[Kazuto Kurogane, you have been chosen by the gods to be the hero who would save a world from the destructive forces of evil!]
My mind was reeling with confusion and disbelief. A hero? Chosen by gods? This was beyond anything I could have ever imagined, especially considering the perilous situation I found myself in.
The wind howled around us, threatening to push me off the precarious ledge of the colossal tower. Far below, darkness loomed, and I could feel the void pulling at me, daring me to take one wrong step.
Her presence, however, was mesmerizing. She looked like a being from a different realm, with her flowing silver hair and eyes that held the secrets of the universe.
"Wait a minute... you're... the Grim Reaper, right?!" I blurted out, remembering the eerie aura that surrounded her when she first appeared.
[ I'M NOT THE GRIM REAPER!!... I'M A GODDESS....THE GODDESS OF HOPE!]
A goddess of hope? This was all too surreal.
" Oh my apologies... goddess of hope, what do you mean I've been chosen to save a world?... I don't quite get it."
[ Let me explain it to you... In another world, there is an endless war between humans and demons that has been raging on for decades, and the heroes who were meant to resolve this war opened up their hearts to corruption by the forces of evil....]
Her words painted a bleak picture of a world torn apart by conflict and darkness.
[.... We gods can't intervene with conflicts between mortals, so we decided to pick a single mortal capable of changing the world's fate. And you, Kazuto Kurogane, have been chosen to save the world from the clutches of evil.]
The weight of her words settled upon me, and I felt a mixture of fear and determination. Me, a savior of an entire world? It was too much to comprehend.
"Yeah, miss, you guys got the wrong guy.... I'm a total loser who just screws up everything he does.... I can't be a he-"
SMACK!!
"Ah!!... Why did you smack me again!!"
"Are you doubting the choices of the gods?!"
"I... well"
Her aura intensified, making me feel as if I stood before an ancient force that could shake the very foundations of existence. I gulped, realizing that questioning her might not be the best idea. Strangely enough, I couldn't help but notice that she wore a school uniform, but now was not the time to bring it up. [Though I am curious... I probably shouldn't bring it up]
"You belittle yourself too much, mortal... You may have had it rough in this life, but this is a chance for you to start over with a new one... And this time you will have the blessings of the gods."
Her words struck a chord within me. A chance for a new life, a fresh start... Maybe I could finally leave behind my insecurities and fears.
"Hey goddess, do you really believe I could save that world?"
I needed to know her confidence in me before making such a life-altering decision.
"With that attitude, definitely not!"
"Ergh!"
"You have to stop dwelling in the past and look forward to a better future."
A better future. Those words resonated deep within my soul. If I embraced this opportunity, maybe I could become the person I always wanted to be.
"Yeah, a better future! Hey goddess, I'll do it.... I'll start a new life and save that world."
"It's about time you made up your mind. I was sick of trying to console you!"
Her straightforwardness caught me off guard, but it also brought a faint smile to my face. She truly was a goddess, both awe-inspiring and refreshingly candid.
"Alright, mortal, hold my hand."
Her offer startled me, but I trusted her, and I reached out to take her hand.
As I held her hand, a strange sensation washed over me. My body felt light, as if I were weightless, and a warm glow enveloped me.
I looked down and gasped as I saw my body slowly fading away, starting from my feet and working its way upward.
"Whoa!"
"Kazuto Kurogane.... Lucky for you, I'll be accompanying you on your journey in order for you to get accustomed to this new world you're about to venture into... So brace yourself... We're gonna have hard times ahead of us."
The world around me blurred, and I could feel myself leaving this reality behind.
'Mei! Even if it was all pretend, I still cherished the moments we shared together. And for that, I give you my thanks. But....'
As my body vanished, I had one last impulse.
I extended my left hand, the last part of me still visible, and gave my middle finger.
"FUCK YOU ALL!!!!"
Unexpectedly, the goddess burst into laughter.
"Huh!?"
"You are one interesting mortal!"
And with that, I finally vanished from this life, headed for the new one that awaited me.