Chapter 5: Meeting God (3/3)
Ren's newly created body shuddered as he imagined the amount of pain he would be in. Or rather in that instant he really did feel it.
He was not aware of what it was like to be in hell to compare, but somehow, even as the soothing feeling permeated his body, he felt an instinctive phantom pain course through his body for a split second, and then it was gone as if it wasn't there in the first place.
But his body which was sweating and breathing heavily said otherwise.
His limbs felt painful so much that he was even ready to change his wish to ask the goddess to kill him.
But the pain only lasted a short second and then a feeling of warmness replaced it and he started to relax.
His mind was now back to a peaceful state but that one small second had brought a splitting headache that made it feel like his mind would be shattered instantly.
He took a deep breath as his thoughts wavered…
He was not willing to go through that pain.
His form huddled on itself as he lay there for a while thinking in depression.
The goddess gave him all the time he needed.
After a while, he shook his head bitterly.
'I gave them nothing… I was still waiting to repay them someday, but I can't now that I'm dead…'
His thoughts continued to move and recall his family. He was growing determined.
He would brave 'hell' for them to reach the heavens. It was unlike him, he knew that for sure. Yet, he felt somehow good that he was doing such a good deed.
'Now, the opportunity to repay them is here! I will not let it go to waste.'
His eyes moved to lock onto the goddess's vaguely humanoid face.
He stood up shakily, as his body remembered the pain, and he was still not able to let it go.
"Please."
He once again bowed at the waist down. This time with a bit more difficulty.
"Please fulfill my wish!"
He did not yell nor did he speak in a low voice. Yet, his voice carried with it an indomitable will.
The goddess was deeply impressed this time.
In this space, no one could lie. And that included the highest authorities or even the divine gods and goddesses.
And as a small test for this young mortal, she gave him a tiny bit of taste of what hell would feel like.
Her thoughts were just casual to see how strong was the soul and willpower of this mortal.
At any rate, she was going to do something about this situation, so such a test was not needed.
Except for her own amusement and interest that is.
'Yet, this child…'
He still chose the same wish from her.
His request remained the same even after tasting the pain of both soul and body that one would be subjected to in hell.
It was such an impressive thing that she didn't know momentarily if all mortals were the same.
That confusion cleared instantly as the knowledge flowed into her consciousness.
Her impression increased as she found out that most humans would instinctively choose to protect themselves.
In her book, both types were fine, as long as one doesn't let their selfish desires consume them so much that they start giving excuses to justify themselves.
The first sign of a great king, hero, and so on is that they are willing to sacrifice themselves before sacrificing others.
'I guess that is why he is destined to go towards that place.' She nodded to herself.
『I have decided.』
Her words carried with them warmness and a soothing feeling.
『I shall grant you the wish. But in return, you must do something for me.』
She was still going to explain what to do but he jumped up at the opportunity and agreed hurriedly.
"Yes, I agree to follow your wishes."
He was aware that this goddess had nothing to do with him, and that anything she did for him was just purely a favor on her part.
She was not obligated to.
As she had said before, he should have reincarnated directly without his memories in a new world.
The fact that she was ready to help him and fulfill his wish, was enough for him to agree.
A few dark thoughts passed through his mind momentarily but he affirmed his will once again.
'Even if she asks me to become her killing machine, I will still agree.'
Then just as this thought passed through his mind, a heavenly sound rang out, and it filled his body with boundless warmth.
It was very pleasing to hear and he momentarily closed his eyes in bliss.
He belatedly found out that she was gently laughing.
『You can relax my child. My request is simple. I will fulfill your wish in regards to your family, in return, you will be transported instead of reincarnated to your destined world. You can get stronger there or live an easy life, that's up to you. But in the meanwhile, I want you to stay in contact with me so that I can watch over you in your new life. And then depending on your choices in life, maybe even one day you'll be able to join me in here. If you chose the path of gaining strength, then you can consider my request. At that time, you must fix that world, that is my request. It is not an order but a request so you have the right to deny it.』
She was aware that no other god was as kind as her.
But she was the goddess with the most responsibility of all others. Only she was not allowed to grow corrupt.
What was the wish he asked for someone of her strength? And then she was just guiding him to the place he would naturally head into.
In fact, what she requested of him can be considered something more than what he asked in terms of mortal standards.
Basically, she was going to watch his life through him to quell her interest in him.
And as she said, if he chose the path of strength, then he would help her fix that world and maybe one day he would join her in shouldering this massive responsibility.
Such words were not uttered just casually.
She was a vastly strong goddess, and she could easily see the future paths this mortal could take, and thus she concluded that his talents were adequate for her expectations.
In fact, if she awakened his talent right now, and had him use it, he could very well reach such a height instantly. But that was boring.
Ren was stunned for a second, but then he hurriedly nodded his head.
"Thank you, Thank you!" He was a grown man, but at this moment, his eyes reddened a bit.
He was willing to trade his life for his family's ensured blissful life, but in return, he would face a literal hellish life.
Just a taste of that was enough to scar his mind.
But now he could avoid that, and yet still get his original wish.
At this moment he was truly grateful to this goddess.
But she was not done with what she had to say just yet.
『I will provide you the push needed to awaken your latent potential as it will be needed in the world you are heading to. I will also bless you my child so that you can lead a more fulfilling life than your previous one. Your growth will be smooth』
The goddess explained more to him and Ren nodded his head.
Such thoughts as asking for wishes to be fulfilled for him didn't even cross his mind.
He was already grateful since she would help his family.
And now she was even going to awaken his potential and bless him.
Which sounded like it would make him stronger.
He was still thinking deeply and paying attention to what she said when a blueish cloud of energy moved on both of their forms and circled around the goddess to land on her hands and surround his form.
Suddenly he could feel something new about his body.
But he didn't have any more time to think deeply about it.
『I have awakened your talent… unsurprisingly it is in line with your personality and quite the powerful ability… Not that I hate it at any rate, perhaps you'll even get to use it with me one day, hehe. Then, there is no more reason to keep you in here my child. Your family will be safe, so go forth and embrace the new life that is awaiting you.』
The goddess's tone and words were weird as she talked about his talent, but he didn't even understand what any of that was so he ignored it.
The same energy as before circled around him and all of a sudden, and it started to move him away from the goddess.
Ren hurriedly shouted.
"Wait! Please tell me your name!" He yelled as he could feel his consciousness start to fade away.
He didn't want to leave without even knowing her name.
『You may call me, Reine!』
The same gentle heavenly voice of her laughing reached his ears before a clear name was imprinted onto his mind shortly after.
He gave a small smile full of happiness. And then he fell asleep.
Silence then permeated the surroundings.
『What an interesting child,』 She didn't lose anything by doing this much, and instead depending on his choices in the future she could gain a lot. The fact that she told him he could join her in the future in this place was something she wished could happen soon.
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Especially long chapter xD (1800 words)
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