The stereos came to life once more, as the stage lightings were all focused on the center, capturing every audience's attention. The host stood steadily in his podium, showing a golden-colored plaque and certificate.

"And now, to award this Year's Top Sales Performer, may we call on, none other than our company's rising star, Hajime, Sho!"

The audience clapped as a lean young man in his mid-20s stood up and started making his way to the stage. He shook the host's hand and held the plaque on one hand and the certificate on the other, afterwards he then stood on the podium, preparing to deliver his speech.

"My, my, him again? This rookie really took all of the awards this year." One of the employees said

"Yeah, the kid doesn't know when to take a break. Some say he cheats his way to deals, but no one could really prove anything"

"Maybe he's just really good, a genius even. " Another one butted in

Sho paused briefly and looked at the audience, a mass of silhouettes looking at him, impressed, but he knows some are also intimidated with him especially he's new to the company and the youngest. But Sho rarely cares about this. He was already used to being in the limelight after all.

My hard work finally paid off, he thought to himself, grinning. All those sleepless nights of mapping out every possible customer, schedule, and competitors were all worth it. With this, I'll surely continue to get awards and maybe a promotion in a few months. His thoughts continued to wander to career possibilities and the finance it comes with it.

After a few seconds when the applause stopped, Sho finally started to speak.

"First, I would like to thank everyone who supported me all the way. This could've been impossible without your help"

Most of the audience clapped in response as he continued to speak, a few smirked as they looked at him in envy. One of which caught Sho's attention, hence, he looked at the person directly in the eye.

"And to those who wishes me failure, I thank you for giving me more reason to keep on working hard." Sho responsed. And the crowd clapped louder while the few people looked more agitated.

Another figure took Sho's attention. At the most back of the audience, a tall woman stood and slowly clapped as his speech ended. She didn't look any familiar to Sho. A senior employee? one of the shareholders? He wondered.

The lady wore a white dress, adorned with a light blue sash made of silk elegantly wrapped on her arms. Pearls and diamonds adorned her neck, ears, and right hand, adding more to her elegancy. Her blonde hair was carefully tied in a bun, letting her beauty show across the entire room.

Before Sho could even finish wondering who she was, the host politely thanked him for his speech and ushered him off the stage.

His teammates immediately patted his back for giving a good speech the moment he got back to his seat. Shortly after, his phone buzzed and he received a text message from one of his friends

"Sho! Game night tonight! We really need your help with this new dungeon and boss!" The text message read.

Despite being dedicated to his work, he still makes time for his other interests and hobbies of course, especially gaming. His years of experience playing ever since he was a young boy, honed his skills and critical thinking that he not only uses in games, but also in real life. And like everything Sho does in his life, he also wanted to be the best in these games.

"Sure, I'll meet you guys at 10" Sho typed briefly and sent, allowing him to return to the party at hand.

The event continued and soon, food was being served after all the announcements and awardings. After enjoying the sumptuous meal, Sho felt a presence approach him. He slowly looked around and saw the lady he saw earlier, holding wine glasses on both her hands.

"You must be Sho Hajime, congratulations on your awards." The lady said

Sho stood up from her seat and bowed in thanks.

"Thank you, madam." He responded

"Ah, please. I'm not that old to be called madam. But please, join me with this drink." The lady said as she slowly offered the other wine glass to Sho.

Sho took the wine and followed the lady to the loft, a private space overlooking the city nightscape for just the two of them. Sho was slowly starting to felt anxious, who was this woman? Is she someone from the company? How could he have forgotten, he thought to himself.

"You must be wondering about me and why I'm here. Don't worry, you are right. I am not from this company" The lady said as she faced Sho with her back against the railings .

"Nor am I from this world." She finished then she took a sip from her wine.

Did I hear it right? Sho thought to himself, and then slowly he noticed the lady's eyes emitting a soft yellowish glow and sparkling dusts started appearing around her. The dust started forming a shape of a golden halo on her head and traces of wings on her back.

"Do not be afraid, I am not here to bring you any harm." The lady said

"Wh-what are you? Who are you?" Sho muttered, dropping the glass in shock

But before the glass could even hit the ground, the lady snapped her fingers and the glass stopped mid-air. Soon, Sho realized that everything around him had froze.

"I am Celeste, Goddess of life and death. I had come here to get to know you more, Sho."

"Me? Why me?"

"Let's just say your skills and abilities piqued my interest... and that I wonder if you're just the person I'm looking for"

"Looking for? I-is this some kind of prank? Am I on TV right now?

"You like video games, yes? Let's say you're the strongest mage there is, and your party way weaker than you are. Then you are caught in a moment between retreating or defeating a powerful monster. What would you choose?"

"I'd kill the monster."

"Yes, but how would you do it?"

Sho took a pause and folded his arms across his chest. Rattling himself for answers to give the goddess.

"By making a plan and strategically following that plan from start to finish" A broad answer, but it was one Sho could think off quickly.

"Hmm, yes. But, would do you mean fighting it alone?"

"Well, that's the fastest and most effective way to do stuff so yeah, most likely."

The goddess swirled the drink in her hand, carefully absorbing Sho's responses.

"I see, so you're that type of character." The goddess said after pausing for a moment then started walking towards Sho.

Sho felt a bit panicked, did he gave the wrong answer? Was it too general? too broad? He thought over and over as the goddess walked closer and closer. Then her direction shifted and she walked past Sho instead and towards the loft door.

"Remember this, Sho. Sometimes, we don't always need to play the hero" The Goddess said, and as she exits the loft, time began to ran again.

Sho quickly exits the loft but saw no sign of the goddess. The party continued with him, wondering if it was all real or if it was just a product of liquor and tiredness. With the goddess out of sight, Sho returned to his table and continued the rest of the evening.

A few more hours then the party ended and Sho was waiting along the curb for a ride home. It started to rain so he pulled out his umbrella as he started to wait for cab. A few seconds later, he started noticing that it was starting to get foggy.

Is this..fog? Or am I just getting sleepy. Man, I need to get home and take some shower. This day got me really good. He thought to himself

While he was rubbing his neck to ease out his strain, he noticed a ball out of nowhere, rolling towards the center of the road.

What the, who would play in this kind of weat-

All of a sudden a boy with a familiar face appeared from the fog and chased the ball. Sho then noticed that some light was coming from the boy's side, steadily rising up. He knew what this meant, and so he quickly tried to leap towards the boy then everything went black.

I'm dead. This is it.

I knew it. That damn....kid.

Everything was quiet. But strangely enough, it also felt cold. It was almost as if he was sinking somewhere, at the bottom of the ocean. His eyes were open but he couldn't see anything. He was alone with his thoughts.

Then his vision became blurry, he couldn't figure out what he was seeing. Are these..faces? Slowly, he started hearing something as well, murmurs of some sort.

Then a few more seconds later it started becoming clearer and clearer. People were looking at him, but he immediately noticed their shocked expressions and their clothing, cloaks and pointy hats. Some of them were shocked, the others seemed to be happy.

Ughhhh my head, Sho thought and started to reach to his head. But suddenly he stopped when he noticed something different. He ran his hand back infront of him again and saw paw covered in black fur.

What the -!?

He looked at his hands and realized that both of his arms have changed and is now covered in black fur, his hands into soft paws.

I'm- I'm- I'm a - !?

End of chapter 1