I stood quietly in the center of this pure white world.
To be precise, it's not even certain whether one is truly "standing".
Because there is no tactile sensation underfoot, the body cannot feel any weight.
Just then...
A figure slowly emerged in the distance.
It was a pure white human-shaped silhouette.
I can't tell her age.
The gender is unclear.
Even the facial features appeared somewhat blurry.
Only that perpetually smiling face evoked an instinctive unease.
It was as if I saw a smiling face wearing a mask.
They were smiling, but I couldn't sense any kindness from them.
(We finally met...?)
My heart sank slightly.
( Man-God.)
He was naturally familiar with this person, an important figure who runs through the entire storyline.
It is precisely because we understand this that we are more vigilant.
A mastermind who enjoys manipulating fate, manipulating people's hearts, and treating countless lives as pawns.
A true master of manipulation.
However, on the surface, I still maintained a bewildered and helpless appearance.
The Man-God spoke first.
The sound seemed to resonate directly in the depths of one's soul.
It carried a touch of frivolity, a hint of casualness, and a deeply hidden sense of mockery.
"Yahoo~ Rudeus- kun, Hagi-me-ma-shidie~"
I instinctively opened my mouth.
But he found that he couldn't make a sound.
That feeling was quite wonderful.
The mouth cannot move.
But thoughts can be transmitted freely.
It was as if the two sides were engaged in some kind of spiritual exchange.
Can you hear me?
I tried to convey my thoughts.
"Nice to meet you... Who are you? How do you know my name?"
Then he pretended to be panicked and looked around.
Where is this place?
"I clearly remember being lifted into the sky, and then..."
He was only halfway through his sentence.
I pretended as if I had just noticed the other person.
He suddenly pointed at the white figure.
"What... what are you?"
The smile on the Man-God's face seemed to widen slightly.
"You adapted very quickly!"
As for me?
"I am God~"
" Man-God."
I feigned disbelief and widened my eyes instantly.
His facial expressions are on par with an Oscar- Emperor Rank.
"Majigayo!?"
"Gods?!"
"They really are gods?!"
"This is the first time in my life I've ever seen a living god!"
"Am I the legendary chosen one?!"
His voice was filled with shock.
Adoration, and the excitement of someone who has never seen the world before.
The Man-God was clearly taken aback for a moment.
Even He had probably never seen such a cooperative person.
[ Emotion Points +100 from Man-God.]
But I couldn't help but internally complain:
(The chosen one? I'll choose you my foot! You peeping tom! You're spying on other people's privacy all over the world, and you still have the nerve to put on a kind elder's act.)
But complaints aside...
We still need to put on a good show.
After all, when facing such an ancient monster that has lived for countless millennia, any unusual occurrence could raise alarm.
The Man-God coughed lightly.
They adopted a mysterious and enigmatic demeanor once again.
"Uh-huh--"
" Rudeus."
"I've been observing your life all along."
"This is really interesting!"
I almost couldn't keep my smile going.
(He's been confirmed as a perverted voyeur.)
(Don't you find what you said strange at all?)
But he was still deeply moved.
"Really?"
"To receive the attention of a deity is truly an honor for me!"
"I will definitely work harder in my life from now on!"
"Hahaha~ Is that so?"
The Man-God were clearly very pleased.
" Rudeus, I think you're a kind child~"
I think we should be able to become friends.
Upon hearing this...
I was immediately delighted.
friend?
You seem to say the same thing about all the apostles throughout history.
Then they ruined people's families and caused their deaths.
But he was incredibly excited.
"Really, Your Majesty?!"
"Since we're friends—"
"Could you grant me some power at the God Rank?"
"Ideally, the kind that can shatter a mountain with a single punch!"
Man-God: "..."
"That's not possible right now."
"What about the divine artifact?"
"Give me any god-slaying sword, I'll take it!"
"... Not at the moment."
"That treasure that can infinitely increase magic power?"
"No."
"The elixir of immortality?"
"No."
The ability to summon a harem?
"No."
"Automatic money-making system?"
What is that thing?
"That all-knowing, all-powerful cheat?"
"No."
Several questions followed in succession.
The smile on the Man-God's face was almost impossible to maintain.
Finally, unable to hold back any longer, I raised my hand to interrupt.
"Stop, stop, stop--"
All I can offer you right now is advice.
"Suggestion?"
My eyes lit up, and I put on an exaggerated expression:
"Is this the advice of the gods?"
"I will listen to any advice from the gods!"
Emotion Points +100 comes from Man-God.
"Very good."
"I'm finding you more and more interesting."
I pretended to scratch my head, revealing an innocent smile.
"Yeah?"
"Someone like me, whose mind is only filled with thoughts of food and sex, could possibly interest a deity?"
The Man-God laughed twice.
Clearly, they didn't care much.
However, the next second...
As if suddenly realizing something, I revealed a playful expression.
"Speaking of which... I'll definitely have many wives in the future, right?"
"There will definitely be more and more children."
"If one day..."
There are just too many children.
"I can't manage it all."
"There will always be a few naughty kids who cause trouble, right?"
"What if they cause some terrible disaster..."
I paused for a moment, but my bright smile remained on my face.
He said slowly:
"Finally, give the deity to—"
"Killed--"
In an instant!
The whole world fell into a deathly silence.
[ Emotion Points +100,000 from Man-God.]
The previously cold, pure white space seemed to freeze suddenly.
The air condensed.
Time stood still.
Even his usually frivolous smile froze for a moment.
The Man-God watched Rudeus silently.
He didn't speak.
That kind of gaze.
For the first time, it involved scrutiny.
They became more vigilant.
I, however, seemed completely oblivious and burst into laughter.
"Of course I was just kidding!"
How could a mere mortal possess the power to kill a god?
"Even if that day ever comes, my children will still be good children who respect God."
"Lord Kami?"
Why did you stop smiling?
Aren't we buddies?
"Can't you take this kind of joke?"
silence.
a long time.
The Man-God finally laughed again.
However, the laughter was noticeably drier than at the beginning.
"Uh... ha... haha..."
" Rudeus."
"You really know how to joke... you almost made me laugh to death."
Although it says this, its attitude has subtly changed.
The initial air of superiority and composure has noticeably diminished.
A moment later.
The Man-God finally revealed his true purpose.
In short.
"After you wake up."
"Please rely on the man beside you."
"And help him."
The sound faded.
The figure began to become transparent, and the pure white space gradually dissipated.
Remember my advice!
We'll meet again someday.
The sound grew farther and farther away, more and more indistinct, until it finally disappeared completely.
I was left standing silently in the crumbling white world...
As he gazed in the direction where the Man-God's figure had vanished, the innocent smile on his face slowly faded.
Instead --
It was a meaningful, cold laugh:
"Hehe..."
"That arrogant jerk..."