Plot armor

Prologue 2 - One life

Sarah took a look at his file again and put it at the back of her mind that Sheyken changed his nationality from English to South Korean. After living almost all his life in South Korea it was a give-in.

'It seems like the army and winning so many national tournaments worked out for him. He also looks like he has a good enough career ahead of him. That is if he wasn't a nutcase.'

"So, it looks like you have done good for yourself. Seems like everyone would want you to be in their squad.... but really, what is up with this gun kata? Don't you know why in some programs there is always a warning saying 'Never try this at home' You want to get yourself killed?"

"No....I just hate guns, as you can see."

Sheyken said while pointing at his katana.

"So, when I saw that movie, my eyes just sparkled and I was captivated by it. Too bad though, you will be dead 90% of the time."

Sarah just laughed inwardly.

"Are you still a kid that your eyes sparkle when u see something you like? So, in your world, if anyone can master it, they will be invisible?"

"No!"

Sheyken said coldly. He hated that word. The fact that some people think they would never die and would throw themselves into mortal danger with the notion that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' especially in the novels he reads, made him want to cry out 'BULL s**t!'

"Anyways let's continue with my story.... seems like we getting sidetracked."

Sarah apologized and asked him to continue. She was getting on to something about him but just couldn't get it yet. She thought she might have an idea once he finished his story, so Sheyken continued.

"Alright then.... I like reading novels. I feel like I am drawn to them, so I read every chance I get, especially fantasy novels. I have read many but only finished a few. That's because in so many of them the protagonist becomes ridiculously powerful while getting into danger so many times but miraculously survives."

Sarah laughed.

"So, you don't like plot armor?

She knew what he was talking about but still did not know how all of that fitted into all of his craziness.

"Not that I hate it. It's just that at some point it starts to be ridiculous. When I read, I try to put myself in their shoes. So, in some situations where a character is put in a situation where the is definitely no way out, I feel for them. When something happens out of the blue and he survives, I'm ok with it, but when it happens several times for no reason in most parts, it puts me off."

"So why do u always put yourself in the shoes of the characters you read about, aren't you supposed to enjoy the journey that the characters go through? It is fantasy after all."

Sarah asked, starting to get a deeper understanding of him.

"You just said it. Fantasy....what if I am the one reincarnated into one of those worlds, would it still be fantasy or real life?"

Sarah saw his point but that is why only crazy people would think like him. She needed to prescribe some pills for him asap. Sheyken continued....

"So anyway, I emailed all the authors of the novels I have never finished reading and wrote to them what I think about their characters.

"s**t!!!"

Sarah was sweating bullets again.

'This was it. This nutcase messed with other nutcases and now they were trying to kill each other.'

"You pissed off some people with your emails and now they are trying to kill you, right?"

She asked.

"No....."

Sheyken was not done yet. If she thought he was crazy now, he wondered what she would think of him when the session was over.

"I think a god is trying to kill me, not kill me per-say but reincarnate me. It is just a feeling I have."

Sarah started to laugh so hard such that she was running out of breath. Professionalism had done a nose dive out of the window.

"It....it ....it was worth it coming in today. Who put you up to this, was it Lee Haiji? I can't believe you guys could pull something like this!"

Lee Haiji was one of her colleagues who always liked to joke around. Sheyken ignored her and just continued.

"Like I said in the beginning.... I don't think I am of this world. Maybe I got here by mistake or something but I don't want to go to another world. It is usually a world of magic which is cool but it is always a world that is so behind in technology such that they don't even have tissue or electricity. I mean, how is a guy supposed to live without his video games?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. As ridiculous as the words that were coming out of his mouth were, she hated the words video games the most or anything that has to do with it. Her current boyfriend was obsessed with the new gaming module that was coming out soon such that all he talked about was it.

She calmed down and checked her recorder if it was still recording, only to find out with dismay that she never even pushed the record button. She started panicking. Sheyken was watching her through all that and could almost predict what she was going to say next.

"Sheyken... is it possible that we could start afresh from the beginning?"

She asked.

"Are you crazy??

He replied.

"You the crazy one!!"

Sarah retorted...

Sheyken smiled when she said that.

"Are you supposed to say that to someone you trying to help?"

Sarah sighed.

"Let's face it, we way past having a professional conversation. At this point, I can conclude that u either a nutcase that thinks he is an alien, or you are a paranoid person that has taken his paranoia up a notch recently. For the former, I really hope you come in peace and for the latter, we need to start you on some prescription drugs. You seem sane to me, but I will see that over some more sessions we need to have, and you know, I do read some light novels too."

Sheyken was dumbfounded. Seems like the lady knows her stuff. But he wasn't ending the session without at least some advice because only he knew what he was up against. He might not make it to the next session, so he pressed on with one last question.

"Ok, but let me ask you one last question. Let's say you were reading a novel and I was the protagonist who was in this very situation I have described to you so far.... what would you advise me to do?"

He was so proud of himself for asking such a roundabout question such that his nose started pointing upward a little. Sarah sighed and thought for a moment.

"Is the god evil?".

She asked.

"No....I have a feeling he's not."

"Then don't you think for someone who hates plot armor you acting arrogant? I mean, aren't the guys who end up full of plot armor the ones who want to fight a god or something as powerful as a god in the end. In those cases, you would lose count of how many times they should have been killed. If I was a god in real life, I would just kill you while you still an Ant before you become a Lion. So, in other words, if he wanted you dead, you would be dead already unless he is stupid."

By the end of her advice, Sheyken's mouth was so wide open you would think he was in one of those scary movies. He never thought the girl had something so wise in her arsenal.

"Didn't you say you've watched just a few anime?"

He finally asked.

"Yes I did....but I also said I have read some light novels."

Sheyken sighed.

"Well, I think if I was a protagonist, having my psychologist a light novel reader who watches anime and gives good advice would be a cheat already."

Sarah laughed.

"Anyways I'm sure you wouldn't be one of those characters. Besides if you deviate from the norm, don't you think something bad would follow."

"Yeah but the thing is the dying so u can be reborn in the other world part. I don't think anyone wants to experience death, you only have one life, not two."

Sheyken said.

Sarah sighed and kept quiet for a short while and then looked at her watch. It was already late.

"Well, you're right, no one wants to experience that. Good thing we're in the real world and not a fantasy one."

She reminded him.

"It is getting late and our session has long been over. I am going to give you a prescription. Please make sure u take the pills and I would suggest we have more sessions until we see how they are affecting you and if you still think you are an alien."

Sheyken laughed. He stood up, shook her hand, took his Katana, and started walking to the door. Before he could go out Sarah shouted.

"Don't forget your prescription."

He took it and asked her if she wanted him to walk her to the station but she declined. Since she forgot to record the session, she had to make notes of what they had talked about in preparation for the next one.

Sheyken left and when he finally took a look at his watch, he noticed he was late. He had promised Beak- hyun they would meet up for a drink.