Chereads / I have to be the antagonist / Chapter 3 - A question of viewpoint

Chapter 3 - A question of viewpoint

Hm. Hmm.

I don't feel like waking up. I just suffered a defeat against Team Green and you want to wake me up like this. I'm fine in my bed. No way you're calling me at this hour. It's hot out. In fact, why is it so hot in my apartment? Normally, there's air-conditioning at a certain outside temperature. Besides, why is my bed so uncomfortable? It looks like I'm sleeping on cobblestones....

But I sleep on cobblestones.

Kayle awoke with a start. It took him a few minutes to realize that he was indeed not at home. He was sleeping in the middle of a dark old alley. Drunken crates were lined up beside him. In the daylight, passers-by walked in old clothes, some pulling carts. For Kayle, everything was new. Everything, even the feeling of not being at home. At first, he laughed. But it was a nervous laugh. He didn't want to believe it. He couldn't believe it.

-It's nonsense. It was all nonsense. It wasn't a dream. I changed worlds. This was real and those people are dead. This guy's going to kill me and I'm going to get outrun by Charles Venkclerk again.

All the images are coming back to me. How could I forget? Trane Rakis, all those idiots... I'm going to die here...I'm going to die. I don't know where I am, who the hero is, and I'm just a human who knows nothing about this world about to die from....

What should I die of, anyway? It's like going to another country. No housing, no money, but it's almost the same thing. I have to find an intelligence office, accommodation and the hero of the story. It's a bit cowardly to say it, but even if I have to be the antagonist, it's better to be in the company of the hero to survive. Wait? Maybe this isn't such a good idea. The others might well kill his companions to oppose him. Better to run away from him in the meantime. First I need to find a place to stay.

Kayle stepped out of the alleyway he was in. Passers-by looked at him with strange eyes, given his clothes. They were simple peasants in a small village. Kayle started looking around to see if he could find anything. The medieval style bothered him greatly. The village consisted of nothing but small houses, and the inhabitants didn't seem at ease with strangers. What Kayle didn't know was that, as he'd been lying in the street earlier, he'd been mistaken for a beggar, and beggars begged in town, not in a village. If they begged in the villages, it was because they were wanted criminals who hid away from the cities to get some sleep. These criminals often stayed in the villages to pillage them or take them hostage in case the soldiers arrived. So Kayle had made a bad impression on the villagers as soon as he arrived.

-Here, an inn. I hope I can find something in there.

I need to make a good impression. I'll start by saying hello to the bartender and asking for his help. Usually, in this sort of thing, he'll put you up if you work for them.

The door creaked as Kayle opened it. Inside were about thirty people drinking. Many weren't already sober anymore. Kayle was not pleased.

Great. I must...pass...between these brutes. But... Huh?

However, everyone stopped at the sight of Kayle. They were aware that a criminal was in the village, wearing very strange clothes. Some had daggers and swords at belt level and were ready to draw them.

What do they want? I know my clothes are strange to them, but don't look at me like that. They look like they want to kill me. I need to talk to the bartender as soon as possible. What is it? It's a girl. She's quite pretty.

-Hi, there. I'm looking for some information about the village and...

What's up? What's going on? My voice. What language am I speaking? Don't tell me he could do that too? Well, I'm not going to complain now. That psychopath Trane Rakis at least gave us the benefit of the language.

-Yes, what did you say?

-Ah, sorry. I'm looking for information about the village. It's my first time here and I've neither lodgings nor money. I got robbed on the way. By the way, if you've got a job for me, I'd be glad to take it.

-Of course. But first, I'm going to give you the Kor test.

-The Kor test?

-Yes, the Kor test. Don't tell me you don't know what it is. It's a test to measure your energy level.

-Ah, of course. I knew that.

-Yes, you knew that.

I almost got caught. Maybe it's better to say I'm not from this world. Who knows? Oh, I see, a mirror.

-Could you face it, please?

-Okay.

Now I can finally see if I'm cut out to be a worthy antagonist.

-Just to be sure. How do you know if I'm any good or not?

-The mirror's reaction depends on the person you are. Usually, for the average person, the mirror just shows a faint aura around you. But you should have a good reaction.

-Of course i should.

I'm sure Charles had a divine light. I'm not going to let that happen to me. Come on, show me my destiny...

The mirror showed no reaction. It only reflected Kayle's ridiculous body spreading its arms as if blessed. Which he wasn't.

-Huh?

-Catch him!

The soldiers at the inn took him for a sign. If the criminal was weak, then they could arrest him. The bounty on their heads was worth a lot.

-Huh ?