Chereads / True Light / Chapter 2 - Divine Encounter

Chapter 2 - Divine Encounter

Liam's eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar, blinding white light. He blinked several times, his vision slowly adjusting to the stark surroundings. The room he found himself in was devoid of any decor, a blank canvas with smooth, white walls that seemed to stretch endlessly. The only items in the room were a simple wooden table and two chairs, facing each other in the center of the space.

His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the room, trying to make sense of his situation. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was the crash—the screams, the blood, the horrible sight of his friends' injured bodies. He instinctively touched his face, expecting to feel blood or bruises, but his skin was smooth, unharmed. Panic began to creep in, but he forced himself to stay calm. There had to be an explanation.

Taking a deep breath, Liam approached the table and hesitated for a moment before pulling out one of the chairs and sitting down. The chair creaked softly under his weight, the sound almost deafening in the silent room. No sooner had he settled into the chair than the space across from him seemed to shimmer and distort. Before he could react, a figure appeared in the opposite chair.

Liam's breath caught in his throat. The person sitting across from him looked exactly like Raphael—his best friend, the one person he had been thinking about the most. But something was off. The aura, the presence, it was entirely different. The smile on the figure's face was serene, but there was a knowing glint in his eyes that set Liam on edge.

"Who...who are you?" Liam asked, his voice steady despite the confusion and fear bubbling inside him.

The figure's smile widened slightly, as if amused by Liam's composure. "Even when faced with someone who looks like your dearest friend, you didn't falter. I must say, I'm impressed." The voice was calm, almost soothing. "I am God, or at least, the one overseeing your reincarnation into another world."

Liam blinked, the words slowly sinking in. Reincarnation? Another world? His heart raced as he tried to process what this so-called god was telling him. But instead of giving in to the panic, he forced himself to think. If this really was God, then there had to be a reason behind all of this.

"Is there a purpose behind my reincarnation?" Liam asked, his voice betraying only a hint of the anxiety he felt. "Or am I just being sent off without any direction...or any gifts?"

The god chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the empty room. "Of course, you won't be sent off empty-handed. You'll receive powers—five of them, to be exact. But be warned, each comes with its own drawbacks, so choose wisely."

As soon as the words left the god's mouth, the room around them began to shift. The white walls melted away, replaced by what seemed like a massive glass display stretching infinitely in all directions. Behind the glass were countless orbs, each representing a different skill or ability. They glowed softly, casting ethereal lights that danced across the room.

Liam felt a wave of dizziness as he tried to comprehend the sheer number of options before him. Each orb seemed to pulse with power, some with dark, ominous energy, others with light and purity. It was overwhelming. These were the powers he could choose from, but how was he supposed to make such a decision? He knew nothing about this new world or its dangers.

But then, a thought crossed his mind. What would Raphael do in this situation? His friend had always been decisive, clever. Liam closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and let his instincts guide him. He quickly selected five skills, each one calling to him in a way he couldn't quite explain. When he opened his eyes again, the five orbs floated before him, their light now more vibrant than before.

The god, who had been watching silently, raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Liam's choices. "I must admit, your selection is...unexpected. You've chosen wisely, yet with a strategy that even I didn't foresee."

Liam didn't respond, his mind still focused on what lay ahead. The god sighed, a look of mild amusement crossing his face as he continued. "Now that you've made your choices, understand this: you're not the only one who has been reincarnated with five skills. Others like you exist, each with different abilities. But know that the skills you've chosen are unique, mythical even. They cannot be replicated. Any attempt to do so will result in far weaker imitations."

Liam nodded, absorbing the god's words. His mind was already racing with possibilities, strategies, ways to use these powers to survive in this new world. He had no idea what to expect, but he was determined to make the most of it.

"How will I be sent to this new world?" Liam asked, his voice calm now that the initial shock had worn off. "Will I be teleported there as I am, or will I be reborn as a child?"

The god's expression shifted slightly, a hint of something Liam couldn't quite place—maybe uncertainty? "Even I do not know the answer to that," the god replied. "You could arrive fully grown, or you could be reborn as a small child. Fate has a way of deciding these things."

As the god spoke, the ground beneath Liam began to shift, and a circular ring with strange, glowing letters appeared, stretching from the floor to the sky above. The god looked at him one last time, his expression unreadable, and whispered, "So, he chose you, huh?"

Before Liam could ask what the god meant, the room was engulfed in a blinding light. He felt his body being pulled, stretched, and then—nothing.

When the light faded, Liam found himself standing on the edge of a dense forest, a vast meadow stretching out before him. The air was fresh, the sky clear, and for a moment, he just stood there, breathing in the unfamiliar scents of this new world. He felt different, stronger, more alive. But before he did anything else, he needed to understand what powers he had received.

Taking a deep breath, Liam muttered the word that came to his mind. "[Profile]."

In response, a translucent screen appeared before him, listing out his current status:

[Profile]

Liam Hemsworth

Health: Average

Strength: Greater than average

Agility: Greater than average

Defense: Less than average

Dexterity: Less than average

Luck: Average

[Possessed Skills]

Description unavailable due to seal

• [Brew of Forbidden Arts]

• [Auto Counter]

• [Divine Shield]

• [Empowerment]

• [Mark]

[Inherited Skills]

• [Forbidden Library: Mind Palace]

• [True Light]

[Body Restricted Skills, Blessings, Curses, Abnormal States, etc. unavailable to find]

[Titles]

• Overworlder

• Curse Lord

• Shield of Hope

Current titles don't have any effects.

No accessories having special effects detected.

Liam couldn't help but smile as he reviewed his new abilities. Despite the uncertainty, despite the dangers that lay ahead, he felt a sense of excitement. He was ready to face this new world and whatever challenges it had in store for him.

This was just the beginning.