Chapter 446: Proof of Existence (34)
Chapter 446: Proof of Existence (34)
I had to say something, but no words would come out.
It felt as if my tongue had turned to stone. Every time I tried to squeeze a sound from my vocal cords, my uvula trembled convulsively.
My younger sister, the one I had lost so long ago.
The words floating through my mind wouldn't mesh together. Language that failed to form sentences merely scattered as lonely mental images. I wanted to vomit out the emotions welling up inside me.
Why are you only appearing now?
And why did it have to be now, of all times?
What have you done? Do you even realize how many sins you’ve committed?
But all those questions were blocked by a single word. There was an original sin that weighed heavily upon my chest.
My younger sister.
Yes, I was the one who abandoned her.
Perhaps it was our parents who first decided to abandon her. But after defeating the Corpse Giant, the one who decided not to search for her whereabouts was me.
In truth, I was afraid.
I couldn't even fathom what might have happened to her after she was captured by the Dark Cult. Or perhaps I feared it would become a wound for Ria. No, I told myself that I and the rest of our family might only be foreign substances in the life she had built after our separation.
It was an excuse.
There were many excuses, but in the end, my choice was nothing more than a shabby escape.
And isn't the result of that choice right before my eyes?
My facial muscles twitched. So many different emotions were surging within me that my body didn't even know what expression to wear. A kaleidoscope of ripples passed over my face.
Distorting, collapsing, and biting my lip for a long time.
The girl burst into a mad laugh.
"Pfft, ahaha... Ahahahaha! Were—were you surprised? I really got you, didn't I? Sorry, sorry. I wanted to tell you in advance, but..."
Grit.
Suddenly, the sound of teeth grinding reached my ears.
It was a noise filled with such intense emotion that it felt as if her molars might shatter. Thump! Unable to contain her anger, the girl stomped her foot, and a cloud of dust rose with an explosive boom.
Cr-crack. The bedrock split, and the underground floor gaped open.
That was the power of her mere leg power. Her physical abilities were on an entirely different dimension compared to mine.
What would that strength be like if she entered a serious battle?
I fell into a pit of fear and self-loathing.
She possessed that much skill. Naturally, it couldn't have been obtained without suffering.
She must have offered something as a price.
As if to prove it, a ghostly aura burned a pale blue in the girl's golden eyes. For a moment, it felt as if my entire vision had gone dark, save for those will-o'-the-wisps.
Grit, grind.
With the sound of white teeth crumbling as the staff, she exhaled a thick sense of hatred.
"A reunion between siblings shouldn't be that boring... right? Older Brother?"
"Ria, I..."
I was too confused to know what to say. I took a hesitant step back, covering my eyes with my hand.
My head was spinning. It felt as if I might faint at any moment.
The only question I managed to fish out of my flickering consciousness was a few meager words.
"...What have you done?"
"Hmm?"
At that, the deep-seated resentment vanished from the girl's face.
Instead of the ghostly aura reminiscent of a demon, the girl tilted her head with a strangely innocent expression. I didn't even have the mental energy left to be surprised by such a startling reversal.
My hand flailed as I pointed behind her.
The faceless monsters lined up like dolls.
It was clear that they had once been human.
"Just what... what have you... Ria! Do you even realize what you've done?!"
"Aha."
As if only then realizing what I meant, the girl flashed a refreshing smile.
With light, airy steps, she walked toward the faceless monsters. Like a promotional salesperson at a general store, she spread her arms wide with pride.
"I didn't do anything, you know? I simply granted their wishes... But a trade has to be fair, right? So, as a merchant, I just collected the price."
"A wish? To become a slave whose body and mind have been completely stolen?"
The girl let out a giggle.
Then, flicker, the blood sun blinked for a moment. Afterward, the lighting began to shine like a spotlight on a specific spot.
Kreee, khak, keeeek.
Creaking like a broken jointed doll, one of the faceless monsters stepped forward. Standing before it, the girl drew attention to the monster with both arms and began her pitch in a clear, melodic voice.
"Sir Telon of the Delos School! He studied under a master who was a titan of the magic world, but the only one recognized by that money-grubbing master was his fellow disciple! Having never received a proper education, he thirsted for more knowledge. Then, he began trading with our guild, and his skills improved by leaps and bounds! And would you look at that! In a fit of rage, he murdered his master and ended up on the Delos School's hit list. His choice in his desperation was... a secret!"
With a playful wink at me, the girl shifted her gaze elsewhere.
It was the spot where a faint groan was leaking out. Senior Elsie, who had taken the girl's blow, was staggering to her feet.
Blood was dripping from her chin. To anyone's eyes, she was in an abnormal state.
As my expression grew urgent, the curve of the girl's lips deepened.
"Today, I shall personally tutor the customer's pet dog!"
Kieeeeeek!
A blood-red baleful light erupted from the faceless monster's eyes. With a screech that scraped against the eardrums, the monster began its charge.
And jet-black spheres lined up in the air.
Senior Elsie hadn't even managed to regain her stance properly. At this rate, the outcome of the battle was obvious.
A shout immediately burst from my throat.
"Senior Elsie!"
I instinctively reached for my waist and gripped my hand axe. My only thought was that I had to save Senior Elsie somehow.
Just before I could hurl the hand axe.
Creeeak. The movement of my arm stopped. Even as I gritted my teeth and applied force, I only felt a sharp pain in my arm.
My bloodshot eyes turned toward my arm.
Now I could see them.
Fine, blood-red threads covered the space like a spiderweb. My arm was also caught by dozens of threads, unable to move any further.
When on earth...?
That question vanished as the girl skipped toward me. Her face didn't even show a hint of achievement for what she had done.
Her attitude suggested that this entire situation was only natural.
It was a difference in skill.
That fact hit me with frustrating clarity. This girl had the ability to seize control of the space anytime, anywhere.
Flicker. The lighting blinked again.
Two faceless monsters stepped forward with a creak. Bathed in a blood-red baptism, the scrawny lumps of flesh offered a polite greeting.
Kuaaaak, krek, kek!
Against the backdrop of those ridiculous sounds, the girl bowed politely.
"The Melsis Brothers of the Holy Kingdom! Since childhood, they trusted and followed their village's head priest, but oh my? It turns out he was a devil who enjoyed violating young boys! Even so, their parents, blinded by faith, went as far as to blame the brothers... and they happened to meet us. After murdering the head priest and their parents, they set off on a long journey. Until they could forget the past and form a happy family, pfft... yes, until the Holy Kingdom's subjugation force arrived! In the end, they came back to us on the condition that their family be spared!"
Despicable.
I gritted my teeth. She dug into someone's wounds and weaknesses, offering terms as if she were their only salvation.
Even though she knew full well that the end was destruction.
It was a cruel trade.
It masqueraded as fairness, but its essence was no different from blackmail or coercion. Because they were in a mental state where no other options could be considered.
But now was not the time to be worrying about others.
The girl's eyes flicked to the side, followed by a polite smile.
"Today, they say they will specially teach the junior who only uses his petty tricks and the brat who dreams beyond his station!"
Kreeeeeeeeek!
With that declaration, the two monsters moved, leaping across the ground. The black aura gathered on their limbs left ominous trails behind.
Yuren and Celine had only just regained their senses.
I desperately tried to move my body. But the more I did, the more the blood-red threads tightened around me.
A desperate scream broke out.
"Celine, Yuren!"
Yuren, who had just managed to stand up, spat out a curse.
"For fuck's sake... I told you we should've just run!"
I had nothing to say.
Soon, the sound of explosions echoed, and the battle began.
The groans heard from all over testified to the party's disadvantage.
I felt like I was going half-mad.
The people precious to me were facing death. Yet, there was nothing I could do.
Despair, screams, blood.
Amidst it all, the girl walked with seductive steps. The faint smile in her eyes was lethally charming.
"...Give up."
With that one phrase, my mind went blank.
A blood-red whisper dyed my brain.
"There's no way you can win against me anyway, Oppa... You know that, right? So, just surrender quietly."
My eyes trembled uncontrollably.
You want me to submit like this?
One by one, memories began to fall away. For some unknown reason, memories of the Saintess poured down like a drizzle.
Immanuel, Immanuel...
Between my meaningless murmurs, the girl's voice cut in.
"...There is no God."
Gigglle. A sneer followed.
"If there is, why doesn't He save you?"
With a twirl, the girl spun her body with her arms wide open.
"Our Lord gives certain rewards in proportion to the price paid... But what about your Lord, Oppa?"
A pitch-black dot burrowed into my heart.
"Give up, despair, collapse...!"
At that sweet whisper, I almost wanted to fall to my knees.
A deep groan escaped my lips.
I wanted to stop.
I wanted to fall, submit, and close my eyes.
But why couldn't I?
Suddenly, a memory from some day flashed through my mind.
In a blurred landscape, a woman whispered to me.
'...This is the Will of God.'
A sensation like a pure white lightning bolt piercing through my spine.
Intoxicated by the thrill coursing through my body, I shouted out of my own volition.
"Greed, I propose a deal!"
Twitch. The girl, who had been relaxed the entire time, froze.
Soon, her frozen gaze turned toward me. With a face that had become infinitely serious, the girl asked.
"......The conditions?"
My mouth snapped shut.
In truth, since I had just blurted it out, I hadn't thought of a detailed proposal.
However, I reflexively made a playful suggestion.
"How about... giving me a sincere hug once?"
It was nonsense.
What could I possibly gain with just this? I had made a mistake because she looked so much like Ria.
Just as I was about to give up.
"......Hmm."
The girl gripped her chin and began to ponder seriously.
While I was thinking, Wait, what?
"Fine."
With a snap of her fingers, the monster attacking Senior Elsie scattered into shadows.
Senior Elsie, who had been in the middle of the fight, looked at me while panting for breath.
Her eyes were filled with confusion.
But I was just as unable to grasp the situation.
Only the girl stood there with her arms open, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Avoiding my eyes as if she were shy.
"In exchange, you have to hug me for at least a minute, okay?"
I swallowed a hollow laugh and thought to myself.
...This actually worked?