Chapter 1
Prologue
After a rigorous selection process, we regret to inform you, Ginji Komori, that we are unable to fulfill your request this time. We sincerely hope that you will continue to excel in your future endeavors.
Damn it!
Cursing, I crumpled the rejection letter and slammed it onto the floor.
I scratched my head and, sighing deeply enough to empty my lungs, I looked up to the sky.
How many companies is this now?
I muttered to myself.
After a year of job hunting, I still hadn't received a job offer and remained unemployed.
Covering my eyes, I struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
What did I even do, God?
My voice was surprisingly hoarse.
Mentally exhausted, it was clear my spirit was worn thin.
Yet, inappropriately, my stomach cried out in hunger—a truly inconvenient thing.
With no desire to cook, I shoved my wallet into my tracksuit pocket and sluggishly left my single occupancy apartment.
○○○
After buying a cheap meal at the convenience store, I was on my way home.
The night streets, lit by street lamps and store lights, were alive with people chatting away.
But to me, the brightness and noise seemed like echoes from a distant world, while I was trapped in an illusion of wandering through darkness.
To say it myself, it felt like I was walking a tragic path in life.
It all started with middle school entrance exams.
I studied tirelessly, forsaking any time to play, and confidently took the tests, only to face unexpected rejection.
That trauma resurfaced in critical moments, causing me to perform at half my potential under pressure.
As a result, I failed to get into my desired high schools and universities, and never made it as a regular in club activities. Since then, I had continually faced rejection while job hunting.
The only solace were the animals I cared for, who soothed my heart, but they were no longer with me.
It was so devastatingly disappointing that it was almost laughable.
What would a stranger say to me were they to see my vacant eyes, as lifeless as those of a dead man?
Maybe something like "Someday, things will get better"?
Or "It's tough now, but keep fighting"?
Possibly even a gem such as "If you give up now, it's all over"?
Splendid.
Such sound arguments, weren't they?
What thoughtless, inconsiderate platitudes!
I wished those spouting such nonsense could walk a mile in my shoes.
If they tasted the despair of unrewarded efforts, they would realize how off the mark and cruel their encouragement was.
Waiting at the pedestrian crossing, I twisted my lips in self-mockery.
Why am I even alive?
No matter how often I asked myself, I still hadn't found an answer.
If there's no meaning to life, then that's fine. If there was no meaning, I could give up.
The light turned green. I started to cross the street with heavy steps.
That's when it happened. A blinding light surged into the corner of my vision.
Looking up, I saw a large truck was barreling toward me, headlights glaring intensely.
Even faced with a runaway truck, strangely, my legs wouldn't move. Amidst the looming threat to my life, my mind started to coolly analyze the situation.
Why wouldn't my legs move?
Was it because I was paralyzed with fear?
Or perhaps, deep down, I longed for an end to this tedious life?
Dazed, my eyes caught a glimpse of the truck looming closer, and—
○○○
A vast white world unfolded when I opened my eyes.
I stood there dumbfounded as this woman of otherworldly beauty appeared before me.
She stood tall, like a model; her bosom full and motherly.
She had golden eyes, long glossy blond hair, and was clad in what appeared to be an ancient scholar's white robe—perhaps a toga?
. . . Who are you?
I am Diane, the goddess of creation, life, and growth.
A goddess, huh. Well, her beauty is indeed divine.
It wouldn't be at all strange for Diane to be a goddess.
After all, just moments ago . . .
Ginji Komori. I regret to inform you that you have been struck by a truck and have passed away.
Right. I died. And if I was being greeted by a woman in the afterlife, then she'd have to be a goddess or an angel.
As I came to terms with this alone, Diane's face formed a sad frown, perhaps mourning my death.
I sighed lightly.
Is that so?
Diane looked surprised at my casual reaction.
Are you not shocked? Most people who come here refuse to accept their death and become distraught about it.
Considering I was hit by such a huge truck, I'd be more shocked if I were still alive. Besides, I feel somewhat relieved.
Diane tilted her head in bewilderment.
Her gesture, unbecoming of a goddess, made me smile slightly.
It's finally over. I don't have to worry anymore; I am free—these feelings are far stronger than those of shock and denial.
Diane's face looked as if she might cry.
I felt sorry for Diane, but having someone mourn for me was strangely comforting.
So, is this heaven?
No, this is the threshold between the earth and heaven.
As Diane explained, a staircase appeared in the pure white world.
Heaven lies beyond this staircase, and souls who ascend have two options: wait to be reborn into a new life, or enter a sleep deeper and more peaceful than silence, lasting longer than eternity.
I see . . . Perhaps I'll choose to sleep then.
I could feel my face soften.
That was exactly what I wished for. I was tired of worrying. I could think of no better alternative to spending eternity asleep.
However, before you head towards heaven, I would like to present a third option.
As I let out a sigh of relief, Diane looked at me with an earnest gaze.
Ginji, are you interested in another world?
Are you talking about reincarnation into another world?
Diane nodded. Though it seemed like a cliché from light novels, it was indeed a reality.
The world of Mizgard—a realm where skills and magic exist, and monsters serve the Demon Lord. I've been reincarnating individuals from other worlds to defeat the Demon Lord.
As she continued, Diane opened her palm.
In her palm rested a small, glowing orb about the size of a pebble.
This is the Skill Seed given to those who agree to reincarnate. This seed has a 99.99% chance of manifesting the most suitable S-rank skill for its owner. S-rank skills are rare talents, possessed by only one in ten million in Mizgard.
So, a typical overpowered cheat ability, huh? Another staple of this genre.
Ginji, if you heed my request, I will grant you this Skill Seed. Do you wish to start your life anew?
Start life over?
Asked by Diane, I was taken aback.
The life I had lived was so regrettable that I lamented even being born.
A life where I did everything I could, yet gained nothing.
A life so full of setbacks that I had lost all reason to live, feeling utterly unrewarded.
If the life I had led hadn't been such a mess, perhaps I could have lived a bit happier?