"Who do you think you are?" The man in front said.
He was big, very big. Ricardo's colossal frame dominated the scene, his immense arms bulging, easily tripling the size of my own. A man sculpted by a lifetime of relentless training. Behind him, the rest of the people with him were average, at best.
"Do you perhaps not know who I am?" I asked.
The man absentmindedly scratched his jaw. His other hand held a large metal pipe with a rock on the end. I'm not sure how that can physically work...
"Not a clue!" He said. He laughed loudly, his voice was booming. I could tell just by the way he speaks that he isn't a 'bad person', per se. But I guess in a world like this, there are no good or bad guys, it's the survival of the fittest.
With a wry smile, he continued, "In this dog-eat-dog world, you either adapt or perish. It's all about doing what you have to do to stay ahead, even if it means crossing a line or two."
Impressive. Despite only being here for a few hours, this person already shows incredible determination. Watching him, fascinated by his words and self-assured presence, it was clear that he had a cleverness that surpassed simple survival instincts.
"I respect that, before we engage in combat, may I kindly ask what your name might be?"
"Ricardo. I am just a humble body builder." Ricardo said, his hand scratching the back of his head.
With a theatrical bow, I introduced myself, "My name is Arthur, and in case you're curious, I'm Arthur the Magician." The words dripped with a blend of pride and amusement.
Ricardo took his mallet into both hands now and pointed it out to me. "Well Arthur, you seem like a fine young gentleman. Here I'll give you an offer, join me and my group and I will spare your life, hell I'll even make you my second in command.
His offer under normal circumstances would be quite enticing, but I have to be there and protect my friends.
"I must respectfully refuse, Ricardo." You see, I have a duty to protect my friends. "You'd get it, wouldn't you?"
"Damn right I do."
I let go of my cape and swished my hand to the right. A white glove appeared and coated my hand, following suit, my wand appeared. There are about thirty people behind Ricardo from what I can see.
Above us a loud cracking noise almost like glass sounded, both Ricardo and I shot our heads up to see what that was...
[And it looks like our first special event will be starting right here, right noooowww!]
As that voice spoke a young woman, dressed like an Idol, fell from the sky and floated above the two groups; she looked like a hologram.
"What?" We both exclaimed at the same time.
[Arthur the Magician, special player #1 and Ricardo the body builder, player #1,093,204,501. May you both please open your message and see the event that is ongoing!]
I opened my menu and saw what she said, [1 New Notification]. I clicked it and opened it, to see its contents.
[Event]
Difficulty: D
Objective: Defeat Ricardo and his 30 Hooligans from The Sumo Squad.
Time limit: None
Reward: 2200 Experience-Points (EXP)
Failure penalty: None
So, I suppose that events don't have a failure penalty? No, I don't think it's that they have no failure, I think it might be due to the fact there isn't a time limit on this event.
"Ah I see, so if I kill this Arthur guy I can get 50,000 Gold and 200,000,000 Experience Points? Hoh! That is quite the find."
"Huuuh?! What the hell is the meaning of this Idol lady? How come he gets that much, and I get a measly two thousand experience!"
The idol ignored me and continued her dance. It was quite awkward to watch considering the fact there wasn't any music with her, er, odd dance.
[Thank you for partaking in the event. Enjoy the Ruined World and make sure to have fuuuuuuun!!!]
The idol threw a punch in the air and floated back up to where she came from, wherever that may be.
"I suggest we skip this even-", Ricardo rudely interrupted me by jabbing his mallet into my stomach, sending me sprawling backwards with an incredible impact. As I rolled across the cemented floor, the impact cracked the ground with each spin from the momentum.
Struggling to catch my breath, I forced myself to stand, overwhelmed by the pain in my stomach.
"Did I have the wrong idea on you, Ricardo?"
"That is for you to decide."
As Ricardo swung down at Arthur with his mallets, Arthur quickly flung himself back using magic to avoid the attack.
I winced and pressed my hand against my ribs, trying to feel around to confirm how many broken ribs I had.
He mercilessly shattered and fractured not one, not two, but an astonishing total of three of my ribs, causing excruciating pain to course through my body.
I exclaimed with a loud groan. "This is terrible."
Ricardo once again dashed at Arthur, this time in a rapier-like stance, despite wielding a heavy mallet.
His physical strength was off the charts; Arthur couldn't compare.
But what Ricardo failed to realize was that Arthur's determination surpassed his physical strength.
Dog-eat-dog world, he said? He's right. I won't go down without a fight, not by a man, not even by a god.
I will do whatever it takes...to protect my friends.
Arthur quickly side stepped to the right, dodging Ricardos blow.
"Over here big guy!" I exclaimed, I twisted around with my right foot raised and struck Ricardo in his abdomen. I will use magic to enhance my blow.
When Arthur tried to use magic to enhance his attack, it didn't work, which confused him. Because of this he only went half-way with his attack.
His kick didn't even faze Ricardo, although it sent him flying back. But that alone wasn't sufficient to halt a monster like him.
What just happened? Why couldn't I access my magic?
I once again tried using magic, this time it worked, and I was able to open my menu...
So why won't it work in battle?
"Cheap tricks, Arthur. I don't like when people do that kind of shit in a fight!"
Ricardo charged at me with formidable speed, executing a powerful headbutt that targeted my ribs. In a ruthless follow-up, he seized my back with his massive hands, forcefully slamming me into the ground. The impact was so intense that my body carved out a crater upon contact.
[Status update]
Condition: Critical
Secret status update:
█████████████
Note: You may only obtain this update if you discard your honor; you will become
[The Clown of Humanity]
Do you wish to participate?
If you don't, your body will begin to fail in 3 seconds.
[Yes] [No]
I threw my right arm to the right and quickly sprung it forward, my ring finger extended and my heart pounding in my chest. Which is odd, to think somebody like me is on the verge of death, yet I feel more alive than ever.
If Arthur were to look in the mirror at this very moment he would be quite shocked to know that instead of his regular gloomy look or the fake smile he puts on to please others he was feeling an overwhelming sense of euphoria and bliss, radiating from deep within his soul.
Arthur was...
Smiling.
[Option Yes selected, opening status update.]
Ricardo was holding onto Arthur tightly with his left hand, but despite his tight and inhumane grip on Arthur, he was sent flying back... back so far that he had been propelled through the skyscraper that stood approximately 200 meters behind their location.
Arthur's body was glowing, he was shining, a bright golden shine enveloped his physique.
[Status update]
Level: 5->0
Occupation: M̶a̶g̶i̶c̶i̶a̶n̶ | + Clown
Special page unlocked: [Magic]
Notes: You may experience some changes physically, [special player #1]. I suggest getting [24] hours of rest.
The page of my menu suddenly shut down, and I felt a sudden surge of heat coursing through my body.
How did that person from earlier predict that I would become the Clown of Humanity? I'm confused about everything that's happening right now.
In quiet amazement, the thirty men stood motionless, captivated by the sight of Arthur. The radiant aura enveloping him slowly diminished, revealing his altered appearance. The profound transformation left them bewildered, struggling to grasp the magnitude of the spectacle that unfolded before them.
In just a matter of a few hours spent in this "ruined world" they made, I have already found myself a new purpose.
How exciting...
I can't help but wonder if Edward will view me as someone impressive now.
He was dressed in a black tuxedo, complete with a sleek black bow tie.
What made his new appearance even more peculiar was the addition of a striking red ribbon that adorned his top hat, accompanied by a matching bow tie.
However, the most unsettling aspect of his sudden transformation was the presence of a clown mask, which sent shivers down the spines of all who witnessed it.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
Four! I hit a pose, throwing my hands out and crossing my legs where I stood.
This new body of mine is great. Spectacular even! Ah, random voice, you've changed my life...
At least that's what I would love to say, but god dammit, I don't feel any different! Whyyyyy!? I could've had such a great entrance if I was feeling it right now...
I fell to my feet and put my head between my knees. Sulking like a child who had lost at their favorite game.
The people that were watching me as I transformed spoke up.
"H-hey uh sir...can we go now, please?" One of the men said. His voice was quivering.
"Oh? But the show has just begun! Let me see... you all could make some fine balloons, don't you think? Hm?" I said, clapping my hands a few times.
"Geeh!!" the men shrieked in unison, they had all fallen over onto their asses now.
Their big bodies were quaking, it was quite nasty honestly to see so many grown men shaking in fear at a mere clown.
"My, you all can't even be called men if you are crying like this over a simple and humble magician such as myself."
They stared at me with faces that showed only signs of fear for their lives. My, this truly is laughable. But I'm in such a good mood, and I'd rather not spoil it... plus I do have to make sure I return to my friends soon Ahh, what the hell, I'll let em go.
"Just once I will be kind and let you all go, but don't think this will happen a second time. You all are going to become strong for me now and if I ever need the assistance of some strong men you will be at my beckon, kay?"
In a gesture of utmost respect and reverence, they all flipped onto their knees and bowed up at me.
"Yes sir, we promise to be good to you and never betray your expectations. Goodbye, sir!"
Everyone suddenly stopped bowing and quickly fled from me. They moved so quickly that I began to question if they were even real. They seemed almost robotic in their speed.
Once again the sky above me made a loud cracking noise. I don't even want to see what the hell will fall in front of me this time...
The 'person' if you can even call them that... which had fallen down from the sky made a loud thud with their entrance, so, they aren't a hologram like the last... person.
"What the hell are you?" I asked matter-of-factly.
Why is a man in a lab coat with a giant lizard head standing before me.
[Connnnnnggggrrrrrrrrrrrattttulations Special Player #1 you have completed the event!]
"Yeah, woo-hoo me, yeahhhh!" I said matter-of-factly, clapping my hands loudly on purpose.
[He-he! Now that's the spirit.] The lizard said with a wink.
Wait, how the hell did a lizard just wink?
[1 New Notification]
I clicked the notification, and it revealed quite the surprising news to me.
[Status update]
Notes: You have won the event!
Rewards granted: [2200] Experience points | +[5000] Gold
[Shop] Has been temporarily unlocked
Time limit: 30:00
You were granted an extra reward for your performance.
Ho oh! 5000 Gold has to be a lot, right? Well, I suppose that isn't what's important... what is this shop?
I opened my menu and saw a new tab, [Shop] and [Magic].
Oh, right, I unlocked [Magic]... First I will check out the shop since there is a time limit.
When I opened the shop an odd message was displayed on my screen.
[Congratulations, Special Player #1 you are the first person to unlock the shop!]
Bonus: -90% off on all store items for the remaining time the shop is open.
Shit that IS really sweet!
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