Koo-koo-ka-kee-kee, Autobots, transform!
You died. You were taken out by a single punch from a big rig rushing to meet its year-end quota.
In Li Lin's final moments of consciousness, all he could remember was being sent flying by a bizarre Cybertronian.
And then… there was no "and then."
...
Li Lin slowly awoke in a space filled with countless particles of light.
Before he could even figure out where he had been transported to, a sudden voice rang out in his mind.
[Ding! The Seven Deadly Sins Simulation System has been bound.]
[Host Status: Deceased.]
[Current Location: Foundation of Human Order—The Spiritron Record Tape.]
[Host, would you like to begin the first simulation?]
"System? Seven Deadly Sins?"
Li Lin sat up from the floor. He frowned and looked down at his own body, only to find it had no real substance. His entire form existed in a state of ethereal illusion.
"System, what's going on?"
"Also, where am I, and what's this about a Seven Deadly Sins simulation?"
[Replying to Host: It is just as you see. Host, you are already dead. The reason you still have a body is that the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins has temporarily elevated you to the Spiritron Record Tape, also known as the Throne of Heroes.]
[However, the initial power of the Seven Deadly Sins concept is weak. This system has used a method of reversing cause and effect to temporarily place you here.]
[If the Host does not perform simulation missions to strengthen the power of the Seven Deadly Sins, you will eventually be instinctively rejected by the Human Order of this place.]
"I see. So I've been transported to the Type-Moon world."
"That damn Cybertronian… didn't even give me a chance to prepare."
A wry smile appeared on Li Lin's face as he finally grasped his situation.
In short, he was to descend upon the Type-Moon world with the identity of a [Demon King].
Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.
The seven cardinal sins would be his power.
Li Lin stroked his chin thoughtfully.
He suddenly realized a potential issue: the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins seemed to have a high degree of overlap with the Seven Beasts of Calamity in the Type-Moon world.
First, the Beast of Pity, which should correspond to the [Sin of Pride].
After all, only those who stand high above would cast a gaze of pity upon the weak insects below.
Then there were the Principles of [Regression], [Comparison], and [Lust].
These corresponded to [Greed], [Envy], and [Lust].
In Li Lin's view, the so-called Evils of Humanity were, in fact, the Love of Humanity.
It is precisely because they "love" humanity that they greedily desire to "return."
Li Lin posed this question to the system and received an affirmative answer.
The Seven Deadly Sins are the instincts of all intelligent primates, which naturally includes the Evils of Humanity.
However, there was a difference.
The Seven Deadly Sins could manifest as either Demon Kings or Gods.
If one leaned purely toward a single sin, they would devolve into a Beast. The reverse was also true.
At the same time, the power of the seven sins was, strictly speaking, the instinct of all living things—the subconscious.
This meant that if Li Lin could perfectly gather the power of all Seven Deadly Sins, he could even grow into an existence similar to [Alaya].
Well now, Li Lin thought to himself. This is amazing.
This was basically asking him to steal the job of that damn woman, Alaya!
But when he remembered how, as the savior of the world, he was locked out and forbidden from going home right after clearing all the Lostbelts, Li Lin felt that it was indeed time for that woman to retire. [Demon King expression]
"In that case, let's start the simulation."
Having understood all the information, Li Lin no longer hesitated and activated the system's simulation function.
[Ding! Simulation starting, analyzing...]
[Three locations have been detected. Please select one to begin the first simulation mission.]
As soon as Li Lin spoke, three points of light appeared before him.
Li Lin leaned down to look. The first point of light reflected the ancient scenery of Mesopotamia.
The second point of light was a peninsula, covered with numerous nations.
The third, however, was hazy. Its history was obscured, and all that could be seen were countless demonic beasts roaring and the tragic cries of innumerable humans.
"Well, since this is the Type-Moon world, the more ancient, the better."
After a brief glance, Li Lin chose the first option without hesitation.
As his finger touched the point of light, countless unfamiliar memories began to surface in his mind.
[In the ancient land of Mesopotamia, you wield the power of light and are a subordinate of the sun god, Utu.]
[One day, you see your superior looking troubled and go to ask him what is wrong.]
[Utu sees your handsome features and righteous character. An idea strikes him, and he decides to arrange a marriage for you, betrothing you to his sister, Ishtar.]
[Hearing this, you see that the goddess Ishtar is cute and just your type, so you happily agree.]
[But the good times don't last. As time passes, you discover that the goddess Ishtar has a terrible personality. She is not only reckless but also extremely greedy. While she has her cute, occasionally tsundere moments, you decide to run away for the sake of your future happiness before the wedding.]
[Later, to escape Ishtar's pursuit, you decide to seal your memories and divinity, living in the world as a mortal named 'Gugalanna.']
[Unfortunately, while your divinity was sealed, you died as a mortal. From that moment on, your soul fell into the endless underworld...]
On a dark and gloomy path, Li Lin stared at his surroundings in a daze.
A bone-chilling wind brushed against his cheek, making him shiver.
Li Lin: "..."
He had a "son of a bitch" he wanted to say right about now.
A god of light who dies right at the start of his story. That had to be a new record.
Li Lin looked at his own hands speechlessly and tried to see if he could break the seal on himself.
The result was, naturally, a failure.
He had lost his physical body and now existed in the underworld in a spiritual state.
Under this double whammy, the divine core within him felt like it was being pinned down by ten mother pigs. He couldn't even move a finger.
"Sigh, whatever. I'll just take it one step at a time."
"I'm a god of light, after all. I won't just be completely annihilated, right?"
Li Lin lowered his hands and sighed, feeling mentally exhausted.
He then started walking forward along the path.
The dim, dark light made it difficult to see the road ahead, until Li Lin reached the end of the path.
The edge of a broken cliff.
A deep, profound darkness shrouded the entire area before him.
There was only a single, narrow, floating path that twisted and turned its way down into the unknown.
Gulp.
Li Lin instinctively swallowed, his face turning pale.
For someone with chronic leg problems and a fear of heights, this kind of floating, narrow path was the ultimate nightmare.
Especially...
A path with no goddamn guardrails!!!