Chapter 43 - Earth Intermission - 10
The van pulls up outside the hangar, and the giant steps out to open the door for Vesper.
"Come out, but keep the blindfold on," orders the giant.
Vesper feigns reluctance as he exits the van. His gaze darts to the military cargo plane inside Hangar 3, where several individuals in blindfolded attire are restrained with handcuffs and leg ties.
Mary follows Vesper out of the van and gives his shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Leave the gold here. I'll handle it. And cooperate with the soldiers for now. I'll reach out once you're settled on the other side," she advises.
Vesper hesitates, unsure if complying is wise.
Seeing his uncertainty, Mary explains, "We're taking you to a facility where survivors like you will be monitored and trained. Our goal is to nurture superhumans who contribute positively to society, not exploit their powers."
"Sounds like a concentration camp," Vesper remarks sarcastically.
"Sorry for that. Now, please proceed to the plane," Mary urges.
Vesper grimaces but decides to go along with it. Deep down, he knows he holds information they're unaware of.
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- Taboo of Three Worlds (Passive)
(General) Allowing you to equip multiple elemental aptitude runes. Your aptitude level can only be raised by enhancing the Eye of Tarnished Saint. Current elemental aptitude level 11.
(Survivor) If you stay on Earth for a total of seven days, you will be sent to a survivor's campfire to join a trial of mankind at midnight. When the session ends, you will be sent to the hunter's campfire as a hunter. You retain all items, runes, status attributes, and equipment.
(Hunter) Every time a hunter's mission ends, you will be sent back to Earth as a human. You retain all items, runes, status attributes, and equipment.
(Taboo) If you die as a survivor or a hunter, you will be sent back to Earth and retake the trials again. If you die as a human, you will be sent to the survivor's campfire. You can never remove this taboo's effects without the Forgotten Saint's permission. Your soul is forever trapped in this world.
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In the worst-case scenario, Vesper might face death. However, he knows he will be sent back to the survivor's campfire regardless, continuing the loop. Besides, Vesper can be resurrected infinitely as long as he completes the survivor and hunter's trials.
Unfazed by the suspicious organization, Vesper follows the instructions and boards the plane.
The soldiers guide Vesper to his seat in the cargo plane, cuffing his wrists and ankles, securing him to the cargo nets behind him. Meanwhile, Mary and her crew return to the van and depart.
Sitting on the plane, Vesper observes the other passengers. Some have their mouths taped shut, while others remain calm. Upon counting, Vesper realizes there are 57 people besides him.
As Vesper scans the surroundings, his attention is drawn to a peculiar white-haired woman who seems to be staring at him through her blindfold. Using his x-ray vision, Vesper notices that she has a pair of gold eyes.
The mysterious woman, clad in a black cloak and with bright hair, smirks and whispers, "I told you I would find you. We meet again."
Confused, Vesper starts to ask, "Who are y-"
"Shhh!" the woman hushes him, adding, "Wait until the plane takes off. Keep quiet."
"...Alanna?" Vesper's voice carries a mix of surprise and recognition. He looks at her face and realizes that she looks similar to Mary, but her eyes are sharper.
"Hehe. Miss me? Now, hush," Alanna responds with a playful tone, urging Vesper to remain silent for the time being.
"…"
…
Six hours pass, and another group of captured survivors arrives. A black van pulls up, discharging two burly bald men before departing. The soldiers promptly guide the new captives to the cargo plane, seating them among the others.
With the last seat filled, a squad of soldiers boards the cargo plane as the pilot initiates the engine. The hatch closes automatically, sealing everyone inside.
An hour later, the cargo plane accelerates, causing everyone inside to lean with the motion. Through his x-ray vision, Vesper watches as the plane ascends into the sky, gradually leaving the ground behind.
Initially patient, Vesper gazes at the floor, admiring the passing scenery, awaiting whatever destination awaits him. However, when the plane breaches the cloud cover, Alanna swiftly unlocks her cuffs and touches his abdomen, startling him.
"I see you've got the naughty killing time rune," Alanna whispers, her tone secretive. "I'm going to make a small modification and send you to my safe house. When you arrive, seek out the shrine and summon the phantom."
"What?" Vesper is taken aback by her sudden actions.
Without warning, her hand illuminates, transforming the rune tattoo on Vesper's abdomen from black to gold. Instantly, his vision blurs, and he slips into unconsciousness.
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When Vesper reopens his eyes, the ceiling fan above spins lazily, casting shadows across the room. With a sharp intake of breath, he removes the blindfold that had covered his eyes during his unconsciousness.
Sitting up, Vesper takes in his surroundings with a mixture of confusion and familiarity. The room is the same one he encountered during the tutorial stage, furnished with two closets, a cluttered computer desk, cabinets filled with various items, and two large glass windows offering a view of the quiet suburban neighborhood outside, illuminated only by the soft glow of streetlights.
"What in the world is going on?"
Vesper mutters to himself as he tries to make sense of his situation. He remembers vividly going through this room during his trials, but something feels off.
As he gazes outside through the windows, he notices movement. A family of three unloads groceries from their car, their voices carrying faintly through the night air. Cars pass by intermittently, their headlights casting fleeting shadows across the street. And above it all, the stars twinkle in the night sky, their beauty contrasting with the mundane setting of the neighborhood.
Determined to unravel the mystery of his return to this place, Vesper leaves the room and begins to explore.
The hallway is eerily quiet, the familiar layout of the house unchanged. He checks the washroom, finding it devoid of any secret compartments or hidden clues. Across the corridor, he discovers another bathroom, its tiles cool under his feet.
With each step, Vesper's confusion grows. How did he end up back here? And why does everything seem so different yet strangely familiar?
Curiosity piqued, Vesper heads to the garage, expecting to find the usual tools and vehicles. To his surprise, the garage has transformed into a windowless chamber, empty except for a strange shrine at its farthest end.
A Torii gate, marking the shrine's entrance, stands near the front door. Three water paintings depicting otherworldly scenes adorn the space in front of the main building beyond the gate.
The left painting features a one-eyed mimic monster, with its mouth brimming with bloody gold coins. It's surrounded by blurry silhouettes of beautiful naked women glaring at the painting to the center with evident animosity.
On the right painting, a mirror holds an eyeball monster hovering over a citadel paradise inhabited by human figures displaying various emotions - anger, happiness, and sadness - while casting envious glances at the center painting.
In the center, a one-eyed golden woman breastfeeds an infant angel amidst a scene of desolation, surrounded by hungry wolves and menacing hyenas. Despite the chaos, sunlight beams down on the woman, casting her in a radiant glow.
"…Creepy." Vesper has goosebumps.
Approaching the shrine, Vesper notices its functioning slider doors and bends down to peek inside. What he sees astonishes him.
Within the shrine are two figurines of white-haired maidens, identical in appearance yet dressed differently—one in white robes and the other in a black hooded cloak. They kneel before a glass coffin containing an infant with golden wings.
The abstract and eerie design of the shrine gives Vesper chills. He stands up, intending to leave. However, as he turns around, the tattoo rune on his lower abdomen glows in a golden light, causing his body to shrink.
Vesper is pulled into the shrine's building by a mysterious force. As soon as he enters, the shrine's doors slam shut!