A pure, blinding light filled the room. For a moment, I thought I had been evicted and was basking in the morning sun—but that wasn't it.
A deep voice, almost mechanical, spoke to me.
"Child, welcome to the 'Gate.' Congratulations on dying. I..."
After a short pause, the voice continued.
"I am God."
My heart pounded as memories of my entire life flooded back. Surprisingly, I felt calm. I had truly died. Slowly, I parted my lips to speak.
"Hi, God. Have you come to fetch me to serve as an angel warrior?"
As a child, I had been a devout believer. I prayed every night, asking to be cleansed of my sins and to serve God as an angel warrior in the afterlife. But as I grew older, I lost my way. Survival and comfort became my only goals.
God then spoke again.
"No. You lived a broken life. You were a broken child. The world gave up on you. I want to give you what you've always wanted—a life in a world of fantasy."
"Is this one of those reincarnation stories—like in anime, manga, manhwa, or light novels? I was obsessed with those back then. Oh, how the world has changed."
"Yes, you will be reincarnated. You will live peacefully in this new world—for the first 20 years of your life."
"Twenty? What's up with that? Am I gonna die in my twenties again?"
"No. In 20 years, the Demon King will be reborn. All monsters will be under his command. There will be nowhere to hide."
Hearing this, I clenched my fists.
'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I don't know anymore!'
"Hey, I can hear your thoughts too, you know?"
"WHAT?! Why can't I just live happily for once?"
"Because this used to be your dream. You need to do this. I believe you're the only one who can save the world."
"The world doesn't need to be saved…"
"It does. Let's stop this back and forth. Let's get moving."
"Moving? Wher—"
Before I could finish, God cut me off.
"Ransu Midori, you will gain abilities, skills, and the chance to choose your race."
"Wow. That's the first time you said my name. I thought I missed the intro."
"Ransu, come forward."
Without hesitation, I stepped toward God.