Nathan had barely begun to grasp the enormity of his responsibilities as a god when the System chimed again. This time, the message felt heavier, as if the void itself held its breath in anticipation.
"Urgent Notification: High-Potential Soul Requires Immediate Reincarnation."
Nathan frowned, his fingers pausing mid-air as he reviewed the message. He'd only just begun adjusting his world to accommodate the reincarnated souls from Terra, the Earth God. The first wave of ordinary souls was scheduled to arrive soon, giving him precious time to prepare the world for their needs. But this notification felt... different.
"What do you mean, 'high-potential soul?'" he asked the System.
"This soul possesses an extraordinary accumulation of power, will, and latent potential. Other deities have declined to accept it due to the risk it poses to their worlds."
Nathan's mind reeled. A soul too powerful for other gods to handle? What kind of person had this been in their past life?
"And you want me to take them?" he asked, incredulous.
"Correct. The soul's energy aligns with the unique state of your nascent world. It may accelerate development and provide a stabilizing presence, but caution is advised."
Nathan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Of course it's dangerous. Why wouldn't it be?"
Before he could dwell too long on the implications, another presence brushed against his awareness. Nathan recognized it immediately—Terra, the Earth God, returning with the subtle rumble of distant thunder.
"Ah, young one," Terra said, his voice warm but tinged with urgency. "I see you've received the message."
Nathan crossed his arms, eyeing the towering figure with suspicion. "What's the deal with this soul? Why are you pushing it onto me?"
Terra chuckled, though there was a weariness in his tone. "You misunderstand. I am not 'pushing' it onto you. This soul is... unique. Its previous life on Earth was one of unparalleled ambition and strength. A soul like this does not appear often, but when it does, it brings with it both incredible potential and great danger."
"Danger?" Nathan repeated, his unease growing.
"Yes," Terra admitted. "This soul's power is not something to be feared lightly. The other gods, including myself, have deemed it too volatile to introduce into our worlds. Our creations are... delicate. Introducing such an overwhelming force could destabilize them entirely."
"And my world isn't delicate?" Nathan shot back.
Terra smiled faintly. "Your world is different. It is young, flexible, and resilient in ways ours are not. This soul might be the spark it needs to flourish."
Nathan hesitated. The idea of bringing such a powerful being into his fragile world filled him with doubt. What if it disrupted the balance he had worked so hard to establish? What if it turned against him?
But there was another side to the coin. A soul like this could become the cornerstone of his world—a leader, a protector, a figure who could guide the reincarnated humans and help shape their society.
"Do I have a choice in this?" he asked finally.
Terra's expression softened. "You always have a choice, young one. But I believe this soul is destined to play a crucial role in your world's evolution. The decision is yours."
Nathan stared at the notification, his thoughts racing.
"High-Potential Soul Requires Immediate Reincarnation. Accept? Yes/No."
If he said No, the soul would likely remain in limbo, an unresolved anomaly in the cosmic order. If he said Yes, he would be taking a gamble—a gamble that could either propel his world to greatness or tear it apart.
"Alright," he said finally, his voice steady despite the storm of uncertainty within him. "I'll take the soul."
"Confirmation received. Initiating soul transfer..."
The void around him trembled, a deep hum reverberating through the fabric of existence. Nathan braced himself as a swirling vortex of light and energy appeared before him, pulsating with an intensity that made his skin crawl.
From within the vortex, a figure began to emerge.
At first, the figure was formless, a mass of shimmering energy that radiated power. But slowly, it began to coalesce, taking on a humanoid shape.
Nathan watched in awe as the soul solidified, its features becoming distinct. The being appeared to be a young man, perhaps in his mid-twenties, with sharp, angular features and a lean, athletic build. His hair was jet black, contrasting sharply with the faint, golden glow that surrounded him.
But it was his eyes that struck Nathan the most—piercing and intense, like twin suns that burned with an unyielding will.
The man's gaze swept over his surroundings, landing on Nathan. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence stretching into eternity.
Then the man spoke, his voice deep and commanding. "Where... am I?"
Nathan took a step forward, his divine presence subtly radiating authority. "You've been reincarnated," he said, keeping his tone calm but firm. "This is a new world, and I am its god."
The man's eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing across his face. "A god, huh? You don't look like much."
Nathan couldn't help but chuckle at the man's bluntness. "Maybe not. But I created this world, and now you're a part of it."
The man crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "Why me? Why this world?"
Nathan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You were... unique in your past life. Too powerful for other worlds to handle. The gods of those worlds refused to take you, but I've decided to give you a chance."
The man's expression shifted, a flicker of something—pride? Gratitude?—crossing his face. "I see. And what's the catch?"
"No catch," Nathan said. "But there are expectations. This world is young, its people and creatures just beginning to find their place. You'll play a key role in shaping its future. Whether you become a leader, a protector, or something else entirely—that's up to you."
The man fell silent, his gaze turning contemplative. After a long moment, he nodded. "Alright. I'll play along. For now."
Nathan guided the man to a secluded area of the world, a lush valley surrounded by mountains and dotted with crystal-clear lakes. It was here that the man's journey would begin, far from the other creatures and the soon-to-arrive reincarnated souls.
Before leaving, Nathan imbued the man with a faint connection to the world's newly added magic system. The man accepted the gift with an almost casual ease, his potential immediately evident as he began to experiment with the Mana around him.
Nathan watched from afar, both fascinated and apprehensive. This single soul, this extraordinary being, could become the cornerstone of his world's future—or its greatest threat.
For now, all Nathan could do was wait and see which path the man would choose.