episode_0006

“Haha~ Why are you acting like this? I’m just trying to send you off comfortably!” ‘I came to save you. I’ll protect you in a safe place.’ He spoke gently. “Don’t worry. It won’t hurt.” ‘It really won’t hurt.’ I was smiling softly, gesturing with my hand.

But despite such kindness, the foxes showed no inclination to approach. Were they scared?

Clink…!

Finally, Irene dropped even the rusted sword she was holding. She seemed to be struggling and holding on, but eventually, her legs gave out, and she sank to the ground. “U-Unnie…!” “Sniff, Irene Nuna…!” The small foxes, flustered, teared up. Children who looked to be at most elementary school age. They seemed to be simply afraid of the situation, trembling behind Irene’s back.

“Oh dear, did I put too much pressure on them?” I tilted my head to the side, alone. As if completely unable to understand their reaction.

‘Well… I actually know.’ As I said earlier, everything happening in this space is in the palm of my hand. A stage I designed from beginning to end. The current situation was also included in the thorough design. In other words, it was all an act.

I appeared like a mastermind. Just before the foxes were about to escape, I blocked their path, deliberately revealing murderous intent to create tension. I even spoke significant lines, increasing their unease. ‘It’s natural for them to tremble in fear.’ Right now, the foxes must see me as a hunter. The worst kind of hunter, capable of slaughtering everyone here with a single gesture.

“Hehehe.” I chuckled with delight. Perhaps because it had been a long time since I caused such trouble, the fun felt doubled. The corners of my mouth curled unnaturally. My already sly smile became even more viscous. The perfect image of a narrow-eyed mastermind.

“……” Irene was kneeling, looking this way. Her clear eyes were trembling madly. Was it because the act I put on was too perfect? The girl seemed to have fallen for it completely. ‘It feels like I’ve really become some kind of mastermind.’ That thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly pushed it away. How kind and considerate I am. There was also a hidden reason why I was putting on this act now.

Ding! [Current Output Remaining: 21.5%]

I had overused my Lies too much. The output wasn’t enough to return safely. If I were alone, it would have been possible, but unfortunately, I had taken on the fox group, so it wasn’t easy. In other words, it was time to recover my Lies. I was merely using them for that purpose.

“Mercy would be a luxury for slaves who have already caused a commotion, wouldn’t it?” Yuda’s unique ability, Liar. The more perfect the lie, and the greater the emotional change it caused in the listener, the more effectively it recharged. I use the hearts of others. The fear of death. One of the most intense emotions that binds living beings. The foxes who, just moments ago, rejoiced in the hope of escape. And now, these children were facing death, so the emotional change that would follow was…

Ding! [Target’s emotions are rapidly fluctuating.] (Hope -> Despair) [Due to rapid emotional change, Lies have been greatly recovered.] [Current Output Remaining: 47.4%]

The output of my Lies rapidly rose. It recharged instantly with just a few words. Normally, to fill such a gap, I would have to mutter all day long. ‘……This method really is good.’ Making young children cry bothered me a little, but I begged for forgiveness inwardly. Still, this was a process to save them. I believed everyone would understand.

“How laughable.” I murmured in a chilling voice. By then, there was no trace of a smile left on my lips.

Clap!

I clapped my hands once, lightly. Following that, the numerous lanterns illuminating the passage extinguished simultaneously. A world where only deep darkness remained. I gathered the shimmering mist and spoke. “Trash that doesn’t know its place… I will dispose of it here.” I released a little more of my suppressed murderous intent. The biting tension formed like frost, and a sticky darkness pressed down on the surroundings. The children finally burst into tears, one by one.

Ding! [Target’s emotions are rapidly fluctuating.] (Hope -> Despair) [Due to rapid emotional change, Lies have been greatly recovered.] [Current Output Remaining: 54.9%]

The output of my Lies was recovering smoothly. If it continued like this, it would take about 5 minutes. As I was gauging the remaining time, the girl with auburn hair caught my eye. “……” Irene was motionless and blank-eyed. Had she lost her mind from extreme fear? Even amidst the commotion of the other children, the girl sat with her head bowed low. ‘Has she given up?’ If so, it was a little disappointing. The ‘Fox’ from the original story, as I remembered, wouldn’t crumble with just this much. Is it because her awakening hasn’t happened yet? The tenacious Sword Saint I had been looking forward to meeting didn’t seem to be here. I felt my interest wane slightly. I thought I might have some fun, but what a sorry state this was.

“Hmm.” Well, should I just move on for now? Still, since I’ve come this far, I should help them. As long as the world follows the original story, her awakening will happen someday. “It’s not what I expected, but I suppose I’ll be satisfied with this for today…” “Kids.” Just as I was tasting blandness, a short phrase brushed past my ear. “Listen carefully to what Unnie is about to say.” A voice trembling as if utterly broken. However, the words that followed that sentence were by no means weak. “Don’t look back, just run.”

Scrape-.

She picked up the rusted sword that had fallen to the floor once more. Shoulders trembling as if they would break at any moment. But even in such despair, the girl used her sword to prop herself up, getting back on her feet. “I’ll hold this place.” Her black eyes sparkled vividly. The girl’s pupils held a venomous light as she glared in my direction.

“Ohh.” An exclamation of admiration escaped me automatically. Feeling my waning interest reignite, I grinned. ‘Yes, this is how it should be.’ I almost ended up disappointed. A thrilling sensation tinged my fingertips. I released the Lies I had gathered, spreading them all around, and let out a refreshing laugh. “Hahahaha! What an arrogant delusion!” “Everyone, run!” Immediately after her sharp cry, the children began to run. I briefly glanced at the little foxes, but soon had no choice but to face forward. The future Sword Saint, Irene. Because she was charging at me, her auburn hair fluttering. I erased my playful demeanor and snapped my fingers in the hazy darkness. “Alright~ Shall we play for a bit?”

Snap!

The world flipped upside down.

***

A long passage, stretching like a tunnel. Only a dense darkness lay upon it. All the lanterns that should have illuminated the surroundings were extinguished, and only primordial blackness flowed. A desolate atmosphere wafted strongly.

Swish-!

A sharp noise cut through the silence. In the pitch-black space, only two intensely moving figures existed. “Haa, haa…!” Rough breaths echoed. Irene, her breath catching in her throat, swung her sword wildly.

Clang!

With a powerful impact, her sword was blocked. There stood a blonde boy, blocking her attack with his bare hands. “Is this all you’ve got?” A cheerfully smiling expression. In contrast to the girl’s wretched appearance, he seemed overflowing with leisure. As if he viewed this entire situation as a game.

‘Damn it…!’ Is he really human? To block a full-power sword strike with just two fingers. ‘Are his fingers made of steel or something…!’ Irene clicked her tongue and took her stance again. Immediately after, she kicked off the ground.

Clang! Clang!! Grind…! Thud!!

The fierce, continuous sound of clashing steel. Sparks flew whenever the sword and fingers clashed. The momentary flashes of light briefly pushed back the surrounding darkness.

“Ugh…!” “Please exert yourself a bit more. It seems you’re falling behind.” “Sh-shut up…!” A cry filled with malice shot out. Irene’s eyes widened. She pushed away the sword they were locked in a struggle with. Immediately after, she delivered a strike.

Swish-!

The sword path moved horizontally. A surprise attack aimed at a gap. Irene instinctively knew she would succeed. Angle, distance, timing—everything was perfect. It was impossible to block. ‘Got him…!’ But. “Oh dear.”

Clang-!

He blocked it as if it were obvious. This time too, with his index and middle fingers. With just two fingers, the boy deflected Irene’s sword. “……Hah.” What kind of monster was this? A hollow laugh escaped her automatically. However, there was no time to dwell on idle thoughts. Because this time, the boy’s fist was flying towards her. Irene quickly defended with the flat of her sword. The next moment.

Thud-!

The fist struck the sword’s flat, and a heavy impact slammed into the girl. “Kuugh…!” Even though she had taken a defensive stance, she was pushed back a long way. Her fingertips tingled and trembled. She barely managed to hold on as her legs threatened to give out. While she was trying to steady her swaying body, the boy approached her.

Click-clack.

His heels were unusually loud. Facing the terrifying footsteps, Irene bit her lip. “Are you already tired? I’m just getting warmed up.”

Tap-.

A light step on the ground. It was just one step, but the boy was already standing before Irene’s eyes. As if he had teleported. “Ta-da.” “You son of a…!” Even if she reacted quickly, it was too late. Because the fist was already in contact with Irene’s abdomen.

Whump-!

A heavy blow landed. Her body flew back once more. Her body, which had floated up, soon rolled on the floor. Irene lay prone in place, letting out groans of pain. “Ugh… Haa, haa…” Her consciousness began to fade. The girl struggled to regain her senses. As if to mock Irene, the boy muttered in surprise. “Oh? Did that hurt that much? I thought I adjusted my strength…” “……” Irene silently bowed her head. Her body wouldn’t move anymore. She had only allowed one blow, but it felt like her insides were being churned. ‘Am I going to die here?’ The fox instinctively sensed death. If she had known this would happen, she would have just quietly sold herself as a slave. A bland regret rippled within her. The boy was toying with her. Probably, if he used his full strength, he could kill her with a single gesture. ‘How futile.’ It felt as if her past life was being denied. The sword she had diligently honed couldn’t reach him. She couldn’t even keep up with his movements. A sense of exhaustion born from lamentation weighed heavily on her shoulders. It hurt. It was scary. It was sad. It was lonely. However, what came to mind before such emotions was… ‘I wonder if everyone escaped safely.’ It was the thought of others. She had bought a lot of time. That was at least some comfort. The fox let out a hollow laugh. She didn’t want to die. Because death was a terrifying thing. But what she feared more than that was becoming cowardly. The girl quietly raised her head.

“I suppose we should stop here for now. I wouldn’t want our protagonists to get hurt.” “……” The blonde snake, no, monster. He was brazenly looking at her with a concerned expression. She felt like she wanted to land a blow on him. If the children needed more time to escape this hellish slave market, the girl had to hold her sword. It was simply a path she walked guided by conviction. She would hold on for even a little longer. Even if it meant burning her very last breath. “Hey… you snake bastard.” Irene dragged her body up, as if it might shatter. Her balance was wavering, but the girl aimed her sword tip and murmured. “Let’s see this to the end.” The next moment. A light sparkled from the rusted blade. A faint radiance spreading into the darkness. It was so faint that even Irene herself couldn’t notice it, but the snake didn’t miss that ray of light. The boy unconsciously muttered. “……That, surely not?” A momentary question, then it solidified into an exclamation. “As expected, it’s interesting.” The corners of his eyes curved narrowly. The golden snake, realizing a thrilling interest, showed a wide smile. It was a clear glimpse of talent.

“I didn’t originally intend to go this far… but shall we enjoy ourselves a little more?” Putting aside his pounding anticipation, the boy gathered his Lies.