Chapter 186: Bad Guy

Chapter 186: Bad Guy

Im breathing heavily when I come back to my senses. The arena is going crazy over the death of Appius, and now Im public enemy number one, the monster who slew the most promising Elf of their generation.

Do I wish things would have gone differently?

While looking at everyone on the stands and taking in their hate, not really, no. Im not the bigger man in the room; Im not just taking all this shit without my pound of flesh.

Is there anyone else?

I let the Mana carry my voice to the stands, and most people go silent. I can see it on their faces: they are scared. Anger is fading away, and dread is settling it. Theres nothing else in this world but a Human with no blood on his bright red, glittery shorts.

Is there a profound lesson to gain here? Am I some kind of a cringe alert joker that sheds truth on the corpses of fools?

I look around, and I see Appiuss body, lifeless but still rosy. His eyes are wide open, and his tongue is sadly sticking out from his mouth, swollen gross until the end. I can already imagine the stench of decomposition and flies buzzing around his corpse while everyone commiserates about how great he could have been.

Nope, I dont think theres much to learn here.

And its not just about oh, death doesnt teach you anything. Its more on the line of this was stupid.

There are certainly some lessons of some kind. There always are. Its like in Karate Kid. Once you look deep enough, you find something even in wax on, wax off. But do you want to look deeper into this pile of steaming shit?

Is there anyone else?

This time, everyone goes silent. The show has come to an end, and we slowly realize it. Not just me, but also them. The curtain is closing, and they did not get the ending they hoped for. The hero is dead. The monster triumphed. They cant just go back home and laugh. Sleeping it off wont work either. This is a blow to the collective mind of these people, a scar that will not fade easily.

A performance of spectacular prowess has graced my eyes.

I turn to find Valarith, the hooded woman with a terrifying scar on her cheek. Face-cheek, I mean. Or that I know of, at least.

Stop thinking. She can read your thoughts.

Leave. Go away. I need a meeting with your inner soul.

Yeah, no.

I keep walking.

You have no say in this matter.

Suddenly, all my limbs seize up, and in the next second, I find myself facing the hooded woman.

I realize I just made my way back to where I was when I killed Appius.

Space Magic?

You will meet my disciple in a duel, Levener. And then, we will converse.

Speak? Talk, you mean? And Im not meeting anyone anywhere, woman. Back off. Thank you.

Joey Luciani, be careful. She is a Vanedeni. More than anyone you have ever met so far. And my people dont take well to disrespect.

What? I didnt say anything.

Theres a long, awkward, silent pause before I resume walking away again.

If you walk away, Ill take that as disrespect.

I turn, flabbergasted.

What are you, a child?

Valarith narrows her eyes.