Chapter 8
“It’s such a waste to let that talent go unused…”
As the bewildered boy’s eyes darted around, showing signs of retreating, I tightened my grip on his hand and pulled him closer.
“Why don’t you join my team?”
It was an obvious proposition.
“A… team? With me…?”
He trembled as if he had never experienced someone holding his hand before, and I grasped his small, trembling hand even tighter.
“I need you. Your abilities, and more importantly, you as a person.”
I looked into the lifeless eyes of the boy and spoke desperately.
“If you stay like this, you’ll die. You know that too, don’t you?”
— [Team member recruitment will end in 30 seconds. Please hurry.]
Elistine’s voice came through at just the right moment.
Growing more anxious, I tightened my grip on the boy’s hand and shouted.
“Hurry up! Are you going to die like an idiot?”
The fact that he was here meant that he had fought tooth and nail through the brutal first tutorial. This boy must have wanted to survive.
“You want to live too. That’s why you’ve come this far!”
“But I’m… worthless… not worth… anything…”
As he continued to mumble in despair, I grabbed him by the collar and screamed at him as if my heart was about to burst.
“Snap out of it! I need you. I’ll help you find the value in your life. So for now….”
I couldn’t die before I even got started.
My heartfelt words came out almost like a desperate shriek.
“For now… survive for my sake.”
I didn’t realize how selfish those words were back then.
But I wanted to live. That desperately.
— [Team recruitment will end in 10 seconds.]
— [5, 4, 3…]
The grains of sand fell one by one.
My heart pounded violently.
Is this how it ends?
The thunderous beating of my heart echoed in my ears.
As time seemed to slow down,
The boy’s once lifeless eyes flickered with light.
[A party member has joined. Member: Eden]
In that moment, a brilliant light wrapped around the hands of the boy and me.
A message appeared between us.
[The party is now fully formed!]
I read the message, and a wave of relief washed over me.
“Oh, you little rascal.”
I felt like I was about to collapse.
I looked down at the boy—no, at Eden, who was now a member of my team, staring blankly at me.
Just as I was contemplating whether to flick his forehead for making me so anxious, I let out a sigh and ruffled his hair.
“Anyway, thank you. Thanks to you, we made it.”
To be honest, I think I was just shouting in desperation….
I don’t know what words moved Eden’s heart.
Maybe his survival instincts kicked in at the last moment.
“…My life’s value.”
“Huh?”
“My worth…”
But this kid seems a little off.
“For now, saving you…”
Muttering to himself, Eden’s once hollow eyes sparkled with a strange light, making me tilt my head.
It gave me a slight chill, but maybe I was just imagining it?
“Well, yeah. Thanks to you, I’m alive. And nice to meet you, I’m Wendy. Wendy Porcelain. What’s your name?”
In any case, it felt like I had found something useful amidst this chaos.
[Eden]
[Constellation: Sage of Death]
[Stigmata: Faint Precognition]
[Stigmata: Guide of Chaos]
No, this wasn’t just useful; it was an absolute jackpot.
The avatar of a top-tier constellation that rivaled Hestia of Olympus, Baridegi of Korean mythology, and Asura of India.
“Eden….”
Seeing me smiling brightly at him, Eden hesitated for a moment and hid the tattoo on the back of his hand.
I ruffled his hair once more, more roughly this time.
“Ah, sorry. I had a younger sibling around your age, so I did it out of habit.”
Come to think of it, touching someone’s head like this is quite rude, especially on a first meeting.
I must have acted out of line because he seemed about Lyria’s age.
“It’s okay….”
“Huh?”
“…It’s okay to touch my head.”
The boy, flinching slightly, muttered softly in a voice barely audible.
Hmm, so he doesn’t find being patted on the head unpleasant?
Well, I suppose it’s not something he’s experienced often. It’s kind of cute, actually.
“Well, anyway, I’m counting on you from now on, Eden.”
Despite the unexpected chaos in the middle, my Plan B was successfully completed.
—PiraPiraPa (fdsxxx): Wow, that was nerve-wracking.
ㄴ JeomPil (hiyxxx): Isn’t it too contrived, though?
ㄴ DoYourWorkAuthor (ttuyxxx): That’s what makes it thrilling.
—BritiniJeomRye (kopxxx): But Wendy’s actually not bad, right? Watching her carry the team selection while Xenon and Yeriel were out for a stroll made me kind of like her.
ㄴ Kuraku (dfsxxx): Don’t be fooled; she’s just looking for someone to leech off of, lol.
ㄴ Aruruururur (dogxxx): They might change her characterization in this remake since she’s come off as a bit likable so far.
[You have gained the favor of 11 Observers.]
[Total Favor: 16]
I glanced at the comments window bouncing up and down and smiled in satisfaction.
It was worth running around frantically.
If I continue to show this side of Wendy, the public opinion of her might gradually improve.
I still didn’t know what exactly this favor could be used for, but oh well.
“You succeeded!”
“See, I knew you could do it, Wendy! You’re amazing!”
From a distance, I saw Yeriel and Lyria cheering and running toward us, along with the ever-expressionless Xenon.
“You managed to find him, huh.”
Wait, why does Xenon’s response sound like that?
If I hadn’t recruited Eden into the team, this jerk would’ve been the one who ended up dead.
I stared daggers at Xenon’s annoying face, which remained calm and indifferent as ever.
“I had to work hard while you were out for a leisurely walk.”
Seriously, how could he have been taking a stroll while I was struggling?
Just how insensitive can this guy be?
“At least you managed to avoid dying like an idiot.”
No words of thanks or any acknowledgment of my efforts—just a muttered remark.
I really wanted to kick him in the butt, but considering our difference in stats, it’d probably only hurt my foot.
And come to think of it, he’s been talking down to me a lot….
It’s getting on my nerves as someone from a country with strict hierarchies.
‘Annoying jerk, I’ll start talking down to you too next time.’
— [The team selection time has ended.]
As I was grumbling inwardly, Elistine declared in a solemn tone.
— [Unfortunately, those who couldn’t form a team… this is where it ends for you. May God watch over you.]
With those words, the shadows of those who hadn’t formed a team transformed into monstrous beasts and began attacking them.
“Aaaah!”
“N-no, I don’t want to die….”
“Save me!!”
The grotesque sight of people being devoured by their own shadows—an urgent and desperate scene—I quickly covered Lyria’s eyes and ears.
She’s still too young to see something like this.
The ever-smiling Yeriel’s face turned rigid, and even Xenon furrowed his brow.
Eden glanced at me with a curious look and then quickly turned away when our eyes met.
Right, I should’ve covered his eyes too, considering he’s about the same age as Lyria.
But what could I do? I only have two hands.
— [It is a tragic and sorrowful event. Once again, I apologize for the misfortune that has befallen you.]
The horrid massacre came to an end, leaving the scene empty, with only Elistine’s grief-stricken voice echoing in the aftermath.
— [You must move forward. You must survive. It is the only way to save this world.]
Elistine’s words lingered in the silence.
I sighed and hugged Lyria tightly as she stood a little bewildered.
— [You will soon be transported to the first trial. You will be able to receive support from the constellations starting with the first mission.]
With those words, Elistine’s form dissipated into light and scattered away.
A bluish rune pattern appeared beneath the feet of the survivors.
“Wendy…!”
“Don’t worry, Lyria.”
I gently patted her soft hand as I reassured her with a smile.
“We will survive.”
The journey of 312 days of survival—this harsh and beautiful story—was just beginning.
“Okay, Wendy.”
Hearing Lyria’s clear and determined voice, I closed my eyes softly.
As the rune letters began to shine brilliantly, I resolved myself once again.
— [May fortune and peace be with you all.]
I’ll survive and destroy everything, damn novel.
—
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