***Book One of the Orson Goldbloom tetralogy*** "Are you sure that will work?" I deadpan. She responds with a grim nod. "But...is casting down two lives worth it?" I ask again. This time, she ignores me. "F😠😠😠," I mutter, annoyedly. Then I raise my voice. "Is casting two lives down worth it or not?" "Orson, can't you be any more annoying?" She sighs. "Guess I can't, so give me some answers!" She rolls her eyes and brandishes a knife at me. "You act like that Kore girl. You know, the elf." I taunt her. Kore is disabled. "You act like you like her," she replies. I don't even like Kore! Kore must have been at least 40! "I don't!" "Lovebirds, lovebirds, flocking in a herd..." she mocks. "Is that even a nursery rhyme?" I deadpan. She shakes her head, sending her dark curls flying, and continues to chant, "lovebirds, lovebirds, your deception's so absurd..." F😠😠😠 her.

Apparently, God made a mistake. That mistake wasn't only for my death but for MY WHOLE LIFE. Imagine dying, meeting God, and learning that your life was a mistake. I better be receiving compensation for my boring life or else! Next thing I know, I'm reincarnated into another world. But something is off... Cover by: Ktphm2005 ~Highest Rankings List~ #1 unfortunate : July 7, 2019 #1 smart : August 27, 2019 #1 otomegame : October 27, 2019 #1 mythical : December 14, 2019 #1 food : December 27, 2019 #1 reverseharem : January 1, 2020 #1 princecharming : January 10, 2020 #1 reincarnated : January 10, 2020 #1 isekai : February 1, 2020 #1 dragons : February 21, 2020 #1 magic: October 10, 2020 (A/N: All art belongs to their respective owners. None of the art used in this story is mine. But, this storyline is my original piece.)

Do you know what lies ahead when you look beyond your usual paths, beyond your usual routines and beyond your usual messy days? This story is about Kazuya, who finds a mystery world lurking around him this whole time when he try to look beyond his usual perspective for motivation after failing to get into his dream art school.

On the run, Willow stumbles into a bandit ambush and is rescued by a lone traveler. He reluctantly agrees to help protect her on the forest paths if she can guide him to his destination. His distant demeanor suddenly changes after she returns his cloak, not realizing he is a selkie, nor aware that if someone returns a selkie's cloak, the selkie falls in love with them. As they travel, she discovers that he's everything she ever wanted in a husband, but learns that it comes at a cost - and that cost is his freedom. Note: If you're looking for a typical lore-based selkie story, I'm afraid you won't find it here. But if you're looking for a hopeful selkie and an uninformed human, then you have come to the right place. ONC 2025 awards: Ambassador's pick award, Round 2 winner, and Short List award. Based on the Open Novella Contest prompt #110: "20 days of freedom." Cover was made with incredible patience by: SayWatt74 (Cardin Watts)