[Nightmare]

Chapter 19 [Not A Game]

The men and women in the crowd who had plotted for Helix's downfall felt an icy chill crawl down their spine.

Phillip wanted to cry.

No matter how powerful the Knights were, they were still geeky, aspiring NEETs that were [technically] ex-virgins.

People cannot magically acquire confidence in a single month just because they're handed money, power, and sex as participation trophies.

Helix sighed inwardly.

'I don't know what this guy's greatest fear is, and that's a problem.' Helix lamented.

'If he hallucinates and sees the crowd laughing and mocking him where it hurts most, he might start attacking the real people.'

Helix felt pity for Phillip, who was shaking with anger.

Madness swirled in the young man's eyes, and he looked unstable.

While he would most likely die in the next few minutes, Phillip will snap mentally without Helix using [Nightmare].

Once he used his power, he was certain he'd shatter like Lucas and Ethan.

'It would be great if a Kaltrop showed up.

Macron and the guards would panic, and I could incapacitate Phillip during the confusion.

Then he wouldn't start screaming, swinging his sword, and shooting air bullets in every direction.

Kaltrops are large, so he'd shoot the bullets upward.

They also look like real dinosaurs, so naturally terrifying to humans.'

Helix sighed when he considered how useful his skill [could] be.

"Listen up! You pack of jealous animals!" Macron roared.

The crowd fell deathly silent.

"Before we begin this disgusting deathmatch, I have some shit to say, and you best listen.

I'll rip your eardrums out and use them as a microphone if you don't!"

The crowd became deathly silent as everyone awaited Macron's speech.

"There is nothing funny or positive about what you're about to witness.

A month ago, you were all children that read books for a living.

Then you came to a world where monsters explode into glitter as if they were self-destructing fairies!" Macron grunted.

"As a result, I keep hearing words like RPG and video game get thrown around.

I'm not sure what a video game is, but I know enough to confidently say that Myriad isn't a god damn game!

Now I'm hearing stupid fucking words like Qi and Cultivation.

This world has spirit particles, and you don't get stronger through meditation or breathing!"

Macron did a full rotation so everyone could see his disgusted expression.

"Today, you're going to witness real-life where the person that dies bleeds and gasps for breath as their desire to live is snuffed out.

For those that sparked this, I hope your thirst to quell your jealousy is worth the mental scars you're forcing on others."

Many grimaced while those that were heartbroken resumed their crying.

"As the initiator of this fight, Phillip cannot back out of this fight no matter what.

He needs to kill this young boy or die.

Those are his only options, and we can do nothing about it.

If Phillip lives, you'll see Helix's corpse on the ground, and it will be carved into your memory until the day you die!" Macron yelled angrily.

"Luckily, if you all, there's hope!

If Helix can maim Phillip enough to appease the blood pact seal they're bound by, he can spare Phillip's life." He explained.

The crowd looked at their teacher with confusion.

"And if you know a single thing about this goddamn idiot, you'll know that he'll spare Phillip without hesitation.

No. This idiot is probably strategizing ways to do the least damage to Phillip possible so the boy won't turn into a damn cripple!"

Many of the young men in the crowd averted their eyes upon hearing Macron's words.

"Do you know why I know that?

Do you know why those girls are crying and begging for this guy's life right now?

Do you know why he captures so much attention despite being physically weak and half as handsome as you?" Macron asked.

"It's because he's fucking nice to people!

How don't you goddamn morons get that?"

The only noise in the area between pauses was the sound of crying.

Macron circled the crowd to glare at every hero, servant, and guard in the arena.

"Yet people are always trying to kill him or plotting to destroy his reputation.

And despite that, this nice idiot will probably die trying to ensure that no one gets to see a corpse today!" He chuckled bitterly.

"But guess what, you pack of delusional toddlers!?" Macron roared with anger in his eyes.

"This boy has the lowest physical stats in the entire goddamn army!

Do you think that's a joke?

Does anyone want to take a guess what this boy's defense stat is?

Have any of you truly considered why we've hidden that number from you?" He asked.

"It's because it's fucking zero!"

A wave of shock washed over the crowd.

"Do you get it now!? Are you fucking satisfied with yourselves?" He asked with disheartened eyes.

"The lowest defense stat of all of you is [400].

His strength is currently [6].

Do you understand what that means!?

It means he can slash at the weakest person's neck at full power, and it won't leave a damn scratch." Macron chuckled bitterly.

Panic, guilt, anxiety, pain, and horror washed over the crowd.

However, they didn't understand just how horrifying the situation was.

Helix didn't either until he heard Macron's words.

His eyes trembled when he realized he genuinely had no chance of survival.

While he trained with a sword, he hadn't been fighting for the last month, so he forgot about that reality.

"Look at you… you make me sick.

It's been public knowledge that this boy has the lowest stats in the army for three weeks.

Yet you haven't comprehended the reality of that?

Did you magically forget that he was [grazed] with a weak punch and was bedridden with three broken ribs?

Two of you tried to murder him on the second full day in Myriad, and you haven't learned any lessons from it!?"

The crying in the audience intensified, and the emotional atmosphere was crushing.

The man unsheathed his holy sword and threw it in front of Helix's feet.

"I'm giving him my damn sword right now, so he has a chance.

If any of you have a problem with that, I'll snap your spine.

I'm not going to stand around and watch this boy die helplessly because of your petty jealousy."

After a moment of crushing silence, Macron burst into bitter laughter.

Everyone in the audience looked at the man with confusion in his eyes.

"Hah… you know what the funny part is?

At least everyone's going to get their wish today.

You're finally going to see his mysterious Nightmare today.

You'll learn the reason that it's been kept secret." He announced.

"Or maybe not…." Macron said while facing Helix.

Suddenly his eyes widened, and his expression became grave.

Everyone wanted to know what Macron was looking at, but only a few people could see Helix's face.

"Boy, don't fuck around with me right now.

If you're thinking about fighting Phillip without your Nightmare, you need to clear the thought out of your damn mind." Macron gruffed.

Shock and confusion passed through the audience with a wave of synesthesia.

"Your Nightmare is pretty messed up, and I know you want to protect your friends.

But if you don't do it, you're committing suicide.

That's not a figurative statement—that's a stone-cold fact."

Many neutral parties that could see Helix's face started tearing up.

Men, women, servants, guards, and instructors in the area saw Macron wasn't joking.

Macron sighed.

"I can't tell you what to do, but I'll give you five minutes of silence to consider it.

Just remember that Phillip can't sacrifice himself to you.

You need to incapacitate that boy seriously through [your] efforts, or the match won't stop."

Helix sighed.

"Thank you for your concern, Macron.

I also appreciate the sword as well.

There's no need for me to consider whether I'll use my Nightmare." He said while picking up the holy sword.

"It may haunt me, but if I don't try to fight, this situation will worsen for everyone.

Just pray that what comes out of the abyss isn't too bad.

And if it gets out of control, [please protect the students from it]." Helix requested while staring at Macron with his pitch-black eyes.

Macron narrowed his eyes reflexively but quickly released his expression, hoping that Helix had a plan.

"Okay, we'll start then!" Macron roared.

"Phillip, do you have any last words?

This boy may be a stat-less idiot, but if he uses his Nightmare, your chance of survival isn't guaranteed."

Phillip's eyes panned through the audience.

"I-I'm s-s…." He stuttered.

However, he swallowed his words when he realized that no one would listen to them.

Not a single person in the crowd would look him in the eye.

That included his friends and acquaintances.

"N-No…." Phillip said with shame.

"I see…." Macron commented with pity in his eyes.

"What about you, Helix?

Do you have any final words?" He asked.

Helix sighed with his eyes closed.

After opening them, he circled the crowd to see everyone's expressions.

"Yes. If any of you think that I entered a death match expecting to die…."

Helix circled the crowd to ensure everyone saw him.

"You're a fucking idiot."

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Disclaimer: Grammatical mistakes and minor inconsistencies = more content.