Ch.00. Life is Timing

You know, it’s a common saying. Life is all about timing. Whether it’s buying and selling stocks, the push and pull of relationships, a mistake pitch in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded and two outs, or a 5v5 team fight in mid lane—ultimately, moments dictate our lives. Even the most welcome events become nothing but a source of internal cursing if they don’t happen at the right time.

So why the long-winded speech?

Because my current situation is exactly that kind of mess.

“Are you insane?!”

On a peaceful spring afternoon with warm sunlight streaming down, I woke up to someone’s scream-like shout and blinked my eyes. Huh? Did I fall asleep at my desk? But this desk looked far too luxurious to be mine. The finish was excellent, and the surface was so polished it looked like someone had meticulously waxed and wiped it down.

“Oh, so you’re not even going to bother explaining anymore?”

I absentmindedly ran my hand across the desk. It was so slick that if a fly landed on it, it would probably slip into a triple axel.

BANG-!!

“You-!!”

The sound of someone slamming the desk. I jerked my head up to look at the owner of the voice. A woman. Early to mid-twenties, perhaps? I wondered if I’d ever seen such a beautiful woman in my life. She had luscious golden hair flowing down to her waist and azure eyes. Those sapphire-like eyes were both beautiful and terrifying as they burned with anger.

“Fine, if you’re just going to sit there stupidly without any explanation, I’m leaving this damn party too. I’d rather go find Aryen than deal with you.”

Damn party? Aryen?

At that moment, my mouth opened independently of my will.

“Who said you could leave this party?”

What the hell, that disgusting voice.

It came from my mouth, but it was a deep voice full of self-absorption and affected charm that made me want to quickly cover my own mouth. Though I hadn’t said those words, the woman who heard them snorted in disbelief.

“Ha! Who said? I did. You can’t constrain me. You should know that well.”

“Wait-“

The moment I regained control of my mouth and hastily spoke, the woman shook her head as if my words weren’t worth hearing. Her golden hair swayed gracefully with the movement.

“Enough. I don’t want to hear any more. If you don’t want friction with the Holy Nation, don’t try to hold me back or follow me.”

Swish.

She turned her back and walked away. The door to what appeared to be an office opened and closed. The blonde woman never looked back once until the door closed. The clicking of her heels gradually faded down the corridor.

“…What a mess.”

Another bitter voice, a man’s. I turned my head toward the source and saw a hulking giant occupying one corner of the room, looking at me.

“Driving away Aryen is one thing, but now Isis makes two people who’ve left.”

Aryen, Isis. The hero, the saint. And a giant who looked oddly familiar. My frozen brain started spinning rapidly. Wait, wait. Is this that possession thing I’ve only heard about? Hold on. Who drove away whom, and who left? And why are you saying this while looking at me?

The giant delivered the final blow to my frozen brain.

“So, what will you do now, Holy Sword?”

Ah, shit. I’m screwed.