Michigan [Chapter 3]

We follow the guards through the city and closer to the castle at the center. We see several people with food carts and stands along the edge of the road, several workers look extremely tired and hungry.

Damn, poor guys. I understand the struggle, but never this bad. The worst I ever had was living off of crackers and ramen for over a month.

We soon arrive at the guard shack. As we walk in, Rugle holds his hand up and catches a glass orb thrown towards me. We see a man with his mouth open and eyes wide, staring towards us. He quickly drops to the ground, onto his hands and knees, and starts apologizing.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I was aiming for the door, never thought someone would open it at that highly inconvenient moment."

I laugh and wave my hand.

"It's fine. No harm, no foul. Beside's, it's not as bad as a roommate walking in while in one of those embarrassing scenes of an anime."

I laugh nervously, noticing everyone looking at me. Rugle leans over amd whispers in my ear.

"What's an 'Anime'?"

He asks confusedly. I clear my throat and think on my feet.

"Oh right, none of you peasants would've seen the sacred films. Only I, the True King was allowed to see them."

Shit, now the guards probably think I'm crazy.

I see the two guards that brought me here stumble back. They speak in unison.

"T-the True King?!"

Well shit.

I quickly pull out another cig and light it. As I take another deep hit, a side door flings open. A older gentleman with white hair and a white beard walks in.

"What's all the commotion!"

He shouts, the guards on the floor quickly turning to him.

"Sir Michigan, this is the True King!"

They shout. I try not to laugh at his name, Rugle looking on in confusion.

"What does he know?"

I hear Rugle say without his mouth moving.

This guy's name is Michigan? Like the state?

I quickly calm myself down and extend my hand. The older man stares at me for a moment and spits onto the floor in front of me, everyone gasping around me. I raise one eyebrow and stare at his spit.

Is this how they say hello? Well, this is a different world, so customs may be different. Whatever.

I quickly spit at his feet and smile. The old man steps back, clearly shocked.

"I have to admit, you do have balls."

Michigan says deeply. I quickly reach down and feel around.

"I mean, yea. Very perceptive of you."

I reply jokingly. Michigan growls for a moment before laughing.

"Alright, since you've accepted my challenge. Let's get to it."

I room goes silent as a church for a moment before I speak up.

"Challenge?"

I reply, confused. I hear the room gasp in shock once more and Rugle starts talking.

"He doesn't even see this as a challenge?!"

He says under his breath.

Damnit! That's not what I meant, why is everyone here so stupid!?

I think to myself while watching Michigan grab 2 short swords from a weapon rack. He tosses me a sword and walks outside.

"Let's get this over with."

Michigan says, his voice shaking heavily.

Does he not care about me defeating a demon?

I shrug and follow him outside.

"So what are we doing? Do I need to attack a dummy or something?"

I ask, Rugle laughing behind me.

"He called Michigan a dummy."

It suddenly dawns on me what I had agreed to.

Oh no.

I see Michigan hold his sword in a defensive pose and glare at me. Before I can say or do anything, I see people gathering around us. Michigan charges towards me and yells loudly.

"You'll regret accepting this duel!"

He screams while I step back. I quickly narrow my vision and act as tough as possible. I hold my sword straight out and point it at Michigan's throat.

"It's not too late to surrender and live."

My words seemingly push him back. He freezes in place and stares at me. I watch sweat start pouring off his face.

That's not natural!

He stands still, shaking and breathing heavily. Rugle laughs from behind me.

"What, does Gearmin scare you? Does the fact he defeated a demon pull you into despair?"

Rugle asks, Michigan dropping his sword. I take another hit of my cigarette as Michigan struggles to speak up.

"Y-you defeated a demon?"

Michigan stares at me while I pull my cigarette away and answer.

"Yea, his name was, um, Rugle."

I say, Michigan and several bystanders suddenly dropping their jaws and staring in disbelief.

"You killed Rugle? The strongest demon in the kingdom?"

Wait, strongest demon? He was only level 18? And his stats weren't even that high? How does leveling even work here, and how strong are the people here?

"Hey, Michigan, I wish to compare you to the demon I defeated. I wish to know your stats."

He sits for a moment, unmoved or unaffected. A few moments later, he nods and tells me his stats.

Name: Michigan

Class: Mercenary

Level: 8

HP: 88

Strength: 12

Dexterity: 1

Movement: 2

Constitution: 10

Magic: 1

Willpower: 2

Jesus, his strength is way higher than mine. A good four hits would've probably knocked me out.

I laugh and shake my head proudly.

"Truly a wise decision not to fight. If we would've fought, we would be cleaning the side walk for days."

I laugh while Michigan stares at me.

"What is your name, adventurer?"

Michigan asks as I once more raise up and look to the sky, acting powerful and heroic.

"My name is Gearmin, the True King."

Michigan slowly walks towards me and stares in awe.

"And, if I may, what are your stats?"

He asks as I look at my low stats.

"W-well, If I told you that, I'd have to kill you. I have always, and will always, keep my true power hidden."

I say proudly, the people around me cheering.

"Maybe he could defeat Algrimore for us!"

"If he's truly that strong, Algrimore won't stand a chance!"

"Yes! Maybe we can go back to living without fear."

I quickly speak up.

"Who is this, Algrimore, you speak of?"

I ask, the guards all looking to me. Michigan answers me.

"He's the Demon Lord ruling over the kingdom of darkness. The rumor is, the Demon-King went missing."

Well, there's the story-line exposition I was missing.