Kazuki had always considered himself average—average grades, average face, average luck. But as he stood inside the grand halls of the Lunar Temple, with four beautiful women staring at him like he was the messiah, he realized his days of "average" were long gone.
The temple shimmered with silver light, carved entirely from moonstone that glowed gently in the dark. Vines of blue fireflies danced along the ceilings. Floating glyphs illuminated ancient murals of gods descending from the heavens. And in the center of it all—on an altar covered in magical script—was a massive throne-like chair that glowed the moment he stepped near it.
"This place was built for you," Lysaria said, bowing again. "The Celestial Seat. Only the God of Calamity may rest upon it."
Kazuki took a hesitant step toward it. "You sure it won't explode if I sit on it?"
The beastkin girl snorted. "Wouldn't be much of a god if you got blasted by your own chair."
"Her name is Kaela," Lysaria added, casting her a gentle look. "Please forgive her bluntness. Beastkin value strength and rarely speak with… grace."
Kaela grinned, her sharp canine teeth flashing. "I speak just fine. Guy shows up blasting demons with skyfire, I'm not about to call him 'Master' until I see him fight with his fists."
The red-haired swordswoman sighed dramatically. "Ugh, you're so primitive. Just because someone can throw a punch doesn't mean they're worth following."
"You weren't exactly not staring at him earlier, Celia," Kaela teased.
The swordswoman's cheeks flared pink. "I-I was analyzing his stance! As a knight!"
Meanwhile, the elf girl remained quiet, glancing at Kazuki from behind her staff, the air around her shimmering faintly.
"And that's Aria," Lysaria said. "She's a high elven seer. She senses magic on a level most of us can't comprehend."
Aria finally spoke, her voice soft and melodic. "He carries not just magic… but fate. The threads around him are tangled. Heavy. Dangerous."
Kazuki raised his hands. "Okay, pause. Can someone explain—properly—why you summoned me? And what this whole 'god' thing actually means?"
Lysaria nodded and gestured for him to sit. Despite his nerves, the Celestial Seat welcomed him. As soon as he sat down, a warm pulse spread through his body like a heartbeat syncing with something ancient and vast.
"In our world," she began, "there are beings called Celestials—fragments of divine power, scattered across the realms after the fall of the Old Gods. Every thousand years, one of these fragments reincarnates as a mortal. The God of Calamity is one such being—born to shatter the world, or save it."
Kazuki blinked. "And you think I have one of those fragments?"
"We don't think. We know." Lysaria reached out and touched his chest lightly. "The mana signature you carry… it's divine. Pure. And more powerful than anything this world has seen in centuries."
Kazuki leaned back, letting it all sink in.
Summoned to another world. Given godlike powers. Surrounded by a group of powerful, beautiful women who were ready to serve him. It sounded like the start of a cheap light novel… but it was real.
And part of him—deep down—liked it.
Still, he had to ask. "So what do you want from me? Be your weapon? Lead your army?"
Lysaria shook her head. "We do not command gods. We only follow them."
Kaela cracked her knuckles. "You fight, we follow. Simple."
Celia scoffed. "Some of us follow orders with a bit more refinement, thank you."
Aria lowered her gaze. "The world is breaking, piece by piece. If we don't act soon… the Void Serpent will awaken. Everything will be devoured."
Kazuki frowned. "That thing again. What is it?"
Lysaria's expression turned grave.
"A creature born of the Void. The absence of magic. The devourer of realms. It sleeps beneath the capital of the Thorn Empire, sealed by the last true god a thousand years ago. But the Empire is growing bold. They've begun searching for the Keystone that holds the seal together."
Kazuki stood slowly, gripping the edge of the seat.
"And if they break the seal?"
"Then not even gods will be able to stop it."
Silence fell. The weight of it all pressed down on Kazuki's chest.
He wasn't just summoned for power.
He was summoned to save a world teetering on the edge of collapse.
"I didn't ask for this," he muttered.
"No god ever does," Lysaria replied gently.
Kazuki looked at each of them—Kaela's fierce eyes, Celia's flushed face turned defiantly away, Aria's calm watchfulness, and Lysaria's devoted serenity.
They were putting everything on him.
And oddly… he didn't hate it.
Maybe it was the magic still buzzing through his blood. Maybe it was the way they looked at him—not with fear, but with belief. Trust. Even something like… affection.
"Alright," he said finally, exhaling hard. "If I really am this 'God of Calamity'... I'll help. But I don't want worshippers."
He glanced at them, serious now.
"I want comrades."
Kaela grinned wide. "Now that's a god I can fight beside."
Celia rolled her eyes, but smirked. "I suppose it's better than kneeling."
Aria bowed her head. "We walk with you, then. Not behind."
Lysaria stepped forward, placing a hand over her heart.
"Then let this be the beginning… of a new era."
As moonlight poured into the temple, illuminating the five of them standing together, Kazuki felt something stir in the depths of his soul.
A power waiting to awaken.
A future waiting to be written.
And a legend that had only just begun.