One-Hour Shortcut and the Reaper's Self-Slaughter
"One hour?"
It was a shocking result.
Something was off. Time hadn't passed that quickly.
Subjectively, I'd spent nearly half a day just meditating.
Plus, they said it would take three days from the start.
"Did I even do it right…?"
I wrote up a post first.
It only took one hour... that's fine, right?
And instead of the sea, I got this drought-stricken land vibe...
But I got the circle anyway, so no issues, yeah?
Refresh.
They couldn't believe I'd returned in just one hour.
It took answering their questions—proving I could use black magic—before they finally bought it.
The reactions dragged on, but they were all just shock and awe.
No answers to my actual question.
I needed an interpretation of the cracked land.
I'd stirred up envy, but that was the least of my worries.
'Where's teacher...'
After a short wait, the nickname I'd been hoping for appeared.
So what the hell did I see?
Even teacher seemed clueless.
How? By bending down and...
All-you-can-eat? Was that it?
Honestly, no clue, just hoping it's no big deal.
Other comments buzzed, then teacher dropped a line.
Worst case scenario.
Nobody knew shit about what I'd done.
It was definitely a huge deal.
First time seeing teacher talk like that, per the comments.
"...Oh yeah, that happened too..."
I'd forgotten amid the no-sea shock, but there was another weird bit.
Teacher went silent for a good while after that.
Like he'd lost his words.
Then this reply came.
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
"That scream... was a human scream?"
Yeah, definitely human.
'Thought it was just a sound effect...'
No words for that.
I had no idea how I'd ended up there.
"Oh, so that's it..."
Made sense now.
Black sea's like a stray dog shelter. Pick up an ownerless pup.
My parched wasteland? More like a doggy daycare.
Kidnapping a pampered pup from daycare...
Eh... violent metaphor...
'Whatever, full steam ahead!'
Failed humanity. Passed demonkind.
Turning into Demon Army talent.
Good is good.
That faceless mage'll never know who, anyway.
Won't cross paths...
Hm...
"Gotta flee above 100F ASAP..."
Time to progress.
Owner of such a massive circle's probably big shot.
Who knows if they'll track me...
With circle secured, next: learn magic.
Ready. Or not.
Swallowed hard, awaited next reply.
"What's that???"
Too curious; typed like I was yelling.
But before I could post, the answer hit.
Eyes deceived me.
Die?
Mind went blank white.
Not just me. Gallery imploded.
Chaos.
Slit my own throat?
'First lesson Instant Death? Hardcore curriculum...'
Freaky syllabus.
Reaper thing, I guess.
Golden Carriage sells that?
Fired off a question.
Three days.
Breath caught.
Wait three days?
Gallery exploded.
Slammed the hologram panel shut.
Swish.
Picked up the scythe from the floor.
"Name was... Death Side, right."
In hindsight, it looked vicious.
Long handle. Inward-curved black blade.
No way it's for farming.
But suicide tool? Who knew.
Gripped scythe upside down.
Brought to my nape.
Metal's chill kissed skin.
Shivers hit hard.
Not a stethoscope, yet I felt my pulse.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Veins pulsing beneath flesh, transmitted straight to fingertips via blade.
Swallowed.
Deep breath in.
Eyes bulged.
Grinded teeth and...
"Kiyaaaaak!!"