Game of Higher Hands - My Loot

15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBjBAfmSb7

“Don’t move.”

I turn around.

There are six people standing behind me.

Three men.

Three women.

Different clothes. Different weapons.

But they stand together like a team.

One of them steps forward.

A man.

Older than me.

Maybe twenty-two.

Calm eyes.

Leader type.

He looks at the black shard, not me.

Then he says:

“Please put it down.”

I blink.

“…I just got here.”

The man ignores that.

“That shard is important.”

I look at the floating black glass.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“What does it do?”

He answers immediately.

“It can restore the world.”

I look at him.

Then at the shard.

Then back at him.

I smile.

“Wow. That sounds amazing.”

Nobody smiles back.

Tough crowd.

I put my hands in my pockets.

“So… if I understand correctly, collecting these things can fix the whole world?”

“Yes.”

“That is great news.”

I nod a few times.

“Really great news.”

The six people slowly spread out.

Small movements.

Careful.

They are getting closer to the shard.

And closer to me.

I pretend not to notice.

Instead, I ask another question.

“How many of these things are there?”

Silence.

“Ten?”

No answer.

“Twenty?”

Nothing.

“So… secret?”

The leader finally speaks.

“That information isn't important right now.”

I grin.

“Oh, it definitely is.”

Still no answer.

Interesting.

They don't want to tell me.

I keep going.

“So this isn't your first one, right?”

Silence again.

“Then what number is this? Second? Third? Tenth?”

Nothing.

I sigh dramatically.

“You people are no fun.”

A girl in the group looks annoyed.

“Just step away from the shard.”

I raise both hands.

“Relax. I'm only asking questions.”

I point at them.

“Are you professionals?”

No answer.

“Government workers?”

The leader shakes his head.

“No.”

I nod.

“Ah, I thought so.”

I look around the room.

“The government still can't deal with all these strange cities. The soldiers I saw outside probably don't even know what happened in here.”

Nobody says anything.

“So…”

I point at them again.

“You're a private group?”

The leader answers this time.

“Yes.”

“Interesting.”

He pauses.

Then adds:

“We were chosen.”

I blink.

“Chosen?”

“Yes.”

“For what?”

“To collect the shards.”

I slowly nod.

I even make a thoughtful face.

“Wow…”

I look at the shard again.

“Chosen people collecting magical pieces to save the world.”

I look back at them.

“That sounds important.”

Nobody moves.

Nobody speaks.

I put one hand on my chin.

Pretending to think.

The room becomes quiet.

Very quiet.

The leader's eyes change slightly.

Decision made.

He moves.

Fast.

Straight toward the shard.

The others move too.

Good teamwork.

I don't move.

Still thinking.

Still looking down.

Then I suddenly raise my head.

“Oh, right.”

Everyone pauses for a fraction of a second.

I smile.

“I still don't know your names.”

That tiny pause is enough.

The world slows.

Not completely.

Just enough.

I feel that strange power again.

That new ability.

Everything becomes clear.

Every step.

Every movement.

Every direction.

Then—

I move.

I turn.

One step.

Two.

Fast.

Much faster than before.

I grab the shard.

The huge piece of black glass suddenly shrinks.

The light disappears.

The room shakes.

The shard becomes smaller.

Smaller.

Until it turns into—

A piece of paper.

No.

A map.

A strange map.

There are many symbols on it.

Circles.

Lines.

Marks.

But only one symbol has color.

The rest are grey.

I stare at it.

“…Well, that's new.”

“Stop him!”

Someone shouts.

I jump back immediately.

Keeping my distance.

The six of them stop.

Watching me.

Watching the map.

The leader's calm face finally changes.

“You are the holder.”

I blink.

“The what?”

Nobody answers.

I look down at the map again.

Then back at them.

“Oh.”

I smile.

“Now I understand why you wanted this so badly.”

The leader takes one step forward.

“We need that shard.”

I shake my head.

“No. You need it.”

I raise the map.

“I have it.”

The girl from earlier looks angry.

“That shard belongs to everyone!”

I laugh.

“Really?”

I point behind me.

“Who fought the boss?”

Silence.

“Who almost died?”

Silence.

“Who walked all the way to the center?”

More silence.

I smile wider.

“Definitely wasn't you six.”

The leader speaks again.

“We're trying to save the world.”

I nod.

“Great goal.”

Then I point at myself.

“But this is still my loot.”

Nobody moves.

The room becomes quiet again.

Then something appears in my mind.

Words.

Clear words.

First Holder Confirmed.

Emergency Exit Available.

Leave City?

YES / NO

I blink.

Then I almost laugh.

“You're kidding.”

The team notices my expression.

“What happened?” the leader asks.

I grin.

“Oh… something wonderful.”

I press YES.

Not with my hand.

Just with my mind.

The ground below me lights up.

A circle of black light appears.

The six people suddenly realize what is happening.

“Wait!”

“Stop him!”

“Don't leave!”

I wave at them.

“Sorry.”

I put the map into my pocket.

Then I smile.

“You people followed me all the way here, watched me fight the boss, and now want to take my prize because of ‘saving the world’?”

I shake my head.

“No thanks.”

I point at them.

“Try harder next time.”

The black light grows brighter.

The leader suddenly asks:

“What's your name?”

I think for a second.

Then I smile.

“Jax.”

The light surrounds me completely.

The last thing I say is:

“And don't follow me again.”

Everything turns black.

A second later—

I open my eyes.

Fresh air.

Night sky.

Grass.

I'm outside.

Outside the dead city.

Far behind me, the city entrance slowly closes.

Like nothing ever happened.

I sit there for a few seconds.

Then I take the map out again.

The single colored mark glows softly.

I look at it.

Then at the sky.

Then I laugh.

A real laugh.

“Well…”

I stand up.

“I think my life just became a lot more complicated.”15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBREhdpNhm

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