Chapter 81: You are Just a Prey
Back in the forest, Jack was navigating through the dense foliage with a predator's grace. The sound of a waterfall reached his ears, and he made his way towards it. Emerging from the foliage, he found himself standing at the edge of a large clearing, the waterfall cascading into a sparkling pool at its center. In the moonlit scene, Jack stood tall and imposing, his icy-blue eyes reflecting the cool light. His grin widened at the sight before him, and he muttered to himself, "This should be interesting."
From the edge of the clearing, Jack watched the unfolding scene with an inscrutable expression. His icy-blue eyes tracked the World Noble as he crawled backwards, away from the looming panther. It was a sight that would have instilled fear in most, but to Jack, it was nothing short of entertaining.
"Pacura, stay," he commanded, his voice calm yet resonating with an unspoken authority. The massive panther turned at the sound of his voice, a change in her demeanor almost instantly apparent. Instead of the predatory beast she had been moments ago, Pacura now looked like a large, fawning feline. She sauntered over to Jack, rubbing her massive head against his arm, purring contentedly as he obliged and began to pet her.
The World Noble, meanwhile, heaved a sigh of relief as he watched the terrifying predator become docile under Jack's touch. However, his reprieve was short-lived. Regaining his haughtiness, he pointed at Jack, demanding, "Save me, you worthless human! Save your god!"
Jack's icy gaze slid to the Noble. A humorless smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he let out a soft chuckle. His voice, when he spoke, held a chilling note, "I'm afraid, 'Mr. god' may have misunderstood something. I don't serve anyone."
Fear flickered in the eyes of the World Noble as he realized he was not dealing with an ordinary man. However, he attempted to retain his bravado. "You dare defy a World Noble?" he hissed, pointing an accusatory finger at Jack.
"Defy?" Jack echoed, his smirk growing. "No. I simply do not acknowledge your so-called divinity."
The World Noble was taken aback, his face turning a shade paler. He was not used to being talked back to, and Jack's audacity left him at a loss for words. Jack's demeanor remained unperturbed, his eyes as calm as the sea, showing not a hint of fear or deference.
The World Noble's haughty demands fell onto the silence of the moonlit clearing. Jack's icy-blue eyes, illuminated by the ethereal glow, held no deference for the man before him. Instead, they reflected the calm of the ocean's surface on a still night, unfathomable and deep.
"Defy?" Jack's voice echoed in the silence, carrying a note of amusement. "No. I simply do not acknowledge your so-called divinity."
Stunned, the World Noble gawked at Jack, his face paling. No one had dared to speak to him in such a manner, let alone dismiss his 'divine' status outright. Struggling to regain his composure, he stammered, "You... you dare?"
Jack's expression remained unperturbed, his smirk never wavering. If anything, it grew wider, reaching his stormy eyes and giving them a devilish glint. His stance was relaxed, one hand still stroking the panther's fur as though he were in a leisurely conversation rather than a standoff with one of the world's most 'powerful' figures.
"Oh, I dare alright," Jack retorted, his voice a smooth drawl. "You see, 'Mr. god,' I've seen the corrupting influence of power firsthand."
A cold shiver raced down the World Noble's spine at Jack's words. The condescending tone, the casual dismissal of his status, it was all too much. But what truly unsettled him was the underlying menace that laced Jack's words.
The silence stretched between them, thick and palpable. Jack's gaze never left the World Noble, his icy-blue eyes reflecting the cold moonlight, unreadable. It was the calm before the storm.
"You people," Jack continued, breaking the silence, "You went corrupt due to the power that you've held for over 800 years. I've seen how power corrupts people, even when it's for a short time, let alone for eight centuries."
The World Noble recoiled as if physically struck by Jack's words. His face contorted in a mix of anger and disbelief. "Who... who do you think you are to lecture me?"
Jack chuckled, a sound that was more chilling than amusing. "Isn't it obvious? I'm the mirror that reflects your true self."
The World Noble gasped, clutching his chest. The audacity of this man, to reduce him to an animal, it was... it was unthinkable.
"You've treated others like animals for far too long," Jack added, his icy gaze piercing into the World Noble. "Now, in this forest, it's your turn to live like one."
Before the World Noble could comprehend Jack's words, Pacura, the once docile panther, released a low, menacing growl. The sound sent a wave of terror coursing through his body. Jack's words echoed in his ears as his terrified gaze flickered from Pacura to Jack and back.
Jack watched the scene unfold with an inscrutable expression. Pacura, once again taking on the predatory stance, was advancing slowly towards the World Noble, her eyes gleaming in anticipation. The World Noble was a picture of fear, scrambling back in a desperate bid to escape.
"Do remember," Jack said, his voice an eerily calm contrast to the unfolding scene, "in the wild, it's survival of the fittest. Let's see how long you last."
The World Noble's bravado crumbled, and he stumbled, trying to put as much distance between himself and the fierce panther. Jack's gaze remained locked on the Noble, watching every move, every tremble. As Pacura closed in, the World Noble's pleas for mercy and cries of desperation filled the clearing, but they fell on deaf ears.
Jack didn't intervene. He wanted the World Noble to feel the fear and vulnerability he had inflicted on countless others throughout the years. It was a taste of his own medicine, a bitter pill to swallow.
The moon hung high in the night sky, a silent witness to the unfolding drama in the forest clearing. As the minutes passed, the World Noble's cries grew weaker, and his movements slower. His once proud demeanor was now shattered, replaced by a raw desperation to survive.
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