Chapter 1: Meet the goddess

I am an ordinary working guy, except that unlike others, I can’t see anything.

Grandmother said it was because I got sick when I was young and there was no money for treatment.

It happened so long ago that I don’t remember it at all.

After that, my vision remained a blur—various flickers of light and dark spots.

Life was inconvenient at first, but fortunately, Grandmother always took care of me.

So, I gradually adapted.

Today is a day off, and I plan to go to the Peach Garden with Grandmother tomorrow.

Though life is hard, it’s enough to support myself.

Besides, there’s Father, Stepmother, and a little sister.

Being blind can’t stop me from living properly.

It’s rare to have nothing to do today, and the sun is shining brightly.

Because I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, I decide to bring out the lounge chair and bask in the sun for a while.

Just like Grandmother often does.

Grandmother went out to buy groceries today, saying that Father contacted her and will visit us once.

She wants to prepare a good meal.

I move the lounge chair to a spot under a fruit tree in the yard.

Mimicking Grandmother’s imagined posture, I lie down peacefully, listening to the birds singing and cicadas chirping nearby.

Planning to take a nap.

But this time, it seems I didn’t wake up.

It’s so dark, so cold.

Why this time can’t I see any light at all?

It’s so quiet around me—no sound, no warmth from sunlight, no sensation of a breeze.

I panic and scream desperately, but there’s no response, no echo.

I’m so scared—is this a dream?

I start slapping my own big mouth hard and pinching my thigh.

It hurts. So much pain. Such a real feeling.

This isn’t a dream.

Am I…

dead……?

I clearly remember basking in the sun and sleeping lazily just a moment ago.

How did I suddenly fall into this endless darkness?

“Am I really dead now? Leaving peacefully in a tranquil sleep… Hmph, not bad at all. At least I didn’t suffer excruciating pain.”

“You seem to have a very relaxed attitude toward death?”

“Who! Who’s there?” I turn toward the voice and ask, “Are you here to take me to reincarnation?”

“Hm? No, there’s no such thing as reincarnation in this world.

Once you die, you’re dead.”

“Then who are you? Why have you brought me here?”

“I am the World God. You can think of me as an ordinary deity passing by.

Besides, you are completely dead.

This is a Negotiation Space I set up temporarily.”

“Goddess? What nonsense is this?

And what do you mean I’m completely dead?”

“Isn’t it good to leave peacefully while basking in the sun? Or do you prefer to die in pain?”

“What I mean is, I was living fine—how did I suddenly die?”

I don’t answer the goddess’s words and continue questioning.

“That’s not my decision.

Your lifespan simply ended today.

That’s fate.

I didn’t kill you.”

“Then why did you bring me here?”

“To give you a chance—to be reborn and see a New World.”

“New World?

But I died like this—Grandmother will be heartbroken.

What about her?

Will Father and Stepmother take care of her?

Our family will be extinct.”

“I can help you.”

“Help me? What can you do?”

“Watch closely!”

The goddess approaches.

The atmosphere suddenly falls into complete silence.

Then she lightly touches both my eyes.

The next second, something strange happens.

“Hm? This… this is light!

This… these are my hands!

I can see? I really can see!”

“How about that?

Now you believe I’m a goddess and that I can really help you, right?”

I look up.

In front of me is a beautiful young lady.

Her golden hair gleams brightly.

Her fair skin is stunning.

Her white blouse is spotless.

A long skirt falls from her waist down to her calves.

She wears pink high heels.

A pentagram-shaped hairpin adorns her head.

Her eyes are kind and heart-piercing, like a pure angel.

As she speaks, tears flow uncontrollably from my eyes.

Though I’m a man, this sudden burst of light and clear vision overwhelms me with emotion.

“So, will you accept this chance and go see a brand-new world?

There you’ll find new scenery, new friends, and of course, new experiences and challenges.”

“But… but I haven’t properly seen Grandmother yet.

I haven’t seen Mother or Father.

I haven’t found someone to be with… I haven’t…”

Tears won’t stop.

What started as just a few drops now floods my face.

“I’ve always been a burden.

Always troubling my family, especially Grandmother.

Today was supposed to be a reunion, and yet I’m leaving like this…”

Perhaps because the goddess is naturally kindhearted, or maybe my story touched her a little,

Suddenly she pulls me into her arms, patting my back with one hand and stroking my head with the other.

Although I want to say “Please, Goddess, men and women should keep their distance,” the warmth and excitement prevent me.

This atmosphere is so emotional.

“Alright, I know your pain.

I haven’t finished yet.

Your Grandmother will be sad at your departure for a while.

But later, your family will grow more prosperous.

In two weeks, your Father will bring Grandmother to the city to live in comfort.

Next year, your Father and Stepmother will have a new child to continue the family line.

Grandmother will continue to care for that new baby and live a happy life until the end.”

“Moreover, she will never forget you.

At the moment of her death, the memory that made her cry the most was coming home today and finding you lifeless,

holding you as she waited for your Father to arrive.”

“But… I’ll never see her again…

I… I don’t even know what Grandmother looks like.”

Already heartbroken, the goddess’s words finally break me completely.

I sob in her embrace.

“Listen.

This is something everyone is destined to face.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are unavoidable acts in the play of life.

They bring joy, excitement, anger, pain, regret, and memories that last a lifetime.”

The goddess holds me tighter, so tight I almost can’t breathe.

“But you must know you can’t stay in the same place forever.

You have to take a new step in your life.

And that step is now.”

“A new step?

You mean to live in a New World?”

“Yes.

You’ve never truly seen the world’s beauty, have you?

Never seen the face of someone you like, or a big family photo during a reunion?”

“You mean I’m going to see that New World?”

“You can understand it that way.

New scenery, new delicacies, and new friends await you there.

They await you to start a moving journey of friendship and exploration, to record the beauty of that world.

Of course, there will also be darkness and challenges.”

“I… I understand.

I accept,” I say, bowing my head.

“All right.

Stop being sad, child.

That world is quite different from this one, so I will give you something.”

“Quite different? Is it dangerous?”

As soon as I finish speaking, the goddess raises her hand and envelops my entire body in light.

Moments later, the light fades.

“Hm? What was that?”

“That world isn’t exactly dangerous, but you will need to fight.

It’s one of those fantasy worlds full of heroes, holy maidens, and monsters, you know?”

“That kind of Western fantasy world?

I get it.

I’ve heard about those kinds of stories.

So why did you wrap me in light just now?”

“I gave you a system.”

“System?”

“Yes.

When you arrive in an unfamiliar place, you’ll definitely have many doubts.

So I gave you a system to help you understand that world’s things,

assist your life, and improve your abilities.”

“How do I use it?”

“Simple.

Just silently say ‘system’ in your heart.”

“Okay, I’ll try.”

I silently say the word “system.”

Sure enough, several game-like windows immediately pop up in front of my eyes.

They show personal info, physical status, and other interfaces like inventory and shop.

That’s right—I can read.

Surprising, isn’t it?

Although I originally only knew a few simple characters,

after the goddess gave me light, all this knowledge suddenly appeared in my mind, making it easy to use.

“Hey, it really works.

The info matches me perfectly.”

“I told you.

This thing helps you understand the New World.

And only you and I can see this interface.

No one else can.

But don’t rely on it too much.

It’s best to depend on yourself.”

“That’s pretty good.

At least I don’t have to sneak around just to check info.”

“Next is this~” The goddess removes the pentagram hairpin from the left side of her head and pins it onto mine.

“Hey, Goddess, what are you doing?

I’m a guy; I can’t use a hairpin.”

“Don’t worry.

This hairpin has great significance.

It contains immense power and can serve as a storage container.

You can store weapons inside.”

“Ah? That sounds so magical.”

“Of course.

The power of magic can do anything.

Try it now—I’ve already stored a Rainbow Sword inside.”

“Rainbow Sword?”

I place my hand on the hairpin and silently say “Rainbow Sword.”

The next moment, something shaped like a sword hilt appears.

At first, it’s just a vague outline.

Then, more and more light particles gather until it solidifies completely.

I grip the hilt and pull hard.

Sure enough, I pull out a real sword.

It’s not big but very sharp.

The hilt has horizontal grooves, and the blade is engraved with patterns.

There’s a guard on one side of the hilt, like a fencing sword from the Olympics, but the blade looks similar to a Tang sword.

“But why is it called the Rainbow Sword?

I don’t feel anything rainbow-like about it.”

“Do you understand its inner meaning?

This sword contains the colorful power of magic.

When you fight, silently say ‘magic power’ in your heart, and it will manifest to help you.

When you don’t need it, just snap your fingers, and it will disappear and return inside.”

“Wow, I get it now.

Thanks, Goddess.

Can you give me more info or equipment?”

“Ha ha ha, little brother, you recovered quickly.

But don’t be greedy.

I’ll only give you one last gift, and that’s after you arrive in that world.”

“Okay! Thank you, Goddess! You’re the best! You’re awesome! (*/∇*)”

“All right.

We’ve stayed here long enough.

It’s time for you to go.”

Hearing this, my curious spirit vanishes as quickly as it came.

I lower my head and ponder for a long moment.

“Hmm… but I still feel reluctant.

Once I leave, I’m completely saying goodbye to this world.

That other world is unknown.

What will I face?

I’m worried.”

“You worry too much.

I think I should adjust your overly self-deprecating and sorrowful personality.

Hesitating like this, what good does it do?”

Then I see the goddess raise a hand, emit light again, and tap it on my head.

“Hm? Goddess, what did you do just now?

I don’t feel much different.”

“This?

I modified your personality a bit.

Before, you were too self-abasing, too hesitant, too easy to get discouraged and give up.

You constantly gave up on yourself.

I just adjusted it so you’ll be like a cute girl—silly and happy all day, loving good food.

So adorable.”

“Huh?

Isn’t that a bit perverted?

I’m a guy.

What does it mean to become like a cute girl?”

What kind of logic does this goddess have?

I really don’t want this!

My heart rebels fiercely!