Anon found himself standing in a line of spectators waiting to purchase tickets for today’s match. It was an unusual experience for him, given his accustomed methods of entering various places undetected. He couldn’t help but wonder why anyone would need to buy tickets to watch a public event.
‘Hmm… You have to buy tickets to watch this?’ Anon thought as he observed the guards checking each person entering the Colosseum. His curiosity piqued as he contemplated the necessity of such a system.
After a brief wait, it was finally Anon’s turn. He approached the ticket booth, where one of the guards stood ready to assist the waiting spectators.
“Which seat?” the guard asked as Anon reached the counter. ｂ𝚍ｎｏｖ𝚕．ｃｏｍ
“The best one,” Anon replied with confidence, secretly relishing the thought of witnessing the upcoming spectacle from the most advantageous vantage point.
The guard raised an eyebrow and cast a judgmental glance at Anon’s clothing and overall appearance.
“Hmm… Yeah, get a VIP seat, mate… Haha… Hey Terry, look at this guy… he wants the best seat,” the guard said, assessing Anon’s attire.
With curiosity, Anon inquired about the price of a VIP seat, prompting the guard to comment on his appearance and ability to afford such a luxury.
“What is the price for the VIP, Seat ?”
“Are you serious, mate? Look at your clothes… I don’t think you can even afford food for lunch today, and you’re talking about a VIP seat,” the guard scoffed, revealing his preconceived notions about Anon’s financial situation.
Before the guard could complete his sentence, Anon reached into his inventory and produced a Platinum coin, which he promptly slammed onto the counter with a resonating thud.
The guard’s eyes widened as he examined the Platinum coin before directing a surprised gaze toward Anon.
“One VIP Seat, please. I can pay more if you want,” Anon said, offering a subtle, knowing smile to the guard, who was now caught off guard.
“T-th-that will be 30 gold coins… Here. I apologize if I offended you, sir,” the guard stammered, hesitatingly accepting the Platinum coin. In return, he handed Anon a small bag filled with 70 gold coins, along with an entry ticket to the VIP area.
Upon reaching the front of the line, Anon was once again stopped by the guards stationed at the entrance. They asked for Anon’s identity, a process he found quite redundant.
“Show me your identity card.”
“But that guy just went in without showing you any identity proof?” Anon questioned, pointing to someone who had effortlessly entered the Colosseum.
“Yeah, because he was wearing way better clothes than you. Now, show us your identity,” one guard demanded.
“As you say….here you go.” Anon reluctantly revealed the watch of Corruption, and opened it’s cover.
Tick-Tock
The clock started ticking, and both guards froze, their eyes turning a dull gray.
“Now, both of you will start slapping each other as hard as you can, and you will continue until someone with higher authority intervenes,” Anon instructed, closing the watch’s cover to trigger the hypnotic effect.
The guards unfroze, only to find themselves in the midst of a peculiar and embarrassing situation. They began slapping each other, attracting the attention and amusement of the passersby.
Anon seized the opportunity to slip into the VIP section. The guards had unwittingly given him an opportunity to avoid their scrutiny.
Upon reaching the entrance of the VIP area, four more guards blocked Anon’s path, eager to confirm his identity.
“How many fucking guards are there in this place?” Anon muttered to himself as he approached the final hurdle before reaching the VIP area.
“Show us your entry ticket,” one of the guards demanded, intent on verifying Anon’s eligibility.
Anon promptly presented his entry ticket to the VIP section, displaying it to the skeptical guards.
“Check him,” one guard instructed his colleague, and all three began to thoroughly search Anon’s person, looking for any concealed weapons or contraband.
Their inspection was thorough and intrusive, but Anon remained patient. He knew he had nothing to hide and nothing to fear.
“He is clear to go…” the guards declared in unison, announcing that Anon posed no threat.
“Okay, you can enter,” one of them said as they allowed him to pass through.
Entering the VIP area, Anon realized that he was no stranger to this seating arrangement. His eyes fell on Fiona, sitting at the front with Link beside her.
‘At first, I used to sit beside her, but now I’m seated in the back with these rich pig folks,’ Anon remembered, feeling a twinge of nostalgia.
The seating arrangement in the VIP area was tiered, with different levels of access, and it was strictly determined by one’s status and association with the elven kingdom. Fiona and her chosen candidate were given seats in the first row. The second row was for individuals who conducted extensive business with the kingdom. The third row was reserved for the Royal Ministers, and the last row, where Anon found himself, was for those fortunate enough to afford entry with their wealth.
Anon examined one of the fellow spectators sitting beside him, a portly elf, who had this slave at his side. The young vampire girl, around 8 years old, was fitted with a thick collar, and a metal chain leash held tightly by the plump elf.
‘Hmm… Maybe her parents sold her,’ Anon speculated as he observed the enslaved child.
“Hello, I am Marvis. And you?” the rotund elf introduced himself, turning toward Anon with a friendly smile.
“Name’s Lesley,” Anon replied with a neutral expression, not particularly interested in engaging in conversation.
“Oh, do you like her?” Marvis asked, tugging on the chain connecting him to the young vampire girl.
“No,” Anon replied curtly, his gaze shifting away from Marvis and the slave girl.
“I love her very much. I just bought her today, and I’ve prepared a special cage for her to stay in… You know the best part of having an undead as your slave?” Marvis inquired, his smile growing more wicked by the moment.
‘Disgusting fucker….’ Anon thought in his mind.