In the most remote and hidden corner of the market, where the least popular stalls are located, which offer the lowest prices in the area, there was an unconscious young man, sitting on the floor, the stalls around him were in a precarious state, barely seeking to pass the health standard. The young man's arms were in an upright position tied by the wrists with a worn rope towards a corner of the stall, a dim light coming from a nearby lamp illuminated his face, causing a slight discomfort that was reflected on his face. Soon a figure interrupted the passage of light leaving him in the dark, the figure approached and with a movement of his right arm hit the right cheek of the unconscious, seeing no response again with a backhand he hit the left cheek, that It was enough to make Daniel's eyes widen slightly.
— You finally wake up — A familiar voice was heard — I thought I would have to keep hitting you.
From the voice he was able to recognize without problem who it was.
— Aaah! — With a huge sigh Daniel continued speaking with a disappointed tone — I can't believe it, this antagonist is so cliché. I really hoped you were someone else, Poryac.
Poryac just stood there dumbfounded, staring at him with his piercing, cold black eyes.
— Did you already suspect that it was me? Was it so obvious?
— Unfortunately for you, I watched too many mangas, animes and movies, because of all this I know that it has been very recurring that the least suspicious character is the main antagonist. The first times it was shocking, no one expected revelations like that, but now everyone uses that method, it is predictable to some extent, we can consider it as a resource for cheap writers.
— Ha ha ha! — With a haughty smile, Poryac interrupted — And I suppose you know my reasons, right?
— Of course not — Daniel answered indifferently since he was more focused on how to get up to rest his arms.
— But what nonsense do you say — Poryac was furious — How can you suspect me without even having an idea of my possible motives?
— Well, how will I know if I've only been here for a day? A bloody day that I left my house! If I had known that so many things would happen, I better not go out.
— Then why did you say what you said a moment ago!
— Didn't I make it clear? I told you, I'm used to this turn of events, plus it's suspicious that you're here in a remote place like this for no apparent reason.
— Ha ha ha! — Poryac laughed incredulously at what he was hearing — but you are AN IDIOT!
With a strong blow on the head of Daniel Poryac he took out his frustration. The small advance that Daniel was taking to rest his arms was thwarted.
— I'm hanging around here because I'm the Merchant Leader and it's my duty to check one last time to see that everything is in order, you didn't think of that, eh super detective. Besides, I'm offended that you suspected me, I tried hard to be nice.
— You, nice? If you just bothered me all day.
— That's my way of showing that I like someone — By the expression on Daniel's face it was clear that he was not convinced of Poryac's comment — Anyway, I don't have to convince you, better tell me, who do you think brought you?
— The truth is, I have a vague idea but I don't know if I'm right, for that I first need you to tell me what the election of the Market Leader consists of and when you can compete for the position.
— It's strange that being in this situation you ask that, but it's simple, when someone feels confident to fight for the position, they challenge the current leader. Another way is that the current leader decides that he can no longer or that he just wants to leave the position, whatever the reason, the process is the same except when the Leader decides to retire. For that particular case, a tournament is called to decide the new representative, a tournament where anyone can participate. The tournament consists of a talent presentation, although I remember I already told you, each contestant presents her talent and those who choose the winner by popularity. As I told you, I was chosen for my style of dismembering... but... it wasn't just that, that day was strange, the truth is, wait a second, are you listening to me? — Daniel had ignored the talk to continue looking for how to free himself from the rope that had him tied.
— What? oh yes excuse me, my shoulders are already hurting and oh damn, how the hell did they tie this up! with this nuisance one cannot pay attention. Besides, you already told me what I wanted to hear, I only have one question, why would they wait for someone to retire when you can simply challenge them whenever you want?
— First you ignore my story and then you ask me to keep telling you! If you will be Well now, the reason is that if you challenge the leader you can only compete for the title once in your life, the opposite happens if you wait for them to retire, in that case there is no problem, you can enter a tournament as many times as you can.
— Then it makes more sense — For the first time since the conversation began, Daniel stopped trying to free himself from the ties to take the talk more seriously —Now I'm sure that Aavig is behind all this, plus I also finally understand why You don't defend someone if they're being bullied, you can't show weakness. If you as a leader show support for a merchant, the others may start to use it as a weak point and push hard enough to force you to resign so they can compete for the position without risking their chance.
Poryac's serious face showed that Daniel was correct. Hell, despite seeming modernized and calm, very different from what folklore stipulates, is still a cruel place in its own way, if you want to be someone you have to be strong and at the same time ruthless.
— I doubt it's Aavig. I know that the way he behaved in front of you was somewhat extreme and that the way he treated the judges would seem out of place, but I — Poryac looked up, sure of his words — I know him and I know he wouldn't dare to do something as extreme as...
A shadow quickly came out of the corner of one of the stalls, went violently in the direction of Poryac and without giving him time to react, hit him on his right side, violently throwing him into one of the nearby stalls. The dust rose due to the destroyed premises blocking Daniel's vision for an instant, slowly the shadow took a clearer shape.
— What do you know about me, Poryac — Aavig said dryly
— Cough* Cough* it seems that I'm right — Daniel swallowed a little dust that was raised by the impact, so he took a moment to continue — You knew that Poryac was secretly supporting my children, right? It wasn't just advice, he was actually striving for them as he saw an opportunity for them to shine and re-emerge as the judges that they are, something you would look to take advantage of. That's why you insulted them so that Poryac in a moment of weakness would recognize that he was helping them so you could pressure him to resign.
— You seriously think I want something as trivial as the Market Leader position.
— Huh? Was I wrong again? — Commented incredulously Daniel.
Poryac stood up from the rubble, blood dripping from his mouth, his clothes were torn and a large bloodstain indicated where the blow had been. He quickly with his left hand held his right side trying to cover the wound. His legs trembled, as blood ran down his right leg.
— What is wrong with you, Aavig! — Poryac tried to catch his breath with difficulty — You're not like that, I know that you can be somewhat rude when addressing others and that's why everyone thinks badly of you, but attacking in this way does not go with your way of being.
Aavig headed in Daniel's direction, ignoring Poryac's comment and in a blink he disappeared, in a second blink Aavig's gaze met Daniel's.
— DO NOT DO IT! — Poryac predicted Aavig's intentions so he spent what was left of his strength on that scream. His left knee fell on the pieces of wood and steel that were left of the destroyed post, while he watched helplessly as Aavig's claws sank into Daniel's stomach, who, still tied by his wrists, could do nothing to defend himself, the only thing what he could do was let the blood escape from his mouth and with a trembling look fixed on Aavig he waited for an explanation.
— I remember that I was a child, I was 83 years old when I saw him for the first time, the old judge — Aavig's voice sounded melancholic when remembering his past — He had that unique ability to skin, to dismember, dissect, torture. He could do everything, absolutely everything, he could copy and improve any style that was presented to him, he was omnipotent, the perfect image of what a Judge of Gluttony is, he was the reason why I wanted to enter the Market, I wanted to be the best and become recognized by him, he wanted to be able to admire him always.
A few years later I entered the market as a mere apprentice in a small stall my father had, but before I even had a chance to see him, the judge died, so Lucifer proclaimed. The ceremony that was held in his honor was spectacular, a tour of the entire cave of gluttony, a place through which people passed, cheered him one last time, I couldn't do it, I couldn't accept it. After the festivities, I did not show up for work for a week, I was no longer interested in returning to the market, how could a child of barely 126 years recover from losing his symbol, his motivation. One day my father came with a news, the streets resounded the birth of the new Judge, that news gave me a new motivation, if I became the Market Leader, I could be admired by the new judge, I could become his goal to overcome, I knew it would eventually pass, but the fact that it was even for a moment recognized by him, would be the greatest achievement of my life. 67 years passed when they first arrived, I don't think you could imagine the joy I felt to see that there was not only one, but that there were three Judges of Gluttony, my joy did not fit in my chest, besides, I was already 193 years old and it was rumored that the current leader at that time was already thinking about retirement. I was recognized among all as the promise, the one chosen to be the next Market Leader and I only had to wait seven more years to be able to compete, nobody wanted to enter the tournament because they knew that I had no equal... nobody, except for a bestial who had the dream of becoming a leader, he was a simple dreamer, that's why some said that he barely reached my heels, so the position was undoubtedly mine. Seven years passed, seven very long and disappointing years.
— Stop, Aavig, don't do something stupid — Poryac made an effort to reason — as long as you leave your hand on the stomach blocking the wound, he won't lose as much blood so we can call the emergency services and wait for them to come. We'll find a way for this not to happen to the elderly and I'll also find a way for you not to go beyond Cocito, so please stop.
— You know it's disappointing, Poryac — Aarvig continued without the slightest expression —In those seven years I expected to see their development and how, like his predecessor, he believed that they could do everything and perfect each technique they learned, but it was not like that. You and I know that at first we believed that they were just clumsy children, that since they were only learning they made those mistakes, but as the years went by it couldn't just be clumsiness, it wasn't innocence, we all knew that it was incompetence. It only took those seven years for my motivation to disappear, I wanted to be the symbol that they would seek to overcome, but they couldn't improve even the simplest technique, that day I knew what disappointment is.
Suddenly Aavig pulled his bloody hand out of Daniel's stomach, between his claws the intestines were intertwined that came out painfully from his stomach, Daniel's legs couldn't take it anymore and while his body fell his entrails kept coming out. The blow that his knees gave was forceful, the sound that his shoulders made from such a sudden movement was unpleasant, only compared to the amount of blood that he expelled from the wound. His trembling gaze sought to follow that red thread that was coming out of his body, which was heading to the hands of an unfazed Aavig. Daniel could see it, that indifferent look that gave not the slightest importance to the carnage that was in front of him.
— Do you remember that day — Aavig looked at a stunned Poryac and continued — That day was so important that the Coliseum of Wrath was even borrowed to celebrate such a magnanimous event, everyone was looking attentively at the center of the arena. In the main box was Ukosok with his beautiful fiancée Lepaula, to his left sat that old man with Leopard features, the former Market Leader who waved his hands goodbye to his members. To the right of him were those disappointing judges. I was the favorite, I had no equal, the competition was just a formality, there was no way my opponent, your Poryac, could defeat me, I even dare to say that you knew it too. The human bodies that would be used in the competition entered, with that typical face of suffering and pain, with their erratic and lazy walk. They were tied up in front of us and despite how disappointed I was, I was trying to gather all my energy to be able to compete, but when I saw those two smiling girls talking to each other as if they didn't care, that pitiful boy who was just trying to cover his face with her hair from the shame of being in front of everyone I thought, these can't be the proud and imposing Judges of Gluttony. The result of the competition was a surprise, Poryac won unanimously, the result was so clear that I could not make excuses, I lost because at that moment nothing mattered to me anymore. Shortly after, the winner was recognized and amidst the congratulations, to the applause, a girl with the features of a wolf approached me, with a pretty braid that rested on her shoulder, her pair of large eyes of different colors that looked at me attentively and in her pretty face she showed the purest and most innocent ignorance. "Are you alright sir?" those tender words came out of her, those cruel and hurtful words came out of that girl Judge. Aavig's fist clenched the red intestines that encircled his hand, his jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth seemed to burst at any moment.
— CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! — With a violent jerk, the rest of Daniel's digestive system came out so violently that the wound opened more and more, almost to the point of splitting his body in half — Can you believe those compassionate words came out of the mouth? his mouth! It was not possible for those three children to be the Judges of Hell, it is unacceptable that someone in their position should pity someone like me.
— But what have you done? — A look of horror filled Poryac's face. — You just killed the father of judges.
— Poryac was necessary. From that day on I swore that he would not recognize them, that he would treat them for what they are, a failure. They were years of defaming them, attacking them, mistreating them, so that they would realize what their place was, he wanted them to no longer appear in the market, to remain locked up forever in his mansion awaiting his death and so that someone worthy will replace them.
Aavig looked with contempt at the body lying on a lake of blood, from the way the red liquid flowed from the wounds it was noticeable how the heart was in its last beats.
— You and this stupid "father" were about to spoil everything, you with your "fine cut" nonsense, but now this will be what will close his door forever, his death will turn his joy and affection into sadness and despair.They will fall into that dark pit and finally disappear — Aavig observed the intestines rolled up in his right hand — A conscious human body, you were not in eternal suffering nor did you have that peculiar walk of yours, you were really a very rare specimen, so I don't know if you are also tied to the cycle of souls, most likely not, no human can have so many benefits in hell, so most likely your death will be permanent, so it would be a waste not to taste such a rare specimen.
With his jaw wide open, he proceeded to take a bite of those red, fresh and throbbing entrails, ready to savor that delicacy.
— BUT WHAT! Aavig started spitting. Quickly a rough sensation had been impregnated in her mouth — This tastes like dust.
A cloud of dust began to swirl into a familiar figure. Aavig began to back cautiously away from that whirlpool.
— You really know how to torture — The whirlpool dispersed, revealing a newly formed Daniel — Your story was so pathetic that I couldn't distract myself from the pain you were causing me.
— What is happening Daniel? — Surprised and with difficulty Poryac approached — How is it possible?
— Like what how? This is normal, isn't it?
— But what are you?! — Before Poryac could continue his talk Aavig interrupted — You should be dead.
— And who do you think you are? You should stop judging my children because they don't meet your expectations. Your fanaticism for the old Judge only blinded you and that same fanaticism is what led you to your life of disgrace, you are like a tantrum child who complains only because of the palette he did not have the flavor he wanted. But I understand you, because I'm disappointed too, you don't know how bad I feel for having blamed Poryac thinking that, despite having been predictable, maybe he had a deep reason that he could even feel a little empathy but what a disgrace It is knowing that in the end it was you, with your pathetic sad fan problem. I truly tell you sincerely that even for a villain, Aavig YOU ARE DISAPPOINTING!
— Shut up damn, what could understand a scum like you, a simple human would have no idea of the importance of Judges! — Aavig prepared his right claw again, took a step towards Daniel and with his body stretched from his right claw to his left leg, he pushed forward ready to attack with all his might.
— I know more than you — Daniel, with a challenging look, did not move from his place, he did not move a muscle to defend himself — Because they are not simple Judges, they are my children!
Before Aavig's claw could even get close to Daniel's face, a hard blow to the left side sent him flying. His inert body was destroying stall after stall, making a total of five, it wasn't until he collided with the wall of one of the premises that he finally stopped. Despite such a spectacular attack, Aavig was still conscious and tried to recover with difficulty, getting up little by little, letting the wood and stone fall. Shaking, breathing heavily, he waited for the dust to clear so he could see his attacker.
— You can verbally assault us, you can humiliate us, you can make fun of us, we never cared about that, we can ignore it — The dust curtain quickly withdrew, leaving a furious Be in view — but what we will not ignore, what we will not allow... IS THAT YOU HURT OUR FATHER!