Ascension of the Lost Soul

New path.

Rico's eyes widened as the new notifications appeared before him. His journey had truly begun.

Heaven was more than just an afterlife—it was a place filled with challenges, quests, and opportunities for him to grow.

For the first time in his life, he felt something stir deep inside: hope.

[Main Quest: Holy Magic]

[Description: Find the Overseer of Oroa]

[Reward: Holy Magic]

[Side Quest: Find a Job in Oroa]

[Description: Get an occupation in Oroa]

[Reward: Inventory]

"Huh?! Luna!" Rico called out, looking around as he noticed the system's absence.

Although it felt as though his guide had gone silent, he didn't realize that the quests themselves were part of his guidance.

Rico walked through the streets, marveling at Oroa's beauty.

The city thrived peacefully, with beings working contentedly, their honest lives reflected in the warm, harmonious atmosphere.

There were no beggars, no visible class distinctions—just a sense of equality and purpose.

He approached a man brushing a majestic Serapheon, its wings tucked gracefully as it relaxed in a stable.

Rico waved to catch the man's attention. The man looked up, studying him with kind eyes.

"A new soul, huh? Pure and young," the man said, smiling. "So, young man, do you intend to live here for eternity?"

Rico hesitated, uncertain.

"Ahh… isn't that how it's supposed to be?" he asked, scratching his head in confusion.

The man chuckled.

"What's your name, young soul?" the man continued, brushing the Serapheon.

"Rico Santos."

"Is that your heavenly name?" the man asked, not looking up.

"Tiyaga. My heavenly name is Tiyaga," Rico replied.

The man paused, looking intrigued.

"Tiyaga, is it? That name bears strength. But you seem clueless about the way things work here." He set down the brush and started explaining.

He paused, then shrugged. "Well, let me help shake some of that confusion from you."

As the man explained, Rico learned that Oroa, the city of the ordinary, was a place where souls could purify themselves, surrounded by true love and light.

Beings in Oroa could either live peacefully forever or strive to ascend to higher ranks to fulfill the Creator's will.

The heavenly name, Rico learned, symbolized a being's direct connection to divinity.

Letting one's heavenly name be known throughout the heavens was a sign of divine strength.

Rico listened, fascinated, as the man went on to explain that embracing one's heavenly name strengthens the soul, allowing beings to gain power and earn recognition across the heavens.

Rico listened attentively and finally asked, "How can I meet the overseer?"

The man pointed to a small, majestic tower within the city. "There. That's where the overseers reside."

"They? Isn't it just one being?" Rico asked.

"You'll see for yourself, Tiyaga," the man replied with a mysterious smile.

"Oh, thank you, Mr…" Rico trailed off, realizing he didn't know the man's name.

"You didn't tell me your name. Also… do you have any job I could help with?"

"Well, I'm called Eldon," the man replied with a grin, tossing a brush to Rico.

"And if it's work you want, here's something. Brush that young one and feed it when you're done." He gestured to a young Serapheon.

Ting!

[Side Quest Complete!]

[Ability Obtained: Inventory]

"Huh, that was easier than I thought," Rico muttered, feeling the new ability integrate.

He got to work, carefully brushing the young Serapheon and feeling at peace as he cared for the creature.

Meanwhile, within a majestic tower near the city's center, six radiant beings gathered, seated on high, ornately carved chairs, their forms shining with an ethereal light.

Each of them bore a humanoid shape, adorned in white robes, with pairs of wings folded behind them.

"A pure soul has emerged in Oroa," one of the beings remarked, their voice echoing with power.

"Indeed. His soul does not belong in the Cities of the Ordinary," another replied thoughtfully.

"Perhaps he should be sent to the Halls of Valhalla or the Peaks of Olympus," a third suggested.

"Or maybe he could join the Crusades of Arch Michael," another mused.

As they conversed, another presence appeared, materializing out of thin air.

The council turned and immediately bowed their heads.

!!!

"Greetings, Saint Eila," the six beings spoke in unison, bowing slightly.

Saint Eila, a beautiful woman with a serene expression, stood before them, radiating a divine grace.

Her robes glimmered softly, and a pure smile adorned her face.

"I heard you discussing something interesting," she said, her voice carrying an air of authority laced with kindness.

"I have an idea." She snapped her fingers.

In an instant, Rico found himself standing before the council, a brush in his hand and his eyes still closed, lost in his task.

As he whistled, enjoying the work, a powerful voice echoed through the hall.

"Tiyaga."

Eila's voice resonated with a powerful call, causing Rico to stop abruptly, feeling an overwhelming surge of divine energy just from hearing his name spoken by a higher being.

"Huh?" Rico blinked, looking up to find himself surrounded by radiant beings in a grand hall.

Embarrassed, he realized he was still holding the brush as though he were tending to the Serapheon as a meal he was about to savor.

With another gentle snap, the Serapheon vanished back to its stable, and Rico, still bewildered, took in the sight of the assembled figures.

A familiar chime rang out.

Ting!

[Main Quest Cleared!]

[Skill Obtained: Holy Magic]

Rico's body glowed with a soft, golden light as the divine energy of holy magic integrated within him.

The council looked on, intrigued, as the Holy Magic flowed through him, lighting up the room.

This was a rare sight, for it often took souls years of training to wield holy magic.

"He's truly blessed," one of them murmured.

"This is remarkable," another agreed, their gazes filled with reverence.

Saint Eila watched with fascination as the light faded.

She smiled, her gaze warm and steady as she regarded Rico.

Ting!

[Warning: Higher Being Detected]

[Using Skill: Gauge]

[Analysis Failed!]

"Ti... Tiyaga," Eila's voice called out to him again.

Ting!

[Influence from Higher Being Detected]

[Skill Obtained: Intimidation]

"Ah, yes, ma'am," Rico responded, feeling an instinctive respect that made him bow without thinking.

"There's no need to address me further. I am Eila. Remember my name, for that is all you need to know of me," she said.

Her gaze softened.

"You are a special soul, Tiyaga, so I summoned you to give you a choice for the next phase of your journey."

Rico's heart pounded as he listened, wondering what she meant.

"You overqualify as an ordinary being," she continued.

"Your path is destined to be one of a creator's warrior. You shall have choices for this path, and you must choose carefully."

Ting!

[Main Quest Generated]