A man, a woman, and a goblin walked across the golden plains, moving at a leisurely pace toward a distant tribal settlement.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rolling landscape. The wind carried the scent of dry earth, rustling through the tall grass.
Lucy walked at the front, deep in thought.
"Exploring is one of the reasons but..."
More importantly, his main goal was to find a way to be immortal.
Lucy wasn't so bold as to already aim for immortality, however stopping his aging is something that he had in mind ever since he first came in this world.
If nothing else, he had to live long enough to reach an era where toilet paper existed.
"But there isn't much I know that could make me immortal without lots of negative effects"
For example drawing power from the dark dimension like the future sorcerer supreme. Which wasn't viable not only because it was dangerous, Lucy didn't even know magic.
So he first decided to explore and enjoy adventuring before he inevitably starts searching for ways to stop aging.
"Wait a minute!" Lucy suddenly turned to Unohana
"Are you able to turn me into a shinigami?"
Unohana's eyes slightly widened at the unexpected question. Then, after a moment of thought, she shook her head.
"I could," she admitted, "but I don't think it's a good idea."
Lucy's excitement faded instantly. "Why not?"
Unohana's expression remained calm, but her next words sent a chill down his spine.
"The laws of death in this world are… different."
Lucy's brow furrowed.
"I can feel a presence that governs it," Unohana continued. "A being with an aura similar to the Soul King, but different. More… pure."
Lucy felt his stomach drop.
"Of course. It wouldn't be that easy."
And as for who governed death in this world?
Death herself of course. The literal cosmic entity.
"Haa I don't think it's a good idea to piss off Death this early, I guess I'll just use it as a last resort" Lucy could only chuckle as he decided to find another way
Unohana suddenly stopped walking and spoke with some surprise.
Lucy immediately noticed. In the past year, he had learned to recognize subtle shifts in her demeanor. If she stopped moving, it meant something was happening.
"What is it?" Lucy asked, his eyes narrowing
"There are more of those that chased you before Lucy"
Lucy's face perked up
More of what he suspected were deviants?
"Where?" Lucy quickly asked.
"Approaching a tribe"
Knowing that Lucy and the goblin wouldn't reach quite in time, Unohana asked whether she should go ahead and save them
Lucy was about to agree when Unohana spoke again.
"Wait… I don't think I have to go"
"Why is that?"
"Because I just sensed powerful energies fighting with the monster's presence"
Powerful energies? Lucy's mind went to thinking and he asked a question.
"How many powerful energies are there?"
"There are ten of them"
Lucy smiled, further proving his first guess of where he was is correct.
There were monsters that looked a lot like deviants and now there were TEN powerful people fighting them.
"Eternals…"
Unohana's expression turned thoughtful as Lucy quickly explained their history.
The Celestials, their grand plan, and how they used civilizations as sacrifices to birth new gods.
Unohana's eyes darkened slightly.
"Hmm," she hummed. "Using humanity as fuel to birth gods… How nostalgic." Unohana thought as she remembered a few people.
"Well since the people are already saved, I think it's best not to interact with the eternals too much
Unohana nodded
If the eternals saw them, they would think that they don't belong here. Not only was Unohana wearing conspicuous clothes, what if they were able to sense her reiatsu. Although doubtful, Lucy wasn't gonna take the risk.
If that wasn't enough, Lucy had a goblin by his side. If they saw it they might just outright attack thinking it was a deviant or a threat to humanity.
Just as Lucy was about to order Unohana to take them away, he heard a sound
[Quest Issued: Meet the Eternals]
[Option 1: Meeth the eternals and introduce yourself in a friendly manner
Reward: Trash Ticket ×1]
[Option 2: Meet the eternals and antagonize them
Reward: Depends on how much they hate you]
Lucy could only blink blankly at the panel in front of him
"There are choices? And what the hell is option 2 all about"
Who in their right mind would antagonize a group of super-powered aliens that have lived for thousands of years?!
Lucy was now weighing the pros and cons of the quests. He had the option to not do it of course as his system wasn't one of the asshole systems that had punishments.
"But..." Not only were quests scarce, his gaze kept going to Option 2. He wanted excitement, and this would definitely be exciting
"But dangerous..." Lucy said to himself.
Before long Lucy shook his head.
"Didn't I decide to live a life of excitement anyway, I have no regrets if I die for it" Lucy said as he smiled
"Besides they shouldn't want to kill me if just antagonize them a little... right?"
Lucy quickly ordered Unohana to hide herself and keep an eye on him. She would serve as backup if Lucy's plan went awry.
"Isn't this a little bit dangerous?" Unohana asked as she could tell from the energy she sensed that they were strong.
"I guess, but I have you don't I" Lucy said smiling as his gaze pierced through Unohana's facade.
Unohana still smiled with a gentle smile and kept a poker face
"Alright then"
Unohana picked up Lucy and the goblin, she went picked a random direction and started using flash step continuously.
Now... Lucy took messed his clothes a little. He was still wearing the clothes that the original body was wearing since they were the only clothes he could find.
"And it's not like I can swap with Unohana's clothes..." Lucy's mind trailed as he thought of it.
Unohana wearing nothing but the rags he had on as clothes.
Maybe...
I have been untouched for a year since I transmigrated...
Lucy immediately shook his head and felt a myriad of emotions with himself. 'I mean come on, she's my summon for gods sake... but didn't I want to live a life of excitement?'
Lucy put those thoughts out of his head and returned to his calmness. Taking a deep breath he strode towards the tribe with confidence.
"I wonder... What identity should I assume..."