My name is Kira. I'm twenty-two, unemployed, and—if I'm being honest—barely functioning as an adult.
I've spent the last three years after university drifting. Not because I didn't try—I've tried interviews, applications, even part-time gigs—but with my introverted nature and my weird sense of honesty, I couldn't lie my way through the things they wanted me to say. Maybe it wasn't even morality, just… discomfort. The kind that knots your stomach when you try to fake something you're not. It always felt like trying to wear someone else's skin, suffocating and awkward.
I went through all of school in the countryside, where no one really talked about anime or fantasy worlds. Moved to the city for college, lived in a dorm, but even there, I never got close to anyone. My classmates knew me because I could talk when needed—but never about what I loved. Not like I did with my one hometown friend. Just remembering it all makes my chest tighten.
Some nights, I'd lie in bed and imagine being transported to another world. Not because I hated my life—but because I wanted something different. Something where I didn't have to pretend, where maybe, just maybe, being me was enough.
I sighed and pulled myself out of the spiral of overthinking. The street was quiet as I walked home—a sleepy residential area wrapped in the soft glow of streetlights. The pavement was still warm beneath my slippers. A few dogs barked in the distance. A scooter passed by, then silence again.
I reached my house, unlocked the door, and yawned, hand over my mouth, eyes closed.
Then I stepped inside—and opened my eyes.
This wasn't my house.
Instead of my front hall, I was surrounded by trees—towering, ancient, and unfamiliar. The air was crisp and heavy with earth and dew. A warm golden light trickled down through the leaves, and sunlight hit my face from above, momentarily blinding me as I squinted. The chirping of birds, distant and clear, filled the otherwise eerie silence. The scent of wildflowers and moss drifted on the breeze.
I blinked several times, heart still oddly calm. A forest. Stillness. No rustling. No monsters. No… anything.
Where am I? Did I pass out? Lose my memory?
I checked my clothes—same pajama pants, same full-sleeved shirt. My black hair still fell across my eyes. I wasn't injured. Just confused. I patted my chest, my arms, looked at my hands. Everything felt real. Too real.
I clearly remember walking into the house. Is this... isekai?
I looked around carefully, turning on the spot. The forest felt real—the scent of pine, the soft crunch of dry grass beneath my slippers. I couldn't hear any cars, people, or city noise. No planes above. Just nature.
I walked a little further and found a large tree surrounded by low grass and open shade. I crouched, scanning for snakes or bugs, then slowly sat down, leaning against the trunk.
As I sat there, I felt the breeze brush softly against my skin, carrying the smell of moss and bark. The silence wasn't oppressive—it was calming. Like the whole world was waiting.
This seems like those otherworld settings in anime and novels. But there's no proof yet, so I'm surprisingly calm.
I placed a hand over my chest. No different. No surge of energy. Still… me. Still nothing.
Then it appeared. A floating blue screen.
[Unread Notification]
I stared. Took a breath. Exhaled slowly.
Yep. Definitely isekai.
I tapped the notification.
Hello Kira,
Welcome to this world. It's called Numen. To put it in familiar terms—yes, this is an isekai world.
Before you ask how—I've read your memories. But don't worry. That was a one-time thing. No further access unless you permit it. It's a divine rule we must follow.
This world has knights, mages, creatures, and dragons.
DRAGONS?!
Yes. I included that detail because I know you'd like it.
Seeing a DRAGON is the first step. Surviving it is the second.
I continued reading, eyebrows raised.
There are many gods in this world—demon gods, spirit gods, beast gods, and more. They summon champions, grant powers, and observe. Each has their own realm, their own followers. The more they empower their chosen ones to impact the world, the more divine or demonic energy they earn. But it's a trade: the more they give, the weaker they become.
Sometimes, these gods grant blessings directly to residents of Numen—those deemed worthy, or those whose actions amuse or interest them. It's not always heroic. Some receive divine or demonic power for darker reasons—chaos, ambition, manipulation. And when demons rise, demon gods often intervene to sow conflict and disorder. Other gods then respond, creating a cycle of power, interference, and resistance. The balance of this world constantly shifts depending on who acts and who stays still.
This isn't entertainment for us. It's politics, survival, balance.
As for me, I've been dormant for a long time. In my earlier summons, I played quite a major role—supported powerful champions, led wars, shifted nations. That earned me a massive following and an enormous reserve of divine power. But eventually, I got bored. So I stopped. Watched. Slept. Let the world pass.
I had stockpiled divine power, unsure what to do with it… until I summoned you. A random soul. From your Earth.
…Lucky winner, huh.
Whenever a god grants power or summons someone, they get full memory access—to choose suitable gifts, assess personality. It's part of the divine system.
I don't expect anything from you. You seemed… interesting. So go wild. The system I'm gifting you—yes, the "system"—is custom-built. Think of it like an AI assistant. It reads your thoughts and interacts naturally. I modeled its personality after those anime butlers named Sebastian—since the best ones always seem to have that name.
That's actually kind of cool.
My divine name is unpronounceable for you, so just call me "Kai."
Fair enough.
The message vanished. A new box appeared.
[Nice to meet you. I'm the system at your command. Would you like to connect mentally for hands-free access?]
Yes. I tapped it. The screen changed.
[Connection established. You may now think commands.]
I have a question. Why is this area so peaceful? There's been no one and nothing since I arrived.
[Divine shielding is active. You're protected until setup is complete.]
[Do you wish to change your appearance?]
I hesitated. Then spoke aloud, voice steady.
'Yes. Keep it simple. Make my hair white, my eyes red with black pupils and outlines. Body—just average healthy build. Clothes—just a plain shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark pants, and boots.'
Before the changes took place, a wave of guilt hit me.
A tight knot formed in my chest. Memories of their silent expectations flooded back—the late nights Dad spent at the office, Mom's weary smile after chores, my brother's focused gaze as he studied into the night. They gave me what they could, yet I'd carried an invisible weight: the need to prove I deserved their support.
As a kid, I dreamed of computers and games—imagining myself working in the IT sector or streaming as a pro gamer. But I never voiced those dreams. I learned that showing them felt like betraying those unspoken rules.
'Wait… what about my family? Are they panicking right now? Are they searching for me?'
✦ Divine Message ✦
The message came in a new window—bold and glowing, clearly not part of the system UI.
'Kai... that you?'
✦ Divine Message ✦
'Are they… okay back home?'
✦ Divine Message ✦
I exhaled slowly. 'I don't want them to suffer. But I don't want to carry their faces in my mind every time I move forward. I was never good at emotional stuff. Just… erase me. Like I was never there.'
✦ Divine Message ✦
It wasn't one dramatic day that shaped me, but thousands of moments—hiding my phone to watch anime, stifling excitement so nobody would question me, shrinking until I became a shadow in my own home.
'Yeah. They never really cared. So I stopped trying. I got used to moving through life without expecting anything in return.'
✦ Divine Message ✦
'Understood.'
✦ Divine Message ✦
In those quiet nights, I'd imagine another life: one where I didn't have to pretend, where simply being me was enough. And now, part of me wondered if this world could finally grant that freedom.
I stared at the glowing box for a moment, then gave a subtle nod.
'Alright.'
No dramatic speech. No swelling emotions. Just a quiet step forward.
Time to begin.
[Appearance change preview loaded. Approve?]
'Yeah. Let's go with that.'
My eyes closed. A strange lightness filled my limbs. When I opened them, I looked exactly as requested. A strange thrill ran through me.
[Now it's time to choose your powers. You have 1,000 points. Select from Skills or Traits.]
Just a heads up you're a bit late than others. Everyone has already summoned their heroes and they have already trained and got stronger for few years by now.
'It'll be a problem if I meet them early.'
I looked towards the system screen saying I have 1000 points left to spend
'Let's check some skills first.'
'Hmm...'
'What about the traits?'
I smiled.
'Hey, Kai. I've got a better plan.'
Another screen appeared, this one golden.
✦ Divine Message ✦
To be continued...