Yuto Ohma (Missing Chapter)

...I could feel my life slipping away. Not much longer now until I was completely and utterly dead.

The Saviors had left, and I slumped in my throne, alone.

Blood continued to ooze out from the gaping hole in my chest.

Did I play the part of the villain convincingly?

I'd turned thirty-eight of my classmates into monsters.

Goblins. Slimes. Harpies. Skeletons. Zombies. Lizardmen. Golems. Dragons...

I created nineteen male-female pairs altogether, and the monsters bred like rabbits.

It was nothing short of a nightmare to witness my former classmates become unrecognizable creatures and multiply themselves.

"It's finally over."

I tilted my head back and gazed up at the ceiling, where an extravagant-looking chandelier quivered.

I was about to close my eyes and sink into the darkness when I noticed a tiny red light flicker from the chandelier. My eyes flew open.

It was a spy cam.

"No way. Are you showing them this scene?"

"Uh-huh. I'm still rolling the camera."

The woman who was supposed to have left stood before me.

"...Sophia."

"I no longer go by that name. It's Charlotte now."

Sophia said and flashed me a genuine smile, unlike the fake smirk she'd been putting on.

When was the last time I saw her smile like that?

It felt like a lifetime ago. Tears that I didn't know I was capable of shedding rolled down my cheeks.

"So-Sophia..."

"You did good, Yuto."

Sophia grinned through her tears.

"Are you sure about this? This scene wasn't planned."

"It's fine. It's sort of against the rules, but they might enjoy the performance."

She'd been careful not to stray from her role of Charlotte, the villain, this whole time. Why was she breaking character now?

"If the reception isn't great, I'll delete it and pretend it never happened."

"Isn't that prohibited?"

"Who knows? I'm sure the Observers are willing to let that much slide."

"Don't underestimate them. Those people can turn this world upside down on a whim."

It was then that I realized.

If Sophia was taking such risks, then...

"Are we already in danger?"

"Not quite. But they're no longer hyping us up as they did in the beginning. That's why I have to put on a show for them. Our rankings and ratings are starting to drop too."

Sophia was playing a dangerous game. There was a chance that her gamble could backfire.

"This world will end if the Observers lose interest in us, so we have to make sure they don't get bored. I'm in charge of everything; I’m the director, producer, cameraperson, leading actor, you name it."

That was no doubt a hard burden to bear.

I wondered if Sophia realized just how close she was to breaking.

I wanted to say something to her, but I no longer had that kind of strength left.

"Hey. How did I do as the Demon Lord?"

"You were awful. All you did was wear a black cape. I almost laughed."

"That's a shame..."

I couldn't come up with anything witty in reply, and my consciousness started to fade.

"But thanks. I managed to come this far because of you."

So did I.

I thought of saying thank you before deciding against it.

I didn't want to say goodbye, either.

My final words came to me naturally.

"See you later, Sophia."

"See you. Good night."

Darkness enveloped me, and I ceased to think.