Chapter 1: Unlucky Day

Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

My phone’s alarm buzzed three times before I finally reached over and turned it off.

Still half-asleep, I squinted at the screen.

9:00 AM, flashing boldly in the center.

A quick glance toward the calendar pinned beside my bed reminded me:

Today marked the anniversary of the gacha mobile game I’d been playing for years.

I had already made plans… cook a decent lunch, prepare some snacks, and wait patiently for the new banner to go live.

Conveniently, the nearby supermarket was holding a Super Sale.

A perfect chance to restock my fridge and pantry.

It’s been five years since I started living alone in this apartment.

I originally bought it with plans to live here with my then-girlfriend, two years together, and I thought we were ready.

But life had other plans.

We broke up the same day I intended to propose.

Since then, I’ve been on my own.

Gacha games became my escape, something to look forward to, even if just virtual hopes.

Rummaging through my drawer for clothes, my hand brushed against something stiff.

An old company ID.

Raki Kouno

27 years old

Job: System Engineer

Three years had passed since I quit that job and jumped into the uncertain world of content creation.

The beginning was brutal, my savings nearly hit zero before my content started bringing in a decent income.

Now? I make just enough to cover my expenses, stash away some savings, and even send a bit home to my parents.

My eyes wandered over to my computer.

Right.

I needed a new keyboard.

The old one had been misbehaving for weeks, keys failing mid-MOBA matches and costing me games.

Might as well add that to today’s shopping list.

I should probably pick up a new SSD too, games these days are massive, and my current storage is nearly full.

I unlocked my phone and quickly added “keyboard” and “SSD” to my shopping list.

Right on cue, my phone buzzed again.

9:15 AM.

Another reminder.

“Oops…”

I’m taking too long.

The supermarket's bound to get crowded soon, and fighting for groceries isn’t how I want to spend my morning.

After a quick shower, I changed into my outdoor clothes, threw on my black coat, and stepped outside.

Waiting by the front door was my dog, Janbo.

He’s big, easily fifty percent larger than most dogs of his breed.

It’s been about a month since he figured out how to use the automatic feeder and water dispenser.

Still, even though I refilled it just a few days ago, I bent down to check.

It wouldn't be surprising if he helped himself a bit more than usual.

The feeder was about half full.

I glanced at my watch.

I still had a little time.

I swapped out the water and topped off his food.

Janbo's a smart dog, well-behaved too.

Though I still find it a bit odd how he waits quietly for refills instead of barking or whining when things run out.

“I know you want to come with me,” I said as he trailed behind me, eyes full of hope.

“But dogs aren’t allowed inside the supermarket.”

I gave his head a few gentle pats.

“Stay here. I’ll be back soon with a treat.”

With that, I stepped out and closed the gate.

Looking back, I caught a glimpse of Janbo peeking through the gate, watching me leave.

The supermarket’s just a few minutes’ walk from my apartment, and it opens at 9:30 AM.

A few minutes into my walk, I tried to remember if I’d forgotten anything.

Ah right.

I completely skipped checking the local news this morning.

Not surprising, considering I stayed up late binge-watching an entire season of anime.

I looked up at the sky.

Clear, sunny, with just a few scattered clouds.

Maybe I’ll take Janbo to the park later this afternoon.

He could use the walk and honestly, so could I.

About five minutes in, the supermarket came into view.

Even from a distance, I could already see a decent-sized crowd gathering at the entrance.

9:29 AM.

Right on time.

As I got closer, the automatic doors slid open, and the waiting crowd began pouring in.

“30–50% OFF on Groceries”

The large sign at the entrance screamed in bold red letters.

Another one read: “Up to 25% OFF on Digital Essentials”

Guess I’ll start with the SSD and keyboard first.

Most people seem to be heading straight for the food section anyway.

After weaving through the aisles for a few minutes, I stumbled upon a small gadget store tucked in the corner.

As soon as I stepped inside, a cheerful salesperson approached me.

“Good morning! What are you looking for today, sir?”

“I’m looking for a 2TB SSD and a wired keyboard,” I replied.

She smiled and pointed to a glass cabinet.

“We have some 2TB SSDs over there.”

“As for the wired keyboard,” she added, glancing at the display, “most of what we have on hand is wireless, but I’ll check the stock room for you.”

She disappeared into the back while I walked over to the SSD display.

The top shelf was lined with the latest high-end storage drives, most of which probably wouldn’t be compatible with my current setup.

I kept scanning the shelves, looking for the same brand I’d used before, one I knew would work without issue.

My eyes continued scanning the lower shelves and there it was.

A 2TB M.2 SSD from the same brand I was already using.

Perfect.

Just what I needed.

As I reached out and grabbed it, the saleslady returned from the backroom.

In her hands was a large box, about the size of a gaming keyboard.

“Is this what you were looking for, sir?” she asked, offering the box for me to inspect.

“Yeah, this’ll do. I’ll take it,” I replied with a nod.

She walked over to the counter, and I followed behind.

I handed her the keyboard box along with the SSD.

“That’ll be 8,500 yen for the gaming keyboard and 10,500 yen for the M.2 2TB SSD, 19,000 yen total,” she said with a polite smile.

I opened my mobile payment app and tapped to pay.

“Thanks for shopping with us,” she said as she handed over the large parcel.

I gave her a slight nod and headed back into the main supermarket.

A quick glance at my watch told me it was 9:47 AM.

Right. Time to grab the ingredients for lunch and a few snacks while I’m at it.

I made my way toward the grocery area, heading straight for the meat section in search of ground beef.

Navigating through the crowd, I carefully squeezed past a group of people lined up at the counters.

Relief washed over me when I spotted a good stock of ground beef still sitting on the shelf.

With that sorted, I moved on to the snack section, chips and ice cream were next.

I stared at the shelves filled with oversized chip bags, mentally debating between barbecue, sour cream, or maybe cheese flavor.

Just then, a small voice chimed in from beside me.

“Why not get it all, uncle?”

I turned, slightly startled, to see a kid grinning up at me, a stranger, but clearly not shy.

I turned to look behind me and spotted a black-haired girl, probably around five years old with soft chestnut-colored eyes staring up at me.

“Was I thinking out loud?” I asked, a bit embarrassed.

“Yeah, you were kinda mumbling, Uncle,” the little girl giggled.

“Where are your parents?” I asked, now slightly concerned.

“Mom went to grab some ice cream,” she said confidently. “She told me to stay here and pick out the chips I want.”

“So, what flavor are you after?” I asked with a smile.

“I want the sour cream one, but it’s too high,” she pouted.

I reached up, grabbed three bags, and handed one to her.

“Thanks, Uncle!” she beamed.

“You’re welcome,” I said, placing the other two bags in my basket.

“You like sour cream too, Uncle?” she asked curiously.

“I’m kind of in the mood for it today,” I replied.

“I’ll go now. Make sure to wait here for your mom, okay?” I added.

“Thanks again, Uncle!” she waved happily.

I waved back and walked away, thinking,

Technically, I’m still twenty-nine… at least until lunch.

With a smirk, I headed toward the ice cream aisle. All I needed now was chocolate ice cream, I had everything else in the fridge to cook Hamburger steak later.

Just as I reached out to place a tub of chocolate ice cream into my basket, a loud, sharp scream echoed through the store.

My heart skipped.

It was familiar.

The little girl.

Without thinking, I bolted toward the chip aisle, my hands still full with the things I had picked up earlier.

Skidding to a stop at the aisle’s entrance, I saw a small crowd beginning to form.

Then I heard a woman’s voice, firm, distressed.

“Please let go of my daughter!”, she begged.

A man was gripping the little girl like a hostage while a blonde woman, clearly her mother, was pleading desperately for him to let her child go.

Without hesitation, I dropped everything in my arms and rushed in.

The man’s focus was entirely on the mother, which gave me just enough of an opening.

I closed the distance and yanked his arm away from the girl, pulling her free from his grasp.

Using what little I remembered from my jiu-jitsu classes, I managed to lock both his wrists behind him.

But he was strong, far stronger than someone like me who spends most of the day at a desk and only gets exercise from casual walks with my dog.

He thrashed wildly, struggling against the hold.

As he flailed, his jacket flew open and that’s when I saw it.

Strapped to his chest was something I never thought I’d see in real life: an explosive device.

And not just any kind, it’s a military-grade.

It all clicked.

The hostage act.

The loud scream drew in bystanders.

He wanted people nearby when it went off.

With one final surge, the man broke free from one of my holds and reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a remote detonator.

Before he could press it, a blur of fur and muscle lunged into him.

A massive Akita sank its teeth into his arm, forcing him to drop the remote.

It hit the ground, face up, thankfully.

“Janbo!” I shouted, recognizing my dog immediately as he growled and held firm, teeth clenched around the man’s forearm.

The man howled in pain, giving me just enough time to slam him to the floor and pin him again.

“Give up. You’re not going anywhere from this position,” I said.

He smirked. “Fool. You think the remote’s the only trigger?”

Beep… beep… beep…

The soft, rhythmic sound cut through the growing silence.

Everyone froze.

A timer.

“In less than a minute,” the man sneered, “everyone in this building will be dead.”

Laughter escaped his lips, twisted and cold.

Then I heard another voice, soft, familiar, full of disbelief.

“…Raki? Is that you?” asked the blonde woman, eyes wide with recognition.

“Kanon…?” I muttered, staring into the emerald eyes of the blonde woman, the little girl’s mother.

Now it made sense.

As I looked closer at the child, I saw it, her facial features were unmistakably Kanon’s.

Everything but her hair and eye color.

“I see,” I whispered.

Then everything hit me at once.

“RUUUN!” I shouted with all my strength.

“But…” Kanon’s voice trembled, her eyes welling with tears.

“Just run, Kanon!” I commanded, louder, more forcefully.

She hesitated for only a moment, then dropped the chocolate ice cream she had clutched in her hand and grabbed the girl’s hand tightly, bolting toward the exit.

The rest of the shoppers were already in motion, fleeing toward safety while I stayed behind, still pinning the man to the cold floor.

“LET ME GO!” he shrieked, thrashing wildly.

But with Janbo still locked on his arm, his struggles were futile.

“No,” I said, tightening my grip. “You’re staying here, with me.”

“You’re fucking insane,” the man spat, trembling beneath me.

“Thanks,” I said flatly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I glanced at the strange device strapped to his wrist… just 15 seconds left.

If I let him go now, he’d bolt straight for the crowd.

There was no time.

I sighed deeply, accepting what was to come.

Janbo remained still, teeth clamped tightly around the man’s arm, unwavering and loyal.

14… 13… 12…

If it weren’t for this maniac, I’d probably be cooking right now, my favorite hamburger steak.

Kanon made it for me on my birthday once, back when we were still together.

I can still remember the taste.

11… 10… 9…

I guess yesterday’s upload will be my last video guide.

I wish I had time to pull from that banner.

I’ve been saving premium currency for half a year now…

8… 7… 6…

“Come here, Janbo,” I said, releasing the man’s arm.

Without hesitation, Janbo let go of his bite and rushed over to me.

5…

“Thanks for coming,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around him and giving him a few head pats.

4…

…

It’s dark… That was my first thought.

“Yeah, things tend to be dark when your eyes are shut,” an unfamiliar voice replied with a hint of sarcasm.

Annoyed, I slowly opened my eyes.

As my vision adjusted, I saw an old man seated on what looked like a massive, ancient throne, stone-carved and covered in glowing runes.

“Is this… the afterlife?” I asked cautiously.

“Close guess,” the man said with a cryptic smile.

Bau! Bau!

That bark, I knew it instantly.

I turned and saw a large Akita beside the throne, tail wagging happily.

The old man gave it a few casual pats before the dog suddenly dashed toward me.

“Janbo!” I shouted, just before he leapt into my arms, knocking me onto the floor.

I laughed as he licked my face relentlessly, his warmth and weight pressing into me.

It felt real.

Too real.

He was alive.

I was alive.

Still catching my breath, I looked up at the old man.

“So… where exactly am I, old man?” I asked.

“In human terms, you’re in Limbo,” the old man said calmly.

“I brought you and your companion here moments before the explosion.”

“You saved us? Why?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Let’s start with introductions,” he said, rising from his throne slightly.

“I am Chaelon, the God of Luck and Fortune.”

He gave a slight bow, eyes glinting with something between wisdom and mischief.

“I have a task for you and your companion.”

“A task?” I echoed warily.

“I want you to help restore the flow of luck in another world.”

“That sounds… kind of overwhelming for a regular guy like me.”

“A regular guy who didn’t hesitate to give his life for others,” Chaelon said with a smile.

“You’re more than qualified.”

He stepped beside a radiant treasure chest, opened it, and without me seeing him move, three objects materialized in my hands: a coin, a die, and a deck of cards.

“These are divine relics,” Chaelon said.

“They’ll help you complete your mission.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Am I supposed to start a casino or something?”

He chuckled.

“No. These are not for gambling, they’re tools of fate.

The Coin of Fortune, the Die of Potential, and the Cards of Ability.

Each serves a purpose you’ll understand when the time comes.”

As I held them, faint glowing descriptions floated above each one, written in a language I somehow understood.

“So… what exactly am I supposed to do?” I asked.

“You’ll figure it out,” he said, waving a hand.

“Just treat it like one of your favorite games, but with only one life.”

I frowned.

“That’s not very reassuring.”

“Don’t worry,” he said with a grin.

“Complete the task, and I’ll grant you one wish. Anything.”

My grip tightened around the relics.

Janbo leaned gently against my leg, as if sensing the weight of the decision.

“One wish, huh…?” I muttered.

Chaelon’s eyes met mine. “So, what do you say?”

“But… I don’t really have a wish in mind,” I admitted.

“Are you sure about that?” God Chaelon asked with a sly grin.

Suddenly, an image flashed in my mind, a little girl with black hair and chestnut eyes, smiling brightly.

“There isn’t a single soul in any world without a wish,” Chaelon said softly, almost knowingly.

“…I’ll take the job,” I said, glancing down at the divine relics in my hands.

“Not like I have much of a choice.”

“Oh, you do,” he said. “You could refuse, and I’d send you back.”

My eyes narrowed. “Back… to just before the bomb explodes, right?”

Chaelon smirked. “Exactly. Five seconds, give or take. Then… boom… straight to the real afterlife.”

I sighed. “Yeah, no thanks.”

“So,” he asked one last time, “do you accept?”

“I do,” I replied. “I’ll restore the luck of that world.”

“Excellent!” he said cheerfully.

“I’m looking forward to your progress.

Oh, and just for fun, I’m letting you keep your smartphone.

I’ve upgraded it with a few divine features.”

My mouth dropped slightly.

“Wait, seriously?”

“Dead serious,” he said, chuckling. “Good luck and enjoy , Raki Kouno.”

Before I could say anything else, the ground beneath me opened up, and I dropped into the glowing portal without warning.