In a quiet corner of the city, William Arnold lived a simple life. Every day he went about his daily activities like an ordinary person, going to work, shopping, and going through a routine that often seemed monotonous. However, one afternoon, fate decided to interrupt his peace.
Carrying shopping bags, William had just left the supermarket when he heard the sound of fast footsteps behind him. Before he could react, a sharp pain stabbed his back. He fell, feeling the heat spreading from the wound caused by a thief who had stabbed him after stealing from the same store. The world seemed to fade before him, and slowly everything turned dark.
In the silent darkness, William thought that his end had come. However, instead of going into nothingness, he woke up in an unfamiliar place, before a black-robed figure that radiated a cold and intangible aura. The God of Death, a being who carried the spirits of those who had passed away, stood before him.
"Forgive me, William Arnold," said a low voice that echoed around him. "Your death was a mistake that should not have happened. I should have protected you from this fate."
William was stunned, but beneath his confusion, his kindness emerged. Instead of anger, he smiled weakly and said, "It's okay… Life is full of unexpected things. Maybe this is my destiny."
The eyes of the God of Death, Dereus, glowed a little softer at those words. "Your kindness will not be forgotten, William. In return, I will give you a second chance. You will be reborn in a different world—a world full of wonders, where you can live a life that may be more colorful."
However, Dereus warned him, "But remember, the power you will gain is not yours to choose. I can only grant you a blessing as a token of my apology. With it, you will gain a unique, special power."
With those words, Dereus waved his hand, and a shining goddess stepped out of the shadows. Erphyr, the gentle goddess of healing, gave William a peaceful smile.
"We cannot let you go without sufficient provisions," Erphyr said in a melodious voice. "As a token of our affection, I will grant you powerful healing abilities."
William felt an unimaginable power welling up within him. "Infinite Void"—a blessing from Dereus that allowed him to empty a target's mind and drain their energy. Meanwhile, from Erphyr, he gained "Control Heal," the ability to create a healing zone that could heal the wounds of anyone within it.
With these two powers, William felt like he had been reborn, in the truest sense of the word.
"Welcome to your new world, William Arnold," Dereus said in a deep voice. "Your quiet life may not be easy. In the kingdom of Nolwer, where you will start over, a much greater darkness looms. In the past, the Demon King sealed by King Georgi Illig will rise again, and an even more powerful enemy awaits at the end of your destiny. The Primordial Darkness—Null—will once again threaten."
William stared at the two gods, a little afraid, but also filled with curiosity. "No matter what happens, I just want to live in peace," he murmured. However, deep in his heart, he knew that perhaps his destiny was more than just a quiet life.
From the darkness, light began to illuminate the world before him. William opened his eyes, and before him lay a new world—full of opportunities, dangers, and mysteries waiting to be solved.