God Of Sleep

I chose the god race. As I clicked the screen, it suddenly turned red, and black warning signs popped out.

[Warning: You selected "God" as your race. This action will alert the protectors. Do you wish to remain anonymous?]

I wanted to enjoy my life; I didn't want to become a hero or a savior. It would be nice If I could sleep with a woman beside me. Great power would come with great relaxation time. Stupid people played the hero--great people became villains. I wanted to discover this wonderful world, so I didn't want anyone to disturb my plans.

"I would like to remain anonymous."

[Confirmed. Race change Is processing to "God." It will be painful.]

A golden stream flushed out of the screen--it took the shape of nothingness but had the form of a ten-year-old boy. The boy was exhausted. His eyes kept closing, and he yawned and spoke to me.

"Do you like to sleep?"

"All I do is sleep. Who are you?

The boy began to speak, but the system blocked every word he uttered. I needed to do something to get qualification points.

After he finished his speech, he yawned.

"I will rest now. Don't wake me up."

The boy transformed into a dark, shining sword and threw himself at me. I was a little surprised, but it wasn't fear. The beauty of the sword had the comfort of parental warmth. I stood still, not able to move. The closer the blade got, the more the gate of my heart began to open. Then it peacefully thrust into my chest and disappeared. It felt like I had gained a second heart.

Fahima spoke again.

[Congratulations on becoming a God of Sleep, and I wish you a great sleep]

God of Sleep sounded fantastic for someone who liked to sleep a lot. It was a fitting name for me.

Fahima had never honored me before, but her voice was soothing to hear. I couldn't wait anymore--I wanted to leave this creepy cave and journey the world.

"Thanks, but how do I get out of this cave? I want to go on an adventure."

[You should be able to leave after you defeat the Guardian of Lethe]

I was relieved. Finally, I would be leaving this place. Then I registered the last words, and my heart began to coil in fear. I didn't have experience fighting, and I didn't know what kind of powers a Guardian would have. I needed a sensei.

I saw that I hade the skill "Worldly Summon."

"Fahima, what does Worldly Summon mean?"

[You can summon legendary figures from different worlds, fiction or non-Fiction, by calling their hidden names, but right now, you can't gather them]

I sighed. "I need my memories, right?"

[Yes, but cheer up--you should be able to receive enough qualification points after you defeat the Guardian of Lethe]

"Before I fight the Guardian, I need you to explain my powers to me." I didn't want to get into a fight I was going to lose. After I announced to Fahima that I wanted to learn, she began to explain the improved information on my status screen.

I asked for an explanation of "Sleep and Imagination."

[Sleep: Ω]

[Since you are a God of Sleep, you have authority over sleep, dreams, and nightmares, but you are also affected by the Poppies of Eternal Slumber. Locked, Need Qualification Points.]

[Imagination: ∞]

[A God of Sleep also has authority over imagination. You control dreams, and without imagination, dreams fall apart. Your mind is key. Locked, Need Qualification Points.]

It was a vague explanation, but it was better than nothing. I didn't ask about the other categories--they were easy to understand. Magic and skills were pretty straightforward, and I just hadn't learned any yet. Speed, wealth, and strength had me confused, though. A lot of my powers didn't make sense to me. Why would a God of Sleep need wealth or speed?

And every time I asked, I was rejected. I didn't know why I am being cautious. It was time to get out of this cave and find the guardian.

I began walking until I ended up where I had started. I wandered around in a circle, forgetting my helper until the thought of her voice reminded me.

"Fahima, how do I find the Guardian?"

[Stand in the middle of the river and release your magic]

"That sounds easy, but I don't know how to release my magic."

[Don't worry," she said, "I will guide you]

I walked toward the center of the river. Before I arrived, the water began to boil, and the whole river turned into black smoke. The invisibility became nonexistent, and the closer I got to my goal, the more of my memories faded away. Then I heard Fahima's voice.

[You have to absorb Lethe, the River of Forgetfulness, to awaken the Guardian]

"How do I absorb the river, and what do you mean, the River of Forgetfulness?"

[You don't have--]

"I get it. I need qualification points. Hurry up and explain how I release my magic."

[Everyone and everything in this world has an element of mana inside of it, and to release mana, you need to awaken the magical aspects inside of you. Sit down in the center of the river and meditate]

I sat down in the middle of the yellow river, naked. I crossed my legs and closed my eyes, then started to breathe in a slow rhythm. It wasn't long before I felt warm and unknown energy entering my body, a stream flowing through me. Then I couldn't breathe anymore. The power started to leak out. I heard a familiar voice nagging me.

"Didn't I say don't wake me up? You can't even absorb this little mana, and you call yourself a god? You're lucky--this king is merciful and will help you this time."

I recognized the voice, but I couldn't figure out who it belonged to.

"Who are you?"

The voice started to answer my question, but the system again blocked the information.

After the voice faded, it absorbed the leaking mana and swollen the yellow river. I opened my eyes, and I was surprised to see the beautiful yellow river was gone. A white dragon had taken its place. It had the elegant look of royalty; its shining golden armor complimented its gorgeous eyes. It had two wings, but one was damaged. I was admiring the dragon's beauty when a sound like an alarm went off inside of my head.

[Congrats, you have found the Guardian.]