"Ugh..."

I softly moan as my consciousness returns. As I open my eyes, I blink a couple of times at my surroundings. Everything is so... white. I'm unable to see where this place starts and ends. I can't even tell what I'm standing on.

"W-where am I?"

As I look around, I see others in the same state as myself. Some are on the ground, looking at the place around them in disbelief. Others are walking around trying to find a way out.

On closer inspection, the others around are not all human. Some are close but have some alterations like having weird shape ears and tails attached to them. Others look completely different than humans. They have bizarre shape bodies similar to animals and different colored skin. One is a giant with tough dark-orange skin. His muscles are practically begging to escape his body. In all the games I played, there is no doubt what he is - an Orc. Just like him, most of everyone else looks as if they came from a fantasy world or game...

Whoever brought us here did it randomly, it seems...

There are other races or people in costumes, but they are also of different ages and gender. Some look to have reached 100 years old, while others seem to be young kids. Gender is spread equally amongst them. For what purpose does it serve to have young and the old here at once?

We all continue to stare at the emptiness that surrounds us. As we do, we begin to notice other figures appear next to us - rapidly filling the white space. I attempt to count to the new figures; however, I'm unable to keep up. More and more keep spawning and quickly reached over a hundred.

As the space gets more crowded, a voice comes from nowhere and brings all of our attention.

"Attention, everyone! Please come to this end and form lines in front of these desks!"

Everyone turns their head towards the voice and noticed that desks with figures behind them have suddenly appeared. I've also noticed that they weren't here before... Whoever summoned us has some type of mysterious power, too, it seems...

At first, everyone was too scared to approach the desk; however, some left and drew near the desks as the crowd continued to tighten. The crowd watched as the brave interacted with the girls behind the desks. They, too, have widely different appearances and races; however, they were all girls and beautiful at that.

In total, there were ten desks lined up with enough space to fit thousands of people. As the crowd watched, others began to leave and meet the receptionists. The remaindered continue to watch the first braves. Then, after speaking with the girls, the braves suddenly disappear out of nowhere.

Many of the crowd thought this was a good thing, so they all left and began forming ten lines while others within started to scream and attempt to escape from the other direction. The remainder continued to stare at the receptionists and begin to rethink their options. Finally, when they figured that everything was alright, they broke apart and joined the crowd.

People continued to spawn, making another crowd and performing the same actions that occurred at the first crowd; however, with the help of the line, more people begin to follow suit and join the lines.

I stand at the starting location, still unsure of what to do. To be honest, I'm scared. We don't know where those who disappeared were sent to nor what the other party wants. I bet we'll learn when we get in that line; however, it would be too late to run away if they wish to do something wrong. That said, running around and screaming isn't the best option either. When I look at those who choose that option, it seems like they have found a wall and are beating it while yelling out for help.

Well, sitting here in this space isn't helping much. But I guess dying or being used by these people are better than going crazy.

I softly nod to myself and begin taking steps toward the crowd. At this point, all of the lines were filled with people. So I randomly choose one and stand within it. As I do, I begin to ponder about everything that happened...

So, we were brought into this white realm and are met with these girls behind desks... What does it all mean? Who are these other peoples, and what's with their race? Maybe this is some type of TV show or something? If so, I would like to go back home... Home? Where's home? I... I can't remember!?

I continue to think to myself for the next couple of people. Then, it suddenly hits me.

Hmm!? Oh, I see... I died.

Thirty minutes before I appeared in that light.

"Ugh! Yemon, we finally finished. Spending day after day sleeping here is getting tiresome..."

"Ha, I can agree with you there. Though, it is exciting to see all of our working publicized and seeing how our fans react."

"Yeah, I guess so. Speaking of which, when is the released day. again?"

"The 13th. How do you keep forgetting? I mean, we're the ones mainly working on it."

"I know, but I can't help it. I'm so focused on our work that I keep forgetting the small stuff. So anyway, how's the team doing?"

"They're out cold. It seems like the work is too much for them too, but they seem happy."

"Yeah, your right. Should we wake them up?"

"No, let them sleep. Anyway, we still need to send the final copy to our managers. Afterward, I'm leaving. I want to get some rest in my own bed before the meeting."

"Hmm... You don't look that sleepy, so what's the rush? But, wait, don't tell me... You got a girl now!?"

"Haha... Very funny. Nope. I haven't slept on a bed in a while. The meeting starts in seven hours, remembered?"

"Nope, but alright. Let's hurry!"

"Yes."

...

After submitting our work, we left the office and separated, heading towards our respected houses. On my way home, I noticed something in the air ahead of me.

"Is that smoke?!"

Seeing the black particles in the air, I head towards it while pulling out my phone. After reaching the place in two minutes, I come in front of a run-down building that's on fire. Smoke is spilling out of every pore. Bright orange flames fly out the windows and door.

I hurriedly swipe my phone and speed dial for 119. After speaking with the dispatcher, I started staring at the fire. Then, out of nowhere, I hear a scream.

"Waaa! Someone... help!"

Panicking, I start moving back and forth, trying to think about what to do. Then, something in my brain clicked, and I start running into the firey building while shouting for the person.

After moving through the building with burns on my body, I find the person who screamed for help. It's a kid about 6 years old. She's crying and holding tightly to me. I also found the rest of her family passed out inside a room on the 5th floor.

I quickly brought the child outside while charging back inside to get her family with no other choice. After successfully getting the family out to safety, I hurried back inside, searching for others. I made a trip throughout the entire building and found three more people in five minutes. I got them out one at a time.

By the time I got the last person out, the fire brigade had arrived and hurried to me. As they come closer, I heard a creak and lookup. I noticed that the building was about to collapse. I chunk the person in my arms with all my might at one of the brigade members with no other choice. As I did, the roof collapses onto me, causing my vision to fade.

Present - Still thinking.

I remember now; I died while saving some people in a building on fire. Of course, I'm not that heroic, nor would I consider myself as any hero, but for some reason, I ran to help those who were inside.

I guess I was delusional or too sleepy to work correctly due to my career. I worked for a decently sized company that produces games. I was in the Programming Team along with five others. We all got along and loved doing our job, though it can be extremely tiresome at times.

Today was the day we all finished a complicated and long story-driven game. We ran into many problems, so we all decided to stay after regular hours to work on it. We had to stay overnight many times, but the result gave us a masterpiece. I was so excited about our final product, but the lost sleep caused me to act more serious than happy.

My best friend, Derrik, is the secondary programmer for our team. Out of the work our team did, Derrik did most of it, excluding me, the main programmer. We typically walk home together, but we have to depart at an intersection near the building since we live in opposite directions. So he'll go one way while I go the opposite.

Derrik is a friendly and hard-working person who cares for his team members. I bet he would have given us a feast the next day for our hard work. Not only that, but he liked to be in our personal business. There's no harm in his actions - He's just a social person...

Anyway, I guess I died from the collapse of the building. Too bad... I was seconds away from surviving. I should have jumped with the person I saved. Well, I guess it doesn't matter now. I did help all those inside, so that makes me somewhat happy.

So, does that mean the other people who are here have died too? If so, is the realm of the between that dictates if we go to heaven or hell?

...

After thinking and remembering why I'm here, I look in front of me and notice that it's my turn. So I step up towards the receptionist.

"Hello, welcome to the passing! My name is Iru. Now let's get started. Do you remember your name?"

I nervously nod while giving her my name.

"Yes, Wakaki Yemon."

"Wonderful! It seems that you regained your memory. That'll save some time."

"Uh, can I ask a question? Are you some judge? Like you judge the dead to see if they go to Hell or Heaven?"

"Yes and no. This is a place where the dead are judged, but I'm more of someone who tells you your results. Everyone's fate has already been decided by magic that the Creation God has created. With it, it goes through your previous life and determines what your next actions are. You're from Earth. Unlike what you might religiously believe, those who have died will get reincarnated into a different world. That magic judges what you'll be in that world. It can be a Hero, peasant, noble, animal; the list goes on."

At the end of the receptionist's sentence, someone starts yelling to the left of me.

"What do you mean?! I think your magic or whatever is messed up! There is no way in hell that I'm going to be a stupid chicken!"

"I assure you that there are no errors, so please calm down. Your fate has already been decided, and there are no ways to change it."

"Like hell, I would believe you!"

The fellow attempts to grab the girl when he suddenly disappears. The receptionist who was in charge of him sighs and asked for the next person. I turn back over to the lady in front of me.

"Just like you saw, your next life could be anything..."

"I see... By the way, you mention that I'm from Earth. Does that mean there are others from different planets?"

"Yes. As you can see from looking around you, there are various people of different races and worlds. Speaking in which, you'll be sent to one of their worlds. So you see, there are various worlds out there with new ones being made yearly. Those who die from those worlds get sent here to be reborn into a different world. That said, they don't remember being here when they get reborn."

"You mean that the dead take over babies?"

"Well, it's more like that a female is birthing someone who has already died. That said, since no one remembers their past lives, it's as if they are a different person."

"I see... So that means that I had died before and was sent to Earth?"

"Maybe. Although the souls take over bodies, there are other times where new souls are created. This means that you might be someone who has never experience death before, even if you don't remember it. Unfortunately, there is no way to detect which one is true. Anyway, let's begin with your fate."

After speaking with the girl, she brings a device out onto the table.

"Please place your hand on this."

The device the girl took out is a square object with a place to rest my hand. I do as instructed and place my hand on the holder. A beeping noise sounds after a minute of resting my hand. After sounding off, the girl asks for me to remove my hand. She then takes the object and flips it over. She begins reading off of it as words and letters appear in a different language.

Her expression instantly changes after reading a portion of it. Her eyes also begin to widen. She then looks at me and accidentally shouts.

"Y-you will be summoned as a hero! Not only that but will be allowed to train with the Gods for one-hundred million years!?"

Others around, including other receptionists, look at us in confusion and disbelief. I, too, look at the receptionist with my eyes widen and my head tilted.

As I confusedly stare at the girl, she shakes her head and clears her throat.

"Ahem. Sorry about that... You see, this has never happened before, so I was caught off guard. Let me explain... Heroes are a normal occurrence as most worlds are in danger of being destroyed by monsters or demons. They are given days to train with the Gods so that they can combat the evil of the worlds; however, it's quite unusual for someone to get anything above a full year in the realm."

"Unusual? What do you mean by unusual?"

"Well, the average hero gets ten days with the Gods. The highest I've seen is a full year with them, but nothing over that. Especially not 100 million years! I... I'm unsure how you'll survive that long, but I wish you good luck. It's now time for your department. Please enjoy your time in the divine realm. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye?"

I continue to stare at the girl with my head tilted. Although I remembered my past and realized where I am, I don't fully believe what the girl has said. I have tons of questions, but I guess I'll have to save them for the next person. Still, why was I given so many years with the Gods? That's too unusual to be random, right? Even so, how am I supposed to survive for that long!?

I shake my head and wave at the girl. Then, a light suddenly engulfs my vision and blinds me. Once the light disappears and my vision returns, I slowly reopen my eyes to find myself in a completely different location. Unlike the white void, I'm now on some type of ground that I can recognize.

I'm in some type of outdoor patio. The walls showcase some beautiful landscape of a forest with a floor of flowers. Above me, branches from trees cover the room with roses hanging down. All of it is so beautiful that I stare at it all in disbelief. Then, after my fill, I look around to see that three tall people were looking at me.

They stand next to each other, and all seem taller than 200 centimeters. The person on the left end is a big-looking male with a thick beard. Even with his clothes on, he resembles one of the muscles bodybuilders I've seen on Earth. The person on the right end is another male who has almost no hair. The only thing he has is white facial hair, but it also looks to be fading into nothingness. Finally, the middle person is a female with long blonde hair and a big bust. Her beautiful rivals and exceeds all that I've seen on Earth.

They all stare at me while chatting with one another. I attempt to listen to their conversation, but they are speaking in a different language. It's one that I haven't heard before.

Then, I watch the bald man nod to the others and step up in front of me. He then begins speaking in Japanese.

"Howdy there. I'm the God of Life, Sei. The people behind me are the God of Love, Ai, and the God of Muscles, Kenji."

Are they really Gods? That receptionist said I'd be sent to train with the Gods, but I didn't think they would be actual Gods. Well, just in case, I should treat them as such.

I silently nod to myself and bow to the three Gods. I then give a light greeting.

"Hello, my name is Wakaki Yemon, and I'll be training with you all. Thanks for having me."

"Ooh, nice greeting! Anyway, since your time is limited, we will need to hurry, so refrain from being that polite. Now then, most of your days will be with us. We'll put all our knowledge into you within a couple of days, so get ready to..."

After hearing his duration, I quickly interrupt.

"Um, excuse me, but I seem to be confused. You say time is limited, but that doesn't make sense. Are a hundred million years here not that long or something?"

"Huh? Please don't joke around because that wastes time! Now..."

"No, I mean it. That's what the receptionist said..."

"?"

The bald man turns around and looks at his companions. Then, the female suddenly turns around and begins speaking to someone who wasn't behind her. I listen to her conversation, which is still in an unknown language. That said, I notice that her pitch becomes high after speaking with someone. Then, she turns back around and talks to those around us. They, too, speak in high-pitch voices, seemingly not believing what they were told. Finally, the bald man returns to me with a bow.

"I apologize for the confusion. This is the first hearing of someone who has a hundred million years here. I'm not even sure how to react. I mean, I don't think you can live that long. Anyhow, we'll make use of the time you are here and prepare you to be the best hero! Let's begin with short introductions of how this world works... Let's do this while seated since it's long. We'll also prepare some tea too."

"Alright."

I listen to the Gods, both nervous and excited at the same time.