Chapter 1

"Hehehe. I have been looking forward to this moment for a whole year..."

In front of me stood a skeleton wearing an expensive-looking cloak and a crown adorned with jewels, holding a staff embedded with a magic stone. On its back was a cross, making it look very difficult to move.

"Are you this year's sacrifice?"

The skeleton's eyes glowed red as it stared at me.

"Yes, Evil God. I am this year's chosen sacrifice."

A resigned voice slipped out of me, who was already at the point of giving up.

"Hehehe. Foolish humans. I desire your offerings once a year to gain power by taking in an excellent human."

The Evil God, seemingly uninterested in me, was explaining in detail why sacrifices were necessary, as if talking to himself.

"Hmm...?"

The Evil God's gaze became sharp—though it didn't have actual eyes, its eyes glowed intensely.

"You... are you really this year's chosen sacrifice?"

I was startled by those words. In fact, the one chosen as this year's sacrifice was my childhood friend, Alicia. She was the best healer in the Ilkut Kingdom.

"I don't sense any aura of an excellent human from you at all!"

A screen projected in front of me. This was called [Status], a magic that anyone in this world could use to check their own condition and strength.

Name: Eru

Title: Townsman

Level: 1

Strength: 5

Magic: 5

Agility: 5

Defense: 5

Skills: Agriculture Lv2

Unique Skill: Stock (0/1)

"What is this garbage-like stat? Are you joking!?"

The Evil God, who had been in a good mood until now, was now visibly angry after seeing my stats.

"I am being completely serious. I also have a Unique Skill."

A Unique Skill is a rare skill that ordinary humans cannot possess. Alicia had [Healer of All], a healing power that perfectly matched her kind heart.

In contrast, I had no idea how to use my Unique Skill, so I had left it alone.

"You... humans. You must have been reluctant to offer me an excellent individual. To send me such garbage..."

I was slightly hurt by being called garbage, but I quickly recovered, thinking that people in town had thought the same way about me.

★☆★☆★

A few hours earlier. A ceremony to offer Alicia as a sacrifice was being held nationwide. Alicia had completed her purification rites and was dressed in a pure white dress, similar to a wedding gown. She was dressed up to please the Evil God, who would soon receive her.

The day before, when I visited her, she had shed tears in my arms, saying, "I don't want to die." But it wasn't that simple. If she ran away, someone else would become the sacrifice. Wiping away her tears, she told me, "I'm sorry, but I'll be okay."

When I met her eyes, she smiled. It was a smile as if she was about to go on a picnic. At that moment, my resolve was set.

Many people mourned her sacrifice. After all, many had been saved by her healing magic.

In contrast, I had never saved anyone and was utterly useless.

It was clear which one the world needed more.

"What! Eru!"

I took advantage of a guard's momentary lapse and rushed towards the magic circle. I knew that activating this magic circle would send the sacrifice to the Evil God.

That's why I came here to the Evil God, to take Alicia's place as the sacrifice.

★☆★☆★

"I cannot settle for such garbage for my annual meal. If it comes to this, I will descend and kill humans myself."

It seemed the Evil God was completely enraged. Turning to me, he said...

"You. Just looking at you is unpleasant. Vanish!"

The Evil God's staff was pointed at me.

"Evil Beam"

A black wave of energy shot from the tip of the staff. Seeing it spread before my eyes, I resigned myself to death. But...

"Huh?"

Something was glowing at the edge of my vision. Without thinking, I pressed it...

"What!?"

The Evil Beam in front of me had disappeared.