I'm Actually Not Overpowered!

"So, Samuel Peterson, what is your decision?"

The question hung above me like a cloud as I pondered what to say—or rather, how to put it.

Let's not forget I was right in front of a literal God. He had incredible power that made my recent OP performance seem like child's play.

'Let's be smart about this...' I reminded myself mentally.

It was obvious what my answer had to be, considering everything I had done so far was to ensure I saved everyone. If I was remaining consistent with my character, I had to take his offer.

'If I don't, it will seem like I was already aware of his intentions.'

And the last thing I wanted was to tip him off that I knew more than I was letting on. Not only because the entire plot of the original story would be reset if I went down that route, it was also because I'd be royally screwed.

"W-well..." I stuttered, trying to buy time as I thought things over.

The problem wasn't returning back to the world I left behind. The problem was doing so in a way that would ensure I achieved my objectives.

'I can't forget that I actually lost the battle. The enemy is too strong for me to handle. Everyone in Dulum is probably already dead too...'

Really, it was a lost cause anyway! I had lost badly, and the only way out of this sticky situation was to take my dear benefactor's deal.

That was the most logical conclusion!

Which was why I had no choice but to take his offer, if I was to escape this. The narrative had to change.

"... Can I just return to my home world?" I replied hesitantly.

For a moment after I spoke, there was a deathly silence. Neither me, nor the imposing celestial being in front of me said anything. I awaited his response, hoping it would be something I could handle.

Not even I could predict every single word that could come out of this dude's mouth. Unless...

"No. I'm afraid not. You were brought here by the Hero summoning ritual."

This same scenario had been played out in the original Novel!

'Gotcha!'

You see, in the T.W.T.S.S Novel, the MC wanted so badly to return to his original world when he had appeared here.

After the Foolish God's explanation, he really wanted to just go back to his mundane reality and avoid the death and tragedy he would face.

I mean, that was pretty reasonable considering the circumstances.

Fortunately, just like back then, the Foolish God gave me the exact same response. I had to thank my current luck. I was on a winning streak.

'Hey, hey! Calm yourself, Sam. Don't get too carried away!'

The last time that happened, things went horribly wrong. The fact that I was dead was evidence of that fact.

"But you're God, right? If I contract with you, I can be resurrected in this other world, right? Why can't you just send me to my normal world if I do the same?"

It was a simple, innocent question. However, this inquisition had an important purpose—to discern the omnipotence of the being before me.

Of course, I knew what his response would be.

"The world you're from is not in my original jurisdiction. I have no direct stake in it."

Which was why he had pretended not to know Anime and also acted like he wasn't responsible for my transmigration in the slightest.

I had to applaud the Foolish God for his consistency.

"B-but, if the humans can summon me from another world using their summoning circle, shouldn't you be able to send me back since, you're technically God?"

It didn't make sense that humans could call upon a Hero and a God couldn't send him off. It would have made more sense if there were conditions, that could be resolved by entering a contract with him.

Besides, I had yet another issue to point out. It was something Damien couldn't ask since his mind was practically mesh at the time of the Foolish God's appearance, but... I was different.

"Why did you design this world's system this way? The humans have a Level Cap, making them prey to the demons. This war and misery. Everyone is suffering, except the demons. Why do you allow so much suffering?"

I couldn't see his face, but I was sure he was getting uncomfortable with these questions.

'The Foolish God is a great deceiver, but that's because he twists the truth. There's no way he can change the fundamental rules of this world.'

This whole thing reminded me of the problem of evil in my current world. If this being truly was omnipotent, and he cared so much for a stranger who chanced upon this world, why were the denizens suffering?

"It's a result of evolution." His response was swift and concise.

"I don't interfere with the binding effects of this world. Several beings have evolved for millions of years, and the demons simply ended up being at the top of the food chain."

I opened my mouth in surprise. Somehow that seemed similar to a certain scientific theory in my world, but it was probably coincidence, right?

"Then, you're impartial?"

"Indeed."

"But, why do you want to resurrect me? If you do that, wouldn't that be interference with this world? It would be like you're supporting the humans by favoring the Hero. Wouldn't that be bad for the demons?"

Of course, I knew the angle he would come from. The whole 'I felt bad for you since you're a stranger from another world' trope.

And, as I expected, he used that card. I had to capitalize on that for sure!

"But, wouldn't that mean you're interfering with the—?"

"What exactly is your issue? Don't you want to live? You would rather die?"

The Foolish God's tone was as calm as possible, but his choice of words showed how impatient he was getting with my indecision.

I had to admit, my actions were obnoxious, considering how my prior actions had shown how much I cared about saving this world.

Thus, the Foolish God was probably confused on where I actually stood—a good thing, in my opinion.

"No no no! That's not it! I absolutely want to live. But, I don't want to disrupt your policy or get in the way of your need to ensure balance." I couldn't see the expression on his face, but this pure white and gold sparkly dude was probably taken aback.

"How do you I tend to do that without my assistance?"

I smiled internally, genuinely happy we had reached this point. In the time I spent alone, I had gone over my grief and thought of all the possible solutions on how to resolve my current dilemma.

How to get resurrected, save everyone, and defeat the impossible enemy, all without getting the assistance of the main antagonist of this story.

I already had the solution for one of my problems, but the other two had evaded me until I recently thought of something.

It was a probable plan, but I still had to ensure the Foolish God couldn't get in my way.

'Here goes...'

"I erected a barrier around the City of Dulum. It's where I died. You said I need to establish a connection in terms of a contract or some sort of Magic anchor. Well, I got it."

Silence pervaded the white room, and for a while, I felt the awkwardness burrow into my skin. It was completely unbearable.

Still, I endured.

"What do you mean? Elaborate."

"The barrier I erected has two functions. One is to protect the City, and the other has a direct link to me. In essence, I have a connection to it, so I can be resurrected through that medium, right?"

It was the second function of my barrier that I hoped I would never get to use—a fail-safe in case things got awry.

'Thank God I actually did that. Whew!'

In a deadly battle where I wasn't capable of using Arcana Call, this was the next best thing. I had never wanted to face the Foolish God, but at least with this I had some sort of control over the situation.

"Oh? Smart plan. What prompted you to do that?" The scary being in front of me drew closer, his face now close to mine.

It felt like he was peering deep into my soul, and thus I couldn't tell a lie. Not while he was watching. I had to be honest. In essence...

"A-Anime."

... I responded with the most bullshit, yet technically correct answer.

"Anime, I see." The Foolish God finally withdrew, granting me some room to breathe.

This guy and everything he stood for unnerved me. I could only imagine what the innocent Damien had to go through during his first meeting with this monster.

'Damien is an underrated character fr! Whew!'

The dear God I faced nodded while walking steps away from me, rubbing his bright chin with his radiant hand—well, his whole body was shiny anyway.

"I understand. It could work. However, that doesn't explain how you plan on solving the current predicament you're in. How do you intend on winning?"

Ah, of course. This major question—no, actually two.

How was I going to defeat the enemy?

How was I going to save everyone?

Well...

"I'll think of something. I don't want to bother you too much, dear God."