I guess this is the end of my life.
There's a lot I regret—not seeing my parents one last time, dying just before my college graduation, never finding out what the One Piece actually is, and not having the chance to start a family of my own.
But there's one thing I don't regret.
Saving those two kids.
Not even a little. I just hope they live long, happy lives.
The next moment, everything fades to white. My body feels light, almost like I'm floating. Then, from the blank expanse, a man dressed in pure white appears before me.
"Are you Shin Tempest?" he asks.
"Yeah… Are you God?"
He chuckles and shakes his head. "No. My name is Gavin. I'm a messenger serving under the divine envoys. My job is to guide souls like yours to reincarnation."
"So… I really died," I mumble, sadness washing over me. "I hope those two kids are alright."
Gavin offers a gentle smile. "They're more than alright. The girls you saved were incarnations of the Goddess of Lust and the Goddess of Dragons. Because of your selfless act, they—and a few other gods—decided you deserve another chance at life."
My breath catches. Those kids… were goddesses? Not just any goddesses, either. My parents used to tell me stories about them when I was little. And now they're real?
"You'll get to choose four gods or goddesses to form your pantheon and begin building a kingdom in the new world," Gavin says. "If you want to know why they chose you, I suggest starting with the sisters you saved."
He gestures toward a glowing doorway. My steps feel surreal as I follow him into the chamber where fate awaits.
There, an orb hovers in the center of the room. I already have a few names in mind.
Placing my hand on the orb, I make my first choice: the Goddess of Lust—Lilith.
Second, I choose the God of Chaos and Shadow—Aether.
For the third, the legendary master of weapons—Hayato, the God of Weapon Mastery.
And last, the Goddess of Dragons—Ouroborous.
As her name is chosen, a powerful yet warm presence fills the room. The dragon goddess smiles, stepping forward.
"Call me Thrudd," she says. "After all, you'll be my husband… and my sister Lilith's as well."
I blink. H-husband?
Before I can respond, the gods each step forward and bestow their blessings.
Lilith grants me a powerful trait—my body will always adapt to provide perfect pleasure for any female partner, no matter her race or size.
Hayato imbues me with absolute mastery in spearmanship and dual swordsmanship. He also gifts me three legendary weapons: the Dragon Spear, and the Dual Swords of Lust and Chaos.
Aether smiles faintly as shadows swirl around me. He grants me Shadow Extraction, much like Jinwoo's ability, and the Naming skill, similar to Rimuru's—allowing me to evolve creatures who serve me into powerful, unique beings.
Lastly, Thrudd steps forward. Her voice is calm, ancient, and full of promise.
"You will have the potential to master all forms of magic," she says. "And your true bloodline… it will awaken once you enter our world."
Then she leans in, a mischievous spark in her eyes.
"And Shin… Lilith and I have a surprise waiting for you. After all, you're our husband now."