Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
Pant!
Pant!
Pant!
Footsteps echoed through the empty street.
"Grab her!"
A voice shouted.
"Don't let her escape with the relic beast!"
The young girl, cradling a small animal in her arms, rushed with all her strength down the pavement, aiming to lose the men chasing her through the nearby Mega Park of South City.
Rumble!
The ground shook violently, causing the girl to stumble.
"Agh!" she cried, tumbling onto the floor and scraping her leg—leaving a large gash on her lower shin.
"Oh no… It's bleeding—"
"You won't escape!"
A deep voice snarled.
A man in a black suit, fedora, and eerie mask appeared, wielding a red pistol. He aimed the glowing barrel at the girl.
Bang! — Bang! — Bang!
Multiple red bolts of heat zipped toward the girl's frail body, too fast for her eyes to register.
Roar!!
A looming shadow burst from the girl's arms in a blinding golden light.
What was once a plushie-like bundle in her embrace had transformed—into a colossal, ferocious beast, bloodlust radiating from its eyes. Taller than a tree, its intense golden gaze seared through the air. Its winter-grey fur bristled, and its barbaric claws carved a radius of terror.
A creature of supernatural origin—
A true relic beast.
"No! Stop it, July!!" the girl pleaded desperately.
The wolf bent low, shielding the girl with its massive body.
Then—
The sickening hiss of burning flesh echoed through the quiet street.
Boom!!
A shockwave of red light engulfed the area.
[Meanwhile…]
It was a beautiful day outside—
Birds were singing
Flowers blooming
The sun offered a warm embrace
And the sky? Especially pristine blue today.
South City's Mega Park looked like paradise.
"No rainy clouds to ruin this day," he muttered.
He glanced at his reflection in the fountain water and saw his whole figure clearly:
Clean navy-blue business suit: ✅
Neatly combed auburn hair: ✅
Totally-not-ordinary special glasses: exquisite! 🤓
He had been looking forward to this day—the author of his favorite novel, The Three Mighty Dragons (W plug), was hosting a signing booth at a nearby bookstore.
He couldn't afford to miss it—this was the world's greatest author.
He'd rather die than miss this!
Besides, the booth only closed in the next 20 minutes.
What could possibly go wro—
"Oomf!?"
A soft force crashed against his chest.
Looking down—
A young girl, around 12 years old, short brown hair and matching eyes, lay at his feet. In her arms, she cradled a small animal.
A wolf? he thought.
Unconscious, covered in… was that blood?
The girl looked up at him, eyes full of fear and frustration, panting heavily. Her leg was clearly wounded.
She had been running.
The girl dropped to her knees.
"Please! Please help us, Mr. Businessman! Don't let them take July from me!"
…That wasn't his name.
He thought about walking away.
The booth ended in 20 minutes… but…
Hick!
Hick!
Tears welled in the girl's eyes.
She tried to hold them back, using every bit of her willpower.
Suddenly—
Heavy footsteps echoed behind her.
Multiple looming shadows fell across the tiled floor of the park.
The girl gasped and ran behind Mr. Businessman.
A squad of men in black suits and fedoras emerged, masks twisted into unnatural expressions, each carrying bizarre tools seemingly stolen from a fantasy novel. The sunlight illuminated their ominous approach.
One of them, wearing a mechanical helmet resembling a black cat, stepped forward.
"You, sir. Are you a civilian? This matter doesn't concern you. Walk away and pretend you saw nothing," he warned.
Then, with menace—
"Or we'll make you leave."
Mr. Businessman looked down at the girl, clinging to his blazer, hugging her tiny wolf like a baby.
He turned back to the men.
"Hmph."
The cat-masked man scowled.
"What's so funny? Is death humorous to you, or—?"
"You're relic hunters, aren't you?" Mr. Businessman asked calmly.
The hunters stiffened.
Confidently—
Carelessly—
Audaciously—
He walked toward them, lifting his hand and giving the girl a thumbs-up.
"Don't worry, little chipmunk. Just sit tight and enjoy the show."
This man—
The relic hunters charged.
–was more–
One, wielding a golden sword, leapt toward Mr. Businessman, aiming for his skull.
"Die!!"
Before…
–then he seemed–.
" Blink "
In a millisecond, the world flashed in a blinding storm of colors—
Then it returned to normal.
The girl blinked.
The swordsman was gone.
All that remained—
Rattle!
Mr. Businessman held the golden sword, inspecting its blade.
The imprint of a masked man in a fedora reflected back at him.
"Heh~!"
The hunters were rattled.
One of their own had simply vanished.
Mr. Businessman pointed the sword at them, then glanced at his watch.
[12:50 AM]
10 minutes until the signing booth closed.
He removed his glasses, brushed a hand through his hair, and smirked.
"Sorry—but I've got a meeting to attend."
" Blink "
The world began to change.
Order became lost.
Colors defied logic.
Meaning became undefined.
Reality convulsed. Time bled sideways. Colors rebelled—crimson fractured into sound, blue collapsed into memories of unspoken regrets. Up became a metaphor. Gravity flickered like faulty Wi-Fi. Every version of the girl who could have been—dancer, dictator, dust—stood in infinite mirrors, all blinking in unison.
A true [indefinite existence].
The relic hunters scattered—
Phased through walls, air, sound, atoms, perception, memories.
They were everywhere—and nowhere.
The girl, however, remained still in this fever dream.
She could barely comprehend what was happening—yet somehow understood. But that understanding had no words.
She looked up.
All color and shape spiraled toward a single point in the sky, orbiting it like a celestial body.
Floating there—
One hand in his pocket, the other carrying a golden sword.
He now wore a white suit, black tunic, red tie, and a pristine white fedora.
His hair—vibrant magenta.
His eyes—concealed by dark-tinted glasses glowing with purple infinity symbols.
Mr. Businessman was no longer a man in a suit.
He was—
"Michael Jackson?" the girl muttered.
"Heh…" he scoffed smugly.
◇ Whatever! I'll accept it for now~! ◇
◇ Now— ◇
Cheesecake in hand—
A bite to remember.
◇ Action~! ◇
The world began to change.
[Timestamp: 9:11]
A large room.
Rows of red seats.
A black screen that flickered, pixelated constantly.
A cinema.
Front row—perfect view.
The girl.
"Growl."
July stirred.
The wolf lifted its head and looked around. Its ears twitched as it spotted the screen.
The girl stroked its grey fur gently.
Popcorn in hand.
4D glasses on her face.
The room was silent.
But the screen? Alive.
[Big Screen: Mr. Bootleg MJ stands atop a large airplane. Wind waves through his coat and hair. Inside the plane, relic hunters struggle in seats that won't unbuckle.
"For the motherland~!" MJ shouts, leaping off the plane.
Below—skyscrapers. Roads. Civilization.
He watches the plane rocket toward duplicate white towers.]
Boom!
"Eep!" the girl squeaked.
"Whimper," July shivered and covered his eyes.
" Blink "
The world began to change.
[Act I, Scene V: The Spectacle of Blades and Beasts]
Nom!
The cheesecake was delicious.
Anyway…
(Enter Mr. Jackspeare, brandishing a golden blade, to thunderous chorus and violin wails)
Mr. Jackspeare: Come forth, ye rogues! Ye scurvy, brine-soaked knaves! Dost thou possess such gall as dares to test the wrath of I?
Cue intense music
Choirs singing
Violins soaring
Little Girl:(Aside)A theater? Methinks a dream I witness.
Wolf (July):(Growling low) Grrr…
Black Cat Hunter:What foul trickery is this?! My garb—Where is my coat? What mockery—what jest?
The men glanced around.
Their suits were gone—replaced with medieval attire, like knights or bandits.
Black Cat Hunter:(Aside, clutching his helm)What creature walks in man's disguise,Yet wields such lore that worlds do fold 'round him?A devil? Nay—a force beyond all knowing.
He had questions.
But even answers would be incomprehensible.
Yet one truth stood clear.
Black Cat Hunter: (We must retreat. His singularity risk… it's beyond Keter class. He's an unprecedented deity. He won't let anyone leave alive.)
(Draws a leash wreathed in cerulean flame)
Little girl:(anxious) That… leash…
July's fur bristled
It growled savagely.
Mr. Jackspeare noticed and grinned.
Black Cat Hunter: Hold him at bay—this devil falls by my hand
The others nodded and charged.
Mr. Jackspeare: Prithee, show thy trick. Yet know this stage belongs to me alone.
Guns aimed.
Swords drawn.
Red spear of causality locked in.
(Cue epic combat choreography)
Relic Hunter: (Charging) Have at thee, sorcerer!!
Mr. Jackspeare: Hold fast thy tongue, lest thou bite thy own wit.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
" Wink "
Bullets became bubblegum.
He caught one and blew a bubble.
Flame swords and ice swords lunged—
" Wink "
Flames–Now cotton candy.
Ice turned to frozen soda, swirling around him—then fired back.
Spear hunter: Gae Bolg!!
A red streak flashed by his cheek—
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Faster with each bounce—
Until—
Whoom!!
The shockwave tore through the air—
Mr. Jackspeare raised his hand.
Mr. Jackspeare:(pivots with flourish) I am the bone of mine own swag!
" Wink "
The spear exploded into four red pandas.
They squeaked and fled.
Relic Hunter: My stars—what witchery is this!?
Black Cat Hunter: Now, beast! Avenge our pride! Consume him whole, in fiery breath!
From the flames—
A massive tiger of hellfire emerged.
A high singularity relic beast.
A Hellfire Cat.
Mr. Jackspeare admired it.
The tiger charged.
Little Girl: Beware, O Sir Michael Cool Jackson!
It lunged—
Mr. Jackspeare: Heh! (I need a better nickname.)
He looked at his watch.
[12:56 AM]
He raised the golden sword.
Golden light swirled.
The blade's imprint glowed.
Jackspeare: Excalibuuuuur—!
" Wack "
Golden light engulfed the theater as the curtain begins to fall.
The world has reset.
Birds chirped.
Flowers bloomed.
The sun glowed.
The sky returned to pristine blue.
"Meow!"
A tiny blue-flame cat sat by his feet.
Cute now—not so ferocious.
"Hiss!" it spat, weakly.
Behind it, the black cat hunter fell to his knees, trembling.
"I… impossible…"
Mr. Businessman picked up the cat as it squirmed helplessly.
He glared at the remaining hunters.
The spear hunter panicked.
"W-we need to go! Now!"
And they ran—tails tucked (literally).
Mr. Businessman chuckled.
"You… you're amazing!"
"Woo!!"
The girl and July beamed in awe.
He scratched his head, grinning.
Kneeling, he placed a finger to his lips and raised his pinky.
The girl nodded and linked hers with his.
Secret secured~!
He opened his palm--
" Blink "
A slice of cheesecake appeared.
He handed it to her and waved goodbye.
As he walked away—
The story seemed to end—
Until—
[12:48]
The booth closes in 2 minutes.
It's a 10-minute walk…
…
"F***K!!!"
He dashed like the wind.
Left turn—
Right turn—
Jumped fences, cars, kids, moms—
[12:49:50]
10 seconds!
Almost there!
[1.5 sec!]
[1.3 sec!!]
[1.1 SEC!!!]
Poster on the bookstore window:
[The Three Mighty Dragons Author Signing Booth Opens Tomorrow at 10:00 AM]
"…" The sunset cast orange light on Mr. Businessman.
"This some bullsh*t."
"Meow!" the cat snickered.
"Sigh…"
" Blink "
Cheesecake in hand—Mr. Businessman continued his day.
The End.