The Shadow of the Rotten Well (2)
The iron bars creaked open with a sound like the gates of a prison.
The cold touch of metal. The ugly mottled red of heavy rust. It was a repulsive structure covered in stains that could easily be mistaken for dried blood.
Thud. Thud.
“Ugh… this thing is disgustingly stiff,” Britta grumbled, shaking out her hand.
“...It looks like this place has been abandoned for a long time,” I replied, trying to hide my exhaustion.
Just ahead lay the den of those responsible for everything. I couldn’t afford to collapse here…
“Are you really going to be okay?”
Britta turned to look at me, her eyes filled with genuine concern. I appreciated the sentiment, but…
I shook my head vigorously. “I’m fine. I can still… move.”
“What can you even do in that condition? Stop being so stubborn and let me handle this. Get some rest.”
“No…”
Absolutely not.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for so long…”
This was not something I could compromise on.
“I have to make them pay… for every bit of pain I felt.”
“...”
Britta stared into my eyes for a moment, then nodded silently in understanding.
“But,” she continued, resting her hand on her axe, “if it looks like you can’t handle it, I’m stepping in. And I’ll kick you out of the way if I have to, so keep that in mind.”
Ha… I suppose she meant well, in her own way.
But still…
“...If you actually kicked me, I’d probably die for real.”
“It’s just an expression! An expression!”
Britta finished speaking and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Anyway, I get it. Let’s stop wasting time and get moving.”
Tap. Tap. Thud. Thud.
We continued deeper inside.
“Doesn’t this place feel off to you?”
I paused at Britta’s question and glanced around.
“...It’s different. This isn’t what it was like before.”
When we first entered, it had been an underground waterway. But the structures here were…
“Why is there a prison down here?”
An underground prison. The waterway led directly into a cell block. That explained why the iron bars we’d opened looked exactly like a jail door—because they were.
“Hah. So they locked the kids up in here?” Britta’s tone grew rougher.
Even adults would struggle to endure being trapped in such a dark, damp place. And they’d left children here? Were these people even human?
Whoosh—
We lit the lanterns we’d brought with us.
“It’s so dark I can’t see a thing. Be careful, Krim.”
“...Right.”
I peered into the cells by the flickering light. Scraps of cloth scattered across the floor. Unidentifiable stains. The cells were empty now, but it was clear someone had been held here once.
“This feels wrong. What the hell did those bastards do in here?”
It was ominous. If those traces belonged to the children… it meant we couldn’t assume they were safe.
“...Let’s hurry.”
“Yeah, let’s move!”
Tap-tap-tap-tap—
The sound of our running footsteps echoed through the grim prison.
“! Krim, over there!”
Britta pointed ahead. In the pitch-black darkness, a room leaked a faint glow.
Tap-tap-tap-tap—
We headed straight for it without hesitation.
Thump—
Britta suddenly stopped, and I collided with her back.
“Oof. What’s wrong?”
She didn’t turn around. Her gaze remained fixed forward.
“You insane fucking bastards!!!!”
Britta roared curses and raised her axe. Then she charged forward and swung it with all her might.
When her body no longer blocked the view, what we saw was…
……
A scene too horrifying to describe.
Countless bloodstains and shapes that had once been human. Broken, scattered like wooden dolls.
Kwaaaaang—!! Clang!
“Tch!”
Britta was sent flying back and landed hard.
“What the— I was right in the middle of an experiment.”
A voice came from inside the room.
“Ignorant fools who don’t even know the rules of experimentation…”
Hoooooo—
Step. Step.
As the dust settled, a figure emerged.
“Is there any idiot who would attack a researcher in the middle of an experiment?”
His tone was arrogant, his laughter drenched in madness. His entire body was covered in bloodstains. But what stood out most wasn’t a white lab coat… it was the black cloak draped over him.
“I was just about to begin with those brats, and you dare… interrupt me!?”
The self-proclaimed researcher spat his rage at us.
What? What did he just say he was about to do?
Was he even the same species as us?
No… if that thing had no humanity left in him, then that was actually better.
No matter how many times I carved him up… no matter how I killed him… there would be no problem at all.
Grind. Grind.
“...”
Britta ground her teeth silently beside me. She was probably feeling exactly what I was. The scene was so far beyond comprehension that it surpassed anger and left only disbelief.
“Deal with them.”
At his gesture, figures in black cloaks emerged from the shadows and surrounded us.
“No, wait. Cut off their limbs and drag them over.”
He immediately corrected himself.
“We’ll use them as materials.”
Snap!
He clicked his fingers.
Thud! Slash! Slash!
“Guh!” “Graaagh!” “Save… aaagh!”
Thump. Thump.
“Oh?” “...” “...”
We silently severed the heads of his minions. They were in the way.
“What fresh specimens! These will make excellent samples!! Hahahahaha!!”
Maniacal laughter rang out.
“...Britta, do you sense anything from him?”
“That bastard’s normal attacks won’t work. He’s wrapped in some pitch-black shield.”
“Pitch-black? Like the ore?”
“Probably.”
“What are you two muttering about?”
The man cut in between us.
“If we focus our mana on a single point, we might create an opening.”
Kwaaaaa—
The moment I began gathering mana after saying that—
“!? Cough!”
Thud.
A searing pain struck, and my body grew impossibly heavy. Strength left me, and I collapsed to the floor.
What… what’s happening…? What is this…?
“Hey! Krim!”
“Ugh…”
Britta rushed over and helped me up.
“Hahahahaha!! How fragile!”
The man approached, still laughing.
“You didn’t even realize you were covered in Void? Your head must be completely empty.”
“You son of a—!”
Void…? I’d never heard of…
Shadows began to creep in at the edges of my vision, as if ink had been spilled across my sight.
Ah… I should have rested earlier…
“Hey! Snap out of—!”
The voice grew distant.
My sense of time vanished.
Everything faded into darkness.
…
Vmmm— Vmmmm—
Gram…?
“Ugh…”
The sound of Gram woke me. I carefully pushed myself up, surprised that my body would even move.
“Where… am I?”
My mind gradually cleared, and the surroundings came into focus. It was a completely different landscape from before. An empty space. Neither Britta nor that madman were anywhere to be seen.
You have awakened.
“Who’s there!”
I tried to draw my sword at the sudden voice, but—
“...It’s gone.”
Gram wouldn’t respond.
“Ugh!”
A sudden burst of light made me squint reflexively. Gram was floating there, enveloped in a crimson glow. A woman stood before it, holding the sword.
“Did you bring me here?”
Yes. It has been… a very long time. Lady Krimhild.
She treated me like an old acquaintance. Her eyes were filled with longing, as if reminiscing about someone dear. At the very least, she didn’t seem hostile.
“...Do you know me?”
The you of this time would not know me. I crossed a great span of time… just to meet you.
She placed a hand over her heart and smiled warmly, as if greeting an old friend.
A person from the future…? I had never even heard of magic that could leap across time.
“Who exactly are you…?”
…My name is Mist. Please call me that. Just as you—the you from my memories—once did.
Mist. Like the fog, I suppose. With that black dress and ash-grey hair… it suited her perfectly.
Thank you. That is what you named me back then as well.
Could she hear my thoughts?
This is a mental space, after all.
…
“So… why did you bring me here?”
…I would love to talk longer, but we should attend to business first.
Mist bowed her head with clear regret.
To put it simply… the you in reality has suffered a serious injury and collapsed.
That’s right… I was hit by that strange mana…
You will not die from this. That researcher will be dealt with by Lady Britta somehow.
Her expression darkened as she continued.
However… this battle will leave both of you in an irreversible state. And that…
She shook her head from side to side.
Ah… I cannot say any more than that.
“I understand what you mean.”
It probably meant I would die in some future event.
…
She lowered her head without another word.
“It’s fine. What do I need to do?”
I already knew this journey wouldn’t be easy. I had already resigned myself to the possibility of death.
Understood. For now… you must overcome the Void.
“That strange mana, you mean?”
Yes. What you obtained before is not enough.
Swish—
Mist handed Gram back to me.
Take it, Lady Krimhild.
Clack.
I received the sword. It looked different than usual. A red aura swirled around the green blade, staining the surroundings the color of blood.
Rustle— Grab.
She stepped closer and gently wrapped her hands around mine where I held Gram.
Hehe… it’s warm.
Mist smiled playfully and continued.
Lady Krimhild. What do you intend to do with this power?
What a predictable question. My goal hadn’t changed since that day.
“Revenge. I’m going to find them all and make them pay.”
I looked down at Gram. The demonic sword that reacted to its wielder’s anger and vengeance. I had taken it up to walk the path of revenge.
I will soak the flames of rage with the blood of my enemies.
That was what I had resolved to do.
The path of revenge will bring countless dangers and suffering. Will you still walk it?
“Yes. No matter what lies ahead or what price I must pay, it doesn’t matter.”
I looked straight into Mist’s eyes.
“I will keep moving forward.”
You really are… incredibly strong. That is why, even back then…
She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing.
That is enough. You have earned Gram’s recognition.
At those words, I looked at Gram. The light pouring from the blade softened into a gentle glow. It swirled like a mild breeze before naturally settling into my hand, as if it had always belonged to me.
Step. Step.
Mist took a few steps back.
It is time to say goodbye…
She clasped her hands behind her back and looked at me.
Until we meet again, Lady Krimhild.
Shrrr—
Mist grew transparent and melted into the space, vanishing completely.
Who was she…? Traveling back through time just to meet me, helping me claim the power of Gram. What kind of story did she carry…?
No, I could think about that later.
While I was here, a battle was still raging outside. According to Mist, Britta would suffer a serious injury if it dragged on. I needed to end it before things got any worse.
Let’s go tear that disgusting researcher apart.
Shaaak—
I slashed my sword through the empty air.
Riiip—
A crack formed with the sound of space tearing open.
Now… where should I go?
“Kuhahahaha!!” “Tch!”
When I came to my senses, Britta’s body was covered in wounds. How long had I been unconscious?
“...Krim! Are you okay?”
“More or less, for now.”
“Oho, so the specimen overcame the Void. How interesting—”
Slaaaash—!
Thud.
Before he could finish, one of his arms fell to the floor.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!”
The man collapsed and writhed on the ground.
Too noisy.
“W-what? What did you just do, Krim?”
Britta turned to me with a shocked expression.
“It’s a long story. Leave this one to me.”
“I’m still fi— ugh!”
“Don’t push yourself.”
Step. Step.
“And thank you for protecting me.”
“Eh… y-yeah.”
She stepped back at my words.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! How dare! How dare you do this to me!!!!”
“...”
Shiiiiing—!! Swishswishswish!
Without a word, I sent blades of wind slicing across his body.
“Guh!?”
The moment a scream tried to escape, I shoved the sword into his mouth to silence him.
“...”
I looked down at him coldly. His eyes were twisted with terror, pupils shaking violently. Both arms and legs had been severed and were twitching on the ground.
“Mmph! Mmmmmmph!!!!”
“Listen carefully to what I say.”
“Mmph!?”
If he was in a position to command others, he should have information worth extracting.
“Where do you belong?”
Srrring—
I pulled the sword out of his mouth.
“Y-you… you bastard… guh!”
I lightly sliced his cheek.
“...”
“Hik! Hiiii… GYAAAAH!!”
I split his ear in half.
‘Hik hiiii gyaaah’ didn’t sound like an organization name.
“...”
“I-I’ll talk…! Gah!!”
This time I cut off the other ear.
“N-Nidhogg! I’m a f-follower of Nidhogg…!”
Nidhogg? What a strange name.
“Your objective?”
“The… the resurrection of the great and mighty Lord Nidhogg…!”
Resurrection?
Nonsense. There was no way something like that could be real.
“Where is your base?”
“O-on the mountain! On top of the mountain!”
“The place that was making all that noise?”
“Y-yes, that’s the one!”
So it really was there.
“U-um, Hero? C-could you possibly spare me…?”
The man began to beg.
“...”
I raised my sword.
“P-please! I told you everything I know!”
His whole body trembled as he spoke.
What a disgusting sight. All those people he had experimented on must have begged for their lives too, coughing up blood. He had probably ignored their pleas over and over. Yet the moment it was his turn, he acted exactly the same… It was almost funny how pathetic it was.
“L-look… because of you, Hero, I can’t use my arms or legs anymore… I can’t do anything…”
He was clearly misunderstanding something.
“You know what?”
“Y-yes?”
“You said you told me everything you know.”
“Y-yes! I told you everything! Everything I know!”
Grin—
I curled my lips into a smile.
“Then you have no value left, do you?”
“……Huh?”
Despair. What filled his eyes was pure, unmistakable despair. Unless he was incredibly stupid, he would have realized what fate awaited him. There was no way I would let him live.
Not after what they had done to my hometown… not after they killed my parents… there was no chance I would simply let them go.
Kwaaaaa—!!
Gram’s blade burned bright red.
Perfect timing. Let’s see just how much stronger I’ve become.
“W-wait, spar—”
Slaaaaaash!!
Countless slashes poured from the sword and tore into him.
Crunch—!! Thudududuk! Thump. Thud.
…
The sounds of bones snapping and flesh bursting continued for a while. Then the thing that had once been shaped like a human simply disappeared.
Not bad.
Snort.
I gave a cold laugh at the spot where he had been and turned toward Britta.
“What the hell just happened to you…? H-hey! Hey!!”
Thump.
“...”
I had grown stronger thanks to Gram, but the physical exhaustion that had already built up was impossible to ignore…