As I walk through the dark alleyway, I can hear multiple footsteps following me. "Oh no... What is that sound?" I wonder, when I hear the footsteps getting closer, I start running. I run as fast as I can, hearing the echoing footsteps and the voices of people chasing me. "Crap, why are they chasing me?" I mutter to myself. Then, silence…

Wait, what the hell just happened? And where am I?

I was suddenly woke up in a fancy room. There's a long table decorated with flowers and other variants. It looks more like a dinner table, if you ask me. There's a beautiful lady sitting in front of the table. Damn, she's hot.

But wait, where the hell am I? What the hell is this place, and why can't I remember much about anything? This is so confusing…

The lady smiles with a lovely expression and asks me, 

"So, how have you been, Nakagawa?" 

“Um, good. How about you?" I nervously reply... (How the hell did she know my name?)

God, this is so weird... Where the hell am I? And who is this lady? And really... Who am I?

"It seems like you are quite nervous and confused. My name is Lucey, the goddess of light! And now, you have died"

she explains cheerfully. Wtf? "Well, that's kinda rude and creepy as hell," I tell her. "Eh?" She lets out a surprised exclamation. Then she yells, "What!"

"You heard me? The way you told me that I died and how you are so cheerful is so creepy."

She gives me a confused face. "Well, um... Apologies for my rudeness."

At least she apologizes for it.

"Don't worry about it. Can I ask something?"She nods at me.

"Why sure."

"Where the hell am I? And why can't I remember anything? And who am I..." Lucey looks at me with a worried face, concerned for me. 

"Well... It's for you to know yourself." Eh? What the hell did she mean by that? "Uh, what did you mean by that?"

"Well, this is just an afterlife gate, and you have two choices of where you are going. Do you want to go to the heavenly above or go to the eternal damnation of hell? Plus, seeing how you acted towards me before, I'm considering sending you to..."

WHAT?! OH HELL NO! I bow to her as fast as I can (while weeping like a kid). "PLEASE DON'T SEND ME TO HELL! I'll do whatever you want! Please don't send me there! Please!" She laughs at me.

"Hehe, just kidding!"

... That bitch! Making me panicked for a sec. "Oh fuck you, bitch!" She looks at me with surprise and blushes, lol. 

"I'm just joking around! Jeez, no need to call me rude names. You rude person!"

Oh really, am I the rude one here?

"Why are you calling me rude? I'm not the one who is an innocent soul, who can't even remember anything or shoot, I don't even know where I'm at right now! And you're calling me rude?! Screw you!"

She gets angry with me and says, "Oh, screw you! You're not innocent at all! And respect me, I'm a goddess!"

Oh, do you think I care about that?

"I don't care. I'm an innocent lost child who doesn't know where I'm at, and I'm Christian as well! Screw you, you're not my god!"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

When I tell her that, she pouts and looks like she's about to cry. She looks really cute.

"Alright, fine. I'm sorry. Sorry for being rude and all..." 

Her face immediately changes after what I said.

She immediately composes herself and acts more professional again.

"Alright then, so you don't remember who you are, right? But do you remember anything else about yourself?"

"Huh, I don't really remember that much, to be completely honest. I do remember that my name is Daan Gustaav Lembong, but my Kanji name is Nakagawa Daan. And I do still have some awareness about my emotions and thoughts, but... I don't really know much else."

She looks at me with a worried expression and appears relieved.

"I see... Well, don't worry about it. Because you have a choice to make. Well, where do you want to go then?"

"A choice? Where do I want to go?..."

Well, this is interesting. I never knew that I could choose where I could go.

"Yup, and what would you choose? Go to heaven, where you can live your life in peace, or do you want to go on an adventure and be a hero?"

Adventure and hero? I can be a hero... That would be awesome.

"Sure! I would love to be a hero, and shoot... I can probably get a hot girlfriend as well!"

Hehe... I'm getting a girlfriend. How crazy is that?

"Sure, you can explore the world and get a second chance at life."

Hmm... So interesting. But why do I feel like something else is missing, and it feels wrong for some reason? Meh, oh well. You only get to live once, right?

"Wait, I have a question first. Why can I choose two different worlds to go to? And what happened to hell?"

She simply tells me, "Oh, the adventure world is now called The New World. It used to be hell, but it's a long story."

"Oh shit, for real? I wanna hear the story." I never knew that before. This is hella interesting.

"Alright, so, once upon a time... The devil lord and other demon kings declared war against the Heavens. The gods and their army engaged in a war that spanned across space and different universes, until the heaven army reached hell itself. It was a gruesome fight, many were slain, and souls turned to ashes, but we won!"

"Huh, well that's quite oversimplified, but oh well... So, heaven and hell have gone to war before? Besides that, I'm kinda wondering now, how did I end up here?"

"Yo, Lucey, I have a question to ask."

Lucey stares at me annoyingly.

"Yes, Daan?"

"Err... Don't call me that. Just call me Nakagawa. Yeah... I hate it when people call me by my first and middle name. Seriously, it's embarrassing as hell."

"Alright, but call me the beautiful goddess of light!"

Jesus! This woman is annoying as hell.

"Fine, goddess of light... Can I really become a hero? How do I become one?"

"Well... It's easy! I'll give you a superpower before sending you to the world!"

Oh, really? That's so cool!

Lucey stands up and proceeds to show me a catalog of superpowers. This is so cool! I imagine the thrill of having powers like controlling fire or summoning thunder and lightning. The possibilities seem endless, and I want to choose at least 5 or 10!

"Alrighty then, you can only choose one superpower. So pick it wisely!"

Oh, come on! Fine, I'll choose something.

Hmm... But I'm wondering about something. I don't know how to explain it, but... Who am I? I mean, I am "Me," yes, no. Wait! My name is Nakagawa, but no! Who is "Me" even? I can't think! Think, think! Wait...

...Something isn't right.

Urgh...

"Hey, Lucey..."

"Yes, Nakagawa? Have you finished choosing your superpower yet? And remember to choose it wisely."

"No, but I have a quick question..."

"Ah, what is it?"

"Who am I really?"

She pauses for a second. "Eh? Didn't I just tell you to discover the answer yourself? I can't do that!"

"Yeah, but I'm still wondering who am I? What's my purpose in life? Why am I here in the first place? WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER A DAMN THING EVEN THOUGH I FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT! ANSWER ME!"

After my outburst, I accidentally knock over the catalog, leaving Lucey in shock. Oh boy...

Her eyes well up with tears (or rather, she begins to whine).

"Hey, don't get mad at me! I'm just doing my job. I can't fulfill it properly with your attitude!"

Lucey starts crying. Oh no. I shouldn't have acted that way. Damn it! How do I handle this situation? I didn't mean to... And now she's having a crying outburst. I need to find a way to cheer her up!

"Hey, uh, Lucey... Listen. I didn't mean to-"

She points at me and shouts, "I don't want to hear it! Just shut up and don't talk to me!"

Oh lord... Please help me.

After the whole fiasco, an awkward silence hangs in the air. She finally breaks the silence, but she avoids making eye contact with me.

"Listen, I can't provide you with all the details, but for now, it's best to set aside those thoughts, alright?"

Why? Why can't she just tell me instead of being silent?

She looks at me with a serious expression. Goddamn, she looks quite cute.

"Listen, at this moment, you're facing one of the most crucial decisions of your life. Your past doesn't matter right now. Please, choose your superpower and become the hero who will save people from their fates and impending doom!"

As Lucey's speech becomes more enthusiastic, hmm... maybe she's right. Perhaps I was overthinking it, but those thoughts keep lingering in my mind. It feels like I should already know the answers, but they remain just out of reach! It's frustrating, to say the least.

Hmm, I might be making one of the riskiest decisions of my life, but...

F.U.C.K.I.T

I'm going to take the chance.

I rise from my chair, determination etched on my face, and I say to her,

"Fine. In exchange for gaining a superpower, I want my memories to return!"

OH MY GOD!!! I'm sweating profusely at this point. (I do look quite cool right now)

She pauses for a second with a confused face, but then she laughs.

"Hahahahaha! I've never met someone so determined to know about his past. You're something, huh, Nakagawa?"

What the hell?

She smiles and begins to chant a spell. Suddenly, a glowing magic circle appears, resembling a teleportation portal...

Is this really happening?

Lucey, with a warm smile, continues summoning the teleportation spell. She cheerfully says to me,

"Fine then, Nakagawa. Your wish is granted. May the gods smile upon your journey. It may not be easy, but your determination shall shine through it all! I hope for a safe and fulfilling journey, Nakagawa!"

Oh my god... Is this really happening? Finally.

But----

"But on the condition, you have to defeat every villain and possible demon or god-level threat to gain some memories of your own."

Eh? W-WHATTTTTT?! "WHAT THE HELL! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT? I WON'T HAVE ANY POWERS IN THAT WORLD!"

She brushes it off casually. "Oh, don't worry about it. You'll be fine. Besides, there are other ways for you to acquire superpowers in the New World. Good luck on your adventure!"

 THAT WOMAN!

Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, I impulsively say one of the most foolish things a person could utter.

"Fine then! I accept the challenge! BRING IT!"

I immediately regret my words.

IDIOT! THERE'S ANOTHER OPTION! I could simply choose to go to heaven!

Oh boy.

And then, a blinding light engulfs me.