His words had taken on a cryptic tone, reminiscent of a cheesy movie villain. Regret started to settle in as Jake realized he may have made a mistake by following these four to an empty park.
However, the only one he couldn't easily handle in a fight was the giant silver-haired guy. He was confident he could take on Cao Cao and the bespectacled one without much trouble. They still hadn't properly introduced themselves, though.
Cao Cao continued with his smug demeanor. "My apologies, there. My name is Cao Cao," he said, maintaining his sly smile. "
And with me are my friends and dear comrades, Jeanne, Georg, and Heracles. We like to refer to ourselves as the Hero Faction, the Protectors of humanity."
"The Protectors of humanity, seriously?" Jake thought to himself, preparing for a fight in his mind.
It seemed that this encounter had turned out to be a complete and total waste of time. Were they expecting him to join their theater troupe or something? He felt a sense of frustration building up within him.
"Look, I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'm not interested," he stated firmly, preparing to leave the park.
"I'm sorry, but I have better things to do than listen to some group claiming... whatever this is."
Cao Cao's smirk grew wider, as if Jake's response had only fueled his amusement. "Oh, but Jake," he began, his tone dripping with condescension,
"you underestimate the power that lies within you. You may not be aware of your true potential, but we can help you unlock it."
Jake couldn't believe this guy was still going on about this nonsense. His patience was wearing thin. However, Jeanne, one of the members of the group, stepped forward.
Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of determination and something else—something he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Jake, please hear us out," she pleaded, her voice surprisingly soft.
"We know things about your parents, about your heritage. It's information that could change your life."
Her words caught his attention, stirring a flicker of curiosity within him. Despite his initial dismissal, the mention of his parents and the prospect of gaining insights into his own identity intrigued him.
He hesitated, contemplating whether to entertain their claims further.
Georg, the guy with black spiky hair and glasses, chimed in. "We understand your skepticism, but we have nothing to gain by deceiving you.
Give us a chance to explain. If you still wish to walk away afterward, we won't stop you."
Jake weighed his options, realizing that this encounter might hold some answers to the questions that had haunted him for years.
It was an opportunity he couldn't ignore, no matter how skeptical he felt.
"Fine," he finally relented, his tone laced with caution. "But make it quick. I'm not committing to anything until I have concrete answers."
The group exchanged glances, seemingly pleased with his willingness to listen.
With a sense of both anticipation and wariness, Jake settled in, preparing himself to delve into a world he never knew existed—a world that held
the key to unlocking his true potential and discovering the secrets of his lineage.
------------
Cao Cao smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, let's start by ripping off the bandaid, shall we?"
"The what?" Jake asked, perplexed.
"He meant that metaphorically," Jeanne chimed in, her voice filled with a touch of amusement.
They stood facing each other in the middle of the deserted park. Cao Cao, Jeanne, Georg, and Heracles formed an odd quartet, each emanating their own peculiar aura.
Though Heracles appeared intimidating with his robust physique, it was Cao Cao and Jeanne who unsettled Jake the most.
Georg, on the other hand, seemed like your typical know-it-all, with a face that begged to be punched.
"Alright, let's get to the point," Jake said, frustration seeping into his voice. "What do you guys want with me?"
Georg, (or Mr. Please Punch My Face) as Jake mentally labeled him, spoke up.
"We want you to join us. But first, you have to realize your place."
Jake snorted, his annoyance growing. "And what exactly is my place?" he retorted, his irritation evident.
Cao Cao interrupted with a sneer. "Well, it's royalty, of course. True human royalty.
If only your father hadn't tainted your bloodline with his disgusting race, then you would truly be perfect for our group.
Alas, beggars can't be choosers, and I suppose he couldn't choose to be a filthy half-breed."
Jake was taken aback by the audacity of Cao Cao's backhanded remark.
Despite enduring his fair share of insults as an orphan in the public school system, this was undoubtedly one of the rudest comments he had ever heard.
Jeanne chimed in before Jake could respond. "He can't help the fact that his father is a filthy devil!" she exclaimed cheerfully.
To Jake's surprise, he couldn't help but laugh. "My father was a devil? Are you guys for real?" he scoffed.
"Listen, whatever cult or club you're selling, I'm not interested. I'm just gonna go." He turned around, intending to walk away from their absurdity.
However, a loud voice boomed behind him, halting his retreat. "Hey, asshole! We're not joking here.
You really are a disgusting half-breed devil, and it's only because of our respect for your mother's side that we haven't dealt with you ourselves yet."
Jake spun around, his anger ignited. "What the fuck are you all talking about?" he shouted back, his frustration boiling over.
"You all need some serious help. I'm not some devil; I'm just an ordinary human.
You want proof? Look at this!" He yanked out a crucifix hidden beneath his shirt. "If I were some evil creature, wouldn't this burn me?"
He had been a Christian, attending church occasionally, but still, it was impressive that he could wear the crucifix unharmed.
Jeanne's voice chimed in, cheerful despite the tension. "Wow, that's impressive. It means you have inherited his abilities."
She eyed his crucifix intently. "But there's something strange about that crucifix," she continued.