Chapter 46 - Earth Intermission - 13
Friday Morning
After being thoroughly exhausted by the relentless activities, Vesper collapses onto the floor, devoid of the strength to move a single muscle. The exertion has been so extreme that it has left his pelvis bones shattered. It's already a miracle that Vesper has managed to cling to life.
Alanna, amused, tosses two blue runes towards Vesper as she takes a sip of water from her canteen. She commands him firmly.
"When was the last time you sacrificed a skill rune to your eye? Use this and consume one to restore your stamina."
Vesper gazes at the two blue runes resting on his chest, his trembling hand reaching out to grasp one and activate it.
*DING*
After utilizing the first rune, Vesper picks up the second one and brings it closer to his left eye. The Eye of the Tarnished Saint promptly consumes it, extending the time limit by another 24 hours.
Gaining a moment to catch his breath, Vesper pushes himself to sit up, his attention turning to Alanna, who exudes a strong and assertive aura. As his mind clears, he recalls the crucial information he needs to focus on and queries Alanna about what she was trying to convey.
"From what you were saying earlier, Earth is in trouble. Am I correct?"
Alanna sighs with relief that her chosen ally is paying attention, and she delves back into the discussion, "Yes, that's right. It's only a matter of time before all humans are summoned to the death game world."
"And are we the only ones who can prevent it?" Vesper probes further, his thoughts returning to what Mary had revealed to him. "What about the survivors who return? I saw the news. Some individuals gain superpowers and wreak havoc in other countries. And then there's that organization... PIA, right? Every government should be aware of their existence by now."
"You're correct. CIA, FBI, United Nations, and many countries are aware of the Supreme Protector and the Supreme Judge, but that's the extent of their knowledge. They are powerless to act."
Alanna stretches before standing up, retrieving a cold water bottle, and passing it to Vesper. She then directs her attention to the stone bed, effortlessly returning the glass coffin to its original position with a wave of her hand.
As Alanna tidies up, she elaborates on the situation. "Here's the crux of it. Every hundred years, supreme beings like the Supreme Judge and the Supreme Protector select their finest champions to engage in their miniature war games, vying for territories and human resources. The one who used to side with humanity's cause was known as the Supreme Saint."
Puzzled, Vesper scratches his left eye, pondering why it's referred to as the Eye of the Tarnished Saint.
"And now he's known as the Tarnished Saint?"
Alanna grins knowingly. "Exactly."
"What happened? Did we lose?" Vesper asks, his voice tinged with concern.
"Humanity already lost the war before we were even born," Alanna begins, her tone somber. "About a hundred years ago, the Supreme Saint was crippled, and all his followers, including me, were enslaved. Both the Supreme Protector and the Supreme Judge agreed to split Earth's population as livestock resources. That's why I was forced to join the Supreme Judge as a hunter. And then…"
Vesper listens in silence, absorbing Alanna's words as she continues to explain.
According to her, these entities hailed from other dimensions, invading Earth long before the advent of religions. The three supreme beings regarded humans and animals as livestock, treating them as mere commodities.
However, as humans evolved intellectually, they became pawns in the celestial beings' games, used for entertainment and strategic maneuvering. Subsequently, the supreme beings began harvesting random humans weekly, either as sustenance or as expendable soldiers.
The fragile alliance between the entities fractured when the self-proclaimed protector and judge conspired against the Supreme Saint, aiming to increase their share of Earth's resources. In the end, the Supreme Saint fell, and the winners rewrote history, branding him as the Tarnished Saint.
Alanna halts her explanation, emphasizing the urgency of their situation.
"I wish I could explain more, but we're short on time. It's Friday today. You have less than 72 hours to prepare," Alanna urges, her expression serious. "Our primary goal is your survival. Let's prepare for this Sunday night, as you'll have to return to that death game world."
With the reminder of the impending danger, Vesper momentarily sets aside the background of the supreme beings. He agrees with Alanna's assessment. Still, Vesper has worries.
"What about you? We broke a taboo together. Isn't your soul also tied to that world?" Vesper inquires, concerned.
"You needn't worry about me," Alanna reassures him. "I have ascended and secured my position as an apostle of the Tarnished Saint, thus I can remain on Earth. However, you are still too weak to negate the curses and reach my status. Focus on your safety first."
"Alright, if you say so," Vesper replies, acknowledging her wisdom.
Alanna leads Vesper out of the shrine room and into the dining area. While walking, she retrieves a smartphone from her inventory and orders food through a delivery app. Afterward, she grabs a pen and paper to jot down a shopping list.
"Oh, by the way, we're in Highland, Utah," Alanna informs him. "We'll also need to get you a new ID."
"But I was born in the States. I don't need a new one," Vesper objects.
"You do. I've looked into your background, and we both know why you fled from Florida to a third-world country. We don't want the FBI or local cops coming after you. You met the PIA agents, right? Now, they are aware that you're one of the survivors. If your name shows up in their database again, all hell will come after your ass."
"…"
"Let's begin by converting some trash into gold bars. I know a good refinery that can handle the gold hallmarking process. After we get some cash, we'll go shopping and make sure you're armed to the teeth. You'll also need to learn about the nature of the next trials."
"...Alright."