“It seems that way…
that person is just like me…”
Yusuf Karamanli muttered at length.
Unusually, the man was deep in thought.
He regretted not capturing the man in the black suit and the other person wearing a strange uniform with distinct patterns on the front.
A few minutes earlier…
Blinking his eyes repeatedly, he looked around, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Then, Yusuf’s gaze locked onto a unfolding scene.
He was standing in the middle of a council hearing—or more precisely, right before a black-haired young man accompanied by two others.
They radiated a serious demeanor amid an increasingly tense atmosphere, leaving Yusuf with no choice but to observe from above.
“Now, today’s session shall begin.
On this occasion, we address the fate of those souls who have recently experienced death.
Specifically, Hiro Sakaki, Rina Shirasaki, and Allen McCarthy.”
So those are their names?
Yusuf thought to himself.
Suddenly, a gavel struck three times, signaling the official start of the proceedings.
The sound of the hammer silenced the previously buzzing and conversational room.
One of the guides, round-faced with acne peppering his cheeks, stood rigidly at attention, awaiting orders from the Deity elevated upon the dais.
A white scroll was then presented.
Out of hundreds of thousands, the three chosen ones standing within the tribunal were Hiro Sakaki, Rina Shirasaki, and Allen McCarthy.
All three were mortals summoned by the Deities from various calamities—Hiro from a bus accident, Rina from a summoning spell, and Allen from a destroyed airliner.
Thousands of Deities sat encircling the vast hall, fixing sharp glazes on Hiro, Rina, and Allen—the three touched by divine magic.
From the far-left corner sat a woman draped in a red shawl, her legs folded neatly from the right thigh.
She glanced sideways at a black-haired youth with a sword strapped to his left hip, a confident, upturned smirk playing on her lips.
Yet, she turned away, gesturing subtly toward a Goddess.
A faint smile radiated an aura of mystery, causing the Goddess to momentarily turn away from the tedious proceedings.
The moment she left, a deliberate clearing of a throat from a Deity shattered any stray, inappropriate thoughts.
Long benches lined each row across the chamber, numbering around twenty in total, complete with backrests.
Everyone wore identical all-white attire paired with animal-hide sandals.
There were no walls, only a roof supported by white marble pillars.
The trio stood upon a raised dais, looking up toward a Deity who appeared to act as the judge.
“Rina Shirasaki…
Hiro Sakaki…
Allen McCarthy…
Welcome to the God Council.
The three of you are the chosen ones selected from hundreds of thousands of souls by our decree.
I offer you my congratulations, for you have been granted a second chance at life!” announced the long-bearded Deity.
“A second chance at life, you say?
But you’re the ones who dragged me and Yumi here!” Rina snapped impatiently.
However, Rina’s outburst was completely ignored.
The ranks of Deities began to applaud as a roaring atmosphere accompanied by a brilliant beam of light washed over the three of them.
Hiro, Rina, and Allen closed their eyes, though Rina’s expression remained stubbornly irritated.
Rolling her eyes upward, she let out an exasperated sigh at being utterly disregarded.
For Allen and Hiro, there was no denying this was a priceless experience—one that would fundamentally alter their future destinies.
Both Hiro and Allen wore flat, unreadable expressions, failing to understand why Rina was still obsessing over someone else instead of focusing on herself.
“Oi, have you ever actually heard of what reincarnation means?” Hiro whispered to Rina.
“I know what reincarnation means, you idiot!
But I swear to you, Yumi and I didn’t die.
We are both actually still alive.
A-L-I-V-E.
Got that?”
“Fine, fine,” Hiro replied, waving a hand dismissively.
Allen, meanwhile, could still grasp the reality of the situation.
He pinched the back of Hiro’s hand just to reassure himself that this was genuine reincarnation and that he wouldn’t be returning to his previous world.
The Deity seated upon the dais seemed to comprehend the confusion behind his words.
On one hand, Hiro felt a sense of relief knowing he wouldn’t be resurrected back into his old world.
He had read and watched plenty of isekai or other-world-themed stories, so the progression of events wasn’t entirely foreign to him.
As he recalled, protagonists in those tales inevitably grew bored during periods of total peace and tranquility, only to eventually get run down, stabbed, or caught in some fatal accident during their daily routines.
Following that, a Deity would grant them powers and a second chance at life in a brand-new world—or sometimes, they were summoned via magic, just like Rina had mentioned.
Still, the chances of a girl named Yumi being among them seemed rather slim.
Their actions did not go unnoticed by the Deities, who kept a steady gaze fixed on their faces.
The presiding Deity on the dais cleared his throat, adjusting his vocal cords so his voice echoed deeply.
“I grant you a second chance to be resurrected into another world.
However, an exception is made for Rina.
There is a possibility you may return to your previous world, provided you travel to the other world alongside them.”
“May I ask a question first?” Hiro interjected.
“Proceed,” the Deity raised his voice.
The thunderous boom sent a shiver down their spines.
The entire council chamber fell dead silent, the atmosphere turning heavy, dark, and oppressive.
Rina shuddered at the eerie sight, her focus drawn back to the ongoing trial.
“Why was only Rina summoned here?” Hiro protested.
“Weren’t the two of us enough to ensure we don’t return to our old world?
Rina’s best friend should have been called here too, shouldn’t she?”
Hiro’s question made complete sense.
As far as he remembered, souls undergoing reincarnation typically had their memories of their past life wiped or forgotten.
Yet in this case, Hiro remembered the vehicle crashing into him as he saved a small child and a cat with crystal clarity.
The memory of that collision remained etched into his mind to this day.
The same applied to Allen; the elderly white-haired man had perished in an airplane crash right during takeoff.
Now, he couldn’t help wondering if news of the plane crash had even reached his world, let alone how Allen’s wife and children were coping with the news of his passing.
Oddly enough, the old man’s reaction lacked any striking outward emotion.
His palms remained completely steady, and his breathing was meticulously regular.
Then, Allen finally spoke up.
Elsewhere, Yusuf wore an expression of sheer shock.
As the three individuals were resurrected with such fervent enthusiasm, it seemed concepts like reincarnation or transmigration were treated as everyday occurrences here.
Undeniably, this was Yusuf’s first time grasping the actual concept of being resurrected and granted a second chance.
“There is truth in what the boy says,” Allen began.
“I sense the summoning system here didn’t run entirely smoothly, did it?
Am I right in my guess?
I remember my wife Vivian’s personality and face all too well, down to my children and grandchildren.
If Rina dies here, does that mean her soul won’t return to her original world?
Is that correct?”
Allen’s statement drew a mysterious smile from the Deity.
Other Deities began whispering among themselves, though their individual words remained unclear.
None of them had expected a mere mortal to accurately deduce the logic behind a divine decree.
Technically, Rina was supposed to be sent back to her native world because she was caught in a summoning spell.
Yet, it wasn’t just she and Hiro who couldn’t go back; neither Rina nor her friend would be able to contact their families ever again.
“I cannot answer that because it falls under our secrets,” the Deity replied.
“But let us simply say your assumption is spot on.
How is that?
Does that satisfy you, Allen McCarthy?”
“Very well.
That is more than enough,” Allen continued.
Rina shot Allen a narrow-eyed look.
The long-haired girl appeared wracked with guilt for having inconvenienced the elderly white-haired man.
It showed clearly in her sorrowful expression as she clenched her fists so tightly that the muscles and nerves in her arms strained.
On the dais, the presiding Deity made a hand gesture granting them a brief window to discuss their next steps.
Seizing the moment of impromptu consultation, Allen, Rina, and Hiro conversed despite the physical distance separating them.
“You two, thank you for standing up for me,” Rina admitted, keeping her head bowed.
Without her, I can’t bear to face her family.”
“It’s nothing really.
Relax, Rina,” Hiro reassured her.
Meanwhile, Hiro stared flatly and coldly at the Deities.
The brown-haired youth had no desire to become a pawn for the gods if this was what things looked like behind the scenes.
Still, he had no choice but to stay put.
He turned his gaze back to his companions.
“Allen McCarthy-san…
that is your name, correct?
If you’ll allow me, I have no intention of returning to my old world.
In my opinion, the world we are heading to is bound to be far better than Japan anyway.
I can’t wait to get there.
What about you, old man?”
“Is that so?
Just call me Allen,” the old man replied.
“Being called ‘old man’ makes me uncomfortable when I’m the only senior among the lot of you.”
“You two should just go on without me,” Rina whispered, trying to put on a brave face.
“There’s no point in me being by your side if Yumi isn’t here.”
Her hands remained clasped tightly together.
Nearby, the council of Deities finished their deliberations.
The main Deity settled back down, scaling up his physical form in size while gripping a towering golden spear before he resumed speaking.
“We have reached our decision,” declared the Deity of Justice.
“The three of you are entitled to a second chance to live out your lives in another world.
What say you?”
“Then what about Yumi?
I don’t care about anything else as long as my best friend is brought here.
Is that allowed?”
“Indeed it is,” the Deity on the dais replied.
“That means only Allen and Hiro have the immediate right to choose.
As for you, you shall wait here while the resurrection process for the girl named Yumi Hitomachi is prepared.”
Rina nodded slowly.
The long-haired girl had initially been hesitant, but upon realizing that Hiro and Allen were permanently barred from returning home, she accepted the terms, a gesture echoed by the Deities.
Allen let out a resigned sigh over his inability to contact his beloved family, especially Vivian.
At the very least, he wished he could have bid farewell to her and his relatives living in England and Monaco.
Hiro, on the other hand, stood in complete silence.
“Hiro-san, we might as well just play along with their game for now,” Rina suggested.
“But—” Hiro’s words were cut short as Allen firmly pressed down on both his shoulders.
“Don’t worry, you aren’t alone,” Allen whispered into Hiro’s ear with a mysterious smile.
“You have Rina-san and myself.
You don’t have to carry everything by yourself.”
“Don’t leave Yumi out of this, Allen!” Rina snapped.
Hiro offered a faint smile.
Allen and Rina’s bickering helped him relax a little.
He genuinely needed companions he could consult with, and Allen and Rina certainly qualified as his very first friends.
Because of that, he felt a wave of relief meeting them.
“Very well.
I understand,” Hiro said, holding out his right hand.
Following suit, Rina and Allen agreed on one thing: to make the absolute best of this second chance, and to help Rina find a way back to her original world, even if it remained just an option.
Every choice depended entirely on the girl’s own decision.
“Splendid then.
I announce—” before the Deity of Justice could finish, Allen interrupted.
“Wait a moment.
What about our preparations before heading over?
Weapons or equipment of some sort?” Allen proposed.
Naturally, Allen’s remark caught the assembly of Deities off guard.
Both Hiro and Rina understood the logic behind his point—without preparation, failure was guaranteed.
That was why Allen spoke up.
The Deities whispered among themselves before flashing a thumbs-up to the Deity of Justice to signal their approval.
“You make a valid point.
We hadn’t considered that beforehand,” the Deity conceded.
The Deity cupped both hands, causing magic runes to materialize above each of their heads.
Flecks of light rained down upon Hiro, signifying that he was receiving a divine blessing.
Allen followed next, experiencing the exact same phenomenon, accompanied by a sudden gust of wind whipping through the enclosed hall.
The door behind the enclosure swung open.
Hiro and Allen stepped out, stretching their limbs as they walked toward a floating doorway that had just opened up.
To their utter shock, the space housed billions of divine weapons—or more accurately, the grand armory and storage vault of the gods.
Towering, colossal racks stood sturdy, stretching endlessly upward.
Hiro and Allen stared in awe at the weapons and armor meticulously arranged in rows.
Rather than physical displays, however, the selections were cataloged in digital or album formats, allowing them to browse through hundreds of millions of cataloged images.
Countless variations of god-forged arms and armor lay right before their eyes, particularly catching Hiro and Allen’s attention.
Rina, however, was forbidden from entering the room since her primary choice tied back to her friend, meaning her own abilities would be assigned at random.
“Feel free to select whatever weapons suit your needs,” the Deity’s voice echoed through the space.
“And don’t forget to check your status once you are finished.
I have fundamentally overhauled your physical parameters.
In other words, you can no longer be classified as mere humans; you stand a tier above them now.
Bear that well in mind.”
Both understood the Deity’s words.
Hiro and Allen dispersed, scanning the weapons surrounding them—spears, swords, ships, firearms, and more, alongside modern anomalies like smartphones and tablets.
Hiro tapped a sword icon, causing the rack to clear away all other alternatives, while Allen opted for a pistol.
Suddenly, Yusuf was approached by a strikingly beautiful Goddess carrying an alluring gaze.
Her entire body was draped in translucent fabric woven from ultra-fine threads, nearly revealing the curves underneath.
Without a second thought, Yusuf averted his gaze, repeatedly muttering istighfar under his breath.
“Oh dear!
I thought for sure you’d appreciate my figure, but you just turn your face away.
How entirely unchivalrous!” complained the red-veiled Goddess.
“Astaghfirullah al-azim…
Astaghfirullah al-azim…
Astaghfirullah al-azim…
Astaghfirullah al-azim!”
“What, what, what?
I don’t understand a single word you’re uttering.”
Naturally, the Goddess remained utterly perplexed, given that Yusuf Karamanli lived by strict principles of modesty and proper attire.
“It is a prayer meant to wash away sin—at least from an Islamic perspective.”
At that moment, the black-haired youth reappeared clad in military uniform, wielding the Hellreaver sword.
The blade glowed brightly, illuminating the confined space and driving the Goddess away from the two of them, leaving just the youth and Yusuf while the former averted his eyes.
Together, they resumed their conversation from below, watching the otherworlders pick out their weapons of choice.
“Deity…
please grant my request,” Rina spoke up.
Terror gripped her as she addressed the divine being, cold sweat dampening her cheeks.
The Deity hardened his expression, fixing a piercing glare on the long-haired girl.
“State your request, Rina,” the Deity demanded.
“If you are going to resurrect Yumi, I want both of us to receive our power grants at random,” she requested, her voice trembling slightly.
Rina’s declaration sparked another wave of murmurs among the other Deities.
Naturally, she refused to leave her best friend stranded without any power whatsoever, especially in a world as harsh as the one they were entering.
Hearing her words, the Deity suddenly smiled.
“Very well…
if that is your wish.
As the Deity who sent you here, I grant it!”
A dazzling flash of light enveloped Rina’s body.
A violent gale blew fiercely even though they were deep inside the divine assembly hall.
Magic runes beside Rina glowed brilliantly as a scattering of white feathers drifted downward.
The moment they touched the ground, the magic runes activated, rapidly expanding in size.
A violent bolt of lightning shattered the vaulted ceiling of the hall.
The atmosphere turned heavy and tense as fierce lightning crackled through the air, causing a sharp ringing in Hiro and Allen’s ears.
Smoke billowed across the council floor until a familiar figure materialized before Rina—first her ponytail, followed by her brown eyes and a lingering smile.
She still wore her uncomfortable school uniform, complete with protective iron shoulder guards that made her shoulders ache.
The Deities looked on in astonishment at the sudden appearance of the cute, beautiful girl, with one Deity instantly falling head over heels for her—only to be swiftly reined in by the Goddess standing beside him.
“Ow, that hurts!”
“Stop flirting with mortal humans, you playboy!” sneered one of the Goddesses to her companion.
Elsewhere, the Goddess draped in the translucent red veil blinked her eyes playfully.
She had kept her eyes on the handsome young man ever since the trial began, striking a provocative pose that started with running her tongue across her upper lip.
Her gaze dripped with temptation as she eyed the two men, leaving Hiro Sakaki feeling intensely uncomfortable.
Inside the God Council hall, he couldn’t resort to his usual intimidation tactics like he used to in his past world.
In contrast, Allen McCarthy remained transfixed by Yumi Hitomachi’s arrival, completely unfazed by the alluring allure of the red-veiled Goddess displaying her flawless curves.
The white-haired old man simply ignored her while the red-veiled Goddess puffed out her cheeks in irritation, wearing a pout.
Finally, the girl Rina had prayed for—her childhood friend and companion—stood before them.
Rina’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief as her jaw dropped.
“Yumi…
is that really you?
Is it actually you?” Rina stammered in shock.
Yumi Hitomachi flashed a cheerful grin, holding up a peace sign.
Sporting her trademark ponytail and brown eyes, she was oddly still clad in her school uniform with its thigh-length skirt covering her undergarments—unlike Rina, who had arrived entirely stripped before being allowed to cover up.
“Ricchan!”
“Yumi!”
The two best friends locked into a tight embrace.
Tears flowed uncontrollably as they broke down sobbing, their eyes turning red from relentless crying.
Allen and Hiro breathed a small sigh of relief knowing Rina wouldn’t be alone anymore.
Both men rubbed their left and right collarbones respectively.
“With this, I bring our meeting with the otherworlders to a close,” a voice echoed.
“Bid farewell to your old world.
I place high hopes on the four of you,” the Goddess instructed them to exchange final goodbyes via telepathy.
The telepathic message lasted only five seconds—plenty of time for Allen.
When the Deity offered Hiro a chance to speak, he refused on the grounds that he had no remaining relatives left behind.
Meanwhile, Yumi and Rina offered final farewells to their families.
“Goodbye, Vivian.
I hope you find happiness with the children.
Forgive me for failing to keep our promise to meet again,” Allen murmured.
“Tō-san…
Kā-san…
Please forgive us.
Yumi and I have chosen to part ways.
Take good care of Saburo and Jiro, Rina’s dogs,” Rina and Yumi whispered in unison.
Hiro simply rested both hands on his hips, yet to decide on a proper farewell stance.
He carried no deep familial bonds like Allen, Yumi, or Rina did.
For now, Hiro decided to just go with the flow, hoping the world they were stepping into would prove better than his last.
“I just hope the Deities don’t disappoint me,” Hiro muttered briefly.
A blazing white light flared up, blinding all four of them.
The wind howled even harder, whipping their hair around.
The red-veiled Goddess smiled slyly, glancing at the amused Deities.
“Good luck, otherworlders!” her final, thunderous voice echoed.
~o0o~
“Pasha Yusuf, it appears we have been summoned by the Deities to be granted a second chance.”
“A second chance, you say?” Yusuf Karamanli replied.
The long-bearded old man wanted to deny everything he was witnessing, refusing to believe anything beyond reason unless permitted by God’s will.
His horse remained completely fine; in fact, his Takoba sword was pulsing with an unusual magical energy, as if trying to communicate something directly to Yusuf.
He glanced up at the blue sky blending seamlessly with the dazzling sunlight, which forced him to squint his eyes.
“But why me?
After all, I am merely—”
“A rather well-known historical figure, aren’t you?”
Yusuf Karamanli was startled out of his wits.
Turning toward the source of the telepathic voice echoing inside his mind, he had no idea how to react to this revelation about himself.
“Born in Tripoli in 1766, Karamanli—a native member of the ruling dynasty there, originally from Turkey.
His brother, Hamet Karamanli, was ousted from power in 1793 by the Ottoman Empire officer Ali Pasha, who subsequently exiled the Karamanli family and claimed Ottoman authority over the Tripoli region.
In 1795, Hamet and Yusuf returned to Tripoli, and with assistance from Hammuda Pasha of the neighboring Barbary state of Tunis, recaptured it from Ali Pasha.
Yusuf then exiled his brother to Alexandria, Egypt, and claimed the throne for himself—”
“There is no need for you to continue…”
The black-haired youth stopped reading his background history, knowing well that the true war lay ahead in the Barbary Wars—a past Yusuf preferred not to dwell on needlessly.
Yet, it showed that change was possible amidst profound regret, and right there, a miracle had occurred.
Arguably, this was what made Yusuf feel that a second chance had been bestowed upon him.
The man closed his eyes, feeling blood pulse through his veins.
Blood particles surged into the motor nerves of his limbs, spreading across Yusuf’s entire body.
Minutes later, his personal status window materialized:
Name: Yusuf Karamanli
Age: 62 years old
Race: Otherworlder
Level: 1
Ability: [Sword Mastery] [Cavalry Mastery]
Skill: [Age Resistance] [Ottoman Sword Style]
A Kilij rested at his hip, and an Ottoman miquelet rifle was strapped to his back, accompanied by troops originating directly from the Karamanli dynasty.
“Speaking of reincarnation, I have a task for you…”
“Name it…
I am ready to carry out your command.”
“Wait until I’m actually finished!” grumbled the black-haired youth, scratching his head.
The mustached old man stared at him with unyielding determination.
The black-haired youth only responded with a faint smile—and thus began the chain of events that assigned him the duty of ending Huey Long’s life.
~o0o~
Campfires flickered around Yusuf alongside his battle-scarred cavalrymen.
Groans filled the air, and the medical team’s treatments yielded little significant progress.
Left with little choice, Yusuf had to rely on alternative remedies.
As he was drawing up a plan, a brown horse let out a loud, piercing whinny.
Riding the saddle with reins in hand was Commander Arhab al-Harroun, bearing a Takoba sword and a purple bow.
He urged his horse forward at a gallop, hoping to relay information Yusuf needed to hear.
“Pasha Yusuf!
We have received a letter from someone.”
“Can you read it?” Yusuf asked.
“Certainly I can.
But—”
“But?”
“The sender calls himself Emperor Erwin—Emperor Erwin Torquis is his name.
Do you wish to meet him?”
Yusuf weighed Arhab al-Harroun’s words carefully.
The thick-bearded man lifted his chin slightly, looking over at Arhab al-Harroun with a sly smirk.
“Bring me to Emperor Erwin.”
“Then what about the wounded troops?”
“I leave them in Münir and Soykan’s hands!” Yusuf Karamanli answered, mounting a white horse.
“In that case, allow me to accompany you!” Arhab al-Harroun declared.
With a nod from Yusuf, they spurred their horses toward the rendezvous, heading to meet Emperor Erwin, who sat waiting while sipping wine from a brass cup.