《52 stories》Week 3: The bus
Advertisement
My father's voice is still ringing in my head ''I must not see your face again until you accomplish your duty, son!'' Why did he had to say it in such a... Dramatical way? I guess responding with ''I have my mask on so, technically, you are not seeing my face right now.'' didn't help my case. So here I am, waiting for the bus like any normal human would. The bus finally arrive, a few minutes late and I step in last as the bus driver almost close the door on me. Rude much. I walk my way to the back of the bus and I bump into someone. I mumble a sorry but the middle aged lady looks around with this offended look, trying to find who hit her. Her gaze pass over me like I'm invisible ''I said, I'm sorry!'' She doesn't even respond and keep walking to the front of the bus, getting ready to get out.
I mean, I know I'm not the most handsome man ever, but she didn't have to ignore me like I'm invisible! Oh wait, I'm so stupid. I am invisible. I always forget about that. You see, I'm an Angel of Death, so the Livings can't see me. I wonder if I will ever get used to it. I'm about to sit on an empty bench, but I stop in my track as my mask flash, signalling me of yet another Soul I have to bring back to the Afterworld ''Urrgh, but I already have one!'' I look at the identification thing that just popped in and it's her, the woman I bumped into a few seconds ago. Did I do this? No, of course not, it's only a coincidence, right? And now she is right there, so I can't pretend that I didn't come in time to get the Soul like I always do. That's why I'm on the bus right now, I could teleport right beside the person that is about to die to welcome them to the world of the Death. But I usually pops in a random place not too far and use public transportation or I walk my way there... Most of the time either the Soul is gone or another Angel did it for me...I know it's bad and lazy, but I hate my job, okay! It's not like I can quit or something and now I have to do it. Great. Awesome. I go back to the front of the bus, right behind her and I wait.
Advertisement
She gets off the bus at the next stop and I follow her. I look around and I wonder what could happen. It's a really calm day and... Loud horn blast, break screaming, loud crashing sound... Did she really tried to cross the road without looking? Looks like she did because there she is, floating beside her body. I can't wait but let out a big exaperate sigh while walking toward her ''Hi, if you would kindly follow me to...'' ''Excuse me! What is this!?'' she asks while pointing at her body ''THIS can't be happening right now! I have an important appointment that I can't miss!'' I look at her, stunned, what is going on? ''Looks like you can't even do your job properly, I want to speak to a manager!'' ''... Talk to a what?'' ''A MANAGER! You know, the one in charge!'' ''Oh! Well, I don't think there is such... a person... for... like...death, so...'' She looks at me up and down, scream out some other nonesense and walk away. And I am not following her. She can haunt whoever or whatever she wants I don't care. Why did she have to be so rude? And now I have to teleport to my next task or I will be too late. I can't lose two souls in less than a minute. I would unlock yet another achievement, but I don't think my boss would appreciate. I try to get my confidence back (or atleast the last tiny bit I still had this morning) and snap my finger to teleport to my next location.
Small pink peppermint bedroom, that actually smells like pink peppermint too! This is a really stereotypical old grandma bedroom. I look at the bed and there she is. Stereotypical grandma in her pink lace nightdress. I see her soul slowly rising above her. She looks around and looks a bit suprised to see me here. She looks down at her body and exclaim ''Oh my! I felt a bit tired and I thought I would lay down for a bit and get ready for dinner with my family... I guess my little nap will be longer than expected!'' I can't help but to smile a bit at her genuine laugh ''And who are you, kiddo?'' ''Oh, huh, I'm the one to show you the way to the Afterworld actually.'' I say while scratching the back of my head. She kindly and willingly follows me, being really happy to finally be able to ''walk'' as fast as she wants ''You know, I was quite the athletic one in my young age! Everyone telling me to stop running while I was only walking!'' We walk together and I listen to all her stories. If only all souls were like that. Maybe I would enjoy my job a bit more ''Kiddo, I know we don't know each other, but I can feel your emotions. You are troubled. I may be dead, but my ears are still working! Go on, what's wrong?'' Everything is wrong! But let's only tell her the last unfortunate event. The bus incident. I explain her everything and how I can't help but feel guilty for bumping into her ''I mean, I bumped into so many people before and it never happened but still... And then she ask to speak to a manager! I don't understand people!'' Then again this genuine laugh, making feel a bit better ''Oh my dear youngling, looks like you encountered what we call a Karen!'' ''But... Her name wasn't Karen. Yours is!'' ''Oh yes! I always thought it was funny that they chose Karen to define those kind of people! Do you still see where she is? Maybe I can help you? I'm pretty good with the Karens!''
Advertisement
It took me a little while, but I finally found her. Screaming at the Livings ''They can't hear you, you know.'' She turns around and I can see that she is about to scream at me again, but Real Karen doesn't give her the chance. They both argue for a bit and I have to say that I'm impressed by how Real Karen can shut Fake Karen up. After a few minutes of back and forth between the two, Fake Karen cross her arms and follow us. I can see that she is not happy about it and that makes me really glad! As we arrive at the gate of the Underworld, Fake Karen rush in saying something like ''I'm going to find the manager myself!'' I look at Real Karen and we both burst out laughing ''I wish you could stay with me all the time! You would make my job so much easier!'' ''Oh, that would be lovely, but I guess I can't do that, right?'' I shake my head no and she gives me a quick hug and walk gracefully to the Afterworld and I snap my finger again to teleport myself back in my room.
I fall face first on my bed and I let out a big annoyed growl when I hear a knock at my door ''WHHHAATTT!???'' ''Your father what's to have a word with you!'' ''Fine!'' I always try to not get mad at the messenger. It is not their fault if my father is too lazy to come to my room when he wants to talk with me. I finally step out of my room and go to the throne room where my father always is. Yes I said throne room. I think I forgot to tell you, my father is... kind of the Boss of the Underworld. He has many name, I will let you pick the one you like the most. As I step in he quickly say ''Looks like you did your job well for once, son!'' ''You know that this wasn't a compliment, right?'' And just like that, he is mad at me again. We can't help it really, we try to tolerate each other, but it always have been hard between us. Oh well, looks like even in Underworld families, there are issues.
A few time pass, maybe days, months or years, I can't really tell, but here I am roaming the world of the Living again. But this time I don't have to be invisible, it's Halloween! No one is looking at me in a weird way because of my red hair, my horns or my mask. I really like Halloween! I'm in a good mood so of course, my mask had to flash to give me another soul to gather! One day off. That's all I'm asking! Oh well, let's do this one fast so I can go back to whatever I was doing, which is nothing!
Advertisement
- In Serial264 Chapters
Delve
Summary – Level 1: Delve is an isekai litrpg that follows an average guy who just happened to wake up in a forest one day. He wasn’t summoned to defeat the demon lord or to save the world or anything like that, at least as far as he can tell. The only creature there to greet him was a regular old squirrel. Soon enough, he meets other people, only to discover that he can’t speak the language, and that not everybody immediately trusts random pajama-wearing strangers they met in the middle of the wilderness. Things generally go downhill from there, at least until the blue boxes start appearing. Delve is a story about finding your way in a new, strange, and dangerous world. It’s about avoiding death, figuring out what the heck is going on, and trying to make some friends along the way. It’s not about getting home, so much as finding a new one. Did I mention that there will be math? Summary – Level 2: Okay, but what are you in for, really? Well, this story is supposed to be realistic, or at least, as realistic as a fantasy litrpg can be. The main character doesn’t instantly become an all-powerful god and murder-hobo his way across the universe. Delve is, at its heart, a progression fantasy, but that progression is meant to feel earned. The numbers in this story actually mean something. Everything is calculated, and if you find a rounding error, I expect you to tell me about it. That said, if math isn’t your cup of tea, there is plenty more that the story has to offer. Characters are meant to feel real, and progression isn’t only about personal power; it’s also about allies, connections, and above all, knowledge. Figuring out how the system works is a significant theme. ... What, you want more details? Okay, fine, but this is going to get a bit spoiler-y. Are you sure? Yes! Really sure? I mean, this summary is practically half as long as the first chap– Now! Okay, okay! The main character becomes a magic user, but he takes a route that is not very popular in adventurer culture, namely that of a support. There is a full magic system with various spells, skills, and abilities, but our MC decides that aura magic is the way to go, and that the only stat worth investing in is mana regeneration. Most people at the Adventurer’s Guild think that this makes him a bit of a dumbass, but he’s playing the long game. We’ll see how that works out for him, won’t we? Because of his build, the MC levels up fast, at least compared to normal people. There are no cheats, though, and he is limited in other ways. There are some clear and pretty obvious downsides to his build. That’s what makes it fun, no? Morals? Our MC has them. Again, we’ll see how that works out for him. Realism, remember? Would you be okay with killing someone and looting their body? I sure hope not. POV? The focus is on the main character, but there will be occasional varying perspectives from people around him, or involved in the events related to the main plot. It isn’t going to jump all over the place. Tech is standard medieval stasis. No smartphones, but the MC does have a technical background. Computers and their programming might be involved. There might even be a bit of uplifting down the road, who knows? Anyway, it isn’t the focus. He isn’t going to invent the gun in chapter 1 and change the face of warfare. Romance is not a major focus. Friendships are more the name of the game, though there will be some characters in romantic relationships. There is exploration, though not as much of the geographical nature as you might expect. It is more about exploration of the system and the culture. The pace is slow and detailed, sometimes verging on slice-of-life. The action is meant to be realistic and grounded in the numbers, and it is intended to have meaning beyond simply punching things until they stop moving. The general tone of the story is grey, and some parts can get quite dark. People die. Sometimes, people with names, but not anywhere near GoT level. There is plenty of light, too, though, to balance the darkness. The world is dangerous, but overcoming that danger is why we’re all here, isn’t it? Anyway, if you’ve made it this far through the summary, you clearly like words. I hope you enjoy the story! Cover by Miha Brumec Summary Updated: 2020-06-14
8 822 - In Serial33 Chapters
Tearha: Queens of Camelot
Following the lost of the leader of Wendereight, a serial killing case in the town of Grimmel unravels into a tale of politics and intrigue as the lost race of lizardkins returns. Slowly, the secret rulers of the Tinderland Consolidates around Artria Pendragon and Morganna Dresden. The two Knights of the Round ends up standing between a genocide and the fall of an empire.
8 194 - In Serial22 Chapters
The Dungeon Gods [DEAD - AWAITING REWRITE]
More than three centuries ago, the Great Mage, Arcius, Performed the single greatest feat a magician can accomplish, he looked into the future, and discovered his fate. In his visions, he discovered his reincarnation, to become a Dungeon. Desiring to rise to great heights again, even in his new life, he spent the remaining centuries he had researching and studying the strange beings called Dungeons, and devising a spell that would allow him to retain his memories. However, the very act of knowing what is to come can often be enough to alter Destiny. Impressed at the Mage's efforts, an ancient, powerful being, the Creator of Gods, has now chosen him, to become one of the Dungeon Gods of a new world in a new segment of reality. Their directive, to bring life to this new world. Follow him, as he brings forth the knowledge his efforts awarded him, and pits it against his unprepared competitors, in a bid to be the first to create sentient life. This is my first full on story, and is mostly going to be a learning experience for me. It is going to be a story following the life of Arcius as a Dungeon God, with very few POV swaps, if any. If I make any errors, either in spelling or in grammer, please let me know, and I will endevour to correct them ASAP. I was inspired to create this story after reading the Scale Dungeon, by TheSilverGunner, here on RRL. It is a good story, despite having only a few chapter out at the time of writing this. I highly recommend that you read that story if you find this one interesting.
8 138 - In Serial80 Chapters
They expect me to be a what??
A shy awkward gamer girl from Earth is transported to a mysterious fantasy world by a Goddess, where she must learn to fight monsters, gods, and a misogynistic culture. At 17, she had never even kissed a boy, but now has multiple suitors for her hand, including the crown prince, all expecting her to be something she’s not. But how can one girl overcome thousands of years of culture and stop a war between gods and the forces of darkness no one had seen in a millennium? Note: This is OG work I have created that is not based on any other sources or known characters. Please enjoy! I also have a new discord for people who are enjoying the story to come together and chill! Link to the Eitania discord: https://discord.gg/zm2uWQWbJc
8 155 - In Serial15 Chapters
Energybound-English Version
If Lloyd sees himself with Nya instead of jay in season 5 and from there a lot will change until the last season today that I write this which is Seabound that since I have not seen it complete I will still give myself some freedoms .
8 161 - In Serial31 Chapters
My Fate Is Your Love || KTH FF || ✓
[ COMPLETED ]This book is my first fanfiction and I didn't get time to edit it yet. So you may find some errors in this book. I am sorry for the inconvenience (〒﹏〒)__________________________________Kim Taehyung is a successful business man and a bit introvert person. He has a ability to recognise ones good or evil intentions while calmly observing them. Being a busy person Taehyung doesn't have time to date anyone. And he don't even want to trap himself in this love thing.Y/N is an ambivert person. She is an HR manager in a fashion designing company. Four years ago Y/N was in a relationship but the guy she loved used to control her, abuse her and he even cheated on her. After breakup she didn't get in any other relationship because she don't believe in love anymore.Start: November 2020End: October 2021
8 86

