I finished digging the grave and the others brought the body. They lay her in the cold earth and Anna left a fake white rose in her hands.
Lucia sat on the ground and watches while the others started to cover the grave, until her mother's face disappears completely.
I offer my hand and she holds it tight while getting up and don't lose it.
Anna puts more flowers on the top of the grave and smiles to the little girl.
"We should get going, right?"
She says, then take a deep breath.
"The second mission is a hell."
I nod and follow the others who were already leaving.
Soon, we got to the center of the city. Was quite lonely. Just a few people observing the screen.
----------------------------------------
Heaven's Blessing.
∆ Joker
Objective: Take a life inside the Arena.
Dangerous Rate: 50%
✓ Conclusion
Prize: Your Life, A Soul and 8.000,00 Coins.
[Failure results in death]
----------------------------------------
'What that heck?'
"This is wrong... This is hella wrong."
Anna murmured in shock.
We talked a lot yesterday before going to sleep and this one is definitely not the second mission. From what I know, in the game this was suppose to be the third mission.
I don't know if I should thank Anna or curse her. She is the creater behind Heaven's Blessing Mission.
But things are weirdly changing right now. I don't know what to think about it.
I can somehow understand what happened yesterday. Kayzen was there, so it makes sense having a Golden Area in the school. But now, there's nothing out of the ordinary.
Surprisedly some loudly noises catches our attention. Firework's sounds filling the space, being shot into the sky through the tall building.
It didn't take much time for the people around to gather in the center.
Some of them lift their fingers to the sky as an airplane passes by, causing fear and distress for those who had showed up.
Someone jumped the plane.
As it gets closer, we already know what it is.
The puppet land in the middle of the street using a parachute. A lot of people distanced themselves and peer the being with their eyes.
The Puppet turned around and shows his face to the crowd. It's The Clown.
There's a lot of different types of Puppets in Fire and Guns. Some are easier to kill, like The Robot Puppet. And there are others who are more troublesome, like the Smoke Puppet. But the worst it's definitely The Clown. I don't think he can be killed.
[Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the show!]
He points to the screen and the message reappear before a blue light shows up around us, forming a circle. We're inside the Arena.
I pulled Lucia's hand and carefully walk some steps back, getting out of the circle.
The others understood the assignment and move slowly away from the Arena.
[Do you know who I am?]
People stare at each other.
[That's quite sad. You guys are making me sad. How should we fix this? A Clown cannot be sad!]
He moves to the center of the arena and smiles wide. Then he opens his arms and slowly turns his body in 360 degrees.
[I believe that I know what we can do now. Aren't you curious?]
He walked in the middle of the circle, giving tiny jumps.
[Why not fight until the death of the other? That seems fun, right?]
Some people tried to run, but it was useless. They couldn't escape from the Arena. Even us, that were outside cound't move a finger. No one can move in the presence of the Clown if he doesn't want to.
It's a rule.
Lucia tighter her grip. Her hand is trembling. I know it damn well, this is all too much for a little girl.
'Wait... She can move?'
[Why are you trying to leave? You're making me sad again. Should I smash your heads?!]
"Don't move."
I said it and she looks up.
"Not even a inch."
"Alright"
She keeps her eyes in the Clown who was smiling ear to ear.
[Shoud WE start the game?]
The blue light turned red and a new message shows up in the screen.
----------------------------------------
Heaven's Blessing (Hidden Mission)
∆ Joker
Objective: Kill everyone inside the Arena.
Dangerous Rate: 100%
✓ Conclusion
Prize: Your Life, A Soul and 20.000,00 Coins.
Body Count: 0/10
[Failure results in death]
----------------------------------------
Ten people was inside the Arena. The Clown's smile look wider as he leave the circle. Some people tried to escape, but the barrier was already made when the lights turned red.
In the middle of those poor souls, I saw it. Kayzen was there. Using a dark robe that cover almost all of his body. His designer made sure to make him handsome, but also gave him reaper eyes. He's deadly. If I was inside the Arena right now, my death would be determined in a second.
I cover Lucia's eyes with my hand and she looks up, shakes her head and lower my hand.
"I have to see it to get stronger, uncle. You told me to be strong, I cannot fear."
I nod my head and turned my gaze to the Arena with my eyes wide open. Kayzen eyes was shinning bright red like the lights of the circle.
The count down finished and the battle began. It took two minutes.
Two minutes.
In two minutes he killed the nine sacrifices. He didn't even move.
He made everyone kill each other and the ninth prey take it's own life.
An easy victory.
It should be called cheating, he was using a Soul's Power.
----------------------------------------
Heaving's Blessing (Hidden Mission)
✓ Concluded
Prize: Your Life, A Soul and 20.000,00 Coins.
Body Count: 9/10
----------------------------------------
[Ladies and Gentleman, it looks like we have a Winner! Please, a round of applause.]
The Clown smiles and lifted his left hand. Something started to be create from the palm of his hand.
A blue light shinning and growing up, until it's form gets totally shaped.
An egg shaped stuff. He got a Soul. Another one.
The egg slowly cracks and a white wolf with red eyes shows up.
I can't believe I had live enough to see a wolf coming out of an egg.
Kayzen stares at it and the wolf disappear.
'Did the wolf go to an invisible inventory?'
I'm screwed. I'm only the designer, I created almost everything in here, but I have no idea which power the Souls posses.
If I'm right, Kayzen got a black panter in the game. Somehow that changed. Fate is changing, and not knowing the reason why, it's making me sick.
[Let's start the show now!]
The Clown approach Kayzen. His smirk got bigger and bigger.
[You're a tough guy, aren't you? An old player.]
Kayzen stares at him without fear. His white eyes fixed on the Clown.
[Shoud I pick someone else to fight you?]
Kayzen didn't answer. The Clown pointed his index finger to the crowd, passing one by one. Until it reaches me. He stopped and grins.
'You gotta be kidding me!'
[Hey, you there! With the white jacket. Why don't you join us?]
I'm gonna burn this jacket later.
I took a deep breath and glanced at Kayzen. He's not interested at all.
"You want me to fight with him? He seems weak. Why don't you pick someone else."
Anyone is better than him.
Anyone.
'Dear Clown, I want to live. Pick carefully.'
Kayzen fixed his eyes on me with his eyebrows slightly raised. I guess he feels challenged.
He probably is going to kill me if a survive the Arena.
The Clown approach a man in the conner. Tall and full of muscle.
'You really gotta be kidding me!'
How can I win against that monster. He can lift me up easily with only one hand.
The man full of himself steps inside the Arena and smiles wide.
If I ask the Clown to change it again he might blow my head. Let's not be pick it about it.
Lucia holds my hand and gives me a tiny smirk. It's the first time I'm seeing her smile.
"Uncle, you have to be strong too."
I nod and lose her hand as I step inside the Arena.
The count down starts. While the numbers dwindle, I keep my eyes on the man in front of me. How can I win?
----------------------------------------
∆ Time's Running!
00:06
00:05
00:04
00:03
00:02
00:01
00:00
Fight!
----------------------------------------
I'm fucked.
The man run towards me and I slide to the left. He's slow. He throws punches towards me and I manage to dodge it for a few seconds before he hits me with a punch to the stomach.
'That's evil.'
I crumble to the ground and gasp for air. The man approaches again as I try to get up. Not fast enough, he hits a punch in my jaw and the side of my mouth started to bleed.
I wiped the excess of blood with the back of my hand and spat it out onto the floor.
"You're weak"
I said it, instantly regretting. The strange man run towards me and close the distance between us.
He hits another punch and I dodge, running to the right side. Not fast enough, his hand grips my jacket and he uses the opportunity to push me hard against the ground.
I nervously laughed as he climbs on top of me and starts to choke me.
'Do something, Kael! Do something!'
My head is going blank as I stared at my killer.
"Uncle, you have to be strong too"
I glanced around and reached a bottle of glass laying on the floor with the point of my fingers and smash to the guy's head.
If the Clown didn't blame Kayzen for cheating after using the Soul's power, he cannot blame me for doing something ordinary.
The man shoke his head, trying to keep his composure while I pushed him to the side and followed his steps, climbing on top of him and choking him.
'Life is a teacher, ashole.'
His face started to lose color and I could clearly feel the veins in his neck stop pulsing. The vessel of life leaving his body.
He's dead.
I killed someone.
----------------------------------------
Heaving's Blessing (Main Mission)
✓ Concluded
Prize: Your Life, A Soul and 8.000,00 Coins.
Body Count: 1/2
----------------------------------------
I got up and scanned the crowd. Some of them look scared and somehow some of them look... Fascinated. They were enjoying the show.
My suffering was their joy.
I study the Clown face as he comes closer and lift his left hand.
[What a fighter! Tell me boy, what are you gonna win today? Shoud we take a look?]
He keeps his hand up as I grabbed the egg.
The egg began to crack and a beak was visible, soon the shell broke completely and the dark little figure shows it's face. I won a raven.
What's the Raven's power? It didn't show up in the game. Looking now, a lot of things wasn't properly explained in the game.
'I feel like I got rob'
"Hey! I can hear you."
The raven said.
I blink a few times and glare at it.
"Yes, I was the one talking to you."
So the Souls can talk in someone's head. Kayzen mind must be loud, that's why he's so quiet in the game.
[A Raven? Hum... That's boring, NEXT!]
I left the Arena and got closer to Lucia, she keep her eyes on the ground.
"Did you watch it?"
She nodded.
"Everything?"
She nodded again, without looking at me.
"Are you scared?"
She looks up.
"Ravens are scary."
I smirk and pull the brown hair behind her ears.
'You can vanish now or whatever.'
"Don't tell me what to do!"
The Soul murmured irritated before disappearing.
Before I could turn my attention to Lucia, The Clown approached us.
[Hum... You there, little one. Close to the white jacket guy.]
'I'm really going to burn this jacket.'
[Come closer child. It's your time now.]
I kneel in front of her and held her head up.
"Uncle doesn't have a choice right now, so I'll need to tell you to be strong again. Can you do that?"
She shakes her head up and down and smiles.
'Lucia, you gotta survive no matter what.'
She steps inside the arena and the Clown look around, searching for an opponent.
He pointed to a skinny tall guy.
'He's insane!'
"Dear friend, don't you think you choose the wrong opponent?"
The Puppet frown his eyebrows and smirk.
[What are you saying? I choose... Wrong?]
"She's weak and he's too strong. He'll kill her in a blink of an eye. There's no fun in it. You have to choose an equal opponent. I believe is more fun to watch someone fight hard for their lives."
The Clown lifted his eyebrows.
Some people around us agreed, caughting the Clown attention.
[You. Are. Right]
He says, slowly, and scanned the crowd.
[You! Little Boy. Come over.]
A boy, probably only thirteen years old enters the Arena.
The count down started.
Her opponent's is taller, older and stronger then her. Speaking legally, she cannot win.
'What shoud I do? Should I use the Soul's Power? I don't even know how to use it."
"You need to firm a contract. After that, you can use my powers. Well... Only if you asked nicely."
'A contract?'
"Stop asking, I'm the one making questions. Are you gonna sign the contract or not? You don't have a choice anyway. Just sign it."
Whatever it is.
'I will do it!'
"It's done then."
The count down reaches it's end and the fight started. The boy broke the distance in two steps and hit her chest.
'How do I use it?'
"What?"
'Your power!'
The raven laugh loud in my head while I watched the fight happen.
Lucia, tried to punch the boy. But he was to fast, he lift her up and threw her hard against the floor.
She coughed up blood and gasped for breath, trying to stay conscious.
The boy kicks her in the ribs and climb her up, then he started to throw punches at the sides of her head, while she tries to block it with her arms.
'Do something or I swear I'm goona kill you'
"Finally, you commanded."
A dark smoke filled the ground of the Arena. Later, in a question of seconds, Lucia craves a knife in the boy's heart.
After the boy died, the smoke started to vanish.
Lucia pushes the boy and get up slowly, with a hand in her chest. She fell hard against the ground, maybe it fractured a bone.
The Clown smiles and looks at me.
[You're right. It was indeed really funnier!]
He lifted his hand and an egg formed itself.
Lucia caught it and at the same time the egg crack and broke in pieces. A weird smiling cat appear under the shell. Black fur and a quite fat body, somehow it looks like the one in Alice in Wonderland.
'I'm gonna have a nightmare tonight because of all those disgusting fights.'
Fight after fight, the Mission ended and the Clown exploded after saying I hope to see you again in the next show. Everyone was shock. But somehow it was good to see his body destroyed.
Well... at least for a while.
Anna got a strong black horse with two big horns vertically in the top of his forehead.
Nine got a black fox with purple eyes and three tails.
Zero got a dragon. A medium one, probably has only two meters, but still a dragon. And that's freaking bad, he's gonna be more confident to annoy the hell all of us.
Azura, another woman from our time got a black panter with wings and golden drawings in her fur.
Dominick, the other developer in our team had died in the Arena.
Since we know the game, we have some kinda of advantage against others. But only having a slightly information about it, don't stop us from dying if someone craves a knife into our throats.
Now, we're only six.
Lucia cought up blood again and wipe it with her hand. She got hurt really badly.
Anna steps closer and hit a weak punch at my shoulder.
"If we were inside a Novel, I believe the name would be something like 'I'm the creator, but a have amnesia'."
She laughs loudly and her face smoothly change while she glares at Lucia, concern taking over her eyes.
"Did you forgot the Coin Shop?"
'Oh, Crap!'
"Shelter"
A dark blue painel showed up.
----------------------------------------
Character List:
Name: Im Kael [임 케일]
Birth: 09/04 [Age: 27]
Profits:
Strength: 20 Intelligence: 27
Agility: 17 Soul Control: 5%
Souls Bonds:
The Seventh Raven - Ruller of the Shadows.
Golden Coin: 13.000,00
Exit ✖️ Menu ➕
----------------------------------------
I entered the menu and look for the shop option. There's a lot of useless things in the top of the list as soon as you open it. To find something really good, you have to hunt it like if it's some kinda of treasure.
I searched it up carefully before buying six potions.
Four ★★★ portions with healing abilities.
One ★★★ to improve the strength stats.
And the last one was an ★★★ anti-poison potion.
I picked Lucia up and gave a healing potion for her. She drinks it making an angry face and coughing. It smells bad, so the taste may not be different.
I turned around to leave and end up in the direction of his gaze. Kayzen gives me a dark smirk before he disappears in the middle of the crowd.
Ok, that's weird.
----------------------------------------
√ Inventory
Healing Potion ★★★: 3 (1.000,00)
Not today, Poison ★★★: 1 (2.000,00)
You, Weakling ★★★: 1 (3.000,00)
Golden Coin: 5.000,00
----------------------------------------