Waking in Luxury

All blue, and deep. I can't see light other than the bent moon that sways with the water and the periodic explosions of heat. The ground is pulling me… No… I'm falling down continuously… in an endless pit of space while my body feels like feathers.

My body is in chaos and freezing. My bruised muscles are all cramped. Coldness crawls down my intestines every second it took. My organs are barely functional the longer I can't breathe.

But even if I can't hear it as bubbles form around my ears, I can feel the call of someone above, and it's from the one closest to me, the only reason I'm living in this world. I give my all to reach my hands above me, but even the shadow where the moon is hiding is just too far.

My tears are completely invisible underwater as I tried the hardest to respond, but…

"Xenos!!" I shouted as I straighten my body from lying. I woke up with water around my eyes, and then I realized that same realization, when the point of history that I want to change is just a dream, always has been.

I wandered my eyes through the bedroom the administrator gave me. The bedroom is a part of a temporary luxurious living suite given to the players as a reward for clearing the game.

The bedroom has the necessary furniture same as a hotel, and that is also the same in the dining, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. But if I'm being questioned about quality, I don't find this different than the storage room I'm renting. I just hope that there's not even a hidden camera in here.

From what my senses tell, it's still between 4 and 5 AM. That's the usual time I woke up since it's already a habit. I did expect that the fridge is fully stuffed. I went to prepare food and coffee as the sun rises.

After that, I scanned the huge glass window and at the same time, wall, and saw the central city of Tokyo. I thought this will also be virtual, but even long-distance, I can see other people living in the other building. There are no pixels though.

I opened the television as I enjoy the food and coffee while relaxing my back on the comfy sofa. The truth is I've not yet sat in this very soft cotton pack, and it's the same as the bed. Maybe that's also the reason I relaxed deeply in my sleep.

The television is a huge LCD screen pasted on the wall, and its remote is completely touch-controlled. "This is just too advanced. Is this how rich people always lived? There's really nothing different from the poors' perspective."

The first program to come in is the news, and it's still filming the most annoying face existing in this era. The prime minister, he's just a malicious bastard. Why he won the elections is why I hate democracy.

He has no platforms and goals, just lies. He won the people's hearts with the same method I usually do to my target. He's too confident to show everyone that he's dumb, and he's even getting praise for it. The nation today is just dumb and irritating that many wanted to escape.

The news now is senseless with his ugly face in the frontal banner. In fact, he should be here with us, in this tower. This is the place he belongs. I can go all out with that and I won't regret it.

I quickly turned off the television and became bored. I became curious about the outside, but the door is made of the same metal programmed door that only the administrators can open. It feels like I'm caged until it's my turn to step out of the arena.

Lady Kaguya said that I should wait here until the next game starts and that she'll inform us a day before it begins. She also added that what I did earlier won't be effective in the next game.

She might be pertaining to the change of personality. I bet no one's going to discover it except for the spectator. But her words struck my mind. If the ones I've killed are still alive, just how? I already secured my kill to them… except the last two.

Lady Kaguya also said that in this next game, I should have formed an ally already, or else, I won't stand another game. That's just impossible. These random goons are just there to destroy the plans I've made.

They're the variable of imperfection, a pawn that is hard to predict. But if it's a requirement, then it will be a challenge for me. I'm no player if I'm not a single entity.

Speaking of Lady Kaguya, she just opens the entrance of my room. I didn't pay attention to her as she approaches me, because she was the only one that will knock on that door.

"For what reason?" I asked as I stare at the sky from the huge glass window.

"Just checking up on my bet," she said.

"I'm no chicken of you, and I don't bend my rules."

She sat down on a single couch beside the sofa, facing the coffee table in front of me. "And? Is your plan dominating this sanctuary by killing every per… no, murderers here?"

"It's just scary why all of you are telepaths."

She then talks to me with a serious tone that caught my attention. "Really? You seem not a complete psychopath who just enjoys killing people for breakfast. If you remember what prison is, a queen won't last in it. In fact, you're just grinding for hate."

I'm well aware of what prison was, ever since I'm still a kid. I should calculate every step I make so I won't get beaten up badly. Even if I just gaze at other things, the punishment becomes severe. That's where I learned how losing focus kills a person.

After that sudden pause from our conversation, I reply. "Prison isn't for the demons with brains."

"If that's your reason, you should apply for a college scholarship," Miss Kaguya said as she stands up and walked toward the door.

"The next game will be three days from now. If you think everyone here has murdered someone…

"You're definitely wrong."