Chapter 23: Cementing My Superiority
After a couple of hours, Klaus stepped out of the studio and rode his bike home.
The night streets were brightened by the light of the neon signs and the tall buildings, which dwarfed everything like pillars of glass and steel.
In these few hours, they had prepared a probable plan which would allow them to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
And Klaus needed it to happen more than anyone else.
The curse of knowledge was a heavy one; many couldn’t bear it, and he had been forced to hold it for the next five or more years.
Regardless of his choices or actions, the apocalypse would begin on 7 July 2030, and he had to prepare the world for its end.
His goal was simple and the greediest: rule over the world as its king.
He took a sharp turn to the left, zipping past a truck.
But for that goal, he needed a world and people to rule over.
The traffic light buzzed to yellow, flickering closer to red.
’Seriously?!’ He twisted his hand, speeding up his bike.
The system had already provided him with a blueprint; he just needed to gather the resources and bring it to life. He had to build multiple safe bases; find the renowned heroes of the future, train them, and kill the seven calamities, all of which in the current era required a world-shattering amount of money.
Regardless of his attempt at crossing the road before the light turned red, the light still gave the opposing verdict, prompting him to stop.
"How bad is my luck today?" He frowned.
[Host, why are you even following the traffic laws? The world is already spiraling to its end; what would you gain from this?]
’Wow. Just because the world is ending, you want me to become a bad citizen who breaks rules and regulations at any given chance? You sure are supportive.’ He muttered inwardly, hoping to defeat it at its own game.
But he had assessed himself too highly.
[Host, are you really saying that after having an hour-long talk with Carl Snitzer and Martin Sykes about committing fraud? Even though all of it is just your delusion.]
From the system’s perspective, the world was already ending, so something like the stock market no longer existed, rendering Klaus and others’ worries a mere delusion.
"That’s different from this. I am only doing it for the greater good," he commented while rubbing his fingers on his nose as though pinching it.
[Whatever helps Host sleep better.]
Soon, the traffic light turned green, and the bike moved once again.
Within minutes, he reached his house and stepped inside it.
The passing stalls had already completed his daily tasks related to food and water, and entering the house completed the remaining three, leaving him with two to level up.
’Should I stop going to the gym?’ He wondered.
The plan that they had made was less risky and more legal, but it also required that much work. He was going to the gym because he was free; now, though, it was time for him to start working toward his goal.
[How are you going to complete your daily tasks then?]
"There must be other ways to do them, no?" He asked as he began taking off his suit.
[There are. But why would you stop doing the easy, comfortable, and most useful one simply because of your delusion?]
"Hah... now that you put it like that," he mumbled under his breath.
Training with Trina was both fun and rewarding; that was the reason why he was even thinking so much about this.
He threw his clothes on the sofa and walked to his room, wearing nothing but his briefs.
His behind swayed with each of his steps as he stepped into his room and turned on the fan.
The fan whined, and the bed creaked as he jumped on it and mumbled with a sleepy look, "I haven’t felt this sleepy in days... sweet dreams, me."
His eyes turned heavy and shut down, his calm breathing echoing in the room like a lullaby.
The night passed at its own leisure, and Klaus left his house in the morning.
Blitzing through the sunshine, his bike halted at a small coffee cafe with outdoor seating; there sat Martin and a pregnant woman beside him.
The pregnant woman had a stoic yet warm look on her face, wearing her difficulties with quiet resilience.
A smile crept onto his face as he walked over to them.
Seeing Klaus, Martin leaned slightly closer to the pregnant woman and whispered in her ear, making her aware of Klaus and his relation.
The woman blinked in surprise, and Klaus said in a soft, respectful tone, "Although my friend has not yet told me your beautiful name, it’s great to meet you..."
She smiled softly and said with faint pity in her eyes, "My name is Sophia Murrow. You can call me Miss Murrow."
Although confused by the look in her eyes, the latter surprise overshadowed it.
"You are a Murrow...?" He mumbled.
Martin smirked and looked at him with a face that said: "Surprised, aren’t you?"
Sophia gazed at the two of them and asked with a confused expression, "Is something the matter?"
Klaus settled in the chair before them and said with a chuckle, "Haha. There’s nothing."
He raised a hand toward her and said, "It’s my pleasure to finally know your name, Miss Murrow. I am Leo Maker."
Martin’s smile faltered. He quickly reformed it and looked at Klaus with slight confusion.
Sophia took his hand and shook it as she said, "The pleasure is all mine."
Right then, a waiter walked over to them and asked, "What would you like to order?"
"A caffe latte," said Sophia.
"A cappuccino," said Martin.
Everyone turned their gaze toward Klaus, waiting for his order.
However, to him, this wasn’t just a drink. It was a statement.
Was he really going to order something soft and prove that he was a bitch? Or would he choose something bold and cement his superiority?
Klaus’s lips parted, and he declared the words, "A black coffee."
’That must have shocked them. After all, who willingly tortures themselves with black coffee on a warm, beautiful day?’
’This is my perfect victory! That’s right, I win!’
[Host, have you finally lost it?]