26. Show, Don't Tell
Author: Ariathros
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

I painted a sin in my blood. Its flow drives like a calm wave in the ocean. My obstruction-less breathing makes me feel refreshed.

The astral world absorbed me. I'm standing in a white space and the first rule is silence. It's strange yet I feel comfortable in it.

Images form through an abstract spiral. It plays a video after being completed. I've set foot in the imaginary slums where I once lived.

This place has gained quite old. People from my past kicked me into this bed of trash to wake me up. The broken post light remained unfixed.

My eyes wandered with infinite rounds until I saw someone. The first person who passed was an adult malicious person with torn cloth and reeks of alcohol.

That person… was me.

This is the present I'm going to end up to if the real me didn't wake up in cowardice and truth. This was me if Risano didn't die.

Suddenly, another person followed the other me into that alleyway. Her hair shines brightly contrasting the clothing that she had. She already steps
Continue to read this book on the App

Related Chapters

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   27. When the Flowers Bloom

    After my first fight with Nazuno at the arena in Crutiara, I had a one-on-one talk with Miss Chiho after. She pointed her palm at my forehead like she's going to cast some transfer to my brain."Please… Hear me out on my selfish request…"Suddenly, the thing that happened in the arena happened again. I lost consciousness, but this time, I saw a vision of Nazuno getting stroked by a mysterious person whose face I couldn't see.It's dark and raining, and there's no one that could help her. I'm only spectating but I tried to reach her as I scream her name.As my consciousness came back again, my palm is trying to reach something inexistent.Then Miss Chiho told me my real mission."From these unavoidable futures… Please save my daughter.""Then you're…" No doubt. She's the one who has shown me a memory of the match. "Whose memory did I see earlier? Who is that girl on the brink of death? Is that Nazuno?"She presses her lips and grabs one of her arms. She made a slight pause before reply

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   28. Amethyst and the Boss

    Nazuno has been staring at me intensely as we dive deeper into the glowing cave. It bugs me for real."What?" I asked. "You really think I would kill my father and marry my mother?""Yes.""Why didn't you put your saw in my neck?""I will.""Look. I would be long dead if I have that despicable character. There's only a trick in unlocking the gate. Sensei taught me." I lied though. Sorry, Sensei."Liar.""Look who's talking!"She stopped speaking. Moreover, she's pinching her chin as she looks down at the ground."Is it just the difference in mentors? Did I choose wrong?""No. This is not the time to diss anybody.""However, the more I know about you, the greater the reason I shouldn't trust you."I sighed. "I'm just showing you that I have nothing to hide against you. Isn't that what you've said?""That's not what I meant.""A demon like you shouldn't be talking about human tales. I know you're curious but you shouldn't step into deeper boundaries. If the authorities found out that yo

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   29. Farewell

    The crack reached the bottom and causes the amethyst to break. A flow of liquid aura circulated around it and formed a figure of a monster. Its head and claws depict a wolf and its body is a well-built titan. It has nothing below its waste as it floats. The pressure in the air became heavy. Its body absorbed most of the cave rocks until it materializes. Then, it made a roar that resonated throughout the cave. It screamed the same way he did in my head. "SHOW YOURSELF, ARGOS! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! I SMELL YOUR PRESENCE YOU PEST!" "Argos? What a lame ancient name for an easily forgettable character," I murmured. "I don't mind such jokes," Nazuno replies. "Moreover, it is speculating how it got activated." "Do you know anything about forbidden gems?" "Usually, they contain swarms of monsters detained for periods of time. Most of the monsters contained in it are evil ones that became refugees." "Un," I nodded.

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   1. The New Transfer Student

    In this dusty room, everything was scattered. All over the place, books tumbled down the cabinet. It was unsightly. It is the leaves from the outside that make up the floor pattern.Then there was I, a peacefully sleeping man. While I drowse, I salivate unconsciously. For an unknown reason, my pillow, which is supposed to be on my head, is placed under my foot.I groan as I roll to the right edge of the bed in my sleep. I fell, of course. The back of my head hit the ground hard, waking me up from the imaginary paradise I'd been dreaming of.I groaned for real this time. In no time, I rubbed the back of my head to ease the pain. I mumbled my curse."Argh!" It's been my 6,812th day of living this miserable life. I wonder every time I clean up this mess, it keeps growing. I never thought there was a hellish place other than hell.I can't ask Risano to clean up again. She doesn't care. This room is my room by the way. There is no harm in asking for a cleaning service, but if Risano sees it

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   2. Tears of Fear

    She’s cute. I can’t deny it. But this isn’t the time to think of thoughts like that!She is 5' 4" tall with long brown hair and a slim body. Her chest and bottom are average. Judging from our uniforms, we’re going to attend the same university.When she takes my hand and stands up, she quickly wipes her eyes until no tears are visible. The shaking that she felt had stopped. She’s surprisingly calm.She bathed in sweat. But even if she was, she should have entered university by now. Since when are these guys chasing her?“Are you fine now?”She nods as an answer.Turning around, I begin walking. “Then there’s no time to waste. We’re already late. We should rush through the gates…”But she pulls my cloth to stop me from walking. As I turn towards her, she shakes her head. Is she deaf?“You’re late as well. Why are you slowing down?”With a whisper, she replies. “Guards.”Does she want to take custody of these smugs? Does she know that we’re already an hour late to catch our breath at the

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   3. Listening to a Lecture

    There was a realm where demons lived in the past. Zeno is ruled by a demon lord and was once a place prone to human invasion.Without a clear reason, humans once treated us as pests. In their eyes, we are evil. We did nothing at all.It all came from the tales of the reborn hero fighting the demon lord. Those absurd myths became human religion and later became international beliefs.Those myths led to a war, an unreasonable war between humans and demons. Those humans just couldn't stop back then. Every demon lord becomes a threat to them.Humans are a complicated race. Even though they are weak unlike the beastmen, the sylphs, and the others, they are formidable creatures. A demon can have a hard time reading human actions.That made the hierarchy of the demon realm become different. Instead of demon nobles, war generals became demon lords. The monarchy became a competition for power. Gluttony was replaced by unity.Demon Lords are volatile except for one… well, almost one. He is an un

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   4. Aroma of Food and Coffee

    This lunch time, I accepted Majiro’s request to walk around with him. I would have lost my way back to my classroom if I had not trusted Majiro with my freedom.We first stood in front of the building where the classrooms are located. In preparation for his active introduction, Majiro opened his arms wide."Welcome to the sophomore school building. This is where sophomore classes are held. There are a lot of sophomores at Crutiara, and a building is adequate for them."The school building is a huge two-story building with a huge area. Its exterior has pillar designs, and its roofs are triangular and pyramidal.The first floor’s ceiling is impossible to reach for a six footer. No wonder why classrooms are also wide.Do they have a different design for the buildings from other years?" I asked.“No. Do you see the buildings there?” He points his fingers toward three buildings with the same layout. “The numbers pasted on the building represent the years of students.”“So that roman numeral

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   5. Mothers Could Fly

    The school will end at 5 PM. The bell rings and the same crowd swarms outside the classroom. The same girl stands up again and walks away with the guards. I was right. Her name was Tsuki Kugiyama. She became the topic of my conversation with Majiro earlier in the park. "Before the break, there's some kind of apocalypse going on. It keeps bugging me. Do you know what's going on? It feels weird not knowing any of your norms." "It isn't the norm, if you can call it that. It has been like that since uhm… two weeks? No, it's been a year already." "A year!?" "Don't you know her, Ritake?" I shook my head. "I barely know anyone who's stepped on Yruiburg's ground." Majiro puts his hand in his chest and slowly smiles while looking at the sky. "Being Ritake's first friend in Yruiburg is such… ughh." I knocked on his head. "Stop moaning! By the way, who the heck is she?" He winks at me and does an idol-like pose. "Tsuki Kugiyama, the lead dancer of the pop group ChENA. She's pretty as hec

Latest Chapter

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    29. Farewell

    The crack reached the bottom and causes the amethyst to break. A flow of liquid aura circulated around it and formed a figure of a monster. Its head and claws depict a wolf and its body is a well-built titan. It has nothing below its waste as it floats. The pressure in the air became heavy. Its body absorbed most of the cave rocks until it materializes. Then, it made a roar that resonated throughout the cave. It screamed the same way he did in my head. "SHOW YOURSELF, ARGOS! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! I SMELL YOUR PRESENCE YOU PEST!" "Argos? What a lame ancient name for an easily forgettable character," I murmured. "I don't mind such jokes," Nazuno replies. "Moreover, it is speculating how it got activated." "Do you know anything about forbidden gems?" "Usually, they contain swarms of monsters detained for periods of time. Most of the monsters contained in it are evil ones that became refugees." "Un," I nodded.

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    28. Amethyst and the Boss

    Nazuno has been staring at me intensely as we dive deeper into the glowing cave. It bugs me for real."What?" I asked. "You really think I would kill my father and marry my mother?""Yes.""Why didn't you put your saw in my neck?""I will.""Look. I would be long dead if I have that despicable character. There's only a trick in unlocking the gate. Sensei taught me." I lied though. Sorry, Sensei."Liar.""Look who's talking!"She stopped speaking. Moreover, she's pinching her chin as she looks down at the ground."Is it just the difference in mentors? Did I choose wrong?""No. This is not the time to diss anybody.""However, the more I know about you, the greater the reason I shouldn't trust you."I sighed. "I'm just showing you that I have nothing to hide against you. Isn't that what you've said?""That's not what I meant.""A demon like you shouldn't be talking about human tales. I know you're curious but you shouldn't step into deeper boundaries. If the authorities found out that yo

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    27. When the Flowers Bloom

    After my first fight with Nazuno at the arena in Crutiara, I had a one-on-one talk with Miss Chiho after. She pointed her palm at my forehead like she's going to cast some transfer to my brain."Please… Hear me out on my selfish request…"Suddenly, the thing that happened in the arena happened again. I lost consciousness, but this time, I saw a vision of Nazuno getting stroked by a mysterious person whose face I couldn't see.It's dark and raining, and there's no one that could help her. I'm only spectating but I tried to reach her as I scream her name.As my consciousness came back again, my palm is trying to reach something inexistent.Then Miss Chiho told me my real mission."From these unavoidable futures… Please save my daughter.""Then you're…" No doubt. She's the one who has shown me a memory of the match. "Whose memory did I see earlier? Who is that girl on the brink of death? Is that Nazuno?"She presses her lips and grabs one of her arms. She made a slight pause before reply

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    26. Show, Don't Tell

    I painted a sin in my blood. Its flow drives like a calm wave in the ocean. My obstruction-less breathing makes me feel refreshed.The astral world absorbed me. I'm standing in a white space and the first rule is silence. It's strange yet I feel comfortable in it.Images form through an abstract spiral. It plays a video after being completed. I've set foot in the imaginary slums where I once lived.This place has gained quite old. People from my past kicked me into this bed of trash to wake me up. The broken post light remained unfixed.My eyes wandered with infinite rounds until I saw someone. The first person who passed was an adult malicious person with torn cloth and reeks of alcohol.That person… was me.This is the present I'm going to end up to if the real me didn't wake up in cowardice and truth. This was me if Risano didn't die.Suddenly, another person followed the other me into that alleyway. Her hair shines brightly contrasting the clothing that she had. She already steps

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    25. A Dangerous Magnet

    And as I opened my eyes, the roof of the stadium collapsed. People are screaming, and Nazuno is missing.I can see a glowing person in front of the seat area we were in. No. It was Nazuno! As she casts air magic against the falling debris, she is fully focused.The crowd is in chaos, causing a stampede and jamming the exits. Nazuno was the only one who was trying to stop the crisis, but it looks like it’s too much for her to handle.“Risano, follow the crowd! Evacuate to the exit!”“But… where are you going!? It’s dangerous already! Are you an idiot!?” Risano exclaimed with worried wrinkled brows.I responded as I looked at Nazuno, “I’m doing what my Sensei told me to do.”“But…” Risano muttered with tearful eyes and a squirming body. “Promise me… You’ll go back… Onii-chan…”“What!? I can’t hear you! It’s too loud in the crowd!”"Idiot!" she exclaimed with furrowed eyebrows. “You go there and don’t come back ever again! You’re going to cook for a month if you do!”Then she runs her wa

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    24. Ron and Selene

    ”The Heart Will Never Betray You.”“Did you know that?” Nazuno asked.I shook my head. I just muttered the title. I don’t even know who they are. “Do you know it, Risano?”“It must be their newly composed song,” she replied with her eyes glued to the stage. Even Risano didn’t know.The lights gradually dim and later Tsuki gets the spotlight. The stadium remained quiet for minutes to fully grasp the emotions of the performance.As soon as I heard Tsuki's voice, my skull opened into a world of universality and horizons of illusion. It is as if she makes us wander through her memories, even if we are sitting here.A lone girl's love story caught my attention. It’s a very complicated life. Their choreography contributes to why everyone feels this type of hallucination.But this isn’t necessarily a negative thing. I’m constantly getting chills thinking about how they portray a girl in the story.It’s a tale of a girl named Selene. She’s a kind princess from a noble family who later ran int

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    23. The Heart will Never Betray You

    The huge stadium made my neck twist upward as I stepped off the carriage. It’s a huge circular stadium, but even the outside is flooded with people.We lined up at the entrance to the stadium and prepared our tickets. Then I remember…“Nazuno,” I said and looked at her. She already had her ticket out though. “Wait… Didn’t you tear it? Did you have the power to turn back time?”“Mom gave me this," she replied."You are braver than a superhero," Risano told her. “Not even a rich person can create confetti through a ticket.”“You can, though. I’m not even rich.”“You’re the most awful influencer!”But it’s better than Miss Chiho having a backup plan. Tsuki directly asked Miss Chiho for her cooperation. Nazuno can’t decline an invitation from her mother.The demon realm had discovered forms of entertainment by the time ‘boredom’ was defined. Boredom causes a person's mind to be caged in their limitations.Entertainment transcends not only limitations but expectations as well. Forms of art

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    22. Into the Performance

    It’s currently Monday. As I walk down the hallway, I'm still surrounded by eyes.Our meeting last Saturday didn’t last. Tsuki was fetched by her co-worker who is also an idol. I thought she would have a pleasant free time with us but…Our report is incomplete. We can only give them their respective sections. Tsuki knows hers, but I didn’t inform Nazuno about it yet.The presentation could be embarrassing for our group, but I have another thing to do today. Tsuki gave me this chance, so I must not let it pass me by.It is imperative that I procure Nazuno by all means in order to complete our presentation and our group.It is also to protect her from an unwanted future.At the end of today’s class, Tsuki gave a folded paper to Nazuno. “I’m looking forward to being in a group with you,” she said with a smile.Everyone squints their eyes as she leaves the room together with the guards. Nazuno presses her lips as she reads the content of the paper.I wonder what Tsuki wrote on that paper.

  • Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born   

    21. Greater Pain in the Ass

    Today is Saturday, and…"You are a liar, a cheater, a piece of shit!" I shouted. "Your rotten cobra tongue should have been cut since birth!""Really, huh?" Majiro replied with a smug smile. "You're just a financial sucker, a bankrupting tool, who thinks you can get away with everything you do! WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, SON!""I don't hear a word you have said, Majiro! I don't care about you, but I will take Rimi with me!"Rimi's face was flushed as she stuttered, "Ritake-kun...".Tsuki, on the other hand, picked up the Monopoly board. "We should stop playing now, don't you think?""Y... Yeah... yeah... we should... st..." Rimi stuttered much more than before."Rimi-san, are you fine? Did you catch some disease?" Tsuki asked as she put her hand on Rimi's forehead."I… I… I'm f… fine… really…"I said, "Maybe we should let her rest a little bit. She seems tired from all the work she did.""I'm… really fine… don't worry…"Tsuki inserts, "I still can't believe she's working as a cleaner