CHAPTER 28.5 – Too Perfect
(Pov – Daniel.)
The silence is overwhelming. We're supposed to be in a modern city, yet this emptiness is terrifying. According to Bravo, all the citizens have been gathered to witness the fight. Anyone could take advantage to rob, but no one does; everyone obeyed the dictator's order. Is he that fearsome? I barely know him, but his presence and reputation definitely make him seem untouchable—and worst of all, invincible… Huh?
Well, well. It's not that deserted after all. Finally I see pedestrians… dead ones… They're definitely dead.
We drive past them. There were two people: an old woman with messy white hair falling over her shoulders, and a suited adult man. Their bodies were seated against a wall, as if they were just resting after a tiring day. But no, that's not it. Their throats were slit—deep, grotesque gashes that exposed the flesh, with a lot of dried blood on their clothes mixed with fresh. They were most likely killed an hour ago or less; I seriously doubt a body would stay in that position for long.
It was only a matter of time before their heads, barely held by shreds of skin, slid to the ground.
"Those are the consequences of disobeying," Nismei said when she saw my fearful reaction.
"Well, well."
No wonder no one's here. Obey or die. I wonder why that old lady decided not to obey. The man maybe just felt rebellious, or he was tired of living… Tired of living, huh? I think that's what happened. He finally chose to die rather than keep living in this hell.
… An old woman died in such a horrible way… Tsk. Damn it.
My hands are shaking, and it's not from the cold. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, trying to stop the trembling. Hands, stop shaking…! Please, stop.
My chest feels tight, and a knot in my throat keeps me from swallowing the saliva that's built up. I'm filled with fear and worry, but not about the dictator—about… my sweet grandma.
My grandma… She could be suffering right now while I'm here playing hero in a world I don't understand, surrounded by death, blood, and worst of all—useless people…! My grandma, with her wrinkled hands, her warm laugh, her gaze that always made me feel everything would be okay… She's in danger right now.
Grandma… Grandma…
"Huh?"
A sharp pain pierced my head, like someone had driven a red-hot needle into my skull. It was intense, but… familiar. So familiar that I couldn't even complain, even though it hurt a lot.
I closed my eyes, staggering, and suddenly an image formed in my mind, clear as if I were living it.
"Eat, Dani. You need to grow big and strong, like your dad," my grandma said in her soft but firm voice, stroking my head with those hands that smelled of lavender soap.
She was offering me her plate of food—rice and vegetables that barely fed one person.
Was this a memory? I don't know. In the memory, my grandma looked bigger, taller—which was impossible. I'm at least 20 centimeters taller than her. Was it a memory from when I was little? Huh? Suddenly my point of view shifted.
I saw myself—a scrawny kid with messy hair—sitting at a small worn wooden table with a faded floral tablecloth. The kitchen was tiny, walls cracked. A very sad place to look at, but her smile… That smile made everything else disappear and turned it into the happiest, most beautiful place in the world.
Huh? The image froze, as if my mind had hit pause while trying to process it. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, and the memory resumed.
"Won't you eat with me, Grandma?"
"I'm already full, Dani. I'm not hungry. Eat it all, even the vegetables," she said, winking as she sat across from me, hands folded on the table.
"Thank you! I'll eat everything, Grandma!" I said, grinning ear to ear as I attacked the plate with enthusiasm, unaware that my grandma was starving.
I opened my eyes, and a faint smile formed on my face. That memory… It was so pure, so warm. As far back as I can remember, my grandma has been everything to me. She sacrificed so much for me. When there was no money, when the pantry was empty, she gave me her food, saying she'd already eaten, that she wasn't hungry. But I knew the truth. Over time, I understood. She went hungry so I wouldn't. When I realized, I tried to refuse, tried to give the plate back, but she was stubborn as hell. She always found a way to convince me, with that look of hers that mixed love and sadness, as if disobeying her would break her heart.
My grandma is the kindest person I've ever known. She's someone who doesn't deserve to suffer.
I'll save you soon. Please, God, don't let anything bad happen to my grandma. Mom, I beg you, have mercy.
The memory faded and I opened my eyes.
"Grandma…"
"Did you say something, Daniel?" Nismei asked.
"Don't worry, it's nothing," I said, forcing a smile.
Why am I unlocking memories I forgot? Why now?
…
…
…
I'm scared. I really hope I make it in time. I swear, if any demon so much as touched my grandma, I'll give them the worst death imaginable.
… I don't even know what to think to calm myself. Please, God, let my grandma be okay. I don't want to see her suffer. Not again. I spent my whole life watching her starve, and when I can finally give her the life of luxury she deserves, this happens.
… Ah, I started crying.
Tears rolled down my cheeks, hot—really hot for some reason. I quickly wiped them away with my hands, hoping Nismei and Bravo wouldn't notice. I didn't want them to see me like this—weak, vulnerable. I'm the one who has to be strong, the one who has to save this country. I don't want to destroy morale.
Grandma, I'll save you. Please be patient. I'll save you soon. And if they hurt you, I… I…
"Steam? Huh?! Daniel, your eye is smoking!" Nismei said.
"I-I'm feeling a lot of heat coming from it. I think your new eye got so hot it's evaporating your tears. Daniel, what…?"
"I don't want to talk about it," I cut him off, wiping my tears harder, almost scraping my skin.
The heat in my eye was real, like something inside me was burning, consuming everything it touched. But for some reason, this heat made me feel… relaxed. Happiness…? Satisfaction… Why?
Well, well. Better not think about it. I don't want to think about anything—nothing at all. I don't want to get sad over possibilities or imagine what I'd do if any of them became reality.
"Daniel, you can't ignore it. If something's wrong, we have to…" Nismei insisted, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I said I don't want to talk about it," I replied, harsher than I meant.
She pulled her hand away, frightened, and guilt hit me like a punch. I didn't want to hurt her, but I couldn't deal with this right now. I couldn't let myself think about what was happening to my body, my mind. I just want to finish this as fast as possible and sleep so time flies.
… There's a man cut in half in the middle of the street, and seeing that makes me feel…
"A forced smile isn't a smile. If you want to talk, I'm here," Bravo said, patting my head.
Smile…? Smile.
I'm smiling. Seeing that body made me feel… happy.
… I'm scared of becoming a monster. Grandma, I need you.
•
•
(Godfer, the world of the Gods.)
Godfer is a small planet similar to Earth where the Gods and their families live. There are also restaurants, clothing stores, shopping malls, villages, cities, etc. It was a normal world in a way, but with one crucial difference: its inhabitants were immortal beings of unimaginable power who, nevertheless, lived surprisingly human lives.
Why is it like that? Because all existing worlds are merely inferior copies of Godfer—the original planet Earth.
In an ordinary bar with polished wooden walls and dim lights that created a cozy atmosphere, Folpe (God) was sitting at a table with Maisha, a Goddess whose appearance was as peculiar as it was dazzling. Her elegant, form-fitting white dress contrasted with her literally pink, gem-like shimmering skin. Her red hair cascaded down to her waist, exaggeratedly fluffy and full of volume, and her heart-shaped eyes gave her an air that was both charming and unsettling. It wasn't the pupils that were heart-shaped—it was the eyes themselves, a detail that made staring too long disturbing.
The bar was full of life. Gods of all shapes and colors laughed, toasted, and shared stories. Some had wings, others horns, but all shared human-like traits. It was a mundane, almost ordinary place, yet quite pleasant and fun.
Unfortunately, Folpe wasn't enjoying the atmosphere. His drink—a glowing golden liquor—remained almost untouched, and his gaze was lost somewhere far away.
Maisha, on the other hand, was full of energy, slapping him on the back with a smile that seemed to light up the table.
"Come on, don't be down, Folpe!" she said in a cheerful voice that contrasted with her friend's gloomy mood.
He sighed, tracing the rim of his glass with his finger.
"They banned the chosen ones from leaving their assigned continents. Why did they do that? If that stupid demon shows up on continent 2, Daniel won't be able to beat it alone. He'll need a lot of help… too much help. Ah, and if the human with the most beautiful soul needs that much help, I don't even want to imagine what might happen with the others."
Maisha leaned toward him, one eyebrow raised and a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Hey, don't you trust my future husband?!"
Folpe's skin crawled, and he whipped his head around so fast he nearly spilled his drink.
"Since when?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Without a shred of shame, she started laughing. Folpe knew perfectly well the qualities of Daniel's soul, but could it really affect a Goddess this much?
Even he felt attracted to Daniel, but not romantically. Did that attraction have different effects on the female gender?
"I've been watching that boy for over three years. He's… How do I put it…? I'll try to sum it up. Intelligent, handsome, quick both in mind and body, kind, good-hearted, a true gentleman, responsible…"
Folpe sighed and took a long sip of his drink, remembering all the Gods she had rejected. She was known as "The Eternal Virgin" for her repulsion toward sexual and romantic relationships, yet now she was talking about a boy with an expression that reflected the purest love and obsession Folpe had ever seen.
He had known Maisha for centuries, but this was the first time he'd seen that look on her face. The Goddess of Love, who hated everything related to love, had fallen in love for the first time.
A mere human had managed to make a Goddess who despised everything about love fall for him—without even trying. Yes, Daniel was very handsome, and his soul was the most beautiful and perfect—yes—but this was already an exaggeration, and Folpe knew it, which only increased his suspicions. "Who is Daniel really?" he wondered.
"He's so perfect!" Maisha said, clasping her hands together as if praying.
Not just him—all the Gods were surprised and intrigued by that reaction and quickly searched for Daniel's soul to learn more.
The beginning of Daniel's fame among the Gods—and especially among the Goddesses. A point of no return.
"In less than 10 days in that world, he easily defeated two demons, learned a bunch of spells, quickly gained several companions, managed to reunite humans and demi-humans, and now he's about to fight a seemingly invincible, indestructible dictator. He's… He's perfect—the perfect warrior."
Folpe couldn't deny it. Daniel had accomplished too much in too little time, as if the universe itself were conspiring to make his life a succession of epic events. On his first day he defeated a demon. On the second, he met a King. He revived his grandma. Killed kings. Got engaged to two princesses. Reunited demi-humans and humans. And now he had a spell capable of instantly killing the Demon King—and tomorrow he might face and finish him. It was almost a mockery of any hero standard.
But something didn't add up. Folpe had been investigating Daniel ever since the Supreme God chose him, and the more he learned, the more mysterious he became. A human with no recorded past lives. A soul so pure it attracted Goddesses like moths to a flame. And that mother of his—a demon of colossal power—appearing in world 1. His mother, out of millions of souls in hell, was in world 1 and turned out to be one of the most powerful demons.
Everything was too perfect, too strange.
Even for the most generic isekai light novel or anime protagonists imaginable, this was a total joke. So much plot armor in one person. At first Daniel's existence seemed odd to Folpe because of the lack of research—he really didn't think he was the right one for the job due to his heart full of kindness; he lacked selfishness and evil—but ever since the Supreme God forced him to choose Daniel, he began a deeper investigation. Officially, Daniel had become the strangest and most mysterious human Folpe had ever known. The only human with no recorded past lives.
"I know, but… I guess you're right, Maisha."
He paused, staring at the bottom of his empty glass, processing the information. After a few seconds, he sighed again.
"And why are you calling him 'future husband'?"
Maisha smiled, and a heart-shaped magical mirror appeared in front of her, showing an image of Daniel.
"Remember the gift the Supreme God gave me when I turned 1,000 years working as a Goddess?"
"Yes."
The first and only gift Gods receive from the Supreme God. An accessory, clothing, a toy, an ability—it all depends on the personality and role of the God. Folpe received from the Supreme God an ability he had longed for.
"What about that gift? You never told me what it was."
"Because there was never anything physical. I traded it for an answer to a question that tormented me: 'Will I ever fall in love?' I had never fallen in love—and I'm supposed to be the Goddess of Love, that's super weird!"
Being the Goddess of Love and unable to feel love, plus her repulsion toward sexual and romantic relationships—Folpe immediately understood what she meant.
He frowned.
"And he told you Daniel is your true love?"
"He told me my true love is the person with the most beautiful soul I've ever seen. At first I thought it was Kei Molfer, the boy I met when I was a little girl, because that boy had the most beautiful soul I'd ever seen. Unfortunately Kei died and his reincarnation never appeared—possibly because his soul was erased. And now another person with an even more beautiful soul has appeared!"
A heart-shaped magical mirror appears in front of Maisha and she gazes at Daniel.
"Daniel… That soul and that face are perfect. The love surrounding you is perfect! I want to meet him in person!"
"Calm down… Wow… I knew that kid was special when the Supreme God recommended him, but he managed to make two Goddesses he doesn't even know fall for him… Wow… That boy's soul definitely hides something."
Maisha blinked, confused.
"…Two Goddesses?"
"Apparently Desmolfer is interested in him too."
She went pale with fear (and disgust).
"…The same lunatic who raped Kei with tentacles?"
"Yes."
"…Uwaaah!" she screamed, jumping out of her chair.
Desmolfer—one of the most powerful Goddesses and, at the same time, the cruelest.
"Don't worry, Daniel, I'll protect you from that psycho!"
"Who are you calling a psycho?"
A cold voice cut through the air, and Desmolfer appeared beside Maisha with a smile that was more threat than welcome.
Feeling the bloodlust directed at her, Maisha froze, paralyzed with fear. Desmolfer, the torture maniac. Even the other Gods who had been paying close attention to the conversation now preferred to ignore them. Messing with Desmolfer was begging to be tortured.
"Uwaaaah! I-I was joking! Don't kill me, I'm still a virgin! Let me spend one night with Daniel and then you can kill me!"
"…Do I really have that bad a reputation? Calm down, I won't kill you… I guess," Desmolfer said, crossing her arms.
"You guess?!"
She started laughing, and Nadia, her secretary, emerged from her shadow and sighed, annoyed at Desmolfer's "evil" laugh. To those who don't know her, it might seem like a childish woman with a cute laugh, but to those who truly know her, that laugh only makes their hair stand on end, reminding them of everything she's done.
A reputation worthy of the Goddess of Hell.
"Stop playing around and finish this, I want to go home already."
"Yeah, yeah, don't get impatient."
Desmolfer pointed at Maisha with a challenging pose.
"I'm here to challenge you. Daniel isn't interested in love, so if I manage to make him fall for me, he'll be mine alone. And if you make him fall for you, I'll give him up. Fair deal?"
"Fufu. Of course!" Maisha said, regaining her composure and shaking Desmolfer's hand with renewed confidence.
Folpe sighed as the bartender refilled his glass—though he was so distracted watching the situation that even when it overflowed, he kept pouring. And Folpe was so distracted he didn't notice either.
Two Goddesses fighting over a human's love. A unique topic.
"Daniel is going through a tough time and you two are only thinking about yourselves… Ah, poor Daniel, such bad luck with women."
"I have to go. I still have to keep torturing that dictator's son. Daniel will be very happy when he finds out that guy is suffering in hell. Bye," Desmolfer said before vanishing in a cloud of black smoke along with Nadia.
Maisha stared at the spot where Desmolfer had been, deep in thought.
"…Folpe, now that I think about it, are Kei and Daniel the same person? A soul can't change, but he's having the same effects."
"I don't know. His soul is very mysterious, yes, and there's no record of a past life. It resembles Kei Molfer's soul, but a soul can't improve. I need to keep investigating."
"Ah… I see…"
Maisha smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"That boy is so weird and mysterious… I love him more and more!"
Folpe kept drinking, but his mind was elsewhere.
He remembered Nadia, Desmolfer's assistant. The tattoo, her appearance, her relationship with Desmolfer, her reaction upon seeing Daniel. Everything fit, but he didn't dare say it out loud. Why? Out of fear.
"Did the Supreme God grow that fond of someone?" Folpe thought, doubtful.