Hello, God. My old acquaintance

Hi, Sakaki Hiyama here, I know that this kinda coming straight outta nowhere but I want to ask a question for you all. It was a hypothetical, a simple nonsensical-like, yet intriguing what if question, so I am not will be surprised if you dismiss what this middle-aged salaryman has to say.

But for those who willing to listen, I shall reveal the question that haunts my mind on this very moment; "What is the first thing on your mind when you meet a Deity?"

Surely you all know what a Deity is, a higher being than mortal that divided either as God if it's male personification of a Deity, while Goddess is the exact opposite of it, female personification of a Deity.

They held great power that were either made them feared or worshipped, it's actually kind of simple to answer actually if you actually do meet one. It's either you tremble in fear or decided to pay respect to them.

Sure as hell you will not do what I did right now.

"What the hell, Xinlius?!"

"Wa—wait! Sakaki, hear me out!"

It's a simple situation, even a child would know what kind of situation is going on right now.

"I supposed to go to heaven! Not stuck here with you in this reading room and workplace!"

"That's why! Calm down for a lil' bit! Get that head of yours cool down or you won't even heard what I got to say!"

Have you ever watch a scene where a God is getting bullied by mere mortal where the God is get grabbed on collar then got rocked back and forth?

Guess not, because that's what literally happens here.

"Those 'friends', 'brother', and 'sisters' of yours already said that they will not call me again whether Eos is on danger or not! If I get to meet you after I died then that means there's somethings going on here!" I screamed while keep rocking the body of a bona fide God who now look scared shitless.

"Yes! They did say that! There's no way we could call you back to Eos once again to deal with the problem down there because what you did in the past were more than enough!"

"Then, Xinlius. I don't have many patience here so go to the point. Why the fuck, I meet you right here, right now, right after I got shot in the chest?!"

Xinlius seemed pretty much on verge of tears, yet I pay no mind on this. The God that got ransacked by me is actually one of the major Deity in Eos, the another world that I saved so many years ago.

As God of Logic, Xinlius also represents knowledge and wise way of thinking, but here he is, almost crying and pleading for his words to be heard

Just as his position suggest, Xinlius is what the representation of knowledge in Eos then my existence is something a litlle bit out of his all-knowing-knowledge that usually makes him haughty and get him in quarrel with another Gods, not like I care about his social life but it was such well known information even among his believer.

Because I was someone that out of his knowledge judrisiction, it means he practically got no knowledge of me. In another words, I am basically a monster freak that had unpredictable pattern of acting and thinking in front of him.

"Speak then motherfucker, I dare you!"

"Don't dare me! How am I suppose to speak to you then?!"

"Just tell me why did one of Major Deity meets me!"

"Alright, alright! It's actually because we want to thank you!"

"Thank me?"

I got considerably simmered down when I heard something puzzling came out from the mouth of Xinlius.

They, the Major Deity, want to thank me? If so then they are suppose to let me go to heaven already, I just want to live peacefully. Going straight getting called by the gods usually means there are some sort of problem.

Apparently it seems today wasn't one of them.

"Let me explain," he takes my hand away from his collar, then he starts walks a few step away. After a cough, he finally starts speaking, "There are three possibilty when someone meet their demise whether it was by the hand of nature or other cause, first: they will go to heaven, second: hell awaits for them, and the third: reincarnation,"

I keep quite, not wanting to interrupt him. His explanation would be useful for me to assess the reasons why am I here, I thought to myself while keeping a calm front even though a few seconds ago I already on state that makes me willing to rip the throat of Xinlius.

"These three concept surely familiar to you because your world also using those concept on some of their religion teaching to keep people on the line, and yes, it's possible to get reincarnated as a God or even Demon. While those who turned into a God or Demon are usually those who have extreme karmic state, it's best to keep in mind that there's possibility of these beings are actually a harmless soul in the past."

Now I am confused, why the hell he is explaining all of this to me.

I am surely knows about the concept of reincarnation, yet about being reincarnated to become God or Demon are news to me.

But I decide to stay silent, no use get on his way while he is explaining to me. Xinlisu is usually going to start from the very basic with whatever on his plate, so I am just getting used to it.

"Through this occassion, I shall impart a new knowledge for you, the Hero of Eos who were given a chance to choose whether he wants to live his life in heavens or the world he once save. Reincarnation only could be done by someone who have change a world, that means someone like you, a Hero only could do. Of course, it was not limited to Hero. Scientist, Inventor, or even Crime Ring Leader. All of those people have the chance of experiencing reincarnation!"

Don't shout while looking so absorbent with your duty, Xinlius. Somehow you looks like a sales that got overly excited about what product they sell.

I already get where this meeting and conversations will go, I sigh mentally while puts on a weary face expressions.

"Basically, what you want to say, even bastards could get a second chance at reincarnation?"

"Not necessarily, it was usually up to what role they were given prior reincarnation by the God who rule over the Cycle of Life. But I couldn't deny that their growth in another world could influence them somehow, some of your so called 'bastards' are decide to change their way of life for something better and seeks to be absolve."

"Even if they are in bad position such as being Demon?"

"Even if they are in position as Demon."

... well, that's surprising, somehow.

If you're asking me why I don't show more form of expressions about that, well I gotta say that being somebody who got reading web and light novel as his hobby will makes you less surprised about things like this.

There are many plots outta there that saying the humans are actually the bad guy, while the Demons are good guys. Many, many, plots out there that will makes you get used to so many situation that usually will gets you as a surprise.

Anyway, I now know why Xinlius suddenly summoned me in this place. He wants to tell me about the reincarnation stuff after I am died, that could only leaves out one possible outcome.

"So Xinlius, tell me your intent then. Explaining about reincarnation, bring me in a realm where human suppose to be impossible to enter which is your realm, and tell me about the concept of next life... surely the reasons is about the "thank you" that you're mention earlier, right?"

I spoke to Xinlius as he watch me walking to one of the bookshelves that were around in this reading room, I laugh when I saw the title of one particular book that caught my attention.

The Legendary Hero of Eos: Sakaki Hiyama, that was how the book titled.

Seeing it makes nostalgic feeling rushed to my mind.

"Indeed," somehow Xinlius looks very satisfied, did he feel that the responsbility of meeting me that burdening his shoulder are gone now that I understood the situation?

No matter, I could already guess what he want to say.

"Sakaki Hiyama, you are a Hero of Eos. A world that were far more cruel and savage than the world where you came from, yet you're able to survive and leaves a mark of your name in that kind of world. Even though some of it must be because the Divine Blessing that was given to you by some Deity, but your survival are something that were achived by your own hand and you were able to saves the very world you transported too. What is not to be admire and gawk at your success? Still, you must return to your former world... that must be hard for you."

"Pretty hard, just leaving like that without able to say goodbye properly. I'm feeling that the God who summoned me pretty much screams, "Get rekt!" to me. I could only laugh if he did though, he is a God and while I am only a mere human."

"That is why, would you like second chance at the same world even though you will no longer be Sakaki Hiyama, the Hero and the very person you are now?"

"Just as I thought," I scoffed while I tilted my head to the direction of Xinliux, "Aren't you guys suppose to give me some role then?"

"We shall not, you shall able to live freely with your life. Your destiny lies on your own hand, the way it entwines... it's up to you, as you were the one who grasp and weave it."

This is rich!

I am unable to surpress my laugh anymore.

Whether this was some sort of trick or indeed the work of God of Comedy himself, I just couldn't contain my excitement.

I am excited not because I was able to go the same world that I save years ago, this feeling of excitement bursting out because what Xinlius say after that.

My destiny lies on my own hand, these very word are working like some magic incantation that makes electricity running intto my whole body.

The past of being Hero, the past of being Office Worker, the past of being Contractor, most part of my memory saying that I was never even free from the very start of my life. And the God here, Xinlius just said that I was going to be the one who grasp and weave my destiny.

My own fate that previously ended in gruesome manner...

This time, I was the one who will decide how it starts and how it ended!

"But," Xinlius spoke once more, looking at me who calms down after thrown into a burst of laugh, "If you ever disrupt the balance of Eos then we shall sent the hammer of divinity, please do remember that."

I only nod while giving him a wide smile.

"Do I look like that sorts of troublemaker? Of course, I shall not. If my ways of living disrupt Eos then there's something wrong with me at that time. You already know what I seek, do you Xinlius?"

"Peaceful life, huh?"

"A life where I could spend time without much trouble or none at the best. That's what I seek, and I if what you said is true then what I seek is near, no, they definitely right in front of my eyes," My heads nodding like crazy, "Hum! This is even more tempting than go to heaven! I even could do some of my unfinished business in Eos."

Curious, Xinlius then asked to me.

"What is this unfinished business?"

"You think I already feel satisfied just by beating the Demon Lord, Hell no my dear God, Xinlius. I want to do some adventure! Getting companion and strengthen my bonds with them! So many things that seems mundane, yet in my eyes they are enticing."

"Ah, I see. You seek life as an Adventurer. You were Hero, in your previous time in Eos so your room of movement are limited."

"You get it right!"

I looks satisfied, Xinlius also looks the same.

We both then do a handshake.

"Did you accept the offer of being reincarnated then?"

"Sure, I mean, yes!"

"Then you shall depart soon after everythings sort out."

I decided, I'll live my second life!