The Second Round With A Sour Sight

Another uneventful evening passes as I decide to rest early once more so that I'm fully prepared for the next round. The others agreed with my statement, leaving me alone to recover and not disturb any possible preparation. Thinking back, I wonder why that wraith knight was staring at me like that.

'What do they say again? If looks could kill or was it if looking could kill? Don't know, don't care, I'm going to go to bed. The opinion of a potential opponent should probably be one of the last things on my mind.'

Waking up in the morning, the same routine passes by. I split off afterward, some priest guides me to the locker room. Entering the room, I notice that our original number of 15 has gone down to a measly 6.

"If it continues like this, then I'm going to have this room completely for myself.' I think to myself, saying this out loud will probably rub them all the wrong way. My gaze lands on my humanoid bull acquaintance, who has survived the first round. He's actively avoiding me again, clearly sort of traumatized from trying to appraise me.

'If you're going to peep at something, make sure you don't get caught.' I try to tell him mentally, but seeing that I don't have any telepathic abilities, I doubt that he hears me thinking right now.

The second round begins, screams of the fighting mixed in with those of the crowd cheering them on. Watching this through this runic eye really feels like I'm watching the communal television in the dining room of the hospital.

Memories start flooding back as I start to try to remember more little things from my previous life.

It's funny, I still don't really feel like a demon, yet I'm certainly not a human either. It's why I want to cross to Genesias after all. The chance is slim, but maybe I can find someplace that I can truly savor as a home again. I mean, I don't particularly dislike the acquaintances I made here. Cornelius while he doesn't shut up saved me from loneliness. Eli is someone I feel protective of and even if we're not related I consider her my little sister. Ashmodai has been rather helpful, and he's a good companion to play cards with. I know that he has made some deal behind my back, but at the end of the day, they're devils. Of course, deals are going to be made, and as long that it isn't a deal that actively tries to kill me or Eli, then I don't care. The Talvit brothers are closer to partners than acquaintances, however, they've also been helpful, and they're probably dealing with Ashmodai to make sure I don't back out. They have no benefit in killing me now, after all. At least not yet, I should probably watch out if we manage to kill that orc lord. Leilaya is someone I only met once, however she also seems to know things beyond what a normal demon should know. Her words made me realize what I truly want, so I guess that counts for something. Besides, Randyl is a little s*** but I kinda like that about him.

Losing myself in my thoughts, I drift off, not looking at the fights. That's until I hear the sound of a storm of flying insects. Looking at the runic eye television, I see a familiar person engaged in a battle. It's the old man from the bridge and later on the one who tries to kill me with the orcs.

'He's quite strong, then again I've also grown stronger. Nevertheless, he should be someone I'm wary about. Eaten alive by millions of insects isn't high on my priority list.' I rumble in my head, bored out of my mind from having to wait so long. It even appears that I'm going to be one of the last fighters for the day. The locker room is now only filled by me and mister bull peeper, who is even more uncomfortable, seeing that we're the only 2 left.

It's late evening as a priest finally enters.

"You 2 follow me." The different priest with the same monotone voice commands us. I give a big smile to Mr bull, it's rather funny seeing his reactions after all. We follow the priest to an arena, and we soon find out that we're going to be each other opponents. The human bull shivers at the realization, which makes me pat his head. He visibly freezes at my touch, and I swear I could see tears start to form in his eyes.

Entering the arena called "Rampage of the orc lord" a cheer emerges from the crowd. My opponent, the bull on the other side also receives a huge cheer as he enters. He's trembling and visibly sweating as he tries to keep his gaze upon me.

A priest goes to the middle and starts the countdown.

"3…2…1… Begin!" The priest announces still in a monotone voice just louder than normal. I take a step forward when suddenly.

"I surrender!" The human bull yells, throwing his weapon to the side as he kneels on the ground. Symbolizing that he's completely at my mercy. The crowd is confused and angry as a storm of boos and curses gets thrown at my opponent. I keep walking towards my opponent, who has offered me the choice to kill him or accept his surrender. His kneeling has transformed into a kowtow, he shivers like a small abandoned dog in the rain. Putting my feet on his head, I start to put pressure upon the defeated half-beast. Whimpers could be heard from underneath my feet, even with the yelling crowd in the background.

"Why are you crying?" I ask in a playful tone, probably making me look like a predator playing with its prey.

"I don't want to die, sir." He says whilst a small puddle begins to form beneath him made of his sweat and tears. I pull up his head and make him look into my eyes as I respond.

"That's a good fear to have. Let me tell you something, dear peeper. You should not fear all the things you've imagined dead to be. You should fear it because it's nothing you could ever imagine." I tell the shaken beef in front of me in a calm and calculated tone.

"Anyway, I accept your surrender!" I yell out loud so that the priest and crowd could hear.

"You're quite lucky that I'm a pacifist, after all." I say before walking away from the fight as the victor of the second round.