"You died from overwork after thirteen straight days on the job. But since you lived a decent life, you now have the right to choose how you’ll live your next one."
"A job that pays well, isn’t likely to kill me, and has easy re-employment if I get laid off. That’s all I ask."
"That’s it?"
"Yeah."
Mei Yi-ge couldn’t think of anything grander to wish for.
After confirming his reincarnation into another world, he eyed the blue-haired Goddess skeptically. He was certain that if he’d asked for powers or special abilities, she’d saddle him with some absurd, high-risk mission—like becoming a Hero destined to fight the Demon King and probably die halfway through.
Since he was getting a second life, he intended to enjoy it. No digging his own grave.
Holding this thought, he made a humble wish that left the Goddess troubled.
【Damn it… no ambition? My performance metrics won’t hit quota…】
Watching this overworked office drone, the Goddess—operating on the principle of "workers scamming workers"—forced a benevolent smile. "I understand. You want a new life with a job that *pays well*, is *hard to die in*, and offers *easy re-employment*. Correct?"
"Ah, yes… but is that too much trouble? I could—"
Hearing his own words echoed back, Mei Yi-ge worried he’d overreached and tried to retract a condition. The Goddess cleared her throat gently.
"No trouble at all! I’ll arrange it immediately. But once accepted, there’s no going back. Life doesn’t offer do-overs."
"Of course. Thank you."
This was the last time Mei Yi-ge sincerely thanked a human-shaped being.
He’d forgotten one thing—
All contracts have fine print. Especially verbal agreements.
…
"Magician-sama, I’ve shortlisted these rental listings per your request. Shall we guide you?"
"No need. Thank you."
Snapping photos of the ads with her image-capturing device, the purple-haired, golden-eyed Sorceress declined the agent’s offer and melted into the crowd.
"If the commission fee were even slightly lower, I’d have agreed… Seriously… Why is this world so damn realistic?"
Her complaint came from the heart.
Life in this new world differed from her old one only in swords and sorcery.
Yes—this Sorceress hunting for an apartment was Mei Yi-ge, the overwork casualty reincarnated as Mei Yige, the Void Witch.
She’d arrived here nearly forty years ago.
The Goddess had meticulously fulfilled her one-line wish… by attaching half a book of clauses.
*Pays well?*
Nowhere specified *how much*. As a Sorceress, she earned stipends from the Guild—but membership fees ate more than she earned. A joke.
*Hard to die?*
True. Immortality came with the package. She could 996 or 007 forever. Technically hard to die.
*Easy re-employment?*
Her first Guild collapsed in three days. She only got paid after joining a Hero’s party to slay the Demon King.
But then?
Those damn rookies dumped her the moment the quest ended. Called her a freeloader. Even convinced the King to revoke her rewards while she lay wounded and helpless.
Thirty years post-adventure, she still scrambled for income and shelter. Supplies had to be bought. True seclusion was impossible. And trouble kept finding her.
True, someone *had* recognized her talent—the Empire’s princess, offering her the role of Court Sorcerer. A position where heads rolled at the Emperor’s whim.
Mei Yige fled immediately. Now she sought a quiet town and a job to scrape by.
Rent cheap. Save slowly with her unnaturally long lifespan. Build a self-sufficient manor someday. Fade into obscurity. That was the dream.
Life offered no hope anyway.
"‘Willow Lane, Azure Blossom Cottage. Many rooms. Utilities included. Rent worry-free’? Can I even trust this…"
She started with the cheapest listings. Magic-tech here ensured water and heating for most homes—though no electronics existed. Mei Yige didn’t expect any; magical devices sufficed.
Rereading the flyer, she eyed the well-kept three-story cottage. *One silver coin a month? Back home, that’d be ¥100 rent. Why’s it empty?*
Baffled, she hesitated at the gate.
"Yo! Another rental hunter?"
The grocer next door spotted a cat-eared girl lingering at this trouble spot. Recognizing another sucker lured by flyers, he ambled over with a grin.
"Any… insider tips you’d share?" Mei Yige asked. The cat-eared woman screamed "local gossip." She leaned in eagerly.
"Oh, nothing special. Just struck by your friendly face."
"Actually, I’m parched. Got raspberry soda in your shop?"
"AUV! Well, since you mention it—sure, I know a thing or two about this neighborhood."
Humans were refreshingly practical. Mei Yige adored that—even in beastkin.
This quiet town corner saw little traffic. The grocer pulled out a small table and two stools. They sat with fizzy drinks, chatting about local oddities.
"So… people move in, but never move out?" Mei Yige cut to the core of his rambling. She nodded slowly. "This place is haunted?"
"Bingo! Lived here eight, nine years? Never seen the landlord. Weird, right? No one’s investigated. Probably…" The woman trailed off, finishing her drink with a mysterious smirk.
"Go on," Mei Yige urged.
Two copper coins clinked onto the table.
"AUV! Treating me like a stranger?" The grocer pocketed the coins smoothly, lowered her voice, and pointed upward. "Someone *up there*’s protecting it."
