Chapter 1:

I Guess Even the End Wasn’t Ours to Choose

Reincarnated With My Dog and a Divine NEET: My Struggle as a Soulbound Tamer in Another World

The Final Rep

The gym was quiet at night—just the soft clatter of metal, the faint hum of fluorescent lights, and my heavy breathing.

I grunted through the final rep, my body aching, then racked the barbell with a clunk.

This wasn’t about building muscle anymore. It was about survival. The gym was the only place I could shower. Feel clean. Feel… like a human being again.

Managing to keep myself building up my strength regardless of everything bad going up was something positive I could at least do.

Outside, my beat-up car waited—my home. And inside that car, curled up in the passenger seat, was my best friend.

Luffy. A small Shih Tzu who always stood by my side, no matter what.

The parking lot buzzed under dim lights. Steam rose from my shoulders as I stepped into the night. I walked to my car, opened the door, and smiled.

“Hey, bud.”

Luffy wagged his tail under the hoodie I had left for him. The car hummed with low AC. A water bowl sat in the cupholder.

“You hungry? I’ll try to find something better tomorrow. Gas station guy’s been nice lately.”

I reached over and rubbed behind Luffy’s ears. The little Shih Tzu licked my hand in reply.

“I don’t care what happens to me. But you… you deserve more than this.”

I paused. “Hold on, buddy. Looks like you need some more water. I’ll run into the gym and fill your bowl up.”

I jogged back inside with his bowl and filled it up at the water station. On the way out, I felt something… off.

That’s when the screech hit my ears.

Tires.

Headlights.

Too fast.

I turned—and saw a car barreling into the lot. Music blaring. Driver swerving.

“LUFFY!!”

I dropped the bowl and sprinted.

Luffy barked once—confused.

I was able to get to the car in time and I dove.

I reached for him—

And everything exploded.

As I regained some of my conciseness for a few seconds I began to hear Blurred voices.

“Pulse is faint—he’s crashing!”

“Get the dog out of here! We need to—”

“Wait… am I dying?”

Beeping. Yelling. Hands on my chest.

Then… nothing.

Just white.

I opened my eyes.

No pain.

No blood.

Just white.

A soft, glowing expanse stretched infinitely around me. The floor was smooth like glass, warm like sunlight. A giant golden throne hovered in the distance, glowing faintly.

I blinked—and felt something warm pressed against my side.

A familiar shape.

Small. Fluffy.

“…Luffy?”

The dog stirred, stretched, and yawned—then licked my cheek.

I laughed softly, pulling him close.

“You’re here,” I whispered. “I guess I wasn’t fast enough to save us. I’m sorry, buddy.”

He barked, wagging his tail.

“What a life… well, I guess it’s not like I had much to lose anyway. If you’re here, then there’s not much else I really needed from the old world.”

We sat there together in silence for a long time.

I sat there patiently waiting with Luffy, although Four hours had passed.

I waited.

And waited.

I tried yelling.

“Hello? Is anyone here?!”

Then singing.

I even tried barking, just to see if Luffy would join in.

Still nothing.

Eventually, I laid back with my hands behind my head. “This is the most boring afterlife ever.”

I sighed. “Seriously. Even in the afterlife we’re getting treated like this, Luffin.”

That’s when the voice echoed:

“Mortal Ren. We offer our deepest apologies. Your reincarnation was scheduled nearly four hours ago. Your goddess… is late.”

I blinked. “Of course she is.”

“Please remain calm. She will be arriving shortly. You have my sincerest apologies for this inconvenience. Compensation will be arranged.”

“Sure. I mean, it’s not like I can go anywhere, right? So, I guess I don’t have a choice.”

The Late Goddess Enters

A tear ripped through the sky.

Out stumbled a girl in a hoodie, mismatched socks, and fluffy bunny slippers. Her tangled silver hair framed a sleepy face, and a glowing controller dangled from her hoodie pocket.

She froze.

“WAIT—I’M HERE! Sorry about that Chief Don’t start without me!”

“LYSSARIA,” the throne boomed.

“Chief!” she winced. “Look—I had it under control, I swear! But there was a raid going on, and we were finally going to beat the dungeon boss and—”

“You were tasked with delivering this soul. Your irresponsibility has gone unpunished long enough. This is not the first time.”

“But—but—but Chief, it’s not my fault! I promise I didn’t—”

“As punishment for your failure, you will accompany him in the mortal realm.”

“What?! You’re kidding! Mortal realm?! With him?!”

I stood, brushing Luffy’s fur. “Nice to meet you, too. Not like I asked for company.”

She squinted at my dog. “Why is there a Shih Tzu in the afterlife?”

“That’s Luffy,” I said flatly. “He got here on time. Unlike someone.”

She scowled. “Try waking up after three hours of sleep and juggling divine quests. This gig isn’t exactly glamorous, what would a homeless gym rat and his dumb dog know about the struggles of a goddess.”

“You missed one job, actually multiple from what your boss said and you have a golden throne. Seems glamorous enough to me.”

“Well… you lived in your car.”

“At least I was responsible in my own way.”

“At least I didn’t die because of some stupid dog.”

“ I mean really Ren if you wouldn’t have rushed to save him and would’ve just let him die you could’ve at least survived in that crappy existence of yours ”

I clenched my fists. “Say that again you stupid NEET Goddess”

Luffy growled.

“ENOUGH!” the throne boomed.

“You will not return until you’ve fulfilled your duties.”

“Your divine debt has been registered.”

A UI window flashed in the air:

Debt to Mortality: 99,999 Divine Points

Points Earned By:

Assisting the MC

Emotional support

Not being annoying

“99,999 divine points? This’ll take a lifetime!”

“Chief please!! Just let this one go I’m a goddess after all sending me to the mortal realm to help this gym rat idiot and his mut isn’t befitting of a goddess”

“Helping me?” I scoffed. “Who said I wanted help from a NEET goddess like you?”

“The bond is sealed. The three of you shall now descend.”

“Wait—three?” we both said at once.

A glowing interface appeared:

[Familiar Acquired: Shih Tzu – Name: Luffin]

STR: 1

MP: 0

Passive Skill: Fluffiness

Soulbound Potential: ???

“…Luffin?” I blinked.

Lyssaria read it and snorted. “That’s your magical starter beast?”

“Chief, this human and his familiar are weak. How will we even survive?! This can’t be happening to me right now”