Purpose

“What did you just say?” I asked her again. I had clearly heard her the first time, but something in me wanted her to confirm it.

“Just as you’ve heard—you’ve been given another chance at life.” Her mature tone instantly shifted back to being childish. She walked up to me and pressed both hands against my chest.

“You can grant me another life?” I asked, hesitant.

“Of course. For I am Anita!” Immediately after saying that, her gown began to float unnaturally, and so did she—rising into the air as if it were a game. She laughed, circling me in the air before leaning close, her breath brushing my ear as she whispered:

“I am the goddess of life and death.”

“Life and death?!”

“Exactly!” She winked and landed gracefully on her feet.

The idea of having another chance at life felt intriguing, but tainted. I had been killed—poisoned, to be exact. My memory was hazy, but I recalled that at the start of this year my miserable life had begun to change. Good things started happening, and I made friends with Hiyori and Kohei. Hiyori was sweet and kind, while Kohei was rough and aggressive but had a soft side. Before I died, I was invited to a party, Hiyori handed me a drink… and then I died.

Why would she kill me? Why had I even interacted with people like that? What was the point of everything? The idea of a second chance felt flawed, almost like making fun of death itself.

“U-um—”

“What do you think your mom would do?” Anita cut me off, her mature demeanor snapping back.

“My mom…” Her words reminded me of my mother’s last message before she died. She was right—I hadn’t accomplished her dream. I hadn’t fulfilled what she genuinely wanted for me. To die here would disgrace everything I’d gone through, the pain I’d suffered.

“Do you think I deserve this? Be honest…” I approached Anita and gently placed my hands on her shoulders. My eyes softened, begging for an answer.

“You do. I wouldn’t give you this opportunity if you didn’t,” she said bluntly.

“I see…” No matter how far-fetched this was, I had no right to reject such an offer.

“Fine, I accept!”

“Good.” A small smile drew across Anita’s face. “Now give me your hand.”

I obeyed, extending my right hand. Her fingertips traced seductively across my palm before she pressed hers against mine. A white light glowed from our joined hands, followed by a sharp pain. When it vanished, a red rose symbol was etched onto the back of my hand.

“That’s our contract and link. I’ll explain the situation and conditions. I did say you’d be given another chance at life, didn’t I?”

“Y-yes, you did.”

“Before returning to your world, you’ll be transported to a more fictional one.”

“Fictional world?”

“Yes, a separate reality that doesn’t follow natural laws of physics or concepts like Earth. This is a more fantasy world.” She snapped her fingers, and a transparent screen appeared from thin air, showing vivid images. First, a forest blooming with flowers and plants. Then, a kingdom.

“So basically, I’m being teleported to a fantasy world?” I repeated.

“Of course. You are indeed a fast learner.”

I narrowed my gaze at her, not caring for her compliments.

“This world, according to the pantheons, is known as Esteria.”

“Neat name.”

“Esteria has its own history and much more. Since you signed a contract, and that symbol is on your arm, any information about Esteria will now come naturally to you.”

I scratched my head. She was right—memories and facts about Esteria popped into my mind as if I’d always lived there.

“Then what am I supposed to do there?”

“Straight to the point? How interesting…” Anita smirked. “Esteria is currently on the verge of universal destruction.”

“What?”

“Yes. According to the pantheons, the issue revolves around seven major sources—the Seven Gauntlets. Your mission is simple: stop them. Once you do, you’ll be freed and sent back to your old world.”

“Hm…” I was conflicted, not by what she said, but by the basis of it all. “You’re a god, right? Why can’t you stop these Gauntlets yourself?”

“Are you joking? We pantheons are the gods of existence and creation. Our intervention would cause more harm than good.”

“Even though you’re gods? Then how many pantheons are out there?”

“Too many to count. Each governs their own world. I was put in charge of Esteria alongside her.”

“Her—”

“That isn’t important. Do you accept to take on the Seven Gauntlets?” Her tone grew sharp, laced with force. For a moment, I longed for her childish side again.

But I hesitated. I hadn’t played many RPGs, but I knew this “journey” sounded dangerous. She hadn’t even explained what the Gauntlets were. What if I wasn’t the first person she sent? What if it was a trap?

Then I realized—I had no right to reject this. I had made a promise to my mother: to be kind, to become the opposite of my father. If a whole world relied on me… who was I to refuse?

“Fine, I accept!”

“That’s good. Before teleporting you to Esteria, I’ll aid your journey. I’ll grant you some of the most powerful abilities at my disposal.”

“W-wow?! Really?!” I shouted, excited.

“Yes. I’ll adapt your body to wield these powers and make sure you know how to use them.”

A ray of light glowed beneath my feet. Information surged into my head—abilities, techniques, knowledge. It felt as though my stats were maxed out, yet I didn’t feel overpowered. I felt… the same.

The light faded.

“I’ll make sure to communicate with you frequently.”

Um—I still have a ton of questions—”

“Sorry, there isn’t time.”

The light returned, brighter than before.

“Oi oi oi! At least tell me what I’m supposed to do—”

“Are you dumb or something?”

“What exactly am I dealing with!!” I yelled as the light grew blinding.

“You’ll figure it out,” she said flatly.

“Are you messing with me!!!”

The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on soft grass. A vast, green oasis surrounded me—the same place I’d seen in Anita’s vision. The Mania Forest. I knew because of one particular fruit.

“That’s a Prusian?” I stood, walking toward it. The fruit resembled an oversized orange, growing only in this forest. I crouched, letting the knowledge in my head confirm it.

“The Mania Forest… then this must be the Orient Continent.”

According to Anita’s information, there were three main continents. One of them was Orient, home to the Prusian. The others… “There’s also the Somalia Republic and… what was the last one again?” Carelessly, I plucked a Prusian and chanted:

“Skill, Slice!”

I tossed it in the air, and it split perfectly into edible pieces.

“Wow?!” I blinked. One of Anita’s many skills, and they were too numerous to count. She hadn’t explained how they worked, but with the knowledge wired into me, I understood. Mana was the source of all life. Skills required releasing mana, and the body could normally only handle a few. Too many, and you’d burn out. Yet Anita had adapted my body to wield them all. My mana pool must have been near infinite.

I popped a piece of Prusian into my mouth.

“Ugh, so sour!”

Even so, I felt oddly calm. My goal was clear: help these people, save this world, and return home. No point in wasting time.

I gathered as many fruits as I could. “Skill, Sack!” A brown ragged sack appeared on my arm, and I stuffed everything inside. No matter how much I put in, it never filled.

“Nice of Anita.” Twisted as she was, maybe she wasn’t so bad.

Food was essential, even fruit. My logical destination was obvious: the main kingdom of the Orient Continent. I must have been placed here because the first Gauntlet was nearby.

“Heh! This will be a piece of cake!”