As Samael sat on the chair, anxiously awaiting the gods' response, suddenly new words appeared on the pages of the gray book. The letters slowly formed, as if written with the ink of shadows:
[The gods have heard your request... They are discussing it...]
[The gods are consulting...]
[An unexpected event here caught the attention of one of the gods...]
[The god ??????? Shwazer has appeared on the scene]
[The god ??????? Shwazer gazes at you with deep curiosity]
[The god ??????? Shwazer joins the discussion]
Suddenly, the atmosphere of the room shifted. Another giant eye appeared—an iris white with black edges and delicate red and blue streaks pulsing like lightning within it. The pupil was pure black, surrounded by a silver-gray halo. This eye alone filled Samael's entire field of vision.
[This unusual event caught the attention of the Writer]
[The Writer begins conversing with the gods]
[The god ??????? Daotianshen accepts your request]
[With the gods' agreement, the Writer begins the creation of a new skill]
Samael could feel the space around him vibrating, as if reality itself was being rewritten. Particles of light danced in the air, forming unknown words and symbols.
[The Writer is creating...]
[The Writer completed the skill and granted it to you]
At that moment, the system's voice echoed in Samael's mind. A transparent window appeared before his eyes:
[Ding! Ding!]
[The Writer has granted the host a special gift]
[Host, do you wish to accept this gift?]
Without a moment's hesitation, Samael clicked [Yes]. Instantly, a wave of divine energy enveloped his entire being. He felt the core of his existence—the divine part hidden deep within his soul—strengthen with unprecedented force. This power embraced him like a mother hugging her child. A feeling of absolute freedom and unmatched security flooded him, as if for the first time in his life, he was truly free.
With trembling hands, he read the skill description:
[Skill: Shield of Absolute Narrative]
[Level: Divine (Beyond Conventional Ranking)]
[Description: This metaphysical shield completely protects the user from any form of narrative manipulation, existential contamination, and influence by higher-dimensional beings (including narrators and upper-dimensional entities). It is designed as the ultimate defense against the rewriting of existence.]
[Key Features:]
1. [Absolute Immunity: 100% resistance against will erosion, being turned into a puppet, or identity alteration by supra-dimensional forces]
2. [Integrity Preservation: Even if the entire world is rewritten, your core identity and memories will remain intact]
3. [Automatic Defense: Activates immediately upon detecting even the slightest supra-dimensional intrusion—no user awareness or will needed]
4. [Visual Display: When activated, a silver-blue aura surrounds the user, repelling any metaphysical attacks like waves breaking against a rock]
[Limitations:]
It is purely defensive (no offensive capabilities or narrative alteration)
It only protects the user (cannot be extended to others)
Samael stared wide-eyed at the description. This skill was beyond anything he could have imagined. Its power was so immense that it shook his very existence. Yet, the speed and ease with which the Writer created it clearly showed how inconceivably powerful these beings were.
"Thank you, Your Excellency Daotianshen." Samael stood up with utmost respect and bowed before the giant eye. "I will never forget your kindness."
[The god ??????? Daotianshen smiles in satisfaction]
[The god ??????? Daotianshen murmurs something under his breath]
Suddenly, an unknown voice filled the room. It was beyond human comprehension—not male, not female, not child, not elder. It was as if thousands of voices spoke in unison. Just hearing it was enough to bring Samael to his knees.
An indescribable pain engulfed him. He felt millions of hot white needles piercing his brain simultaneously. Without his new skill, he would have undoubtedly lost his sanity at that very moment. Even with the protection of the Shield of Absolute Narrative, the pain was so intense that golden blood flowed from his mouth.
After a few seconds—an eternity in his perception—the sound and the pain disappeared. One by one, the gods vanished, as if they had never been there.
Samael sat on the ground, his body trembling and his face drenched in sweat. This experience showed him how dangerous even a fleeting contact with such beings could be. They hadn't even intended to harm him—it was just a simple response, an acknowledgment.
With hands still shaking, he forced himself to stand up. Now, more than ever, he knew how weak and vulnerable he truly was. In a story ruled by such beings, he was not even a speck in the wind.
But now, that speck had a shield. Not a weapon, but at least protection. And this was the beginning. Samael swore to himself: he had to become stronger—strong enough to someday stand fearlessly before such beings.
---
Yoshimura's eyelids slowly opened. The sunlight, brilliant and golden, burned his eyes. He slowly got up and found himself amidst a sea of white clouds, as if standing above the heavens. The soft, cool texture of the clouds rippled beneath his feet, and a gentle breeze caressed his face.
"What exactly is happening?... I'm sure I died."
As Yoshimura walked forward, he wondered if this place was heaven—or something beyond his comprehension. Suddenly, scattered lights around him gathered, becoming denser and brighter, until they took a human form.
An angel.
The beauty of the being was neither masculine nor feminine, but a perfect androgynous combination of both. Three pairs of holy white wings spread from its back, its short silver hair shining under the light, and its golden eyes so radiant that Yoshimura had to avert his gaze for a moment—as if staring directly at the sun.
"Sorry for arriving late, Mr. Yoshimura."
The angel's voice—Michael—was gentle and soothing, like a melody unheard for centuries. His gaze was filled with kindness, and Yoshimura, who had endured long years of suffering and guilt, instinctively felt small before this pure affection.
"So... this is heaven?"
Yoshimura looked around in amazement. Having lived for so long and seen so much, he had never imagined that the heaven described in religions—especially Christianity—could be real.
Michael smiled warmly and lovingly, like the morning sunlight. "Yes, this is heaven."
"But... why am I here?" Yoshimura sighed. "I don't think someone like me deserves a place like this."
He knew himself well. A ghoul—a cursed creature forced to consume human flesh to survive. A wicked monster who had taken countless lives. So why, instead of hell, had he come to heaven?
Michael gently shook his head. "It seems you misunderstand heaven. Contrary to the myths of mortals, there is no such thing as hell. Only reincarnation and the void exist."
Michael's words struck Yoshimura like a bolt of lightning. His face froze in shock.
"The next heaven is beyond reality—beyond time. Past, present, and future have no meaning here. The laws of physics, or anything defining the material world, are worthless here. This is the place the Father created for the reincarnation of souls into other worlds."
Michael slowly stepped toward Yoshimura. A light appeared in his palm, but in the next moment, it transformed into colorful butterflies dancing gracefully in the air. The butterflies circled around Yoshimura, and he reached out toward them in amazement—but suddenly, they all turned back into light and disappeared.
"Simply put, heaven is the place where angels reincarnate souls from the multiverse into other worlds. Of course, some special individuals... are reincarnated directly by the Father."
When Michael mentioned Samael, his voice was filled with love and reverence.
"But... dear angel, are you sure reincarnating someone like me is the right thing to do? Surely there are more deserving people."
Yoshimura asked, his voice heavy with self-loathing after a moment of silence.
Michael maintained his smile."Everyone with a few exceptions deserves Salvation. Everyone deserves another chance. These are the Father's words. And I am sure you deserve this opportunity as well."
"So... as they say, God is merciful."
Yoshimura smiled, as if Michael's words had reached his weary heart. In the angel's gaze, he saw something resembling motherly love—warm and unconditional.
"Of course, the Father is merciful to all." Michael replied, and at that moment
Suddenly, a wooden table with two comfortable chairs appeared before them. On the table were plates full of colorful cakes and cups of freshly brewed coffee. The warm aroma of coffee filled the cloudy heaven.
Michael sat on one of the chairs, and after a moment of hesitation, Yoshimura sat across from him.
"I'll give you some time to think."
Yoshimura looked at the cup of coffee in surprise. "I didn't think I could drink coffee even after death," he said jokingly and took a sip. The taste—warm and bitter—was completely real.
"Dear angel... I accept your offer."
Yoshimura lifted his head and looked directly into Michael's golden eyes. The angel smiled in response.
"I am glad you made this decision. Now, your reincarnation will begin." Michael raised his hand gently. "You will be born into a world of swords and magic—as a noble in the Eldyme imperial."
The world Michael chose for Yoshimura was the world of the manhwa The Villainess Is a Marionette—a place where power and politics intertwined.
"Since this time you will be born as a human, you will lose your Ghoul traits. But to compensate, I shall grant you your own blessings."
Before Yoshimura could reply, golden light enveloped him. A pleasant warmth flowed through his being, as if something inside his soul was being reconstructed. New powers—beyond the imagination of an ordinary human—took root within him.
"Being reborn as a human... sounds interesting," Yoshimura said. For the first time in years, a childlike excitement ignited in his chest.
Michael smiled, and once again, golden light enveloped Yoshimura. His body gradually faded, as if made of light.
"I hope you find happiness in your next life, Yoshimura."
And then
Everything turned white.