I'm Shun Kirisaki, 18 years old. A shut-in gamer NEET. No family, no work, no girlfriend—and no plans for one, either.
But unlike your average broke NEETs, I'm rolling in money. Why? Because I stream my gameplay online.
That's right—people actually watch me play games and throw money at me. Enough to buy my own house. A pretty sweet deal, huh?
Don't worry, though. I'm not some ugly bastard like those dudes in isekai anime before they reincarnate. If anything, I'd rate myself a solid 7 out of 10. Maybe 8, if I actually slept and ate like a normal person.
But I don't have time for that. Gaming is life. I game 24/7. Baths? Only when I feel like it. Meals? Instant noodles or convenience store snacks—whatever's quick. My genre of choice? Gacha games.
There's just something about that rush of gambling away my hard-earned money (or donations, really) for a chance at my 2D waifus.
Tonight was no different. I'd just burned through half my paycheck trying to pull a rare character. Didn't get her. My heart hurt, but my stomach hurt more. I needed food.
The convenience store was just down the street, so I grabbed my wallet, threw on a hoodie, and stepped outside. Autumn's freezing wind smacked me in the face. Winter was definitely on its way.
It was already midnight, but the city was still alive. Cars zipped by, lights glowing, people living their lives like proper members of society. Couldn't be me. I trudged to the store, grabbed an armful of instant food and energy drinks, and paid. Quick and easy.
On my way back, I was in a rush, eager to get back to my grind. That's when I saw her.
A woman was standing in the middle of the road.
Her figure was hazy, almost like she was wrapped in fog. My first thought? Maybe my eyesight's finally giving up on me. I rubbed my eyes and squinted. Nope, she was still there.
"Hey, miss! It's dangerous out there!" I shouted.
People on the sidewalk gave me weird looks. A guy in a suit even muttered something under his breath about "drunk kids." But the woman? She didn't flinch. Didn't move.
Then I heard it.
The roar of a car engine. A vehicle sped down the street, straight toward her. My heart dropped.
"MOVE!" I yelled, sprinting toward her.
She didn't move. She didn't even look at me.
I didn't think. I just acted. I threw myself forward, arms out, ready to shove her out of the way. But my hands passed right through her.
"What the hell?!" I stumbled, turning to face her. She didn't react. Didn't even acknowledge me.
Was she a ghost?
Before I could process what was happening, the car's horn blared. I turned just in time to see headlights bearing down on me.
And then—impact.
Pain shot through my body, sharp and overwhelming, before everything went numb. Warm blood pooled around me, but all I felt was cold. My vision blurred, my mind fogged.
In those final moments, all I could think was: My gacha account! My 2D wives! What will happen to them now?!
When I opened my eyes, I was somewhere else entirely.
The room was... weird. Black and white patterns stretched across the floor, walls, and ceiling like some trippy optical illusion. Pillars connected the ground to the roof, and a single black-and-white table stood in the middle of the room.
"Where... am I?" I muttered, my voice echoing slightly.
A deep voice boomed from nowhere.
"Why don't you sit for a while... kid?"
I looked around but couldn't see anyone. The voice was creepy, sure, but the chair by the table looked surprisingly comfy. So, I sat.
As soon as I did, another chair appeared across from me. Then, a figure materialized.
It was an old man, dressed like he'd stepped out of some ancient temple. He stroked his long beard, looking all wise and godly.
"Boy," he said, his voice carrying a strange weight. "I apologize for your sudden death during your youthful days of... enjoyment."
So I really did die, huh? I guess I'm in heaven. Or some waiting room for dead people.
"Who are you?" I asked cautiously.
"This is my sanctuary. I am Deus, the god of the universe."
I blinked at him. "A god? Me? I'm just some guy. Why'd you bring me here? Am I, like, special or something?"
Deus let out a hearty laugh. "Don't flatter yourself. You're here because I need you to do something for me."
"Yeah, no thanks," I said, leaning back in the chair. "I just want to rest in peace, thanks. Isn't that the whole point of dying?"
His smile twitched slightly. "Oh, but this task is important. You will be reincarnated into another world and must save it from a god who seeks to destroy it."
I squinted at him. "Okay, but... why can't you do that yourself? Aren't you supposed to be, like, omnipotent or whatever?"
Deus sighed, rubbing his hair like I'd just given him a headache. "Because that god is stronger than me."
I stared at him. "You're joking."
He glared back. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
"...So you're sending me to do your dirty work because you're scared?"
His eye twitched. "You're unusually rude for a mortal in my presence. Want me to send you straight to hell?"
I shut up real quick.
"Fine, I'll do it," I said after a long pause. "But what's in it for me? You know, besides the whole 'saving the world' thing?"
Deus's frown softened, and he leaned back in his chair. "You will receive a power that surpasses even gods. A skill that will make you unstoppable. You could fulfill every desire you've ever had—things you could only dream of in your former life."
Now we're talking. "What kind of power?"
Deus stood, raising his hands dramatically. His voice boomed like thunder.
"I will grant you... the ultimate gacha skill!"
I froze. "Wait... gacha?"
He grinned. "Yes. You will have the ability to summon weapons, allies, and powers through a divine gacha system. Luck will be your greatest asset."
I couldn't tell if this was awesome or a cosmic joke. "So... my entire life depends on RNG?"
"Exactly!" Deus said proudly, as if that was supposed to reassure me.
My head hit the table with a loud thunk.
This was going to be one hell of a ride.