"Do You Like Pain?"

"Three questions. Don't push it." Once again, arms crossed and with eyes steering daggers, she barked back.

"Well then, shall we begin the interview?"

|...|

Nine million-plus.

If you're wondering what that number signifies, well, it's only the totality of all possible combinations in the first three moves of chess. It may not be an exaggeration when you say you can't run out of options.

That being said, faced with an endless amount of choices, indecisiveness will plaque your mind... and that's the last thing you want in this battle.

"I have to warn you, Miles. I won't answer every question, so best be careful." Leaning forward as her elbows pressed against the table, she muttered provokingly.

These three following questions will be my first three moves... a game of chess has begun, and I'm at a disadvantage.

My foot won't stop shaking... Well, fuck it.

"First, I'd like to go back to what you mentioned before." Barely preventing myself from stuttering, I responded. "You were about to show me how you've made me your puppet earlier. Can you summarize for me now?"

With an unfazed glare that stared into my eyes, she replied, "As blunt as always, Miles. I thought I could spare some small talk to calm you down, but anyways..."

She noticed my foot, didn't she? Well, this is bad, and that sarcasm added insult to injury, but I made it this far, so I can't lose now.

"The life you've experienced so far is the most exceptional piece of art I've ever designed. You really are blank canvass, Miles, and I'm your creator." Still, with a sharp stare, she proclaimed proudly.

"That... doesn't answer my question." Unperturbed by her remarks, I hissed.

"I'm sure you've noticed the colorful personalities around you. Don't you find it suspicious... everyone you've met is 'amazing,' am I right?"

A smug smile, an undaunted stare, and a cocky tone... confidence is written all over her right now. I'm sure this 'interview' is just trivia to her eyes, but... that works out for me.

"So what you're trying to say is... the people I've met was set-up?"

"Bing! One point for you, child. Although it's insulting to all my hard work, that's the gist of it."

While she spoke, I couldn't help but clench my fist. This bitch is playing around! Being taken as a joke is frustrating!

Damn it, Miles! Suppress it for now!

"Well, as a child of his grace, such capability is to be demonstrated."

"..."

Such capabilities, huh? It's not a stretch, though. She certainly isn't foolish enough to reveal all her cards, so there may be things that I'll never know.

But... I already know what I need to know. All except this one...

"Second question, you should've seen this one coming, but what exactly happens when I sign this contract?" Slightly more confident, I asked.

"I see you've calmed down. W-Well, I can't tell you the full details, but in a sense, we become one." Unlike previously, she leaned back, crossing her arms as she exclaimed in all brashness.

Did she stutter? And she appears to have withdrawn. We only met officially minutes ago, but I've already read most of her body language.

"We become one? What do you mean by that?" I added as I leaned forward.

"It's what you think it is. The pain you feel, I'll feel too, the world you see, I'll see too, and when you lose your breath, I'll lose mine too."

This time, seemingly retrieving her confidence, she seductively replied as she leaned forward.

"..."

To my own surprise, a menacing giggle filled the calm. However curt it is, the impending snicker had a vivid message.

'I've won!'

It screams of victor. Success has already been obtained, and any further effort abreast is trivial. At this point, I should be drinking to my heart's desire, but I can't celebrate too soon. I still have one last thing to do

"That should be enough. I've been utterly defeated." I remarked as I started signing.

These symbols are fucking alien, so reading the contract like a regular person would is out of the question.

"Wait! D-Don't you still have a question left?" She exploded as she slammed the table.

"If you're looking for a question, then here's one."

"W-What is it?"

"Do you like pain?"

"H-Huh?"

|...|

A jittery voice whimpering for help, jaws dropped to the floor, and glistening eyes widened to their limits... tears were about to fall. This image will be embedded in my mind for as long as I live.

This bitch's face in disbelief. Her very own moment of realization as she finally witnesses the truth... you've been totally outsmarted, Eric.

This is a world of tools. Even if you've made a puppet of me, that doesn't exempt you from being the same.

|...|

"M-Master, you're back!"

"Get it together, you twig!"

I can barely make it out! Everything sounds fuzzy, like a ball of cotton stuffed in my ears.

"Master! You did it!"

"You almost had me there, bastard!"

My arms, my legs... No, my body! I can feel it!

I must be back in the real world, so that means these voices are...

"N-Nori? F-Fuki?" With all hesitation, I slowly whispered.

Nori, Fukitsu, and I probably separated just a few minutes ago, but it feels like it's been ages since I last saw this too. I guess everything went according to plan, after all.

'We shall rendezvous at my mind, and you'll find my half-dead body lying on the floor,' are the very words that left my mouth.

"Did you win?" Nori's uneasy voice kissed my ears as I felt a warm sensation across my body.

"Went according to plan, didn't it?" Still paralyzed, I was hardly able to reply.

"I suppose all that's left is to celebrate, right ya' twig?" I could hear Fukitsu's voice, just slightly farther from Nori's.

"Celebrate, huh? Mind entities don't drink, don't they?"

This situation can't get any more heartbreaking... I have a lot to worry about, but right now, they're all I can think of.

Almost nothing is known about these mind entities, but one fact is confirmed. They die with their owners.

"We'll have to postpone that, Fuki. I still have something to do." Masking my bitter remorse, I happily replied.

In the end, I have to sacrifice three lives. I really haven't grown much.