My name is Hiraku Machio.

Finding a job after college was like a poisoned gift. My new company was such an abusive corporation that I used myself to the bone and ended up spending most of my thirties in the hospital. 

Male

Age at time of death: 39.

And now, face to face with God.

“Did I reincarnate in a different world”? “

No, I’d say that you’ve moved.” 

“Moved?

I mean, I’m pretty sure I died though… “

“That’s right.

So, it means I’ll let you live again in a different world.”

“Okay…but… what about my body?”

“I rid you of the illness and revived your rotten guts. 

Because if I hadn’t, you would be dead again already.

I also jumped on the occasion to make you a bit younger.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

I happen to have some interest in sending you to another dimension.

So, it means that you’ll be living again in that world, but for me.”

“Oh, I see…

So, what do you expect me to do?”

“Nothing special. Just live here.

Just enjoy your second life.”

“Alright, then.”

“Do you have anything to say about it?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s straightforward.

But… Are you SURE? “

“Yup.

Because after all, I spent the last ten years on a hospital bed, unable to move.

So, being back to life, and younger on top of that, there’s nothing I can complain about.”

“So…

Oh, about, uh…

Since I feel sorry to keep asking things from you, I’ll grant you a wish.“

“A wish? “ I asked.

“Yes.

For example… get some amazing new skill or make some nice encounter happen to you in the future.”

“Well, then I’d like to never get sick again?”

“Never…get sick? “

“Yes. I suffered too much from being sick. So, if it is possible, I’d love to never get that feeling again.” 

“Okay… Got it. Then, let me grant you the “Sound Body”.”

“Thank you.”

“Alright. I’ll grant you one more.”

“What?! Are you kiddi–“

“Just say something.”

“Well… Then, please make it so that I live somewhere without too many people around.” 

“Without people around?”

“Yes. I mean… When my parents died, people who called themselves family did some things to me… and… even at work… so… It’s not like I’m antisocial, but… 

 Maybe I just find it difficult to communicate with others. 

 I know I should work on it, but… right now, I’m just…”

“Okay, okay… A place where there’s almost no one around.

Got it.

I’ll consider it when I send you to your new home.“

“Thank you.”

“Alright, I don’t mind granting you one more.”

“What?! “

“Just say something.”

“Well, then…

Oh, I know!

Make me able to speak the language of the place you’ll send me to.”

“That’s already taken care of.

You’re already able to talk with regular people.

Call it the Starter Pack if you want.”

“I see…”

“Come on, just say your next wish.”

“It’s easier said than done… Since I was stranded in bed, sick, the sole fact that I’m able to move again is already beyond my craziest expectations.”

“Okay, so what about that. Is there something you really want to do?

The world you’re going to is one that is like those games of yours, with swords and magic and stuff.

You can decide you want to be the best adventurer in the world, or an extraordinary magician, or simply the king of some land or … whatever you like!”

“Hahaha.

It’s all too much pressure on me.

… I know!

There’s one thing I wanted to do if I could move again.

So that’s it!”

“So…

Try and say it.”

“Farming!” I exclaimed.

“……”

“I never forgot the time I first took a farming hoe in my hands during some hands-on class.

I don’t know why, but I’ve liked the idea since then.

So, I want to become a farmer.”

“So…

Farming, huh?”

“Can’t I?”

“You can.

But I’m afraid this type of request is out of my jurisdiction.

Wait a second.”

“Sure.”

While I was waiting, the God standing right in front of me took out something that looked like an old cellphone and started talking.

Though I can hear him, I have no clue what he is saying.

Is it a different language?

The only thing I figured out was that the person on the other end of the line sounded extremely excited.

“Kept you waiting.

I’ll give this to you.”

And out of nowhere, I was handed a farming hoe.

Wooden handle and metal blade.

“Behold the « Almighty Farming Tool »,” God said.

“Almighty?

I know that a hoe is a great tool, but do you really think that « Almighty » is a little exaggerated?”

“I know that at the moment it might seem to you like a regular hoe, but it can actually transform according to your needs.”

“Did you say « transform »?”

“Yes. For example, if you suddenly need a scythe… then a scythe it will become. As well as a saw, a hammer, a pick-axe, a shovel… on demand.”

“Wow.”

“But you’re the only one to be able to use it. It will always be by your side, and even come back like a boomerang if you try to throw it.”

“That’s high tech!”

“And since we’re at it, I’ll just make it so that it stays within you when you don’t need it.

By doing so, it won’t be a pain to carry around and you’ll be able to sheathe it and draw it out whenever you want.

Try it.”

So I tried absorbing the « Almighty Farming Tool » in me and taking it out again.

“Wow…” I said a second time.

“Take good care of it.”

“I will.“

“Are you finally ready?”

“I think I am.

Thank you again for everything.”

“Yes. Be well.”

After I heard those words, I felt my body vanishing away, as it was melting.

I was in the middle of a forest when I came back to my senses. 

……

Alright. Body check.

It moves… without a problem.

No pain.

I’m in good shape.

I don’t have a mirror, but I can see that I’m younger by looking at my arms and legs.

I’d say, maybe in my early twenties?

Or even my late teens?

Anyway, there seems to be no problem at all.

And my clothing… I have never seen it before.

I’m wearing some cloth trousers with a roughly cut top, as villagers are portrayed in some video games.

And some kind of trunks as underwear.

It doesn’t matter. I’m not wearing my burial suit.

So that’s what God meant when he talked about a Starter Pack?

I then tried to draw out my Almighty Tool.

Then the hoe appears in a flash, with my fingers already wrapped around it.

Thank you, Mr. God.

It makes me realize that I didn’t even ask of his name.

I don’t know how to even send a prayer to him.

But I guess it is the intention that matters.

Alrighty then.

I stood up and looked around me.

Forest everywhere.

Forest in front of me, forest behind me.

Forest left and forest right.

……

I asked to be sent to a place without many people around, but it seems like I’m somewhere completely deserted.