In a corner, Iris stood alert, hearing the voice echoing in her mind.
"Miss Gray, do you truly not recognize me?" The man's tone shifted from mockery to seriousness. He was perplexed. This girl should know of his existence, so why did she appear so oblivious?
'Have I mistaken the person? No, this is the right girl, Iris Gray.'
"Who the hell are you?" Iris couldn't contain her anger. This mysterious figure lurking within her mind had begun to unnerve her. "Reveal yourself and face me!" she snapped.
If this man appeared before her, she would undoubtedly strike him down. How dare he intrude upon her thoughts?
Suddenly, Iris shuddered as she realized someone else was controlling her mind!
'No, that can't be true!' Iris thought in fear. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the absurd thought. 'Such things only exist in fantasy movies or novels!'
However, moments later, Iris found herself confronted by two possibilities.
First, she might have hallucinated, hearing voices that weren't there—signs of madness.
Secondly, she might have encountered a powerful non-human entity. A being that existed solely in fictional stories, communicating with her through her mind.
She felt goosebumps!
Fear gripped her as these thoughts raced through her mind. Her hands, still protectively crossed over her chest, clenched tightly. Yet, her legs weakened as she contemplated the first possibility—her descent into madness.
Nearly falling over, Iris leaned against the concrete wall behind her, struggling to maintain her composure.
"Am I truly going insane?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"Tsk, tsk... Miss Gray, your imagination is truly running wild!" The man's voice echoed once more, accompanied by his light laughter.
Iris, "..."
"Cease your nonsensical thoughts!" His commanding voice possessed such authority that Iris stood up straight, her hands instinctively dropping to her sides as if assuming a military stance—her body moving independently without her conscious control.
Her heart sank instantly. Before Iris could express her frustration, the man's voice resounded again.
"Did you encounter the white figure in the ivory hall?"
Iris's eyes widened at his question. An image of the old man, who looked like Gandalf, whom she had met before waking from her semi-coma, flashed through her mind.
"Gandalf!?"
"He is not Gandalf, but Old White!" The man chuckled, his laughter growing louder and closer with each passing moment.
Instantly, a tall and striking figure appeared before her.
Iris gasped in shock as her eyes fell on the man with a jet-black buzz haircut, resembling Zayn Malik. The man looked handsome, clad in a long black suit. His piercing eyes locked onto hers, but instead of intimidation, his gaze emanated a comforting warmth.
Gradually, a sense of calm washed over Iris, and her heart began to beat steadily. Nevertheless, despite several attempts to speak, no single word escaped her lips.
Iris's gaze trailed after the man as he gracefully walked towards the window in the corner. With his back facing Iris, she was shocked when she saw the angel wings tattoo on the back of his neck.
The man stood by the window with his hands tucked into his coat pockets, his eyes fixed on the scenery outside.
After a moment, the man turned his head to meet her eyes again.
"Did you meet him?" he asked, his voice the same as what Iris heard in her mind.
Iris nodded.
"If you met him, why do you not recognize me?" His voice held a hint of confusion.
Iris shakes her head in response. Frustration hit her.
Despite encountering the mysterious figure known as Old White, he fails to hear his message. Her joy at reincarnation clouded her ability to absorb the vital information he was trying to convey.
A sigh escaped her lips.
"You didn't hear what he said, correct?" the man questioned.
Iris nods her head in response.
"Can you speak?" he inquired further.
Iris nodded again, her face feeling hot, and her breathing was short.
"Woman! Then, why are you not saying anything?" The man's face twisted with a slight grimace as he absentmindedly scratched his thick eyebrows. He felt displeased dealing with someone like this young girl.
'God, why did you entrust me to guide this foolish young girl?' he muttered. He took a deep breath as he contemplated the endless journey that awaited him.
Iris's face was getting redder.
'I, I can speak,' she murmured, aware that the man could hear her thoughts. 'But, sir, could you please release the tension you're exerting on me? I can't talk or breathe properly... please...' Her voice trembled.
The pressure Iris felt was suffocating. The aura this man emitted was unbearable.
"Oops, sorry!" the man exclaimed, waving his hand dismissively. An invisible force enveloped Iris, lifting the burden and restoring her ability to breathe and speak freely.
She took several deep breaths, relishing the fresh air filling her lungs, her gaze fixed on the man.
"Sir, I must admit that I didn't hear Old White's instructions. My mind was busy with other matters during our encounter. As soon as my time was up, he sent me straight here, into this young girl's body." Iris apologized, her tone laced with regret.
"I see! That explains why you don't know me." The man smiled warmly and began to approach Iris slowly, coming to a halt a few steps away from her.
"Yes, sir," Iris replied softly.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am your senior at GH," the man paused as he noticed Iris's furrowed brows. "Darn, it! You don't know about GH, too? You know, God's Helpers?"
"God's Helpers?" Iris repeated, her confusion flashing through her eyes. It was the first time she had heard of such a term. "I had no knowledge of that. When I encountered Old White, all I heard was his words about being able to return here if I chose number two. He also compelled me to make a choice."
Iris paused, taking another deep breath to relieve the tightness in her chest. "That's all I heard, sir."
"Just call me Gavriel. That's my name!" The man said, his voice sounding gentle.