[Ch. 12] Impulsive Decisions

Ryu went to work the next day trying to come up with an idea of an escape plan. Although he was hurt that Panzram didn't seem to care about his soon-to-be absence, he cared more about helping Panzram escape. However, he didn't have much experience with these kinds of things. In his entire life from beginning to end, he had always put forth the least amount of effort as possible. So now that he had to put actual thought into coming up with a plan, he had a hard time trying to figure one out.

Ryu wasn't a stupid man, but when it came to coming up with plans… Well, he was a little lacking in that regard.

He really just wanted to break Panzram out using his Tamashii energy, but he knew that Panzram would despise him even more if he did that. Ryu let out another sigh as he rubbed his forehead trying to piece together a plan. When he walked into the prison's changing room, he heard their excited chatter.

Tama walked in and Ryu skipped over to him, "What's got everyone so excited?"

Tama noticed Ryu speak to him with such an innocent expression and blushed slightly in response. Even though he was afraid of Ryu, he still didn't dislike his attention. Tama answered, "A prisoner tried escaping from your cell block."

Ryu felt a creeping feeling of dread, but he maintained his sultry smile. "Oh? What happened?"

"I heard it was the Grim Reaper. Apparently, he had gotten angry over something that he attacked the guard and stole his keys. Then, he managed to break out of his cell block and tried to scale the wall."

Tama let out a chuckle that filled Ryu with bone-chilling fear. Ryu had the nagging feeling that the storyline was progressing just as the Gods had shown him.

Tama continued, "He tried to scale the wall with a makeshift ladder. It broke and he fell down."

Ryu recognized this scene and realized he had been right. His smile didn't reach his eyes, "And did he die?"

Tama shook his head, "It can't be that easy to kill the Grim Reaper. He's still alive. He's just badly hurt. He has a broken back, shattered legs, and even broke his arms. I'm surprised he's even still breathing."

This was precisely what the Gods had shown Ryu. When Panzram had fallen from the wall in the vision, his bones healed in the wrong positions as he never received any treatment in the prison. Even though he was trying to escape, the guards still treated him too cruelly.

Ryu spoke, "Where is he now?"

"He's back in his cell."

Ryu already knew the answer, but he wanted to keep up appearances. Even though he still wore a flirtatious smile, his internal thoughts were swirling with mayhem. He wanted to give all of these guards a lesson.

He wanted to scare them so badly that they would choose to take their own life.

Before when he thought of killing, he only shrugged his shoulders as he didn't think it was that bad of a thing. He wasn't bloodthirsty.

He was just indifferent.

However, his thoughts on death were slightly different after he was shown the future. Although he didn't care about his death nor the entire world's, there was one person that he didn't want to die.

That person was Panzram.

If it wasn't for his self-control, he would have already flipped the prison on its head and destroyed everyone and everything inside it. However, he knew he couldn't do that. Even though he was powerful, he wasn't omniscient. He still had weaknesses like everyone else. And he definitely wasn't the strong person in the world.

If he did destroy everything and everyone inside, his family would be alerted. Then his family would send his second Elder Brother….

The one person he absolutely couldn't win against.

Tama gave him a reassuring smile, "You won't have to worry about the Grim Reaper anymore. Since he's now a cripple, there's nothing to fear."

Ryu nodded, "I see. Well, I guess I should head over there now."

Ryu left Tama behind who was still staring at him in a coquettish way. When Ryu arrived at the cellblock, he took over for the previous guard who ran away in relief. Once he knew he was alone, he went into Panzram's cell. He was instantly struck with grief and sorrow at the sight of Panzram's beaten-up body.

Just like in the visions the Gods had shown him, Panzram had been dragged into the cell after his fall and tossed in as if he was nothing more than a bag of rice. His bones were broken, so he was unable to move from the chilling, stony ground.

The scene in front of Ryu was such a grotesque sight that it caused Ryu's knees to go weak. Panzram's bones stuck out, some even rupturing the skin. It was a ghastly sight. One that should have killed Panzram if he was any other person.

Ryu's body trembled as he gazed at Panzram full of sorrow. Ryu collapsed onto his knees beside Panzram, "You… Why did you do this?"

Ryu didn't understand why this event was even happening at this moment. The vision had shown him that this scene would occur because the prison warden had learned of Panzram becoming friends with a guard and the guard was transferred out. Panzram then tried to break out of prison in order to see his friend again and ended up in this state.

So why was it happening now? Did Panzram have a friend among the guards that Ryu didn't know about?

Panzram's eyes fluttered open at the sound of Ryu's pained voice. He watched the man in front of him with a scrutinizing glare. Panzram's eyes were still ferocious and indifferent, but he said nothing. Ever since he fell off the wall, he was either conscious and suffering from immense pain, or the pain grew too great that it caused him to pass out.

Even now he felt like screaming in agony, but he wouldn't give the guards the pleasure of his wails…

However, Panzram was once more confused at the sight of this man leaning over him. Why did this man always look at him with such sorrowful eyes? Why would he bring him snacks and talk to him nonstop?

Panzram couldn't understand this man. He was supposed to be hated. He was supposed to be feared. Yet this strange, extravagant man in front of him neither hated nor feared him.