I gasped as I opened my eyes. What...happened?

The last time I recalled, I was on a bus going to *$&@$# for a *#&$$@ when it suddenly crashed. Then me and the other passengers found ourselves alive in a strange white void where someone who claimed to be God took us in to be summoned into another world. I was suspicious at all of this, yet I had no choice since going back means I would die for real. I would have let this so-called God choose my fate.

But then, a UI window appeared in front of me, offering me an alternative. So I accepted it before God sent us off our way without God knowing what really happened to me.

Yet instead of finding myself in a forest of another world, I found myself sitting in front of a dining table. On the front was a woman with black long hair and her eyes closed while sipping a cup of tea. She was wearing a silk black dress and looking down, I also saw her wear high-heel shoes of the same color. Was this one of God's tricks? Or...

"Welcome, young man. Welcome to my domain."

My eyes widened. She hasn't seen me yet, but she seemed to know my presence already. "Are you the one who sent me those messages earlier?"

The woman nodded as she opened her eyes, revealing a strange pair of royal purple shimmering in this seemingly dim room filled with glowing rocks attached to the lamps.

"Of course. Normally, I shouldn't intervene in other gods' businesses. But I already reached my patience with that guy and I need to do so before they did something so reckless."

Reckless? Was summoning us into his domain to be teleported to another world bad? I wanted to ask, but I'm completely speechless at this sudden turn of events.

"Oh, I'm very sorry about that. I think some introductions are needed here." The woman gingerly placed her cup on the plate and slowly stood up before bowing at me. "I am the [Goddess of Darkness] of this world. My name is Umbaria."

The Goddess...of Darkness? My eyes widened as I realized what she meant. "Darkness?! Wait, why does the Goddess of Evil want to meet someone like me?! If you're planning to turn me into your puppet..."

Suddenly, this Goddess...laughed. Not a burst of evil laughter, but only a peal of laughter like she was amused about something. "Me? Evil? Oh my. What kind of imagination do you Otherworlders have?"

I raised my eyebrow, confused at what she said. "I-I mean, you said you're the--"

"Goddess of Darkness, not Evil," Umbaria answered with the most gentle voice I ever heard before. "I created monsters, demons, and darkness itself. But I never create evil itself. Darkness and evil are different entities and, understandably, most of you believe they are the same concept. I just want to get that out of the way before you start discriminating against me and my creations."

Huh... I guess she already prepared what to answer. Looks like this was a recurring thing for her. "Are you the one who sent those messages to me?" I asked. "Why me of all people? I doubt it's because I have no blessings compared to those chosen Heroes."

"It's not only that. You possess a potential like no one has ever seen before. A potential that is completely wasted thanks to the unfairness you've endured back in your world. How much pain you've endured from your family? How long do you have to suppress your emotions against your tormentors and abusers? Just what the hell the gods in your world are thinking, turning you into an emotional punching bag like that? Oh, how I feel for you and the years you've wasted in your world."

I frowned, "Like I need your pity, Miss Goddess. So my life sucks, I've admitted it. Are you gonna screw me over like that other God back there?"

I was still wary of her, yet her tone of voice was still gentle as she slowly approached me and said, "I would never do that. If I do, I wouldn't have the effort to send you those messages and summoned you here in the first place. In fact, I'm going to offer a better deal, though with a few costs if you're willing to accept them."

I raised my eyebrows when she said this. "What kind of a better offer would involve costs and risks?"

The Goddess of Darkness replied with a smile. "The kind where you have the chance to leave your wasted life forever and get a second chance."

"...Huh?"

Suddenly, she created a peach fruit from out of nowhere as she grabbed it and cut it in half with some magic, I think.

"However, what am I about to do is not a normal reincarnation. As a Goddess of Darkness, reincarnation isn't my forte and my stronger blessings come with a cost. However, you may able to benefit them as it only erases your previous life. And to do that, you must die in the new world I'm sending you in."

"Erase...my previous life? As in I will never remember them?" I asked in shock. "Not to mention dying there?!"

"Remembering them isn't the only cost. You will lose your personality, your identity from your past life, and your entire history connected to it." I didn't ask her for clarification since I'm too shocked to ask her anything else. But she seemingly demonstrated her explanation by opening the peach she cut earlier, revealing a seed pit inside. "However, even if the flesh of the fruit is devoured, the seed inside will still grow a new life. So even if you lose your humanity along with your past life, consider this as a second chance to remedy your misfortunes from your old world."

My humanity?! Wait, was she saying I might not be human once I accept it?

"Do you think I'm the type to willingly die and surrender my identity and humanity after that?!" I shouted as I got up from my seat and backed away from this so-called goddess. "What makes you think I would accept it?!"

She started chuckling again. "Then why are you defending your abusers and tormentors like that?"

My eyes widened. Why did she say it like that? "That's not what I meant! I only said..."

"That you don't want to surrender your past life. The very same one you've been suffering for almost your whole life. The one where you never have friends, thinking only of yourself, and shutting off your emotions just to survive the harsh environment around you. The one you have been living unfairly without any rewards at all."

I didn't say anything after that. She has a point. I tried everything to escape the abuse and suffering for a long, only that I ended up coming back to them no matter what I do. I thought I would be rewarded for my harsh life. But it didn't seem like I didn't get anything from it at all. It's like an extreme version of a living hell that no one could notice with the naked eye. And I don't think that's not what a normal life filled with hardships works at all!

"As much as we want to blame the gods in your world for your misfortune, I doubt it will change anything for the better for you. As for your humanity and death, it's not much of a loss for you."

"What do you mean?"

"As I said, you suppressed so much emotion in your past life, I doubt you know the true meaning of your humanity. Even if you become something else, it doesn't mean humanity exists outside of humanoid species in our world. Just think of it as a pure reset on life. You will slowly regain it as long as you conquer your past trauma still lingering in your heart. This way, you are free to live your own life without the burdens of your past."

A reset, huh? Why didn't I think of that before? For all of my life, I bottled up too many of my emotions. I lashed out at anyone approaching me, trying to reorganize my thoughts in vain. It's because of my abusers and tormentors that I never experience true happiness. My true humanity.

"Regarding another cost for my blessings, it's not what you think. If you die in another world, the process begins without any issues. But if you choose to take your own life instead, the blessing is null and void. That's why I only said the cost is death, never for your extreme consent to do so immediately."

I hummed after I listened to her clarifications. "So you're saying my blessings will only occur when death is inevitable for me."

Umbaria nodded. "And death is unavoidable to where I'm going to send you. Though this is not a premonition that I couldn't possess as the Goddess of Darkness. This is a land where you have no choice but to fight or die without a chance to protest against the corrupted people who claimed to be loyal to God's word. I would have sent you to my territory immediately. But I've intervened enough. If I did, the gods including the one you encountered will suspect me for violation of the laws we enacted for ourselves. However, it seems that you have made your decision, right?"

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I think so, but I'm still unsure about all of this. "I have one more question. Why me? Of all people transported here, why did you choose me? How do you benefit from choosing me?"

She would have thought things through when she chose me. She would have changed her mind after she has second thoughts. I was expecting her to let me go. But she smiled and chuckled as if she thought I was joking.

"Because underneath your stoic exterior lies a potential to change the world. To topple the current system with your words and charisma from the shadows and eliminate the corruption plaguing this world."

I raised my eyebrow. "Are you saying I can brainwash the monarchy and government?"

"Not brainwashing. But rather, an influence that will shake the whole world with your unpredictable mentality and restless pursuit of knowledge from our world. While I chose you because of your potential to change the world, I'm not pressuring you to go out there and overshadow God's Chosen Heroes. Rather, just do what you can if you feel like it's the right thing for you to do once you regained your true humanity."

"...In other words..."

The goddess gave me a gentle smile. "Do not be afraid of being yourself. Be kind even if your enemies won't let you. And if you have morals, do not throw them away once you obtain your new life. I'm not responsible for your future decisions, but I suggest that you do not hesitate on creating connections both in my territory and the world itself. Do not be too paranoid about everything and open up your heart to accept them. It won't be fun if you avoid danger and conflict all of the time. You won't grow in your second life if you continue to be scared of the world."

I think I understood what she was trying to say. Knowing all of the tropes just to avoid the pitfalls might help me, but what was the point of having a second chance if I keep avoiding people and danger in the new world? I've used them as tactics to protect myself from my family, colleagues, bullies, and my former boss from all of the torment and abuse they gave me. However, with my new life in another world, all my old tactics could do was to avoid the bad people and monsters coming at me. If I continue to seclude myself from the world, then what was the point of having a second chance in the first place?

"If that's the case, then can I make a few requests?"

"Oh? I do have limits, but I'm willing to listen."

I took a deep breath. Not too many favors, but enough to give me a bit of an edge in my new life. "Regarding the blessings you give me, will it be on the same level as the Heroes? As much as I want some che- I mean, overpowered abilities..."

Before I could finish my question, Umbaria nodded and said, "Say no more. Giving you unlimited mana and magic affinity might give you an edge and a chance of luck, but I agreed that it would take away the point of your second chance. I want to be clear that I will be giving you a few blessings, but like I said, there are limits to my ability and if I don't review your wishes, suffice to say that history will repeat itself. And we don't want that to happen, right?"

Right... I guess I should think clearly. But I don't know what kind of blessings I want for my new life. Not only that, if what she said was true, then how much corruption has spread throughout the world? Could I shake the world through force alone?

"Tell you what, I will give you a special trial to help you decide once you have my blessings. One that you Otherworlders call, "Tutorial Mode". Once you finished it, we will meet here again to discuss the blessings you desired. There, I will give you everything you need to create what's truly yours."

A "Tutorial Mode", huh? Not to mention another gift once I finished it. I guess it's good enough to help me decide, I guess. "Alright, I'll accept your offer, Miss Goddess."

"Fufufu... Please, don't be so formal, Call me "Umbaria", Seeker. And as my token of trust and appreciation..."

Before I wonder what she wanted to give me, my eyes widened when she made an unpredictable move of approaching me...

And found my lips came in contact with the goddess's. It was all too sudden. Yet something about it made me feel warm. I could taste a hint of strawberry on her lips. By the time we were separated, I was shell-shocked to inject a word from all of this.

"It's okay. I know you haven't fulfilled your desire to lose it, so consider this as a gift. It's a shame you may lose this moment once you leave here due to godly reasons, but I rather give you a fortune for your current life."

A fortune, huh? I must admit, that is a good welcome gift into another world. I never had a girlfriend back home and I never had a chance to lose my virginity. So even if I forget this, at least it's a touching gesture from the only person who cared about me.

"Please don't tell me you're doing all of this just to manipulate my feelings," I snarked.

"Fufufufu... I told you. If I do that, then what's the point of me dragging you here in the first place?" Guess she won her argument. I wanted to say more, but I noticed my hands started to fade as orbs of light flew off from them. "Looks like we're out of time. Once you are satisfied with your second chance, come and see me sometime, okay?"

I wish I wanted to say my farewell, but...

"Hold on! How am I going to survive once I died and forgot everything I know? Walking and talking, I can trust you on that, but I doubt I can survive in that state."

"I'm not going to intervene at that point, but I know someone living in that area who can aid you during your rebirth and transformation. I have to admit, he's a bit of an oddball, but I assure you, if you find him with a tattoo of the blood-red moon, you know it's him."

I'm a bit skeptical of her reassurance. Then again, there's no way for me to recall all of this by the time of my rebirth. I only hope that whatever happens in another world, I wouldn't encounter another abuser or tormentor making my second life a living hell again.

"Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Whether I remember it or not, I'll try to find him."

"Good. Now, Seeker... I hope you can use your remaining time to survive our world."

At least she didn't say I would enjoy it, because those descriptions alone would make me feel offended that I had to die afterward. "Umbaria, I appreciate your advice, but I have a..."

"Name, I know. Well, you used to have one. Considering you agreed to restart your life in our world."

What the hell did she m-

...

Oh. Oh, now I know why my name was glitched out.

"I'll see you soon, Seeker."

The goddess smiled at me. Not a suspicious uncanny smile. Rather, a smile was enough to warm my heart. I'm not happy with my inevitable fate in another world. But considering everything she did for me to escape my miserable life, I guess I'm happy with her efforts to save me.

"Yeah. Thank you, your grace. I'll try not to forget you."

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and let my body fade into a new world awaiting me.

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I gasped as I opened my eyes and got up from my bed. I didn't have time to look around my surroundings as I tried to catch my breath and recall what I saw. It wasn't a dream or a nightmare that I forgot. It did not come from my trauma or worries about this world.

It was a memory. A memory of my first meeting with Umbaria. A memory of the news regarding my inevitable death in this world.

And a memory of the Goddess's promise of giving her blessings to me.

And [Tutorial Mode]... I realized what my mission was all about. I realized why I was here in the Demon Territory.

But this didn't look right. I felt like there were more to that fateful day after I arrived here. I couldn't recall how I arrived here or how I got this ring.

Does this mean my mission wasn't over yet?

God, my head was a mess right now. I couldn't think straight of my sudden hunger. Where was that owner right now? With him maintaining his home alone, there was no way...

"Are you awake?"

My eyes widened. Who the heck was that? I heard a man's youthful, but baritone voice. I didn't hear the owner's voice, was that him?

"Young master called me to check up on you. Will you open the door?"

And I spoke too soon. Just who was that? And that nickname sounded very familiar. Either way, I got up from my bed and unlocked the door to let whoever was outside in.

Then I stopped. I was right that it wasn't the homeowner. Rather, it was a young man with pale skin and a seemingly thin stature. However, he has golden-yellow eyes that looked like they were glowing, black short hair that was combed over, and pointy ears. I originally assumed he was a butler of the house. That was until I saw that he was wearing a white shirt, black silk jacket, slacks, and shoes.

"Ah, I'm glad you are awake. Did you have a nice sleep as usual? How is your Mana?"

I continued to stare at the man. I didn't know him or knew of his existence after I arrived here, yet something about him felt very familiar. I know this might be rude, but I needed to get this out of the way first.

"Um... Do I know you?"

The man gasped as if he heard something horrifying from me. "Oh, that stings a lot, Fledgling! We've known each other for quite a while now and this is what you want to respond to me first thing in the morning? That's a bit too cruel, don't you think?"

I nervously backed away from the man. He was seriously freaking me out right now and I feel like I'm about to bolt out of here.

"Oh? Have you forgotten how I'm the only Drago Nox who taught you everything about the Demon Territory and magic itself? The very same demon you have defeated with your magic and creativity?"

Drago...Nox? Black dragon... Dragon demon... Then the nickname he gave me... My eyes widened again when I put two and two together.

"Hang on... Casia?! Is that you?!"

The black dragon who almost killed me in a so-called spar and the very same one who took me here. The man right before me who was now bowing at me...was that crazy old black dragon?!

"Come now, that's not how you greet a friend, Fledgling. At least a proper greeting would suffice."

I simply stared at the man in shock while he said all of that as he revealed his sharp fangs with a cheeky grin.

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