The three options flickered with the light of the status screen. 'Is this right?'
Usually, wasn't the goddess supposed to give you a list of overpowered abilities to choose from, and then the least-ranked ones would end up being broken anyway?
"Uhmm… Goddess, must I make a choice?"
The goddess's gaze lingered on me, amusement clearly written across her face. "Of course you must. This isn't some grand Isekai tale where I hand you more abilities than others. In real life, things work according to set rules. Not even I, the goddess, can bypass that, since we are all still creations born from the first energy."
'So only one ability then.'
Out of the three options, number one seemed like the most reasonable to pick. If I had to cause destruction, it would surely be counted as villainous.
However, I couldn't shake the feeling that if I chose option one over two, my life would be hell with little to no peace. And if I picked two over one, the world would somehow find a way to ruin my lazy life so I wouldn't be overpowered.
'That leaves only option three: three wishes.'
If I could wish for anything, what would it be? First, I had to secure immortality or at least high regeneration. I wouldn't want to die before starting my peaceful life. Then…
"I'll pick option three."
The goddess nodded. "I understand. But be warned, if a wish is far beyond my capacity, I won't be able to grant it. I might, however, help you obtain it, though some things may still be beyond your reach."
"Like asking for a hundred more wishes?" I asked.
"Yes, like asking for more wishes."
A sly smile tugged at my lips as I cleared my throat. "For my first wish, give me immortality or regeneration nearly equal to that of the gods, and the ability to use it without mana or any energy source."
The goddess tilted her head slightly. "The first thing you wish for is regeneration, not super strength or unlimited mana?"
I shook my head, putting on my most professional expression. "Goddess, this is my choice. As a coward, I need to preserve my life more than anything."
The goddess's mouth parted as if to reply, then closed again. "I can do that. Just know you will still feel the pain before and during the regeneration process." With a snap of her fingers, a warm sensation spread through my body, from my head to the soles of my feet.
The feeling gradually faded, leaving what looked like a crown of thorns tattoo around my wrist. "So, I have regeneration now?"
She nodded. "Now, what's your second wish?"
Many things ran through my mind. Normally, I would've thought of riches, but she'd already said I would be reborn as the son of a duke, so that was covered.
Unlimited mana sounded useful, but I didn't need it. Superhuman strength or unmatched sword talent were tempting too, but too common. I hated cliché powers.
'Oh wait.' A sudden thought struck me. Something I'd seen in an anime, and something the protagonist didn't use properly.
"Goddess, can you follow me to my world? Not physically, of course. But can I contact you anytime I want through the system, and you must answer any question I have?"
The goddess's eyes widened briefly before a grin formed on her lips. "Did the great traveler already fall in love with me? I know I'm beautiful, but you can't flirt with a god."
"Huh?" I waved my hands quickly. "Don't get the wrong idea! I just need someone with a lot of information, and you fit the bill. It'd also make it easier to enter a church or hide my identity if necessary."
The goddess pouted, folding her arms. "Idiot." She snapped her fingers again. "Whatever, I can grant that too."
I exhaled in relief. Dating, marriage, relationships, all of that was too stressful and time-consuming for me to bother with.
Yes, I was a virgin, but I wasn't desperate. It was just too much effort. And I doubted much would change in this life either.
As for my last wish, I had already decided on it earlier, part of the reason I asked for the first two.
I inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Goddess, can you give me the ability to change any law I want in the world? Naturally, I'll only be able to change one law at a time, but it's possible, right?"
According to the novel, this world's power system revolved around Orders; each awakened individual could alter a single law or principle of the world, usually activated by a trigger. For example, an awakened person might gain an order that lets her transform into a bear she once drew as a child, triggered whenever she imagines that same image.
But I didn't want just one order forever. I wanted the ability to change one order at a time. As long as I'm standing here, all attacks are useless against me. Or, for the next ten minutes, I am the Sword God.
Yes, it was cheating, but wasn't that the entire point of Isekai?
The goddess pondered my words. Honestly, I wasn't sure if this wish could be fulfilled. It was practically a godlike ability.
"Hmmm…" She rubbed her temples. "Argh, I don't know! I'm still new to this job, so I'm not sure what breaks the rules and what doesn't. If I use the universe's primordial energy, I might be able to grant it, but the other gods would definitely kill me."
My eyes narrowed as a grin crept across my face. "Then why don't you add a restriction?"
She turned toward me, confused. "Go on."
I exhaled slowly. If I didn't phrase this properly, the wish wouldn't work. But if I did, my path forward would become much easier.
"Goddess, give me the ability, but with a restriction. Make it so that my body breaks down each time I use it. For simple laws, I'll get migraines, and for higher ones, my bones might shatter."
"That's…" she murmured, clearly impressed. "I remember something like that being mentioned during my orientation."
'Gods have orientations?' Yeah, no need to ask further. I wasn't trying to get dragged into trouble I didn't need.
"I think I can grant your wish now," she said. "However, you'll be plagued with a body weaker than most of your rank."
Perfect. Even with that flaw, I could still use the ability freely since I had regeneration.
The goddess pressed her palms together and closed her eyes. "The three wishes you've asked shall be granted to you, etched into your soul, and written in the records of the stars."
A radiant golden light engulfed the surroundings. It wrapped around me as the familiar warmth returned once again.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The system notifications rang endlessly as blue screens flickered before me.
[Glorious! You have done what no other mortal has done.]
'Huh? What is all this?'
Ding! Ding! Ding!!
[You have been bestowed a name: Flawless.]
[Your cunning and deceit know no bounds.]
[You have earned an SSS-RANK Order: Almighty.]
[You have attained an order close to godhood.]
[Your path to power has been cleared of all obstacles.]
[You have earned infinite luck! A child of fate has been born.]
[Due to the curse of low physical stats, you have gained immunity to curses, poisons, and toxins.]
[The stars and the world evaluate your worth…]
[Immeasurable!]
[The world shall protect your soul, and no god shall be able to kill you unjustly.]
[You have gained a new companion: Goddess Uriel.]
[Calculating rank….]
[Due to your unusual order, your rank has been altered.]
---
Ding!
[STATUS SCREEN]
Name: Adrian Arandel
Constellation Title: Flawless
Titles: [Child of Fate] · [SSS-Ranked Final Boss]
Rank: VOID [Lv.1]
Order: ALMIGHTY
Blessings:
[Regeneration: Lv.1]
[Blessing of the Stars: Lv.1]
Companion: Goddess Uriel
Subordinates: [To Be Added]
World Creation Points: 7,777,777
World Destruction Points: 4,444,444
---
My eyes widened so much it almost hurt. The goddess stood behind me, peering over my shoulder at the status screen. I had no idea when she'd moved there, but at that moment, I didn't care one bit.
"Holy OP."