I'm not really someone who likes doing what I'm asked to do, but….. the tasks couldn't have come any better!
And at the perfect moment!
Koul's eyes darted here and there, scanning his surroundings with thorough attention.
His wide smile slowly tightened to a blank face of seriousness. Although he still stood there, none of the people present gave him face.
On the floor where he stood, blood trailed from his back, gathering.
Without a word, he moved, stepping forward with refined composure. As he walked straight ahead, heading toward the guards that stood side by side a door, guarding it, the droplets of blood trailed his path.
And his garments that flowed behind him, already soaked in blood, smeared the trails of blood along his path.
His hair bounced softly, and his gaze was stern as was the air around him frigid.
The workers all stopped, their eyes glued to Koul who moved with calm authority despite his injury, wondering what he was up to.
As he reached the guards, he stopped in front of one. Then, without so much as a sound, his hand moved, fast and precise, drawing out the guard's sword.
Shock bloomed across the guard's faces as did on the workers' faces, followed by confusion.
Next, Koul took retreating steps, putting some distance between himself and the guard. Then, he stretched the sword forward, pointing it straight at the guard's neck. So close that any slight movement could dig the sword into the guard's throat.
"Tell me," Koul started calmly, his voice cold. "Who am I?"
The guards and the workers present kept silent, merely watching. They were still confused.
But the guard to whom Koul directed his question, confusion wasn't at the top of his list. Instead, he was angered.
Deep within him, he saw Koul's act as an insult. Even though the answer to Koul's question was simple, he felt wrong to speak it out.
They all did. He was their king, yes! Their Lord and Ruler, but he was one they didn't approve of. To them, he was simply so only in name.
So why should they speak it aloud when they're asked?
The guard's silence enraged Koul further, causing his blood to boil.
"I'll ask one more time. Who. Am. I?" He growled, fueled by anger—the searing pain from his wounds only feeding the fire.
But even when Koul repeated this question, the guard still didn't respond. He simply stood still, hands clasped behind his back, gaze lifted and staring past Koul like he wasn't standing there.
I see, a small smile crept onto Koul's lips. They underestimate me, thinking I'm merely jesting.
They won't bend….. unless by iron.
Tightening his grip, Koul retracted the sword, swung it diagonally over his shoulder, and..
STRIKE!!!
He slashed through the side of the guard's neck.
A chorus of gasp sounded aloud as blood splashed across the walls, leaving them wide eyed and stunned.
The guard's hand flew up to the cut on his neck, pressing and adding pressure to stop the blood from pumping.
The cut was long but not deep. Koul had intended to decapitate the guard right there that instant, but his strength was lacking.
I meant to cut off his head, he said, obeserving the sword in his grip. But it seems I am quite lacking.
Even the sword feels heavy. I couldn't wield it properly. It appears this new body will cause me a lot of trouble.
I need to start doing something about this.
He dragged his eyes from the sword that was trailing with blood over to the wounded guard whose face a dark cloud hung, bearing dread.
He turned over to the workers behind him, seeing them still on their spot, their stunned faces causing joy to bubble within him.
As a smile crept onto his face, feeling his actions had made some progress, a chilling thought struck him.
Wait a minute. Did I just try to kill someone?
Blink! Blink!
I mean…. I have beaten up someone that they stayed in coma for like four days, but…. it isn't the same.
He turned back to glance at the guard who was already getting aided by the other to stop the blood flow. His eyes stared silently at the wound and blood trailing down his body for a moment before he turned back with a smirk.
I just felt like I could do it. And that no one would question me for it.
At least there are no cops here, kekeke.
Koul's lips stretched wide into an eerie grin, his shoulders bobbling as he chuckled with a creepy expression.
The workers' faces shifted from shock and confusion to mounting fear as they watched him.
Their king, soaked in his own blood, holding a bloodied sword, and chuckling manically after almost decapitating someone, was a sight they'd never thought they'd see.
Koul's chuckle ceased the next moment, alerting the workers and turning them rigid.
"Huh?" He breathed out.
Why haven't I gotten a notification that I have at least completed ½ of the task?
Hmm?
His eyes swept around, looking for his system. But when he couldn't find him, he relented.
"Task…?" He said in a questioning tone, unsure what he had to say to reveal his tasks.
In response, a glowing screen with the tag 'Task' appeared, reading:
<
<
Time Limit: 4:25:09
Huh? It's still 0/2 though, he said as he peered.
Why?
Lifting his gaze, he stared at the workers for a moment as if studying them, then turned to the guard he slashed.
Although they remained in his presence and didn't dare leave, the respect he wanted still wasn't there.
Ah, I see. This only means I haven't wielded my authority in a befitting way like the system tasked.
My display earlier hasn't changed anything. Neither how they see me nor how they look at me. It simply unsettled them.
With a big sigh, Koul threw his head back, his hair pouring back as he gazed up at nothing.
Then, in a calm voice, he started.
"Will you all knee and offer me the respect I am owed, or must I move to remind you where you stand?" He asked, still staring up at nothing.
The workers, and the guards all averted their eyes awkwardly, keeping silent. Their eyes darted here and there, making awkward passes at one another and feeling too entitled to heed Koul's words.
Already aware they'd react like this, Koul let out another deep sigh. Then he freed the sword, letting it drop the ground with a sharp clang as it clattered.
"I'm glad you all didn't fold so easily," he smiled, his gaze flickering toward the daggers strapped to a wall in an X shape.