"I-Is there something wrong?" I am puzzled.
"Don't trust him."
I frowned for a moment as I stared into the eyes of the cashier man in front of me.
"Please listen to me."
I can hear First's voice, but this man's deep stare prevailed in my eyes. Gradually, his eyes turned dark red, which further grabbed my attention and I continued to stare. Why are his eyes like this? Why is he so close to me? What is he doing?
"Second, get out of that store, now."
H-huh? I blinked for a moment.
"Do you need anything?" I asked the cashier man because I was already stunned that I could not take my eyes off his.
The man in front of me grinned. I am confused about how he behaved. I was surprised when he touched my chin with his left hand and then he smirked. Now that we're this close, I recognize his good-looking facial attributes.
"Listen to me, Second. That guy is dangerous! Now, get out of there!"
Did I hear that right? First shouted at me?
"Don't listen to him, listen to me, is that clear?" said the cashier in a voice that seemed captivating.
I neither agreed nor nodded. He brought his face even closer to mine. He smells good, and I could feel the warmth of his breath. When I blinked, I was surprised when I slapped him without realizing it. I know I didn't do that willingly. What does that mean? I thought of only one possibility. Is First already controlling me? However, if there is only an enemy attack that First will be able to control me. The cashier's eyes widened after what I did to him. I was about to apologize when...
"Second, run! That guy is Zarod!" First warned me.
When I heard what First said... I came back to my senses.
Z-Zarod? In front of me, the cashier? Whaaa!
That's what my mind is screaming for, but we kept staring at each other. Our faces parted as he rubbed his left cheek that I had slapped—that First had slapped. He grinned for a moment and laughed demonically. I've had goosebumps. What's with this guy? I need to get out of here! I don't even know how First could have revealed he was Zarod, but getting myself out of here is a good idea to be sure. I got up from sitting and started running. I pulled the handle of the glass door but... it is locked!
"You can't get out of here. You might die from freezing outside. Why not stay here for the night?" the cashier suggested mischievously.
"Get me out of here!" I tried to pull the door one more time, but I was just wasting my time and energy. What are we going to do?
He slowly approached me, so I backed away. As I stepped backward, I got cornered. He wrapped me in his arms and brought his face close to mine again.
I-I'm scared. He gives off a vibe that you shouldn't mess with him. First, where are you? This can be considered as an enemy attack, so First could have controlled me.
"You're Heavien, right?" I did not answer him, and I avoided his scrutinizing gaze. "Haha, your partner isn't answering you?" I clenched my fist. "Pathetic"
He knows who I am, and he also knows about the game. Is he an accomplice of Author? I just noticed, since my memories came back, I feel like I'm getting weak. Is this because this is the real me in the real world? I shouldn't have fully relied on First, but to be left behind by your partner is a bad feeling.
"Just… shut up," I said nervously. I still can't look at him directly, but I know he's staring at me.
"Why won't my charm work on you?" He seems irritated. "Tch, what a nuisance," his tone is now twisted.
I raised my head and looked into his deep, bright red eyes which were fascinating. I have never seen eyes like that until now.
"Why are your eyes like that?" I immediately averted my eyes.
"What do you want?" I found a slight courage to compose myself up.
"First, where are you?" I secretly called the other line with a soft whisper in the air, but I heard nothing. I'm just entertaining this cashier, Zarod, to buy some time.
He glared at me. "When I stare at someone, after seeing my deadly eyes, they are supposed to die."
"H-Huh?" I was about to stare at him, but what he just said stupefied me. "What do you want from me?!" Why does this man want to kill me by staring at me with his transformed eyes?
He's really frustrating but First is even more frustrating! Is this not yet a sign of an enemy attack? If First communicates with me, why can't he control me as the character in-game?
"Y-You're going to die before you do that to me. Since you're already here at least, I'll finish you to finish this game," I stated boldly.
If this guy really is Zarod as First claimed earlier, then he is a murderer. I need to protect myself or else…
"You're challenging me, huh? All right, I'll give it to you," He smirked. He removed my confinement in his arms and closed his eyes for a moment.
I was surprised and confused at the same time when the cashier got a little smaller. He became only five inches taller than me, because a while ago he was about fifteen inches taller than me. His appearance and physique changed. From a matured face and body, he became younger. His eyes became even redder staring at me. He completely turned into someone else!
"How-"
"The one you talked to earlier, I killed him. He's the real staff here. I have the ability to imitate the look of someone I killed. And you're next," he smirked with a murderous look in his eyes. He's wrong because I'm not going to die!
He looks smaller now, but still taller than me. The real cashier man he imitated his face and body looked like he was in his late 20s and his real appearance looked like he was just my age.