<
...What?
<
<
<
My consciousness flickered to life. But something was wrong. Seriously wrong. I could 'see,' but I didn't have eyes. I was aware of my surroundings in a full 360-degree view, all at once. It was less like seeing and more like… knowing.
I was in a huge, crumbling building. Old stone pillars, cracked and covered in moss. A broken stained-glass window. The place was a wreck. And I was… what was I?
I tried to look at myself. Thanks to this weird all-around vision, I could. And what I saw—or rather, what I didn't* see—was a problem.
I was a glowing orb. A shiny, basketball-sized ball of light just floating there. No body. No mouth. No nothing.
'Wait, hold on. I'm a ball?!'*
A normal person would probably freak out right about now. And part of me wanted to. I could feel the ghost of a panic attack trying to happen. But it was like a switch flipped deep inside me. A wave of absolute, unshakable calm just washed over the panic and smothered it. Right, my [Unbound Ego]. I guess this is what it feels like. Weird. I'm mentally noting that I should be screaming, but I just… can't be bothered.
This situation felt familiar. Too familiar.
The memories came rushing back. The truck. The white space. God looking annoyed. Truck-sama looking guilty. Me, of all people, negotiating for six wishes.
'No way… that was real?! I actually died and got isekai'd?! And I talked God into giving me a crazy cheat package?!'
For a second, I just floated there, the absurdity of it all sinking in. I did it. I actually did it.
And then I felt it. A faint, divine side-eye from somewhere beyond… everything. It was God. I could feel him looking at me like, 'You wanted this. Don't come crying to me.' Then the feeling vanished, probably because he had more important cosmic paperwork to avoid.
Okay. No use dwelling on it. I'm here. I'm a ball. This is my life now. First order of business: a name. My old one doesn't fit. I need something new. Something cool. Something powerful.
How about… Hades Azrathor?
Yeah. That works. Hades Azrathor. Sounds like a final boss. I like it.
'From this moment on, I am Hades Azrathor.'
I felt a tiny shiver in the world, like it had just accepted a system update.
Now, for the main issue: this orb form is seriously lacking. I wished to be a [Dragon of Genesis], so this must be my core. Time to build a body. But what to make?
I scrolled through my memories—which were now perfectly organized, by the way—and found the perfect reference. That guy, Anos Voldigoad. Now that's a look. Confident, powerful, with that sharp black hair and those intense eyes. That's the vibe I want.
Let's do it.
I focused. This wasn't like moving a muscle; it was like using a creative menu. I selected [Genesis Forge] and willed my new form into existence. My orb of light expanded, swirling and reshaping itself. It was a strange feeling, like I was being sculpted from the inside out. No pain, just a sense of things clicking into place.
A moment later, it was done.
I had a body. Arms, legs, the works. I looked down. Yep, two hands, ten fingers. I wiggled them. Good. I looked further down. Everything was… uh… more than adequately equipped. I smirked. Hey, if you're going to custom-build your body, why not go for the premium package?
A cold breeze reminded me of the next issue. Right. Clothes.
Another thought. I pictured it: black pants, boots, a cool long coat with silver trim. [Genesis Forge] made it real instantly, the fabric appearing on my body like it had always been there. Perfect fit.
I took my first real breath. The air was dusty and old, but it felt amazing. I stretched, feeling the incredible power sleeping inside this new form. This was me now. This was right.
'Alright then,' I thought, a grin spreading across my face. 'Enough standing around. Let's go see what this world is all about.'
I turned, my coat swinging behind me, and walked out of the ruins without a backwards glance.
The world wasn't ready for me. But it was about to meet me.