Wriggling—
Wriggling—
"..."
Disgusting.
Something like tentacles squirmed behind the thick mist. And now, I was trapped here with no way out. I had no idea who was behind this, but one thing was clear. They weren't trying to kill me.
Psshhhh—
Slowly, the ground and sky were consumed by the mist. Now, only I remained.
Brrrrrr—
A brief hum echoed through the mist, forming a long red thread that seemed to guide me somewhere.
I grasped the thread and followed its lead.
The journey was eerily silent. Only whispers, faint and distant, drifted from the depths of the thick mist. It made me wonder, if an ordinary person stepped into this place, would they lose their mind?
After walking for more than five minutes, I arrived at an open space, far larger than a football field. The ground was perfectly even, without a single mound or elevation.
Like the rest of this place, the crimson mist lingered, yet it did not reach the starry night sky, where a full moon hung high above.
Not far ahead, a figure appear.
"...!"
It was a tall, imposing man radiating absolute authority. His silver-white hair cascaded in elegant waves, as if sculpted by the gods themselves. His sharp gaze carried the sheer presence of a predator.
Now, his eyes were fixed on me.
Those cold, gray irises glowed under the full moon's dim light.
Gulp—
Fuck, is he the final boss?!
Is he a Contractor?!
First, that gothic-dressed girl, and now this man. They both gave off the same overwhelming pressure, like raid bosses that were nearly impossible to defeat.
"… Hello?"
Maybe a greeting would be a good start.
But then, I noticed something unsettling. The pristine white robe adorned with golden embroidery he wore… it pulsed.
Surrrrl!
"…!"
In an instant, the fabric twisted and stretched, moving like writhing tentacles.
BAM!
"Fuck…"
A single strike sent me crashing into the ground.
Shit, shit, shit. Did that thing just extend across the length of a football field in the blink of an eye?!
That's insane!!!
"Evan Mayer."
"…!"
What?! He knows my name?!
The man vanished into the Crimson Fog.
Then, in the very next moment, the mist behind me parted slightly, revealing his figure, now standing just within my peripheral vision.
"Subject No. 47, isn't that correct?"
His voice was chilling.
"Umm… Who are you? Have we met before?"
Fuck, I should just play along with whatever he wants for now.
"Hmm… Met, you say?"
He touched his chin and tilted his head, as if in thought.
"We have never met. But the raven that spoke to you in the laboratory was mine," he said.
"What? That raven was yours? Whoa, magic really is amazing. I hope you can teach me something…"
Here we go. I'll squeeze out whatever knowledge I can and then escape.
"Pfft…"
"?"
Why is he laughing?!
Did I say something funny, or did he already see through me?!
A cold sweat crept down my spine.
"… Either you're amusing, or you've simply lost your memories. But one thing is certain…"
He spoke with a hint of humor.
"… Never compare a Contractor to that lowly magic. Understand?"
His tone turned ice-cold.
Even though I was facing away from him, I could feel the shift in his presence.
"I-I understand…"
Fuck, if this isn't magic, then what the hell is it?!
Have I been dragged into some kind of deal with the devil?
Was I using something akin to demonic power, rather than mere magic?
"There is one thing you must engrave into your mind."
"We, the Contractors, do not walk the path of light. We are those who tread the path of darkness."
"…"
Ah, I'm fucked.
A brief silence fell, accompanied by deep regret.
"But…"
Now what?
"We exist to prove to the world that the path of light is the wrong path."
"…"
Of course. How predictable.
Light and darkness, both convinced they are the ultimate truth, forever warring against each other.
And now, I was caught in between.
I didn't even know what kind of world this was yet!
"But let's not rush. I have some questions for you. From now on, respond with a nod for yes and a shake of your head for no. Understood?"
Huh? So this is where he starts interrogating me?
Fine. Just play along.
Nod.
Nod.
"Good."
"Now, for the first question."
Here it comes.
"Do you remember who you are?"
"...?"
What kind of question is that?
Was he asking about the past of 'Evan Mayer' in this world?
Obviously, my answer was…
I shook my head.
If I said yes, wouldn't he start asking about the experiment?
That was far more terrifying.
"Hmm…"
"…"
"Have you encountered an existence beyond your comprehension? Excluding the girl."
I blinked.
Eh? Which girl is he referring to?
Is he connected to her? Probably.
Nod.
Nod.
I nodded and watched his reaction.
"I see… Then perhaps 'He' has found something special in you."
As expected, I'm special.
"Turn around."
Slightly surprised by his words, I hesitated for a moment before complying.
Now, I faced him directly.
The man standing before me was undeniably handsome, his long silver-white hair flowing elegantly in the dim moonlight.
"You must have already formed a contract with an Existential being, haven't you?"
Wait, what?!
How does he know about my contract with Lloyd?!
"Do not be nervous. I have formed the same contract as you."
"Huh?"
He's my senior?!
"Who did you make a contract with?"
"He is… Urp!"
A long tentacle wrapped around my face, preventing me from speaking.
"Do not speak His name. The weight of Their existence is not something this world can bear. Be careful in the future."
Gulp.
Fuck, did I almost cause a disaster just now?
But thinking about it… It actually makes sense.
Considering Lloyd's overwhelming power, he might really be aware of everything that happens in this world.
"Just tell me, what Authority does 'He' represent?"
The pale tentacle, faintly tinged with crimson, unwrapped from my face.
I hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Umm… The Void? Maybe?"
I spoke uncertainly.
But instead of understanding, the man across from me looked confused.
"Hah? Who is that?"
"…"
Seriously?
You just told me to answer, and now you act like you don't know?!
What do you mean 'Hah? Who is that?' You bastard!
"… You really don't know?"
"No. Not at all."
"…"
My expression darkened.
This felt like winning the lottery, only for all the money to be swallowed up by taxes.
What the hell.
"Relax, I already have a few guesses about who your contractor is."
"Oh! Then tell me!"
"I don't know."
"…"