1 Chapter 1-Death and Rebirth
At the base of a volcano, a hero was fighting a massive monster. It was a twenty foot tall beast, covered in scales, bone plates on its back, mouth full of sharp fangs, and large glowing yellow eyes. They’re locked in a long fight that had been going on for hours. Spells, blades, and fangs were tearing up the land around them.
“I got to kill this monster before it reaches the town!”
“Fool, you think you could stop me!” the monster shouted, insulting the hero. The monster starts gathering energy in its mouth and magic circles start appearing around it.
“You underestimate my power!” He ignites his sword and flames cover the sky.
Both the monster and the hero charged at each other. Before you think this is me, you're wrong.
“This manga sucks?” The boy puts it back on the bookshelf and leaves the bookstore.
My name is Toshio Satoru and my story isn't one of glory or killing world ending monsters. Just a guy who died and got a Isekai deal. I'm your average seventeen year old high schooler. My grades are above average, but not because I'm some popular guy who has good grades. They are high because just like everyone, my parents want me to become another productive member of society. I don't have friends for that reason. But also because I spend most of it watching anime, reading manga, and playing video games. Not because I'm some shut-in who spends all of my time in my room. Even though I'm forced to study, I surprisingly have spare time that I could spend with friends. But I spend it on anime, manga, and video games. I like them just because I enjoy how those worlds are full of wonder and their about guys like me. The main characters in those stories start off weak, but later on makes a name for themselves in that world.
Toshio arrives at his home. He heads to his room and starts working on his homework. After finishing it, he starts up his computer, puts his headphone on, and starts up his favorite online MMO. Once he logs on, he opens up his voice chat.
"Hey guys, you need help with any dungeons or raids?"
After awhile of searching, I meet up with a couple of other players and I bring out a bag of chips. Then we all entered inside a high level dungeon and the male barbarian began talking.
"Hey, have you guys read that new manga?"
The barbarian charged at a group of golems. While a male elven archer started firing at some wyverns, knocking them out of the sky.
"Yeah, just read it before school. The art was ok, but the story wasn't that good."
Then my male rogue character charged at the wyverns and attacked them while they were stunned.
“I don't like stories where the MC wins 100% of the time. It’s just too predictable.” I start eating some of the chips.
After awhile, we all arrived at the boss room and began fighting against a giant stone dragon. After defeating it, I hear my parents call me down for dinner. I log out and make my way down for dinner.
I head down to the kitchen table and see my Dad sitting at the end of the table, my little brother Daichi climbing onto his chair, my older sister Hina reading her college textbook, and my mother arriving at the table with a tray of gratin.
"Wash your hands before sitting down."
I head to the kitchen sink and start washing my hands. Then my sister spoke up.
"Mom and Dad have something to say to you."
"What is it?"
Then my Dad spoke up.
"We're sending you to study at an All-Boys University next week."
"What, why?!"
Then my Mom spoke up while she was serving everyone.
"We've noticed that you've been having more and more time playing those games and reading those books. So we believe that you should spend that time focusing on furthering your studies."
"But I've been doing well at school! Why are you doing this?"
"Son, you should be focusing more on your future. We're only doing this since a friend of mine is working there and offered us a spot there. Due to your grades, you could skip a couple of grades and attend there. But you're going to have to study harder than the other students. So that means you won't bring those games or books of yours."
"That's not fair!"
My mother hands me a plate.
"Enough, the papers have already been signed and you're going there next week. Now sit down and enjoy dinner with us."
I calmly place the plate on the table.
"I'm not hungry."
I then walk up to my room. My Mom was about to say something, but my Dad stopped her.
"Leave it. He needs to know that we're just preparing him for the future."
The next day, I grab my school bag and make my way to school. I decided to walk over a bridge to get to school faster. I put on my headphones to listen to music during the trip. I was too busy lost in thought, to see or hear what was going on behind me. There were two cops running after a guy who robbed a pawnshop.
“Halt! Stop running!”
The robber ignored them and was shoving people out of his way.
“Move it!”
They soon make it to the bridge and the robber sees you in front of him.
“Out of my way kid!” shoves you aside
I didn't have time to react, as I bumped into the side rail and felt myself fall over it. The next thing I see is the ground coming toward me and to my side, a train is heading right at me. Then everything went black.
I wake up screaming and with a sharp pain in my chest. My scream startles a woman in front of me, causing her to take a step back.
“Where am I?!” I then noticed the woman in front of me and panicked after seeing her appearance.
“Do not be afraid, my child.” trying to calm me down.
I saw that she wasn’t a normal woman. She had the appearance of a tall young woman. She had slight pale skin, long golden hair, and a long sky blue dress that reached her ankles. But she had a grey cloth over her eyes, was barefoot, had a ring of light on her wrists and ankles, massive white wings on her back, and each wing had seven eyes along them.
Satoru notices that they were in a large open field. There were flowers everywhere and there was a pond nearby, with a traditional bamboo fountain. In the air around you, you see little balls of light. They were all different colors and flying around like fireflies.
“Where am I and who are you?”
“I am the Angel Xamera, I escort those who die. I usually do this for another world, but the angel that deals with your world is currently busy with another soul. I'm sorry to tell you Toshio, but you died and this is the afterlife.”
I start to deny it in my mind, but I remember the train coming at me. All I do is look down in shame, I never bothered to make friends in my life. So other than my family, no one would shed tears for my death. Xamera was kind enough to wait until I came back to my senses. After I acknowledge the fact that I died, I look at the girl in front of me.
“You know it’s funny. On Earth, humans have to spend everyday working in order to survive. We don't have a choice, because we are expected to spend 12 years of our life studying to live in a world that wants you to do above average work. But we have to survive with minimum wage in order to live and eat. We believe heaven would be a place to reward us after we die? But I never got to live much of my life or made any friends."
Xamera kneels down in front of me and puts her hand on my shoulder.
"I could tell you have many regrets in your life, not meeting new people or doing more in your life. Worry not, there is another choice you could take."
"What do you mean by that?" I grew curious.
"Your life was taken from you too soon. It may not mean much now, but you were supposed to die a grandfather and wealthy. Your hard work was going to pay off after highschool, get hired at a nice job, work up the ranks quickly, meet your fiancé, get married, and live a long happy life. But you died too soon, unfortunately."
"Are you serious?! AAGH!" All I could do was grab both sides of my head.
"Since you died too soon, we could offer you a choice to live in another world."
"You mean like those Isekai stories?!" I wondered if this angel is saying what I think she's saying?
"Yes, though this world is kind of difficult and some people who get sent there would rather get sent back to your world. But we will be sending you with a special ability to help you survive."
"Hold on, I don't know much about this world? This deal sounds great, but I would like to learn more about what I'm getting into?"
"Very well"
Xamera waved her hand and all of the balls of light flies away. Then everything around me changed and the landscape changed into an empty field. There were broken weapons and armor everywhere and there were no signs of any plant life.
"The world is called Terra. It used to be a separate plane of existence, where angels and devils fought. But all of that changed after the covenant was formed."
All around the angels and demons bowed to the two figures. One was a shining white figure, with many wings that were on fire. The other one was a black shadowy figure with big horns, large bat wings, and red flaming eyes.
"What's that?"
"It happened after countless years of war. God and his son Lucifer decided to end the war. After that, they both agreed to share the throne and forged a blood contract."
The two figures each put a drop of their blood on a contract. It then went into the ground and a sapling sprouted out.
“By the power of their blood, the covenant formed into a world tree. Since this land was no longer being used for war, the land started to flourish.”
The sapling then grew into a massive towering tree. Then everywhere changed from a barren wasteland, into a flourishing field.
“Then new beings and gods started to form in this world.”
Then fruits started to appear in the tree. They all fell onto the ground and formed into eight figures. Then many others came out of the ground around them.
“We send those who died before their time and let them have a second chance. We give them small gifts and see how they make it in that world.”
“How many have you sent there?”
“We’ve sent many unfortunate souls over there. Some were grateful and led decent lives. While some thought too highly of themselves and tried to take on more than they could handle. In the end, it’s up to you on what kind of life you live in that world?”
“When you say ‘gift’, are you talking about a magic weapon, item, or special ability?”
Xamera looks at me and gives a gentle smile.
“Then does that mean you accept?” She gives a small giggle.
My heart is racing. It's not because I was still mentally recovering from the train killing me, or the fact that I am getting to live in a magical world. It's because of the angel in front of me. She felt sorry for my death and I could feel it in the way she spoke. She is just like those heavenly beings like in every Isekai story.
I immediately shouted “Yes! Yes! I want to visit that world!”
She then waved her hand to the side and a table appeared next to me, with a small stack of papers. She walks to one end of it and kneels down.
“You may choose the item or ability of your choice.”
I walk over to the table and kneel down. I start looking through the many papers, looking through the variety of unique abilities and items. Some of them I’ve never heard of, while some reminded me of items that I’ve seen in anime or video games. There were too many options and it was too hard deciding on which one to pick. I decided to form two stacks. They were divided between abilities that sounded good to me and ones that I didn’t want, due to how overpowered they were and how they didn’t sound like they would fit me. In the end, I was stuck between Energy Manipulation, Artifact Creation, and a handful of some decent magic weapons that weren’t too overpowered.
“Have you decided on one?” Xamera was sitting across from you and calmly drinking tea.
“This is hard choosing an ability that fits me? I also don't want something TOO overpowered, yaknow?”
“Isn’t that something that most humans want? Most want to have some powerful item or ability that resembles close to a character that they admire. Some of the items that we give do seem to be rather odd? But we can’t give god level items. If we gave god level artifacts to people that go to that world, the demon lord would be dead now. Most people that get powerful abilities just do their own thing instead of dealing with the demon lord.” She had a bit of concern in her voice.
“Well I don’t want to get something that would place me above others. I want to work for my skills and not be a guy that thinks he’s the best just because he has a powerful skill. I never got to have friends in my life. If I got some powerful ability, that might make me famous and have people flocking to me because of that ability only? I want to get noticed for my hard work and to have friends that like me for me.”
I then feel arms wrap around me from behind. I look and see that Xamera was hugging me and resting her head on my shoulder.
“I could tell that you aren’t like the others. How about I give you an ability that grows along with you, only if you work harder than others? Though you’ll have to face a harder path and you might think it is a burden? Do you accept it?”
I thought about it for a while. I then decided that a power that grows along with me, would be a perfect fit with me.
“That would be great!” I couldn’t help but smile.
“Very well. When you get sent to that world, you’ll be given the ability to understand that world’s language. But first, you must accept my gift.”
She then stands up and holds out a small crystal. It shined with a slight blue and yellow glow. I kneel on one knee and hold my hand out. When I touched the crystal, it shined and I could feel something flow into me. Then one of the glowing balls of light flies up and lands on the back of my hand.
“This would be your guide. Please look out for her.”
My body gave off a slight glow and started feeling lighter.
“Now go, I will pray that you would help the people in that world. I wish you the best of luck Toshio.”
Then a portal appeared above me, then I felt myself floating up to it. I look down and see Xamera waving me goodbye. I then shouted out to her.
“Thank you for this opportunity to live a new life! I swear that I’ll find a way to pay you back somehow!”
She just smiles as I vanish into the portal.
I felt as if my body didn’t exist at all. All I saw was a black void and I couldn’t feel myself move. It was like I was the void itself. Then slowly my body regained its weight and sense of touch. I felt a gentle breeze, the smell of flowers in the air, and felt a cold stone under me. I open my eyes and see that I was in the middle of a forest and that I was laying on a strange stone altar. I stand up and look around me.
"Where am I?"
I then heard a young female voice answer my question.
"You're in Amber Forest!"
I look around and can't see where the voice came from.
"Who said that?"
"That was me. Hello, it's nice to meet you!"
I feel something light land on my head. I then saw a small girl appear in my field of vision, from above and she was upside down. I got startled and stumbled back. I then fell off the stone altar and landed on my butt on the grass. I look up and see the small girl float down and land on my knee. This gave me a good look at her and saw that she was some type of fairy. She looked about the size of my palm. She has long golden blond hair braided into twin tails, green eyes, a white dress that looked like it was made out of flower petals, and blue glowing butterfly wings on her back. She introduces herself with a bow.
"Hello, my name is Alice and I've been sent by Xamera, to be your guide."
I poke her in her face, causing her to take a step back.
"Does this mean that your the power that Xamera gave me? If you are, I feel like I got cheated out on a deal?
Alice just puts her hands on her hips and pouts.
"No, I said that I was your guide! Whatever power Xamera gave you, should be taking effect now?"
Before I got a chance to ask, a small notification appeared in front of me.
Welcome Toshio
This caught me off guard. Then the words vanished and another notification appeared in its place.
You are now going through the quest [Xamera’s Trial]. You have been given the power of [Slow Growth]. Know that it depends on your determination and hard work to cultivate this skill. There would be many trials and hardships if you want to upgrade this skill.
"You could see this, right?"
"Nope, only you could see it for now! Most abilities that are given to the people who get sent to this world, reflect on their soul. That way whatever power or item they picked feels more natural."
"Really? I got a videogame notification screen, what does that mean?"
Alice then stared at me for a while, then burst out laughing.
"HAHAHAHA! You got video game powers!"
Alice fell off my knee and was rolling around on the grass laughing.
"What's so funny about that?"
"Remember that I said that it would reflect on your soul?"
"Yeah?" I was confused.
"An example would be if you had an experience of almost drowning or surviving being burnt inside a house fire, the kind that mentally scars you. These would result in elemental powers based on those events. And you got video game powers, HAHAHAHA!" Tiny tears were running down her face.
The more I thought about it, the more it started to make sense. Anytime I had a bad day, got rejected, failed a test, wasn't invited to hangout, or got bullied. I spent those times playing video games. I remember how happy I felt after beating hard bosses, collecting items, crafting gear, surviving, and going through the story of the characters I played as.
"Does this mean I have potential of becoming one of the strongest people here?"
Alice stopped and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Not really! God usually adds a debuff to all of the powers the angels give to the people who come to this world. Most people think they obtain "godlike" skills or items, but they were just gifts given it to them. Remember, she said that most of those people usually just try being the "main hero" or a "harem king". But due to the debuff God gives, it makes it harder to become those things."
"So nobody that was here, is better than the rest? They're all in the same boat as me?"
"Kind of? There are people who got stronger, but those are the ones who didn't complain, worked their butts off, and cared about making a difference to get stronger. Though there are some dumb-dumbs here and there."
I then stand up and dust myself off.
"I guess that's fair? So I guess my first step is to figure out what my purpose in this world is and make a difference? Where to, Alice?"
She then floats up to my eye level.
"That's the spirit!" Giving off a cute smile.
Then another notification popped up and the words were all capitalized.
CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING THE FIRST STEP! TO UNLOCK [MENU] AND OTHER FEATURES, YOU MUST FIRST BE REGISTERED AS AN ADVENTURER. REWARD [10 GOLD] FOR ACCEPTING.
"Guess I'm going to be an adventurer? Do you know where the closest town is, Alice?
"Hmm...About a two hour walk that way."
Alice was pointing to my left and I began walking in that direction.
"Alright, lets go!"
I was curious about what my new life in this world would be like? I wondered what would this world have in store for me or what kind of trials I'll face? One thing I know for sure. That I was given another chance at life and I don’t want to let this gift go to waste.
