Morning…
I slowly opened my eyes.
My body felt heavy.
My mind… calm.
—Another day without classes…
I turned my head.
The clock read 6:00 a.m.
Too early.
I lay back down.
But then—
The phone rang.
A sharp, unwelcome sound.
I clicked my tongue, grabbed the phone, and answered half-asleep.
—Hello…
—Ryan… it's me. Your favorite lunatic clown.
Silence.
Here we go…
—I'm calling early to let you know I won't be able to watch what you do today… so when I call you again, I want a summary.
I sighed.
—Sure…
—Ah, and one more thing…
His voice changed.
Lower. More… unsettling.
—You won't be able to eliminate that supernatural entity that's about to awaken.
My eyes opened a bit wider.
—Oops… slipped out, didn't it?
Silence.
—Maybe it'll help you… or maybe it won't.
Click.
The call ended.
I stared at the ceiling.
—…What a drag.
I turned over in bed.
A supernatural entity about to awaken…
—Tsk.
I closed my eyes again.
—I'll sleep a little more.
---
Afternoon…
The screen illuminated my face.
My YouTube channel…
—Not bad for a first attempt…
But it wasn't enough.
It never is.
I switched tabs.
Nexum.
Registered users.
Activity.
Movement.
Slow growth… but steady.
—…
I sighed.
—If only I had React…
A faint smile.
—…but it doesn't exist here yet…
I rested my chin on my hand.
Thinking.
Calculating.
—Facebook at this time…
—Isn't what it will become.
My eyes gleamed slightly.
—Another opportunity.
—Another business.
But not now.
Not yet.
I closed the tab.
—Tonight…
—There's something more important.
---
Night.
Trenton.
The wind struck hard from the top of the building.
The city breathed below.
And I…
Dressed as a clown.
Watching.
—…
I brought my hand to my chin.
Thinking.
—I need information…
—But where should I start?
Silence.
Then—
—…The twins.
My eyes narrowed.
—I don't even know their names.
—But they exist.
—And that's enough.
I smiled.
—Let's play.
I jumped.
The world distorted.
And I disappeared.
---
Time passed.
I searched.
Streets. Rooftops. Corners.
Nothing.
—Tsk…
—Useless.
I was about to leave when—
I stopped.
—…
A figure.
A girl.
—Maya.
I recognized her immediately.
The same one.
The suitcase.
The failed sacrifice.
—…
I followed her.
Silently.
No presence.
No sound.
She entered a bar.
Met a guy.
Laughter.
Conversation.
Normal.
Too normal.
—…
I shook my head slightly.
—You learned nothing…
She almost died.
Almost got offered to that thing.
To the "Lord."
And yet…
Here she is.
Repeating the pattern.
—Pathetic.
But useful.
—…
I watched her a bit longer.
—If something happens…
—I'll save her.
Pause.
—Maybe.
Another pause.
—Or maybe not.
My eyes narrowed.
—Depends on how useful she is.
I shifted slightly.
More people arrived.
A group.
Noise.
Distraction.
—Ah…
—Enough.
I turned away.
And then—
I stopped.
—…
An eye.
Purple.
Watching me.
Silence.
—…
I smiled faintly.
—Well…
—Seems I'm not the only one watching.
Another eye appeared.
Then another.
And another.
Darkness.
Presence.
—…
Footsteps.
I turned.
A figure emerged.
Purple veins.
Glowing eyes.
A twisted smile.
—The Lord… says he will eliminate you.
Silence.
—This territory belongs to him.
—You… will die.
—…
I looked at him.
Expressionless.
Then—
I laughed.
—Hahaha…
I tilted my head.
—Is that all?
The air tightened.
—Anyone can intimidate…
—But not everyone can sustain it.
I raised my hand.
Snap.
The air distorted.
Dark fire.
Violent.
The purple eyes began to twist.
Burn.
Disappear.
Silence.
Applause.
—Good…
I looked at him directly.
—Now…
—Let's talk.
The man smiled.
—The Lord sent me.
—It's an honor.
—I'll receive my reward once I eliminate you.
—…
I vanished.
Appeared behind him.
Kick.
Sharp.
Straight to the neck.
The impact echoed—
But he didn't fall.
—…
He turned.
Tried to grab me.
But I was gone.
I appeared above him.
Another kick.
Stronger.
His body was sent flying.
He crashed into the pavement.
Cracks spread.
Silence.
I walked toward him slowly.
—Is that it?
—Is that the "gift"?
I tilted my head.
—Looks more like a defect.
His expression twisted.
—How dare you?!
—…
I didn't respond.
I reached into my pocket.
A balloon.
Deflated.
He looked at me.
Confused.
I began to inflate it.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
The sound of air filling the silence.
I shaped it.
A sword.
Made of balloon.
I smiled.
—It's time…
I raised my gaze.
—For you to see the clown's specialty.
—The swordsman.