only you don’t get to choose whether to participate

“Congratulations! You are the 100th visitor to this room, and as such, will receive the best grand prize in the whole continent! Rejoice!”

“…”

Mysteriously, black confetti flew down from the ceiling, falling to the dust covered ground. The “noble” in the painting stood with his arms wide in a grand gesture, frozen as if waiting for a response. Seeing none, he swiftly brought his arms back to his sides. With a gloved hand covering his mouth, he cleared his throat to break the tension and sudden silence of the room.

“Well, to tell the truth, you might not be the 100th visitor…Actually, you’re the first to ever reach this room…It’s really been boring waiting here all this time…I even thought I might have to go out myself again and-”

The man went on, almost as if mumbling, and then suddenly glanced my way. Straightening up, he cleared his throat again, “Anyway! It is true that you have won. Congratulations on having reached this room! Your prize is to become the Ciel of this god here – The most beautiful and powerful god darkness!”

“…Never heard of one. Are you sure you weren’t tricked?”

“…You’re very good at leaving people speechless aren’t you? Why am I stuck with such a…”

Towards the end, his words started muffling and sounded more like he was mumbling to himself. Then, he sighed grandly as if the burden of the whole world were on his shoulders. But, no matter what, every action of his was extremely graceful.

“Are you sure you aren’t the god of elegance?”

“Ah, enough! I’m tired of your offhand comments! Can’t you just quietly bow and accept it?! You make even a gentleman lose his cool! Aren’t you ashamed? I was even granted this 13th building, what other proof do I need?”

“Isn’t it a storage?”

His face remained blank, but I could see a vein popping on his forehead, showing his suppressed anger.

“Because I’m a gentleman, I’ll ignore your insolence. Quickly grab that box and leave! As you can imagine, I’m a very busy man.”

I thought you were bored… I thought quietly to myself. I would have said it out loud, but I felt like I had done enough damage and anymore would be too troublesome. Plus, my attention started to be pulled elsewhere…

“Seriously, how come such a fearless idiot is the only one who…Grrr! I can’t let her anger me…I can’t…! I’m cool…I’m cool….”

As the “god” chanted and tried talking himself into a state of calm, I watched intently as the elegantly carved wooden section of the wall opened up. It was right underneath the portrait, the carving centering around a square, almost as if the frame of an expensive painting.

From inside, a small shelve popped up, a cute small box shining brightly in gold atop. Black jewels glittered across the surface – in all shapes and sizes. I had never seen such jewels before. From the rarity and quality, my eyes began calculating the value. Such exquisite detail…! What workmanship…! Only a true master could of…Ah, this is too much! My head whirled with calculations, working too fast for my thoughts to catch up. And if the box is this way…imagine what is inside!

“Oi, where are you going?!”

I paused, looking back slowly. The god huffed as he crossed his arms, “Open that here. Seriously, what would you have done if you opened it outside? Do you plan on destroying the whole continent?”

Didn't he just tell me to take it and leave?! But...just what is inside this box…? I was beginning to become scared. It’s something that could destroy the whole continent… So it won’t sell?!

“What’s with that expression?”

He gave a helpless sigh, “Just open that already.”

“So I can destroy the world from here? What, you want credit for it?”

“It won’t; it won’t. Just open it. It’s safe here, since it’s a different dimension capable of storing me.”

“…I knew it was a storage.”

“It isn’t! Geez. Can’t you be serious? Do you seriously want to receive the wrath of a god? How can I have such a person represent me…”

I glanced at the watch hanging around my neck. I had to be done here soon if I wanted to reach my room by midnight. Giving up on annoying the easily annoyed god for now, I opened the box as if it were a tiresome obligation.

“You don’t need to look so gloomy, do you…?”

“…”

“What?”

“…”

“Just say it. Are you going to dare to make a god wait?”

“…A ribbon? A ribbon is going to destroy the whole continent?”

“Well, I did wear it. Don’t worry; most of the power will dissipate here, so it won’t affect the outside world.”

“…Can I go now?”

“Yeah…”

The god of darkness watched my dark, slouched shadow slowly leaving the room as if I had been drained of all energy.

“Well, it wasn’t what I expected, but at least it’s over with. I guess I’ll take a nap for now.”

As the god yawned in the portrait, his image slowly started to freeze until only his elegant, glowering form stood still as a painting should.