Prologue – Chapter 0
That day was just another among so many others, just another day of work at Abrih's tavern.
I grab the tray with my left hand, place the drinks with my right, and sigh: time to work.
I open the back door and the daylight invades my eyes, strong as blazing streaks, almost as if I hadn't washed my face yet. I step into the great hall filled with tables occupied by adventurers and their parties, all waiting for food or drink. Curious eyes turn toward me.
I walk to table number 01, balancing four large mugs of beer, frothing and nearly spilling over. I set the mugs on the table, force a smile, and close my eyes for a moment, trying to please the customer.
But the long-haired blond man glares at me with disdain:
— Why are you smiling at me, huh? You worthless servant, just put down my beer!
Cold sweat trickles down my forehead. I was afraid.
— O-okay…
I take a deep breath. It was just another day of work, and this would probably happen again.
After finishing my shift—serving nearly 150 adventurers by myself—I can finally rest. But before I manage to, I hear:
— Hey, you!
The blond adventurer calls me again, out of his mind.
— Y-yes, sir…
— I want another beer, now!
— But, sir, we're already closing. I can't take more orders. If you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving…
— You dare deny a drink to me?! The great adventurer Ireiky Gohen!
Before I could react, I saw his sword flying toward my chest. I was just a human, with no divine protection… the blade pierced my heart.
This wasn't the way I wanted to die. But, like so many days before, this was just "another death."
Eleven years ago, a dark god cursed me, forcing me to return after death—not as a zombie, but by coming back a few hours after being killed. Some suspected, but none ever confirmed.
I open my eyes. I feel no pain, but the tavern is covered in blood. I sigh:
— I need to clean this up before the boss arrives…
I grab a rag and a bucket and scrub the walls with all my strength. Two hours later, the boss arrives.
— I'm back, my boy!
— H-hello, boss…
He looks around the tavern, gleaming clean, and smiles:
— My boy, you must've spent a lot of time scrubbing this place…
— Yes, a little…
Before my village was attacked, I was the son of one of the strongest races in the world, capable of stealing the abilities of others. But I was always the failure of the family: I couldn't steal anything. At birth, however, I was granted a special ability, one even my parents didn't understand.
When the village was attacked, the boss—an adventurer—found me and decided to adopt me. He's raised me as a son ever since.
— So, are you going to stand there doing nothing, or are you going to eat?!
— Ah, I'm coming!
The next day, our supplies were running low. I went to the market to buy provisions when I heard a shout.
— What?!
I turn around. It's him—the adventurer who killed me.
— You were supposed to be dead, you little shit! How are you still standing?!
— Please, you've already caused enough trouble. Stay away…
He glares at me with fury:
— How dare you speak to me like that?! I'm a great adventurer! You're nothing but a filthy servant! But now, you'll die!
He charges at me, sword ready to cut me in half. I dodge, but he kicks me hard, throwing me far back. His muscles swell, veins bulging, and the sword slices the air toward me. I'm about to die again…
But suddenly, nothing happens. Time itself seems frozen. The sword hangs just inches from my face, unmoving. I touch it, moving it as if it were light as a feather. The adventurer stands still, trapped in confusion.
Wait… did I just stop time?
Is this… my divine power, granted by the gods?