The Demonic Games (Disgardium Book #7): LitRPG Series, Dan Sugralinov [the read aloud family TXT] 📗

Kerry waited while I took a shower, then took me to dinner. I ran a thoughtful eye across the snacks on the table as we passed them. I was starving, but decided not to spoil my appetite.

While we walked, my assistant told me about the viewers’ reactions:

“On average, the public thinks you were boring. Defeating the tenth boss would have won you more fans. 79% of the audience watched the battle…” Kerry sighed. “Shame you didn’t manage it. There were tons of questions about your weapon. Some kind of claw? Is it a skill, or gear?”

“Kerry?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, right, sorry. Anyway, there were more questions about why you did nothing after that memorable performance at first! The minutes after you revived at the graveyard up to your fight with Alpha Ryukitsu were incredible! And that imba Flight you have…” Kerry laughed unnaturally and the many chains hanging from her clothes rattled. “Um… For me, I’m glad you kept it, but some viewers are upset. They think you should have had all your perks and abilities from achievements taken away, at least the ones you got using your broken Threat abilities.”

“Why not just go ahead and give me a totally blank character?” I grumbled. As if Cursed Cripple and the conspiracy against me weren’t enough, they wanted my skills gone too. “I got my Threat status practically at level one in the sandbox…”

In the press center hall, we ran into Destiny Windsor. She was attractive in real life too, but not as beautiful as her character. Around thirty, aristocratic like all the Children of Kratos, aloof, her breathtaking eyes a deep icy blue. Long steel-colored hair framed her face, but didn’t hide her thick eyebrows. Noticing me, she clicked her heels across the hall toward me, jabbed me in the chest with a finger and said the obvious:

“You!”

“That’s right, ma’am. Me.”

“You disgusting low-life!” She fastidiously cleaned her finger with a napkin brought by her assistant. “Know that you have one more deadly enemy. Watch your back! And you…” Destiny turned to Kerry. “I’m going to make sure you lose your job!”

“For what?” my assistant gasped.

“We could see your bitchy smirk a mile away. You were encouraging this loser. Assistants aren’t supposed to pass comment on what their wards do!”

Kerry looked around, lost. Everyone around us was watching the embarrassing scene, as were billions of viewers, no doubt. Destiny must not have cared what the masses thought of her.

To Quetzal, on the other hand, or Renato Loyola, as it turned out, such things were not unimportant. After so fiercely harassing me during registration, now he waited for Destiny to leave, then approached:

“Sorry about yesterday, Alex. I didn’t know you as well as I thought, as it turned out.”

“Had to throw me into the Pitfall to get to know me better, huh?”

“Something like that.”

“Don’t respond to him!” Kerry hissed in my ear. “Ignore him!”

Renato glanced at her and laughed.

“Your helper is right. Lots of people are going to try to provoke you. You’re the center of attention, and that means any conversation with you will have an audience. And conflict always gets on the front page. Destiny Windsor knew what she was doing. Believe me, she and her assistants went over every word.”

“Assistants? She has more than one?”

“Of course. Anyone can declare up to five people: stylists, cooks, personal trainers and so on. I brought my sparring partner, a couple of friends, my strategist and PR expert. I left my girlfriend at home…” He winked. “There’s a great selection here, if you ask…”

“Mr. Loyola!” Kerry gasped. “Alex is only sixteen!”

Quetzal raised his arms in an apologetic gesture. I bit my lips — damn, I could have brought Roj and Maria here with me! And Hairo! And my parents, they would have been safe here.

“Something wrong?” Renato asked.

“If I’d have known I could bring someone with me, Mr. Loyola, I would have brought along my catdog AT,” I said. “He’s great at high-fives and fetching shoes.”

Renato turned toward the camera drones filming us:

“You all heard that? I’ve discovered a new character in the tale of the top Threat! AT the catdog!”

“Let’s go, Alex!” Kerry said, pulling at my arm.

“What was it you wanted, Mr. Loyola? A fight with me to get you on the front page? Or to learn my pet’s name?”

“Sorry, I only fight in my own weight class,” Renato smiled and shrugged. “And you’re a hundredweight beneath me. As for pets, I have a real dog, and his name’s Bruno. We even?”

I nodded and turned to leave.

“One more thing…” Renato continued. “You did well out there in the Cursed Chasm, Alex. Sure, you kicked up a fuss, but you didn’t get hysterical, didn’t start screaming that you’d wipe us all out when you get out of here. You didn’t even insult anyone, and that means a lot. Your parents should be proud of you!” He reached out a hand. “I don’t care what the others say. Let’s shake hands.”

“Don’t do it!” Kerry stopped me. “That creep is planning something! He’s laying it on too thick…”

“Creep, huh…” Renato chuckled, lowering his hand. “Here’s how it is, Alex. You watch your back in the Chasm, but you’re safe from me here. Good night.”

Renato left. I watched him go, frowning:

“Same to you…” I said.

Why was he being so nice? Was it just for the public? Or maybe my threat to pay him a visit worked, and he was afraid to risk his clan castle? Or Colonel, the leader of his clan, got scared and made Quetzal apologize…

Kerry fanned the flames by saying that Loyola must be lying.

“They’re playing with you! You think he would have said all that if he’d managed to throw you out of the