You know, living is a pretty terrible experience. So many people try to force you to do things and you're forced to go along with their whims. So when I died, I didn't really feel anything. And yet, i woke up again. But i died, right? I remember getting attacked in the street by a robber. Why am i here? And where is here anyway?
There was nothing around me aside from clouds and the blue sky. I was somehow walking in the air, like there was an invisible floor below my feet. It was so so strange, so outlandish and yet so tranquil. It felt like it was the calmest I've felt in my entire life. Or death now?
I started walking. I don't know how much I walked for. Maybe it was mere seconds. Maybe hours. I wasn't sure if time even passed at all in this place. And still, i kept moving. And in the end, i found something. Someone, actually. It was a humanoid figure. I'm not sure why, but even though i vividly remember that figure, i can only describe it as being humanoid. I got closer to it, and that figure spoke.
"Greetings."
I was shocked, at first. Even though they didn't sound hostile and even in this calm place, I was startled. Of course i would be. First I die, then i find myself in this strange place and the i find someone weird. Who wouldn't be creeped out?
"Dont worry, I mean no harm." they said.
"What the hell? Who are you? What is this place?"
"I am what you would call a god" he answered.
He was... a god? So I really was dead then.
"Sigh... So i really am dead, huh. Well, since you're god and all, you know the way to the afterlife or rebirth or however death works here?"
"Oh no, you aren't in the correct place for that. You have been picked for a different purpose."
"I... what?"
"To be more specific, this place isn't where souls go to move on. This is the barrier between two worlds. Your original one and another, different one." they added.
This is certainly too much to take in. This is a barrier? And I was chosen? What does that even mean?
"Wait, wait, wait, slow down. What does that even mean? Can you explain?"
"As you wish. What would you like me to explain?"
"Well, i can somewhat make sense of the world barrier or whatever, but what did you mean by "picked for a purpose"? And what is that purpose?"
No, if I had to be honest, I knew what he meant by that too. It was a familiar trope, where a human died and got summoned by a god to act as a hero. A classic isekai. I just hoped that wasn't the case. I was neither qualified enough to act as a hero or wanted to bear the responsibility that came with the job.
"You were chosen to be summoned as a hero. War has been brewing between the major kingdoms, and you, along with two other heroes, will be tasked to put a stop to these hostilities. I shall of course bestow you some powers after the mutual agreement of both parties."
So indeed, it was a classical isekai, huh. Okay, it had a bit of a twist, sure, but it was still an isekai.
"Do I even have a say in this?" I said, obviously sounding dejected.
"Sure you do!" They said.
Huh? That was unexpected. Normally, you are summoned before you can argue back. But I could choose? My choice is obvious. I will refuse, and then move on to my next life. I dont wanna be involved with wars and heroes. I'd rather just live my life in peace.
"Can I think about it for a bit? In the meantime, let's just talk."
"Then talk we shall."
I told them that, but i don't know what to ask. What would be useful in this case? So some knowledge on the new world would be useful, sure. But i would probably learn them once i arrived. Not that I was planning to anyway. Oh, I know!
"Ok then, why was I the one summoned? Was I special?"
"Special? No, please, perish the thought! Few mortals are ever special. You were merely lucky to be pulled from the cycle of reincarnation of your world!" they said, grinning almost mockingly.
Well that was grim, to say the least. Though they continued speaking.
"Well, the spell i used pulls souls from the cycle of reincarnation depending on their quality, though I didn't expect it to pull someone like you."
"Wait, souls exist? And they have qualities? What are these qualities then?"
"If I had to explain it in a way you could understand, the quality of a soul really comes down to how much potential a soul has to grow."
"By potential, do you mean the ability to get stronger or smarter?"
"Precisely. Of course, the quality of a soul is predetermined and isnt affected by the outside conditions, so souls with good quality can be born in poor living conditions, and souls with bad quality can be born in good living conditions."
"Then why were you surprised after I was summoned?"
"The spell is designed to pull souls with either bad quality, that can easily be bestowed with powers, or great quality, that just need their already great potential amplified. Though, you were quite the surprise, since your soul is about average."
Wow. I dont know if should take this as a compliment or an insult.
"Ok. Now a second question. Why pick other-worlders? Can't you pick people of that world as heroes, or even go yourself?"
"The process for me to descent is quite long and complicated. If I had to go myself, i would probably be 400 years too late. And it is not like I haven't tried with the people of my world. Their souls just couldn't handle the powers bestowed upon them. Only one could handle it and that was eons ago."
"So they died?"
"Indeed. Their souls were completely destroyed."
The fact that he didn't sound even a tiny bit affected by the death of all these people made me a bit mad. But he was a god after all. I doubt a god would feel the same as a human would.
"Okay. One last question then... Am I a bad person?"
"For what?"
"I died, and yet, I don't even feel anything. A normal person would miss their parents, their family, their friends and yet, I don't. So, can I be considered a good person?"
"Who cares? It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. But, even though you claim not to feel anything, you still think about them. Isn't that enough?"
Huh. That felt strangely comforting for some reason.
"So. Have you finally decided on if you would like to become a hero?"
"Hmm. Yes. I think i have. I... don't want to."
"Huh?" the god exclaimed, surprised. "I certainly hadn't considered this outcome."
Wait, he didn't expect someone to refuse him? Well, I dont blame him. Who would refuse to do the bidding of a god? Still, I wasn't the correct person to play hero in some unknown world. If I had to do something in my next life, I would like to be in a loving family, where if I die again, I'll miss them, where I wont be forced to do things I dont like. That will be a perfect life for me.
"This situation is problematic" the god said as he sighed. "The spell wasn't designed to return the soul back to its original cycle of reincarnation and it would be too inefficient to return you so you'll probably have to be reborn in this world."
"Wait, what? But I said I didn't want to!"
"No, not as a hero. As a normal human."
Oh. So even if I did want to go back to Earth, I can't . Great.
"I'll tell you what. Since you brought to my attention this possibility, I'll let you keep your memories. Everything else though you'll have to accomplish yourself."
"What, really? Thank you!"
"Oh, by the way, what about the other heroes? Isnt there a chance that they will refuse too?"
"Yes. That's why I'll be using different means to summon them."
"Different means?"
"There is no need for you to know."
That sounds ominous, but eh, who cares.
"Alas, our time together is nearing its end. May your life be fruitful and fulfilling, as mortals say."
"Will I be seeing you again?" I asked, merely on a whim.
"Only time shall tell." he answered in kind.
At that moment, I saw a bright light and the place i was in instantly changed.