Prologue – The Goddess's Gamble

The world of Velmora was not kind to the weak. It was a realm ruled by steel, sorcery, and divine cruelty—where strength decided worth and fate bowed to those willing to shatter it.

In the divine realm beyond the stars, a goddess of twilight, Lirith, gazed down at her war-torn world. Demons ravaged the land. Heroes had fallen. And prophecy had failed her—until now.

“I shall summon one who defies fate itself,” she whispered, her voice like a cold wind over moonlit waters.

In a flash of starlight, a boy appeared before her.

Chapter 1: Death for Power

Name: Riku Hayashi

Age: 18

Status: Summoned Soul

Origin: Earth – Japan

The boy blinked as the light faded. One second, he’d been crossing the street. The next, he stood barefoot in a celestial temple, stars swirling around him like fireflies.

"You died," the goddess said simply, perched atop her obsidian throne.

Riku stared. “...What?”

“Killed by a truck. Predictable. But now reborn in Velmora. I offer you a gift.”

He was speechless. She continued.

“You may choose any power. Any ability. From immortality to world-shaking magic. The cost is simple—you must die once in this world to obtain it.”

He blinked. “Die… to live stronger?”

She nodded. “And each time you die, you can choose a new power. But there’s a catch: you only retain the latest ability. One power at a time. Choose wisely.”

He shivered. “Why me?”

“You have no attachments. No ties. But a desperate will to live. You are perfect.” Her violet eyes glowed. “Do you accept?”

“…Yeah,” he whispered. “I don’t want to be powerless anymore.”

The goddess snapped her fingers, and a tattoo of a burning phoenix appeared on his chest.

“This will track your resurrections. Die and rise again. But remember—each power overwrites the last. One soul. One ability. One chance per life.”

In the blink of an eye, Riku was gone.Sure! Here's the prologue and Chapter 1 of your fantasy novel based on your idea:

Title: One Death, One Power: The Cycle of the Chosen

Genre: Dark Fantasy / Isekai / Action

Prologue – The Goddess's Gamble

The world of Velmora was not kind to the weak. It was a realm ruled by steel, sorcery, and divine cruelty—where strength decided worth and fate bowed to those willing to shatter it.

In the divine realm beyond the stars, a goddess of twilight, Lirith, gazed down at her war-torn world. Demons ravaged the land. Heroes had fallen. And prophecy had failed her—until now.

“I shall summon one who defies fate itself,” she whispered, her voice like a cold wind over moonlit waters.

In a flash of starlight, a boy appeared before her.

Chapter 1: Death for Power

Name: Riku Hayashi

Age: 18

Status: Summoned Soul

Origin: Earth – Japan

The boy blinked as the light faded. One second, he’d been crossing the street. The next, he stood barefoot in a celestial temple, stars swirling around him like fireflies.

"You died," the goddess said simply, perched atop her obsidian throne.

Riku stared. “...What?”

“Killed by a truck. Predictable. But now reborn in Velmora. I offer you a gift.”

He was speechless. She continued.

“You may choose any power. Any ability. From immortality to world-shaking magic. The cost is simple—you must die once in this world to obtain it.”

He blinked. “Die… to live stronger?”

She nodded. “And each time you die, you can choose a new power. But there’s a catch: you only retain the latest ability. One power at a time. Choose wisely.”

He shivered. “Why me?”

“You have no attachments. No ties. But a desperate will to live. You are perfect.” Her violet eyes glowed. “Do you accept?”

“…Yeah,” he whispered. “I don’t want to be powerless anymore.”

The goddess snapped her fingers, and a tattoo of a burning phoenix appeared on his chest.

“This will track your resurrections. Die and rise again. But remember—each power overwrites the last. One soul. One ability. One chance per life.”

In the blink of an eye, Riku was gone.

Chapter 2 Preview (coming next):

Riku wakes in a ruined forest with no gear, no allies, and no powers—yet. But when faced with his first life-or-death moment, will he gamble everything for a single devastating power?

One Death, One Power: The Cycle of the Chosen

Chapter 2 – Baptism by Blood

---

The first thing Riku felt was cold—a biting wind that cut through his shirt like claws. He coughed, dirt in his mouth, lying face-down on a bed of wet leaves. All around him were towering, twisted trees with black bark and red-veined leaves. The sky was dim and rust-colored, like dusk had been painted in blood.

“Where…?” His voice cracked.

Then it hit him: he was alive. In Velmora. In a body that looked like his—but felt stronger, lighter.

But he had no power yet. Not until he died.

His stomach turned. The goddess hadn’t mentioned how horrible that detail would feel now that he was actually here.

“Great,” he muttered, standing and brushing himself off. No weapons. No armor. Just the black jeans, sneakers, and hoodie he had died in. And the phoenix mark glowing faintly on his chest.

A rustle came from the trees behind him.

His instincts screamed.

He turned—and saw it.

A beast the size of a bear slithered from the shadows. It looked like a cross between a lizard and a wolf, its mouth filled with serrated teeth, eyes glowing blue. Its name floated in the air above its head like some cruel game interface:

[Bloodhowler – Level 17]

“Seventeen?!” Riku yelped. He stumbled back.

It was faster.

The monster lunged.

His foot caught on a root—he went down hard.

I’m gonna die.

The beast’s claws slashed—Riku raised his arm. The pain was blinding, hot, unreal. His vision blurred.

Then—darkness.

---

<>

You have died.

Power Slot: [EMPTY]

Choose one power. You will resurrect with it. Others will be lost.

Riku floated in a black void, strangely calm despite the agony he had just felt.

A list appeared before him—dozens of glowing words scrolling past:

Pyromancer's Flame

Titan's Strength

Shadow Walk

Temporal Rewind

Lightning Step

Healing Touch

Dragon’s Blood

Absolute Defense

Death Sword

Gravity Shift

Memory Eater

And more.

His hand hovered. So many options.

But he needed to survive alone, and immediately.

One caught his eye:

[Death Sword] – Summon a cursed blade that grows stronger with each kill. Cannot be disarmed. Bonds to soul.

He chose it.

---

<>

Resurrection Commencing...

---

Riku gasped and sat up.

He was back where he fell—blood on his arm, but whole again. The Bloodhowler was still there, feasting on what looked like his old body.

Then it turned, sensing something.

Riku stood. His chest glowed.

He reached out—and his hand filled with black fire. From it, a jagged obsidian sword exploded forth, wrapped in chains of red lightning.

The blade screamed.

So did the beast.

Riku grinned—something savage blooming in his heart.

“I’m not dying again.”

---

End of Chapter 2

---

Chapter 3(coming soon)

In next chapter 3, where Riku fights the Bloodhowler with Death Sword and discovers how resurrection has changed more than just his power?

One Death, One Power: The Cycle of the Chosen

Chapter 3 – The First Kill

---

The blade pulsed in Riku’s hand like a living thing, heavy yet familiar—like it had always belonged to him. Black steel, serrated at the edges, humming with violent intent. Runes spiraled along its spine, glowing blood-red.

The Bloodhowler growled, low and guttural, sensing a change.

Riku’s grin widened. He felt fearless. Hungry. Like part of the sword had slipped into him too.

The monster charged, claws raised.

Riku stepped forward, not back.

He didn’t block.

He swung.

CLANG—CRACK!

The blade slammed into the creature’s claw, shattering bone on impact. Sparks flew. Blood sprayed. The beast howled and staggered.

A memory surfaced.

"Death Sword... grows stronger with every kill."

Riku darted left, slid under its swiping tail, and sliced upward.

The sword screamed again. It fed on blood—and it loved it.

“Come on!” he shouted, slashing wildly. Each strike moved faster, heavier. The blade grew longer, jagged lightning coursing through its edge.

The Bloodhowler pounced again.

Too slow.

SHUNK!

Riku drove the blade through its throat.

The beast choked—eyes rolling back—then collapsed in a heap, twitching. Riku stood over it, panting, coated in sweat and blood.

Then the sword pulsed.

Words appeared in the air again.

---

<>

Death Sword Kill Count: 1

New Effect Unlocked: Blood Drain – Restores minor health on each kill.

---

Riku laughed—part relief, part disbelief.

“I just solo’d a level 17 monster… right after dying for the first time.”

The phoenix mark on his chest flickered slightly.

One death. One power.

And now... one victory.

---

He looked at the sword, which had now retracted slightly into a more manageable size, its edge still dripping.

A thought hit him like a hammer:

What happens when I need a different power?

Will I have to die again? Give this up? Lose the sword?

The thrill faded slightly.

“I’m not just collecting powers. I’m trading lives for them. Every time I die, I have to let go of the last me.”

That was the price.

Still… he’d won. He had survived.

And now he could feel it—deep in the trees, a town not too far. Maybe safety. Maybe allies. Or more danger.

Whatever came next, he knew one thing:

“I’m not afraid to die,” Riku whispered. “As long as I come back stronger.”

---

End of Chapter 3

---

Chapter 4 (next coming soon)

In next Chapter 4 our main character Riku enters a frontier town and learns about a powerful group of warriors who can sense his resurrection mark—and fear it?

(Bonus Questions)

What kind of Power do you guys think phoenix have?

Next,

Is it great to have this kind of ability or not, comment about your opinions?

Next,

Can you guys tell me any manga, manhwa, manhua or comics that is related to mine novel or any other novel that is similar to this novel?

Thank u, Everyone for reading.