What the hell...?
I opened my eyes and found myself in an endlessly white space. Before I could even comprehend anything, I suddenly realized I seemed taller than usual; the hands of an 11-year-old child were gone, replaced by the large hands of a middle-aged man. Shuddering, I immediately checked my entire body.
A cheap suit I usually wore to work, shoes still stained with mud and rainwater. And the metal glasses on my face.
I am in the body of my past self—or to be more specific—right at the final moments of my life before I died.
A series of my memories on Earth began to collide with what I had experienced as a child named Atur, making my head throb with pain.
What the hell is going on? Why am I... What? How?
I remember I had a life that was turbulent in the early years, but then everything was gradually getting better. I met friends, masters, a rival, and even the person I swore to cherish for a lifetime.
Then some light appeared, transporting me to some labyrinth. I fought, tried to survive, ate a meal, then slept to recover my strength. Then here I am again, a stark white space, with nothing else but myself.
Could it be that I was poisoned and then died?
Monsters' meat is usually poisonous, I heard. Even though I used detoxification spells on their meat, there's still a possibility it was ineffective.
But what can you do, if I didn't eat I would have died too. At least I died without experiencing hunger. That's good news, right? Haha...
And this must be heaven.
Or is it hell?
I don't know, and it's not even worth caring about anymore. If I'm dead, falling anywhere is the same. I don't have the right to decide, do I? Considering what I've done, it's more likely I was sent to hell.
If there is anything for me to regret, it's probably that I couldn't say goodbye to my friends.
Hope Eris can live peacefully...
"Hello, buddy. Why so gloomy?" Suddenly a voice rang out, making my train of thought stop. I turned around to look; it was the image of a 'human' or rather, something with a strange blurry 'human form'.
What kind of freak is this?
"Come on, don't be so impolite. You are a noble, aren't you? Why not greet each other politely?"
What is this? This thing can read my thoughts? Like Ken?
"Unlike the sir knight you mentioned, I here can read every single word in your head."
Oh...
"Not very impressed, huh?" I could feel something a bit annoyed from that blurry image.
Oh no. Maybe I've gotten a bit used to having my mind read. No offense intended. Anyway, my name is Atur... ah um, maybe I should introduce myself by my real name in this body? My name is Ryuji Satou. Pleased to meet you, and you, blurry sir, are...?
"Wow, you really are talkative when you speak."
Sorry, sorry. Sometimes I can't control my thoughts. Normally I don't talk this much. It's just that I think a lot. So um...
Are you the god who will summarize what I've done in both lives and then decide to send me to heaven or hell?
"Alright. Apology accepted. And you guessed half right, I am indeed a god, but I'm not judging you or anything. Also, you aren't dead, Atur."
... Huh?
"Hey, I thought you would burst with joy. Why is the reaction so boring?"
Ah sorry, it's just um... I think I had accepted that I was dead, so hearing I'm still alive is a bit surprising. Oh wait, you mean I haven't died in which life?
"Atur Notos Greyrat isn't dead. I think that's what you want to hear, right?"
Phew, thank goodness... So what happened to me wasn't just a dream before truly dying from DMT.
"I don't understand what you're saying, but you really did live, in Atur's body. Not a dream."
Maybe I shouldn't expect a god to know about something called science, huh? Oops, shouldn't think bad thoughts, he'll hear them.
"I really do hear them."
Um... uh... Sorry. But if what you say is true, why do I look like... this?
"Because that is the form of your soul. You see, this place of mine only moves people's souls in, not their whole bodies."
I don't understand what you're saying at all.
"I shouldn't expect a human to understand supernatural things. You will understand another time, Atur."
Wow, even gods know how to be sarcastic.
"I said I'm your friend, didn't I? Being sarcastic with each other is also something friends often do. Sound familiar?"
Um. That's exactly what Henry said.
"Exactly!"
So you know everything that happened to me too? I mean... everything?
"Yeah, including you nuzzling your face into your fiancée's hair all night."
Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Alright, I believe it! You are a god, you are my friend! Just don't say those embarrassing things!
"It's good that you believe. So let me introduce myself, I am the Man-God, a friend of all humanity. I will be your companion in this world!"
Wow... Even so, didn't you appear a bit late?
"Why does everyone say that?"
Eh? Also say that? What do you mean? Oh wait, have you met Rudeus? That's right! Where are he and everyone else? Eris too!
"Calm down. I know you care about your fiancée and friends, but rest assured they are fine for now."
'Fine for now' means the future might not be okay?
"You really pick on every word huh? I said that because currently they are fine, understand? Your fiancée is with a very strong person so it'll be okay. Just rest assured."
Um, hearing that makes me reassured. I guess Rudeus and Sylphie will also be fine because they are strong. Eris on the other hand, although not weak, is very easily provoked, so she is the one I worry about the most.
"You worry about others that much even though your own situation is still hanging by a thread. Truly admirable."
Didn't you say I'm still alive?
"That is true. But you will encounter many difficulties. You also remember that you are still stuck in a labyrinth, right? And it's an S-rank labyrinth on the Demon Continent too; getting out won't be easy."
Wait, S-rank labyrinth? Are you kidding me?
"The place you are in is called the Ant Nest Labyrinth, a gigantic labyrinth with countless dangers lurking everywhere. Feeling scared yet?"
Wow… If that's true, then it really is dangerous... I heard Ghislaine say her party only completed an A-rank labyrinth at most.
"Yeah. In your normal situation, you'd only end up dead. But lucky for you, you have me as an ally. So I will give you an extremely important piece of advice."
In exchange for what? My soul after death? Or eternal servitude or something?
"Soul? Ah no, it's completely free. I'm sincerely helping you."
Then alright. Say it.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to accept so easily. Aren't you afraid I'm setting you up?"
To be honest, I don't believe or accept anything. But I'm not the type to refuse free things. Anyone who wants to give advice or something, I'll listen, no problem. Whether I follow it or not will be my business. Besides, there's a possibility you are a real god, so if I don't please you, it might harm me too. Like locking me here forever, for example? I don't want to live in a place with nothing but white like this.
"Interesting way of thinking. However, I am a good god; I have no intention of harming anyone, even an impolite person like you."
Oh. Then I misjudged you. Anyway, you know, appearing in the old body makes me a bit annoyed. It brings back some not-so-pretty memories. Besides, I also feel that even with help, things won't be that easy.
"I understand. And you're right, my advice only helps you know what to do. Ultimately, it's still up to you to execute and reap the results. Besides, what I'm about to say will not only save your life but also an important person currently with you."
An important person? You mean Ken? Ah right. Even though I'm a bit annoyed, I really do consider him my important person.
"You catch on quickly. Alright, listen carefully, Atur my friend. Just a while after waking up, you will meet a party in trouble; just ignore them."
What the...? Shouldn't a normal guide be 'help them'?
"Sometimes we have to ignore worldly affairs so we can live well, right?"
Also true, but what if they are important people and you just want me to miss something important?
"Oh my, you are really suspicious. But believe me, if you help them, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
I have a feeling I will regret it if I listen to you.
"Believe meeeeeee! I am a god! Why would a god deceive people, right? Just let them die and move on, pleaseeeeeeeeee!!!"
I've heard stories about gods deceiving people in my past life, so it's nothing strange anymore. But fine, I will remember your advice. But depending on the situation, I will decide what I'll do.
"Hehe. That works too. I believe you will make the right decision."
After those words, I felt like I was sucked out of that strange white space.
…
"What the… hell?"
And I'm back to the cave, with a lot of sweat on my head and a knight sitting next to me.
What a weird dream…
"Nightmare?" Ken asked without even looking at me.
"I don't know if I should call it a nightmare or not. I think I just met a god or something." I shake my head and let out a sigh.
"Then it's a blessing." Ken said so and stood up. "Let's go, we shouldn't rest too long."
"Alright."
And so we continue our journey.
The next section was actually quite simple. Still like the beginning, no forks in the road, just a single path; occasionally there were new passages, but they were usually too small for a person to pass through or were dead ends.
After about an hour of moving like that, I suddenly heard a scream.
I turned to look at Ken; he nodded too.
So both of us immediately ran with all our might straight ahead. The splashing sound of footsteps stomping on puddles became louder and more forceful now, however, they were soon drowned out by the sounds of metal, screaming, and impacts.