SnowFlake (2)
Even if I told the jailer now that I was innocent, he wouldn't believe me, right? And even if I claimed to be a possessor, possessors got the death penalty too, so nothing would change.
Fuck my luck, possessing this body of all things….
Oh? So she did have something up her sleeve.
She'd said she got caught after being exposed as a possessor. That meant her starting point was different from mine. As someone who'd survived in this world far longer than me, she probably knew a lot more.
I'd never heard of it. It wasn't in the original Dwarf Stone. That made her suspicious.
That meant, flipping it around, I was the only one who could survive. Fractal would get executed according to procedure. Realizing that left a weird, uncomfortable feeling. It was like I was abandoning her and escaping alone.
But….
She'd said we had only 15 minutes until execution. Not much time, but I always had to tap even a stone bridge before crossing it to feel safe.
I spoke to the prisoner who'd told me to stay quiet earlier.
"Aren't you guys joining the Oath Corps? I heard you can serve your sentence by entering the dungeon if you do."
"Oath Corps?"
Surprisingly, it was another prisoner nearby who answered my question. He denied it almost hysterically.
"That's crazy talk! No one's ever come back alive from there. Better to die in the city than become monster chow in the labyrinth…."
"Yeah, exactly. Looks like the young fella doesn't know how terrifying the labyrinth is."
"Don't you know that dying inside the labyrinth hands your soul to the monsters? I don't know which god you follow, but better to get executed and go to the afterlife!"
The other prisoners chimed in eagerly. They really hated the idea of entering the dungeon. Religious reasons too, apparently. At least that confirmed Fractal wasn't lying.
Fractal sent a note with a slightly sulky expression.
No more hesitation. Time to cross that stone bridge.
I took a deep breath. Tensed my abs. And bellowed at the top of my lungs.
"JAAAAIL—EEEEER—!!!!!!"
My voice echoed thunderously through the dark prison. Even the sewer rats in the corner jolted awake and scattered in panic.
"I!!! HAVE!!! SOMETHING!!! TO!!! SAAAAY—!!!!!!"
Whoa, I've got some pipes.
"SOMEONE!!! COME!!! LISTEN!!! TO!!! MEEEE—!!!!!!!!"
I yelled even louder. Legendary American musician Ray Charles once said soul in music is like electricity. A shout without soul or story is just an empty tin can, soulless noise. I poured soul into my cry.
"KEEEEEEEEEE—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The moved fellow prisoners freaked out and grabbed my limbs to shut me up. Some even cowered in the corner, trembling in terror.
"Crazy bastard!"
"What the hell are you doing! Why call the jailer!"
"It's the Chaos God's madness! Everyone back off!"
"Aaah, possessed by a demon!"
But chained as they were, they couldn't even stop my mouth. No one could silence me!
"Puhuhu…. Ahahat!"
Fractal covered her mouth with both hands to stifle her laughter, but she couldn't hold it and burst out cackling.
Ah.
She's pretty. Crazy thought in this situation, but that's what popped into my head. Guess this body was still a guy after all.
Heavy footsteps thundered from the far end of the corridor.
"Which lunatic…!"
The jailer wasn't that intimidating—just average medieval build, with a club and keyring. He unlocked the cell and stormed in.
I stopped yelling and calmly stated my intent.
"I want to join the Oath Corps."
"Bullshit!"
The club swung at my head without a second's hesitation.
Thwack!
Blood sprayed. Thud! Thud! Thud! My head rang. The jailer's merciless club didn't stop. He beat me relentlessly. When it kept getting blocked by my arms, he kicked my unguarded stomach.
I couldn't fight back. Dizzy head, hands shackled tight. I just curled up, barely protecting my skull.
Thud! Crack! Blood from burst flesh splattered the prison walls red. The beating sounds filled the cell.
In the chaos, someone shouted for me.
"Wait, stop!"
"What the fuck are you…? Oh, possessor…. Tsk. Bad luck."
The beating stopped. Through tear-blurred eyes from the blows, I saw Fractal, who'd taken a club to the face and sprawled on the floor. Luckily, that was it.
The jailer, panting after venting his rage, spat on my bloodied form.
"Hoo…. Don't bother anyone with your Oath Corps crap. Just die quietly, you criminal scum."
"……."
The jailer left after finishing his work. The prison fell back into its eerie silence.
Five minutes until execution.
The Middle Ages. A world where violence trumped law. Somewhere between barbarism and civilization. To survive, I had to adapt.
No one would listen if I protested my innocence. I had to handle it myself.
Fucking hurts…. First time in my life getting beat this bad.
It was a no-holds-barred thrashing, like my life didn't matter. Cultural shock for a modern guy like me.
I memorized that jailer bastard's face. I'd never forget. Ever.
The reply came a bit late.
So, a jailbreak after all.
Can I trust this woman?
I'd trusted her once and got pulverized. Even if it wasn't what she intended… I wasn't sold.
I told her honestly I was disappointed.
I swallowed a sigh. Did I have any choice but to trust her? Nope.
If this were inside the dungeon, I could've used game knowledge. But the city? Totally unknown territory.
No reply. I glanced over—Fractal had her eyes closed, meditating intently. Her lips moved constantly, like she was chanting a spell.
A mage?
But I doubted this world's prisons lacked ways to restrain mage prisoners. If I were the jailer, I'd have measures to block magic. The game had [Anti-Magic Shackles], [Sealing Arts], [Mana Circuit Destruction], plenty of options.
Still, who knew. This world already differed from the original.
I sent a note and closed my eyes.
Five minutes passed. Noon bells tolled, and jailers' footsteps echoed on the cold stone floor.
The approaching jailer banged his club on the bars.
"Out."
Bound in new chains, I stepped outside the cell. A bone-chilling gale whipped through as we emerged outdoors. It was winter. The sackcloth prisoner rags blocked neither wind nor snowflakes. My body shuddered, teeth chattering.
"Move it."
The jailer kicked the guy ahead to hurry him. Oh, and I was barefoot. Walking through black, slushy slop felt like frostbite waiting to happen.
Up on the platform, nooses swayed. Sunlight pierced the clear winter sky through the loops, making that side look almost warmer.
Cheers erupted. Crowds awaited the execution spectacle. Women sold bread and wine. Medieval popcorn and cola, huh? Fuck.
Carts in the corner—wind flipped the covers, revealing piled corpses. Previously executed criminals.
Can I escape?
Terror finally hit. Heart pounding. Death closing in.
"Ugh, ahh…."
Steam rose from the prisoner ahead. He'd pissed himself. Part of me thought it was gross; another, that sticking close might warm me up.
Fuck…. Fractal, when the hell do we start?
"Up."
A sword-bearing soldier ordered. Blood dripped from the blade—some prisoner had tried fleeing and got hacked down.
I climbed the platform and stood under a noose. A soldier looped it around my neck. Rough hemp scraped my skin. A whirlwind of thoughts hit.
Was this bitch Fractal lying with no plan, just to give me false hope before death? Was it all a show? Should I just go berserk and fight the armed jailer? Fucking Middle Ages. Fucking game!
Bro, you asshole, why play this shit game and drag me down too….
I looked at Fractal beside me. Eyes still closed, murmuring.
"I, lamb who serves the 'Formless One', beseech thee. Your corruption defiles the light of order, encroaching upon its domain…."
Prayer?
So her big plan was praying. Despair washed over me.
Execution prep done, the highest-ranking soldier stepped forward, quieting the crowd.
"Hear ye, sinners. Your crimes are so heinous they make even the eight heavenly gods frown! Too grave for mere mortals like us to judge—we send you to the afterlife for the gods' verdict!"
He pulled a long parchment from his pouch, reading each prisoner's name and crime.
Fractal first.
"Lv.3 human collapse mage Gerda! This one, a possessor, seized an innocent citizen's body and impersonated her for over two years! Not to mention killing countless with collapse school magic and stealing their wealth! Death!"
Gerda. Fractal's host body name.
My turn next.
"Lv.1 human Duncan! This one sold over an estimated 80 people into slavery for the crime syndicate 'Black Serpent'! Death!"
Duncan.
My body's name. Crime syndicate origin made sense. Probably had minor proficiencies in [Ambush], [Stealth], [Traps], [Dagger], [Poison]. Good for a rogue's early survivability, like a warrior.
Since I'd invested stats in strength and health at character creation, I'd fight well in the dungeon. Just shitty starting point.
He read the rest.
"That's all. By His Majesty's authority, I execute these sinners."
Procedure complete. One thing left.
The soldier reached for the lever beside the platform. Pulling it drops the floor, hanging the prisoners by their necks. Usually snaps instantly from body weight, right?
"Kill the possessor!"
"Die!"
"Execution! Execution! Execution!"
"String 'em up—!"
"Fucking trash scum!"
"Wheee—!"
"Slay the demon!"
Excited crowd roaring impatiently. Ears ringing. The din filling the square dazed my mind. Eyes gleeful at impending murder. This my last sight?
Then a note arrived.
Ready? For what? Already noosed up—how to escape? After ignoring all my messages, this is it? I don't trust her anymore. Trusting this psycho was my life's worst mistake!
The officer clapped twice. Signal given, soldier yanked the lever hard.
Clunk!
Freefall. Gravity yanks me to death in an instant. Floor vanishes, body plummets.
Ah….
The moment stretches eternal. Wind whips my skin vividly. Then….
Snap!
Gravity pulls feet down; thick rope jerks neck up. It snaps under the sudden weight.
Splat!
I hit the ground. Broken noose still around my neck. Severed end black and reeking like mold rot.
What the…? How?
"What're you doing? Run!"
Fractal grabbed my hand and pulled. No time to hesitate. I yanked off the noose with my other hand. Sized up the chaos and bolted after her.
"Prisoners escaping! Grab 'em!"
"Kyaaaaah!"
"It's a jailbreak!"
"Outta the way, fuckers! Kill 'em!"
"Chaaaarge—!"
Soldiers yelling behind; citizens fleeing the freed prisoners.
I'm alive?
Truth be told, from the moment I first saw Fractal, I'd felt infinite trust toward her. Trusting her was my life's best choice. Doubt her? No way. It was pure fateful instinct….
"Uh, where are we running to? Got a hideout?"
"The dungeon!"
Got it. Dungeon could shake pursuit temporarily. After that… worry later. Focus on escaping now.
Soldiers chasing us, others scattering to block paths—not few. Survival path still treacherous.
Wind howled. No stopping. Had to run.