A sound of gulping echoed here and there. Countless people held their breath, staring at a platform.
Standing there, receiving all the gazes, was a young man with a peculiar outfit rarely seen around, except for a few people. He had neatly slicked back his red hair.
As the surroundings grew completely silent, the man waiting for this moment smiled and spoke up.
“The people gathered here are those who can’t afford to waste even a minute or a second, so let’s get to the point.”
The crowd nodded at the man’s direct approach. Truly, as he said, most of those gathered were poor souls with barely a moment to catch their breath.
The reason they assembled in the first place was simply the promise of food for those who made it here.
The man on the platform continued.
“I am here as a sort of disciple, to rescue those of you who are walking the wrong path.”
With a cheery demeanor, his words drew some sighs of resignation from the crowd, nodding along the lines of “I figured as much.”
Whether he was aware of the atmosphere or not, the young man, looking like a clueless rich boy, carried on.
“We will give you dreams, we will give you hope.”
Such nonsensical bravado made people click their tongues. There was no one here foolish enough to fall for such nonsense.
The man on the platform seemed to recognize this, smirking to himself and gesturing quietly behind him.
“It’s fine if you refuse. The one we follow is not so cowardly as to cast you into the abyss just for not believing in them.”
At that moment, several individuals with unusual attire came out from behind the podium, carrying baskets full of bread to distribute to the people.
“However, for those of you who want to listen closely and wish to change your lives, stay here.”
He said this, clasped his hands behind his back, and took a step back.
Just as those who came with the intent to leave were turning back toward the muck-filled sewers they originally belonged to…
“…What should we believe in?”
It was as if they were all orchestrated, a woman’s voice chimed in at the perfect moment. Some paused in their steps, while others kept walking.
The man on the podium seemed to be waiting for such a question, smiling widely.
“I’m not sure if you will believe me, but…”
He pointed to himself as he continued.
“I too was once a powerless victim exploited by the strong.”
People looked at him with expressions full of doubt, their eyes widening at his unbelievable claim.
Understandably so… his appearance was far too polished for someone who claimed to have lived in the slums. You could tell he had received some education.
That being the case, his statement was likely an attempt to empathize with their struggles.
No need to listen further.
In that atmosphere, the man kept speaking.
“I too was a resident of this sewer, eating filth and sleeping with filthy rats.”
With his words, people began to turn their heads toward him one by one.
“I was, in fact, a pathetic and lamentable member of this rubbish pit without dreams, hope, or the strength to protect my loved ones. But…”
The man stretched one arm forward towards the crowd.
“Following ‘that person’ has given me purpose in life, hope, and strength.”
A small black flame flickered above his outstretched hand. The crowd stared at it, mesmerized like moths to a flame.
“Now, what’s the difference between myself, who has emerged from the sewer, and you all?”
The man extinguished the flame and slowly pointed at the people with his index finger.
“Do you know why you are living in this sewer?”
“You lack power, not just against the strong, but even to protect yourselves.”
“You’re busy just surviving day by day.”
“So, that’s why you’re plodding along in this filthy sewer, eating slop.”
People frowned. Surely, his words were too harsh?
It would be easy to pull that noble jerk off the platform and give him a good beating for acting like they chose to be this way.
But.
…
As he said, they were weak, lacking the courage to pull down this clearly strong man.
So they just frowned and kept their mouths shut.
The man, observing their expressions, opened his arms wide and spoke.
“But! If you choose to follow ‘that person’ whom we believe in!”
Pounding his chest, the man calmed his elevated voice and continued.
“You will no longer need to stay in such a rubbish place.”
“You will find purpose in life.”
“You will no longer have to live as a defeated victim.”
With that, the man whispered, “This is the moment,” and took a step back.
Suddenly, a swirl of black flames erupted at his previous spot, and a beautiful woman appeared.
“Hello~”
The half-naked woman waved at the crowd with a bright smile. It was Lili.
Lili recalled the request the man on the platform had made of her and scattered her magic. The man nodded slightly and continued.
“I will give you a choice.”
Above Lili’s magic, the air shimmered, and a scenario began to unfold.
“First, you live out your days in this sewer, eating filthy garbage with no dreams or hope.”
A scene appeared of a man rummaging through a trash can to stave off hunger.
“Second, albeit a bit risky, you follow us and live in a place where dreams can be dreamt, hopes exist, eating clean food instead of filth, and comfortably resting your body.”
The image shifted to a man in the current attire, enjoying food in a place where they’ve never been able to dream, playing with precious people, and training with focus.
“Take your time to decide.”
The man who resembled a crescent moon grinned widely.
“As I said before, the one we believe in is not so vile as to send someone into the abyss just for not believing in their existence.”
Though his voice was soft, there was something oddly captivating about it.
…
People pondered.
According to their beliefs, based on the man’s words, they chose whether to escape this place or not.
Soon enough, one by one, some left this place with worried expressions, but the man and the woman only stared blankly at them.
They didn’t stop anyone.
Having confirmed it was safe to leave, they had no reason to hesitate.
The people made their choices.
After a long while, only a handful remained.
While that number seemed small compared to the original crowd, the man appeared unfazed, smiling as he spoke.
“Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Jack, a disciple of the Cheonma Church.”
…
Watching his dazed comrade slump to the ground as if his soul had left his body, Jack sighed.
“…What is this?”
“Jackal! It seems Harang sent you safely!”
“…Lili? Where are we?”
At Jackal’s question, Lili tilted her head.
Where are we, you ask?
Though he seemed to have many injuries on the outside, was his head injured too?
“It’s the Demon King’s castle!”
“…Was it originally like this?”
Jackal blinked.
“Oh right! You wouldn’t know! This has been how things are for a while now!”
“…”
…
– Cheon Ha-rang
A chill ran down my spine at the sight of Nameless chuckling to himself.
Feeling like something was off if I remained with him, I immediately stepped back into his space.
Glancing sideways, I caught sight of Nameless’s expression, which was filled with various emotions.
A mixture of confusion and frustration.
As I frowned slightly, Nameless reached out an arm towards me, and instinctively, I dodged it.
“…Master?”
I heard a voice trembling in my ear, and as I subtly turned my gaze, I saw Nameless, frozen, still extending his arm toward me.
Hmm, as much as I hate to say this… it’s amusing?
Just moments ago, I felt a shiver of discomfort that made me want to distance myself from Nameless, but seeing his reaction for some reason brought me joy and made my lips curl upward.
Suddenly, a thought struck me.
What if I played a prank here? Wouldn’t Nameless give an incredibly entertaining reaction?
Yes! I could manipulate Nameless’s feelings!
My contemplation was brief, and my action was swift. I soon put on a dramatically disgusted expression and casually brushed aside Nameless’s outstretched arm.
“Ugh, get that away from me.”
“…”
Nameless’s body, already stiff, began to crack and split apart with a sound as I pushed his arm away.
It was genuinely hilarious, and I almost burst into laughter, but I managed to hold it in and pretended to look displeased while turning away.
Then.
I locked eyes with Elia, who was looking at me with a somewhat complicated expression.
““…””
Elia hesitated for a moment, as if carefully choosing her words, and finally spoke.
“Well… it’s okay, I understand everything.”
She uttered something I found somewhat difficult to grasp.
I have no idea what she means by that, but for some reason, I felt heat rise to my face and tightly pressed my lips together.
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