Toxic Platform

--- 24 Hours Earlier: Daniel's POV ---

As I opened my eyes, an uneasy feeling washed over me. I couldn't pinpoint why, but there was a sense of foreboding about the day ahead. Something about it felt… heavy, as though the events to come were already pressing down on me.

But I quickly shook off the thought. I wasn't alone anymore—I had Katherine by my side now. Having her meant I wasn't carrying the weight of my mission alone, and that should've made me feel more at ease. Still, the thought of her getting hurt during what we were about to do sent a flicker of doubt through my resolve.

I grabbed my phone and sent her a message. "Katherine, it's time. We need to prepare."

Even though she was an Arcana like me, I couldn't help but feel protective. Katherine's ability was invaluable, but the risks we were about to take were high. She can't get hurt, I told myself. Whatever happens, I'll make sure of that.

Today, we were targeting the corrupt and deceitful Pastor Jun—the man who used his position to exploit and destroy lives. His lies and crimes had gone on for too long, and if the system wouldn't stop him, then we would.

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my resolve. This wasn't just another mission for me. This was personal. Today, we would expose the truth, and Pastor Jun's reign of terror would finally come to an end.

I received a call from Katherine and quickly answered. She immediately asked what time and where we'd meet, mentioning she had a surprise for me—something she'd worked hard on and wanted to show me before we carried out our mission for the day.

Her tone was lively, almost excited, which made me smile. It was reassuring to hear that she felt confident about what we were about to do. Maybe this was a good sign, a spark of hope amidst the dark task we had set before us.

I told her the time and place we'd meet to discuss our plans and finalize everything. But before hanging up, I paused, my tone turning serious. "Katherine," I said, "you know this isn't just another mission. What we're about to do... it's not simple. Killing someone isn't something you just walk away from. It's a heavy burden to bear."

I took a breath and continued, "I know why I'm doing this. I've made peace with the idea, because I believe that if it reduces the evil in this world—even just a little—I won't regret it. But you… are you sure? Are you ready to take that step, to kill someone, even if they deserve it?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and I could feel her hesitation. But when she spoke, her voice was steady, filled with resolve. "Daniel, no matter what happens, I'll stay by your side. I'll help you until the end, no matter the cost. And… I have my reasons too. I need to take down Senator Julius. He's my real target, and this mission brings me closer to that."

Katherine remained resolute in her mission for vengeance against Senator Julius, driven by the pain and injustice her family had suffered at his hands. For her, this mission to take down Pastor Jun wasn't just about justice for his victims—it was the beginning of her larger plan to establish the connections and leverage we needed to finally bring down the seemingly untouchable senator.

Knowing how critical this step was, I wasted no time. I dressed quickly, double-checked my gear, and made sure everything was in place. Most importantly, I prepared my Tarot card, the one tool that could turn the tide in our favor. This card wasn't just a weapon—it was a symbol of the path we'd chosen, the path of retribution against the evils of the world.

As I looked at the card, its intricate design almost seemed alive under the dim light. It was both a blessing and a curse, a power that could change the course of a mission but demanded a heavy toll in return. I slipped it into my pocket, feeling its weight—a reminder of the responsibility it carried.

After a relatively smooth commute, I arrived at the coffee shop where Katherine and I had agreed to meet. It was still early, and the quiet morning air paired perfectly with the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I figured this was the best place to meet—not just because of its convenience, but because nothing beats a warm cup of coffee to kickstart the day and clear the mind.

I arrived earlier than expected, which was unusual since Katherine lived closer to the coffee shop. Women, I thought with a sigh, always taking forever to get ready no matter the occasion. I shook my head with a small smile and got in line at the counter to order my coffee while I waited.

As I approached the front of the line, I suddenly heard a commotion behind me. A loud man cut through the queue, holding a camera rig complete with a mic and a holder. His exaggerated gestures and booming voice instantly gave away his type: a vlogger.

Of course. A loud, entitled content creator, I thought, already feeling my patience thinning.

I calmly told him there was a line and asked him to wait his turn, explaining that it wouldn't take long. But he insisted he needed to be served immediately because he had an interview to attend.

Internally, I rolled my eyes. And why exactly should that be my problem? I thought. I told him again, more firmly this time, that everyone else was waiting too, and he should respect the line. But instead of backing down, he doubled down—now even louder.

"Do you know who I am?" he barked. "I'm Jay! I have two million followers! If I film you right now, my followers will destroy you online! You want that?"

His smug tone and threatening words were infuriating. The audacity of him using his platform as a weapon against others was a prime example of how toxic people could get when given even a small taste of fame. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to escalate things further. This guy has no idea who he's trying to intimidate.

I was on the verge of losing my composure, my patience nearly exhausted as the arrogant vlogger continued his self-righteous tirade. But before I could let my frustration get the better of me, I heard a familiar voice call out.

"Daniel!"

It was Katherine.

Heads turned as she made her way toward me, her striking beauty and gothic outfit capturing everyone's attention. The confidence in her stride and her piercing gaze commanded the room. She approached me with a small smile and asked, "What's the problem? Why do you look so annoyed this early in the morning?"

Before I could respond, Katherine's eyes flicked to the loud vlogger beside me. With just one glance, she seemed to grasp the situation immediately. A playful smirk spread across her face, and she let out a soft chuckle before turning her attention to the man.

"Hi," she said sweetly, her tone disarmingly casual. "You're a vlogger, right?"

The man, who just moments ago was obnoxiously shouting, now seemed completely thrown off. His bravado faded as he stammered, "Uh… y-yes, ma'am." He was clearly captivated by Katherine, unable to meet her gaze without faltering.

"So," Katherine continued, tilting her head slightly, "do you really have an interview to get to? Or is that just something you made up to cut the line?"

The man hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. After a moment, he sheepishly admitted, "No, I don't. I just said that so they'd let me go ahead."

"And your two million followers," Katherine pressed on, her tone still sweet but with a hint of edge. "Did you really earn them? Or is there more to the story?"

The man froze, his eyes darting around nervously before he blurted out, "I'm… I'm the son of a barangay captain. We require people in our barangay to follow me if they want to get things like clearances or permits. It's… kind of a requirement."

Katherine raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening as the man confessed. It dawned on me then—of course, Katherine's Tarot ability. No one could lie in her presence, and this poor fool didn't stand a chance against her.

As the realization hit me, I felt both relief and awe. Katherine wasn't just someone to have on your side—she was someone you'd never want to cross. I couldn't help but smile at the irony of it all, knowing that the vlogger's arrogance had been so easily dismantled in just a few moments.

The man stood there, silent and visibly deflated, his earlier confidence completely shattered. I leaned back slightly, still smiling, grateful that Katherine had stepped in when she did.