Why Bother Trying

For the past few days, Desmond has been inside his home waiting for either Ragnar, Seraphine, or worse the Strange Man to come and kill him. In that time he knew if they we're not going to kill him so soon than they were at least watching him because it was only logical they would. Where ever Desmond goes something completely out of his control happens.

Between what happened with the Mirror Man and what happened now it was hard to choose what was worse. In both situations, he is up against people he can't even touch even the sweetest person Mrs.Seraphine is out of his league. She may look normal, but anyone who can stare down the Strange Man like she did and make him conceded is someone to not take lightly.

There is no trick Desmond knows he can play and a large chunk of the spells he knows was gifted to him by the Strange Man. After going through all the information inside his head multiple times Desmond came up with the best and only strategy he can choose.

Which is just don't try anything it was a brilliant strategy Desmond came up with since resistance is futile and because he is most likely being watched. He figured out Doing everything the same, going to the Hunter's Bizarre just like he usually does and staying away from the DCPD would most likely keep him alive.

So that's what he did knowing everything he didn't was being watched by people he could never hope to touch. He trained in the sewers as well as the city Guards camp and kept going to the Hunter's Bizarre like nothing happened. Desmond believed they were not expecting him to come back ever, but he did practically every single day.

...

1 Year Later

After the mess at Hunter's Bizarre a whole year past it was full of physical training, magical training, weapons training, and close combat training. After suffering through all that Desmond feels as though he now has some combat skill worth mentioning. His Diligence has boosted the number of spells he can cast and has gifted him a strong muscular body. While his still old and wrinkly no one could deny the gains he has made during his training.

So, impressed by his strong physique Desmond risked his life and looked in a mirror just to see himself shirtless. The inhuman training Desmond was put through gave thick biceps, thighs, and abs that could only have been chiseled from stone.

Constantly absorbing magic nurtured Desmond's body so much he can easily lift 200 pounds and lift up to 400 when he enhances himself. Occasionally Desmond would rub old on himself just to admire how he looks even more. If anyone has seen an oiled up muscular old man that can punch a person unconscious than it's easy to picture Desmond.

The situation at the book store Hunter's Bizarre has remained static while everyone there is nice to him and they treat him well Desmond still feels as though there is distrust. With each side knowing something about the other while one side having a clear advantage how couldn't there be.

Desmond knew they probably found everything out about him except for the fact he is a soul in someone else's body. What he didn't know was why they didn't kill him already it wasn't like they couldn't. That question perplexed him and after a year he has not come up with a good enough answer so he dropped it.

While Desmond's life was full of hardships and impending death he knew today wasn't suppose to be that day. Today was a day of celebration he is supposed to have with his friends because Desmond has recently finished writing a few books. Which he borrowed from other more talented people in his old world. It wasn't the most honorable thing to do, but Desmond was in need of money and he never wants to be in a situation where no one gets his jokes again.

He was down to a bit over 4000 magic crystals which would not help get him any of the advanced knowledge that he is seeking. Getting it from the city guards is impossible for Desmond and he wanted to get it soon since he is halfway with consolidating his power at the intermediate apprentice rank.

As Desmond thought over the events that happened over the year while holding his chin he walked through the streets of District B. He was heading towards a meeting place Desmond's friends chose beforehand so they can all splurge at a nice bar in District B. In celebration for Desmond finishing his books, he didn't want them to waste their money on him, but everyone insisted.

Desmond had some regrets telling his friends about his writing, but they were most likely going to stick him with the bill anyway so his feeling regarding that diminished. Even though the bar was in District B it wasn't one visited by those of high society it was visited more by members of the city guards and some regular folk who wander inside.

Despite not having to dress up at all Desmond still dressed semi-nice he had on a blue button up short sleeve shirt and black pants. His hair was recently done by a barber he had it done in a classic side part.

Desmond walked down the street to the meeting location with his back straight and head held high feeling as though nothing could get him down. The streets were crowded and bustling with energy as everyone went on with their day. Different kinds of perfume was lingering in the air as people passed by him.

All the different smells made Desmond cough he felt as though everyone around him was deliberately trying to choke him to death. As he got clear of them the crowd for a minute a man wearing a purple button up shirt and black pants caught Desmond's eye.

The man may have mostly gone unnoticed by Desmond, his black hair with green highlights may have drawn Desmond to give him a glance or two, but nothing more. What made that man stand out of the crowd of hundreds was an aura that made him glow. Desmond had never seen anything like it, but he instinctively knew what it was, it was that man's soul.

Everyone else appeared normal it was only that man who glowed in the crowd. Desmond swallowed hard as he guessed who that man was because he had seen so many others when he first entered the world. It was another soul like him Desmond didn't know why he could tell the difference between everyone else, but he was happy that he could because that man was terrifying.

Desmond would love to meet one of the other souls like him and get their story, but not from the man across from him. That man's soul burned with a rage Desmond had never seen before not even Ingram's soul after months of torture looked anything like what Desmond was currently seeing. Despite the soul's ferocity, there was reason to it somehow looked tame.

Desmond not wanting to meet that man tried to sneak away, but he was already found. The man in purple looked like a ferocious beast amongst sheep. Too stupid to realize a deadly predator was standing next to them. Seeing the man in purple eyeing him, Desmond did a reasonable thing and ran as fast as his legs could take him.