Rex's bravado had evaporated, his body shaking uncontrollably, the look in his eyes betraying pure, undiluted fear.
'These two aren't Villains-to-be, they are absolute psychos! Why don't they seem to give a fuck about my Greyson name…'
As Daseos advanced, Rex's eyes darted frantically, looking for an escape route.
The arena's obsidian floor felt cold beneath him as he scuttled backward.
"No... no, stay away!"
Rex's voice trembled, invoking the name he hoped would be his shield.
"The Greysons won't spare you if you touch me!"
Principal Stillwater's patience was at its breaking point.
"Enough!"
He barked, veins popping on his forehead.
Principal Stillwater couldn't help but speak up,
"We have had enough deaths today! Our high school's allocated resources depend on the number of graduating students that can make it into Villain Ascendancy!"
Daseos's answer was a grin dripping with mischief.
"Don't worry, Rex and I over here are best of friends, remember?"
Rex's eyes widened in horror as Daseos stepped on him, pinning him down effortlessly. With a swift move, he gripped Rex's flamboyant hair, yanking it, causing him to yelp in pain.
"Let go! Stop! AHHH!"
Rex's frantic cries echoed, filled with terror and pain, piercing the dense air of the gym.
Did you expect the audience to now fall silent?
Paralyzed in shock?
Not in Antagonia! Everyone lived for such moments.
The students in the audience cheered as Daseos dragged the whimpering Rex to the heart of the arena, his screams creating a haunting soundtrack to the unfolding drama.
Daseos stopped in the center of the arena and looked around theatrically.
"See, my best friend Rex here promised 1k for each blow landed on me…"
Everyone started cheering,
"1k! 1k! 1k!"
His eyes found Lilith's.
A conniving smile spread across his face, mischief shining in his eyes.
It didn't take but a moment for her to catch on, her smile a perfect echo of his, showcasing their unspoken bond.
Lilith bounced towards Daseos with a bright sparkle in her eyes, as if all the bloodshed was merely a prelude to this playful act.
With a casual rub of her bloodied hands against her skirt, she balled up her fist and nudged Daseos gently on his chest.
"OUCH!"
Daseos cried out, the dramatization so blatant it was comical. He staggered back, clutching his chest in feigned agony.
"How… How could you, selling me out for mere cash!"
The atmosphere took a whimsical turn as Lilith rolled her eyes, a playful yet affectionate smile curling upon her youthful face.
Rex lay there, his body stiffening from shock before a desperate attempt to speak arose.
But even before a word escaped him, Daseos unleashed a spinning back kick, the sheer force snapping Rex's jaw shut with a crack that echoed in the silent arena.
Daseos didn't pause, his gaze locking onto Devian who stood paralyzed, his mouth agape.
The playful tone resurfaced as Daseos blinked innocently, setting the stage for a new act.
"Oh no! Two against one! I bet they're going to land at least twenty hits on me,"
He exclaimed, his voice theatrical, a mischief-maker in the spotlight.
Devian seemed to snap out of his stupor, raising a fist high as he bellowed,
"DIE!!!"
The arena watched as he propelled himself forward, a picture of rage and determination.
Yet when his fist met Daseos, it was with the gentlest of touches, barely grazing his shoulder before unleashing a flurry of equally gentle strikes.
A giggle escaped Lilith as she watched the farcical display.
"Oh, beware, here comes my ultimate move!"
She announced, her voice tinged with a playful warning as she launched herself towards Daseos.
Her moves were a whirl of gentle nudges, fingers fluttering over Daseos in a flurry of faux punches.
The gym bore witness to this bizarre turnaround, the tense air suddenly filled with silent anticipation.
After a few beats of this comic display, Daseos gave out an exaggerated groan of agony, his face contorted in feigned betrayal.
"Ahhh! How could you both betray me like this?!"
His voice rang out, filling the space as he melodramatically collapsed to the ground, sliding his unlocked phone slyly towards Lilith.
The entire gym fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into laughter,
"HAHAHA!!!"
Lilith glanced down, her eyes catching the familiar interface of Daseos's banking app shining brightly from the unlocked screen of his phone.
A mischievous giggle bubbled up from her throat, echoing through the room.
"Hehehehe~"
Scooping up the phone with grace, she swiveled towards Rex, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she stated, almost singing,
"That's 20k, Young Master Rex. Pleased to be of your service!"
He looked away, wanting to go back on his word.
But as Rex averted his eyes, reluctant to hold to his end of the bargain, the air suddenly tensed.
Lilith's jovial energy dissipated abruptly, replaced by a dark, suffocating aura…
The playfulness in her eyes vanished, replaced with a piercing coldness that could chill one's soul.
Her nails on one hand gradually extended, transforming into razor-sharp talons, nails that had tasted blood just moments before.
The murderous glint in her eyes bore into Rex, a palpable force that seemed to grip at his very heart.
Rex could feel the menacing energy engulfing him, a suffocating, terrifying realization striking him with the force of a sledgehammer;
'She wouldn't hesitate to end me,'
Rex realized, a cold voice whispering the grim truth in his mind.
Panicking, Rex fumbled for his phone, almost dropping it in his haste.
The silence that enveloped them was broken by the hurried taps and swipes as he scanned Daseos' phone.
Within moments, a clear 'Ding!' echoed, signaling the completed transaction.
[You have received $20,000 from Rex Greyson Acct No: …]
As the ding echoed, Daseos peeked through one eye, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards in a sly smile that bore the signature of victory.
"Devian... Lilith..."
He managed to force out in a strained, theatrical whisper,
"Hospital... now..."