Chapter 8: Leaving Society's Embrace
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As I made my way back to the main hall, I could already hear the noisy voices of the others. With every step I took forward, the murmurs of conversations grew louder and more understandable.
More and more of those freed from the Womb of Nature were finding their place in this new world as pawns in a system.
The silence of the abandoned halls behind me suddenly felt like a distant dream, as if I had already left the stillness of the past day behind.
"It's getting stuffy in here," a familiar steady voice called out from behind me.
It was Cyrus. He had quietly approached me, just as I had observed him doing before. I could tell he had a trait similar to mine—Silent Frame. His gaze held the look of a survivor—no, more like that of a winner.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm as he took note of my armor and weapons.
I nodded, not saying much more than a simple: "Yes."
He almost smiled as he spoke again. "I hope to see you again when we're both stronger. And better."
His optimism was genuine, almost comforting. In him, I saw a kind of clarity that was rare in other people. I couldn't help but appreciate it.
I did think well of Cyrus. He was smart and didn't seem to be arrogant or even prideful.
So I decided to help him by telling him where to get equipped before the others could claim all the weapons and armor for themselves.
He nodded thoughtfully, then extended his hand. "Thanks."
I returned the gesture with a slight motion and a my lips slightly curved before turning away and entering the main hall while trying to go unnoticed.
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People had already begun forming groups around Leon and his allies.
He could now be considered the leader of us otherworlders in this temple.
I tried not to be seen by anyone—which turned out to be impossible, considering I was the only one fully equipped with armor and weapons.
People's gazes swept over me before immediately turning to Leon, as if waiting for him to respond and act on their behalf.
I couldn't help but secretly sneer at their behavior.
I felt their eyes on me, but I pretended not to notice. These people… they were just like they were in their past lives.
They had slipped back into their old roles, as though nothing had happened. As if the past had been washed away with a single step into this new world. Yet the look they gave me was that of sheep waiting for their shepherd.
Pathetic. Lowly and weak.
How could they not realize they were doing the same thing they had been doing before their rebirth?
We had all regretted our past lives, lived through years of regret together in a void, and yet, despite that, they were already falling back into old habits as if they wouldn't want to act and take actions, shaping their destinys with their very own hands. If only they would realize what they are doing in their own.
Suddenly, I thought back to what Lir had once said:
"Regret is the easiest thing to cling to. It is warm. Familiar. It tells you that you could have done better, that next time you will. But for most… next time never comes."
Maybe they meant something other as deatg with the phrase 'next time never comes' part.
Those people's futures are really grim,' I thought to myself.
I didn't stop as the 'shepherd' called out:
"Nestor."
Leon called my name, while the other kids Tess, Elise, Luka and Elise stood beside him.
I didn't respond.
"Nestor, could you please tell us where you acquired that equipment?" Leon urged with an expression that demanded.
"If you give me some extra rations, I'd be willing to tell you where I found this equipment," I said with self-interest, hiding my disgust for the people around me.
"Sure thing. It's natural that we must compensate you for your troubles," Leon said, his voice firm and charming, exuding an aura of composure and fairness, while his expression eased slightly.
He ordered some people to hand me rations for three days.
I gave him a detailed description to the way of the armory and what was inside of it.
After that, nobody really paid me any attention anymore.
They all rushed off in the direction I had described, eager to get better equipment before anyone else.
I looked back one last time to ensure I am on my right path.
I took a deep breath as I weaved through the crowd. No one noticed me slipping away—their eyes were locked on the promise of power.
A cold gust of wind hit me as I stood before the temple's massive wooden gates. For a moment, I hesitated.
These gates divided two worlds: order inside, the unknown outside.
I raised a hand, pressing it against the rough wood. For the briefest moment, it felt as if something held me back.
Was it habit? Doubt?
I shoved it aside.
With one final step, I had finally crossed the threshold