53
Chapter 53
I side with justice, but it seems justice doesn't side with me.
No.
The premise itself is wrong.
I was never on the side of justice.
Right.
In the 'New Content Proposal' email I sent, the Loa's role was the Expansion Pack Boss.
In other words, a villain who threatens the world.
So that's why the Holy Knights couldn't get me any points.
What if my reluctance to reveal my identity to the community was because a command to 'not be discovered' had been engraved in me without my knowing?
I'm confused.
I'm so confused that the world feels like it's spinning.
Am I... am I really moving of my own free will?
Is it really because I want to that the Barbarians feel so endearing?
Why does Rake follow me?
Even if she had a sad past, does it make sense for her to follow someone she barely knows so blindly?
She hates Rakan, her father and a fellow Loa, yet she follows me? Just because I came to save the surface?
Could Rake also be a ploy by the Loas? She might be in on it.
"Mallak?"
Rake was staring intensely at me from the side. How long had she been there?
"Is something wrong?"
Can she tell that I'm uneasy?
Rake tilts her head. Then, she reaches her hand toward the Totem, then toward me.
I didn't want to accept that touch.
- It's nothing.
Perhaps because I was suspicious, my voice came out cold.
Rake's pupils trembled for a moment.
"M-Mallak?"
She steps back slightly.
- ...
I didn't answer.
Rake blinked a few times before carefully opening her mouth.
"Great One. I am too dull to realize what mistake I have made. It is a shameless request, but please tell me. I will correct it."
- I want to be alone.
Rake froze on the spot like a stone. For a brief moment, she didn't move a muscle.
"...I understand."
With slumped shoulders, Rake moves away with stiff, jerky motions.
I sank into deep thought.
***
A day passed.
I've calmed down quite a bit now.
After waking up from a nap, my mind felt clear again.
Because of this personality, my friends often told me that I have strong mental fortitude.
In truth, it's not that my mind is strong. It's more that my recovery is just much faster than others.
Anyway, I was way too sensitive yesterday.
Rake... that was the first time I've seen her so flustered. And discouraged, too.
She's always been the picture of calm and confidence.
I feel bad for hurting her. She's always worked so hard for me.
I caught Paya, who was lingering around the altar as if she had something to do.
The altar where Totem No. 1 is installed has now become the large mansion the Gorilla Demon used.
It's essentially moved from an outdoor altar to an indoor one.
- How is Rake doing?
"She's been shut in her room all day. She won't answer when called, and she isn't eating."
When you dwell on things for too long, courage tends to vanish.
I should go apologize.
After a few words with Paya, I bestowed Divine Descent upon Rake.
"...Ah."
Rake was huddled under a blanket in her dim quarters.
Her eyes were misty. Her emotions were a complete mess.
I could feel it since Divine Descent was active.
- Rake.
I wanted to apologize as one person to another, but it would be too weird for a Loa to act like that.
"...Lord Mallak."
- I heard you've been skipping your meals.
"...I just wasn't hungry today."
That's not convincing at all. Especially for someone who exercises and eats three square meals a day.
- It's a misunderstanding. You've done nothing wrong.
"Is... that so?"
Rake asked cautiously.
- I just needed some time to think yesterday. This is simply because I'm still inexperienced, so do not worry.
I used a cheat again. The excuse that I'm unskilled because I forced my descent to the surface.
"I see...! And here I was, not knowing..."
Vitality returned to Rake's body.
She believes me instantly. She doesn't even suspect it might be a lie.
How could I have thought a person like this was plotting something against me?
That she was in league with the bastards who summoned me here?
You absolute idiot convenience store worker.
- My Guardian, Rake. I was worried when I heard you were feeling down.
"Lord Mallak...!"
- I hope you find your spirit again.
Tsk. This next part might make me sound like a creep, but I'll say it anyway.
- I want to see you full of energy again.
"...!"
Rake kicked off her blanket and sprang up. She said she'd wash up and change.
I returned to Totem No. 1.
I logged into the community for a bit to clear my head.
[Atomic Rex: Yum yum yum
Human meat is tastiest
Ate five people today too
Sad that I didn't get a passive skill]
- Comments -
[Melee-type Spy: Where are you]
Atomic Rex, you can't even use spaces properly now.
I wonder if eating humans makes you more like a beast.
Failed to clear my head.
- ...
After realizing the truth of the status window, I've thought it over.
The Loas must have been in league with the bastard who sent me here.
For now, I'll refer to that bastard, the developer, as Ishtania.
Because it was clear from the circumstances that this being was involved.
Even in the email Ishtania sent, it mentioned discussing things with the Loas.
In that case, is this being called Loa Mallak a new god created by Ishtania?
Ishtania would go through all that trouble? To save the world?
Would such a kind, emotional, and human bastard keep sending new users every time a Holy Knight dies?
It makes more sense that I was possessed into an existing Loa.
If not, then I'm not actually a Loa but some other entity (like a shitty totem), but that's unlikely.
Harry judged me to be a god through the Spinning Glasses, and Karon called me a Loa too.
I am indeed a Loa.
Then what happened to that Loa, the Mallak I possessed?
Did the soul disappear or get exiled because I possessed him?
Like how Karon stole Rino Johnson's soul?
Ridiculous. There's no way a god-like being would be taken down that easily.
I opened the message window and sent a message to myself.
[Hey]
[You're watching, aren't you?]
As I see it, this bastard named Mallak is 100% here with me.
[Answer me, you bastard]
He probably entrusted his body to me and has been watching all along.
He didn't steal the soul like Karon; he handed it over.
[Answer me!]
After a long silence, a message I didn't write appeared.
[Conversation is dangerous. If it goes on too long, your mind won't hold up.]
[Whether you want it or not, control will eventually return to me.]
[If you insist, I will give you a short answer. Only this once.]
Damn. My theory was right. Caught you!
For now, I'll call this guy True Mallak.
[Why did it have to be me?]
[True Mallak: Because you were the only one who cared about the Barbarians.]
This guy read my email too.
[How am I supposed to understand this situation?]
[True Mallak: I entrusted all my divinity and power to you. I placed your soul within mine and handed over control.]
It's hard to grasp, but I'll just let it slide.
[Why did you do this?]
[True Mallak: If I descended directly to the Material Plane, terrible things would happen to the surface. I had no choice but to use the loophole of borrowing your soul.]
[Why did you go that far?]
That's the main thing I want to know.
[True Mallak: For those who serve me.]
[True Mallak: I wanted to save the surface.]
[True Mallak: So I sold myself as a pawn.]
- ...
[What's the final goal? Did you write it?]
[True Mallak: No. The other Loas played a trick.]
Probably that bastard Rakan. If it's that perverted wolf, it's possible.
[True Mallak: You are my Proxy, the Last Bastion, and my hope. I've bet everything on you.]
[True Mallak: Every action you take stems from your own will.]
[True Mallak: Do not forget. Right now, you are Loa Mallak.]
With those words, the messages cut off.
Ha, damn. This is even more confusing.
It would've been better if True Mallak were just a total piece of shit, so I could've just cursed him out.
"Lord Mallak."
- Rake.
Before I knew it, Rake had finished dressing up and stood before Totem No. 1.
Maybe 'fully armored' would be a better term than 'dressed up.'
- Could you stay by my side?
I'm a bit exhausted. I need some human warmth.
She's the only one who can give me that warmth.
"Yes!"
With a moved expression, Rake hugged Totem No. 1.
I never told her to hug it.
Well, whatever. It does help me heal emotionally.
The final goal. He said the Loas planned it.
Screw that. You idiots. I'm not doing what you tell me.
If you've got a problem, come find me on the surface.
If possible, I'll save everyone, whether they're Civilized Persons or Holy Knights.
Because that's who I am: Mallak, the convenience store worker and 'Ultra Sanz, who's crazy for Massacre Mode on a moonlit night.'
***
[Atomic Rex: Two humans dead yummy
Holy Knights wear armor
Hide in maple mountain cave
Worth it come far big rock mtn
Rip out legs two bodies legs
Eat trim chop small pieces
Guts curvy meat tender
Skin flip back lure me]
- Comments -
[Melee-type Spy: That's the Skull Mountains]
[Melee-type Spy: Just wait a bit]
Atomic Rex never posted again.