What did it feel like to take a human life?
Victor had asked himself that question again and again, for countless years — both while he was trapped in Beelzebub's memory and before.
At first he thought it would disgust him, that he wouldn't be able to sleep, that the face of his victim would haunt his everyday life like an obsession.
Later, while imagining the many ways he could dispose of his tormentor, his heart would beat with a twisted excitement and joy as he immersed himself in ever more macabre, gory scenarios.
But in the end, when he raised his sword for the first time and brought it down across that woman's throat, he felt nothing.
No disgust, no regret, no joy, no excitement.
Nothing — total indifference.
As if what he had done was no more significant than taking out a trash bag and throwing it away.
More precisely, it was the kind of sensation one would feel if one accidentally crushed an ant.
It was regrettable, sure.
But who would cry for the death of that insect?
Who would regret their action?
Who would feel guilty?
The answer was simple.
Nobody.
Whatever outward reaction someone might display, deep down nobody cared — they were too small and insignificant to matter.
That was more or less what Victor felt as he repeatedly cut down humans fleeing in terror and despair from his swarming, lethal blade.
To him, those he had killed minutes earlier did not deserve his pity.
They were weak.
Insignificant.
They were nothing.
If they stepped in his way, even without knowing it was his, he would remove them without hesitation.
And if eliminating them served his interests, he would not hesitate.
Clap Clap Clap
Slow, measured applause sounded from the elevated balcony.
« I must say I am pleasantly surprised. I did not expect you to mercilessly butcher members of your own species. »
Akane lifted her dark eyes to the balcony with an almost innocent smile that contrasted sharply with her body drenched in blood, and for the first time addressed the organizer directly.
« Why not? It was fun, wasn't it? »
At first, complete silence answered her question — even breaths in the stands seemed to stop.
But against all expectations, the organizer replied with his melodious voice.
« Let's simply say the inhabitants of newly… recruited worlds take a while to acclimate to 'His' entertainments. »
As soon as he finished speaking, the spectators began to whisper among themselves in countless incomprehensible dialects.
Victor froze, an unsettling feeling insinuated itself into his mind as soon as the organizer stopped speaking.
It was as if he were not meant to hear those words — his very soul rejected them, trying to make him forget.
And judging by the reactions of the two women at his side, they felt the same thing.
The three of them did not speak another word, waiting for what would come next.
Victor had countless questions he wanted to ask the man, but he held back — who knew what would happen if he became aware of even more dangerous information?
Perhaps he would simply implode.
No thanks — he would not take that risk.
« All right, I see you understood my message. »
The voice paused, waiting patiently for the whispering to die down.
« Technically, you should already be considered winners since only the three of you remain, but it would be a shame to stop so soon, wouldn't it? »
Acclamations punctuated his statement.
« So I will make a small modification to the rules, you will fight a single opponent of my personal choosing. If you win, you will be free to go. »
Clear green notifications suddenly appeared in front of Victor for the second time since his arrival.
[Rules update in progress]
[Awaiting authorization]
[Authorization granted]
[Rules updated]
[Objectives]
- [Survive]
- [Win the fight]
Victor had suspected for a while, but at that exact moment he received undeniable confirmation.
This place was not a simulation.
It was real.
The cube was nothing more than a portal linking his world to this place.
And the being hidden behind the thick curtain had the power to interfere directly with the system.
The implications were enormous.
« In my great magnanimity, I will grant you ten minutes' respite, although I doubt you're exhausted after dispatching those insects. Rest up, you'll need it. »
That did not bode well.
But Victor knew he could face it — his allies were powerful, and so was he.
And although he was still badly battered from the fight against the ant colony, thanks to the stat points he had invested in endurance, his wounds had already partly closed.
Although his fingers would not grow back.
And his arm will stay paralyzed.
His body was messed up.
Akane turned to Helene and Victor, wringing the blood from her shredded clothes.
« I think we have things to discuss… don't we? »
Helene replied without hesitation.
« No. We cannot speak here. »
Victor nodded seriously.
He had felt it from the start — those two…
They were among those Beelzebub had mentioned, others who awaited him after the memory.
He had sensed it the moment he looked at them, as if by instinct or a premonition.
As if they were connected by an extremely thin but strong thread.
As if they were pieces of a puzzle scattered to the four winds.
But they could say nothing in the presence of such beings.
Victor did not know what his link to Beelzebub implied, but he was sure it wouldn't be good if the creatures above learned of it.
To speak safely, they would have to meet back on Earth, somehow.
Helene's next words showed she shared the same view.
« In case we don't have time to talk after the fight, let's set the rendezvous now. Where are you located? We are in Stockholm. »
« Near London. »
« In Japan, my dear. »
The tall redhead nodded thoughtfully before reaching a conclusion.
« We'll meet west of China. »
« Hey, you're not asking for our opinion? »
« We do not need opinion, our statements are absolute. »
« Wow, what an oversized pride! »
« It's not pride, only truth. »
Victor intervened.
« That's the most optimal location. However, we might have a problem. »
The two women turned toward him, stopping their argument.
« There should be at least four others like us. But if they're too far away, like in America or Africa, we might have to change the meeting point. »
« Yeah, the little monster is right. »
Helene's authoritative voice sounded.
« In that case, it will be Cairo. »
Victor nodded in agreement.
Akane thought for a moment, estimating travel time.
« Let's say in two years, for New Year's. »
« If I don't die before then, I'll be there. »
Helene did not reply — that silence signified consent.
**
Behind the scarlet curtain, five anthropomorphic figures sat, sampling all manner of delicacies.
Draped in aristocratic attire, their faces were hidden by masks reminiscent of those worn by ancient earthly nobles at masked banquets.
« If I may, Count, why this sudden change? »
One of the guest asked, breaking the silence — which was otherwise only punctuated by the soft clinking of glasses.
All were curious about the reason the man had altered the rules, something normally taboo during the 'games.'
The Count, who was also the organizer, rested his chin on his fist, a faint enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
« Isn't it obvious? »
He twirled his half-empty glass with his other hand.
« The exponential influx of new arrivals, the growing number of games, their intensity… you see where I'm going, don't you? »
No one spoke in the richly decorated hall — not because they awaited the man's conclusion, but because they knew what it implied.
They knew full well that if the organizer's assumptions proved true…
« But never mind, don't dwell on it — there's nothing we can do anyway. »
He paused, sipping the copper-scented red liquid in his glass.
« Back to business dear colleagues, what do you think would be the best adversary to spice up these promising young wolves' first time? »
One guest smiled wickedly.
« Speaking of wolves, why not send one of your own? You have many, don't you? »
Another couldn't help laughing at the suggestion.
« That wouldn't be interesting, even if Lupis sent his youngest, these little beings would be crushed to death without resistance. »
The first speaker shrugged.
« You have a better idea, snake? »
An invisible pressure descended as soon as he finished speaking; the female silhouette to his right now fixed him with her gaze, vertical-slit eyes visible through her mask.
A high, sharp hiss escaped her green lips, making the crystal glasses tremble violently despite how durable they were.
« Don't overstep, lizard. It's Gorgon to you. »
While yet another quarrel between the two eternal rivals unfolded, Lupis, the organizer, considered how to create the most spectacular show possible.
Yes — though the participants were being tested, the organizer also had rules and goals to meet.
To deliver the best entertainment possible.
To sate 'Him.'
Otherwise…
« It would be a shame to waste all this fresh flesh, wouldn't it? »
Lupis turned to the woman who had spoken; he barely knew her. Were it not for her fiery hair, he might not have recognized her.
« Don't beat around the bush, Blair. »
« Why not use an Amalgamate? »
Conversation halted abruptly.
Silence fell, heavy and oppressive, while everyone glared at the woman.
The only guest who had not yet spoken spoke for the first time; his long ocean-blue hair floated gracefully behind him.
« Accursed witch, you never know when to stop. You have no limits. »
His voice was ethereal, almost otherworldly.
Lupis raised a hand, silencing the room and easing the tension.
« Given recent events… »
The man's grey brow was deeply furrowed as he weighed pros and cons.
Objectively, it was an excellent idea, perhaps the perfect finale to this deadly play.
Yet he was somewhat reluctant; his conscience balked at the thought.
This thing was an abomination of nature — an insult to life itself.
But in the end, the desire to deliver the greatest performance outweighed his scruples.
Moreover, these games were directly tied to their survival.
The survival of their entire universe.
« Very well. I accept your proposal, witch. »