I will not accept this. Even if you're a god.

Eric Hanover.

When a person was asked what is their impression of him. Many opinions would come.

"A talented young man"

"A Lucky bastard"

"A successful businessman"

"An arrogant guy"

"A man of dream"

Despite how different each and every answer that everyone has given. All of them agreed on one thing.

He is successful as fuck.

His legend started when he was a teenager.

At the age of 17, he began his business.

At the age of 19, his business blew and become an international company.

At the age of 20, his company entered the top 100 biggest companies in the world.

At the age of 22 he became the youngest self-made billionaire.

And now, at the age of 26, he had entered the top 10 richest people in the world.

It felt like a dream. Some kind of a made-up story. A story where Eric is the protagonist and we the people are living inside it.

That was how mind-blowing it is.

Everyone from all over the world was intrigued at what he will do next. At what he will achieve.

Will he expand his business to other fields? Will he be doing charity across the world? Or perhaps he will be found guilty to have done some shady business? After all, it is not easy to achieve even a 1/10 of what he had accomplished.

But whatever it is, whether it is good or bad. Everyone is waiting for it. Hoping that something big will come up.

And indeed, that happened. But not as quite as what they had thought.

…..

Inside a luxurious office. Sat a young man of his 20's.

He was now looking at the view behind him.

Countless skyscrapers were built around his company. And yet, not even a single one of them was equal in height with his own building.

This forces him to look down to view the so-called skyscraper.

Looking at the sight that he had seen countless times. He opened his mouth. As if wanting to speak about something.

And yet he was hesitant to say it.

His mouth freezes midway resulting in his lips only opening ever so slightly.

But even that only lasted for a moment before he finally spoke what was on his mind.

"Tell those annoying reporters, I am going to step down from the company" Eric said to his assistant beside him.

Hearing this for the first time, his assistant was naturally taken off guard.

"What? Sir, what do you mean by that?"

"It is as I said, I am going to leave the company. I want to leave the business world"

"S-sir, please rethink this again. What will happen to our company? Who will be our CEO if you leave?!"

Eric smiled. It was as if he had already foreseen this.

Instead of answering his assistant. He began to speak about another thing.

Eric turns over and looks at his assistant.

"You've been my assistant since the founding of this company right? No matter how high or low the obstacles. You've been by my side, giving me countless advice. Advice that had let this company survive and grow to what it has become"

Eric then continued.

"I've always heard that people called me the greatest businessman ever lived. But honestly, I would consider myself a lucky man instead. To have an assistant as great as you. That is probably the greatest asset that I and the company had ever gain"

The assistant was left dazed. Clearly not knowing what to say.

It was apparent what Eric's intention was to anyone. Eric wanted to make the assistant the CEO of the company.

"…You've helped me paved my way to reach the top. I believe it is time for you to have it yourself"

"Sir…"

"Don't worry about it. I have the majority of voting shares. It's not difficult to convince the board members. This is final"

Glancing at his table. Eric took hold of the glass of coffee in front of him.

He blew the steam a few times before taking a sip.

Eric then noticed that the assistant was still tightly root on his spot. Seemingly unable to process what had happened.

Eric was amused by this. Since the time he had known his assistant. This person had barely shown any expression to any issues in the past.

"To tell you the truth, I've been considering stopping the moment I've become a billionaire. After all, gaining any more money would be meaningless. The only reason I persist is simply that I was curious at how far I can go"

Nostalgia slowly crept up on Eric's eyes. It was as if countless memories flashes by and were played inside his mind, allowing him to recall the arduous path that he had gone through to reach this level.

Seeing the determination in Eric's eyes, the assistant that had only stood silent finally bowed towards him.

It took him a few moments to slowly gather up his thoughts.

"On behalf of the company. We thank you for everything you have done. It is our fortune to have you as our leader"

"…Thank you"

After saying that, silence then filled the room.

It was only after a while did the assistant asks him about something.

"Sir, after this… What are you going to do?"

"Me? Hmm… maybe… playing games?"

"S-sir…"

The assistant was speechless beyond words.

"Hey-hey you don't have to look at me like that. I mean, what else can I do other than that?"

"Marrying?"

"…That, I will think about it later"

From that point on, Eric and his assistant began to talk about the past and the future. But unlike how it had been before, It was a talk not between a boss and an assistant.

But instead, it was a conversation between old friends. Friends that had gone through a lot together. Friends that can be relied upon when the time comes. Friends that will stay by your side no matter the obstacles.

…..

{Night}

Eric arrived at his bedroom.

Just beside his bed was a photo. A family photo.

Walking towards the photo. He held upon it dearly.

"Dad… mom… I'm home"

"Tomorrow, I'm going to visit the grave and bring lots of food"

Eric then giggled at himself.

"Of course, I will not forget to bring lots of eggs for you dad. I won't ever forget that"

"Aah right, I've also just recently found this small bakery that I liked quite a lot. I'm sure, mom will like how sweet the cakes are. Believe me, it is so sweet to the point that it reminds me of your cooking"

After saying that, Eric then lied on his bed.

He began to recount everything that had happened today towards the photo.

…..

"-I really wish you guys saw his face, it was quite a rare expression coming from that poker-face guy. It was really an eye-opener for me…"

Roughly 10 minutes have passed since he began talking. Looking at his hand, an old watch can be seen silently ticking, indicating that it is now 11:40 PM.

It is time for him to sleep.

Sigh~~

Despite being just a sigh, it was a long sigh. And for some magical reason, it had washed away all the fatigues that have accumulated for years since the day he started his business.

He felt like the years of burden that he had been carrying had finally been released and lifted in an instant.

It was a... peculiar feeling.... one of a kind.

"I knew this bed is the best… maybe I should buy the company? …Aah no no, what am I thinking"

Eric began to plan for the next day. He began to think about what he can finally do with the time he has finally regain.

Maybe he can finally reach the highest rank on that game that he had played on when he was a child.

It may not be as popular. But he knows that it is still not a dead game.

'…Tomorrow will be different. There will be no daily email to check, no daily phone call or meeting to go, no project to oversee-'

'…I've been neglecting my duty as a son. I should visit mom and dad's grave early in the morning. After that, I will go to their room and clean it up myself. And then-'

Normally, Eric would have fallen asleep by now. And yet he didn't. He can't. And he doesn't know why.

The answer is his emotions. Eric may not realize this. But right now, his emotions are... unstable. Or mix to be precise.

The excitement of what the future will hold. The fear of the unknown. And finally, hope for a better future.

All of those emotions had been stirred and infused into his mind subconsciously. Filling it to the brim.

With this mix of emotions, slowly but surely, Eric falls asleep.

It was a good night's sleep. A sleep that was not filled with worry about the company or even scheming or planning for his company.

It was truly a good night's sleep.

…..

{Eric's POV}

It was a bright light. So bright that despite closing my eyes, I can still feel it stinging my eyes.

As I blocked the source of light. I slowly opened my eyes to check my surroundings.

And the moment I saw 'It'. My eyes quickly enlarge into a bubble despite how painful it is to be faced by the glaring flare.

It was a being of light. Its figure may be humanoid. But one thing for sure was that it was not a human.

All of a sudden, an androgynous voice came from the entity.

With the domineering presence, the voice was filled with unimaginable pride and dignity.

"Welcome my hero"

The words may seem to be courteous. And yet, not a shred of politeness can be felt from the tone.

"W-what… hero? Me?"

"That is correct. You have been summoned to become a hero"

"What is this… I-I don't understand"

I was confused. What is this? Some kind of prank? A tv show perhaps?

"Please do not worry. Accept this light and you shall understand your duties"

Suddenly a light flew from the being and arrived in front of me. Following that, it then enters my glabella.

In response, all kinds of information were suddenly poured onto me.

W-what… Hero? Demon lord? Demon god?

I am supposed to… defeat them?

This… this is ridiculous!

The information that was given to me was brief but complete. It gave me the reason for why I was summoned. And the task that I must accomplish.

It was so simple that I understood it instantly.

And yet, it felt simply… inconceivable.

How can magic exist? Not only that, a variety of races including humans can use it?

Questions after questions quickly appeared on my mind. Clearly unable to comprehend the experience that I am facing right now...

I… I can't process this.

"Hero, you are destined to save this world from its doomed" The god suddenly spoke again. As if wanting me to quickly forget the uncertainty and confusion that is filling my head.

R-right… my task!

I am supposed to kill a demon lord and in the end, defeat a demon god?!

That is just sheer idiocy!

How can I barge through the numerous armies of magical beings while also kill the strongest one of their race!

And not to mention that I, a mere human being am supposed to defeat a mythical god! A genuine living god!

Even fighting against the demon lord is already difficult. And you want me to defeat a god?!

Getting out from my train of thoughts, I quickly gave out my objection.

"I refuse! Return me back! I don't want any of this!"

The god then answered me.

"You have nothing to fear, hero. You will be returned right after you have completed your task"

When I heard that, anger suddenly flows through my head.

Complete? You want me to defeat a demon god?! Do you think anyone can complete such a task?!

So what if you give me divine blessings?! A god is a god! And I am just a human! This is suicide!

"You're a god! Why don't you fight him yourself?! Don't bring me into your mess!"

The god then explains that it is impossible. He said that a god was forbidden to interfere with the world.

"Bullshit! So you're saying that kidnapping people and forcing them to fight in your stead is not interfering! You hypocrite bastard!"

Fwoom!

Some kind of energy suddenly swarmed into me.

Instantly, my mouth was shut tight.

Bam!

Right after that, I lost control of both my legs and was forced to kneel in front of this despicable god.

An emotion of unwillingness filled my mind. And this soon turned into wrath.

On my face, an expression of pure rage and madness can be seen.

"Impudence! How dare you slander a god! Once you enter this world! You shall understand the importance of your duty and carry it out voluntarily!"

Impudence? This god dared to say impudence? Hah! The audacity!

I. Eric Hanover. Had never yield to anyone ever since that day.

I may suffer, or even be defeated. But I will never submit to anyone other than my parent.

And yet you! You want me to do your dirty work as you comfortably sit at your majestic throne while perfectly knowing how impossible and dangerous it is to complete such a task?!

I may be weak compared to you. But you have never even put me into your eyes!

As I see it, you are no different than a boss who can only order their employee to death!

An incompetent god such as you.

You do not deserve nor even have the right to receive my respect!

I slowly lifted my hand towards him. All just to show him my lovely middle finger.

'Fuck you! I would rather die than becoming your toy!'

Despite not being able to control my mouth. I felt like my mouth had curled for a bit from this petty victory.

When the god saw this, He stood silent. Obviously, enraged by this.

Suddenly, the light that had entered my glabella left my body. And in response, I suddenly felt like something was missing from my body.

The god then spoke.

"If you wish to die, then shall be it. I shall remove your divine blessing. Prove to me that you truly deserve my attention"

I frowned.

…This god. He can definitely read my mind.

Yet even after finding such a fact, I quickly snickered.

'Deserve your attention? I will and had never even need your worthless attention! Save it for yourself! Such a worthless thing is only suited for a good-for-nothing god like you!'

Swoosh~~

All of a sudden, strange and incomprehensible symbols began to appear underneath me.

It began to circle me as it brightens up even more.

"Only someone who has immense talent can be qualified to be summoned by me. But it seems I was mistaken, your talent turns out to not be related to combat. You are... useless to me"

"At first I purposely gave you more divine blessing to assist you. And yet you choose to refuse it and even act disrespectfully to me"

"Now you shall bear your punishment!"

"You shall be sent to the deepest part of the world, the Abyssal Hollow. Even if you regret your action. It is too late"

Right after the god stop speaking. The circle beneath me instantly burst and blinded my sight into pure white light.

…..

When I opened my eyes once again, what greeted me was the opposite of what I had experienced moments ago.

It was pure darkness. So dark that I can't even imagine the vast difference between this and that radiating light.

Not only that, it was quiet. Too quiet.

Not a single sound from even the tiniest bug was heard.

I can't see and I can't hear. And I don't know whether my smelling will even prove to be useful in this situation.

This is the Abyssal Hollow… Shit.