Chapter 8: Absolutely Pathetic Battle

This meeting with Arias played out similar to the first two times. However, this time around, Ford wasn't beaten senselessly by the two thieves. This loop was already going better than the first two times before it.

Ford came off as creepy to Arias, which wasn't his intent... Although, there were some occasions where he wanted to "slip" and take a peek under her dress. Arias was amazing at hiding her discomfort, however.

Arias: "Also... I couldn't help but notice that the clothes you have on are awwwfuuullly strange... Where are you from exactly?"

In Ford's point of view, this conversation had occurred two times already, and he was getting quite fed up. Thankfully, he had remembered hearing about the wall--

"I'm from... Beyond the wall, as you call it.. I don't really want to talk about it, if that's okay though.."

Just saying that one simple line ended an entire 5 minute interrogation session, which Ford definitely didn't want to go through. Although, it is only 5 minutes.

Of course, Arias had respected his wishes--

Arias: "of course... I'm sorry.."

Ford doesn't know anything about this wall. If in the future, he goes beyond it, he's going to have a tough time explaining why no one recognizes him.

He was always a terrible liar, but a surprisingly good actor. He was able to put on a damn good facade of being a "traumatized boy". If Ford actually attended school, he would've excelled in a theater class. It's embarrassing to even say that out loud.

Anyway, this is getting off topic and Ford still has quite a bit to do, such as meeting the guard of Arias' castle. Getting on buddy buddy level with the guard would be easy, as he seems to crave compliments. He most likely never received any from Arias or anyone else in the castle.

Harsh working environment. Never receiving compliments would make anyone feel like they were doing a terrible job, when in reality they probably weren't. As for the guard, he wasn't doing a terrible job, but he wasn't really doing a good job either.

Even someone as pathetic as Ford could see it. He would definitely do terrible if he ever got a job, and most likely get fired within the first week. That had actually happened once. He attempted to get a job, and was actually hired... Until the manager realized how lazy he truly was and fired him after the first week. It's quite an embarrassing moment that Ford doesn't like to talk about.

So, getting transported to this other world was like a godsend for him. He truly feels like he gets a second shot to live a better life than he had before.

Although, he had also wished he was summoned with overpowered abilities, another generic Isekai trope. Getting summoned to another world only to find out your life isn't any better is like a major punch to the gut.

Enough of that, though, Ford still had another task to complete to complete in this loop— Meeting the guard.

"Hey... I don't mean to come off as creepy, but is that gargantuan castle yours?"

When he asked that question, he had pointed at a castle in the distance. The castle was pretty big in itself, but not so big that it looked out of place in the city he was in. You could compare it to the size of Belvoir Castle. They were similar in size, and looked quite similar as well.

Arias: "y--yeah, that's where I live.. don't get any ideas! I have a guard who isn't afraid to execute you!"

"Jeez, chill out, it was just a question... Although, I would like to take a closer look.."

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The conversation went about as you'd expect. Ford had chose to do what he did in the previous loop, which was compliment his work. Just like before, the guard craved compliments, so of course he appreciated it.

Now let's get to the pressing issue at hand— the impending raid of the inn. In approximately 2 hours time, Ford would die... If he didn't do something to prevent it. There was one rule he made himself follow; stay on the second floor. There was only one staircase leading up, so the killer would have no choice but to face him head on, which put him at a disadvantage.

Again, just like in the previous loop, Arias had given Ford some change for the Inn. When he arrived at the inn, he rented his room, and waited. He had waited for that ominous silence. He couldn't lose this time. He had died 2 times, he couldn't experience that pain again, he didn't want to. He had to win, no matter what.

The silence. The silence had come quicker than expected. That's when he knew everyone downstairs was dead, and he could commence his attack.

He had sacrificed the lives of everyone in that Inn, but was it justified? He never knew any of those people anyway, and as the saying goes— sacrifice a few to save the lives of many.

Ford stepped out of his room, and waited. He waited for the killer. Suddenly, the power went out. It was time. He stood in a defensive stance, then he heard the footsteps.

??: "you really think you can fight me, boy?"

There he was. A man, in his late 20s to early 30s, raggedy clothes, and medium length cyan hair. Unfortunately, it was still too dark to make out his face.

That didn't matter to Ford though. The man started rushing towards him, and all he could think of in that moment was opening a door at the correct moment so he would run into it.

The door opened, but not the correct way. What Ford failed to realize was that doors open inwards, not outwards. He was fucked— or was he? He quickly ran into the room, and shut the door.

He needed to think.. what could he use? He frantically searched around the room, but found nothing. Could this be the end? The door was kicked open, and there Ford stood, in the corner, waiting for his impending doom.

It hurts. It hurts so much. All that for nothing. Now I'm going to die here. It hurts. All I can think about is how much it hurts. I'm going to die. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. His face staring down at me, laughing. I really am pathetic, aren't I? It hurts. It's numb. It's gone.

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A familiar road, a familiar carriage. Ford opened his eyes, and dodged the carriage. The day had repeated yet again. This time, he wouldn't lose. He now knew that staying on the second floor was the correct choice, but staying near his room was where he messed up. He needed a weapon.

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