My Body...
A lot of time has passed on Earth since I died. Roughly 20 to 30 years, I'd say. In that span, Earth underwent some truly massive changes. First off, Gates and Awakeners appeared.
You know, that classic setup from novels and comics. Sudden dimensional rifts cracking open in cities, swarming with monsters inside... People awakening to mana, ranked from S to A to B to C, hunting down those monsters. That kind of comic-book stuff is actually happening on Earth for real.
And as mana took root across the planet, the connection between Earth and the Soul Resting Place got severed, putting things in a real bind—whether inside the Gates or out. Souls from people dying on Earth aren't making it to the resting place anymore; they're just dissipating into nothing.
A huge crisis for both sides. If souls keep vanishing, no new lives get born on Earth, and no fresh butterflies arrive at the resting place. Both worlds grind to a halt.
[I called it scouting, but your role won't be anything grandiose. Just live on Earth—that's it.]
In that mess, my job is to reconnect Earth and the Soul Resting Place. With a sliver of God's power shared to me, my mere existence will bridge them again. Even a fragment of God's power—that's gotta pack a punch. Shoving power into some random soul? Who knows what could go wrong.
That's why they scouted me right when I arrived in my purest soul state. From God's perspective, a "pure soul" is like a stamped guarantee: no issues.
'Hmm...'
I'm putting on a show of pondering it, but from my angle, it's a no-brainer deal. A pure soul prepped for reincarnation in the Soul Resting Place? Nothing to do but float around like a bubble. If I'm reincarnating anyway, why not make it useful to the world?
And...
'You're really giving me your power?'
[Of course. Even the tiniest sliver of my power would outmatch any Awakener on Earth.]
Damn, that's tempting. Immense power, no work required—just exist and help the world. My heart's already sold, but inertia's got me pretending to mull it over.
Then God sweetens the pot.
[Naturally, I'll provide every support to make your life comfortable. No money worries, no issues with clothes, food, or shelter. Every convenience and entertainment that comes up? Handled. What do you say—ready to do it?]
That seals it. No reason to say no.
'I'm in!'
God beams at my enthusiastic reply and snaps his fingers—snap—sending me back to where we first met.
[Alright, contract signed...]
[You're just a soul right now, so you need a vessel to hold that form.]
Ooh, fancy philosophical line, but it lands cool. Love that vibe.
[Haha, I'll take that as a compliment.]
Whoops. Reading my thoughts again.
'Sorry... wasn't a diss... hehe.'
[No worries. It means you're comfortable around me—don't sweat it.]
[Got a bit long-winded there.]
With that, God peppers me with questions. Nothing major...
Q: Any preferred style for the vessel?
A: No clue. Just make it something popular.
Q: Communication will be spotty once you're on Earth. Probably won't meet again after this. Okay with that?
A: Fine by me. Earth's Earth, changes or not. I'm a quick adapter—no worries.
Q: I said just live your life, but I'd appreciate if you actively help folks in trouble.
A: Don't worry. I'll do my best.
Q: Final words?
...
Last words, huh. Means my time here ends soon. Once the vessel's ready and I head to Earth for duty, no more seeing or contacting God. I'll be solo on Earth, actions unseen and untouched by him.
'...'
[Take your time. Plenty of time left.]
No, I know what to say. Nothing else fits.
'...Thank you.'
I knew what family meant. Still wanted one despite never having it. Thought I'd buried that greed clean after realizing it was overreach.
Looking at God, I get why religions worldwide call deities "Father."
[...]
That last line catches him off guard—his face flushes with surprise, then softens into a warm smile.
[...You're really tough to read.]
With a small chuckle, he closes his eyes and raises his hand slowly. A pillar of bright light blooms around me, starting far off and steadily closing in, wrapping me up. The cozy warmth of the resting place intensifies.
The light narrows, blotting my vision... and the last glimpse of God's face before it goes dark.
'...'
Somehow... sad.
Moments later, nothing but the blinding pillar. My consciousness fades.
Or rather... transfers to the vessel.
— — —
How much time passes? The light's so intense it's blinding. Still feels hot. When does the transfer end? How long do I keep my eyes shut?
Bzzz—
That familiar bug hum hits my ears mid-thought.
"Mm..."
Body feels heavy, stiff. Like waking from a long dream—refreshing but ugh, don't wanna—
Wait. Dream?
I bolt upright, eyes snapping open. That's when I realize: the persistent light even with eyes closed? Blazing sunlight.
"..."
I blankly scan around.
Bzzz—
No one nearby. Nothing, really. No buildings, no human presence... zilch.
'Not a dream.'
Relief washes over me. Meeting God, saving the woman—all real.
Shaking it off, I look again. Just trees nearby.
"...?"
Not ordinary trees. Massive ancient forest, dozens of meters tall, dense canopy.
Luckily, where I woke is a sunny clearing amid them, warm grass.
'Deep in the woods?'
Is this even Earth? Never seen a landscape like this in my life.
But probably is. God wouldn't screw up.
Bugs and grass scent fill the air, but something stuffy hits me—I blurt out, entranced:
"...Where am I?"
...Huh?
That voice from my throat? Not God's deep charisma. Not my pre-death soft low timbre. Not even a kid boy's pitch.
"...Huh?"
Again. Same sound. So this is my voice now.
Crystal clear, like pearls rolling—pure, bell-like, piano-perfect. I clap a hand over my mouth in shock at its innocent beauty.
'Gasp, gasp...'
Even the ragged breaths leaking through—girly.
The vessel God crafted? Female, looks like.
But guesses only. I breathe deep, steady my pounding heart.
Soon calmed, I test it: slide a hand down.
...Bingo.
Nothing there. Or rather... open space.
"Ahaha, ahahahaha..."
God, come on. I said make it whatever, but this?
"Ahahahaha!"
Emptiness and futility surge—I flop down, staring blankly as time slips by.
...Hi there. My new soulmate I never asked for.
. . .
Sky darkens—hours passed? Crossed the forest, found human traces: smooth asphalt highway.
On the way, puddle reflection? Gorgeous. Beyond words—embarrassing to even think it.
'Follow this road.'
Not too late, but camping out? Bad idea. Especially as this cute girl.
Power's there somewhere, but unsure if active or how to use. Probably hits like a lightbulb someday.
...Maybe.
No cash, no phone—nothing but endless walking along the road.
'...I'll be fine, right?'
Doubts creep about God as I trudge the long stretch.
Wonder when I'll hit somewhere...