I learned that I wasn’t a king, but a

commoner among fellow brothers.

It turned out Stan had meant airsoft guns.

Ludwig was almost finished counting and moving the stock composed by the different weapons. He grabbed one of the three remaining boxes on the ground and spun it around. The box which he grabbed contained an airsoft pistol, a Heckler & Koch USP, as portrayed by the image on the front. He then left the storage room.

Ludwig was greeted by a distant sound of a TV as he stepped into the shop.

The store had a medium size. Its front section was integrated by two windows that worked as displays with a black door between them. Some weapons and boxes were laying behind the glass windows.

Meanwhile, the middle and back side of the store were plagued by wooden shelves colored black with airsoft equipment on them. The items varied from guns and protections, to bb’s and accessories. The floors were like a chess board, but instead of black, the darker squares were colored by a dead and muddied blue.

Ludwig ignored the right side of the store, mainly occupied by shelves, and marched to the counter on the left side. The TV noise coming from the upper part of the counter grew louder as he approached it.

“...Today’s going to rain pretty heavily,” said the TV.

Once near the counter, Ludwig climbed a tiny black and white ladder and placed the box on the upper shelf, next to other guns’ boxes, the SMG-11 and the AK-12.

The only reason he had learnt their names at all was because Stan had told him to. Apparently, they had increased in popularity the last few days. And the owner didn’t want Ludwig to give the impression as if his wasn’t a legit airsoft shop. Even though it was the only one in the area.

“And on another note, two neighbors, Amp and Ishin, stopped and captured the well known villain, Boneclaw, the previous night. Despite not being ranked heroes, these young candidates sure show a promising future…”

Neighbors? Maybe he should look it up.

Ludwig then got down from the ladder and went for the two remaining boxes.

He had been restocking weapons, mopping the floors and dusting the shelves all morning. This was his ‘first’ day of work, although he had already been in the store once before.

The day after encountering Stan, whose name he now knew, Ludwig went to the store so that Stan could teach him some things. Like how to operate a cash register, and …Weirdly, that he should keep his beard. Ludwig had done so, but he had trimmed it a bit.

It was kind of itchy.

Stan had also told him why he asked him for help. Apparently, the day he had come across him had been the same day when his other and only employee had been hospitalized. Which had been somewhat of bad news, because they both ran the store. Stan would take care of bringing in the commodity while his employee worked at the store, dealing with customers.

The fact that Ludwig had offered to help, even if he didn’t really want to, and that Stan couldn’t work both jobs at the same time, had been the reason for his temporary employment. At first, he had hoped that Laura told him that it was too soon for him. Or that the job was in too dangerous of an area. But to his discontent, she hadn’t told him that. In fact, she had encouraged him. She had told him that it would make him get used to the new ‘landscape’ faster.

Which was probable, but not more pleasant for it. At least he was getting paid five hundred dollars a week. Although, now that he thought about it, he didn’t know if that was much or not. After all, this was his first job.

The front door’s bell rang. Ludwig got down from the ladder and turned around.

“So, you’ve kept the beard as I told you so?”

It was Stan.

He was wearing a military cap, his hair still wild under it, and a pair of sunglasses. He was also wearing his white T-shirt, yet to be stained with sweat, and blue jeans with some black trainers.

“Yes. Although I still don’t know why.”

“Makes you look tougher. It will intimidate and prevent bothersome kids,” Stan said as he gave a sidelong gaze, still walking to the storage room. “Probably,” he then added.

He went into the room to leave it soon after.

“But in case someone bothers or tries to scam you, just tell them you’re Stan.”

“Ok but, that wouldn’t work on people who’ve already come here to buy or that have seen you, right?”

“Yeah… Probably not. Mmh,” he absented himself to think with a hand on his chin. “Ah, there should be a cap somewhere on the counter, try putting it on.”

Ludwig began to search for it until he found said cap in one of the drawers. He grabbed it and put it on.

“Mmh. Try tucking your hair inside the cap.”

Ludwig did as he was told.

“That's it. We kind of look like brothers, kid,” he said, the emotion in his tone camouflaged by his deep voice. “Now, I’mma about to leave. Do you have any questions for me before I get on the truck?” He asked as he pointed behind him, towards the supposed vehicle.

“Yes. You yesterday said something about a promo. What’s that about?”

“Oh, right. See that scanner in the cash register?”

Ludwig looked at it. He then found it and nodded in response.

“Some people are going to come and say something about the ‘special offer’. They will hand you a card. Pass it through that scanner. If the screen lights up green, give them one of those blue boxes on your left. If it lights up red, say that we’re out of stock today.”

“What are inside those boxes?”

“A special edition of an airsoft weapon.”

“They don’t have to pay me, right?”

“Nah, they’ve already paid for it.”

Ludwig then thought for a moment in silence.

“Why do I have to tell some people that we’re out of stock? Haven’t they paid?”

“Some people will try to scam you with fake cards, trying to get the weapon without paying.”

“And, what happens if they see the boxes?” Ludwig asked, pointing at them.

“Tell them to fuck off.”

“And if they don’t?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” Stan said as he gave a serious look at Ludwig.

“Sorry,” Ludwig said, scratching his head. ”…But what if they don’t?”

Stan sighed.

“Well, I brought you this for something,” he said as he reached for his pocket.

Stan pulled out a big knife within its sheath.

“You show 'em’ this,” he said as he pulled the sheath out, revealing a crimson blade with shining gold-like markings on it. “If someone acts tough, just show them this. It will scare the shit out of them.”

“Didn’t you tell me not to fight with clients? Or not to try and fight for money if someone pulled a gun on me?” Ludwig said, raising his hands as if Stan was robbing him.

“That’s right. You don’t,” Stan said, pointing at Ludwig with the tip of the knife. “This is in case, and just in case, someone tries to hurt you. But be careful.”

“O…K. But why-”

Stan stared unyieldingly at Ludwig. He then sighed.

“What?”

“Why is it shining?”

“Symbologist markings. Haven’t you seen them before?”

“No, not really.”

“You do know what they are, right?”

“Maybe…”

“Mmh. Anyways, symbologist’s marks give attributes to things. These ones make the knife sharper. A lot.”

“How much?” Ludwig said as he let his hands fall.

Stan went around the counter and grabbed a cardboard box that was in the trash. He lifted it up and put the knife below it. He then let the box fall. After traveling four inches, the box was cut in half by the knife.

“Damn…”

“Yeah. Remember, just in case. Only use this if someone tries to hurt you and you know they want to. Also, you should keep it in its sheath. You don’t want to be cut by it. Although you wouldn’t be the first.”

Stan left the knife in one of the counter’s drawers.

"Is there a possibility someone assaults me with one of those?"

"You never know. There's desperate and mad people everywhere."

“Sure but.... Like that telepathic library owner. You have that kind of power, and you're going to use to get some cash?”

“First of all, it's not all people. Second of all, it's a knife, what do you expect? And third, yeah, Alan gets a pretty penny with his power. He also figures out a lot about the streets,” Stan said as he scratched his beard. “Anyways,” he said as he opened the door. “I’ll be back before seven, don’t do anything stupid till then.”

He then began to close the door, but stopped at the last moment.

“And, thanks for helping…” He then muttered something.

“What?” Ludwig asked.

“Nothing. Goodbye, kid. And stay on your toes.”

“Stan?”

“Yes?”

“Is that thing legal?” Ludwig asked, pointing at the drawer which inside held the knife.

Stan smiled.

“Who knows?”

He then shut the door.

Great.

Ludwig then sat in the stool behind him and grabbed the book he had on the counter. It was his third book from the six he had bought in The Library Of Babel.

The book told the tale of an explorer passing through a secret city which was stuck in a civil war. Ludwig guessed the book had been written quite a while ago. The author's prose had that ‘old’ feeling to it.

He then checked his phone. It was twelve p.m.

Ludwig reached inside his bag, which rested in one of the stool’s legs, and pulled out a tupperware from it. He then opened the container and grabbed the sandwich inside it.

As Ludwig began to enjoy his meal, he pulled out his threads and began to move them towards his backpack. After a long moment, he pulled out his water bottle from inside the bag. He was now able to loop the strings in circles, which allowed him to grab objects, if they were light enough. Although the process was painfully slow.

After finishing his lunch, he pulled in his threads and returned to his reading. Wouldn’t want to run across two cities again.

Ludwig got some progress on the book before being interrupted by the door’s bell. A young white man with shaved hair covered by a backwards cap entered the store with confidence. He was also wearing a sleeveless shirt with some loose jeans and a pair of nice trainers.

“Welcome,” Ludwig greeted the man in a cheerful tone.

The man gave Ludwig a sidelong glance. He then looked around the store and the window displays before walking with an exaggerated manner to the counter.

“‘Sup man. Can you give me one of those…”

He looked around as if he was searching for someone trying to spy on their conversation.

“...Special offers you have?”

Now that Ludwig was close to him, he could see his face clearly. He had clear brown eyes, a big nose and pale lips. He was also basically a kid puffing out his chest, trying to look tough. Which only made him look even more ridiculous.

Ludwig hadn’t seen the card, so he didn’t even budge a bit. He then cleared his throat. The kid looked at him, and Ludwig just aimed with his eyes at the counter.

The kid didn’t know what to do.

“What?”

“Nothing. You see, we’re out of stock for the ‘special offer’ at the moment. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to come another time.”

The kid squinted his eyes a little.

“Bullshit. What was that eye thing about, then?!”

The kid might have been sharper than what he looked. Ludwig didn’t know what to say. Even though he was looking for a fight, or some type of squabble, he was just a kid. He didn’t look older than fifteen.

So, he just lied.

“What eye thing? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me!” The kid said as he reached at the back of his pants.

Did he have a… No, no. He was just a kid. He wouldn’t have a…

The kid pulled out a gun from the back of his pants.

…Or maybe he did.

“Give the… The fuckin’ special offer, or I-I blow your brains out,” the kid nervously said. He seemed new at this.

Ludwig’s eyes were on the gun. He was looking at the object intensely, as if he wasn’t able to look at anything else. He then realized something.

It was identical to the gun he had just put on the display behind the counter. The kid’s gun appeared to be more used due to the degradation of the gun’s color, but the handle, the shape, it all seemed the same. The only difference was that this one didn’t have an…

Ludwig looked at the cannon of the gun and saw a black painted tip. Or at least almost. There was a hint of orange in there. A sloppy work.

It was fake. It had to be!

(Please, let it be fake,) he thought to himself.

The similarity between the gun and the product on the shelf didn’t make Ludwig feel safer, but upon further inspection on the gun, Ludwig saw that it had the safety on.

A small wave of relief passed over him. The kid really didn’t know what he was doing.

Ok. What to do? Pulling the knife could cause the kid to retaliate. Maybe even shoot. Fuck! Was that gun real or not?! It looked like an airsoft one, but Ludwig had never been up close to a real gun. And, right now, he didn’t want to test it.

(Think, think, think, think, think,).

What to do? Could he maybe try calling for help? If he did, would anyone come? What would the kid do? Could he…?

(Name. Fake. Intimidation. Position,) the words passed through his mind.

Fake? Name…? That 's right!

Acts and lies needed confidence, otherwise they would seem fake, or at least, they wouldn’t work.

Ludwig took a big breath through his nose. He hoped that he had enough confidence for what he was about to do.

Although, the fact that the gun had the safety on granted him a little amount of faith.

Ludwig let his arms fall.

“The fuck are you doing?! Wanna… Die?”

The kid then approached the gun to Ludwig’s head.

“What’s your name?” Ludwig said with a deep voice whilst suppressing his inner screams.

“Wha- I mean. The fuck?”

“When you meet someone,” Ludwig continued with the deep and fake tone.” You’re supposed to tell the other person your name. Mine’s Stan, what’s yours?”

As soon as Ludwig told him his fake name, the kid’s eyes and mouth grew wider in sign of genuine panic and terror.

He dropped the gun immediately.

“Shit, shit, shit. I’m so so-sorry, sir,” he said while extending his arms forward. ”I-I didn’t know. Ho-Honestly I just came here because someone told me to, sir. Wanna know the name, sir? I think it was Jeff, or maybe Joshua, sir. It started with a J. Please, i-it was a joke, sir.”

The kid’s voice progressively became higher and higher at the same time as he began to talk quicker.

“Please, don’t hurt me, sir,” he then said. His voice was faint, almost a whisper, with tears in his eyes and his hands raised.

…Wow. What was Stan doing? Just with his name, the kid seemed ready to lick the shop’s floors clean on command. Despite the fact that he had tried to scam him with a yet-to-know fake gun, he was beginning to feel sorry for the kid.

“What is your name?” Ludwig asked, keeping a deep voice.

He still needed to act as if he was Stan.

“Jimmy, sir,” the kid hurriedly said.

“Ok, Jimmy. I’m in a good mood today. I’ll let it slide for today, ok?”

The kid nodded vehemently.

“But, if I hear from anyone, that you threatened someone or, dare I say, robbed him, I…”

Ludwig still didn’t know what Stan was doing.

“...You know what will happen, right?”

“Yes, sir,” the kid said, dropping tears over his shirt.

“Good. Now get out.”

“Thank you, sir. I won’t forget it, sir.”

The kid then left as fast as lightning.

Ludwig then counted to ten. After reaching ten, he let out a big sigh and began to take in big breaths as sweat began to fall on the counter.

Trying to look tough was hard.

After a moment trying to relax himself, Ludwig went around the counter, to the gun the kid had dropped. He then picked it up and began examining it.

He shortly after found out that, in fact, it was an airsoft gun. That seemed to relieve Ludwig a lot.

He then got up and went back to the counter.

He sat down and checked the time on his phone. It was half past twelve p.m.

Just six and a half more hours.

—-----

“Thanks for buying here. Come again next time!” Ludwig said to the woman leaving the store.

Ludwig had been attending customers since his ‘event’ with the kid. To his surprise, they all knew he was new here and had been pretty nice about it. Especially this dad who bonded with his child over airsoft.

Everyone seemed to be way nicer than what had been depicted to him. The streets were also quite peaceful. What was all the fuss about Wet Wood?

He then checked his phone.

It was almost eight p.m. Didn’t Stan say he would be here by seven?

Ludwig then heard sounds coming outside the door.

The noise was faint and composed by broken bottles, heavy things falling to the ground, and some screams.

It was also getting dark.

Stan had told him about the street fights that normally occur here. He hadn’t found any. Until this moment.

Maybe he had been idolizing Wet Wood too much.

Ludwig had been checking his phone for five minutes when the doorbell rang.

He raised his head expecting to see a short and sweaty, when he found quite the contrary.

A blonde woman with a black leather jacket and green jeans walked to the counter with a tranquil pace.

“Hello,” she said once she got near Ludwig.

Ludwig was stunned. The woman in front of him looked… out of place. Piercing brown eyes, sharp face, elegant eyebrows, sparkling lips, skin white as snow…

“Excuse me, you all right?” She asked with a southern accent.

“...Ah,” he said as he jumped a bit. “Yes, yes… Sorry. I-uh… I didn’t expect to see someone so pretty today.”

“Aw, thanks hun’,” she said as she laughed a bit with her hand covering her mouth.

“Your welcome-”

(Caution.)

What? She looked like a normal woman. Why would he need to be cautious…?

Ludwig saw a bloodstain on the woman’s hand.

(Caution.)

“Um… Miss? Did you get hurt?” Ludwig asked, pointing at her hand.

“Oh. Yeah, maybe when I just fell. I’m a bit clumsy, you know,” she said as she cleaned it with a tissue that she had in one of her jacket’s pockets.

“Ah, yeah. I am too-”

(Caution. Fight. Before. Caution. Weapon. Furniture. DANGER.)

Ludwig’s threads were extending to the drawer.

“Sorry, I got carried away a little,” the woman said. “Um… I was looking for Stan?”

“Ah he-”

(Caution.)

“I’m Stan.”

The woman dropped the smile.

“Oh, I see,” she said, no longer with a southern accent.

(Danger. Danger. Danger. Danger. Danger.)

More threads began to pull from Ludwig’s body. Their velocity had increased as well. They opened the drawer and were able to barely grab a hold on the knife when Ludwig was thrown out through the window display.

His body tumbled across the damp and dark street until he collided with the metal railings from one of the rectangle rain drains. He didn’t know since when had that been there, but he was grateful for it. The outside was dark, only lit up by the periodic street lights.

(Flee. Run. Danger. Imminent.)

Ludwig was confused and disoriented, but as soon as he saw the woman’s figure open the door, he got up, tumbling a little, and began running in the opposite direction.

As he began running, Ludwig tried and reached for his threads. They were acting weird, as if they had natural instincts. He began to make them partially translucent, and, from what he could tell, they weren’t holding the knife. Damn. They must have dropped it when he was thrown…

Ludwig was stopped as something grabbed from behind. He then was thrown backwards. His threads tried to reach for something to grab while he used his hands to protect his nape.

He then hit the ground.

Ludwig used his left arm to cushion his fall. He heard how it broke as he began to tumble until he hit the exterior wall of the airsoft shop. Once he stopped, he looked behind him to see the predator he was facing.

The blonde woman was walking slowly at him.

Was she a potens? Fuck! She was playing with him!

Ludwig then began to process the situation.

He was against an enemy. A much more powerful enemy than what he was. It was a fight or flight situation. And escaping wasn’t an option.

“I gotta say, it’s a shame. You were pretty cute. But work is work, you know?”

Ludwig heard how each footstep was closer and closer. He desperately looked around, trying to find an escape route. He then saw it.

The crimson knife had cut part of the wall and was now embedded into the sidewalk. And most important of all. It was close

He extended his broken arm while he tried to pull himself forward with the other one.

Gunshots screamed into the darkness.

“Damn. I do gotta say, this city changes in a flash. It becomes a jungle once it gets dark. Ha ha, it truly is like day and night.”

The footsteps were even closer.

Ludwig extended his arm to the very limit. He was close, just an inch left…

“Well. It was a pleasure. Goodbye.”

“Wait!” Ludwig screamed. “Why are you doing this? What did I do?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re not getting any more time.”

A little more.

“Look, I just got up from a fifteen year coma! It’s the truth. PLEASE!”

“Mhm. Gotta give you originality points. Never heard that one before.”

“It’s the truth! You can check it with Doctor Ernesto! I got up like, four days ago! I haven’t had time to do anything!”

Ludwig looked back at her.

She was raising a leg.

“Is that it?”

So close…

Ludwig then felt how strings surged from his broken bone. They looped around the other broken extreme of the bone and tied them together. Then translucent strings surged from his hand and grabbed the knife in an instant.

(Attack.)

Ludwig didn’t even let the threads' instincts kick in. He moved them around like a snake surrounding his prey and struck at the woman’s face.

The cut on her left cheek had been superficial. Nonetheless effective.

She retreated with a backstep and began looking around.

Ludwig wouldn’t waste an opportunity like this one.

He got up and began running once again. This time, he was able to see from her peripheral vision how the woman approached at an incredible speed.

This time, he was also able to respond.

The threads struck her in the hand she was extending like a whip.

“Argh!”

Ludwig put distance between them. A good thirty feet.

The woman then shook the pain away from her hand with a smile on her face.

“I like them feisty, you know?”

The partially translucent threads coiled around his left arm, leaving the crimson knife dangling. Ludwig began to feel a surge of energy coming from his head. As well as a whole lot of animosity.

(Situation. Clear. Threat. Imminent. Conclusion… Combat.)