Human nature is complex; it's hard to unravel and understand. We all have different personalities and wear masks in this world. This can be interpreted as both good and bad.
By wearing a mask, people hide their true faces from others.
Some are psychopathic; with a catalyst, they can become murderers. Some smile at your face while cursing you inside.
Some wear the mask out of necessity.
Personally, I, Anthony, am one of them.
Come, let me tell you about my life—understand why I wear a mask.
My mother was a prostitute, and my father was an alcoholic.
My father made my mother work, found her clients. They married out of necessity.
Because my father couldn't control his dick, I was born.
How tragic. Anyway, my memories of my family start at age four.
My mother didn't love me. Every time she saw me, she spat on my face. "I wish you hadn't been born," she'd say.
As a child, I would just remain expressionless.
Seeing that I didn't react, she would immediately slap me. Back then, I didn't even love her. My father was different—despite being an alcoholic scumbag, he never hit me, just remained indifferent.
That was the greatest blessing for me.
I learned to wear a mask early. Our next-door neighbor owned a library; he hated my parents but would always soften when he saw me. During elementary school, he taught me to read.
I became addicted to books. I would visit him at the library, and while I read, he'd always give me milk and cookies. I miss those days.
History, philosophy, psychology, chemistry, crime... I read almost every genre, but the ones I especially loved were mythology and fantasy/novel types.
God, they were my life. At age 16, I barely got permission from my family and worked at the library, helping the librarian, our always-there neighbor, Mrs. Miller.
I saved money until I was 18. Thanks to my excessive reading, my grades were top-tier, and I won a scholarship.
I still remember Mrs. Miller's tears of joy when she heard the news. But remembering my mother's reaction only increases my rage.
I still remember what she said:
My mother, a cigarette in one hand, the other on her waist: "You can fuck off from my house now. Your suitcase is by the door, let's never meet again."
I was trembling then. That's when I held myself back—I wanted to kill her, but my only reaction was to slap her face. My mother passed out, I put her in bed, and took the money I had saved.
My father heard the noise but didn't come. He was still sipping his beer in front of the table.
When he saw me, he turned his head and grunted: "Time to go, son. We did our duty. I couldn't convince your mom, you know that woman's crazy."
I sighed, looked into his eyes: "I hope we never meet again."
I spat on the ground, grabbed my suitcase, and left.
Since then, I've been wearing that mask in public. I went to university, did sports, and martial arts to clear my mind.
I was at Harvard University—yes, once I got in, life was guaranteed.
I graduated and became a lawyer. At least there, it's not just me—everyone wears a mask.
That's why I became a lawyer. I didn't have the goal of proving people's innocence, but this was the court; to me, it was like a playground. I always used an expressionless face.
Now I'm 27. No, I'm not a virgin.
I've slept with a few women but never got attached, never trusted anyone.
The world was my enemy, you can't trust anyone.
Not even your family…
My latest client was weird. He was the defendant, and most of the time, since the plaintiff tries to prove something, I could clear things up with loopholes in the law.
But this case was different. It was about whether an abused child would stay with the family or go to an orphanage.
I was moved but didn't show it. The information I had was against this man. I had to defend a son of a bitch.
I made my decision, stood before the judge, and spoke:
"Your honor, when we examine the child rights in the law and the evidence we have, it's clear this child was abused. There's nothing to defend. According to the law, Mister Henry T. Filming should go right to fucking jail, this son of a bitch is guilty!"
Everyone was shocked. Even the judge had never seen me like this. I didn't care. The people who beat the kid got 9 years in prison. That was all I could do.
Just as I was about to get into my Ford Mustang in the parking lot, two Black guys came up. I sensed something was wrong. As I was about to get in, one grabbed me. I kicked him right in the dick. As I turned to the other, I took a punch. The man pulled a gun and pointed it at my face: "Mister Henry sends his regards."
I should've known—the son of a bitch was Black, and he shot.
And now, everything I told you—that was my life, and I saw them before I died.
I'm talking to myself. It's dark around me, like a void. I don't even know where I am. I'm reminding myself of what I did in life and laughing like a madman in the void:
"Hahahahahahahaha! So this is what happens after death? Even after death, God tries to drive me insane. Life is meaningless, and so is death. Ah, what's happening?"
Damn it, I feel a pull and saw a fucking portal. I'm familiar with this from novels.
Is God giving me a chance? Now it's isekai time, bitch.
And I threw myself into the portal.
I saw light—or at least I think I did.
Oh my God, giants! Ahhhhhhhhhh!
I start crying.
They put me in water and clean me. Then a woman takes me in her arms.
Thank God I've read novels. I'm a damn baby right now. Who am I? What novel am I in?
Then I hear a name:
"Hmmm, look at my baby, how sweet! Ohhhhhh! From now on, your name is Dionysus. Your father was supposed to name you, but we'll surprise him."
This must be a joke, damn it. Please don't let it be what I think. The woman takes me, opens her chest, and presses me to it.
That woman—I'm probably older than you, but of course, she doesn't know that. My baby instincts kick in, and I drink the milk with pleasure.
Hmmm, delicious, but I feel a connection. How to summarize... the universe???
Suddenly, I transform into the form of a 6-year-old child. The woman is in shock, mouth a perfect O. She doesn't speak, I do, and say my assumption:
"Here's a tip—don't try to see Zeus's divine form, understand?"
The woman is still in shock. I walk up to her:
"Hey woman, what's your name?"
The woman snaps out of it:
"My newborn son just grew up instantly, I wasn't expecting that. Oh, don't call me a woman! I'm your mother. My name is Semele, princess of Thebes."
I was shocked—my assumption was right. Gods grow fast. Athena, for example, was born ready for war with a spear and shield.
Apollon helped her mother give birth to Artemis, and he was just 1 day old.
Anthony, or now Dionysus:
"I'm the son of Zeus, so your husband. You didn't tell your husband about the birth, did you? Anyway, give me money and clothes quickly."
Just then, Dionysus heard a voice in his head.
DING!!!
Damn it, is it what I think?
[System loading]
[System loaded]
A blue screen appeared in front of me.
[Quest: Escape from the palace]
[Reward: Bloodline Cleansing Pill]
[Penalty: Death (what else did you expect, huh?)]
[Remaining time: 4 hours]
Now?! Oh my God, I was just born, bitch!
Semele, meanwhile, looks at her son staring into the air:
{What is this? Is this the one I gave birth to? So rude. And did he say Zeus? I only know that I had relations with a god.}
I don't even know what to say. This kid is so shameless, making demands. I looked at him and raised my finger:
"You were just born, Dionysus. Come hug your mother."
I just looked at the woman, sighed, and hugged her. It feels warm, the bond between a mother and child.
In the age of the gods in Greece, betrayal was famous, especially toward family. Oh God, one day you're smiling at your son, and the next, he's poisoned your food.
Not referring to the drinking times of Cronus and Zeus.
Once, Zeus disguised himself and worked beside Cronus, becoming one of his most trusted men. Cronus was known for his drinking.
This time, Cronus wanted to drink as usual, and Zeus brought him wine. But it was a vomit-inducing drink, and Zeus saved all his siblings.
What heroism, right? That son of a bitch will probably show up here.
Some interpret Zeus tricking Cronus with wine as the triumph of wisdom over brute strength.
MY ASS—he's cunning, manipulative, and only gained god of wisdom status after drinking Metis.
Anyway, it was all Metis's idea.
Semele is still staring at me with dazed eyes. Right in front of me, her face was pale. She saw her newborn turn into a six-year-old instantly, but I'm already facing her:
"Look... Mom... Semele... I can't stay in this palace. I know someone wants to eliminate me the moment I was born. Family dramas among gods are infamous, you know."
Semele speaks in a trembling voice:
"But... you... My Dionysus..."
I couldn't take it, I sighed:
"Come on now, it's not like we won't see each other again. Please help me leave here."
I look at Semele's face—oh God, she's crying. I can't take it anymore. They'll probably come to kill me—probably Zeus.
Or Kalkhas???
Screw it. Semele reaches somewhere and gives me a bag of money. Some gold, some silver, some copper; mostly gold.
I go to Semele and kiss her on the cheek.
She laughs:
"I don't know what's going on, son, but you must've received a revelation. If it's as you say, run!"
Then she gives me a key and barely stands up.
Then light emits from her hand, and a wall opens. Oh my God, a secret passage, this is it.
Semele comes to me, just hugs and cries:
"Go, just go."
I feel sad, damn you Zeus, you son of a bitch. I will make you suffer, especially for Semele. I hug her tightly once more, then we part. I look back one last time as I enter the tunnel.
And I ran. My existence will only endanger her. The Fates will see me as an anomaly because, based on the current situation, I was born early.
Normally, Zeus sews me into his thigh, and I will be reborn.
This is crazy! Even men give birth here (only gods and in weird ways—for example, Athena).
I passed through the secret passage and ran at full speed, but I noticed something swinging—I was naked. Oh my God, I did all that naked.
I kept running and ran straight for half an hour. All I had was a bag. Then I saw stairs with a hatch on top.
I inserted the key, turned it, the hatch opened on its own, and I climbed out.
[Reward: Bloodline Cleansing Pill]
A blood-red pill appeared in my hand. What is this, straight out of some Xianxia crap?
There's a forest ahead and I run with all my strength. I enter the forest and don't look back. When I feel I've gone far enough, I stop:
"Ah, that was close."
Then I start digging the ground with my hands, and within an hour, it becomes a trench. I carry the excess dirt elsewhere, erase any traces, throw some leaves into the pit, and cover it with branches. Just as I'm about to fall asleep, a lightning bolt strikes from the sky, right into Thebes.
Oh my God… Four hours have passed. Good thing I made it out. Being a god has its perks—growing up fast and being stronger than humans, even right after birth.
But… I remember… My mother, Semele, was there. Damn it. Damn it.
Zeus, you cooked. You're gone. I'll cut off your dick and feed it to Cerberus, then offer you to Apollon. You son of a bitch—I'll get my revenge. So I lie in the trench, and that's how my day goes.