"I guess this is the end of my life…"
The thought echoed in the void of my fading consciousness, a whisper lost in the rushing silence of death.
There was so much I regretted—not seeing my parents one last time, dying mere days before my college graduation, never finding out what the One Piece actually was, and never starting a family of my own.
But if I had to do it again?
I'd still save those two kids.
I'd do it without hesitation.
The last thing I remember was the screech of tires, the flash of headlights, and the warmth of their small hands trembling in mine. Then… nothing.
Everything faded to white.
No pain.
No sound.
Just an endless blank.
Then, from the radiant stillness, a figure emerged—tall, angelic, and radiant in white and gold. His golden hair flowed beneath a winged helmet, his green eyes calm and kind. He wore ornate celestial armor that shimmered like starlight. His very presence was comforting, like a memory from a forgotten dream.
"Are you Shin Tempest?" he asked, voice clear and commanding, yet gentle.
I blinked, surprised I could still feel anything.
"Yeah… Are you God?"
The man chuckled softly, a musical sound that made the air itself feel lighter.
"No. My name is Gavin. I serve the divine envoys as a messenger. My role is to guide chosen souls to reincarnation."
My heart sank. "So… I really died."
The weight of it hit harder than expected. I looked down, but there was no body—just my essence floating in this void.
"I hope those kids are alright," I added quietly.
Gavin's smile deepened, not out of pity, but assurance. "They're more than alright. The girls you saved were incarnations of the Goddess of Lust and the Goddess of Dragons. Your selfless sacrifice moved not just them, but several gods."
I blinked. "Wait, what? Goddesses?"
He nodded. "They've chosen to reward you with another chance. Not just a second life, but something far greater."
Gavin extended his hand, and from the air, a golden doorway shimmered into being.
"You have been chosen to lead. In the world you will enter, you may form your own pantheon—four divine allies—and build a kingdom that will shape the future of the realm."
"I'm… going to be a king?"
"A god-king," he corrected, his eyes twinkling. "You'll understand in time. But for now, you must choose. Begin with those you saved. It's only fitting."
Inside the chamber, an orb hovered above a stone pedestal. It pulsed faintly with ancient magic. I stepped forward, and without hesitation, placed my hand upon its smooth surface.
First… her.
"The Goddess of Lust—Lilith."
Her name resonated in the air like a sensual song. Instantly, the temperature in the room rose. She appeared before me in a swirl of crimson mist and intoxicating heat.
She was divine temptation incarnate.
Her skin, now a rich red hue, radiated warmth. Curved horns of molten gold crowned her forehead like a queen's tiara. Long, silvery white hair flowed down her back, contrasting sharply with her obsidian dress etched in gold. Crimson wings folded behind her with regal elegance. Her eyes—emerald and eternal—locked with mine, gleaming with mischief and love.
"My hero," she purred, stepping close enough for her scent—spiced winds and exotic flowers—to envelop me. "You saved us. Now, we belong to you."
My pulse quickened, but I steadied my breath and turned back to the orb.
Second.
"Aether—the God of Chaos and Shadow."
The air turned colder as dark mist rose, coiling like serpents. Though he did not appear in form, I felt his gaze from the shadows. A promise of power whispered across my mind, ancient and forbidden.
Third.
"Hayato, God of Weapon Mastery."
A battle cry rang out in the distance, and a celestial weapon manifested—golden and precise. His presence was sharp, disciplined, like the edge of a honed blade. I could feel centuries of martial mastery surge into my veins.
And finally…
"Ouroborous, the Goddess of Dragons."
Flames danced in the air as she emerged, graceful and terrifying. But she stepped forward with a smile that was gentle and proud.
"Call me Thrudd," she said, her voice the hum of a dragon's purr and a queen's command. "After all, you're my husband now… and Lilith's, too."
I froze.
"H-husband?"
Lilith laughed beside her, curling a finger around my hair. "Didn't you hear? You're not just our summoner, Shin. You're our chosen mate. Our bond is eternal."
Gavin stepped back, allowing the divine to fulfill their promise.
Lilith moved first.
"I bless you with the body of pleasure," she whispered, trailing a hand down my chest. "No matter your partner's size, shape, or race… you'll bring them euphoria."
Her eyes sparkled wickedly. "And receive it tenfold in return."
My skin tingled as a strange energy coursed through me.
Hayato's blessing came next.
He placed a golden hand on my shoulder. "You now possess absolute mastery over spearmanship and dual blades. Use them wisely."
Three weapons materialized in glowing light before me—the Dragon Spear, and twin curved blades: Lust and Chaos.
Aether's turn. His voice drifted like shadows from every corner of the room.
["I grant you Shadow Extraction and Naming."]
["You will walk in shadow, create soldiers from your enemies, and elevate the weak into legends."]
Finally, Thrudd approached.
A soft glow surrounded me as her hand rested above my heart.
"You will have the potential to master every branch of magic," she said. "But more importantly, your true bloodline will awaken once you set foot in our world."
Her lips brushed my ear.
"And Shin… Lilith and I have a surprise waiting for you."
I turned to her in surprise.
Lilith smirked, eyes heavy with affection and anticipation. "A wedding night gift. You'll love it."
Before I could respond, the world around me pulsed and began to collapse inward, light forming into a singular portal behind the gods.
["It's time,"] Gavin said, nodding. ["Your new life begins now, Shin Tempest. Build your kingdom. Love deeply. Fight fiercely. And lead well."]
The gods gathered around me as the light consumed everything.
My past life faded behind me.
My legend was about to begin.