Chapter 4: Horror Begins

"One Who Rules Over Death", is a viewer and an entity that belongs to the upper class.

They are an existence that is critical for any world, because as their moniker says, they are the ones who rules over death.

Because they themselves are death.

And the reason why such a powerful existence is right now watching Iris' play, is obviously because...

'Don't tell me?! Is it because he was the one i mimicked and acted as?!'

'D- Did he saw it? My acting and my imitation of him?!'

'I'm doomed!'

Iris felt like crying, wanting to apologize and say that it was all just a big misunderstanding and that she didn't mean to mock him.

But remembering the type of personality they have, Iris knew that saying such thing would anger him even more instead.

'I can't, i will need to put on a disguise, another personality of mine, something like...'

'A persona!'

'That's it! If i create another image of me and become another person that would not be looked dow upon or at the very least, viewed as someone who can easily be trampled, then i wouldn't be killed!'

Iris felt that her thoughts were brilliant and she took a deep breath, trying to ponder what personality she should imitate.

'The viewers fear someone who is calm, composed, and most importantly, domineering.'

'The people of this world on the other hand, fears someone who makes them feel that they are insignificant and that the person is an omnipotent being.'

'And lastly, if it is someone that no living creature would want as their enemy, then it should be someone with a ruthless and cruel personality.'

Iris fell silent for a moment, recalling a certain character in the game that has such personality, except that they are hot headed and not calm.

'Now that i have my persona, let's see if i can act perfectly.'

'Although i know it my ability won't work because i do not have someone to imitate, at the very least i will have my own persona in the eyes of others.'

Taking a deep breath, Iris brushed off her bangs and grinned.

Looking up towards the crimson sky, she said with a smile in her eyes, "Welcome dear overlord, I've been expecting you for quite some time now, but i did not expected that you would willingly become my fan though?"

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] is shocked and asks suspiciously how you are so sure that he will come?]

Iris smiled and spoke calmly, as if she had already predicted all of this. "I think you already know the answer for this though."

"I was able to mimick your tone, your movements, and even your Aura, so as the individual that is being imitated, would you not be intrigued as to what kind of bold mortal would dare do such a thing, especially to an overlord like you?"

There was no response for a while before suddenly, a strong unknown force began to drop above Iris.

As if there was a magnet underneath, Iris felt her body heavy, as if it was being forced to drop on the ground.

Iris involuntarily gritted her teeth as slowly, she was forced to crouch on the ground.

Thud!

One of her knees dropped to the ground and Iris instantly knew what was happening.

'That damn overlord wants me to kneel before him!'

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] smirks and says "You are indeed bold, mortal. Since you already know what you've done, then you should know the consequences."]

Hearing this, Iris wanted to cuss, but calmed herself down as she recalled her pesona.

Forcing a smile, Iris spoke through gritted teeth. "Hah! Why should i?"

Iris amber eyes gleamed dangerously as she spoke calmly yet her voice laced with anger, "Who are you to make me kneel?"

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] is silent.]

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] is staring at you.]

Iris continued to grin, stubbornly supporting herself with one hand, preventing her from kneeling down complete with both knees.

[HP: 70/100]

-1

[HP: 69/100]

-1

[HP: 68/100]

Just as sweat dripped down her forehead and felt her strength weakening, the force suddenly disappeared in a blink of an eye, causing for her to stumble slightly, completely unprepared.

Then, she heard the system speak again.

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] laughs and says "You are interesting human."]

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] has gifted 'Defendant' "00218" 1 [Karma].]

Hearing this, Iris was stunned and when she checked her status window once more, she found that it had upgraded!

[Name: Iris]

[Age: 25]

[Sex: Female]

[Species: Human]

[Passive: Regeneration]

[Ability: Aura of a God]

[Karma: 1]

[Moniker: (None)]

[Evolution Level: (None)]

[Sponsor: (None)]

Seeing this, Iris pressed the option [Karma].

[Karma: Cursed Hands (Temporarily useable: 1 Finger) (From "One Who Rules Over Death").]

[Description: Allows User to place a curse upon a target. The Curse turns the target paralyzed and once the curse reaches any vital organs, it will destroy it.]

Reading this, Iris involuntarily gulped, a smile rising from the corner of her lips as cold sweat dripped fron her temple.

"This is crazy."

She knows that this kind of "Karma" is very dangerous, and she knows that this power can turn against her.

It is, it is dangerous indeed, but...

'But this power...' Iris couldn't help revealing a crazy yet nervous smile. 'This power...can save me in this Trial!'

Just as she was thrilled, an ominous feeling crawled in her skin, a resounding dangerous creepy snarl, almost as if it was laughing.

'...There is no way, right?'

['Judge' [One Who Rules Over Death] smiles at you.]

Slowly, Iris turned around stiffly, her heart pounding so fast that it felt like it is about to explode.

Her rapid and chaotic breathing echoed as her eyes slowly, but tremblingly, looked up.

Above her, against the tall buildings, a giant slenderman-like person could be seen, it has six legs that are dyed obisidian black, long and sharp like a spider, whilst its upper body is that of a human that is dyed pure white.

Its arms were also the same as its legs, and just by a single glance, it is already certain that it could pierce through a person's skull.

And lastly, its face was plain white, there were no eyes, ears nor nose. Albeit, there was a mouth, a large, terrifying one at that.

When it opened its mouth, it looked like it was smiling, but that smile had a meaning as it reaches past where its ears should be.

Its teeth were long and sharp similar to a shark and its tongue were so long that it reaches past its chest.

Although it had no eyes, the creature was obviously staring at her.

"...Hah!" Iris couldn't help letting out a weak bitter laugh.

The true horror is just about to begin.