"I… I want unconditional love. The kind that doesn't demand anything from me."
Upon hearing this wish, Gaia looked at me with a sadness akin to the internet cutting out at the most critical moment of a ranked match.
"I'm sorry, Reiner... But I can't do that."
I threw my head back and fixed my eyes on the nonexistent ceiling.
"Of course. Why am I surprised? My luck never held out during my life, why would it after I died?"
"Hah! You ignorant brat! What do you think love is? A brat like you can't understand how divine rules work. Love is the most complex bond of souls. It can't be created just by snapping fingers."
I gritted my teeth. Even this guy's voice was enough to spike my annoyance levels.
"Listen up, you senile old fool! Thanks to that bullshit you call 'divine rules,' I lived like a guinea pig. Don't you dare try lecturing me right now! I'll grab that beard of yours and nail you to the ceiling, you ancient fossil!"
"Try it and see! It won't take me a second to wipe you from existence!"
I had jumped to my feet. He also leaped up from his corner as if entering a ring, walking towards me. Just as we were about to tear into each other, that sharp voice filled the room again.
"ENOUGH!"
When Gaia shouted in 'angry big sister mode'—which is a level above 'cold big sister mode'—we both trembled and sat back down silently. Of course, she looks distinctively beautiful in this state too, but...
Gaia sighed deeply. The scary aura from a moment ago dissipated, replaced by a sorrowful seriousness.
"Reiner... Even though Fukurokuju put it rudely, he has a point. Love is not a gift given without return. We are gods, Reiner; we cannot interfere with the free will of a soul. If I make someone love you unconditionally, that isn't love. That becomes slavery. Mind control. And believe me, a fake love is far more painful than loneliness."
"So... Is there no way?" The desperation in my voice drowned the room in silence.
"I don't just... want a cheat power like in anime or games. All I want is... someone who will love me as much as I love them when I love with all my heart."
Gaia paused for a moment. A glimmer appeared in her green eyes.
"In that case... the situation changes."
"What?"
Gaia clapped her hands excitedly.
"If your wish isn't 'guaranteed love' but 'deserved love'... Yes. I have a solution for that, and a very simple one at that. I know a woman who has lived similarly to you; she's wonderful, in fact, I could say even you have heard her name."
I frowned.
"Do I know her? Are you suffering from temporary memory loss, sis? I think you forgot what kind of life I lived. Who could I have heard of between four walls?"
Gaia leaned forward, her voice dropping as if sharing a secret. My heart, even though it didn't beat since I was a spirit, sped up.
"Let's make that deal I want so much; I will give you that love you desire. That person isn't in a very good state right now. There couldn't be a better time for you. When you go to her, all you have to do is love her with all your heart. If you don't stop loving her no matter what happens, I assure you, that person will love you with a passion as deep as yours."
Fukurokuju must have realized something because he jumped from his corner like a mouse seeing a cat.
"Hey Gaia, you haven't gone crazy, right? That woman will make a hot-dog out of this kid—"
Gaia continued looking at me, ignoring the old man.
"First of all, this will be difficult, Reiner. Even though I will give you talents to help, you will face such hardships that you might regret this. Do you still want to do it?"
Difficulty? Interesting...
I lived my whole life attached to a machine. Dealing with someone's whims can't be harder than being tethered by those metal pipes.
"Sounds... like a challenge."
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs.
"I accept, Bamboo Sis. Send me. Watch how I melt that ice castle and woo the princess –or whatever she is."
"..."
"..."
At my words, Gaia looked relieved, like a mother seeing her naughty child finally convinced to study.
"I'm glad we agreed, Reiner. Then it's time to choose the abilities promised to you, but before that... There is one more thing I need to give you."
I raised my eyebrows.
"What is it now? If you're going to make a joke like 'Actually, we're accidentally reincarnating you as a girl,' let me tell you now, it's not funny."
Gaia giggled... Wow, when she laughs, those mountain ranges shake as if an earthquake is happening... Öhm!
"No, no. This is a small apology gift from me for those troubled years Fukurokuju put you through... and for accepting this difficult mission."
"Apology gift?"
I looked at her with suspicious eyes. Gods' concept of a "gift" usually meant disaster for humans. Pandora's Box and all that, you know.
"In your world, especially in those games you love so much, what was it called... Ah, yes. A System."
My brain stopped. Wait wait wait One second!!! I jumped up from my excitement and grabbed Gaia's shoulders. I forgot to breathe –not that I was breathing anyway, but you get it–.
"Y-You... Did you just say System? You mean that holy mechanism where I level up, see my stats, and do quests?!"
"Exactly that."
I WANTED TO SCREAM INTERNALLY! YES! THIS IS IT! A MAN'S GREATEST ROMANCE! THE SYSTEM PANEL!
Even though Fukurokuju grumbled from the corner, "He's making that stupid face again," I didn't care. Right now, I could kiss even this old geezer out of happiness. (Okay, I exaggerated. Not that much.)
Gaia snapped her fingers.
[DING!]
That sound... That notification sound coming from heaven... A blue, semi-transparent panel appeared suspended in the air before my eyes. I tried to touch the screen with trembling hands. Of course, my hand went through it, but whatever.
[USER STATUS]
Name: Reiner Hart
Race: Human
Level: 1
Points: 0
[BASIC STATS]
Strength: 10
Speed: 10
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 10
Mana: 10
[TALENTS]
(Not Selected Yet)
"Oooo..."
I was looking at the screen, drooling.
"They all start at 10, huh? I guess that's a classic too."
Gaia began to explain:
"In your world, the average value for an ordinary adult human is around 10..."
My attention was too busy focusing on one stat to heed Gaia's polite explanation.
Looking lovingly at the word 'Mana' on the screen.
"I'll be able to use magic. I'll really be able to use magic!"
After my 10-minute cooling-off period, my eyes drifted to the empty section at the bottom.
[TALENTS]
Grinning, I lifted my head, got up from my seat, hugged Gaia's arm like a girl in love, and looked at her with a huge smile.
"Alright big siiiisteerrrr~ Now let's get to the real fun..."