Him When He's Leveled Up

The episode opens with a cosmic tableau, a swirl of galaxies where celestial beings, the Gods, hold court. They speak of creating the universe from nothing, acting as cosmic managers. Their method involves moving "irregulars" between worlds, using these souls as catalysts for evolution. It is a grand, abstract introduction to the mechanics of their multiverse.

In a sterile observation room, three Gods scrutinize countless souls. They identify the Protagonist as an "irregular," a force of change in every world he touches. There is concern that his disruptive presence might twist evolution too far. Yet, they decide to continue their surveillance, noting he is under the direct watch of a specific Goddess.

The Protagonist stands in the main void chamber, attempting to charm the stern, silver-haired Goddess. He offers clumsy compliments about seeing himself in her eyes. Her response is swift and without emotion. She declares his attitude "unpleasant" and amplifies gravity ten-fold, pinning him to the floor.

Ten times gravity is not enough. The Goddess ups the multiplier to one hundred. The Protagonist disintegrates instantly, a pixelated mess on the ornate carpet. A "voluntary censorship" screen covers the grisly details. The Goddess watches, unmoved, as he is reduced to a small heap.

A chime sounds; the Protagonist is instantly revived, casually sitting before the Goddess. He notes a tea stalk standing vertically in his bamboo cup, a sign of luck, he believes. He drinks, declaring good fortune will surely come. The Goddess, however, reminds him his next reincarnation task awaits, his tea break merely a pause.

A small, egg-shaped bird creature presents a white ball to the Protagonist. He swallows it as instructed. Text appears, assigning his new role: 'Clock Tower Second Hand.' He is confused but has no time to question it. The Goddess observes as the reincarnation process begins once more.

The Protagonist streaks across the cosmos like a comet, hurtling towards a new world. He falls through layers of atmosphere, the animation shifting to a medieval fantasy setting. A large city, complete with stone walls and red-roofed buildings, appears below. His landing is a bright flash in the heart of the kingdom's capital.

The Protagonist finds himself as the thin, metal second hand of a giant clock tower. Below, a bustling marketplace unfolds. He is fixed in place, limited to his constant, ticking rotation. He gazes down at the people, comprehending the absurdity and confinement of his new form.

The scene returns to the void room, Protagonist once again drinking tea with the Goddess. He appears somewhat disoriented by his experience as a clock hand but prepares to report. The Goddess listens from her throne, a small wooden clock between them, an ironic prop for his tale.

The Goddess prompts him to describe his life as the kingdom's grand clock hand. He adjusts himself, claiming it was a life of "great stimulation." He insists he did not merely tick, but actively altered the city's routine. The Goddess waits for the true story, unswayed by his boastful preamble.

A flashback reveals the clock tower, a focal point for romancing couples. The Protagonist confesses he was not alone; the hour and minute hands were also "irregular" souls, his "brothers." Bored by observing lovers, the three decided to manipulate the clock. Their goal was to inject chaos into the predictable lives below.

The Protagonist details their plan: a random magic spell cast every time the clock struck twelve. A magical tablet interface allowed him to select 'stimulation' levels. He wanted to break the citizens' peace with unpredictable supernatural events. The Goddess remains unimpressed by his proud recounting of this reckless tampering.

At noon, a magical burst transforms the town square. Citizens turn into skeletons or grow giant flowers from their heads. Some become monsters, others are struck by lightning. Yet, the couples below do not flee; they find the magic "romantic." They enjoy the colorful chaos, much to the Protagonist's dismay.

The clock strikes twelve as the King's royal parade passes beneath the tower. A magical blast strips him naked in front of his cheering, then shocked, subjects. Enraged, the King orders the tower's immediate destruction. His dignity, or lack thereof, becomes the catalyst for royal fury.

Citizens gather, protesting the King's order with signs like "Save the Clock." Even the kingdom's Hero appears, pleading passionately for the tower. His support makes it politically impossible for the King to destroy the landmark. The people's unexpected attachment protects the source of their magical entertainment.

The King relents but demands the clock's magic be investigated. The Hero deduces the magic comes from the hands. Knights remove the 'Hour Hand Brother,' a wooden hand, from the clock face. The Protagonist watches, secretly relieved he was not the first one caught.

The clock's magic enrages the King again, who tries to demolish the tower a second time. This time, the protest includes Demon Lord's army. The Demon Lord declares the tower vital for his people, threatening war if it is touched. The King is trapped, unable to act against his subjects and rival.

The Demon Lord's Grandson identifies the jeweled minute hand as another source of magic. Knights remove the 'Minute Hand Brother.' The Protagonist is now the only hand left, secure in his invisibility. He smugly explains to the Goddess that he was made of 'Dark Matter,' undetectable by conventional magic.

The clock fires a heat beam, threatening the square. The King orders destruction a third time. An ordinary businessman named Tanaka steps forward, declaring his love for the pain caused by the magic. His unfathomable presence confuses the King, abandoning the order once more.

The Demon King's army invades. From the tower, the Protagonist fires a swirling golden beam into the sky. Healing meteors, shaped like cute animals, rain down, curing everyone—human and demon alike. This creates an endless war where no one can be truly hurt.

The eternal battle continues until a single, massive dog-head meteorite crushes the Hero and the Demon King's generals. The impact ends the war in confusion and destruction. The Protagonist admits it was stimulating, if not heroic. The city lies in ruins, the clock tower collapsing into rubble.

Back in the void room, the Protagonist finishes his chaotic tale, surprisingly pleased. He presents the Goddess with a long, jeweled object: the "corpse" of his Minute Hand Brother. She examines it with a cold, analytical gaze, considering its utility.

The Goddess uses the jeweled hand to hold down her cup noodle lid. The Protagonist is shocked by her mundane use of the artifact. He tries to eat his noodles with charred sticks. She takes pity, transforming the jewel into ornate "Angel Wing" chopsticks for him. He is deeply moved, tearing up at her unexpected kindness.

The meal is over; it is time for the next reincarnation. The Goddess activates her gacha machine. The Protagonist receives a single red ball, glowing faintly. His new job: 'The Voice in the Head that Announces Level-Ups for the Hero.' He is intrigued, believing this role will be more influential.

The Protagonist swallows the red egg, feeling a massive surge of power. He glows with golden energy, experiencing his own "level up," complete with flashing lights and triumphant music. The Goddess notes his impressive adaptability and resilience. The bird-like creature opens the transport gate, and he is pulled into his next life.

The reincarnation portal opens into a new world, styled like a black-and-white pop-up book. The Protagonist is a formless consciousness, ready to inhabit the mind of the destined Hero. He descends into a peaceful village, searching for his young "host," a stark contrast to his previous chaotic life.

A flashback shows the Protagonist meeting young Hero Mishu on his tenth birthday. When Mishu gains his first level, the Protagonist loudly announces it in his head, a floating text window appearing. Mishu screams, convinced he is haunted or diseased. The Protagonist is disappointed, expecting a more heroic reaction.

To force acceptance, the Protagonist launches a relentless mental campaign. For five years, he screams death metal lyrics and loud noises directly into Mishu's mind, twenty-four hours a day. The animation depicts Mishu's internal distress with lightning and shadows. As a teenager, Mishu finally breaks, emotionlessly accepting the voice, begging for the screaming to stop.

As Mishu fights monsters, other voices join the Protagonist in his head: a combat analyst, a BGM announcer. They argue, creating a cacophony that makes Mishu collapse in pain. A montage shows his mind filling with voices for status checks, delivery notifications, and even sword "swish" sounds. Mishu is visibly cracking under the constant, arguing chatter.

At level ten, a dark twist: the 'Choice Notification' voice catches fire and disintegrates. The other voices panic, realizing that for every ten levels Mishu gains, one of them is sacrificed as an "experience point." Mishu watches this internal death with cold, calculating eyes. He understands: the only way to silence them is to level up until they are all gone.

Mishu becomes a manic killing machine, hunting monsters with terrifying efficiency. The voices plead for mercy, but he ignores them. The 'Pizza Delivery' voice dies at level 30, 'Water Service' at 40, 'Electrician' at 50. Mishu's only focus is the absolute silence he seeks.

The remaining voices, including the Protagonist and the 'BGM Man,' huddle in their mental apartment, crying. Mishu's voice booms through the mindscape, cold and empty, ordering them to be silent. He is powerful enough to affect his mindscape directly. The Protagonist realizes his time is running out. The Hero has become his greatest threat.

Mishu gains a skill allowing him to physically manifest in his own mind. He appears in the mental hallway, sword in hand, cloaked in a dark, murderous aura. The voices scream and try to hide. Mishu systematically slaughters the entities that tormented him, a terrifying specter of vengeance.

Mishu fights his way to the core of his mind, finding the Protagonist next to a massive electrical panel. The panel has a toggle: 'Notifications: On/Off.' Mishu flips it to 'Off,' instantly severing the Protagonist's presence. The Protagonist is violently ejected as static. Mishu finally experiences absolute silence, his eyes closing in peace.

In a post-credit scene, the Protagonist attempts one last romantic gesture in the void room, making a heart with his hands toward the Goddess. She doesn't look up from her book. Her expression remains blank, uninterested. A close-up on her vibrant, purple-and-gold eyes fills the screen, highlighting her indifference. The Protagonist is left in comical rejection.