Prologue

"You…! How dare you!? You are just a Merchant!"

I stare silently at the being who was once heralded as a God. No. Perhaps, it was even more powerful than the Gods themselves, for I have met Gods and ended plenty. What does that make me? Certainly not a God. I am… simply human.

"Everything has its price," I state. "Even your death has its price."

My eyes glow eerily, and my aura swirls menacingly. This is what I have achieved at the expense of all that I have loved. I wonder whether it is worth it. What do I have in the end after they are all dead? It certainly does not bring me any joy.

"Wait! Wait!"

There is certainly fear within its eyes. The same kind of fears that my eyes have long forgotten.

"I never imagine myself saying this, but I do not wish to bargain," I state flatly and activate my power, the only power that can truly kill a being beyond comprehension.

It screams fill the void, and within the next moment, it ceases to exist, in all of time and space. Yet, in spite of that, I feel so empty and hollow. More so than before since my only goal for existing no longer exist.

"Wealth of Knowledge," I activate one of my greatest powers. It allows me to know things that I would not have known otherwise. "Tell me. Is there a way to truly have what I desire most?"

I learn there is a way. A slim chance.

"Power of Money," I activate another one of my greatest powers. The powers that belong to my class, the Merchant. It is a unique class. "I will trade all that I have for his time. The Aspect of Time."

My wealth. My status. My possession. All vanishes. The only thing remains is me, and the knowledge that I have gained.

And in return, a person is summoned. He looks as human as I am, but there is great power dwelling in him, for he is an Aspect.

"You are not the first to do so, and you certainly will not be the last. I do have the power to grant you what you desire the most, but in exchange, I require your assistance in the near future," the Aspect of Time tells me before flickering out of existence once more, leaving behind an hourglass.

All that I have fought and earned only worth a fraction of his time, and in return, he would give me all of my time back.

I reach out and touch the hourglass, and the dimensional void fades away. I close my eyes for the first time in so long.

And I am able to hear. Hear a voice that I have not heard in so long.

"Hey Zan! Zan! Are you in there? Dude. If you die, can I have your PlayStation?"

My eyes slowly open, taking in the bright light of the infirmary. And despite my painful bruises, I laugh loudly and then grab hold of my best friend. He is real, and I have returned to the past.

"Woah. Woah! Not here. I'm not ready!"