Gasp!
I suddenly woke up from my sleep, overwhelmed by a troubling sensation.
Hah... Hahhh...
My breaths came in short gasps, my body was drenched in sweat, and my heart raced wildly in my chest.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.
What on earth is happening?
Something feels terribly off.
The flame of my candle doesn't flicker at all.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and made my way to the window. As I peered outside, an unsettling realization dawned on me: the plants and the people beyond seemed to have frozen in place. Was it just my imagination, or was time indeed standing still?
I opened the window and rubbed my eyes, desperate for a clearer view.
Not even a breeze rustled the leaves.
"Hi."
I heard a voice behind me and instinctively turned around.
Standing there was a woman clad in a flowing white dress. Her sky-blue hair cascaded down to her ankles, and her violet eyes sparkled like precious gems. Her porcelain skin appeared soft and radiant, glowing as if illuminated by the moonlight filtering into my room.
"Who... are you?"
My mind was a jumble, so I blurted out the first question that came to me.
"Fufu, you humans usually call me a god."
"A... god?"
What on earth is this woman talking about? A god? Her?
She certainly doesn't fit the bill.
Besides, do gods truly appear like this?
"I took this form so that it would be easier to communicate with you. And my current appearance is based on what you find appealing."
"What?"
Is she reading my mind?
"That's correct."
Then, is she also the one responsible for halting the flow of time?
"That too."
"Please stop that. Reading someone else's mind is incredibly rude."
Even gods lack a sense of decency.
For now, I needed to ask her why she had come to visit me.
"So, what business does a god have with me?"
"Ehh, your response is rather mundane."
Instead of answering my question, she seemed more interested in my reaction to her presence.
Why should I be surprised? I was reincarnated after being hit by a truck! Meeting a god had been one of my expectations, so this didn't faze me at all.
Hehe, I've memorized all the clichés.
I simply stared at her, my silence confusing her.
"It's no big deal; I just wanted to inform you that the fate of this world is approaching rapidly."
Hmm?
"What does that mean?"
"It means this world is on the brink of destruction."
Huh? About to be destroyed?
"When... exactly will that happen?"
"In my vision, this world will face its demise in the year 1052."
That's just 12 years away.
Didn't this god just say it's no big deal? This is indeed a major issue, just so she knows.
"It's really not a big deal to me. But it will certainly be a big deal for you, right?"
I told her not to invade my thoughts!
Well, what she said was true. Judging by her demeanor, she didn't seem to care much if one or two worlds crumbled.
"How rude..."
Without this world, I wouldn't be able to exist.
After all, how could I save this world?
I, who can't even cook an egg properly, am supposed to save the world?
Heh, no way.
I don't know anything about this world—what events lie ahead, or what clues exist about the forces that threaten its destruction.
I lack all that information.
"Didn't I provide you with details about future events in your previous life?"
"Eh?"
"I'm certain I made you pick up an old book from a bench in the park."
If it's a book I found in a park...
Then...
It must be that book.
The thick, old book with a brown cover.
I shot her a displeased look.
"I didn't read it; I just left it at the police station to find its owner."
We fell silent, staring at each other, the atmosphere growing tense and awkward.
"Hehe, well, what else can we do?"
Don't just give up! Do something!
Truly an unreliable god!
I felt like tearing my hair out at this point!
Hold on...
If she mentioned that she prepared a book about this world, then she must have had a hand in my reincarnation.
The person who pushed me and got me hit by the truck that day was also a woman in a white dress.
My memories of that encounter are hazy, but with everything lining up...
I gazed at her, and she simply smiled, tilting her head.
"That must be you."
As I contemplated approaching her, I suddenly lost my balance and stumbled forward.
The woman gasped and quickly caught me.
I gripped her hand resting on my shoulder for support.
For some reason, my body felt incredibly weak. I struggled to catch my breath.
She gazed at me silently.
"The clue to prevent the destruction of this world lies in the 'Blade Dance of the Seven Gods.'"
I searched her eyes.
Her expression seemed... concerned?
She helped me regain my footing.
Once I was stable, she leaned closer and whispered in my ear,
"I advise you to leave this room immediately. Do you smell that scent? It's poisonous."
Poisonous? No wonder I felt this way.
"For now, this is sufficient."
After saying that, she stepped back a few paces, and before I knew it, she vanished from my sight.
Time resumed its normal flow, and the woman's figure disappeared entirely.
A gentle breeze washed over me, refreshing my senses.
Looking around, it seemed she had spoken the truth.
If someone had intentionally poisoned my room, then I was clearly being targeted.
Just moments ago, I had experienced peace, and now this turmoil ensued.
I needed to find my parents.
I forced myself to walk to my parents' room on the second floor.
The corridor was dimly lit. It was late at night, and the servants were nowhere to be seen; only those on night duty were about, quietly performing their tasks.
As I made my way down the hall, I unexpectedly bumped into the head butler, Finn.
Seeing me stagger, he rushed over, his expression filled with concern.
"What's wrong, young master? Are you hurt?"
His gaze was warm and full of worry.
"Mom and Dad. I need to see them."
"... Yes?"
Finn looked puzzled but nodded and escorted me to my parents' room.
He took my hand, and we walked together until we reached the door to their chamber.
Knock knock.
"Your Grace, this is Finn."
After a few moments, my father finally responded, "What is it?"
"Pardon the interruption, but young master Allen wishes to see you."
"You may enter."
Finn opened the door, and I hurried inside.
It was late, but my parents' room was still brightly lit.
Well, at least they weren't engaged in anything inappropriate, so I didn't feel guilty for intruding.
My mother approached and gently wiped the sweat from my forehead with her hand.
"What's wrong, dear? Are you feeling unwell?"
I remained silent and simply hugged her tightly.
My vision began to darken.
"Allen?"
My mother called my name, but I lacked the energy to respond.
Well, without needing to explain, they should understand something was wrong.
And before I knew it, I had lost consciousness.