I'm Alive
Chapter 6: I'm alive!
I woke up surrounded by fire.
All I could hear outside were sirens outside my window, it was hard to breathe, it was hard to stand but I knew I had to escape, "I need to get out of here."
I climbed out my window onto the fire escape ladder and met with even more fire. All I could see was the city I lived in burning all around me. I peered over the edge of the old iron rail and saw Nagsaki hotel, the once tall and beautiful skyscraper now reduced to a half standing pile of rubble. All around me were screams and shouts.
Then I saw it, a giant airship came crashing down. The only thing was, it was heading straight for me. With nowhere left to go I could only curse, "Shit."
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I woke up groggy and confused while looking around like an idiot barely conscious until I started hearing voices.
"The bracelet, I want that bracelet too. Are you in?"
God my head hurts, am I going crazy?
"Aaaah, fine. My bracelet. IF you win."
What is this? Are people gambling while I'm injured right now?!
"The rules haven't changed right? Nature takes its course and whatever direction the dice falls is a confirmed win?"
"Yes yes yes, now let's hurry this up will you? I want the kid and your bracelet already."
I looked over to see who was talking only to see nothing, or at least no one. As far as the eye can see it was just black dirt and mountains covered in fire.
"Hey you're awake! Watch me win this game. You're going to be the luckiest man on earth, I promise you."
"Stop getting chummy with the human and just roll the dice already."
"Alright, you seem to be in a hurry to lose."
I looked at the direction of the conversation and I still couldn't see anything, "Hello? I'm sorry but I can't see you. What's happening?"
"Ha, kid if you could see us you would have more things to worry about than where you are."
Just now it felt like I could hear 5-6 guys with rough voices all starting to scream at me just before the two players stopped them, "Hey! You guys lost already! If you scream you'll accidentally destroy his fragile little soul. Then you'll owe us both 50 human souls! Now shut up and stay out of this."
"Alright bastard, prepare to be amazed."
(Hey kid! You hear me?)
Huh? Oh god I'm really going crazy now, I'm already starting to hear voices… Wait, I've been hearing voices for the past 5 minutes.
(You really are dumb aren't you? Look, that doesn't matter, in a second I'm going to roll these dice and I need you to stay out of it. Can you do that dumb dumb?)
(I'm not really liking the attitude but fine, besides I can't see any dice anyway.)
(Give it a second.)
Wait, I see it! It's a foot away from me and they look slightly invisible but I can definitely see two dice on the ground, one with a 4 and the other with a 3. Probably from the previous game.
(Good. Now enjoy the show before I tell you what to do next)
All of a sudden I saw the dice begin to float until they came crashing down. It didn't sound natural. I could feel the ground shake and the mountains in the distance started to roar, blazing with fire and smoke.
Then finally both dice stopped and one landed on a 1 and the other landed on a 2 resulting in a resounding 3.
"Bullshit! You cheated, that's not natural!"
(Crap, I just cheated and I still lost!)
(Really dude.)
"Or maybe you just suck at this game."
(Why am I still watching this? I really need to get out of here.)
(Don't even think about it, you won't last a day here kid. You're in the demon realm. Think of it like your world's version of hell. This is the place where the dead wish they could die. Now come over here and help me rig the game.)
"What?!"
I'm dead?! No well I sorta knew that but, this isn't hell?
"Ha, even the kid thinks you suck. Don't worry brat, once I'm done with him, you're mine and I'll make sure to make you into a good demon underling."
This creatures voice sounded grating and hard to the ears. I felt like the words he spoke came from a sadistic desire to cause pain to others.
"What?!" I don't want to become a demon!
(Relax you won't. Just as long as you help me cheat.)
"What are you people?" No longer paying attention to his new found friend. I went straight to business, "Demons?"
There was silence for a good minute when suddenly they all started laughing, "Demons?! The only one who's ever called us that is our mother! Demons! Hahaha!"
"Let's take a break Gordan."
"Preparing for your ultimate demise? Fine, I'll give you a minute."
(Kid I know you're confused, but tell me something. Who would you rather serve, him or me?)
(No one.)
(You don't have the luxurie of that… But I'll tell you what. If you choose me, I will send you down to the mortal realm where you can do or be whatever you want just as long as you stay as my loyal follower.)
How do I know you'll keep your promise?
(I'm actually a very honorable guy, you can believe me.)
(You cheated earlier.)
(... Tsk, fine there IS a soul contract we can sign. Just think of the deal you have in mind and I'll accept it)
Strange, why does this guy seem strangely… desperate…
(deal.) I listen to what he says and try to picture a contract in my head with all my demands and terms.
(Fine let's… what is this? This isn't part of the deal?)
(It's what I want. What? Are you backing out of the deal?)
(You little- fine.)
That was easy, maybe I should ask for more… yeah probably not good to poke the Demon Bear.
(So? What do I do?)
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"Alright, I'm done waiting. It's my turn."
Now the moment everyone has been waiting for. The dice floated into the air and right before it fell, I caught it… (this was your genius idea?!)
Just now all I could feel was a scorching heat and pure fury, but before that could happen I quickly took the dice and put each one on the number 1. Resulting in the resounding 2!
"Hahaha"
"Oh shit! He really got you this time."
"Dammit, Pilfer! I bet good money on this. I knew you would cheat."
Now I can finally hear multiple voices, some laughing, some mildly annoyed at this Pilfer guy. Is the demon from earlier named… Pilfer?
"This is bullshit and you know it."
"No no no the rules stated that nature was allowed to interfere with the game."
"Yeah! Wind or an earthquake or somthing! Not… shit."
"That's right Gordan. Humans are part of nature."
So we won? I can leave? I don't have to become a Demon slave?
"Alright kiddo, time to get you out of here and start earning your keep. Congratulations kid, you're the apostle of the demon god of greed and thieves."
"What?"
"And here's a gift for the road. I've had this bracelet for 3000 years now, and it's all yours."
"What?"
"See ya on the other side kid."
What?! No no no, this can't be happening. Please tell me this is a demon dominated world and not a holy one I'm going to end up at!
BAM!
"And with that! He's off! Look at him fly! I almost think that was a homerun!"
"Alright, another round!"
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I feel like I'm going to throw up, or cry. Either one. Where am I now? I look around in confusion but I can barely twist my head. When I open my eyes everything is so bright and blurry.
I keep seeing silhouettes of people but I can't really see anything. I feel like I'm being carried by someone, their hands are large and they're covering my whole back. Oh no, is this what I think it is? Have I just been born? Am I a baby?
(Yep! Looks like it!)
Ah, you! I forgot about the deal I made. I asked for guidance… but I didn't know I would hear the literal voice of a god in my head.
(Pilfer! What are the people around me saying I can't see or understand anything.)
(Hmm? Oh the doctor said something… botched circumcision? Might have to cut it off? Cut what off?)
What?! No, this can't be happening! I haven't even used it yet!
(Ha ha ha, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.)
(That's not funny you asshole!)
(Oh but it's coming though, you should definitely brace yourself.)
(...)
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Ten minutes later after a LOT of screaming. I'm finally done. That was torture.
(So… Are you going to use your ability or…)
What did he say? Do I have an ability? (How do I use it?)
(Just open up your mind and think of the word [status screen] and you'll see it)
What? That sounds like something from a game… that or games got the idea from here… ok [status screen.]
[Status:
Name: Jessup Grove
Super: Not Chosen
Level: 123
Ultimate Skills: Demon shop
Blessing: Pilfer: Demons Love You!
Skills: None]
(I'm going to die, aren't I? How is this a blessing?!)
(Well we're all going to die eventually… why don't you open your shop?)
(Why? What good would it do? I'm broke.)
(There are more things to trade than money, kid.)
I don't know why but for some reason his amused attitude is grossing me out but I guess it doesn't hurt to try.
(Umm what do I do… [Demon shop])
[STORE IS OPEN]
Whoa this is weird, this looks nothing like the status screen. This has so much color and a glow to it. (How is this possible?)
(Most Ultimate Skills are focused on the innate likes and dislikes of the master. Some people like fire so they can control fire, some people like to sleep so they can sleep forever. Sometimes it's a curse, other times it's a blessing, but before we get into all the mystical mumbo jumbo. Scroll all the way to [Languages] and there you should be able to buy the native tongue)
Holy crap! This is so much better than trying to learn Japanese in your sleep with online videos. (I see it, it says… Grove Kingdom Language lvl 1? I can't just master the whole thing?)
(You're a baby. If you did, your head would probably explode.)
(Right, but how do I buy it?) I'm looking everywhere on my status screen but all I can see on my status screen is a bunch of nonsense.
(Hey kid, you see your level? That's your currency. At least one of them.)
(What? Holy crap! I'm level 120! Does that make me strong?)
(Normally yes, if you were an adult with muscles, but you're a baby now. Not just that, but that level is technically not real. It's comprised of all the cosmic energy that your soul grabbed a hold of when it was crossing the threshold, but that energy is not made for humans. Meaning that soon it'll disappear, so my suggestion is, start buying before your level 1!)
What? When did this turn into Cutthroat Kitchen!?