Kazuya Arakida, 22 years old, died because of a bicycle.
Yes, a bicycle.
Everyone who witnessed the scene simply couldn't believe it.
"How can someone die because of a bicycle?!"
That was the sentence echoing in videos, comments, and even family group chats.
They laughed at him. Everyone.
Even his own parents.
And now, Kazuya stood before… something he definitely didn't expect.
A void.
A space with no walls, no floor, no horizon.
It was like floating in the sky, but with no wind, no sound.
Above him, the sky was a mirror of calm waters. Below, the same.
As if he were suspended between two infinite seas, perfectly reflective.
And right in front of him, at the center of this surreal space, there was a purple crystal throne floating over nothing.
Sitting on it, one leg crossed and wearing a faintly mocking smile, was a woman with long purple hair, fair skin, and lilac eyes that seemed to glow softly.
Her medium bust, slim waist, and unusual outfit resembled characters he had only seen in anime.
She radiated an aura that was at once majestic and… annoyingly provocative.
Kazuya blinked several times.
"W-where… where am I?" he muttered to himself, looking around, trying to figure out if he was dreaming or if he had hit his head.
"Who is this woman? What is this place? What's happening?" he thought, his mind spinning.
The woman stared at him for a few seconds and smiled, resting her chin on the fingers of her right hand.
"Hello. Welcome."
Kazuya swallowed hard, a chill running down his spine.
"W-where… am I?"
"I am the goddess Ervynia. You died… and ended up here," she said casually, as if she were saying "good morning."
Upon hearing that, Kazuya went pale. His eyes widened.
"W-wait… what do you mean I died?! Don't tell me… that I died because of that bicycle…
…No way. No freaking way!"
The goddess tried to hold back her laughter. She really tried. But she failed miserably.
Her shoulders began to shake, and within seconds she burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! You died because of a bicycle!
You're the first guy to die of fright from a bicycle!
The bicycle didn't even touch you!"
Kazuya felt his face burn with shame.
This couldn't be happening.
"B-but… I was heading home! It was late, it was dark!
Those lights came straight at me—I thought it was a truck!
And I was sleepy, okay?!"
She laughed even harder, almost doubling over on the throne, holding her stomach.
"HAHAHAHA! You're a complete idiot! Who dies of bicycle fright?!
I can't take it!"
"Stop it!" Kazuya shouted, furious and embarrassed.
"You're only teasing me because you're pretty!"
The goddess slowly calmed down, wiping away a tear that had rolled down from laughing so much.
"Alright, alright… I'll stop.
Actually, you weren't supposed to die at that moment.
Something went off-plan.
For some reason, you died of fright.
Even the gods don't understand it."
She rested her elbow on the arm of the throne and observed him with a teasing smile.
"Did you know everyone laughed at you? Even your parents?"
Kazuya shut his eyes tightly.
The humiliation was complete.
This was worse than dying.
"That was, honestly, the stupidest death I've ever seen."
She slowly rose from the throne, her feet lightly floating above the liquid surface that reflected everything like a mirror.
"But anyway… I'll give you a new chance.
You will be sent to another world, since your death was a mistake."
Kazuya's eyes widened again, now with a faint sparkle of hope.
"Another world…? Like… like a fantasy world?!"
"Yeah, something like that. You're an otaku, right?"
"W-what?! No! I'm not an otaku!" he said, blushing.
"I'm just a… connoisseur of anime! There's a difference, okay?
I'm not a shut-in! Just a little…
And… I have a job! Real otaku don't work!"
Ervynia just gave a knowing smirk, as if she'd heard this excuse a thousand times before.
Deep down, she already knew exactly the type of person she was about to send to that world.
Kazuya finally gathered the courage to ask, curious:
"Tell me more… What's this world I'm about to go to like?
How does it work?"
Ervynia rolled her eyes and sighed, crossing her legs on the floating throne.
The mirrored waters around them rippled softly, following her movement.
"You ask too many questions…
But fine, I'll answer."
She snapped her fingers, and a kind of magical projection appeared beside her, like a hologram made of light and smoke.
"The world you're going to is made up of seven great guilds.
These guilds were created for one single purpose: to climb a tower.
Not just any tower, but The Tower.
It was built by a god… who, by the way, happens to be my older brother."
Kazuya's eyes widened as he watched closely.
The projection began to show a colossal tower, so tall it seemed to pierce the sky, with hundreds of rings circling its floors.
"After he defeated the Demon King, about 4,300 years ago, he got bored.
So he decided to build this tower and made a proposal to the entire world:
'Whoever manages to reach the top will have the right to rule the entire world and all races.'"
She rested her chin on her hand, staring at Kazuya with disdain.
"The seven guilds are formed by seven great races.
Each one has its own territory and its own adventurers.
And more: whoever reaches the top will also have the right to ask my brother for any wish."
The projection vanished in a gentle breeze, like smoke carried away by the wind.
"In short, that's all you need to know.
Now shut up and stop asking stupid questions."
Kazuya's eyes began to sparkle.
He clenched his fists, excited like a child going to an amusement park.
"Wow… This is totally like a fantasy world! Now I'm getting hyped!"
Ervynia raised an eyebrow, wearing a sarcastic smile.
"I already expected you to have that weird reaction. Strange…"
Kazuya looked visibly embarrassed.
"I'm not weird! I'm just… I'm just excited, okay?"
"Ahh, whatever. Doesn't matter.
I'll grant you three wishes before sending you there," she said, stretching her arms as if wanting to get the bureaucracy over with.
"It's to give you some useful ability, because honestly, without anything you'd be completely useless."
Kazuya made a face.
"Alright, but you don't have to call me useless, you know? Come on…"
She huffed impatiently.
"Fine, fine. Let's get this over with. Choose your wishes and get out of my sight."
Kazuya let out a deep sigh.
He thought to himself for a few seconds, glaring at the goddess with a scowl.
"What a stupid goddess. Treats me like trash just because she's hot…
That's so unfair…"
He shook his head, trying to stay calm, and then said:
"Alright. I'm going to make my wish now.
You said you'd grant anything, right?"
"Of course! Come on, say it already."
"Okay. First wish: I want to have the ability to copy any skill I see.
Like… if I see some really powerful guy in that world using a sword technique,
I want to be able to copy that ability. That's it."
He paused for a moment, thoughtful.
"But before I say the second wish… answer me something.
When I arrive in this world, will I have, like… a status window?
A panel that shows my attributes, skills and stuff? Like an RPG?"
Ervynia, visibly annoyed by the question, crossed her arms and replied in a dry tone:
"Of course not.
Do you think the world is some little RPG game?
That a magic floating screen will just pop out of nowhere?
No, you will NOT have that so-called status window.
What a ridiculous question…"
Kazuya's eyes widened, disappointed.
"Ah… seriously? Geez…"
He lowered his head for a moment, frustrated,
but then an idea popped into his mind.
His eyes glimmered slightly as he thought to himself:
"Well… if I'm not going to have a status window when I get there…
then I'll just wish for it as my second wish!"
Kazuya then crossed his arms, more confident, and said:
"Alright then. My second wish…
I want to have a status window, like an actual panel,
that shows all my attributes, the level of my skills, my level…
like an RPG.
Oh, and I also want to be able to see the status of other people and monsters.
And if possible, include an item box, like an inventory,
so I can store everything I get.
Can you do that?"
Ervynia let out a bored sigh and replied with disdain:
"Of course I can do something that simple."
Upon hearing that, Kazuya was ecstatic.
His eyes sparkled like a child receiving their first game console.
"Now we're talking! We'll have a status window!
I'll be the only person in that world who has it!"
Ervynia merely rolled her eyes and muttered with a disinterested look:
"You think having that ability makes you special…
How naïve."
Kazuya grumbled, clearly annoyed by her lack of enthusiasm.
"Oh, come on…
Why are you such a buzzkill, huh?
Since I got here, you've been treating me badly.
I didn't even do anything to you."
She answered impatiently:
"You, by yourself, already annoy me.
Your very existence bothers me.
Now make your third wish and get out."
Kazuya paused for a moment, bringing his hand to his chin.
His eyes narrowed as he began to form an idea.
"She's been treating me like trash since the beginning…
Hm. But she said she would grant ANY wish, didn't she?
Alright. I think it's time to get back at her…"
Aqui está a tradução completa para o inglês, fiel ao texto original e sem remover nada:
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With a faint, mischievous smile forming on his face, he answered out loud:
"My third and final wish… I want you to go with me to that world."
Silence hung in the air for two whole seconds.
Ervynia, who until then had been relaxed on the throne, suddenly stood up, her expression in shock.
"What the WHAT?! Are you out of your mind?! Me… go with you?!"
Kazuya thought to himself, trying to hide his grin.
"Knew she'd react like this. Arrogant, proud…
She's the perfect type to fall for the right provocation.
And I already know where to push…"
He crossed his arms with a provocative air.
"Oh, so you're saying you won't grant my wish?
But didn't you say you'd grant any wish I asked for?
Hmmm… So that means you're not as amazing as you claim.
I guess, when I reach the top of the tower, I'll tell your brother everything…
I can only imagine how he'll react when he finds out that the great goddess Ervynia couldn't fulfill a simple wish."
Her face began to twitch with rage.
Her fists clenched, her eyes blazing.
"You… you damn son of a bitch!
Who do you think you are to talk like that?!
Are you doubting my power?!"
Kazuya whistled softly, wearing a carefree look.
"I'm not doubting you…
I just think it's strange.
Maybe… you're afraid to go with me.
Afraid to set foot in that world.
Or maybe… you're afraid of me?"
Ervynia bit her lip in anger and, after a brief silence, snapped her fingers sharply.
Two flashes of light shone around Kazuya: the two previous wishes had just been fulfilled.
"Fine! I'll go with you!"
She walked forward, her long purple hair swaying slightly as she shouted in anger:
"It'll be nice to see my brother again, anyway."
Kazuya held back a laugh, looking at her with that same strange, calculating smile as before.
"It worked. It really worked.
Now that she's coming with me, I can use her power to climb the tower.
She's a goddess, right? She must be strong.
With that… I'll reach the top.
I'll rule the entire world…"
And within that infinite mirrored space, the strangest pact between a human and a goddess had just been sealed.
Kazuya looked at his own hands for a moment, still processing everything, and then asked:
"So… you really granted my two previous wishes, right?"
Ervynia, still standing beside her floating throne, replied with disinterest:
"Of course I did."
Kazuya leaned forward slightly, curious:
"Alright… And how do I activate this status window of mine?
I want to see how it turned out."
The goddess crossed her arms and answered automatically, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world:
"Simple. Just think about opening the status window, and it will appear in front of you."
Kazuya nodded and, without wasting time, did exactly that.
"Open status window."
In the very next instant, a translucent floating screen appeared before his eyes, with golden borders and a soft glow, as if conjured by pure magic.
His eyes widened, thrilled, as he read every line on the panel:
____________________________________
[ Status Window – Kazuya Arakida ]
Race: Human
Age: 22 years
Height: 1.75 m
Weight: 58 kg
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
____________________________________
Level: 0
General Stats:
Strength: 0
Dexterity: 0
Intelligence: 0
Vitality: 0
Endurance: 0
Agility: 0
Mana: 0
____________________________________
Active Skills: None
Combat Skills: None
Passive Skills: None
Class Skill: Sage Noesis
(Level 0)
____________________________________
Special Ability:
Copy Skills (1/1 active)
Available Tabs: 1 / 4
(Use a mental command to switch between the tabs of the Status Window)
____________________________________
Kazuya gave the screen only a quick glance and, without thinking much, raised both arms high with an expression of pure excitement.
"Yes! Now we're talking! It really is a status window!"
He let out an excited laugh, even though everything was still at the lowest possible level.
"Unfortunately, for now, all my stats are at zero…
But soon, they'll be at the top.
I'm going to conquer that world!"
Ervynia sighed, running a hand over her forehead as if regretting her own decision.
"Ugh… Am I really going with you…?
I can't even believe this."
She then looked toward the empty sky above, as if speaking to the heavens.
"Well… since I'm leaving this place, someone needs to stay in my stead."
She snapped her fingers lightly.
"I'll call my younger sister.
She'll take care of this place while I'm… accompanying you."
Ervynia shouted, "Aerysia, come here!" as she snapped her fingers.
Quickly, a woman with black hair appeared before her. Her long, straight hair fell over a white dress, light and shimmering like moonlight. It was her sister, the goddess Aerysia.
Aerysia said, "What do you want, sister? And you don't need to shout so loud to call me."
Ervynia replied with the same disinterested expression as always, "Ah, whatever… I'll have to be away for a while."
Aerysia raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms, surprised. "What? You're going to be away? Where to? Don't tell me it's to that world…"
Ervynia said, "Yes, I'm going there. That idiot here asked me to go with him as his wish."
Kazuya, offended, replied, "Hey! Don't call me that! You're always humiliating me!"
Aerysia sighed and said, "Ah, I see… so I'll have to stay here in your place, taking care of everything. But you know I don't have as much power as you."
Ervynia replied, "Yeah, I know. That's why I'll leave a large part of my power with you."
Aerysia frowned. "Are you sure, sister? Why are you going with this human? You could have just refused. Others have asked before and you said no. Why are you agreeing now?"
Ervynia looked into the void for a moment before answering, "Because I already wanted to go there anyway.
It's been over 4,300 years since that tower was built and no one has reached the top yet.
And it wasn't even supposed to be me in his place. It was supposed to be our brother.
But he decided that the tower would be his personal amusement, and he would only return when someone reached the top.
It was irresponsible of him to leave me here alone.
So it's not fair that he gets to have fun and I don't.
I'm going there. I've been thinking about it for a long time.
Even if this idiot next to me hadn't asked, I probably would have gone anyway."
Kazuya put his hands to his head, as if the world was ending.
"Wow… she really hates me! She's always humiliating me! What did I do to deserve this?" he lamented dramatically, with a fake crying expression on his face.
Aerysia replied, "Okay, sister, I understand your reasons, even if they are selfish. You know that, right?"
Ervynia retorted, "Selfish? My wishes and our brother's? What would that be? He's the one who fled from his role as a god. Who's selfish here? Much more him. Let him be the selfish one, not me. I'm going there."
Aerysia let out a sigh and chuckled softly. "Ah, alright, sister, there's really no point trying to convince you otherwise. You and our brother are very alike—when you want something, no one can stop you.
So go ahead, do what you have to do.
I just need you to transfer your powers to me so I have enough strength to take care of everything here."
Ervynia began transferring her power to Aerysia.
Kazuya watched Ervynia's sister in silence.
Aerysia seemed much kinder than Ervynia… maybe even a little more responsible.
And definitely less proud… I think.
And just as beautiful as her sister.
He kept thinking: She's transferring her powers to her sister… will she get weaker?
Hmm, no… if she's coming with me to climb the tower, she must remain useful. Makes sense. Better not worry.
When the transfer ended, Aerysia looked at him with a sweet smile.
Kazuya quickly looked away, feeling a slight warmth rise to his face.
Ervynia turned to her sister with a mischievous smile on her lips.
"See this one, sister? Kazuya Arakida. Had the most ridiculous death I've ever seen in my life. Seriously, just remembering it makes me want to laugh. Want to hear how it happened?"
She burst into laughter, clearly amused by the memory.
Aerysia looked at Kazuya with that sweet smile again, making him feel a little embarrassed.
Kazuya began to blush visibly. He raised his hands, trying to interrupt the conversation, his face growing redder by the second.
"N-n-no… don't… don't laugh at that! It's not funny, okay?!"
Ervynia, completely ignoring the request, leaned in and began whispering into Aerysia's ear, revealing the scene of his death in detail.
Aerysia listened, trying to contain her reaction, but as soon as she understood the situation, she couldn't hold it in anymore.
She brought her hand to her mouth but then exploded into laughter.
"Hahaha! Hahaha! This isn't possible!" she said, laughing. "How can someone DIE from being startled… by a bicycle?! This is, without a doubt, the most ridiculous death I've ever heard of! He must be really useless!"
Kazuya blushed even more, crossing his arms in protest.
"N-no, don't say that! It's not my fault, okay?! I thought it was a truck, damn it! It was dark, I was tired… I didn't see properly, I got too scared, and… and I already had heart problems!"
But the two continued laughing loudly, showing no sign of empathy. The laughter echoed like a direct mockery of his dignity.
Kazuya sighed, defeated, and thought to himself with a lost look:
"Wow… she's exactly like her sister. Looks like I jumped to conclusions. Aerysia only seems kind, but deep down… she's just as cruel as Ervynia. Ugh… Ever since I got here, I've just been humiliated. This isn't fair!"
Kazuya took a deep breath and said:
"Enough of this… Let's go. I want to get to that world already."
Ervynia and Aerysia began to stop laughing. Ervynia ran her hand over her face, wiping away a tear from laughing so hard, and said:
"Alright… let's go now then."
Aerysia composed herself, still with a slight smile, and replied:
"I'll prepare the portal so you can go."
At that moment, Ervynia leaned discreetly toward her sister and whispered something into her ear. The two exchanged a knowing look, and shortly after, they began wearing mischievous smiles while looking directly at Kazuya.
Kazuya frowned, suspicious.
"What are these two plotting, huh…? Why are they smiling at me like that? Honestly… I'm only taking this goddess because she'll be useful for something. She'll make conquering the tower easier. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't bring her. It's going to be annoying… She's so irritating."
Kazuya then said, already impatient:
"Let's go already."
Ervynia stepped away from Aerysia, still with a playful glint in her eyes, and replied:
"Alright… let's go then, loser."
Kazuya huffed and retorted:
"You really enjoy humiliating me, don't you?"
Ervynia raised an eyebrow, a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
"Maybe…"
Kazuya took a deep breath and said:
"Ah, okay… Well, before we go, can you give me some different clothes? I'm only wearing this hoodie, and I don't think people usually wear this kind of outfit in that world. So… can you give me something more suitable?"
Ervynia rolled her eyes, turned to her sister, and said disdainfully:
"Sister, give this idiot some clothes."
Kazuya gritted his teeth, annoyed, and muttered:
"Damn, you big—"
Ervynia turned suddenly, throwing a sharp, deadly glance at him.
"Finish what you were going to say… if you have the courage. I am a great what?"
Kazuya swallowed hard and forced a nervous smile, looking away.
"I was going to say you're a great goddess… That's all."
Ervynia looked at Kazuya with a somewhat suspicious gaze and said:
"Alright… I'll believe that. You better watch your words. I'm a goddess, so don't treat me like just anyone."
Kazuya simply replied:
"Understood."
But inside, his thoughts were boiling with resentment.
This big bitch… she's just humiliating me all the time.
When I get stronger, she'll see.
When I'm at the top, she'll be crawling at my feet.
His expression began to shift, taking on a manic air.
Ervynia, noticing the subtle change in his expression, stared at him suspiciously.
"What are you thinking, huh, idiot?"
Kazuya forced a fake smile and quickly responded:
"Nothing… nothing at all."
Aerysia, without saying a word, snapped her fingers delicately. In an instant, Kazuya's clothes changed.
The old black hoodie with white stripes disappeared, replaced by a completely new outfit: a fitted black suit, a flowing dark cape, sturdy pants, reinforced boots, and a sword strapped to his waist.
Kazuya immediately looked at himself, amazed.
"Wow… these clothes really are like something from a fantasy world."
His eyes turned to the hilt of the sword at his waist. He slowly drew it from the sheath, examining the blade's gleam.
"A sword… it looks really sharp. Thank you, Aerysia."
She replied with a gentle smile:
"You're welcome."
Kazuya observed her for a moment. In his thoughts, he evaluated her once again:
Ah… she really does seem a little better than Ervynia. At least she seems friendlier…
Kazuya sheathed the sword.
Ervynia then looked at her sister and said calmly: "Begin the teleportation spell, sister."
Aerysia raised an eyebrow and asked: "How long do you plan to be away, sister?"
Ervynia replied without hesitation: "I'll probably return once I reach our brother at the top of the tower. When I get to him, I'll come back with him. It's time for him to take up his responsibilities as a god."
Aerysia nodded in understanding and answered with serenity: "Understood, sister. Good luck, then."
Then, Aerysia looked at Kazunari and said: "Very well, I'll prepare the teleportation spell."
She extended her hands and began casting a spell around the two. Glowing magical circles appeared around Kazuya and Ervynia, and a bright light began to surround their bodies.
Suddenly, Aerysia let out a soft laugh, as if amused by some hidden thought, and commented playfully: "Sister, you really are quite cruel."
Ervynia gave a sly smile, and soon both began to laugh together enigmatically.
Confused, Kazuya furrowed his brow and asked indignantly: "Hey! What are you two laughing about?"
The two, with mischievous smiles on their lips, replied in unison: "You'll see, Kazuya."
Right after, the spell shone intensely, enveloping them completely. The light swallowed them in a sudden flash.
Then, abruptly, Kazuya and Ervynia began plummeting from the sky. When Kazuya realized he was in free fall, he panicked. The wind lashed against his face as he screamed in utter despair: "What the hell is this?! Why are we falling from the sky?!"
He thrashed in the air, watching the ground rush closer, and screamed even louder: "I already died once and now I'm going to die again! I haven't even started my journey in this world!"
Meanwhile, beside him, Ervynia remained serene, floating with the wind as if all of it were nothing but a game. Her long hair fluttered in the air, and the calm on her face contrasted with Kazuya's despair. She watched him with a malicious look, her lips curling into a restrained, amused smile.
"Yeah… if you fall, you'll die. But I don't have to worry since I can fly. Now, you… well, you do have something to worry about."
She said it with a teasing smile, clearly enjoying the situation.
Kazuya was desperate. The ground was almost within reach, and he knew that if he hit it, he would certainly die. As he plummeted, the wind roared in his ears like a scream of impending death. That's when it clicked. He finally understood what Ervynia had whispered into Aerysia's ear moments before. She had asked not to use a portal. She had planned this from the start.
With eyes wide open and his heart nearly bursting out of his chest, he screamed in desperation:
"Ahhh! Ahhh! You planned this back there with Aerysia!"
Ervynia, floating calmly beside him as if on a stroll, responded with a teasing smile on her face:
"Yes. You catch on quickly, don't you? Not as stupid as you look."
Kazuya, immersed in panic, screamed back:
"Ahh! You bitc— Ahhh! Ahhh! Save me!"
Ervynia gave a light laugh, clearly entertained by his suffering.
"If you beg, I might save you."
Kazuya, now in pure desperation, shouted:
"Ahhh! Ahhh! Please! Ahh! Save me! Ahhh!"
But she still wasn't satisfied. With the same malicious serenity as before, she replied:
"That's not enough. Say: 'Oh great goddess Ervynia, save me. I, who am a great worm.'"
Kazuya, about to smash into the ground with no other choice left, screamed:
"Ahhh! Ahh! Great goddess! Ahhh! Ahhh! Ervynia, save me! Ahhh! I… who am a great… Ahhh! Worm!"
Only a few meters remained. The ground rushed up like a final sentence. Then, at the last second, Ervynia grabbed him by the arm with a single hand, softening the impact. But instead of simply saving him, she carelessly tossed him to the ground and landed right on top, sitting on him as if he were some kind of living throne.
Kazuya was completely exhausted, panting, his eyes unfocused, and his breathing ragged.
"Ahh… thank goodness… that was close…" he muttered, trying to catch his breath.
Ervynia, still sitting on him casually with a faint smile on her lips, seemed completely relaxed. Kazuya, noticing the absurd scene, grumbled:
"Ahh… can you get off me? Isn't humiliating me enough already?"
Ervynia replied with a look of disdain, crossing her arms arrogantly as she said:
"Shut up, worm. You should be grateful I saved you. More than that… this is the least you can do for me now. Like my throne. And I will make you repay this favor many times, understand? I didn't save you for free."
Kazuya, upon hearing this, clenched his fists in anger. He thought to himself, his eyes clouded with frustration:
"That big bitch only treats me badly… and humiliates me too. No matter where I go, even in another world… I get humiliated just like I did in my old world. But I won't let it happen again. Not in this new world."
In a sudden movement, he got up, and Ervynia fell to the side, hitting the ground with her hands.
When she fell, she complained angrily:
"Why did you do that? You just knocked me down! You should be more grateful that I saved you, idiot."
She got up shortly after, shaking the dust off her clothes with contained anger.
Kazuya completely ignored her words. He looked around and then asked:
"Where are we? From what I can see, it looks like a forest."
He carefully observed the surroundings. Tall, dense trees filled the area, and in the distance, a gigantic tower rose among the treetops. A calm lake cut through part of the nearby vegetation, and he approached it to drink some of the clear water.
Ervynia crossed her arms and responded matter-of-factly:
"Isn't it obvious? We're near the tower. I asked my sister to place us as close as possible when she teleported us. What we need to do now is go to Caelvaris. There, we'll register as adventurers. Only with that registration can we ascend the floors of the tower."
Kazuya wiped his mouth after drinking and then stood up, saying:
"Ah, I see."
He took a deep breath, thinking to himself, his eyes fixed on the nearly unreachable top of the tower:
"I'll have to put up with this goddess until I reach the top of the tower… it's going to be really tough. But that's fine. I'll endure the humiliations, because the ends justify the means… as I once heard someone say. I don't even remember who… whatever. What matters is that I'll do whatever it takes to reach the top."
Ervynia looked ahead and said:
"Let's go to Caelvaris."
Kazuya replied:
"Alright, but… we're going to need money. Do you have any? Because I don't. And I guess we'll need somewhere to sleep."
Ervynia responded in an arrogant tone, as if it were obvious:
"Of course I have money. I brought it, and I have a purpose for it. After all, I'm a goddess. How wouldn't I have?"
She then opened a kind of magical portal. From within it, she pulled out a heavy sack full of gold coins, as if it were nothing.
Kazuya watched with some relief, thinking to himself:
"She's well-prepared… good, she'll be useful, just as I predicted."
Still curious about his own powers, Kazuya decided to open his status window again. He had been very excited the first time he saw it and hadn't checked everything carefully.
Muttering under his breath, he said:
"Open status window."
The translucent screen appeared before his eyes. He examined the information carefully, until he noticed something he had missed before. There were other tabs. He could slide the window to the side.
He did this with his fingers, and soon the second tab appeared. On it was written: "Skill Evolution Status Window."
____________________________________
Below the title, something caught his attention even more: "Current Skills: One special skill – Copy Skills – Level 0."
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Intrigued, he asked,
"This skills window… what does it mean? Do you know?"
Ervynia rolled her eyes and said in her typical mocking tone:
"Huh… you don't know? Isn't it obvious?"
Kazuya replied dryly:
"No. I've never seen a window like this before."
Ervynia crossed her arms, as if explaining something extremely basic:
"It means that every time you copy a skill, it will go into this skill space. Then, it will show the level of that skill. Isn't that obvious? I thought you played games. I thought you were a true otaku."
She finished with a smirk, a mix of laughter, teasing, and pure mockery.
Kazuya answered calmly, letting out a small sigh:
"Ah, I already said I'm not an otaku. I was just an anime enthusiast… and I never played many RPG games in my old world, so I don't know how it works. I just knew it looked really cool. Besides, I preferred watching anime… didn't play RPGs much. Anyway… thanks for clearing up my doubts, Ervynia."
Ervynia replied with a superior smile:
"You're welcome. And it's 'Great Goddess Ervynia' to you."
He muttered a sarcastic "okay," rolling his eyes discreetly.
Ervynia crossed her arms, floating calmly beside him, and commented with some disdain:
"And you don't need to keep asking me these questions. Why don't you ask the system itself?"
Kazuya frowned, confused, as he walked:
"What do you mean… ask the system itself?"
Ervynia answered impatiently, gesturing with her hands as if explaining something obvious:
"Don't you have the subclass with the class skill: Sábio Nóesis? Just ask it, and it will answer you. When you asked me to show your status window, I added a few extra things precisely so you wouldn't keep asking me stupid questions."
Kazuya nodded slowly, absorbing the information:
"I see… and how do I activate this skill?"
Ervynia sighed loudly, visibly annoyed:
"Isn't it obvious? You just think and ask a question to the system. It will answer everything. I included all the information that I, as a goddess, and obviously having known this world for over 4,000 years, could provide. It will answer everything. Just ask in your mind."
Kazuya closed his eyes and did as she said. He thought impatiently, clearly irritated with Ervynia's attitude, and mentally asked, almost reluctantly:
"Ah… how do I get rid of an annoying goddess?"
Suddenly, a voice appeared in his mind, firm and clear:
"It is impossible to kill a goddess."
Before the system could continue its explanation, Kazuya interrupted, surprised:
"Ah… so it really works. Who are you?"
The voice answered directly:
"I am Sábio Nóesis, responsible for assisting you with your doubts and managing the functions of your skill system. Whenever it is within my reach, I will answer your questions."
Kazuya suddenly became excited like a child who just discovered a new toy:
"Wow! It really is like a game… or like an anime! Now we're talking!"
Ervynia, beside him, continued floating, her boredom clearly visible, as if all of this were the most mundane thing in the world.
Kazuya then asked mentally:
"Will you answer any question I ask?"
Sábio Nóesis replied in a calm, objective voice:
"I will answer all questions for which the answers are available within the information assigned to the system."
Kazuya nodded affirmatively and, looking into the distance where the tower rose like an infinite mountain, asked:
"Tell me something I'm wondering… how many floors does this tower have?"
The Sábio Nóesis system informed him calmly:
"This tower has approximately one hundred floors."
Kazuya, curious, asked:
"I see… one hundred floors. And how many have been climbed so far?"
The answer came almost immediately:
"About thirty floors, up to this point."
Kazuya's eyes widened, shocked at what he had heard. His voice was filled with astonishment and disbelief.
"Only thirty floors? In over four thousand years? This tower must really be extremely difficult to climb."
The Nóesis system began to explain in a formal and steady tone:
"This occurs due to the significant divisions among the seven main guilds. Frequently, the guilds engage in disputes with each other to determine who will advance further in the tower. This constant conflict considerably delays progress. Furthermore, there have been prolonged disputes between humans and elves over the past two thousand years, driven by conflicts over profits related to the tower and, of course, the presence of legendary-level monsters."
Just as Nóesis was about to continue, Kazuya raised his hand slightly, interrupting.
"Ah, I see. This all seems very interesting. Alright… Sábio Nóesis, that's your name, isn't it? Later, I'll want to ask you more things…"
The system replied briefly, but politely:
"Yes, that is my name. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask."
Next, Kazuya dragged open the system's third tab, revealing a new window. It was the inventory. On the screen, a message read: "Available slots: 100. Average weight: undefined."
Kazuya looked closely and murmured to himself with a slight smile:
"Interesting… an inventory window just like I asked Ervynia for."
Then he dragged the fourth and final tab. It showed his current level: Level 0. It also indicated the amount of experience required to reach the next level. When he read the number, his eyes widened.
"To level up, you need one trillion experience points."
Kazuya took a step back, as if he had been shocked, and collapsed to the ground. His expression was pure despair.
"No way… this must be wrong! How am I supposed to get one trillion XP just to reach level 1? Just for level 1?! This isn't right!"
Ervynia, watching the scene closely, couldn't hold back her laughter. With a mischievous smile on her lips, she replied provocatively:
"Why are you so surprised? I just made it a little harder for you to level up, that's all. Didn't you want it to be like an RPG game? Well, now it is."
Kazuya stood up quickly, furious. He walked up to her, his eyes burning with indignation.
"I can't believe you did this. You actually set it so that, to go from level 0 to level 1, I need one trillion XP? But why are you doing this to me? Why humiliate me like this? I'll never be able to level up this way! One trillion! How am I supposed to get that?"
His voice echoed through the forest as he gestured wildly with his hands in pure despair. Ervynia's reaction, however, was only to laugh even more. She enjoyed every word he said, clearly satisfied to see Kazuya lose control.
"I don't understand why you're reacting so desperately," she said, laughing heartily.
Kazuya muttered to himself, holding his head, trying to process the situation.
"This must be a joke… How am I supposed to get stronger if I can't level up? It's impossible to get one trillion XP. I'll always be a level zero… forever like this…"
He simply could not believe what was happening.
After a few seconds, he tried to compose himself.
"Okay… it's not good to panic. I have to find a way. After all, the monsters in the tower are legendary-level. If I defeat one, it should give…" he murmured, as if trying to convince himself.
Kazuya then remembered that he had the goddess Ervynia.
"If she's in my group, it will be easy for me to level up…"
Ervynia, listening to everything he said to himself, replied coldly:
"Don't count on me."
Her gaze was distant, and her voice carried.
"There's something I wanted to say. When I transferred my powers to my sister, I became a little weaker. That means… I no longer have the same powers of a goddess. I had said I came here to find our brother, but the truth… is that I don't want to see him. I only wanted to come here… because I was tired of the role of goddess. I just wanted to have some fun. I'm not very interested in climbing the tower."
Kazuya heard those words and felt his anger grow. His wish to have her as his companion now seemed ridiculous.
He shouted, unable to contain his frustration:
"I can't believe this! I wasted a wish on you… for nothing!"
Still furious, he continued:
"You're joking! I bet this is just one of your jokes! You're not that weak! And you're going to climb this tower with me! Even if I have to drag you!"
Ervynia only smiled, a mocking expression on her face.
"Actually, I am… a little weaker. But not that much. I think I can defeat a legendary-level monster. But there's a catch…"
Her look turned more serious.
"It has to be a monster from the black category. The magic I have left… is only light magic. I can't use any other magic of a powerful level, since I passed the rest to my sister…"
Kazuya, unable to believe what she was saying, replied indignantly:
"But why did you accept my wish to come with me? Your sister said other people made the same request. People who, from what I understood from her words, also came to this world."
Ervynia replied with a smile on her face:
"Yes, other people made the same wish you did. But in all those occasions, I refused. I wasn't interested in coming to this world. That was about three thousand years ago… or two hundred… ah, I don't remember. After all, time for a goddess is different from time for mere mortals."
Kazuya was furious. He approached her with clenched fists.
"So I was used by you?"
Ervynia smiled again, as if it were a joke.
"Yes, you were used. A great fool."
Kazuya, his eyes filled with rage, brought his hand close to the goddess's neck.
"Oh, so I was used… You said you only have light magic. And that it's only effective against black-class monsters, right?"
He smiled maniacally.
"It's very good to know that…"
In a burst of rage, Kazuya grabbed Ervynia's neck tightly, squeezing without hesitation.
"I don't care if you're a goddess. If you can die or not. But now… I'm going to kill you."
Ervynia, surprised, began to struggle, trying to pull his arms away. Her voice came out weak.
"Let me go, you worm… How dare you do this to a goddess?"
She desperately tried to free herself, fighting Kazuya's strength.
Kazuya, after a few seconds, finally let her go, breathless and distraught.
"Ah, damn it… I really have no luck. Not in this world, not in my old one. Now I'm stuck with a useless goddess by my side."
Ervynia, who had fallen to the ground, stood up with some difficulty, brushing the dust off herself.
"You shouldn't do that to a goddess…" she said with an irritated look, running her fingers over her neck. "I wanted to kill you… but I won't waste my power on a worm like you. You're still useful to me. You need to be more gentle with a woman. And, for your luck, I don't have all my remaining power now. When I transferred my powers to my sister, I was completely drained, without any energy. You're lucky I'm without energy… but you'll pay for this."
Kazunari, his face tense and filled with rage, shouted:
"Shut up! That's enough! I've had enough of everything you've done to me!"
Ervynia shouted back, her voice full of fury:
"Don't talk to me like that, you worm! You're very lucky I'm still weak and without energy right now!"
Kazuya put his hands on his head, overwhelmed by confused and desperate thoughts.
"Damn it… what am I going to do now? I need a trillion XP just to reach level 1! And to make it even worse… now I know. This goddess is completely useless to me. She's not going to be good for practically anything. Damn it…"
He looked around, trying to reason.
"Well… with some luck, the monsters in the Tower might be of the black type. If they are, maybe she could be useful, since her attribute is light. It might work… maybe I can farm some XP. Of course, that's if these monsters really double the amount of experience. Because if other people don't have a system like mine, with a status window… I don't know if it'll work. Ah, I don't know. I'll ask the Sage Nóesis later. Damn it…"
He took a deep breath.
"But now, there's no point in crying. It's time to move on. Let's head to the city to register… I'll think about these things later."
Kazuya looked at Ervynia and said, now with a resigned tone:
"Ervynia, very well… let's go to the kingdom to register."
Ervynia smirked slightly and replied with a hint of disdain:
"I'll go with you to the city. Maybe I'll register too. Adventurers have certain advantages… so it could be beneficial for me as well."
Kazuya just nodded, with a downcast expression, like someone who had just taken a hit.
"Alright… then let's go…"
And so, the two set off toward Caelvaris. The late afternoon began to creep in, with the sky slightly tinged with gold. Kazuya walked alongside the goddess, thinking about how to deal with that troublesome creature, who so far had been a useless goddess for his plans: Ervynia.