Chapter 18
—--------
"Rank 5 and Rank 6… In other words, I am approaching the end of my journey as a Micro Jellyfish… Hmm…"
|Undulation Zoom|
Zipping over to a rather large water molecule, Astaroth took a long, hard look at the reflection within the water. Though he didn't look like a normal jellyfish, there was still a hint of serenity to his appearance.
Despite the devilish horns protruding from multiple parts of his head, Astaroth's last few shreds of humanity forced him to believe that he was still… normal…
Through the short life of a human, they worked toward the sole goal of fitting in with what everyone else was doing. Acting a certain way, saying things a certain way, even moving in a certain way. In the span of a human's life, they did everything they could to fit in with the rest.
Call it mob mentality or the mind of a sheep, but more often than not, it was simply better to fit in with those around you. Life was easier that way.
It was easier for Astaroth…
In his past life, he was nothing special. Average appearance, average work ethics, average outside work life. Everything about him was average.
With this level of plainness, his peers made it their life's purpose to tease and play 'pranks' on him.
Though annoyed at first, over time, Astaroth grew to tolerate the 'jokes' and 'pranks' that his coworkers played on him. Still, he was depressed. He didn't understand why they all wanted to mess with him and interrupt his work life so badly…
What did he ever do to them to attract this much hate and ire?
He kept to himself and bothered no one… So why…?
For the better half of a decade, Astaroth tried to fathom the reasoning behind the people who proclaimed themselves his 'friends'.
Messing up his papers, screwing up the software on his laptop, and tossing food and drinks on him by 'accident'. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why they went through so much trouble in order to make his shitty life even shittier than it was.
Eventually, those who messed with him were either laid off, quit, or decided to pursue other paths. However, none of that happened because of him, and their disappearances would do nothing to change his fate…
They say that when one snake head gets cut off, another will simply replace it and take over all the duties of the previous snake head.
In this case, the next round of coworkers did the exact same thing as the first few dozen…
Going on 32 years of age, Astaroth felt like he had enough of these shitty 'games', so he brought it up with the latest bully squad.
It was no surprise that this act of defending himself backfired quite badly…
From that day onward, his torment only grew exponentially, and the 'pranks' only became more and more cruel.
From dropping drinks on him and messing with his work to publicly embarrassing him and throwing him in dumpsters. Flattening his tires, interfering with his personal life, and even going so far as to include his wife-to-be in their 'games'.
Over time, their pranks only became increasingly dangerous and malicious…
The 'guys' at his firm thought it would be a lot of fun to go behind Astaroth's back and sleep around with his wife.
Of course, they couldn't take her by force, so they had to get her consent. After which, they would take a video of them railing his wife and send it to him via a work group chat.
Tanya, the wife of one Mr. Astaroth. His name was now different than it was, but her name was always Tanya.
She took his last name after their marriage, but that hardly mattered anymore. Just like his previous life's name no longer mattered…
Tanya possessed above-average looks and could be considered quite pretty. Her body was very well developed, and some might've even termed her a kind-hearted milf with that warm smile she always had on her face.
The common consensus among the guys at Astaroth's firm was that she was 'too good for him,' and that they would be doing her a favor if they gave her a 'good time.'
Though Astaroth knew that his wife was out of his league, he still believed in her loyalty and devoutness.
In his dark and dreary life, all he had was Tanya. Meeting in 11th grade, they grew up as highschool sweethearts, and after finally amassing enough financial security to feel confident in supporting her, they moved in together.
After more than ten years of dating, Astaroth felt that he had waited more than long enough. Therefore, he proposed.
After a few years of being happily married, Astaroth further developed a relationship that was already as healthy and sturdy as an oak tree. It was from his confidence in their relationship that he believed that she would never be unfaithful.
However…
From day one, she was unfaithful… Not just in marriage, but even when they started dating…
Tanya was an evil woman.
While dating and being married to Astaroth, her body count only grew with each passing day.
What Astaroth thought to be her going out with friends or shopping actually turned out to be her playing with another guy or even multiple guys at once…
Astaroth was someone who believed in a free and unrestrictive relationship; thus, he told Tanya it was fine if she left the house.
She didn't need to be locked up all day like an imprisoned bird, he said.
This act of consideration and love ultimately bit him on the hand, just like when he stood up for himself after years of torment…
When Astaroth saw the video sent to him by his coworkers on one clear day, the clouds suddenly darkened and rain beat down on a man who was already at the end of his line…
Collapsing to the cracked pavement of a street in Japan, Astaroth stared off into the distance with a lifeless look on his face.
Listless and dissonant, he no longer had any attachment left in that life of his.
For hours, he sat there in the cold rain, drenched and freezing to death…
Just as he was about to get up off the pavement and find a bridge to jump off of, two large, coned lights lit up the brick wall he was sitting next to.
Without ever having figured out the source of those lights, a truck came jumping over the sidewalk. In a flash, it crashed into him and sent him to another world.
A world far, far away from 'home'...
—---------