The Joker, The Trickster, And The Magician

"Wolfram!"

He raised his hands and showed a fearful expression, his body slightly trembling, clearly afraid of their loaded firearms currently aimed at him. Hearing his reply, which seemed honest, the three frowned but didn't shoot, pondering on what to do exactly.

'Tsk! They really are as dumb as they look.'

Still feigning innocence, The Trickster continued

"I, I was imprisoned by those scientists and only after the earthquake did I manage to escape. I really am not a soldier, I swear!"

Hearing his oh so truthful plea, the three glanced at each other and after a few moments, the middle man walked closer to Wolfram and said

"We never heard of a prisoner named Wolfram. If you're from the lower floors it means you're one of 'those'… how come we don't know you?"

"I was captured in secret! I knew things which could benefit Japan so they hid me here!"

The man nodded his head, partially believing Wolfram's explanation. Actually, what was said was a bit of the truth as part of the reason Wolfram wasn't killed immediately by the general was because he knew dangerous political secrets which can endanger more than one country.

"Killer, what do we do?"

A tall African-American man standing behind scratched his bald head and asked the muscular criminal who just talked to Wolfram. He seemed to be their leader and, apparently, he had the final say.

"We'll bring him to Jacko, he's more knowledgeable about me."

He signaled for the Trickster to stand up while warning him:

"Any sudden move and you're dead."

Wolfram nodded his head and walked in front of the three, his hand raised and his steps slow and steady. His goal wasn't to kill them so he happily followed them. Because they were following him with cautious eyes, they couldn't see his twisted expression.

The Trickster licked his arching lips, barely able to contain the laughter that originated from his extremely good mood.

'A jackpot! Dumb but fun to play with!'

The two lackeys weren't strong, however, this 'killer' seemed strong. Even without the System, he would've been a good fighter as his eyes were sharp and his killing intent could barely be felt. Now that the System appeared, he surely advanced in levels and gained strong skills which made Wolfram more eager to fight him and beat him.

Plus, they talked about someone called Jacko, a criminal known to the Trickster, as he was a notorious drug and arms dealer who operated mostly in South Asia. It was said that Jacko liked gambling… not the 'harmless' gambling usually done in casinos and such but another, more vicious kind.

Jacko was fond of gambling human lives, considering them nothing important, lesser than insects. This made him rather infamous and hated by many people, especially his rivals. Around four months ago, on the Japanese soil, he was captured by a group of A-ranked mercenaries. None heard of him ever since, as for his wealth and resources? They were taken by his enemies, who took everything, not even leaving the bones unscathed.

The Trickster, unarmed and 'helpless', was guided to the base of these criminals, who enjoyed a comfortable life ever since the earthquake struck. The first thing that Wolfram noticed was the smell of alcohol lingering in the air. He didn't know how they managed to get their hands but props to them.

The room was spacious and well-decorated, it probably belonged to a high-ranked official. There were all kinds of snacks and food orderly put in a corner, wide couches used for p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e and rest, and a large luxurious wooden desk. Right behind the desk sat a chubby-looking man, his legs resting on the desk and his a.s.s sitting on a red leather chair which could be usually found in the possessions of rich CEOs.

On the l.a.p of the chubby-man sat a voluptuous woman wearing a lab coat which was unfastened, revealing her white skin, curves, and cleavage. The woman didn't seem too distressed, in fact, she was intoxicated as she seductively blew some air into the man's ear then resting her head on his c.h.e.s.t, not minding the hand that was groping her plump b.u.t.t.o.c.k.s.

The chubby-man gave a disinterested glance at the incoming three only to be startled when he saw a man wearing a soldier's uniform. He was about to berate his subordinates, wanting to know why they brought an enemy here only to stop mid-way, his eyes locked onto the newcomer's face, clearly recognizing him.

If it was in the past, he would be shaking from fear, however, now, it was different. A new world will be born and only the strong and favored will live comfortably and lavishly.

So what if he was an infamous assassin that killed with cold blood? So what if he was a peerless fighter? With the System' appearance, anyone can become strong, even a weak child.

The fear lingered in his eyes for a second before it vanished, being replaced by arrogance. The chubby man, Jacko, let out a hearty laugh and said:

"Hahahaha, if it isn't Wolfram!"

As he saw his behavior, the Trickster inwardly snickered but maintained an expressionless face on the outside.

'Last time we met, you peed yourself… whatever.'

This chubby man, though he looked harmless, was very sly… an eloquent snake, that's how Wolfram would describe him.

"Jacko, been a while."

Killer and his two lackeys relaxed when saw that Jacko knew Wolfram, they soon dispersed and each went about their business.

"Come come, I hope my men didn't give you any trouble."

Jacko got up and entered another room which had a considerably large bed and had a strange smell. As he saw the chubby man signaling him to follow, Wolfram complied and entered the room.

The place was a bit cramped and filled with either guns or medieval weapons obtained from monsters, most likely.

Jacko disregarded the Trickster and changed his clothes, unafraid of the guest, not even considering him a threat.

"I'm happy that you were able to safely escape the lower floors. I've heard it's quite the mess."

Wolfram tilted his head and asked

"Heard?"

Jacko nodded his head and added:

"Yes, heard. You're not the first person to pass through here. Both soldiers and criminals climbed the stairs, some stayed, some… left."

"Considering your personality, I don't think anyone left alive."

"True." Jacko chuckled, grabbed a golden handgun, c.a.r.e.s.sed it with affection, and added: "Though there always exceptions. There was this one crazy woman who killed four of men, freezing them to death. The System is truly unfair, granting her such powerful abilities… ah! Please don't think I'm complaining, after all, I was one of the lucky ones too."

The chubby man put down the gun then raised his hand, casually slashing the curtains. This simple movement had an astonishing result as much of the curtains were ripped by an invisible force. Even the Trickster was a bit surprised as he couldn't feel or see the attack.

"It's sharper than most swords and cannot be seen nor felt. I just need to move my finger to subdue others."

Jacko studied the man's face, trying to read him through his eyes, which remained calm and unaffected by his domineering words.

"Do you understand now? The world has changed, suddenly and dramatically. The laws will be useless either in this facility or outside… it'll be the same, the gifted will build their forces and fight for dominance."

After a short silence, Wolfram said:

"Is there a reason you're telling me all of this?"

"Yes." He grinned, showing a row of uneven yellow teeth: "Of course there is. The men outside are merely disposable forces, however, you're an unexpected variable, different than the rest. I don't know how the System judges people and to whom it grants special abilities but… considering your past, I'm sure you're one of us."

The Trickster stared back at this chubby man, his penetrative gaze trying to see this simple-looking gambler.

"What makes you so sure?"

Jacko shrugged his shoulders, leaned against the soft pillow and said: "A very simple deduction based on a few facts. You're an infamous assassin, a notorious cold-hearted killer, so, even without the system, you would have noticed my men. Even if you didn't, dealing with them shouldn't have been impossible. But, you didn't do a thing and actually gave them your weapons and willingly came here, fully aware that it's a monster's den. You aren't as foolish as to think you'll be warmly welcomed because you share the same 'profession' with the rest of them, right?"

After pausing for a split second, Jack continued: "You aren't suicidal and definitely not stupid to come here without knowing the consequences. Only foolish people would call your actions 'bravery'… personally, I would call it 'interest' or perhaps 'curiosity'? Ahem, let's not divert from the main topic. So, you, Wolfram, came here, unarmed, because you are confident in your escape or survival. My dear guest, what do you think?"

Wolfram smiled back at Jacko and replied: "You're still good with words, huh."

The man sarcastically bowed his head and said: "Why, thank you."

The Trickster's gaze turned sharp, and chilling as it locked onto the unfazed chubby man.

"What makes you think I won't kill you right now."

In response, Jacko, still grinning, answered:

"It's not that you won't but you can't."

"It's not a fact that I can't."

"I'm sorry, but it is."

The air around Wolfram changed a bit as cold and suffocating killing intent leaked out of the man wearing a soldier's uniform.

"We're separated by 3.. Let's say 2 meters. You have no weapon and even if you can throw a knife, it won't be as fast as me moving my finger. Let's be real here and face the harsh truth, things don't always go the way you want to."

The man remained rooted at the ground, neither reacting to Jacko nor doing anything.

"*Sigh* fine, let's say your ability can kill me. Do you honestly think you can get out of here alive? Not all of my men are extraordinary but I bet they can pin you down sooner or later."

Feeling his dry throat, he picked the filled wine cup and drank some then resumed talking.

"Wolfram, I don't know what you want from me but isn't it better to join hands rather than to split blood? Work for me and I will assure you that you'll live a lavish life. You won't have to go around alone and kill people. Just like I know what you had done in the past, I also know you had quite a bit of enemies... enemies that will hunt you down even with the world turned upside down like this."

"I never work under anyone."

Hearing this, Jacko chuckled and retorted

"That's a bit hypocritical, especially coming from someone whose job was to follow someone's orders."

"I took missions, I never followed orders."

"Missions? How is that different from obeying others. They gave you money and told you to kill this and that, using you like a puppet."

"Wrong. I had the choice to refuse."

"What choice?! Don't kid me, Wolfram. Your organization, the Code of Assassins, forbade you from refusing missions, moreso for the ones who paid handsomely well."

"No, Jacko, you're the one who keeps bickering with me, trying to force your ideals on me."

"Ideals?" The chubby man furrowed his brows, a bit irritated: "They are not ideals but facts, something that your whole world once revolved around."

The man stood up from the king-sized bed, straightened his clothes and emptied his cup before speaking again:

"My patience is growing thin, so, tell me, Wolfram, what do you seek in coming here? You refused my offer so I don't think it's money or power... then what is it? What motivates your actions?"