"You're the worst ever!!!"
That sentence… I've heard worse… but this one… it's still stuck in my mind… I can't forget it, nor remember… who… was?
…
"Focus all your weight on the upper body when swinging~"
"Ah thanks for the great advice" I replied dryly while practicing with my sword. Mr Doukabi floated beside me with a mocking gaze. This creature breathes contempt, I swear. Besides giving me his 'absolutely guaranteed' guidance every now and then for no reason
"Watching series teaches you well" I said confidently, swinging my sword with force and promptly falling flat on my face "Okay maybe not" I muttered dryly, ignoring the scoundrel in the back who snapped dozens of photos with a wicked laugh
…
Days passed after that legendary apocalypse. I still hadn't chosen a clear direction or goal. I wasn't even fighting to survive. The smaller monsters avoided me, while the more dangerous ones didn't even notice me. The 'constellations' kept showering me with coins and gifts every time I breathed. I didn't understand their extreme admiration for me, but I appreciated it. Doukabi accompanied me, but disappeared from time to time to deal with 'scenarios' things which I simply ignored.
Ha… who would've thought my life would take such a pleasant turn while everyone else suffered equally?
But as they say… good things never last long.
One night, I woke up with wide, trembling eyes. I looked around. I was in the same corner of the half-ruined building I had taken shelter in not long ago. Cold sweat covered me. A disturbing shiver ran through my entire body for a moment "What the…?" I muttered in confusion, looking around. I didn't see anything different
「The constellation 'Orin' asks with concern if you're alright」
Orin. Probably the only name I knew among all those constellations. everyone else either used titles or names I couldn't comprehend. To be fair, he was the one who had constantly showered me with more attention from the start "I'm fine" I muttered with a faint weary smile. A sudden numbness crept over me, my eyelids fluttered, and I collapsed into a deep sleep
Time passed in this state. I would fall asleep, wake up in panic for unknown reasons, and collapse again against my will. But more started to happen. I couldn't eat anything anymore due to the excessive comments from the constellations on every move I made. The situation escalated until I lost all appetite. Chills began increasing. I reached a point where I covered myself multiple times during any activity requiring privacy, even during simple rests
At one point, I thought I was overreacting "No. The fault must be mine. I can't be so distrustful. They're the only ones who cared about me and gave me value…" That's what I used to think. But I.. can't… everything became excessive. I felt countless eyes piercing me. Comments that were once playful flirtations turned into dirty, obsessive, and possessive statements. The number of these constellations was too many, and none seemed to get bored of me
Even that despicable Doukabi, whom I had come to consider a friend at some point, felt concerned about my inexplicable deterioration. I didn't tell him. I didn't tell anyone
Months passed like this. The situation became utterly unbearable. They cut me off from any form of life communication, or else they would torment them to death right in front of me. Even my friend. Our relationship ended because I complied. I was no match for those creatures. How could an ant face such a massive hurricane? what could I do? I hated people, but that didn't mean I wanted them to suffer because of ME
By a little over a year, I had become a puppet on their strings. A shared toy. Something they use to satisfy themselves. But I had one last hope. a faint light like a matchstick in total darkness. Orin… he was the only one who hadn't changed. I believed in that. I clung to that hope.
"Please… Orin… help me… you're the only one left to me" I pleaded one day, kneeling as my legs gave out. Tears of despair streamed from my sunken eyes. I was broken. Strangely, none of the constellations intervened. Suddenly, I felt a sharp sting at the back of my head. Darkness quickly swallowed my vision
…
When I regained consciousness, I felt… different? My body was light. My mind completely clear. A relief I hadn't felt in ages. My head rested on something soft. I felt a hand gently stroking my head.
I opened my eyes slowly. As I did, I was met with an angelic face. Golden strands of hair shimmered like pure sunlight, and two blue eyes reflected the sky itself. His skin was flawless, as if untouched by a single scratch
"Orin" I muttered in shock, raising my head from where it rested on his lap. I recognized him. That was instinctive. I looked at him, then around. We were in a breathtakingly beautiful garden, with marble pillars and fountains spread artistically, a magnificent palace nearby. It was as if I were witnessing the estate of an ancient Greek ruler or something
I looked at myself. My skin was better than ever. There was more flesh on my bones. I took a trembling breath and looked back at him. He smiled charmingly and extended his arms to me. I hesitated a little, then approached. He hugged me tightly and whispered gentle words into my ear
"You've really responded to me…" I said with tearful eyes, returning the hug "You got me out of that hell. Why did you take so long?"
"I had to break you completely first~!" he replied playfully
".. Huh?" I blinked several times "B.. brake?" I said, stepping back slightly. When I looked at him again, a familiar shiver ran through my body. His eyes, so pure moments ago, became dark. His gentle smile turned into something more sinister. Trying to step back more than that was useless. the shock paralyzed me
"Why didn't anyone intervene when you cried and pleaded to me, my dear human? I've been in control all along. Your innocence steals my breath" he said in a voice dripping with fake sweetness, gripping my chin forcefully "You lasted longer than I expected to be honest. But that only made it more fun. Watching you lose every bit of hope and cling to me as a final lifeline was refreshing. And now, having you submit to me willingly~" He paused, his smile widening, his finger brushing my neck as he leaned closer
"You're entirely mine now. Soul and body"
As soon as he finished speaking, he pressed his lips firmly to mine. Chains of gold wrapped around me completely. A sense of betrayal, disgust and despair overwhelmed me. Honestly, 'disgust' is an understatement. If I could have vomited at that moment, I would have done it in his mouth to keep him from touching me again
And so, a new hell began. An unwanted upgrade. From a shared toy to a personal one. Ori- no, the bastard, locked me in a room in his vast palace that sunlight never reached. My days consisted of lashes, forced healing, and hugs paired with his 'love' as a daily routine
Time passed until I finally stopped resisting completely and became submissive to him. And how pleased he was. I feigned affection, never contradicting him. Of course, that's what he thought. I maintained that facade to show him that he is not the only cunning one. and finally, one day… he relaxed his tight surveillance for five minutes. Just five minutes. Why would he worry about letting his toy go unchecked for a little?
Upon returning, instead of being greeted with a bow as he expected, his eyes widened in panic
"I'll pray... from the depths of my heart... and soul … that you're dragged to the deepest point of hell… you motherfucker" I said in a broken voice with a faint smile, staring at him as I plunged a sharp knife deeply where my heart was. I pressed down to make an even deeper cut. The shock on his face was worth it. Ending this was worth it. I heard his scream as he lunged at me, but it was too late. I finally tasted death… true relief
…
"This has to be a joke" I said quietly to myself, looking down. I was now sitting on a stopped subway seat. Panic was everywhere, Doukabi floated in the middle of the train car. and… a full reel of countless disturbing memories ran through my mind
A faint, strange laugh escaped my mouth. I grabbed my head, laughter increasing in oddity "You bastard!!!" I cried in anguish, drawing attention. Wide eyes stared at me in terror. I didn't know who I was cursing. Orin? Or the world itself?
"Bastard huh? Another foolish human go" said Doukabi with a devilish smile. With a single snap of his fingers, the bowels scattered across the place
…
I woke up… in my bed. In my room. I looked calmly at the pillbox in my hand, then threw it aside, rubbing my temples with a hissing pain from the headache
I got up and walked toward the kitchen with heavy steps. On my way, I passed a room. I stopped and stared at the firmly locked door several times in confusion. "I… why did I lock this room? What was even in it…?"
I thought about it, trying to remember. I could see a blurry, hazy image for a few moments, but that was all. I shook my head, sighing, and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion sound outside. I looked quickly through the window, but saw nothing
I narrowed my eyes, focusing, and then saw something different. Everything around me began distorting several times. Chaotic scenes appeared and vanished as if something enormous was malfunctioning. I stepped back nervously, holding my head.
There was a mistake. A grave mistake. Some memory jolted my mind violently, making me let out a faint scream of pain. One after another, the memories became more illogical than the previous. I couldn't handle it. I collapsed
"H… huh?" I blinked and looked at my hands, then around me. I was sitting in the subway, surrounded by terrified people and some corpses. I raised my head to see a furry floating creature. "W… what… when… how…" I stammered weakly. The worst memories started flooding back. It felt as if it took centuries, though in reality it was just moments
I hugged my knees quietly, eyes pinched tightly. What is happening to me??
To be continued…