The air was still. An overwhelming void surrounded Sam as he hovered between life and death, his body weightless, his mind adrift. The sensation was unsettling, yet oddly familiar—a reminder of the fleeting moments before he first entered this world.

  Suddenly, a cold, robotic voice echoed through the darkness.

  System Notification: Player has died.

  Sam’s mind raced. Is this it? Am I actually dead again?

  The voice interrupted his thoughts.

  System updating... Starting process of revival... Initiating!

  He felt a faint pulse within him, like an ember refusing to be extinguished.

  New skill unlocked: Monarch’s Revival.

  Accept skill? Y/N

  Without hesitation, Sam mentally screamed, Yes!

  Congratulations! You have learned the skill: Monarch’s Revival!

  Skill rank: Monarch

  He barely had time to process the words before another surge of information flowed into his mind.

  Updating player from rank Above Average to D Rank.

  All attributes have gained +15 to their stats.

  Skills Analysis and Visualization have leveled up from 1 to 2.

  Player’s level cap increased from 15 to 30.

  Use skill Monarch’s Revival?

  Sam didn’t even need to answer—the decision was made for him.

  A flash of light enveloped him, and the void gave way to an ethereal landscape. It was as though he had been dropped into a dream, where mist swirled around shimmering fragments of stars. A surreal mix of darkness and light surrounded him, and the weightlessness returned, though now tinged with an undeniable sense of power.

  "Where am I?" Sam murmured. "Is this... heaven?"

  "No, and I’m afraid you’re not so lucky," a familiar voice chimed, laced with amusement.

  Sam turned sharply, his heart skipping a beat as recognition set in. "The Goddess’ Domain..." he whispered, the memory of this otherworldly place rushing back.

  Melissa, the goddess of humanity, stood before him, her radiant form outlined by faint threads of golden light. She folded her arms, tilting her head as if disappointed. "Goddess’ Domain? Really? That’s what you’re calling it? How unimaginative. It’s the Creator Dream World, for your information."

  Sam raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You sure like to name things dramatically, huh?"

  Melissa ignored the quip, stepping closer to inspect him. Her eyes seemed to pierce into his soul, her gaze unnervingly intense.

  "Uh… is there something on my face?" Sam asked nervously.

  She didn’t answer immediately, her expression unreadable. Then, finally, she broke the silence.

  "How are you still alive?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern. "That fire magic should’ve killed you outright. At your rank, even attempting such a feat was suicidal."

  Sam’s mind reeled. He remembered the fire crystal, the grueling effort to sustain the flame, the excruciating toll it had taken on his body. He hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I... don’t know," he admitted.

  Her mind raced through the implications. The gods of Atheria were powerful, yes, but they were still bound by the rules of the world they governed. The Greater Beings, on the other hand, were rumored to exist beyond such constraints. If Sam truly was tied to them, it could mean the balance of Atheria—and perhaps the entire hyperverse—was at risk.

  A sudden memory surfaced, unbidden. The words of the previous Human God echoed in her mind: "One day, Melissa, you may encounter a force so vast, so unfathomable, that even your divinity will pale in comparison. When that day comes, remember this: gods may reign, but there are those who rule the gods."

  The thought left her trembling. She had dismissed those words as the ramblings of a fading deity, but now they felt disturbingly prescient.

  Her gaze softened, though the fear in her heart remained. Sam, oblivious to her internal struggle, scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He was mortal, fragile, and utterly clueless—and yet, he held the potential to upend everything.

  He might be the one to save us... or the one to bring our end, she thought grimly. And I don’t know which is worse.

  Her thoughts drifted to her own predicament. For centuries, she had been trapped in the Creator Dream World, cut off from the mortal plane. The curse that bound her here was unyielding, tied to some long-forgotten act of hubris. But now, as she looked at Sam, a flicker of hope stirred within her.

  If he truly is connected to the Greater Beings... then maybe, just maybe, he could break my curse. Or perhaps they’ve sent him here to ensure I never leave.

  Her hands tightened into fists. No. I won’t let them dictate my fate. If he’s truly their pawn, then I’ll find a way to turn him into my ally. Or, if it comes to it… my weapon.

  Sam shifted uncomfortably under Melissa’s intense scrutiny. Her gaze felt like a piercing spotlight, and he couldn’t help but fidget. "Can you stop staring at me like that? It’s kind of weird... and, uh, your skirt…"

  Melissa blinked, her focus snapping to his words. "My skirt?" she repeated, glancing down.

  Her face turned crimson as she realized the hem had shifted during her movements, leaving her more exposed than she’d intended. With a startled yelp, she swiftly adjusted her posture, her hands smoothing the fabric down.

  "I-uh, didn’t mean to distract you," she stammered, her composure momentarily slipping. Her cheeks burned, and she glared at Sam, as if blaming him for noticing.

  Sam averted his eyes, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "It’s not like I wanted to notice!" he muttered under his breath, his own face heating up.

  "Anyway!" Melissa cleared her throat dramatically, desperate to shift the conversation. "What are you going to do now?"

  Sam looked down at his hands, still trembling faintly. The memory of the fire crystal and the searing flame lingered, vivid and raw. The sensation of the heat, the pain, and the strange sense of triumph played over and over in his mind like a haunting melody.

  "Am I alive?" he murmured, more to himself than her. His voice wavered, tinged with uncertainty. "Or... was that the end?"

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Melissa crossed her arms, tilting her head with an exasperated expression. "Do you feel dead?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

  Sam frowned. "No, but... I saw the light fade. I was sure I was gone." He clenched his fists, the faint tremor in his hands betraying his attempt to remain calm.

  "Clearly, you weren’t," Melissa replied dryly. Her tone shifted, curiosity replacing her earlier sarcasm. "Though I’d love to know how you managed to pull off such a miraculous recovery."

  Before Sam could respond, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

  System Notification

  You used the skill Monarch’s Revival.

  You obtained this during the brief period you died.

  It is a Monarch rank skill.

  The words hung in his thoughts, sinking in slowly. He replayed them over and over, trying to grasp their meaning. "Question, goddess," he began cautiously, his voice cutting through the silence. "What’s a Monarch rank?"

  Melissa’s expression froze, the playful, teasing air she usually carried vanishing in an instant. For the first time since he’d met her, she looked... unsettled. Her normally confident demeanor faltered, and the silence stretched uncomfortably between them.

  "What do you mean, ‘What’s Monarch rank’?" she asked, her voice edged with something he couldn’t quite place—fear, perhaps?

  "I mean..." Sam hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I’ve heard of it, but I don’t really know what it means. I figured you’d be the best person to ask."

  Melissa’s shoulders relaxed slightly, but the tension didn’t completely leave her. She exhaled, crossing her arms as she explained. "Monarch rank is... rare. Extremely rare. It’s above anything most mortals can achieve. Skills of that rank are usually reserved for kings, divine beings, or those with extraordinary destinies."

  Sam nodded slowly, pretending to process the information. In truth, he already had an inkling of what Monarch rank signified, but he didn’t want to tip his hand.

  "Let me put it this way," Melissa continued, her voice lower now. "The ranks in this world aren’t just a measure of power; they’re a measure of potential. Most mortals never rise above C Rank. Even B Rank is considered exceptional. Monarch rank, however, is something else entirely—it’s not just about strength, but about influence. It’s the rank of rulers and those who reshape the world."

  Sam’s brows furrowed as he absorbed her words. Influence. Rulers. Reshaping the world. His chest tightened as he wondered what this meant for him—and for the path he was now on.

  "Why is it so concerning that I have it?" he asked, his voice steadier than he felt.

  Melissa’s lips tightened into a thin line. "Because Monarch rank skills aren’t random," she said, her tone grim. "They’re granted by fate—or by something far older and more dangerous. The fact that you have one means you’ve been marked, Sam. Marked for something bigger than you could possibly imagine. And that..." She hesitated, her words trailing off. "That’s dangerous. For you, for me, and for this world."

  Sam opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off.

  "And don’t think this is something to be proud of," she added sharply. "Monarch rank isn’t just a blessing. It’s a burden. A test. And most who receive it don’t survive long enough to wield it properly."

  Melissa’s thoughts raced as she spoke. A Monarch rank skill... Who—or what—granted it to him? Monarchs don’t rise from nothing. Is it possible he’s tied to them?

  The mere idea sent a chill down her spine, her earlier fears bubbling to the surface. The Greater Beings—the silent architects of existence. She’d always dismissed them as myths, stories whispered among the gods to pass the endless eons. But now... now she wasn’t so sure.

  If he’s connected to them, then everything changes. He’s not just another mortal with a bright future. He’s a harbinger of something far greater—and far more dangerous.

  She stole a glance at Sam, who seemed lost in thought. His face betrayed no hint of the forces swirling around him, no awareness of the power he now wielded.

  Does he even realize the gravity of his situation? she wondered. Or is he just a pawn, blindly following the path laid before him?

  A flicker of fear crept into her heart. And if he is their pawn... what’s their endgame? What do they want with this world? With me?

  Fifteen minutes later, Sam had learned more about the world than he ever expected. His head spun as he tried to make sense of the hierarchy Melissa had explained. "So, No Talent rank is the lowest, and God rank is the highest," he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  Melissa nodded, her expression serious. "Correct. There are 18 ranks in total, each representing a significant leap in power, potential, and authority. It’s a ladder few ever climb past the middle."

  Sam tapped his chin, still processing. "Why so many ranks? And can humans even reach God rank? That seems... impossible."

  Melissa smirked, leaning back on her hands as she sat on the misty floor. "You’re talking to a human right now, you know," she said with a hint of pride. "And no, you can’t be born a god. It’s something you have to earn—if you survive long enough to try."

  Sam’s eyes widened. "Wait. You’re saying you made it to God rank?"

  "That’s right," she said, a glimmer of pride lighting up her features. "I’m the fourth human in history to do so. Including me, eight beings have ascended to God rank."

  Sam’s thoughts raced. If there’s a human god, there must be others. His curiosity burned, and he couldn’t hold back the question bubbling in his mind. "What about a demon god? Or other kinds of gods?"

  Melissa nodded. "There are others, yes. For every race, there’s the potential for a god to rise. Demon gods, dragon gods, even beastkin gods—all exist. Each one shapes the destiny of their people. But only a few of us, like myself, reach God rank through sheer willpower and determination, not just racial lineage."

  Sam felt a flicker of admiration but pushed it aside. "So... you’re the human god?"

  "Yes, indeed," Melissa said, her voice swelling with pride. She stood up, striking a confident pose. "The human god, the fourth one in history, and arguably the best," she added with a playful wink.

  "But," she continued, her tone growing serious, "while gods hold the highest authority, there’s another layer to this. Demi-gods."

  "Demi-gods?" Sam asked, leaning forward.

  "There are 20 demi-gods currently alive," Melissa explained, her voice steady. "Each of them has the potential to ascend to God rank. Two of them are human. The rest... well, let’s just say they aren’t exactly friendly toward our kind."

  Sam’s brief moment of awe faded into worry. If two human demi-gods existed, he’d need to meet them eventually. Maybe they’d have answers—or perhaps they’d be allies in the battles to come.

  System Notification

  System Notes have been successfully saved.

  You have been given the reward: Infinite Pages!

  A new chime echoed in his mind, breaking his thoughts.

  Do you accept the reward? Y/N

  Without much thought, Sam selected Yes. "I’ll check that out later," he muttered to himself.

  Melissa noticed the faraway look in his eyes but didn’t press him. Her focus remained on the implications of what she had just shared—and what she hadn’t.

  Melissa’s Thoughts

  Two human demi-gods... If he ever crosses paths with them, they’ll either see him as a threat or an ally. And with a Monarch skill like his? The scales could tip drastically. But what worries me most are the non-human demi-gods. They won’t sit idly by if a new Monarch rises, especially not a human one.

  She suppressed a shiver. This world has seen too many wars between gods and their champions. If Sam’s potential is what I think it is, he won’t just be a player in this game—he’ll be the one rewriting the rules.

  Melissa glanced at Sam, who seemed lost in his thoughts. But he doesn’t know that yet. And maybe... that’s for the best. If he’s tied to something greater—something beyond even the gods—then I’m not sure this world is ready for him.

  Her chest tightened as a flicker of doubt crept into her mind. Am I ready for him?

  "Our time is nearly up," Melissa said softly, pulling herself back to the present. Her voice carried a rare note of sadness. "But do me a favor. If you figure out how you managed to survive, come back and tell me."

  Sam hesitated, weighing his response. He already knew the truth—it was the Monarch’s Revival skill granted by the system. But something deep inside told him not to reveal it, at least not yet. "If I figure it out, I’ll let you know," he said, dodging her gaze.

  Melissa’s eyes lingered on him, her usual sharpness softened by a twinge of vulnerability. "One more thing," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Please... come back at some point. You don’t know how lonely it is here."

  A single tear slipped down her cheek, catching Sam off guard. He shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. "I... I’ll try," he said awkwardly, a faint blush creeping up his neck.

  The Creator Dream World began to fade, the misty expanse dissolving into light. As the scene around him blurred, Melissa’s voice echoed in his mind, soft yet piercing.

  "Just remember, Sam," she said, her words lingering like a haunting refrain. "The world doesn’t revolve around you. But it might one day revolve because of you."

  Her final words struck something deep within him as the dream world vanished.

  Sam jolted awake, his chest heaving. His heart raced as if he’d just sprinted for miles. He stared up at the ceiling, the memory of Melissa’s words playing over and over in his mind.

  The world doesn’t revolve around you. But it might one day revolve because of you.

  As the room around him came into focus, Sam clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.

  "I won’t waste this second chance," he muttered to himself. "Not when I’ve come this far."