Chapter 3 The Tempered Goddess
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A haze clung to the memories of Yuuri’s former life.
Proper nouns—names, faces, titles—were simply gone. He remembered commuting to a company but not the company’s name. He remembered loving manga and games, but the exact titles slipped away like water through his fingers. Even his parents’ faces had blurred into nothing.
Yet the moments leading to his death were painfully clear. He remembered the agony, the regret. And then—the darkness broke. Light spilled across a horizon of stars, and a goddess hovered before him like a promise. When she announced his rebirth, he truly believed he’d been saved.
”Of course you don’t remember names,” she had said, smiling. “If you did, you’d cling to your past. But you’ll remember pain. That way you’ll treasure your new life properly.”
His faith had shattered in the second sentence.
She was selfish to the core. Even accepting that gods might be arrogant, he understood at once: if he followed the path she laid out, nothing good would come of it. So when she dangled the bait of an overpowered skill in a world built on them, he refused to let excitement cloud his judgment. He learned to analyze first, decide second. He learned to analyze first, decide second.
Which was why, now—twenty years later—he felt a chill run down his spine. The goddess was right in front of him again.
She was right in front of him again.
The goddess hummed cheerfully, plating food and moving lightly about his tiny kitchen. The domestic scene almost moved him. Almost. Yūri had lived alone far too long, and loneliness was a tricky thing. But he kept his guard up; sentimentality would get him killed.
”I don’t know why you bothered showing up again after twenty years,” he said flatly. “And was that incident today your doing? My head nearly came off.”
Her grin widened. “Impressive, wasn’t it? The skill I gave you can reach that level. I’ve been frustrated that you never use it, so I let you feel it through a little… VR demonstration.”
Yuuri’s eyelid twitched. They were already speaking past each other.
To a goddess convinced her will equaled righteousness, the idea of not using a skill simply didn’t exist.
”You told me it was my choice to use it. And it’s convenient, sure, but if I can live without depending on it, then I’d rather not.”
”Nope!” she sing-songed. “If you won’t use it, I’ll throw a tantrum. When you use it, my power spreads through the world. My authority grows. You were supposed to use it the moment your past memories resurfaced—especially with Ashley nearby. Do you know how hard it is for a goddess to manipulate fate so you’d be born next to the perfect girl?”
Yuuri froze. The casual cruelty behind her bright smile chilled him. To her, reincarnation was an investment without consent. And if the investment failed… she’d cut her losses.
He needed another angle.
”I understand your position. But forcing that vision on me during a business negotiation? If Ashley had been disgusted, it would’ve damaged my career.”
She nodded eagerly. “You like Ashley. I know. Goddesses see everything. That VR demonstration was important for that.”
Her interpretation was unbelievably warped—there was no point in explaining. She would never understand.
He swallowed his irritation. Blind rebellion would get him killed. For all her cruelty, she never broke her own rules. That was his opening.
”So the timing mattered?” he asked.
”Exactly! Better to understand the consequences before you choose. If you ever face death, you won’t hesitate. I want everyone I send to this world to be happy.”
She said it with absolute confidence—as if happiness were guaranteed once you submitted.
Yuuri’s brow furrowed. Something else lay hidden in her words.
”It sounds like you’re implying Ashley and I are at risk of dying soon. And—were there others? Am I not the only reincarnator?”
The goddess smirked, as though rewarded.
”I can’t tell humans who dies or when. But if you refuse that job offer… you will regret it. I can only phrase it that way.”
For once, her gaze fell. Her voice dimmed. It almost felt sincere. Yūri hesitated. While he searched for his next question, she pulled out a chair and dropped into it with a heavy thud.
”As for other reincarnators…” She smiled. “You’ll know soon.”
”What does—” he started, but she cut him off.
”Ah, one more thing. If you’re about to die? Offer them my cooking.”
He stared at her, confused. “…What?”
Before he could press further, her head sagged. Her eyes closed, and silence swallowed her body.
”Hey…?” he said, reaching toward her shoulder.
Confused, he reached toward her shoulder—
*WHOOSH!*
A strike lashed toward him, so fast his instincts screamed. Years of dangerous fieldwork saved him; he jerked aside.
This speed—it had to be skill-enhanced. He knew it instantly.
Gone was the mocking gaze. In its place burned the cold focus of someone trained to disable an opponent efficiently.
He tried to retreat, but she kept the distance between them tight.
The sudden shift in attitude meant only one thing: she was a reincarnator.
”You’re… you’re a reincarnator!?”
The body before him belonged to a golden-haired girl—and the vile goddess had been possessing her body.
Her fist twitched again. If she’d received a powerful blessing, the fact she held back meant she wasn’t here to kill.
”My name is Yuuri,” he said quickly. “I’m a reincarnator. Please—lower your fists. The walls here are thin. If someone hears a fight, I’m the one who gets in trouble!”
He dropped to one knee, hands raised to shield his vital points.
Her eyes narrowed. “I can’t trust you. I won’t give my name.”
”That’s fine. Just—let me explain.”
He stayed humble. When he first realized his intruder was a goddess possessed, he assumed the girl was merely a vessel. But she was simply too beautiful—hair like liquid gold, fine clothes no commoner could afford. If she truly lived in this world, a scandal here could ruin Yuuri’s life far more than hers.
”A moment ago,” he continued, “the goddess Shelm was possessing your body. She was the one cooking.”
”Cooking? A goddess?” the girl asked, tilting her head.
The girl tilted her head, but didn’t deny it.
If she met that sadistic deity during her reincarnation, she would know how bizarre she was. Just as Shelm used Yuuri as a pawn, she’d treat this girl’s body as a convenient tool.
Yūri exhaled softly. The correct move now was simple:
Use mutual annoyance to build trust.
”When I got home from work,” Yuuri began, “she was somehow just… here. She offered some ‘divine words of gratitude’ and vanished. The food’s supposed to be an apology. Honestly, using someone else’s body without permission—”
”It’s a sacrament!”
The golden-haired girl’s stance faltered. She trembled, pointing at the goddess’s cooking with a voice loud enough to wake the entire block.
”A-ah…! Lady Shelm, thank you! To receive your descent, and then—then your holy meal—!” she exclaimed.
Her golden eyes brimmed with tears. Her face crumpled, and tears spilled freely as she looked ready to bow and worship the table itself. She even began to chant a hymn.
”If you do that,” Yūri warned, “the table might end up enshrining her.”
”That would be wonderful!” she replied.
He stared. Her voice, her mannerisms—they edged uncomfortably close to the goddess’s own smug cadence. Religion had shadows, and he was seeing one right now.
”Don’t copy her tone,” he muttered.
”You noticed? Ah—should I call you Yūri-kun? No? Yūri, then. If you know how Lady Shelm speaks, I officially recognize you as one of us. Another reincarnator!”
Her suspicion dissolved so quickly it left him dizzy. Now she beamed, posture proud, as if Shelm herself were speaking through her again. Yūri could almost picture the goddess—preening—while a zealous follower worshipped at her feet. He desperately hoped never to complete that triangle.
”So,” she mused, “what prophecy did Lady Shelm grant you? Ah—no, forgive me. I shouldn’t ask. ‘May Yuuri fulfill her wish,’ that’s enough. Hehe… I am still her miko, after all. She must have warned you so your fate doesn’t drift toward darkness. Then my duty is simple: I bless your path.”
For the first time, Yūri saw her soften. Until now, she had been a threat—possessed, violent, volatile. But this gentle expression, eyes damp with sincerity, warmed him unexpectedly. Twisted deity aside, the devotion itself… was pure.
Unable to help himself, Yūri reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek.
”You look better when you’re not crying.”
She gasped, blush flaring across her cheeks, and quickly turned her face away. Maybe she’d realized she had let her guard—and distance—slip in front of someone her goddess favored.
”You’re pretty bold,” she muttered. “…And kind of cool.”
”What was that?” he asked.
She shook her head furiously, refusing to repeat it. Instead, she smiled and touched the back of the chair in the entryway, turning toward him.
”May I share in this sacrament?” she asked.
”That food was given to you, wasn’t it?”
The dishes were cooling. They looked annoyingly delicious. But he couldn’t stomach the idea of stealing a divine gift from a devoted believer.
Even so, she only smiled sweeter, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
”I couldn’t possibly eat alone while the homeowner watches. Please—eat with me, okay?”
”O-oh. Well… if you put it like that…” he stammered.
Caught by the upward tilt of her eyes, his voice cracked embarrassingly. She noticed—of course—and narrowed her gaze victoriously. Yūri surrendered and took his seat. He drew a breath, hands poised to clasp in thanks—
*BANG!*
Someone hammered on the front door.
”Yuuri! What was that scream earlier!?”
”W-wait—!”
The voice belonged to his landlady. Of course the girl’s earlier outburst had echoed through the building.
He rushed to intercept, but it was too late. The tough old woman—used to renting to rowdy adventurers—threw the door open without hesitation.
”I told you not to bring working girls home—oh?” she said, her voice sharp.
She froze in her tracks. Instead of a scandal, she found a well-dressed young lady bowing politely beside an elaborate meal.
”I’m terribly sorry for the noise, madam,” the girl said softly. “I only wished to thank Yuuri for his help.”
The landlady’s eyes widened. She stumbled back, then peeked through the closing door with a flustered laugh.
”O-hohoho… pardon me!” she chuckled, clearly embarrassed.
Relief lasted half a heartbeat. Then her gaze snapped back to Yūri, sharp as a blade. She beckoned him closer.
Yūri obeyed. She leaned close and whispered—far too loudly to be subtle.
”Where did you pick up a girl like that!? Never mind—don’t keep her waiting. Listen here: take responsibility, you hear me? Be a man!”
The door slammed shut before he could protest.
Stunned, he heard her outside, barking orders. Several rough male voices responded. Apparently they’d been waiting to burst in and “rescue” a victim, just in case.
After a while, their chatter faded into the night.
…He knew he would be explaining this for days.
”At least you didn’t get kicked out,” the girl noted.
”Are you talking about me—or you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
”Both,” she answered, her smile brightening.
He sighed and sat across from her. Hunger, exhaustion, and the aroma of the food overcame his pride; he dug in. The food was infuriatingly good, and after ten days of risking his life in the labyrinth, he devoured it.
The girl ate quickly as well—disciplined, efficient, yet elegant. A soldier’s rhythm refined by noble upbringing. Curious, Yuuri asked for her name.
”Hmm… is it okay if I tell you next time? I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
It sounded evasive, yet she spoke with quiet certainty, her eyes meeting his briefly before looking away.
He didn’t want to talk about the goddess. She didn’t want to reveal her status. An unspoken distance settled between them—comfortable, for now. He nodded.
”Thank you, Yuuri. We’ll meet again. When we do—please take care of me.”
After helping clean up, she winked at him and slipped out the door.
There was no such gesture in this world’s customs. Only reincarnators would know it.
From Ashley’s sudden return… to the goddess’s interference… to this golden girl—today had been chaotic beyond reason.
After ten days of flirting with death in the labyrinth, fatigue crashed over him. He prepared for bed, turned toward home—and froze.
A crowd of local men waited outside, their voices loud and boisterous.
”What’d you send her home for, idiot!?”
”You should’ve married her!”
”Grow a spine, you coward!”
”Punishment: we drink—now!”
”Oh, come on…” Yuuri groaned, bolting down the street.
Notes:
• Ashley – Count’s daughter, royal attendant, has a crush on Yuuri.
• Shelm – Wicked Goddess, reincarnated Yuuri, manipulative, wants him to use his power.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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