《I Was Monster Once, Now I Am Human》Visiting a Cafe In This Modern World
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"Albert, You are of my and Adger's age. You seem like a smart person, who understands the importance of this decision and I can tell that because you recognized your weakness and asked me. If you refuse, First of all, That school you went to, It will be destroyed. It was built to deepen our relationship but if you don't want to be part, there will be no need for it. It would have been great if this ended with just that; Our territories collide with each other and we are well aware of each other's weaknesses by now. If there is a dispute among us, and I can guarantee you there will be, seeing how our relationship was before Adger became the head, We will hit each other where it hurts the most. There will be bloodshed all around you. " David said
Bloodshed, uh? I seriously don't care about what happens to humans and I have seen enough blood in my life but what intrigues me the most is, Consequence of my refusal. I mean, I am here to prove to the god no human can be called innocent and if this is what gonna happen if I refuse, then, don't you think this better for me? Yes, This will be better... But these are just desires of my human nature. I could prove something by deaths but is this how I want to do it? Is this how I would've done if I was still in my previous form?
*****
"What is that....? " In front of me, There is something like a car, but nothing like I've seen before- low to the ground it might not have enough ground clearance on the road, and get stuck somewhere.
" It's a sports car. It's called Oasis-B3, An Electric car. "David went on explaining how it works and its specifications but--
"Yea...I don't care. Just tell me, can all three of us fit in it? " I mean, this car looks so---No, actually, It doesn't look small at all but instead it lacks in height. Anyways, The only thing I care about if this car is capable of making it to the end, with all of us.
"Three? There are four though. "
"Four? It's me, You and Diana. Where's the fourth one? Who is it? "
"Our driver, Sleeping inside the car, Shera. "
Car's windows were almost black enough to hide who's sitting inside of it. So, I couldn't tell if there was someone inside the car already but when I looked a little closely; Sure enough, a girl was sleeping on the steering; Her head was leaning on the steering, and the expression on her face was enough to make you think she's enjoying her sleep time; a carefree smile with, sacred sign of good sleep, slither drool on her lips. I have met her before-- in the student council room, It was the girl called, Shera. She showed some-what of hostility towards me, Maybe, she just didn't like me.
"She's...our driver? Are you sure she can drive? "
I know she's gonna doze off in the middle of driving!
"Well, She drove me here." David.
The way he phrased it, it sounded strange; as if there were two different meanings in his words.
"----No use arguing? Okay, why don't you wake her up? "
David started to knock on the windows to wake up Shera. While I was standing there, Observing; I heard my mother calling-
"Albert! Wait! "I turned around and saw my mother-
She was running... I mean, should she be running her age?
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"*huff* huff* huff* Here... Take....it... "
"Mother--- "
She was holding the handgun of yesterday, the handgun which she tried to give me at the school. I know that since this gun has some strange markings on it similar to David's handgun.
"Albert. You will need to protect yourself, For me, and people who care about you. "
I don't want to hold a 'Weapon' that takes the lives of people but my stubbornness only gonna cause suffering to people close me.
"Okay. I'll take it. "
(Shera!!! HELLO!?)---David trying to wake up Shera.
Even though I am taking this weapon, I doubt, I will use it.
(Hey! WAKE UP! *Clank* *clank* ) sound of David smashing on car's windows
My mother smiled at me for accepting it. Well, that sure made her happy.
(Diana? Can you try waking her up?!)
"Hmm? " I did hold this handgun before, but it feels a different this time. I have to consciously try to hold it up since it feels a little heavy. The marking on its handle makes it easier to grip it though.
I can somewhat understand how these handguns work, there's a slight problem though. But it doesn't need immediate attention.
(No...)
"It is beautiful. " There is no particular reason, but to me, strangely, These handguns look beautiful.
(Damn it... I have no other choice! Shera, If you don't wake up right away. Next time, I am gonna ask Adger to take you with him! )
"YES! I told your father our son is just like me! "
"Aha, no. I am nothing like you. "
(The gate of the car finally opened.)
"Hey! Albert, Let's go---Shera finally opened the door. "
David was leaning on the front door of the car, just what happened while I was talking to my mother?
"Anyways, Mother, I am gonna go now. "
Mother looks a little worried, but even so, she smiles for me and says
"Be careful---Take care"
"Yes, I will. "
We all stepped inside the car. From outside the car looked tiny but once you sat on the seat of the car- There is enough space to be comfortable. Diana sat on alongside the driver, Shera when David insisted. I and David sat on the back.
"So, where we are going? " Shera asked David while starting the car.
Did it start? There is no sound; she just flipped the keys...
"Magnus said Adger is at some cafe near the park near the town square, Let's go there. "
"Got it. "
There wasn't a single question he raised when I suddenly asked David to let me meet this fellow, Adger Kichiro, Head of Kichiro family- Now, we are the way to meet him.
"She's driving the car pretty nicely. " I mumbled-- She driving the car with the patient and not going over-speed unlike my mother.
"Yea...We should be thankful that it's not Adger who's driving. He is a maniac when it comes to cars. " David responded
"You sure? you should be calling, the head of the family, a maniac? " Shera questioned David.
"...." (David)
"So, what kind of person he is? " I asked David.
"Well, I don't think I can explain his personality with words alone. " David said but then he started to whisper "He's a monster... "
He did say that before... Anyways, He is whispering since he doesn't Shera to hear him say that? Is he scared of her or what?
I didn't bother asking more, knowing, David doesn't know how to explain Adger's personality-
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[14 Min Later]
We arrived in the city; There were tall buildings all around us, which was enough for someone to be amazed, but people on the side-walk, Instead of admiring the tall building all around them, they were all looking at us when all four of us stepped outside of the car.
"This is a familiar feeling..." I mumbled- I was reminded of my life in my previous world. Whenever I walked inside the town, everyone left their work and greeted me.
This time though, I wasn't standing out because I was some royalty (In a sense I am) it's because of how we all arrived and how we all are dressed. All four of us are wearing a full black suit. Though Mine and Diana's tie is different compared to David's and Shera's.
It didn't take long for a stranger to approach Shera "Uh...Miss, Can I take a picture of your car? "
"...." At first, Shera remained silent but then, She said "Go ahead" and that stranger, who was young (Maybe middle schooler?), started taking pictures of the car with a smartphone.
"Hey, is this car famous ?" I asked David.
"Well, yea, there are only 4 in the world. " David replied.
"....Okay. " There is not much to say.
"OI, Bastard. Do I look like a car to you? " I heard--When I turned to my right; I saw Shera holding that stranger by his collar with her left hand and with her right hand, She was pointing a gun on his forehead.
"I'm so sorry!!? I will delete your picture at once. " That stranger said while trembling.
"...Good boy. Now get lost. " Shera said when the stranger deleted pictures of her.
"...She's--hard to control? " I asked David. David ignored my question, and started to walk-- I started to follow him and behind me was Diana.
When Shera saw us walking...She hastily started walking too, leaving behind the stranger.
While I was following David, I saw two people in front of David, walking towards us. One of them was--Magnus? and the other, One might mistake him for Magnus' little brother, but I know better to not judge someone on their appearance. The little one could be Adger Kichiro.
When both of them were close enough to us. David stopped walking and Bowed down his head, Along with Shera.
The little guy was smiling and, what I can say, seems like a happy character. "Dude! You don't need to do that. Not now. " Little guy said.
Magnus, who was standing behind the little guy-- He kept staring at me for some reason. Is he mad since I and Diana didn't bow down like Shera and David? Well, I didn't bow down even before a god and you guys are mere mortals.
I felt as if the little guy didn't even notice me but when he did look at me
"Albe...Albert!? You are finally here..." Little guy...No. Adger said. I am sure, He is the one.
He short though, like really short. I don't have anything against short people but how did he manage to become head of a family? He looks like a child to me.
"Yes, My name is Albert Neslete. Though, there is something I want to ask if you don't mind"
David glares at me--As if he was saying; DON'T ASK THAT, DO NOT ASK THAT.
But what he can do?
"Yea? Go ahead. " Adger said.
"....What is your height? "
When David, Shera, and Magnus heard me ask that question, Their face turned pale. But Diana, She was giggling behind my back. I can hear her giggling. She should mind her manners.
"Height.....? Ahahahaha! Dude, you haven't changed at all. By the way, It's 5.5 feet" So, Adger answered. I didn't expect him to laugh though.
When I look at David and others; I guess, they also didn't expect him to laugh seeing their mouth wide open.
But still, Did this shorty say, I haven't changed?
"What do you mean by that? Have we met before? "
I don't recall a meeting with this kid in this world.
"I can explain that when we have time. For now, let's go to a cafe which I found recently, It is a great cafe. We will talk there. " Adger said.
"Okay..." I guess, talking in the middle of a town is a bit too much.
We started walking again.
All said and done, I didn't expect Adger kichiro like he is. David did call him a monster twice.
"By the way, David, You did an awesome job! I mean, We are finally together. Whole team. Thank you, Dude. " Adger said to David; I can hear their conversation. They are not being secretive, like, at all.
"uh--oh...No, Albert is only here to talk to you. He still yet to agree to work with us. " David replied and unlike the confidence, he showed in front of me earlier, this time, He sounded stupid. His words were less convincing and lacked any confidence.
That's how he is whenever talking to his boss?
Adger didn't say anything after hearing David's words. I suppose, he was upset. " Little kids are adorable, wouldn't you agree? Diana "
"...Only If they are little kids " Diana said while smartly disagreeing with me. She knew I was talking about Adger.
She's no fun.
After walking for a few minutes; We were in front of a cafe. I read about this kind of place in a book. A cafe serves coffee and tea, in addition to light refreshments such as baked goods or snacks. As we were about to enter the cafe, we heard someone talking with a loud voice.
" I just came back from the police station... Fenti is missing since yesterday."
"... Let's hope for the best. We can't do anything. "
"Why are you acting ignorant? You, Ruffle, and I, we know very well what happened. Then, Why are we not helping her? "
Adger didn't open the door and stood there, listening to in conversation
"Riezail, We have left that world. We are now, but commoners. Don't waste your time and get to work"
They were loud enough to be heard outside of the cafe. All five of us stood outside the cafe and when their voices subdued down; Adger opened the door, a bell rang above his head; notifying others in the cafe; Customers has arrived.
"Welcome customer...Aha, the kid from before? " A young boy dressed neatly in the outfit, which is similar to a servant(Buttler) said.
"Hello! Iqbal. As I said before, I brought my friends along. " Adger said while he entered the cafe.
Adger seems to know the person who's handling the cafe. Are they friends?
"Oh, I see. Welcome, everyone. " Iqbal responded. "Our cafe is empty right now so, you guys are free to sit anywhere you want "
When Adger heard those words, He hastily walked upfront Iqbal and punched his guts... and when Iqbal leaned on his knees from the pain- Adger puts his hand on his shoulder and says "You, my friend, what are you scared of when someone close to you is in danger? "
"...the fu...are you doing kid.," Iqbal said while he was in pain and grabbing his stomach with both of his hands.
I wanted to ask the same question to Adger; What are you doing?! Shorty! but---By looks of it, It seems like, this is a drama- arranged for me. Maybe, to scare me? or maybe, to show me how ruthless Adger Kichiro is?
David, Shera, Diana, and Magnus were standing still as if nothing happened. I guess this is normal for them.
It didn't take long for, I suppose, Iqbal's friend to suddenly try to approach Adger to stops him but as if he could have done that easily.
As Iqbal's friend tried to approach Adger, David took out his gun, so did Magnus, Shera, and Diana and directly pointed towards that one single person. "Don't you dare move or you die," David said.
He was left dumbfounded; I doubt, The thought of us carrying guns crossed his mind.
"Shera, Keep him at bay. " David said and then, He walks towards the entrance and closed the main door; He also made sure to flip Open/Closed sign.
I understand Shera, David, and Magnu pull their guns out in this situation but why is Diana doing the same?--Don't tell me, she is also part of the drama?
When one more person walked outside of a room in the cafe, He was also greeted with a gun on his forehead; "What...what is going on here? "
What I was doing? I was simply watching it unfold, just like Iqbal.
Iqbal could have simply punched Adger back to retaliate but He didn't; He understood the situation he was in and didn't fight back. There wasn't much he can do against three people, holding their guns, aimed at them--Or that's what I suppose to believe, but this is a cliche.
"Innocent Humans...uh? " I mumbled--It makes me laugh. Was that a joke from the god?
; End Of Chapter
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NOVA INTERIT.US
It's 2063, and the town along with much of the nation are in disarray. The decay started years before the Great Event. Our town still had hope thanks to the five families, who'd created a blockchain based water distribution system for the locals, a valuable secret hidden from the Global Water Commission and their network of mercenaries. Earlier in the mid-2040's, right after the state secessions of Idaho, Montana, and Texas, the Global Council of Water Commissioners made their deals and moved into towns throughout the country. They called it "the integration." The Commission and their contractors integrated with municipal water departments, using their organized network to invade like parasites on local services. It all coincided with the 29th Amendment to the United States Constitution, later referred to as the Regional Trident Plan. Nova is a story about survival, power structures, the turning of relationships, and the networking between people and the systems to which they belong. It’s about A.I. blockchain possibility, and its potential for human betterment versus our detriment. It’s about the question of whether or not we need to be saved from ourselves, and by who or what? The Great Event at the end of the first chapter might just be what actually saves us. The epilogue will take place in 2517. This scene is fully sketched and the full arc of the novel is set. I expect to finish Nova Interitus by summer of 2023. This is realist hard-sci-fi dystopian fiction. I hope you find Nova to be a challenging and consuming story. This is not something I planned to write. It all came to me in a dream and I haven't been able to stop writing it. This Royal Road posting is basically a beta test with chapters and drafts to get some feedback and see if there's any readership for this narrative. For the full experience read Nova on Substack. I will be narrating a podcast version later this year there. https://novainteritus.substack.com/
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8 159Judas Valiant: Chorus of the Machine Giants
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8 98Saga of the Jewels VOLUME ONE COMPLETE
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8 395Main Character in Author's World
Hi, everyone. The author's dead. I used to be his friend. He told me about a story he was writing. He had always wanted to be an author. But he didn't know that what he was writing, what we thinking, wasn't just his imagination. It was a gateway to something much bigger. He thought he was only a young aspiring author, but how wrong he was in thinking that. Come with me as I tell you the about the world he was making. I am not very good with tags and such so please do suggest whatever you think is right and please tell me if there is any big plothole.
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