CHAPTER 30- Daniel vs The Dictator. Part 3.
(Pov- Daniel.)
I cover myself with my arms and crash through the window, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces.
Wow, wow. Damn, what an epic entrance. I even pictured it with background music—something like symphonic rock with epic choirs and a guitar solo that gives you goosebumps. I wonder if it looked epic to everyone else or just to me. Fighting without background music feels kinda cold, honestly. Empty.
I land on my feet. Alright, dictator, let's— Huh? Uwaaaah! I'm such an idiot, I've got broken glass stabbing through my arms! It hurts, it hurts! Goodbye, concentration! Ahhhhhhh! I forgot I was flying way too fast! Even with my high resistance, crashing through glass at max speed is never a good idea! I'm an idiot!
"Ow, ow! Wait a second, please, just one second!"
I start pulling the glass shards out while my blood slowly forms a puddle on the floor. Only I would think of doing something this stupid! Epic entrance? That only happens in anime! I'm making the most embarrassing spectacle in history. Ow, ow, ow.
"Ahem…"
The dictator clears his throat. Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm ruining the vibe with my whining. Give me 10 more seconds, I'm almost done.
Ow, ow, there are still tiny fragments left, but they're too deep; I can't get them out with my fingers. I'm gonna have to fight with glass stuck in my arms!
Mental note: never do a dumbass epic entrance again.
I lost a lot of blood. I put myself at a disadvantage all by myself. I've already lost HP, and the fight hasn't even started yet. I repeat: I'm an idiot!
Breathe, breathe, you've completely lost your cool. Take a breath. One more deep breath. Ah…
"Ahem, ahem."
I glance over at him. Keep staring at me while I cross my arms, I know you're impatient, but this wasn't part of the plan. And tell your bodyguard to stop laughing! I'm dying of embarrassment!
"Yeah, yeah, I'm done. Sorry for the awkward moment."
I clear my throat. Cough, cough. Alright, pretend none of that happened. Serious mode activated.
I stand in front of the two of them and brush off the last bits of glass from my clothes. That was the last of it, I swear.
Is that girl just a filler enemy or should I actually worry about her? Now that I think about it, I should've asked Bravo about her. Oh, wow, wow. Another mistake to add to the list. Today is not my day.
"Hello, Daniel."
It wouldn't be polite if I didn't return his greeting. I want to start already, but I'm curious to see how the dialogue plays out. Maybe I'll learn something interesting about how he thinks. Why did he let his son commit so many atrocities? What does he really want? Does he just want to feel superior to everyone? To him, what the hell is perfection?
And what intrigues me the most is why he didn't kill his son if he had so many flaws. Did his "no mistakes" rule have exceptions?
"Hello, Froulen."
Without showing any caution, he walks toward me and circles around, analyzing me. Or rather, devouring me with his eyes. Hey, look, I know you're gay, I'm aware of that. I get that your ideals and mindset mostly come from that. If you were straight, your life might have been normal and all that.
Actually, what you did for the gay community is something I applaud with all my heart. But seriously, do you have to suck on your pinky finger in such an erotic way while staring at me?
Up until now, you were really intimidating—the invincible being everyone fears. I was a little scared and full of worry, not knowing how to beat you. But now… Now… Wow, wow. Seriously, no exaggeration, my fear just vanished. Is my physical appearance really that attractive? This has entered ridiculous territory.
"Exceptional." He whispers, stopping in front of me.
Ugh, that gave me chills.
"You really are even more handsome in person. I didn't think that was possible."
I swallow hard. It's not the first time a guy has flirted with me, but coming from someone like him, this is so surreal it's absurd.
"…Please don't ruin my image of you. Can we just start already?"
He smiles and extends his hand.
"Wouldn't you like to have a cup of coffee first? I want to get to know you better. Chat. You're… fascinating."
No way in hell I'm touching you.
The fight is still raging outside behind us, so no. I wouldn't feel right sipping coffee with the enemy while everyone else is out there fighting and risking their lives.
"Coffee? No, thanks."
"Pity."
He shrugs.
"You're a being who appeared out of nowhere, with no records, not even of your appearance. There isn't the tiniest trace. Your first official appearance was yesterday, popping up out of nowhere in a classroom shouting "I'm a dumbass." And the most interesting part is this…
A hologram appears between us.
That's me, looking worried. What is this about?
"I-I have to find a spell to get me back."
Wait, those words… Yeah, I remember saying them right before flying away from the place where I first appeared. He records everything?! There's not even any privacy in this damn country!
A second hologram appears.
"I'm not from this… I'm not from this country."
My words.
A third one appears.
"Phones exist in this world too."
Everything was recorded.
Little by little, the room fills with holograms of me, repeating everything I've said in this world.
"The truth is, I'm not from this world. I'm from World 1, the world of magic and adventurers."
He… he knows everything. He recorded absolutely everything.
"Parallel worlds exist? And you come from one? The excitement is so… indescribable! Hahahahahahaha!"
I don't sense any fear in him; instead, my body fills with fear again. I'm a being different from him, a mystery; he doesn't know my limits or my destructive power. Yet here he is, laughing, full of joy. He's not afraid of me at all.
Dictator, you're the first real monster I'll ever face. No overconfident demons, no arrogant adventurers, no racist royalty (or whatever you call people who discriminate against other species). For the first time, I'm facing a true threat. A real villain… Literally a villain, since this is a world of heroes and villains. Ah, what am I even thinking?
"You come from a world with magic? Real magic? Is it a world with elves, fairies, and stuff like that? Hahahahahahaha! I never imagined the answer to the great mystery would be so impossible and fantastical!"
Why is he saying it like that? And it's not just him—the woman is in shock, staring at all the holograms, listening intently. Is this the first time she's hearing about this?
… A dictator who allows organizations like the illegals to keep existing, letting himself be challenged, his excitement upon seeing me, forcing thousands of people to be spectators…
"You're just finding out now?" I said, not believing it.
"Oh, wow. Is it that obvious? Yes, this is the first time I'm hearing this information. I have a personal AI that collects data just for me. As soon as I learned that my best informants couldn't get any info on you, I asked the AI to compile your words and tell me—without spoiling anything—how much what I was about to hear would blow my mind. It only said: it will be the biggest shock of your life. And it was absolutely right!! This is the best day of my life!!
Is your obsession with the thrill of superiority that extreme? You skipped information that could have given you a huge advantage over me… just for that? Beating me without time to prepare for the unexpected, no matter how big the surprises. The greatest feeling of superiority you could get if you manage to overcome me.
… I'll make you regret that mistake very soon.
The woman, who had stayed silent until now, steps forward, eyes wide.
"So… it's true? Other worlds? Real magic?"
Froulen shoots her a warning look and she shuts up instantly, but she keeps staring at the holograms like she's hypnotized.
"Yes, I come from another world and, at the same time, from yet another world."
I swing my sword side to side, slicing the air.
"Any more questions?"
"I have thousands of questions for you, but first I want to see how strong you are. Show the world real magic exists!"
Suddenly the holograms vanish, and in their place appear giant holographic screens broadcasting our encounter live. I glance out the window. A stadium-sized screen has just appeared in the city sky, visible from anywhere.
This level of tech is on par with my world. How many technological advances are you keeping just for yourself?
"If you can do that…"
I ask, pointing at the sky,
"Why did you force all the civilians to come and lock them inside your walls?"
"The entire city will be our battlefield," he says, spreading his arms.
Does he actually care about civilians?
"And I don't want you wasting time worrying about collateral damage. I want you to show me your full power without holding back. Show me what you're capable of!!"
His right arm, along with his suit, morphs into a sword, and his left arm turns into a shield. He's indestructible; he shouldn't need to defend himself, so he's only doing it to match the magic-and-fantasy theme.
… Wait, Daniel, I think you're missing something.
"Your suit turned into that material too? I was told you can only turn human matter into that."
He smiles proudly. Don't tell me…
"My suit is made of human skin."
… Wow, wow. This is so sick I feel nauseous. It's really made of human skin?! That's disgusting!
"You wear human skin as a suit?!"
"Of course."
His whole body turns black.
"Shall we begin?"
I feel sick. I literally feel like I'm going to throw up.
I take a deep breath and grip my sword tighter. I shouldn't be surprised, not after everything I've heard about him.
I'm ready to end this once and for all. I'll give this country back its privacy and peace.
"Come at me," I say, bracing myself to attack.
Grandma, wish me luck. I really need it.