Chapter 2

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"…Wake up."

With that beautiful woman's single word, I was able to wake up more clearly than ever before in my life.

If I had this beautiful voice, I wouldn't need an alarm clock or an alarm.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a silver-haired woman.

She was so beautiful that she seemed almost otherworldly, even divine.

If I had to compare, she was like a goddess.

"Oh, you understand so quickly?"

"Huh? Did I say that out loud?"

"You said quite a bit. About the alarm and the goddess."

When I asked her, the silver-haired goddess looked at me with a disappointed expression.

I wonder why, but her expression was still beautiful, perhaps because she was so stunningly beautiful.

Her skin was as fine as snow, and her body was slender. She was wrapped in something like a Doric chiton from ancient Greece, but it was a bit more revealing.

Her figure was the embodiment of the ideal woman, perfectly proportioned.

The goddess scooped up her silver hair and let it flow to her ear, then began to speak.

"I don't know if you really understand, but I am the goddess of creation of a certain world. My name is Merilina."

"I believe you."

I answered instantly.

"Why are you so quick to judge? And do you understand that you're dead?"

"Such a beautiful person can only be a goddess."

"Y-Yes."

Ah, she's a bit flustered, how cute.

"I kind of understand that I'm dead. But there's still a possibility that this is a dream."

When I answered, Goddess Merilina tapped the white floor with her foot, and ripples spread out, revealing an image.

This place looks familiar?

The image gradually expanded, and there I was, with blood streaming from my head, turning pale, and being covered with a plastic sheet.

"Wh-What!? Is that me!?"

"Yes, it's you. You were hit hard by a brick after being punched by a man."

Why show me such a scene? For a moment, I thought it was a scene from a crime drama.

Seeing my shocked expression, Merilina cut off the image.

"No, there's still a possibility that this is a dream—Ouch!?"

"There, it's not a dream, right? This is the realm of the gods, but it's real."

Merilina's slap was merciless.

"Want another one?"

"No, no, there's no room for doubt! I, Kazuto Wato, am dead!"

"Is that so?"

When I answered immediately, Merilina lowered her hand with a disappointed look.

Why does she look so disappointed?

"By the way, do you understand why you were hit?"

"I have no idea at all."

"Ah, I thought so."

When I said this firmly, Merilina sighed and hung her head.

"You approached a gang member who was in charge of that area and had just lost a fight. He was feeling down when you approached him."

"I see. That must have been tough for those two as well."

"You talk about it as if it's someone else's problem."

"…I'm already dead."

"…Yes, you are. So! The problem started from there!"

"What do you mean, 'the problem'? I just offered some words of encouragement."

"Those words were the problem. Do you remember what you said?"

"Um, I think I said 'Fight.'"

"Yes, that's it!"

Merilina frowned and pointed at me.

"Was 'Fight' the problem!?"

"Do you understand what 'Fight' means?"

"I think it means to encourage, to cheer someone on, to give them strength."

"Yes, in your country, it might mean that, but in foreign countries, it can have a violent connotation, like 'Fight!' as in 'Go to battle!'"

"Really?"

"Yes, and the fact that you clenched your fist probably added to the misunderstanding."

Hearing this, I clutched my head and crouched down.

To think I lost my life because of my poor English skills. Studying is really important. Humans tend to regret things when they're in a bind, and in my case, I'm regretting it after I died.

"Well, feeling sorry for you, the god of Earth decided to reincarnate you in my world."

"The god of Earth is kind."

Indeed, a god should have a noble heart. They must have a very large capacity.

"No, that old man isn't like that."

"…Huh?"

"He was laughing at your death and showing it to me."

"What a terrible old man!"

The god of Earth is quite a俗物 (vulgar person). But I'm happy because of that, as it gives me a chance to be reborn.

"By the way, did you laugh when you saw it, Goddess Merilina?"

"Well, that's why you're being reincarnated in my world."

"You laughed! You really laughed!"

"Hehe! Sorry! I didn't just laugh a little, I laughed a lot."

"Goddess Merilina, that's not nice."

"Well, you're being reincarnated, so cheer up!"

Merilina encouraged me with a cheerful voice.

Ugh, she's so cute when she cheers me up.

"Um, 'Fight'?"

"Are you really going to say that to me now!?"

Those words cut into my already weakened heart.

This person used the words that caused my death, slapped me mercilessly, and now is verbally attacking me. Is Merilina a sadist?

"I'm sorry."

"Your voice and expression don't match."

She sounds very apologetic, but her face is beaming with a bright smile.

"Anyway, when you're reincarnated in the new world, you can have one ability. Do you have any preferences?"

"Make me immortal—"

"That's impossible."

Merilina interrupted my words and leaned in close.

Her smile is scary.

"Just kidding. Then, I want the ability to understand and speak all languages!"

"…That's an unusual ability. But considering the reason for your death, it makes sense."

"Does it?"

"Yes. 'Omnilingual Understanding'—the ultimate ability to understand and speak all languages."

"Does that mean I can understand and speak them fluently, even if I can't pronounce them?"

"Of course, you'll be able to speak fluently!"

"Then I'll take that!"

"Alright."

Merilina nodded and tapped the floor twice with her toes. Light rose from my feet and wrapped around me. I felt a warm sensation in my chest, as if the ability was being etched into my soul.

"I've given you the ability."

"Thank you."

"Still, you chose an unusual ability. I thought you'd ask for something like great magic."

"Eh? There's such a thing as magic?"

Magic is something from a fantasy world, right?

"Yes. By the way, there are monsters and dungeons, so it's more dangerous than Earth."

"…Can I change or add abilities?"

"It's too late. I've already etched it into your soul."

"…Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

If there are monsters, there were other abilities I could have asked for. A strong body? Great magic? I'm not sure about the latter. In the new world, the biggest obstacle is language. Due to a traumatic event on Earth, I can't let go of this. Besides, I'm not good at languages. My head is already occupied with Japanese, so I don't think I can learn a new language.

I guess my decision wasn't wrong. But I don't want to be easily killed by monsters.

"I'm sorry. I was looking forward to what ability you'd ask for."

"This time, your face looks apologetic, but your voice sounds excited."

This goddess is really skilled.

"Well, I'll make sure you're reincarnated in a relatively safe place! And since I'm the one reincarnating you, you should have a bit more magic and physical strength than an average person!"

"Really!?"

"Yes, really!"

Merilina answered confidently, puffing out her chest.

"Then, I'll reincarnate you now!"

"Eh!? What about explaining the world!?"

"Just as I said. You'll have to figure it out on your own."

"That's not enough!"

The explanation is too short! I only know that there's magic and monsters. "Please tell me more. Are there people? Am I being reincarnated as a human?"

My pleading words fell on deaf ears as Merilina smiled and tapped the floor three times with her toes.

Then, emerald particles enveloped me, and my vision turned white.

"Bye-bye!"

With her bright voice, I was reincarnated from the realm of the gods to a new world.