The moment the world around me went black, the pain of my body's destruction slowly dulled. My thoughts faded, and then—suddenly, there was nothing. It was an odd, weightless nothingness. Like floating in space, but without stars, without direction. Just the sound of my breath… or what I thought was my breath.
Suddenly, a voice, deep and otherworldly, echoed around me. "Well, well… You're certainly a curious one."
I blinked, but no eyes opened. A presence, large and imposing, hovered before me, though I couldn't see it. "Where… am I?"
The voice chuckled, almost as if amused by my confusion. "The void, of course. Where else would someone like you go after a rather... unfortunate end?"
The God appeared before me in a swirl of light and shadow. They looked like no being I had ever encountered, yet they carried an air of unmatched authority. The God smirked, as though they'd been expecting my arrival all along.
"You seem... unusually calm for someone who just died. I'd have expected more panic, more confusion."
I couldn't help but let out a small, sardonic laugh. "Guess I'm just tired of running from the inevitable. So, you're the one in charge of… whatever this is?"
The God raised an eyebrow, as if intrigued by my response. "Not quite. You could say I'm the one who helps you move forward. Or backward, depending on how you look at it."
"Forward to… what? And why are you talking to me like I'm just another mortal?" I said, struggling to regain my composure.
The God's form rippled, their smile widening. "Because you are, and you're not. You're both, and neither. But don't worry—let's skip the philosophy. Let's get to the fun part. I'm here to give you a second chance at life. A fresh start in a world full of possibilities."
I frowned, unable to comprehend what they meant. "And what exactly do you get out of this? I'm not some random human you just decided to play with."
The God's expression became inscrutable, though there was a hint of amusement in their eyes. "You could say I enjoy watching how people like you evolve. The ones who have the potential to change everything. The ones who challenge the world."
They snapped their fingers, and suddenly, a shimmering panel appeared in front of me. "I'll grant you five wishes. Five. Choose wisely, as you may never get another chance."
I blinked, completely stunned. This was happening too fast. "Five wishes? Just like those fanfiction and anime and manhwa and webnovels I've seen? Just like that?"
"Yes, and yes. No tricks. No catch," they said nonchalantly. "So, what will it be? Your first wish."
I took a deep breath. This was no time to be hasty. If I was going to have a second life, I needed to make it count. Every decision mattered.
"I want to be stronger than anyone," I said finally. "Not just the strongest in terms of power, but in terms of growth, adaptability—someone who stands above all. I want to be a prodigy... but one that's 12.5 times better than any prodigy, and 6.25 times better than any genius."
The God raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Interesting choice. Strength alone can be overrated, but I see where you're coming from." They snapped their fingers, and a golden light enveloped me, filling me with an overwhelming sense of potential.
"Your wish is granted. You'll grow faster, smarter, and more capable than anyone could imagine. But remember, there's always a price to everything."
I nodded, not fully understanding the weight of their words. "Next…"
"Next," I said, steeling myself for the next wish. "I want a massive storage ring, one that's 4765 times larger than the biggest warehouse, capable of holding vast amounts of resources—food, clothes, materials. It will grow with me as I age. And it will be invisible to others until the time is right, when they can see it as well."
The God smirked, snapping their fingers once again. "A wise request. A ring that will carry everything you need, at a size beyond imagination. It will be yours, only visible to you until you decide to reveal its secrets."
I could feel the weight of the ring on my finger, though I couldn't see it. "Thank you," I murmured, already envisioning all the possibilities this would open for me.
"For my third wish," I continued, my voice steady, "I want the Great Sage skill. Like the one in Tensura. A skill that will guide me, offering wisdom, advice, and insight to help me navigate this new life."
The God's voice softened, as if acknowledging the significance of this request. "The Great Sage skill will be yours. It will evolve with your growth, providing guidance and wisdom in moments of need."
I felt a strange energy fill my mind, as if new knowledge was being woven into the very fabric of my thoughts.
"For my fourth wish," I said with resolve, "I wish to be a hybrid of Phoenix Asura, Dragon Asura, and Human. This will grant me the strength, power, and immortality of these beings, a combination that will make me unrivaled."
The God seemed to pause, considering my words carefully. "A hybrid, you say? A unique choice. But understand this: such power will come with both tremendous potential and great responsibility. You shall carry their strength, but unlocking it will take time and effort."
They snapped their fingers again, and I could feel the blood inside me stir. A strange warmth, and then an immense power surged within me, entwining my essence with that of the Phoenix, the Dragon, and the Human.
"For my final wish," I said, my voice unwavering, "I want to train in all elements—fire, water, earth, air, lightning, and beyond. But I want to master them slowly, not instantly, so that I may grow and face the true challenges they offer."
The God nodded thoughtfully. "A wish for growth, for experience. Very well. You shall have the ability to train in all elements, but you will not be granted immediate mastery. You will struggle and grow, earning every ounce of power you gain."
I could feel the weight of each element coursing through me, each one waiting for its moment to be unlocked.