Death was surprisingly anticlimactic.
No dramatic farewell. No final words worthy of a movie. No beautiful woman crying beside his hospital bed.
Just a truck, a blinding pair of headlights, and one very unfortunate pedestrian who had been too busy looking at his phone.
So this is how I die?
That was his final thought before everything went black.
Or so he thought.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in an endless white space.
There was no ground beneath his feet, yet he stood perfectly upright. There was no sun, but the entire place shone with a warm, gentle light. No wind stirred the air, yet his clothes fluttered as though he were standing on a mountaintop.
He looked down at himself.
Two arms. Two legs. Ten fingers.
Everything seemed to be in working order.
"Well, that's a relief."
"You're taking your death rather well."
A voice came from behind him.
He turned around and found an old man sitting behind a wooden desk, casually drinking tea. The man wore a white robe, had a long white beard, and looked so relaxed that he could easily have been mistaken for a retired grandfather.
The old man raised his teacup.
"Tea?"
"…Am I dead?"
"Very."
"Can I go back?"
"No."
"Can I complain?"
"Certainly. I have an excellent complaints department."
"Where is it?"
"You're looking at it."
The young man stared at him.
The old man stared back.
Ten seconds passed.
"You're a terrible god."
"Thank you. I pride myself on consistency."
The young man pinched the bridge of his nose.
He had expected the afterlife to be more majestic. Perhaps enormous golden gates, beautiful angels, or a dramatic announcement about his life's achievements.
Instead, he had encountered a god who seemed to treat the universe like a poorly managed customer service center.
"Fine," he sighed. "Let's get this over with. Heaven or hell?"
"Neither."
"Purgatory?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"You're getting a second life."
The young man froze.
"…Excuse me?"
The god placed his teacup on the desk and leaned back.
"Your death was an accident. Your soul wasn't supposed to leave your body at that particular moment. Unfortunately, your original world has already moved on, and returning you to your previous life would cause a rather unpleasant number of complications."
"So you're going to compensate me?"
"Essentially."
"With money?"
The god stared at him.
"What would you do with money when you're dead?"
"Fair point."
The young man sighed and sat down on an invisible chair that conveniently appeared behind him.
A second life.
The concept was so absurd that he almost wanted to laugh. Yet, considering the circumstances, he had little reason to doubt the old man.
"All right," he said. "What kind of world am I going to?"
"An anime world."
The young man's eyes widened.
"Wait. An actual anime world?"
"Yes."
"With anime characters?"
"Naturally."
"Superpowers?"
"Some."
"Magic?"
"Some."
"Monsters, secret organizations, supernatural phenomena, and ridiculously overpowered people who can destroy mountains with a sneeze?"
"You're becoming rather specific."
"Because I know how these worlds work!"
The god chuckled.
"Then you should understand why I won't be sending you there empty-handed."
With a wave of his hand, the space around them rippled.
An enormous golden wheel materialized in midair. Its surface was divided into countless sections, each displaying mysterious symbols and unfamiliar names. Some shone with gentle light, while others seemed to contain entire storms of energy.
Two words appeared above the wheel.
DIVINE WHEEL OF DESTINY
The young man slowly stood up.
"…Is that a gacha wheel?"
"It's a divine wheel."
"So, a gacha wheel."
"Would you prefer a complicated contractual agreement?"
"Nope. The wheel is perfect."
The god smiled.
"You are permitted two spins. The first will determine your bloodline. The second will grant you a special ability, system, or other advantage that may assist you in your new life."
The young man's heart began pounding.
A bloodline and a cheat ability.
He had read enough reincarnation stories to know that this was the most important moment of his new existence.
He could either receive something extraordinary or end up with an ability so useless that he would spend his second life regretting every decision he had ever made.
Naturally, he intended to avoid the latter.
"Before I spin, I have a few requests."
"How bold."
"First, I want something powerful. Second, I want the ability to grow stronger over time. Third, I don't want any ridiculous drawbacks, hidden curses, or stupid conditions that make my abilities useless when I need them most."
The god stroked his beard.
"You're asking for quite a lot."
"I died because of a truck. I think I've earned some compensation."
The god laughed loudly.
"Very well. I'll take your requests into consideration. Now, spin."
The young man approached the wheel and grabbed its edge.
"First spin! Give me something amazing!"
He pushed.
The wheel began to spin.
Golden light swept across its surface as countless names flashed past. The wheel spun faster and faster, producing a deep humming sound that echoed through the endless white space.
Finally, it began to slow.
The pointer passed several strange symbols before landing on a crimson section.
FANALIS BLOODLINE — MAGI
The young man stared.
Then his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"THE FANALIS BLOODLINE?!"
The Fanalis were famous for their extraordinary physical abilities. Their strength, speed, endurance, and combat instincts surpassed those of ordinary humans by an absurd margin.
It was an excellent reward.
However, he quickly remembered something important.
"Wait! Doesn't the original Fanalis bloodline have limitations? What about its potential ceiling?"
The god raised an eyebrow.
"You know your fictional worlds well."
"I have to! I'm about to live in one!"
The god waved his hand, and the crimson section of the wheel glowed brighter.
"Your bloodline will be upgraded. It will no longer be restricted by the limitations of its original version. Its potential will continue to evolve through training, experience, adversity, and personal development."
The young man's mouth slowly opened.
"Furthermore, it will possess none of the inherent drawbacks associated with the original bloodline. Your body will adapt to its growing power, preventing your own abilities from becoming your natural enemy."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"And when does it activate?"
"From birth."
The young man went completely still.
"…I'm going to be a superhuman baby?"
"That is an accurate description."
"Can I accidentally punch through a wall?"
"Possibly."
"Can I accidentally break someone's hand?"
"Which is why you should learn to control your strength."
The young man swallowed.
That was both amazing and terrifying.
A crimson emblem appeared in the air before sinking directly into his chest. He felt a strange warmth spread through his soul, as though something ancient had just awakened inside him.
A series of golden characters appeared before his eyes.
[DIVINE FANALIS BLOODLINE]
Origin: Magi
Activation: Birth
Physical Potential: Unrestricted Evolution
Inherent Drawbacks: None
Evolutionary Traits: Strength, speed, endurance, reflexes, sensory perception, recovery, and other physical attributes may evolve beyond their original limits.
Growth Conditions: Training, experience, combat, and personal development.
The young man clenched his fists.
He couldn't feel any physical changes yet, but he knew that his second life would be anything but ordinary.
"All right," he said, taking a deep breath. "Time for the second spin."
The god gestured toward the wheel.
"Remember, your second reward may not necessarily be a combat ability."
"That's fine. As long as it's useful."
He pushed the wheel again.
It spun with a thunderous roar.
The golden light became so bright that the young man had to shield his eyes. Countless symbols flashed past before the wheel finally began to slow.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The pointer stopped.
DIMENSIONAL GROUP CHAT
Silence.
The young man stared at the words.
Then he slowly turned toward the god.
"You're kidding."
"I'm not."
"A dimensional group chat?"
"Correct."
"Does it connect people from different worlds?"
"Yes."
"Can I communicate with powerful characters, exchange information, and potentially obtain things from other dimensions?"
"Depending on the group's rules and capabilities, yes."
The young man's face broke into an enormous grin.
This was incredible!
A dimensional group chat could provide access to knowledge, abilities, resources, and allies that would otherwise be impossible to obtain. Even if he encountered a dangerous world, he might eventually find someone capable of helping him.
And if he was the owner?
That made things even better.
"Am I the administrator?"
"More than that. You are the group's owner. Its fundamental authority belongs to you."
The young man almost jumped with excitement.
Then the god raised a finger.
"However, there is one condition."
His smile froze.
"…Of course there is."
"The group chat will remain dormant until you turn fifteen and enroll in high school."
The young man stared blankly.
"Why?"
"Because I decided so."
"That's not a reason!"
"It's the reason you're getting."
The young man wanted to argue, but he knew it would be pointless.
Besides, the condition wasn't entirely unreasonable. He would have fifteen years to grow, train, learn about his new world, and prepare himself before the group chat became available.
"Fine," he muttered. "I'll accept it."
A blue emblem appeared beside the crimson one before sinking into his soul.
[DIMENSIONAL GROUP CHAT]
Owner Authority: Absolute ownership of the group itself.
Current Status: Dormant.
Activation Requirements: Reach fifteen years of age and enroll in high school.
Initial Access: Locked until activation.
Note: The group chat's membership, functions, and future development will unfold after activation.
The young man took a deep breath.
He had received an evolving Fanalis bloodline and a dimensional group chat.
He couldn't have asked for a better combination.
"Now," the god said, rising from his chair, "it's time to send you to your new life."
The young man suddenly remembered something.
"Wait! What about my memories?"
"You will retain them."
"All of them?"
"Yes. Your previous life, your knowledge, and this conversation."
"Even this conversation?"
The god smiled mischievously.
"Especially this conversation."
The young man narrowed his eyes.
"You're enjoying this far too much."
"Being a god has its perks."
The god snapped his fingers.
The endless white space began dissolving into streams of golden light.
A powerful force pulled at the young man's soul, drawing him toward a distant point of brightness.
"One last question!" he shouted.
"Go ahead!"
"Where exactly am I going to be reborn?"
"An ordinary Japanese city. You'll have a home, a family, and plenty of opportunities to explore the world around you."
"That's still vague!"
"You'll figure it out!"
"WAIT—"
His voice disappeared.
The white space vanished.
And then—
He was born.
Warmth.
That was the first thing he felt.
Warmth, softness, and the faint sound of someone crying with joy.
He tried to open his eyes, but everything was blurry. His limbs felt heavy, his vision was unfocused, and his mouth seemed incapable of producing anything beyond an undignified cry.
What the hell?
Why are my arms so short?
Why can't I control my neck?
WHY AM I A BABY?!
He attempted to raise his hand.
His tiny fist rose a few centimeters before falling helplessly onto the blanket.
It was humiliating.
He had once been a fully grown adult with a functioning brain. Now, he couldn't even hold up his own head.
A woman's voice reached his ears.
"He's beautiful…"
Someone gently touched his cheek.
"My little boy," the woman whispered. "Mommy's going to take good care of you."
The young man struggled to focus.
A tired but beautiful woman held him close. Her eyes were filled with affection, and her smile carried a warmth that made his chest ache.
His new mother.
There was no father standing beside her.
At the time, he didn't know why.
He would learn the truth eventually.
His father had abandoned them, leaving his mother to raise him alone. There would be no wealthy family waiting to spoil him, no influential relatives arranging his future, and no father to teach him how to navigate the world.
It would be just the two of them.
A single mother and her son.
And somehow, that thought didn't frighten him.
As his mother gently rocked him in her arms, a strange warmth stirred deep within his body.
His heartbeat quickened.
His tiny muscles tightened, and the world suddenly seemed sharper. He could hear the soft rustling of fabric, the faint footsteps outside the room, and the steady rhythm of his mother's breathing.
For a brief moment, a crimson glow flickered beneath his skin.
Then it disappeared.
The Fanalis bloodline…
It had awakened.
From the moment of his birth, his body had begun its transformation.
He couldn't yet understand the full extent of his abilities, but he could feel an extraordinary vitality flowing through him.
He was no ordinary baby.
He was a reincarnator with memories of another life, a divine bloodline, and a dimensional group chat waiting to unlock.
He wanted to laugh.
Unfortunately, all that came out was a loud wail.
"Oh? Are you hungry, sweetheart?"
No! I'm fine!
"Waah! Waah!"
His mother smiled and gently kissed his forehead.
"It's all right. Mommy's here."
The young man went silent.
Something about those words struck him more deeply than he expected.
In his previous life, he had never imagined that he would receive a second chance. He had lived an ordinary existence, filled with ordinary worries and ordinary regrets.
Now he had a mother who would raise him alone, a mysterious world waiting outside, and powers that could one day carry him beyond the limits of humanity.
He didn't know what challenges awaited him.
He didn't know which anime world he had entered.
And he didn't know what kind of people he would eventually meet.
But he knew one thing.
He would never take this life for granted.
He would grow stronger, protect the people he cared about, and repay the woman who had chosen to raise him despite the hardships ahead.
As his mother held him close, his eyes slowly closed.
Somewhere deep within his soul, two extraordinary gifts waited patiently.
One had already begun to grow.
The other would awaken fifteen years later.
[Divine Fanalis Bloodline: Active]
[Dimensional Group Chat: Dormant]
[Activation Requirement: Fifteen years of age and enrollment in high school.]
[Reincarnation: Complete.]
A new life had begun.
And with it, the beginning of countless adventures.
End of Chapter 1