Super Coward Mode
Creak... The prison door swung open with the harsh grind of rusty hinges. The Hunter led the way, and as Agartha and I crossed the threshold, rows of iron bars stretched out before us. Yep, this was definitely the underground prison from the prologue.
But why couldn't I see a damn thing ahead? I blinked hard, but contrary to my memories, the inside was surprisingly bright. Back in the game, underground prisons were supposed to be dark and dingy, like something straight out of a horror game—easy to crash into walls or head the wrong way if you messed up the controls. Even maxing out the brightness never helped much; you'd always be on edge waiting for a skeleton or ghost to jump out.
Ah, but in the game, it should be this bright. How nice.
"It's brighter than I thought. Makes it easy to navigate. Most underground prisons are pitch black, right?"
"Huh?"
Agartha stared at me with a baffled look. Wait, why was she eyeing me like I'd lost my mind?
"What? Isn't this pretty bright?"
"No, you think this is bright?"
She blinked in utter confusion. Seriously, where did these people live that this counted as dark? She was a thief—shouldn't she have better night vision than a normie like me?
Our chatter must've gotten on her nerves because the Hunter glanced back.
"...Shut up."
"But Tantun says it's bright here."
"Must be those fresh eyes of yours seeing fine in the dark. Quit yapping and watch the front."
It sounded like a half-hearted jab, her tone a bit less gruff than usual. But come on, teasing someone about their looks? In my twenties, kids used to trail after me calling me a handsome big bro. Rude.
...I kept that thought to myself as we walked.
"No one's here, that's for sure."
"What'd I tell ya?"
Agartha smirked smugly, and the Hunter just nodded curtly.
We wandered blankly down the corridor for a bit until we hit a dead end with stairs leading up. Scratched into the wall—like with sharp claws—was some writing. As a modern guy with basic education, the characters jumped out at me instinctively. I couldn't help leaning in to read.
...What the hell? This looked like some green-screen blog post.
I leaned in to read it again, but suddenly my collar was yanked, forcing me away. It was the Hunter, glaring daggers.
"Rondan's Iron Rules, first one: Don't read writing on walls or books that humans didn't carve. Even a lunatic wouldn't break that, right?"
She shoved me toward the opposite wall like trash. I landed hard on my ass.
"You okay? No mental pollution or anything?"
Agartha rushed over, shaking me in panic while checking me out.
Oh right, I'd forgotten the big taboo in Snow Castle: Don't read writing. In the game, it'd tank your sanity with shocking text. But nothing here—no shock at all. If anything, it was hilariously childish, like a kid's graffiti. Reverse psychology shock, maybe.
Anyway.
"Can you hear me? Snap out of it! Don't go under, Tantun!"
She shook me like I was on death's door with my eyes closed. Gonna puke...
I shoved her away with an arm stretch.
"Eek?"
But she clung on tight. Her light body toppled toward me. She braced with her arms, crashing down on top of me nose-to-nose. Her cheeks flushed.
"Even if you're out of it, not here..."
Her nonsense flustered me. I scrambled up.
Ignoring our slapstick, the Hunter tossed out a line.
"You didn't actually read that, did you?"
"W-Well, yeah? Why wouldn't it read?"
"It... read?"
Her voice dropped even lower.
Honestly, no clue why it did for me. And was it even written like that? I'd never progressed the story far enough to check. A pure scrub like me wouldn't know.
"In these times, few humans can read writing. They even use magic to wipe letter memories. Outer God script drives you mad if you comprehend it. But you're fine."
She stomped over roughly, shoving her face in mine. Her eyes bored into me, probing.
"What are you?"
Beats me why it read. If I'd known the full story and was following it, at least I'd feel less wronged. Now Agartha sparkled up too.
"Mystic Scholar? Or a 'madman' who reads without going insane, like it said? Yeah, can't madden someone already crazy."
Might be safer to claim Mystic Scholar. It was a Hunter build path.
...But I'd never tried that route, so zero knowledge. Bluffing could backfire hard later.
They stared expectantly, oppressively. Couldn't we just move on? I swallowed bloody tears internally and spat out the wall's words.
"I'm a madman... so I'm fine, right?"
Agh, fuck. The whole world was forcing me into madman role.
Agartha fist-pumped, inspired.
"Knew it! Mad enough to streak naked and get arrested!"
"No, not that mad..."
She gripped my shoulders tighter.
"No shame needed!"
Voice like a steamed train whistle—loud enough to drown my excuses. Her teary eyes embarrassed me further. But her lips quivered. Hiding it, she bowed her head and scolded the Hunter.
"Scaring someone with a hurt mind! They might read it carelessly!"
Caught off-guard by her shameless act, the Hunter's eyes widened briefly before she grimaced, hand to forehead.
"What a dream team."
She shook her head and marched ahead. Sigh. Life, fuck.
But seriously, why was I fine after reading? Did I actually have issues? Nah. Probably just game differences.
...I gritted my teeth internally, rationalizing as I followed.
At the top of the stairs loomed the underground prison's vast hall. If memory served, a massive 'it' waited. The first Outer God in the story: the prison's warden. No idea why one guarded a human jail—never finished—but the "newbie shredder" had tormented me plenty. Rage bubbled up recalling it.
Then it came into view. And I froze.
"What the...?"
No Outer God where one should be. Instead, a cute wolf-eared girl snoozed peacefully inside, snoring softly. Déjà vu nagged me.
Stunned by the twist, I glanced at the Hunter and Agartha. Their faces shocked me more. Agartha trembled in fear, pupils shrunken. The Hunter glared with unprecedented killing intent.
That was her Outer God face. So it was one. She saw horror; I saw cute. The pieces clicked like a panorama.
Join the Super Coward Club, you fool. Like it? Shut up and smash that recommend button!
It all made sense now. I hadn't just possessed Snow Castle. I'd possessed it with Super Coward Mode installed.