The world of Somy stretched out beneath a brilliant sky, bathed in the shimmering hues of dawn. Deep within the vast, untamed forest of Ashenwood, monsters roamed freely. The ancient dragon, its scales like molten fire, ruled as the strongest, while the tiniest slimes, jiggling aimlessly, represented the weakest among them. Balance was crucial to this world, where creatures of all kinds lived by a law of power and survival.
Far above this world, beyond the mortal realm, the three Supreme Deities watched over their creation. The Creator, The Preserver, and The Destroyer performed their divine tasks in harmony, cycling through creation and destruction as they saw fit. The world was imbued with magic—six primary elements: wind, earth, water, fire, light, and dark. Each type played a role in keeping the world vibrant and alive, yet this world held even greater secrets and deeper powers.
In a realm apart from Somy, in a place of steel towers, electricity, and modern technology, a young man stood on a crowded street. His life, once filled with misery, neglect, and endless burdens, had been one of deep despair. But today, his story was about to take an unexpected turn.
---
Ryu Takahashi was no stranger to sorrow. His heart had grown weary after years of enduring endless misfortune. Each day had blurred into the next, and hope had long abandoned him. Until the accident—an accident so absurd it felt like the gods themselves had made a mistake.
One moment he was walking home from his job, and the next, everything went black.
When he opened his eyes, Ryu was no longer in Japan. He found himself in a swirling void, surrounded by nothingness. Before him stood two figures: one god from his previous world and a god from the one he was about to enter.
"We apologize for the... complication," the god from Earth said, his voice echoing in the void.
"What do you mean... 'complication'?" Ryu asked, still disoriented by his surroundings.
The god from Somy, a being cloaked in radiant light, stepped forward. "It appears that your death was not intended. A clerical error, if you will."
Ryu blinked in disbelief. "So I died... by mistake?"
The god from Earth nodded, his expression a mix of guilt and nonchalance. "It happens. Rarely, but it does."
The god from Somy continued, "As compensation, you shall be reborn in our world, Somy, with the powers of both our domains. Consider it a second chance—a fresh start."
Ryu's heart raced. A second chance? After everything he had endured? He looked up, hope flickering in his eyes for the first time in what felt like forever. "What kind of powers?"
"The gods have bestowed upon you the magic of all elements—wind, earth, water, fire, light, dark—as well as powers beyond mortal comprehension. Space magic, god-matter manipulation, immortality… the list goes on."
The Earth god added, "You'll also retain the knowledge of your previous life. Every art, every sword style, every martial art—everything."
Ryu's mind whirled at the possibilities. This was beyond his wildest dreams. But then, the gods spoke in unison:
"However, there is one curse you must bear."
Ryu's newfound excitement faltered. "Curse?"
"You will never be a master of anything," the god of Somy said, his voice heavy. "Though you possess limitless potential and boundless knowledge, you will never be able to perfect any skill. You will forever be on the path but never at its end."
Ryu clenched his fists, feeling a pang of disappointment. But after the life he had lived, this curse felt trivial compared to the gift of a new life.
"We have said all we need to," the god from Earth finished. "Now, go and live your new life."
Before Ryu could respond, the void collapsed, and he was enveloped by light.
---
When he awoke, Ryu found himself lying on the soft ground, the scent of fresh grass filling his nostrils. The forest around him was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. His body was different—stronger, leaner, more capable. He wasn't the same broken man from Japan anymore.
He sat up, feeling the flow of magic inside him. The world of Somy was vast and alive, and he could sense it all. With a mere thought, he conjured fire into his palm, then extinguished it. He could manipulate water from the nearby stream, summon gusts of wind, and even shift the earth beneath his feet.
As he stood, he noticed a faint glow emanating from his hand—an aura of power that surpassed anything a normal human could wield. Yet, despite this overwhelming strength, he felt a strange emptiness. The gods' curse was real. No matter how much he practiced or how much power he held, true mastery would always elude him.
But Ryu wasn't about to let that stop him.
"Alright, Somy," he muttered under his breath, "let's see what you've got."
---
As Ryu wandered through the forest, he encountered creatures both wondrous and terrifying. Slimes, the weakest of monsters, shied away from him, sensing his immense power. Yet, deeper within the woods, he felt the presence of something far more dangerous.
The dragon.
Its fiery breath lit up the sky as it soared above the treetops, its massive wings casting a shadow over the land. It was the strongest of the forest monsters, a creature whose mere presence could turn the tides of battle.
Ryu stood his ground, watching as the dragon circled above. For a moment, his heart raced with the thrill of challenge, but then he remembered the curse. Even if he fought the dragon, he would never truly master the skills needed to defeat it with grace.
Still, he couldn't help but smile. This world was full of mysteries, and though he wasn't a master of anything, he had all the time in the world to explore them. After all, he was immortal now.
And his journey had only just begun.