1 Blessing of the Gods

After a blinding flash of light, I found myself in a completely different environment. The living room was spacious and decorated with a rustic yet elegant touch. The dark wooden walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and a stone fireplace, with a crackling fire, cast dancing shadows across the room. The aroma of herbal tea wafted through the air.

In front of me sat a man with a long white beard that reached his waist. His eyes were deep and sparkled with ancient wisdom. He wore a white robe that seemed to be made of celestial silk, shimmering slightly in the firelight. He was seated cross-legged next to a small table with a steaming teapot and two cups.

"So... Hirako Yuki... to sum up... you died!" he said, his voice both friendly and imposing.

"I died? So that's what happened... Well, there's nothing I can do about it," I replied, accepting the reality with a strange calm. I was a young man of average height, with messy black hair and brown eyes that reflected confusion and acceptance at that moment.

"It was truly tragic. Who would have thought you would die of hunger... I hope that doesn't happen to anyone; I wouldn't wish that on anyone," he said, his expression softening slightly.

"I understand. But you seem very calm for someone who just died," he observed, raising a thick eyebrow.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it anyway," I repeated, trying to absorb as much information as possible.

"Okay... So, where am I going? Hell? Heaven?"

"No, I will reincarnate you immediately!" he announced with a gleam in his eyes.

"Reincarnate?"

"Yes, your life was truly miserable, and although you did not make any major contributions, I will make an exception and reincarnate you."

"Really?! Okay!"

"Are you okay with that? Aren't you going to ask me where I'm sending you?"

"Well, I already think I'm very lucky to be able to live again. So..."

"I'm basically fine with anything."

"Hmmm... Right... But it would be good for me to inform you first, the place where I will send you is what you guys on Earth call a fantasy world."

"Fantasy world? Like those with demons, dragons, and the like?"

"That's right! That's where I'm going to send you."

"Okay, so... do I have a mission or something?"

"No, you can do whatever you want."

"Right."

"Do you have any requests? Since I'm going to reincarnate you, you can ask me for something."

"A request... It would be nice if I could communicate with the inhabitants of this new world... And, if possible, I would like to be able to read too."

"This is simple, I will provide it... But this does not count as a request."

"Really? Thanks, then."

"It would be great if you could leave me in a quiet place."

"Quiet? How come?"

"Well, as you may know, my life was not one of the best..."

"Okay, I saw your story."

"So you must know that... humans are not always good. If you can leave me in a quiet place, it would be the best."

"I understand, but this is also a small thing for me. You know this world has magic; wouldn't you like to ask me to be the strongest or something?"

"Magic? Well... I'm not going to say I'm not interested, but... I don't want to live my life fighting... I don't think I need to be the strongest or anything."

"I see, you are a rare case. Usually, I am asked to be the strongest, or for a legendary weapon or something."

"Hm... I like farming, would it be possible for me to have something related to this?"

"Farming? Really?"

"Yes, if possible, I want to live a comfortable life."

"Well... this is not my area of expertise... Wait a moment, I'll talk to someone responsible for this."

With that, he made some complex gestures that glowed with golden light and seemed to be conversing with someone invisible. It was as if the air around him vibrated with power.

...

"Okay! Okay so, yes, I think he'll like it!"

...

"Well, Yuki, I spoke to the God of Agriculture. He liked your request and will give you his blessing."

"Oh, wonderful, if possible, thank him for me."

"Right! But this doesn't count as a request to me, so you can still choose something."

"Hm, I'm really fine with that..."

"You must ask for something! Or else that fellow will be talking about it for millennia."

"That fellow?"

"Hmm, you just received his blessing! So choose something from me!"

"I see... Well, if he is the God of Agriculture, what god are you?"

"Me?... I'm the God of Creation."

"Creation?... Then... could you give me knowledge?"

"Knowledge? What kind of knowledge?"

"Well, I will be in a new world and... I don't know exactly what the things found there are for..."

"I see... Wait a moment..."

...

"Oh, right!"

"Really? Are you going to give your blessing?"

"Okay, I'll let him know."

...

"Well, Yuki... The Goddess of Wisdom said she will give you her blessing!"

"Oh, how lucky. Well... Thank her on my behalf too."

"Hmmm... Okay. After all, this was not a request for me either! Choose something else."

"Hm... well... I'm quite satisfied already and..."

"Make your wish!"

It seems I made the god a little angry. Seriously, that is not my intention.

"Okay..."

...

After just over two hours and several blessings...

"Can you... please... make a request for me..."

Seriously... I'm starting to think he's trying to cry...

"Even if you say that..."

"Yuki, you only made requests that are outside my area of expertise. If you continue like this, I will be a laughing stock among the gods..."

"Well, then... How about you decide for me?"

"Give me something you think I need..."

"Hm... this will work! Great, I'll do it now!"

"With that settled, I will send you to the new world! I wish you good luck!"

"Thank you..."

...

A flash of light appeared again, and I lost consciousness. It seems that the transport of the gods is based on flashes of light; it's not very convenient to pass out every time...

When I woke up, I was in a dense forest. The trees around me were immense, with thick trunks and roots that extended across the moss-covered ground. Sunlight barely passed through the canopies, creating a shadowy and mysterious environment.

Well, it seems that God really granted my request since I am not in a populated place.

After all, I don't feel anything different about myself, considering that I received the blessing of several gods.

That was not my intention, but... everything I asked the God of Creation was outside his area of expertise, and with that, I ended up receiving the blessing of many gods. After that information spread, several other gods gave me their blessings. Seriously, I don't even remember their number...

Now that I think about it... the God of Creation didn't tell me what he gave me... Well, it mustn't be bad for me.

...

What I need to know now is where I am... I need to look around to familiarize myself.

I chose a random direction and started walking.

As I walked through the forest, everything around me was just enormous trees. I just say trees, but... they were huge, definitely not ordinary trees.

After a five-minute walk, I heard the sound of running water; there must be a river nearby.

I followed the sound until I found a crystal-clear stream. The water flowed gently over the stones, creating a soothing melody. I knelt and dipped my hands in the cold water, feeling its purity and freshness. I drank some and, as I stood up, I noticed that the forest was teeming with life - small animals peeking through the leaves, and colorful birds singing in the trees.

I was alone, but for the first time in a long while, I felt true peace.