Ok so imagine this. You finally made it home after a long day at work. You’re tired and hungry. Just as you were about to take your shoes off and relax, you get into a heated argument with your wife. This isn’t new, this happens every day, but today you accidentally cross the line. Hurt by your cruel words, your wife storms out the house. You chase after her only to see her in the arms of another man. A Stranger? An ex? Or maybe a secret lover? It doesn’t really matter, because in the end that man is doing something you should’ve been doing, comforting her.
As you watch the two embrace from afar, you look up at the sky and quietly say “this day can’t get any worse.” The moment those words leave your lips, lighting flash across the sky, signaling the start of a downpour. The sudden rainfall feels like a divine message from life itself, as if it was telling you “oh, it can get worse.” That scenario I describe while it isn’t the exact situation I’m in, it’s certainly how I feel right now.
I found myself engage in a fierce battle against an unknown monster. I grew cocky as the fight slowly tip in my favor. Until the creature suddenly turn the tide of the battle with its surprising resilience and quick thinking. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, a clown suddenly appears with two more creatures identical to the one I just fought. Surrounded by enemies and exhausted from my previous fight, I came to a realization that this day wasn’t going to get better anytime soon. As if I was trying to challenge life itself, I mutter a sentence that’s been known to cause trouble. Under my breath I softly whisper “Surely. Surely this day can’t get any worse.”
Chapter 44
Bad Day: Role Play
“Do you work for Alexander?” The masked man grab my hair and pull me close to his face.
That’s a weird question. I’m sure this guy was watching me and the hero’s fight against that creature and yet he’s more concern about me working with Alexander than the hero. Does this mean he doesn’t see Joseph as a threat or is he confident that creature actually manage to defeat him. Whatever the case is, seeing that this guy is commanding these creatures I think it’s safe to say that this guy is the one Alexander was talking about, the psychopath that’s trying to make a copy of me.
“Well I’m waiting, hurry up and answer my question.”
“It’s hard to talk when you’re pulling on my hair so damn hard!”
“Oh, sorry about that.” The masked man surprisingly let’s go of me. I quickly pat my head with my free arm to soothe the pain.
“Argh, damn that hurts!” Why the hell do I keep my hair so long? It’s like I’m begging people to grab it when I get into a fight.
“Hey….” The masked man knelt down on one of his knees and looks me dead in my eyes. At least I think that’s what he’s doing, with that mask on, I really can’t tell what he’s doing, in fact I have no idea how he can even see with that thing on since there’s no hole in the mask, unless you’re trying to tell me he can see out of those poorly draw eyes on his mask?
“What?”
“Nothing, it’s just the way you talk is kind of…. Nostalgic.”
“Nostalgic? Do I know you?”
“No, I’m sure I would remember meeting a foul-mouthed woman like you.”
I can say the same thing to you too. I’m sure I would remember someone as flamboyant as him. Everything about him scream “look at me!” From his stupid white mask with a smiley face on it, to his bumble bee plaid yellow suit.
“Actually when I get a better look at you, I notice that there’s a lot about you that doesn’t make sense. For example your appearance tell me you’re a demon, yet you’re clearly human. Not only that but you also have a sound mind even though you’re a corruption user. Just who are you?”
“Jeez aren’t you nosey. First you want to know if I’m working for Alexander, then you ask me who I was before I could even answer your first question. I bet your next question would be what my three sizes are. Which by the way I would be glad to answer only if you tell this lizard thing to let go of me.
“You really think I’m going to listen to that absurd request of yours?”
“I don’t see why not. I told you I would tell you everything if you let me go. Besides even if I am lying it’s not like I can outrun you guys.”
“I guess you do have a point. Ok, let her go.” I sigh in relief as the unbearable pain in my right arm, slowly begin to fade away.
“You feel better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Good, now that you’re comfortable, why don’t you answer my que-“A vine pierces straight through the back of the mask man’s head.
Too bad he’s wearing a mask. I would’ve love to see the light in his eyes disappear the moment the vine tore through his brain. Oh well, I’m satisfied he even fell for such a simple trick. Now that he’s been taking care of, it should be easier to deal with the other creatures.
“Dumbass, you should never let your guard down around me.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” The mask man’s body suddenly vanishes. Before I could process what happen, I was push on the ground where the mask man’s body should’ve been.
“That was quite the underhanded move. If I didn’t see your fight earlier I would’ve definitely fallen for it.” I turn my head to see the mask man was standing next to me with one of his foot on my back.
“That was an illusion wasn’t it? Who are you?”
“I already told you. I’m the one asking questions and getting answers. So tell me what I want to know now.” The mask step on my back with enough strength that I fear my spine would break if he did it again.”
“Aguh, that actually hurt you know.”
“That’s kind of the point. I am torturing you.”
“Really, that’s what you’re doing? And here I thought you were massaging my back!” I try to laugh, but the masked put more of his strength in his foot, which cause me to cough violently.” With his foot pressing me to the ground, it became difficult for me breathe properly. If he put any more pressure on me I’m either going to suffocate, or be crush to death.
“There’s no need to be stubborn. It’ll make things much easier on both of us if you just tell me everything.” I try to speak, but I just ended up coughing again. Realizing I was trying to talk, the masked man took his foot off me, allowing me to breathe.
“I’m sorry am I being difficult? It wasn’t my original intent, but you see that pet of yours been trying its hardest to kill me for a while now, and just when I was about to get rid of it, you suddenly come out of nowhere and start stepping on me like I’m so kind of stool. So surely you understand why I’m being so uncooperative right now.”
“Yea, I get it…” The masked man grabs my arm and easily force me to my feet. “You’re the prideful type that won’t talk no matter what I do to you. Trying to get you to talk by inflicting pain upon you is a waste of time.”
“Does that mean you’re letting me go?”
“No. I’m just changing my tactic.”
Of course he’s not going to let me go. That mask he’s wearing proves he don’t want anyone to know about his existence. The fact that he shown himself to me proves that he plans on killing me the moment I give him what he wants. If I want to get out of here alive I’m going to need to keep a tight-lipped of what I know, while trying to figure out how to deal with him.
“Ok, so what is this diabolical plan you have in store for me?”
“I wouldn’t call my plan diabolical. More like a test of friendship.”
“Friendship? You might find this hard to believe, but I’m lacking in the friends department.”
“There’s no point in lying. I saw you with your friends when you arrive here?”
“What you saw was a figment of your own imagination. I told you I don’t have any fri-“My voice abruptly cuts off as the searing pain in my right arm spreads throughout my body.
“Would you look at that, I finally found how to shut you up.”
“What did you do?
“Simple, this.” A new intense wave of pain spread through me when he twist my right arm. My legs suddenly gave due to the intense pain. The masked man quickly pull me back to my feet before I could touch the ground.
“It must be tough being this stubborn. The man spoke in a low and menacing tone. “Your body is crying out in pain and you refuse to help it because it’ll hurt your pride. Admirable, but in the long run pointless. If this keeps up eventually both your pride and body will break on you. But don’t worry, as I said before I don’t have time to play this little game of ours, but I wonder if your friends are as tough as you.”
Why does he keep saying I have a friend? I don’t have anyone I’m close to. Unless he’s talking about Aaron.
My heart drop once I realize how grim the situation would become if Aaron got capture. He would definitely tell this man everything, especially if he saw me in trouble. But Aaron is currently in Athens, there’s no way he could’ve capture him in broad daylight in front of hundreds of people.
“What’s the matter? You look distraught. Is it possible that you’re concern about your friends?”
“How many times I have to tell you I don’t have any friends?! I keep to myself because I know others would slow me down.”
“Ok, if these aren’t your friends then you don’t mind me killing them do you?”
“What?!” I look back at the masked man. The fact he could say something so cold while wearing a bright and happy attire made him looked more sinister.
“You said they’re aren’t your friends. So it shouldn’t bother you if they die right?”
“R-Right.” For some reason I hesitate to speak. The fear that the person he was going to bring me was Aaron repeatedly flash in my head. But even if it is him it shouldn’t…. it wouldn’t bothered me.
“If anything happens to him...” My heart suddenly starts to beat rapidly almost like it was trying to bust out of my chest. I look behind me to see if the clown was the one talking to me.
“Eyes forward, you’re guest is here.” I could hear the sound of people being drag across the ground. Obviously these “guest” where being held hostage by those things. I had no idea who these people were, and I didn’t want to know. I averted my eyes from the people in front of me only to have the mask man twist my head, forcing me to stare at them.
I expected to see Max, Aaron and Claire being held down by those things. Instead it was the bald man and his two surviving teammates.
"Thank goodness." A strange sense of relief swept over me when I saw them. At this point I knew the mysterious voice was coming from mind. I guess I am slowly descending into madness, especially since I feel so calm right now in this dire situation.
“Ok, this is what’s going to happen. I’m going to ask this girl three questions if I’m satisfied with the answer I’ll let one of you go, but if she lie or refuse to answer me then one of you will die. How does that sound? Sounds fun right?”
“You’re fucking insane!!!” One of the men shouted at the top of his lung.
“You said you like it? Good, let’s get started.” Question number one. Are you working for Alexander?”
“Fuck you.”
“Incorrect Response.” A creature steps on one of the men head. The man scream in pain as the creature slowly crush his head with its foot. The man cries of agony eventually stop when its head cave in to the pressure. The gruesome scene cause me to wince a little. Even for me this was too gory. A piece of the man brain ooze out of a wide crack in his head. The wound look like someone planted a small bomb inside of his head and detonate it. What a shitty way to die, that’s definitely not how I want to go.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Ok, second question. How are you able to use corruption without suffering any consequences?”
“That’s easy. It’s because I’m just that good.”
“Stop joking around and tell him the truth!! Please! I don’t want to die!!”Tears were streaming down man’s face as he shouted at me.
How pathetic, he actually believe the mask man word. He’s going to kill you guys regardless if I answer his question or not. He just said that’ll he’ll spare you so you could pressure me into talking. An old torture tactic, one I will not fall for.
“Ok I’ll tell you the truth. It’s because I’m awesome.”
“Incorrect response.” The second man was push onto the ground and step on just like the last one.
“Wait, wait! I don’t even know who she is! Please listen to me! Listen to…” The area fell silent the moment the man crying for his life dies. Just like his partner his head was crush.
My heart and mind remain calm despite watching two people die in violent manner. I think the only that was affected by this was my stomach. Seeing brain chucks flying about was kind of nauseating. I guess becoming human hasn’t affected my apathy towards death.
“Well aren’t you cold-hearted. Two people just die because of you and didn’t even flinch. Is it because these people don’t mean anything to you, or are you just putting on a strong front?”
“Is that your third question?”
“….” The mask man falls silent. I guess he finally realize this stupid tactic won’t work on me.
“No, this is my final question….” He pulled me closer to him to point where I could hear his breathing loud and clear.
“Who are you?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“….Incorrect response.”
Just like the others the bald man’s head was step upon. Although unlike the others the bald man didn’t scream or cry. He remain silent as his head got crush. No doubt about it, the man was traumatize. Killing his own teammate broke him to the point that he’s not even trying to fight off the creature.
“This is all your fault.” The bald man says just before his brain splatters everywhere. I’m sure those words were directed towards me. Humans always blame there misfortunate on me. If he would’ve just retreated the moment he saw the creature than none of this would’ve happen to him, but no, somehow this is all my fault. Everything is my fault…
“Man, I suck at this.” The clown was suddenly in front of me scratching head. Seeing him change position so fast, it took me a few seconds to realize that nobody was holding me no more.
A trap? No, that doesn’t make sense. Why would he set a trap up for me when he already capture me? Whatever his reason is this my chance to strike now.
“What would the Demon King do?” I stop in my track when I heard him mutter my name. Alexander told me these guys are trying to create a second me, but I have no idea why, why would anyone try create a person who sole purpose is to destroy life?
“Why, why are so fascinating with the Demon King?” I quickly cover my mouth once I realize I accidentally said what was on my mind. Completely destroying any element of surprise I might have had on him.
“I’m sure I told you already that I would be the one asking the questions. But since you did peak my interest I guess I can tell you this much.” The clown squatted down in front of me and look me straight in my eyes.
“I’ve grown bored of this story.”
“Huh? Story? You think this is some kind of play?”
“Of course!” He quickly jump back to his feet and stretch his arms towards the sky. “The whole world is a stage baby! And everyone has a role to play. Everyone, expect me…” The clown’s shoulder drops like he suddenly lost all of his energy.
“I am nothing more than a witness, a spectator that’s incapable of interfering. For a while I was satisfy with just watching, but you know, no matter how much you enjoy a story you’ll eventually get tired of it after watching the same scenes over and over again. You know where I’m going with this right?”
“…..” I didn’t know how to answer. I mean did he really expect me to understand that rambling?
Realizing I wasn’t going to say anything, the clown shook and let out a sigh.
“A hero rises and the Demon king falls. This scenario has repeated itself more times than I can count. It has become boring, predicable. But what if the villain, the Demon Kings win, wouldn’t that be interesting?”
Yea, I guess that would be interesting.”
“What? You actually agree with me?” The clown place his hand dramatically on his heart. Since his face is cover I guest this was way of showing me his surprise.
“Most people would call me insane if they heard what I said.”
“Oh no trust me, you are fucking insane. I just think that idea is interesting.”
”Wouldn’t agreeing with a madman also make you insane?”
“…Fair point.” The clown chuckles a little to himself.
“I’m starting to like you.”
“Really? If you like me how about you let go then?”
“I wish I could, but you’re too dangerous to be left alive, but then again since you possess the power of corruption it would be unwise to kill you, especially since I have no idea how you were able to obtain that power.” The clown pat his head again, while walking around in a circle.
“I guess I’ll take you back with me, maybe the others will know what to do with you.”
Others? Of course there’s more. There’s no way a psychopath like him could evolve monsters into whatever these things are. I bet this guy is nothing more than messenger. But if that’s the case than who actually is behind these creatures evolution?
“Seeing that you agree with my plan, I’m sure the others will accept you. So what do you say feel like joining me?” The clown offering me his hand. I push it away and step away from him.
“I think you misheard me. I didn’t agree with your plan, I just said it was interesting. Beside you must be out of your mind if you think I’ll willingly follow someone who try to torture me.”
“So you plan on fighting us? You do remember what happen last time you try to fight us right?” Two of the creatures walk in front of the mask man like they were trying to make me remember something by showing themselves.
“Yea I remember what happen, but I’m sure that creature I fought also remember how hard it was for it to defeat me. And fact I’m sure it knows it can’t beat me again. I mean why else would it be hiding behind you?" The mask man glances at the creature standing behind him. Its arms and legs were noticeably thinner than the others. Constantly regenerate from my attacks has definitely weaken it.
“True you did do number on him, but it took you everything you had to damage just one of them. Do really think you’re capable of taking three of them?”
“…..” He does have a point. I’m confident I can take on one of them, but fighting all of them at once might be a problem.
“Try to bring her back to me in one piece.” Two of the creatures dash off in different direction towards me. I took a step back and prepare myself for their attack. Just as our fight was about to begin an object flies over me and impales one of the creatures. I immediately knew what the object was the moment I saw it. Of course I think anyone would recognize the weapon that killed them a couple of hundreds of times.
“The legendary Excalibur, the sword powerful enough to kill immortals. Does that mean you’re finally going to show up, Joseph?!” The hero push all the low hanging branches out of his way as he made his way back to the battlefield. The cloak he wore was torn to the point it didn’t cover anything at all, fully revealing his chest. Despite not having anything on that can protect him, somehow he doesn’t have a single scratch on his body, even his right arm that was broken earlier was fully heal
“It’s about time you show up. For a second there I thought you weren’t going to make an appearance. Although I have to say you’re performance has been lackluster. ”
“Performance? Do you think this is some kind of game? Four people are dead because of you! ” The hero shouted
“You’re blaming me for their death? Isn’t it your job to stop this kind of stuff from happening? So in reality those four die because of you. In to answer your last question. No, I don’t think this is a game, it’s more like a show, and right now you are failing at your role. I hope you shape up because if you don’t then a lot more people is going to die. Like this girl for example.” The creature that was hiding behind the clown jumps out and charge at me. The hero quickly intercepted the creature.
“Hey, what are you doing? I have some unfinished business with that thing.”
“Sorry Anna. I know you probably want revenge, but I need to destroy these things before they can hurt anyone else.” The hero grab the creature by its neck and pick it up with one hand.
[Element: Flash freeze]
Ice quickly spread across the creature’s body, freezing it before it had chance to move. The hero slam the frozen creature into the ground breaking it’s into pieces.
“You are right, it’s my fault they die. The only way I can make it up to them is by stopping you.” In an instant, the hero was front of the clown. Just like his last victim, he pick him up by his neck and quickly begin to freeze him. The clown let’s out a laugh as ice cover his body.
“Going straight for the kill huh? And here I thought you were a pacifist.”
“I’m just doing what you told me. I’m stepping my game up.”
“Good! Good!! You’re improving! That’s what I like to see, but unfortunately….”
“…It’s going to take a lot more than that to kill me.” A second clown completely identical to the first one suddenly appears behind the hero. The clown that hero the held in his hand vanish as if it never existence.
“That was an illusion wasn’t it? Just who are?”
“Alexander didn’t tell you about me huh? I guess that shows how much he trust you.”
“You…” The hero tries to grab the clown again, but his hand goes right through him.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I didn’t come here to fight you. I just wanted to see if these things are capable of fighting you and well….” The mask glance at the creature that was impale by Excalibur and the one the hero froze solid.
“It looks like they need some more work.” The clown’s body slowly begin to fade away. Unable to hurt him, all we can do is watch him and the other creature’s body vanish.
“Oh yea, before I go….” With nothing but his head remaining, the clown turn around and look at me.” You should be careful of this woman, something tells me she’s not actually on your side. You should take care of her, before she backstabs you.”
“You really think I’m going to listen to your advice?”
“I hope you do, I really can’t have dying on me yet. So please stay alive, I need you for my finale.” The clown and the creature with him vanish, leaving us with nothing but ominous words.
“You really think I’m going to let you escape?!” Excalibur suddenly reappears in the hero’s hand. I quickly back away from him the moment I saw Excalibur. Despite it not being pointed at me, I still couldn’t help feeling threaten by it.
“Stay right here Anna, I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t bother, you’ll never catch him.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You saw his power. He has the ability to toy with our minds. We’re never going to find him unless he reveal himself to us.”
“So you’re saying we should just let him get away with murder?!!” The usual kind and gentleness that was in Joseph’s eyes was replace with rage. It was interesting seeing a hero hell-bent on killing someone, while I was the one trying my best to stop him.
“How are you not angry? Didn’t he also hurt you, I mean you look like you’re in a lot of pain.”
I guess I must look really look like crap for someone as oblivious as him to notice that. My entire body was hurting to the point that walking and breathing has become a challenge for me.
“Oh trust me, I am angry, far angrier than you, but I’m not going to run around and look for a guy I know I can’t find. We’re better off coming up with plan to deal with him when he returns which he will. After all he’s the type of guy that likes being in the center of attention.”
“Damnit.” Curses to himself, before sitting down next to me. “Just who was that guy?”
“I have no idea.” But I do know he wasn’t human.
That strength he display when he step on me was beyond the strength of a human. In fact I’m sure he could’ve broke my spine if he wanted to. Not only that, but he also can create illusions. An ability that not even I can use. He’s far stronger than a human and he possess a power that even I can’t mimic, the only logical conclusion is that he’s a demi god, but that also doesn’t make sense.
To become a demi god you need an Entity to give you their blessing. But the only two Entities near this planet is me and Athena and she already gave her blessing to this idiot in front of me. Which means that the clown somehow created a trick that allow him make illusions?
Frustration slowly build up inside of me, as I found myself with more questions than answers. Giving up on trying solve anything, I laid on my back and look up at the sky. Somehow despite everything that happen today. Despite nearly being frozen by Alexander or killed by his body guard, despite getting into a fight with an unknown monster and a clown, this day was nowhere near over. The sun hang high in the sky as if it telling me this day had more plans in store for me.
I close my eyes to block out the sun and the “message” it was trying to shine at me. I know there’s a lot I have to worry about. Like that clown, Alexander, and my own weakness. But right now the only thing I want to do is go to sleep.
“Hey Joseph.”
“Yea?”
“Wake me up when this day is over.”
(Claire P.O.V)
“Aaron, you in there?” I bang on the door repeatedly asking the same question, even though I already knew the answer. Aaron was definitely in there, but for some reason he wasn’t answering. Could he be asleep? No, it’s way to earlier to go bed, unless….
“Aaron you’re not masturbating are you?!” Expecting to see face of an embarrassed kid, I kick open the door, only to be greeted by an unnatural darkness.
Somehow despite it being in the middle of the day, Aaron’s room was pitch black. A cold air that chill me to my bones blew past me when I took a step closer to the room, it was as it that was a warning not go any further.
“Aaron?” I nervously called out to him.
“….” I stood at the doorway hoping Aaron would say something, hoping he’ll tell me he’s okay, but all I got was an eerie silence. Realizing I wasn’t going to get anything done, I step into the room. It was the first time in my life I regretted listening to my curios side.
The darkness didn’t ease up even after I enter the room, in fact somehow it felt like it got even darker, I couldn’t even see my own hands in front of me. Even the door to the room I left open vanish. It was like all light that enter this room was being devour. The only thing visible was what appear to be a crystal that gave off a strange black glow. I headed towards the crystal using it as my beacon.
“Claire….” Another chill ran down my spine, when I heard someone whisper my name. Whoever said that was right behind me and I knew for a fact that it wasn’t Aaron. I pick my pace up too afraid to look behind.
“Half Elf…” The voice grew louder as I got closer to the crystal. At this point I was running while the phantom voice continue to throw insults at me.
Finally reaching crystal, I quickly pick it up and turn around to see nothing was there. Even the darkness that shallow the room was gone. The only thing there was the door that led me into this room.
“Was I imaging things?” I look down at my hand to see a black shard laying in it, telling me it wasn’t a dream.
Still shaken over what I witness, I absentmindedly stare at the crystal until the sound of someone breathing brought me back to reality. Right next to me was a brown hair kid sitting in a chair. I felt greatly relieve when I saw him.
“Hey Aaron, do you know what this is?”
“….” Aaron remain silent despite me being right next to him. This silence felt just like the one when the room was engulf in darkness.
“Aaron?” Once again my voice was overtaking by fear and concern. More than anything I wanted leave this room and never return, but after what I witness I couldn’t just leave Aaron by himself.
I lightly tap Aaron on his shoulder which cause to slump over onto the desk.
“Aaron are you ok?” I shook him a little bit hoping he would response. My heart stop when I looked him in the eyes. Both of them were completely white.
“Aaron?!” I shouted while shaking him violently, yet despite my efforts he remain unresponsive.
“Aaron! Aaron!! Aaron!!!!”
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A/N: Well it looks like Anna isn’t the only one having a bad day. Next chapter we’re going to find out what Aaron been up to.
Also addressing the red words I use. Those mean that there someone else talking for the character that’s supposed to be talking, it’s kind of like a second voice. You’ll usually see it for people who’s been corrupted and are suffering from a split personality disorder.
Also seen some comments saying Anna is weak or is a damsel. I was going to address this, but you guys are going to find out what I’m planning on doing with her fighting capabilities in a few chapters so there’s really no point in me talking about it now. Just know that Anna is brawler that doesn’t believe in training or martial arts, so there won’t be anything like a training arc or something like that. Also Anna is too lazy to do something like pushups anyway, so yea…
Anyway hope enjoy, thanks for reading.