"Ahh, I'm so hungry," Yuuto muttered, his stomach growling as he trudged down the sidewalk.
He was on his way to the nearest convenience store, hoping to grab something cheap to eat. Life hadn't been easy lately. His parents and he never got along, and arguments often ended with him being kicked out of the house. On top of that, he had been fired from his part-time job just last week, leaving him with barely any money in his wallet.
As he walked, lost in his thoughts and the pangs of hunger, something caught his eye—a girl around his age, crossing the street. She was completely oblivious to the traffic, headphones blaring, completely lost in her own world.
Yuuto opened his mouth to shout a warning, but she couldn't hear him. Instinct took over. He ran toward her, throwing himself in front of the speeding truck and pushing her out of the way.
Pain exploded through his body as the vehicle struck him.
The girl's scream pierced the air, a mix of horror and relief, as tears streamed down her face. Yuuto, barely able to breathe, managed a faint smile. He knew the end was near, but there was no regret. His grandfather's words echoed in his mind: "Save people who need saving." That belief had carried him through his life, and now it brought him peace in his final moments.
Darkness swallowed him.
When Yuuto opened his eyes again, he was bathed in a soft, glowing light. The air felt warm, gentle, and surreal.
"Is this… the afterlife?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the emptiness.
A figure emerged from the light—a woman, tall and radiant, her presence calming yet commanding.
"Yes," she said softly.
"Hello, Yuuto. I am the goddess Luna," she continued, her voice melodic and serene.
Yuuto blinked, stunned. "Uhh… so am I going to get isekai'd?"
"Yes," Luna said, a faint smile on her lips. "I can grant you any power you desire so that you may defeat the Demon Lord."
"Any power?" Yuuto's eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face.
"Ye… yes," Luna replied cautiously, sensing his enthusiasm.
"Well then," Yuuto said, brimming with excitement, "I want good luck. The best luck possible. I want to be able to turn any misfortune into an opportunity, to gain from every challenge thrown at me!"
Luna's smile widened. "Very well, hero Yuuto. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish."
As she spoke, the light began to fade, and Yuuto felt himself plummeting through the air.
"AHHHHHHHH!" he screamed.
"What the hell is happening?! Why does the goddess have to make me fall from the sky?!"
He braced for impact—and then landed with a soft plop. Confused, he looked down and realized he wasn't on the hard ground at all. He had landed on something squishy and wobbly.
He pushed himself up and blinked. A slime, translucent and glimmering, stared back at him.
"Well… I guess my luck really is incredible," Yuuto said, laughing nervously.
He took in his surroundings. Towering trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their leaves glowing with a soft green light. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of flowers and the earthy aroma of moss. The slime underneath him was warm and surprisingly comfortable.
For the first time in days, Yuuto felt at peace. Exhaustion and the weight of the world washed over him, and he let himself drift off into a deep, untroubled sleep.