Chapter 02: The Loneliness of Eternity

"I see, I see. A profound insight into life."

The goddess nodded several times with her eyes closed, savoring her cup of tea as if she understood the deep secrets of existence.

However, at my short 18 years, I did not expect my life to end so soon. If only I hadn't gotten sick... I really would have enjoyed that world more. There were so many things I wanted to do. Have fun... and maybe even get a girlfriend.

I took another sip of tea. By the way, it's really delicious! It's probably because it's prepared by a goddess. My palates had long ago lost the pleasure of feeling the flavors, so I considered myself lucky to drink something so delicious alongside a goddess.

"Now what really puzzles me is, where will I go from here, to paradise or to hell?"

While she said I would be going to hell, she soon emphasized that it was just a joke. A sick joke that nearly killed me.

"Actually, paradise and hell... there are no such places. I still haven't told you the real reason for your presence." She settled back with airs of nobility and a small smile.

"Let me guess, you were bored and needed me to entertain you?"

"That's right- Wait! No! I meant to say yes, but no..." Her noble bearing suddenly deflated and she began to look everywhere but at me. Her blue eyes reflected an existential crisis.

'Heh, she can be cute sometimes.' I couldn't help but laugh at her puzzled expression.

"Ahem." She cleared her throat, " Although I was a little bored, that's not the main thing. I want to ask you a small favor!"

"Can't you do it? You are a goddess after all."

If someone with divine powers couldn't, what could I, who had literally just died, do?

"Normally, souls go through Purgatory, where memories are erased and then reincarnated into a new life form. Also, there is a rule against returning to the original world." She paused a little and continued, "But I will make an exception in your case. You will not be reincarnated, you will live again! Unfortunately I can't break the other law, so you won't be able to return to your world."

"Really?"

Hey, you didn't answer my question, goddess....

"You can be revived in another world with your memories. To start a so-called second life. Of course, if you agree to this circumstance."

"I understand, but what do you want in return, why are you doing this for me?"

I knew that nothing in life, nor in death, was free. A goddess would not go to the trouble of reviving me without asking for something. Besides, she had already clearly stated, "I want you to do something for me." And I doubted that a goddess's request would be so simple.

However, I was glad to know that I could refuse her offer if the task turned out to be too outrageous.

"I want you to do... nothing."

"H-Huh?" I, who was looking at her earnestly, waiting for her conditions, stammered like a fool, not understanding anything. What do she mean, do nothing? Could the requests of a goddess be more contradictory?

"Just as you heard it. All I want is for you to revive in a world and do whatever you want. My purpose is limited to observing your adventures." She said that with a proud smile.

"..."

"... In short, you're bored, aren't you?"

"No, no, no!" She vigorously denied while waving her arms in the air.

Then I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. She averted her gaze.

"Well, yes."

"..."

"Maybe a little. A lot..."

She avoided my gaze and took another sip of her tea. Haah, this goddess...

"Are you absolutely sure there's nothing strange about your offer, it's not some trap to trap me later?"

"Mou~ I really don't hold a grudge against you. As the strongest goddess, if I wanted to harm you I would just poof!" She made a gesture of snapping her little fingers.

I really doubt that now...

Jiiiiiiii~~~~~~~~

"W-Why are you looking at me like that, you scare me!" She said that while her shoulders were shaking. She laughed like it was all a joke, though.

A vein popped in my head. This goddess really knew how to play with human patience. In the end, I could only sigh.

"Good. I understand the circumstances of your position. It must be difficult for a goddess like you to have fun, or at the very least, find a friend."

"Ughh!" She made a strange noise holding a hand to her chest dramatically, as if an arrow had pierced it. How exaggerated!

I looked around us and understood her reasons: this place lacked emotion. I looked pitifully at the goddess who looked truly pitiful.

"I really don't intend to force things. So I'm happy to be revived again."

Despite promising not to force things, I couldn't help but raise my hand like a restless student in the middle of class. "But before that, I have one last question."

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"If you were just looking to be entertained, I'm sure you would have found amusement in watching other mortals. There was no need to revive me in this new world just to see me."

What I wanted to tell her was that she could have watched the antics of other humans from other worlds, and then she would have gotten all the fun and entertainment she was looking for. As much as it pained me to admit it, I'm convinced that there are far more interesting mortals than me running around out there.

"That, huh?" The goddess lifted her gaze to the infinite sky covered in white clouds. I couldn't help but become enraptured watching her ethereal face white as the purest clouds.

"Monotonous," after a few seconds, she said that with a sigh, "That's all I can say about it. No matter how many lives I watch go by, they all follow the same predictable pattern. People live according to the 'fate' already mapped out from birth. None manage to stray from the marked path..."

Although I didn't fully understand what she was referring to, her emotionless voice somehow managed to sink deep into me. I, who focused all my attention on her, wanted to understand her perspective.

"Kaito... Does it bother you when they spoil the anime you're watching?"

"Of course I do!" I replied automatically.

I still remember that horrible day when I logged on to social media and a user had posted a HUGE spoiler about a certain white-haired character split in half. That feeling of having had the surprise ruined was really painful.

The goddess laughed in amusement at my expression. Pouring herself another cup of steaming green tea, she continued, "That feeling of monotony and lack of surprises...is similar to what I experience when witnessing the 'fates' mapped out in advance for all souls."

I wondered if she would drink tea like that every day, to mitigate the boredom of her long-lived existence.

"That's why I've decided to resurrect you." I wasn't an expert at reading expressions or anything like that, but for the first time, I noticed that her smile was sincere. "I want you to be reborn in a world of your choosing, and for your unpredictable presence to be able to alter the established course of its history."

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If we reach 100 power stones there will be an extra chapter <3< p>