Chapter 1: I Wanted to Live Buried in Cute Things

The gate that had disturbed this world for so long had finally completely disappeared.

The long disaster had finally come to an end.

With my life.

The pain that felt like my whole body was burning slowly disappeared the moment the gate closed.

But…

…Is it over now?’

I didn’t have the strength to even move a finger.

My vision was blurring, and the surrounding sounds were buzzing and felt distant.

Just as my eyes were slowly closing, someone grabbed my body and shook me.

“You idiot! Why, of all people, did it have to be you, Senior!”

“…Of.”

Even through my fading vision, I could clearly recognize it.

With every shake of my body, it shook too…

A small, pretty pink rabbit key ring.

…I was the one who picked that.’

Hot tears and regret washed over me.

If I had known I was going to die like this, I should have kept it.

I should have admitted I picked it because I wanted it, without caring about what others thought.

I should have made a secret space in my house and filled it with key rings and dolls!

From a young age, I was an elite hunter who received everyone’s expectations.

Innate toughness and immense strength from my massive physique.

Agility that didn’t match my large frame, and magic power that knew no limits.

Thanks to that, I was always followed by the media and gazes.

Guild, academy, training center, dungeon, inside the gate.

Even in my house or the bathroom.

There wasn’t a single place where I didn’t feel the eyes of others.

In that situation, I was a super giant who was over 2 meters tall.

I could pluck the heads of monsters like weeds with one hand.

I had become a symbol of strength, capable of turning everything to ash with my immense magic power!

How could I ever say that I had a soft spot for cute things!

“…Please…! Get a… grip…”

“…Can’t… die…”

“You can’t die… Senior!”

That’s right, I couldn’t die like this.

“…Ugh.”

I squeezed out my last bit of strength and reached out towards the key ring.

But my final struggle was blocked by someone.

I opened my mouth with all my might.

“Your hand….”

“S, Senior? What are you saying? My hand?”

The other person grabbed my hand even harder.

…Not your hand, give me the key ring.

And so, I ended my life holding someone’s hand, not the key ring.

Ah, I really…

Just once, even if it was just once.

‘I wanted to live buried in cute things.’

The pain completely disappeared, and a comfortable warmth enveloped my whole body.

[Open your eyes. Savior.]

A strange yet very familiar voice echoed in my mind.

As if drawn by that voice,

I slowly opened my eyes that had been closed for a long time.

“Where is this…”

A space filled with warm light unfolded before my eyes.

A high ceiling, majestic pillars with soft light seeping out, and the sound of clear water gently flowing.

“…This is. Could it be, the Goddess’s sanctuary that I’ve only heard of?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Savior.”

The goddess smiled gently, her long hair flowing down to the floor.

The moment I saw her benevolent and mysterious figure, one thought crossed my mind.

‘Her hair is going to get dusty.’

The goddess moved slowly, sweeping the floor with her hair.

Just as I was contemplating whether to lift it up, the goddess turned to look at me.

Making use of my experience as a hunter, I quickly withdrew my hand and stood at attention as if nothing had happened.

“Please, refrain from rude behavior.”

Cold sweat ran down my back at the goddess’s soft yet sharp words.

The goddess, who had been silently watching me, soon brightened her face with a benevolent smile.

“I express my deepest gratitude for sacrificing your invaluable life to save this world.”

“…Ah, no. I just did what I could.”

The goddess covered her mouth and smiled softly.

“You’re even humble. But what you accomplished could not have been done by anyone else.”

“That’s true.”

“Puhut! I just praised you for being humble.”

The goddess, who had been laughing as if amused, soon put her hands together in a praying position.

“You are a truly interesting person. I’m very curious about what wish you might have.”

“…A, a wish?”

The goddess nodded.

“Shouldn’t a person who saved the world receive a proper reward? Whatever you desire, I will grant that wish.”

“…Whatever I desire?”

I was just bewildered by the sudden offer.

Then, a desire that I had constantly suppressed in a corner of my heart slowly surfaced.

Cute things. I want to live buried in cute things.’

Perhaps it was because I had hidden my preference for so long.

Even at the moment my long-held wish might come true, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

But….

I had missed out on the last key ring of my life, so I couldn’t miss out on my wish.

I clenched my fist and shouted.

“I want to live buried in cute things!”

In an instant, the sanctuary was enveloped in silence.

For the first time, the smile disappeared from the goddess’s face.

“…Cu, cute things?”

The goddess’s eyes widened.

Then, she lowered her head as if she were in trouble.

…Goodbye, my dream. My wish.’

Saying farewell in my heart, I gave up on even the last of my expectations.

At that moment, the goddess, noticing my expression, urgently shouted.

“Don’t be discouraged, Savior! It’s not because I can’t grant your wish!”

“Huh? Then why…”

“…Well, the standard for cuteness is very subjective.”

I scratched my head and asked back with a bewildered expression.

“…Why is that a problem?”

“The cuteness in this world is very diverse. So, you need to clearly define what you consider cute.”

At those words, I was momentarily stunned.

…My definition of cuteness?’

Well, it’s small, fluffy, cute, and….

Like it would burst if you touched it, like something you can’t break.

I quickly told the goddess my definition of cuteness.

Then

A flash of light burst from the goddess’s body.

Black caterpillars fell from above, onto my head.

I brushed my head with my hand and looked at the caterpillars on the floor.

Are you trying to fight me?’

I cried out to the goddess in resentment.

“No, what is cute about this!”

“Surely they are small, fluffy, cute, and seem like they would burst if you touched them….”

“They aren’t cute at all!”

“That’s strange. They look very cute to me….”

Just as I was about to argue, the caterpillars disappeared in an instant.

The goddess sighed briefly and opened her mouth.

“As you can see, the criteria for cuteness vary for each person. So, instead of granting your wish right away, I’ll give you this.”

A pen like a fountain pen slowly descended from the sky.

I reached out without thinking and grabbed it.

The pen in my hand held a strange warmth.

“…What is this?”

“It’s a tool that allows you to directly create the cuteness you desire.”

The goddess smiled softly and continued.

“Everything created with this magic pen will be perfectly realized according to your definition.”

“…You mean I can really create whatever I want?”

“That’s right. Every time you make something, it uses magic power, but with your magic power, you could probably draw hundreds a day.”

I stared blankly at the magic pen.

Hundreds of cute things a day?

And exactly as I want them?!

Just thinking about it made my heart pound.

‘Rabbits, cats, teddy bears. And I should also add frog cushions and make a dollhouse for the babies…’

The goddess quietly added, at the moment I couldn’t contain my excitement and was lost in imagination.

“And in the place you will be reborn, I will also prepare a huge open space for you.”

“O, open space?”

“Yes. A place big enough to fit everything you make and then some.”

The moment I heard that, a cheer burst from my lips.

I gripped the magic pen tightly and bowed to the goddess at a 90-degree angle.

“Thank you so much, Goddess! To be able to directly create a world full of cute things!”

“Huhu, I’m glad you’re happy. Shall we start the reincarnation process right away?”

“Yes! Please do!”

As the goddess extended her hand, the entire sanctuary began to shine brightly.

Soon, a warm light enveloped my body and I felt myself lightly floating up.

With a pounding heart, I closed my eyes.

‘Finally! I can live buried in cute things!’

The light was getting stronger and stronger, and the moment was coming when everything would start anew.

The goddess’s voice echoed in my ear for the last time.

“I hope you show off your drawing skills and create a cute world.”

“……Excuse me?”

My mind went blank.

W-wait a minute. What did you say? Drawing?!

The subject I was worst at in my entire life was art!

“Wait a minute! I’m cute!”

I shouted urgently to the goddess.

But all my voice couldn’t reach her, and was buried in the vortex.

In despair, I heard the goddess’ voice in my head.

[Ah, I understand what you mean. Don’t worry.]

Soon, a soft, warm light completely enveloped my body.

My body became light, and I felt something new seep into my body.

…That’s a relief.

What would be the point of having a magic pen if my drawing skills didn’t support me?

I closed my eyes in relief, thinking that the goddess must have come up with a solution.

・・・・・・ But why do I suddenly feel a void in my lower body?’

A sudden feeling of unease came over me.

I frantically reached down and checked my lower body.

“It’s gone, it’s gone! Wait, why has my voice become so thin? And why are my hands so small?!”

Then, the goddess’s voice echoed in my head again.

[I have adjusted everything so that you don’t have to be conscious of the fact that you like cute things. Enjoy your new life to the fullest!]

“No, please increase my drawing skills!”

But my cry didn’t reach her, and I fell into an unfamiliar world.