Chapter 1 – The Last Day of Riku Aoyama
My name is Riku Aoyama. Just an ordinary college student. Twenty years old, fifth semester... majoring in something I honestly forget half the time. My daily routine is simple: wake up, attend class, eat, sleep, and wait for gacha events that usually end in heartbreak.
My life wasn't extraordinary, but it was... comfortable.
Until that morning came.
I left earlier than usual—there was a surprise quiz from a killer professor. But that wasn't what made the day feel off. The sky was cloudy, birds weren't chirping, and worst of all... I forgot to wear deodorant.
Yeah. Bad omen.
And sure enough... it happened.
On the way to campus, I saw a child standing in the middle of the street, staring blankly at an oncoming car.
I didn't think. I just ran.
Thud.
Everything slowed down. I shoved the child with all my strength—only to feel my own body taking the hit.
My vision blurred. Voices echoed—screams, car horns, frantic footsteps, crying...
> "Call an ambulance! Hurry!"
> "The kid's okay! But the other guy—!"
I knew I wasn't going to make it. A cold numbness spread through me.
And then… darkness.
---
I don't know how long I floated in the void. It felt like sleeping on a bed of clouds.
Then, a blinding light pulled me back.
In front of me stood a girl. Long snow-white hair, glowing violet eyes, skin that shimmered like premium LED lights.
> "Is this… heaven? Are you... an angel?"
She glared at me.
> "WAKE UP! You've slept long enough, you idiot!"
> "HUH?!"
> "You're not an angel?! Then where am I?!"
> "This is my world. You've died. You'll reincarnate. Relax though—this isn't a war-torn land. No evil kingdoms or chosen-one nonsense."
My jaw dropped. "Wait… is this an isekai?!"
> "Correct. A world of magic, monsters, and adventure. But you're not going to be a hero or some all-powerful mage. You'll live a peaceful life."
I leapt forward and hugged her. "THANK YOU, BEAUTIFUL GODDESS!!!"
> "GET OFF ME, YOU GACHA-OBSESSED FREAK!!!"
After that drama, she continued her explanation.
> "You'll be reborn as the child of a kind couple in a small village. Your new name… is Zeno."
My body started to vanish. A warm light surrounded me.
---
I opened my eyes.
The world looked... different.
The air was fresher. The sunlight softer. I lay on a wooden bed, and saw two unfamiliar faces looking down at me.
A handsome man with black hair and a gentle beard leaned in.
> "Look, Erine… he's adorable."
A beautiful blonde woman chuckled beside him.
> "You scared him," she teased, hugging the man lovingly.
She smiled at me. "Your name will be Zeno. Zeno Arclight."
> "Zeno… Arclight. That actually sounds kinda cool," I thought to myself—though all that came out was baby gibberish.
The man turned to the woman. "I like that family name."
> "Theron Arclight... so that's my new dad."
I'd really… been reborn.
---
Five years passed.
I grew up as a regular village kid. But let's be honest... it wasn't entirely "peaceful."
Because my parents were too in love.
Every night I endured creaking bed sounds, muffled giggles, and whispers not meant for a child's ears.
> "DAD! MOM! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!!!"
> "Zeno?! Don't just barge in!" Dad yelled, scrambling to cover himself.
> "Sorry sweetie~ Mom will tuck you in later~" Mom said with a wink.
I stared at the ceiling of my room.
> "This is a world of magic... but there's no spell to erase mental trauma, huh."
---
The next morning, peace returned. Dad chopped wood, Mom hung clothes to dry, and I sat on our porch.
> "A peaceful life, huh…" I muttered, eyes drifting to the forest.
Suddenly—
> "Aaaah! Don't eat me!!"
A tiny voice screamed from the trees! I ran without thinking.
There, surrounded by forest rats, was a trembling blue slime.
> "Wait—can slimes talk?!"
> "I don't wanna die yet! I still wanna drink river water!"
Grabbing a stick, I swung wildly to scare the rats away.
> "THANK YOU, HUMAN! I... I don't have a name yet."
I paused. "You kinda look like... Bloo."
> "BLOO! I love it!"
Bloo bounced around in joy.
But before we could relax, a small goblin emerged from the bushes. Covered in cuts, his eyes full of desperation.
> "Human... help…"
I hesitated. But this goblin didn't look hostile. I helped him to the river and cleaned his wounds.
> "You're too kind, Zeno… goblins usually steal vegetables," Bloo muttered.
> "If he needs help, I'll help," I replied.
> "I'll repay this, human…"
> "Got a name?"
He shook his head.
> "How about... Gobu?"
> "Gobu… I like it."
From that day forward, I had two unusual companions:
A chatty slime named Bloo, and a grumpy goblin named Gobu.
And thus… the story of Zeno Arclight began.
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