Chapter 2

It was a room in an ordinary business hotel.

This is a genre with a lot of hit-or-miss quality, but today's hotel room was quite worn out.

First of all, there were stains on the walls, water leaks, strange odors, and odd, leaking-like noises. The dim corners of the room were filled with dust. Moreover, the room's structure was uneven and terribly cramped due to pillars and piping spaces.

Well, that's fine, but there's something I can't tolerate. It's the familiar symbol on the table placed beside the bed.

'No smoking'

Such a ridiculous sign.

Damn it.

In a room as trashy as this, a cigarette or two should be fine, right? Besides, doesn't this room smell worse than cigarettes?!

...Yeah. It smells. Yeah, it really does. So, if I smoke one here, no one will notice, right? Alright, I'll smoke.

I took a new pack of cigarettes from my carry-on bag and peeled off the plastic. When I opened the foil, the unique aroma hit my nose.

Hmm. As always, I can't do without this after work.

I also took out a portable ashtray and a lighter, getting everything ready.

Just as I was about to light a cigarette, I remembered my usual routine and took out a small wooden carving from my carry-on bag.

It looked like a combination of the Chinese character for "earth" and a circle, or it could be the character for "picture." It was a crude piece, like something a primary school student would make in art class, and indeed, I made it in art class when I was in primary school.

The reason I have this is because of a question the teacher asked me when I finished carving it.

"What did you make?"

When asked, I realized I didn't know what it was. It was a mysterious symbol that I had carved without much thought, just following the flow of the carving knife.

I was very troubled, extremely troubled. Now, I think the teacher's question probably had no real meaning. It was just a casual part of the conversation.

But back then, I was a good boy who took everything seriously... or rather, a bit of a fool. I thought it had to be something. So...

"Phew... Thanks for letting me finish another unremarkable business trip safely."

I made my usual survival report to the mysterious god I made in primary school.

It's become a habit since that day. Sometimes I even vent my frustrations to it. An original god. You can laugh if you want. It does help with mental stability to some extent.

Today, I don't have to see my unremarkable boss, the female colleague who looks down on me, or the peers who belittle me. That alone makes it a happy day.

By the way, how many times do I have to tell the general affairs department to book me a smoking room?!

They really have no memory. Yet they're stingy with expenses...

Well, whatever, thinking too much just tires me out. I learned long ago that dealing with the world seriously just tires you out.

I suddenly remembered the cigarette I had in my mouth.

Right, if I light this, everything will be fine, right?

I sat on the edge of the bed and put one foot on the carry-on bag.

In that position, I put my finger on the lighter's flint.

Maybe.

If I had paid more attention to my surroundings at that moment.

Even in a cheap, run-down business hotel.

That strange odor, like rotten onions.

The sound of air leaking.

Maybe.

If I hadn't been so anxious to get back to the room for a smoke after a pointless meeting.

Maybe.

It wouldn't have happened.

The lighter's flint made a satisfying sound.

The world exploded.