MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1: Talk with ???
With his fingers dancing across the keyboard, he let out a weary sigh. He paused to glance at the clock, noting that it was getting late, before grabbing his bag and exiting the office to begin his commute home.
Descending the staircase, he reflected on the course of his life and the path his journey had taken up to this point.
His name was Anthony, an orphan who had balanced numerous jobs just to finance his education. Possessing a remarkably sharp memory, he never struggled with his grades and worked tirelessly for years to reach his current position. However, all that effort had only secured him a poorly paid role in a minor firm. Lacking any real friends, he sought comfort and escape within the worlds of novels and anime.
He cursed his fate while walking down the stairs, debating which story to dive into once he reached home. As he stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi, his mind wandered through various plots, only for a truck to suddenly come careening out of nowhere at high speed toward him. Panic seized him, and though he tried to leap out of the way, his body was paralyzed by sheer terror. He cursed inwardly, wondering if the gods had dispatched "Truck-kun" to claim him for his earlier blasphemy. Darkness swallowed him as he was struck, bleeding out on the asphalt.
His soul began to drift through the vastness of the cosmos, floating without any fixed destination.
“Oh? A golden soul with such an unprecedented intensity,” a mysterious voice remarked.
A powerful force yanked Anthony’s soul toward the entity. The being’s eyes shimmered with a white light as it peered through the history of Anthony’s life. With a gesture, the entity roused Anthony, reshaping his soul back into a human form. He blinked his eyes open and surveyed his surroundings.
‘Where am I? I was certain I died. Is this heaven? Isn't Truck-kun supposed to transmigrate me after the collision? Tsk, tsk. I better not run into those authors in the afterlife.’
“Quiet your thoughts, mortal. This is not heaven.”
Anthony looked up and was struck with awe. Standing before him was a figure composed of ethereal shadows in a human shape, devoid of any facial features. Shocked, Anthony’s only thought was that he was facing the devil.
“I am neither a devil nor a god, mortal. Do not insult me by comparing me to such ants,” the being stated.
Fear gripped Anthony, but he realized there was nothing he could do. Since he was already dead, he simply resigned himself to the situation.
“Uhm... who are you, sir? Where is this place? How did I get here?”
The entity answered, “My name is ******. Ah, my apologies—as a mortal, you are incapable of hearing my true name. I pulled you here after noticing the radiance of your golden soul.”
“A golden soul?” Anthony asked, confused.
“Do not worry about the specifics,” the being replied.
‘But we are talking about my soul here, how can I not worry about the specifics?’ Anthony thought to himself.
“Even if I were to explain the nature of souls, let alone a golden one, you wouldn't comprehend it. Even your so-called gods and devils haven't grasped even 0.1% of the concept.”
“You can read my mind?” Anthony blurted out.
“Naturally. Have you already forgotten what I am?”
“You haven't actually told me who you are,” Anthony countered.
“Well, it is hardly my fault you are too fragile to perceive my name. Many call me the Consciousness of the Universe, the Core of the Universe, or the Holder of Truth. The list is endless, but those are merely labels given by others. In truth, I am nothingness—I existed before the concept of time and before the very beginning.”
Anthony was utterly stunned, unable to even begin to fathom the entity standing before him.
“So, you are the universe's consciousness,” Anthony muttered.
“Not exactly. Those are just names used because they cannot know the truth. Furthermore, there are infinite universes, not just one. Parallel worlds and different dimensions exist. Everything you have read about in your novels—it all exists.”
Anthony was left speechless, his mind reeling as he tried to process the scale of it all. The being chuckled at his vivid imagination and waited for him to settle. After a moment, Anthony asked,
“So, why did you bring me here?”
“No particular reason. I was simply curious to see such a vibrant golden soul, that is all.”
“Are bright souls that rare?”
“Within the infinite universes and dimensions, do you really think they would be? It is just that your soul's intensity is the highest I have witnessed since the birth of the first universe. Usually, I only spare golden souls a passing glance.”
Anthony felt like a mere plaything, something to be looked at and then discarded. He worried he might end up in hell since he hadn't been a religious man.
Sensing his anxiety and thoughts, the being laughed. Finally, it smiled and asked,
“Do you wish to be reincarnated?”
Anthony was startled and immediately replied, “Yes!” He was terrified the being might change its mind.
“Very well. Where would you like to be reborn?”
Anthony fell into deep thought as the plots of every novel he had ever read flashed through his mind. After a long pause, he said,
“I want a world with magic and martial arts. A place with dragons, phoenixes, titans, fairies, and elves—all the mystical beings I’ve read about.” As he spoke, his eyes sparkled with the anticipation of the adventures to come.
The entity sighed and shook its head, having fully expected such a request.
“Fine, I agree. Now, let us discuss the talents or perks you desire.”
As soon as the being spoke, Anthony’s brain went into overdrive. After cycling through countless abilities, he began his list.
“I want peerless talent in the sword, magic, systems...” Anthony started listing things off one after another. The being felt a headache forming and interrupted him.
“I am surprised you didn't choose a leveling system like your favorite character from Solo Leveling.”
“No, I don't want to rely on gaining EXP. While it's easy at the start, it would eventually become a burden. I’d be forced to constantly hunt stronger beings to progress. Wouldn't that just mean I'd stagnate or make enemies of every race by killing those at my level just for points?”
The being smiled and nodded in approval, then said,
“Visualize every ability, talent, and trait you want in your mind; I will handle the rest. Don't waste time thinking of specific spells like fireballs; just focus on having the elemental affinity. Once you learn magic, you will already be able to cast them. Since I am granting such absurd requests, I will give you five minutes. I will bestow everything you can imagine within that time, excluding things like true immortality or reaching my level of existence with a single thought.”
The entity immediately started a timer.
Anthony took a deep breath—despite having no lungs—and his mind began to spin. He listed high-tier abilities, their requirements, passive skills, and various types of systems to be merged together. He recalled everything he had ever read or seen, even inventing new concepts from his own imagination.
When the timer signaled the end, Anthony’s train of thought was instantly cut off.
“Since you have made your choices, I shall send you on your way. Any final words?”
Anthony thought for a second and simply said, “Thanks.”
The being smiled, said, “Off you go,” and Anthony vanished instantly.