Fate (3): The Inevitable Tragedy
Time froze. It sank in belatedly.
...So this is what happens after all.
Elijah was adept at reading people's emotions and stabbing right at their hearts. But she herself couldn't feel them. Even as an adult, that had been the case. And it seemed no different now.
Fate... Not a word I liked. I didn't want to live according to some script. That's why I'd thrashed and rebelled so fiercely.
Human nature doesn't change easily. Not a phrase I cared for much either. It boxes people into rigid molds. No different from fate, really. I'd simply been forced to accept it.
Believing that people are defined not by what they're born as, but by how they live. Whether I truly believed it or just wanted to, who knows.
Besides, Elijah was someone else. Changing yourself is one thing; changing another is a whole different league. You don't change others—you hope they change themselves. People only transform when they want to.
If someone asked whether I'd secretly hoped deep down, I'd be lying to say no. The sides of her I'd glimpsed that I never knew. From those unfamiliar glimpses, I'd harbored faint expectations now and then.
What if Elijah never killed me? Then there'd be no reason to leave this safe training camp.
I knew well how powerless, penniless kids survived out there. Even if it was just a game, I'd seen it plenty. Begging. Stealing. Pickpocketing. Then brawls with other kids. Or running into adult thugs, getting stabbed, dying—or sold off somewhere.
So training here to become a guard knight was the safest, most ideal path. As long as Elijah didn't kill me.
...I have no idea if things will work out just because I say they will.
Run away. That resolve never wavered.
*
One stroke of luck: I didn't have to bolt right this instant. Scrutinizing the future scene closely, Elijah and I looked different from now—physically.
It's blurry, hard to make out... but not right now, at least.
In other words, Elijah strangling me was in the future. How far off? No clue. The vision wasn't crystal clear.
Still, both Elijah and I look pretty tall. Not super soon, then. And we're clothed, so not some other scenario...
The future shown by Tragedy was inevitable. Put another way, Elijah wouldn't kill me until she strangled my neck.
...Probably.
But what led up to that scene?
Me lying down. Elijah throttling my throat. Her overpowering me by force? Impossible. She climbs on to strangle me, and I just lie there? No way.
Magic... something interfering with the mind.
Brainwashing, suggestion, knockout, sensory block—the works. But mind-interference magic was all banned. Sealed in underground prisons jointly owned by the imperial family and the magic tower, under strict watch. Regardless of skill, you couldn't learn it legally.
There are illegal channels. Not easy for Elijah to access, but...
She might pull it off. Because it's Elijah.
Then again, why not just use fire? That's surer.
Why strangulation? Sardis crossed my mind. His magic vanished on contact with my body.
In the game, moon-attribute items resisted fire.
But even characters in moon-attribute armor couldn't withstand Elijah's Mad Fire. I'd tested it. Burned clean to ash.
Is the moon attribute in my body and mana something special?
No way to test. Maybe she strangles me first, then fire. Or maybe she's already set me ablaze from inside. Elijah could ignite people internally, invisible from outside.
Hope the info guild contacts me soon.
Time to accelerate plans. Be ready to run anytime. Valak had left traces, but the info guild would have ways.
The Status Window that arrived when I decided to take the exam. Elijah strangling me there. As if that choice led straight to it.
But I knew better. This future was fated. Exam or no, pass or fail—it'd happen regardless.
Still, I wanted to run. Even if it was fated tragedy.
*
"You'll take the first exam, right?"
Gawain said as he hung his wooden sword on the rack. I rasped back from my sprawl on the floor.
"Yes..."
Every inch of me ached. I felt half-dead. I'd been infamous for not going easy on the kids, but this guy took it to another level. Karma?
"Hm."
He stroked his chin slowly, pondering as he looked down at me.
"You won't fail, but don't."
"Yes, sir... I'll do my best."
"I'd be disappointed if you did."
"Pardon?"
He ignored my question and strode out. I stared blankly at the door he'd exited.
...What was that?
So, he'd be disappointed if his own student failed? The one he trained?
"Jeez."
Ridiculous. A dry laugh escaped despite myself. Every chuckle made my body scream.
First Mentor
1. Stamina Increase (+5)
2. Swordsmanship (+1)
3. Survival Expert
4. Mana Increase (+3)
Huh?
First mentor, huh. Right, there was this quest. Clears when you form a mentor-disciple bond with certain characters. So Gawain acknowledged me as his disciple. Even if he acted otherwise.
What a quirky guy. Total tsundere.
Lucky for me anyway. Solid reward options. Big stat boosts. Swordsmanship only +1, but traits don't level easy—worth it. But...
That Survival Expert. Exactly what I needed now.
It sends a 'warning' when my 'survival' is truly threatened. Like someone deciding to kill me and throttle my neck.
With this trait, maybe I can dodge that tragedy.
Of course, evading the threat depends on me. If the warning comes too late to react, I'm done for.
Still, better than nothing. Way better.
Bonus effects too. True to the name, it helps you 'survive' any situation dropped on you. Like instant survival tips tailored to the moment.
No guarantee I'd leave here smoothly. Might need to flee in a rush, live on the run. Survival Expert makes survival easier in any scenario.
If I stack traits like this, maybe I can evade or overcome the tragedy.
This game was mostly choice-based. Often no option I wanted—especially against Elijah. But I could move, judge, act on my own.
Maybe, just maybe, I could dodge or beat the tragedy.
Survival Expert
Added to Traits
The first exam was near.
*
"Go kill 'em all."
Richard clapped my shoulder with that pep talk. So him.
Dillon chimed in beside him.
"...This first exam isn't combat-based. Anyway, no need to get down if you fail—no pressure. Better to stay safe and aim for the next one than push and get hurt..."
"Ugh, nagging..."
Richard teased. Dillon bit his lip, then muttered subdued.
"Just objective advice."
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"And Judah's grown faster than other newbies. He's shown results too. Failing now would hit harder..."
"Okay, okay, room leader's always right."
"...Can I punch you?"
"Go ahead, that's insubordination right there."
Dillon just clenched his fist, didn't swing. Either way, both were cheering me on. Richard's optimism, Dillon's rational realism. Both spot-on, helpful.
"I'll do great."
The others chimed in too. "You got this," "Don't get hurt"—standard stuff. Hard to believe they'd eyed me warily day one. Cookies and chocolate helped, but we'd bonded through other stuff too.
I'd stick around awhile anyway. No harm in friends.
Not just me from our room. Lindel—who I'd fought—was in too. And Pelin. 14 years old, 11th intake. Tall and skinny for his age, freckled face. Kinda scarecrow-like, passive vibe. The one who'd cut my hair.
"Seniors, you've taken this exam before, right?"
On the way, I asked Lindel and Pelin. They nodded.
Pelin scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"Failed, but yeah."
Lindel was prouder.
"Everyone flops first time. Like Dillon said—no sulking if you fail."
Lindel fussed over me plenty. Looked guilty even. He'd openly hated and hit me, but I'd helped him up mid-duel and forgiven him after. Felt bad about it, apparently.
Guess he's not rotten to the core.
"Thanks. I'll give it my all anyway."
"Good."
"What kind is it? Always the same?"
Pelin answered.
"Same content, different spot. Survival test... hard to explain, uh..."
Both seniors, but still kids. Not eloquent or detailed. They tried hard, so I listened intently. Got the gist.
*
Stamina: 11.1
Strength: 8.5
Agility: 14.4
Mana: 3.1
Even growth overall. Mana's decimal bump from the moon deer, probably.
Checked my steady gains, looked up. Exam site entrance. Gawain, proctoring, scanned the candidates. Beside him, under the parasol Lia held—Elijah sat.
Red blanket I'd given her draped like a scarf, black cat doll hugged close.
Didn't hear she'd come...
Our eyes met. She smiled faintly, waved. I averted my gaze, bowed my head.
That strangling image flashed.
Gawain explained promptly.
"Welcome to the first exam. From here, you'll be constantly tested for guard knight worthiness for Lady Elijah. Simple: survive."
He stepped aside. Mountain entrance revealed. More like a ragged gap. Dense brush, trees, jagged terrain, jutting rocks. Winding ridge like waves—the hill to the Wavecrest Mountains.
"Survive here."
Heard from Lindel and Pelin en route, but harsh. Toss kids in the wild, tell 'em live? No child protection here hit home.
"Endure two days, return. One water canteen provided. After? Your call. Starve in place. Hunt animals, forage fruit. Methods free."
Gawain stern.
"One virtue we seek: perseverance. Rite of passage. Fail this, achieve nothing ahead. Endure by any means."
He eyed the rigid candidates. Even repeaters Lindel and Pelin tensed.
"Free survival methods, but fighting candidates? Fail. Nobles keep multiple guards. Learn cooperation—even with strangers."
Perseverance. Then agility, teamwork eval. Barren wilds, bare-handed. Judgment, alliances—who, how much. That sorta thing.
"Quit early? Return anytime. Bracelets have tracking magic. Site limited to mountains. Leave bounds? Bracelet breaks, you fail."
Got leather bracelets on arrival. Jade gem embedded. Bebel wealth drew a wry smile. Magic artifacts pricey—even basic ones.
Issue dozens routinely? Recyclable, still impressive. Chaebol noble power.
"Lose or break bracelet? Fail."
Gawain checked his watch.
"Starts in 5. Questions?"
A few hands. Nothing deep. I had none, stayed put.
Good call taking Survival Expert.
No issues, I'd pass fine. Key: early allies.
Difficulty skyrockets with or without reliable ones.
All start scattered. Bad luck? Solo till end. Risky—wild beasts.
Bears hibernating, no tigers, but boars roam. Not monstrous size, but dangerous.
Survival Expert plus allies? Breeze.
Lindel, Pelin... look spooked. Way to link up?
I knew these mountains somewhat. Tricky, but could gather those two.
While Gawain took questions, I approached them.
"Seniors."
"Yeah?"
"Easier if we meet up early, right?"
"Duh."
"But starts differ..."
"I have a way."
Maybe helpful, activated Survival Expert. As expected, trait gave specifics.
"Start: find highest open spot, then..."
Their faces lit as I explained. By end, vigorous nods.
"5 minutes up. Participants to separate entrances, follow escort knights."
Gawain ordered dispersal.
"Got it?" I double-checked.
"Yeah, all memorized."
Confident nods. Now scatter to entrances. I turned to go—Elijah waved daintily.
She mouthed silently. Read her tiny lips.
'Do well.'
Averted gaze, bowed again. She seemed to instruct Gawain, but too far for audio.
*
Climbed leisurely. Rush early drains stamina. One water bottle issued. Rest self-sustain from mountain.
Pushed through brush, grabbed trees on steep slopes. Slipped on loose dirt now and then.
Die here? Bebel washes hands.
Insane exam.
Grumbling inwardly, reached flatter ground.
'Sky's decently open.'
Activated Survival Expert pronto. Meet Lindel and Pelin first. Needed 'fire' now.
Scanned. Dirt, grass, trees. Fuel aplenty, but how to ignite? No survival know-how.
Yet eyes locked on wood, dry grass, stones—glowing vividly.
Survival Expert pointing the way.
Gathered all. Thick log, dry grass bundle, stones. Smashed stones on rock for sharp edge. Carved one log face. Sharpened another tip.
Piled dry grass on carved log, rapidly spun sharp wood in groove—like gnawing.
Unskilled? Hours. But trait sped it—smoke in minutes.
"Hoo—."
Blew breath. Smoke thickened. Char scent wafted. Dry grass caught.
Eyeballed thin gray smoke rising skyward.
Wonder if Lindel and Pelin pulled it off.
Added fuel, guarded fire quietly. Soon, rustling from woods.
Turned—joyful shout.
"Judah!"
Lindel and Pelin.
"Whoa, met up easy."
"Fire-starting lesson? Takes forever usually..."
My instructions: hightail to highest open spot post-start, follow smoke.
Other might light fires, cross paths—but unlikely. Few spark one immediately.
"Learned awhile back."
Can't spill trait, bullshitted.
"So... now what?"
Lindel asked blankly. Heard he'd wandered clueless last exam, quit.
Made sense.
Hm.
"First..."
Activating Survival Expert again—woods erupted noisy one way.
Crunch, crunch. Footsteps through grass. Approaching us.
We three froze, staring that way. Glanced at smoldering fire—residual smoke.
Expected, but...
Not just us spotting it. Another candidate might follow smoke by chance.
Attacking others violates rules. Fatal flaw: no proof.
That flaw's witness? Pelin beside me. His last fail reason.
'Betrayed by rival over food. No proof, foe passed.'
Gripped wooden sword and shield cautiously. Issued for wild animal defense. Foe had same.
Lindel and Pelin followed suit.
Same candidate or beast? Better...
Forgot amid tragedy worries: Valak hated me. Could be his plant. Slim chance, but not zero.
Crunch, crunch. Footsteps neared.