Volume 1 - CH 7

- Keiiik!

The fire rapidly spread along the branches surrounding the giant monster. The small flames had turned into a massive inferno, engulfing it. The insects, meanwhile, desperately rolled on the ground, trying to extinguish the fire. However, even after the wood had all been burnt out, the fire did not die out.

- Keii...

With a final scream, the giant insect collapsed. Finally, the flames began to gradually diminish, and then several notification windows appeared quickly.

[You have defeated the 'Insect-rank First-class Enormous Silkworm'!]

[Calculating achievements.]

[You have defeated a stronger opponent; additional rewards are added!]

I checked the achievements I received which was quite a lot since it was an Insect-rank First-class. I then collected the Spirit Pearls from the corpses, until Shin Sooah approached me urgently and said,

"Gangrim, let's hurry. Another monster might come."

I nodded, although there wouldn't be any more powerful creatures than the one we just faced. As we descended, we could only see bloodstains scattered around; there were no signs of people. I meticulously examined the area, hoping to find some corpses, but it seemed like the insects had devoured them all. Finally, once we reached the first floor, Shin Sooah let out a sigh of relief.

"Phew, now we're outside..."

Just as Shin Sooah forcefully pushed the door open and stepped outside, she stopped in her tracks, staring at the scene before her.

"...Where is this?"

We’re inside another building where there should have seen roads when we stepped outside. Hence, this place we’re in right now was a building in the middle of the city. What was before us was a space resembling the lobby of a high-end hotel. Unlike the scene of the disaster that unfolded inside the other building, this place was clean and well-organized. When I turned around, the building we had escaped from was nowhere to be seen. This place seemed connected to the first floor of the building we just escaped from.

Last time, while fighting the insects inside the building, I was rescued and forcibly transferred to this place. Looking around, there were hardly any people in the lobby. It seemed that only a few managed to escape on their own.

"Hey, you guys...?"

Among those few people was Dok Gojun. He looked quite surprised when he saw us and he then started muttering to himself, looking perplexed.

"Why? Wasn't the story about getting stronger through the sacrifice of my allies? Why did you survive? It's also strange that the heroine, Shin Sooah, left me..."

Dok Gojun still seemed unable to distinguish between fiction and reality.

Shin Sooah looked at Dok Gojun, seemingly exasperated, and said,

"If we are to analyze this situation, you are the villain side character who betrays his friends and survives alone."

Villain side character. It was a fitting term. Dok Gojun seemed quite shocked by those words. He looked like someone who had just discovered the secret about his birth. His muttering became faster.

"No, that can't be. Well, Shin Sooah's words make sense... But I can't be a supporting villain..."

He’s worse than before. It seemed better to keep some distance from him and I gestured to Shin Sooah to move away from him. In the meantime, people began to appear from various places. It was as if they had teleported.

***read at novelworldtranslations.blogspot.com***

"Wh-where is this?"

"There were monsters just a moment ago..."

Most of them looked bewildered and some had injuries in various places. Their wounds then started healing slowly, which made them appear even more astonished. Amidst their commotion, a voice rang out clearly, "It seems like all the people in this area have been gathered."

It’s a small yet distinct voice. Everyone turned their eyes at the center of the hall upon hearing that voice. There stood a person, wearing black gloves and a black suit, and only the lower half of the person’s face was visible due to the mask. The mask was an Eastern-style mask with smoky patterns. The person was slightly small in stature, and judging by the voice, she seemed to be a young woman.

"What, who are you? Where is this place?" someone from the crowed shouted towards her.

The woman bowed her head slightly and continued speaking in a calm and composed voice, "I apologize for the late introduction. I am Annaby, a member of the Central Branch of the Destiny Protection Bureau. I will be in charge of all of you."

She introduced herself politely, but it seemed insufficient to calm the people's agitation. They began whispering among themselves.

"What’s that? Destiny Protection Bureau?"

"Where are we?"

As the questions poured in, Annaby clapped her hands loudly, interrupting them.

"First, let's quickly assess the situation outside."

As soon as she finished speaking, a large screen appeared in the center of the hall. It displayed the familiar streets of the city. The only difference was that there were monsters roaming around. There were creatures like the insects we encountered earlier and wolf-like monsters as well.

"When the earthquake occurred, I'm sure you all heard it. Your abilities have been determined based on your astrological signs, and you have all gained the opportunity of Awakening."

On the screen, amidst the chaos of people running away, people wearing black suits were defeating the monsters. They were all wearing masks similar to Annaby's, indicating they’re a member of Destiny Protection Bureau.

"Those who awakened their abilities before you formed an organization called the Destiny Protection Bureau. Our purpose is to protect the citizens from the tragedy that will come one day."

People watched in awe as the masked people fought the monsters. It was like a scene from a movie, with lightning striking and the monsters falling every time their swords shimmered.

"Our head have predicted that the world would fall into chaos with the appearance of the Demon World. But at the same time, he said that everyone would have the chance to awaken their abilities."

Annaby spoke with a firm voice. It felt as if she firmly believed her words.

"Therefore, we want to recruit individuals with potential among the Awakened. We will educate and nurture them."

Listening to her words, it seemed almost like an introduction to a cult. If I hadn't seen the situation outside, I might not have believed it.

"If... if it's about..."  a woman hesitantly spoke up.

"Although the opportunity of awakening has come to all humans, most of them do not know what their abilities are. It's an inevitable situation. Humans naturally don't know their own fate."

Just like how humans had predetermined destinies, but were unaware of them, humans were granted abilities, but the majority couldn't perceive them.

"Therefore, we want to gather those among the awakened who we deem to have potential and nurture them," Annaby continued speaking softly.

"..."

"For those who want to, we will guide you on your Destiny and abilities, and assist you in your growth."

The people now listened quietly. There were some with surprised expressions on their faces. In the midst of the explanation, Dok Gojun raised his hand, and asked,

"So are we being imprisoned here and forced to kill each other until only one person remains?"

His words caused the people to become agitated again, to which Annaby replied in a robotic tone,

"We do not engage in such inefficient actions. Our goal is to train as many awakened individuals as possible, nurturing them to their fullest potential."

"Hmm... Is it not dangerous?"

"It is dangerous," Annaby replied it as if it was obvious.

"This is not a school. We don't have enough time to safely nurture all of you over a long period."

"Are we climbing a tower or something?"

Ignoring Dok Gojun's comment, Annaby continued with her explanation,

"That's why we will train you as quickly and efficiently as possible, but there is still a possibility of death. Nevertheless, we will support you in a way that minimizes casualties."

Unfortunately, her words were not enough to reassure the people. Only a few seemed calm.

"I just want to go back! Please let me go!"

"This is kidnapping!"

"What the hell is going on here without our consent? This is downright kidnapping!"

After a few began to protest, others soon joined in solidarity. Watching their reaction, Dok Gojun muttered in disdain,

"Fools... a special opportunity has come."

Annaby didn't make any effort to appease the people. She simply continued with her explanation calmly,

"First, confirm your own abilities, and I will proceed with the explanation. Please bear with me for a moment."

She took out an talisman-like object from her pocket and lit it, causing the ‘Destiny Window’ to appear before the people's eyes. It was familiar to me, but for others, it was nothing short of astonishing.

"What... what is this? Is this my ability?"

"...What is this?"

The people were quite bewildered upon seeing their Destiny Windows. Beside them, Dok Gojun's lips curled up into a smirk.

Annaby silently observed the people for a moment before speaking up,

"You have all seen your own abilities. You can think of it as your superpowers or magical ability. Has everyone finished confirming?"

The people did not respond.

Concluding the silence as affirmation, Annaby continued speaking,

"Are there still those who want to give up this opportunity?"

Although they didn’t seem as upset as before, there were still concerned faces among them. A man  raised his hand hesitantly.

"I... I want to give up. Does that mean... you won't kill or something?"

"No." Annaby firmly denied, and the man's face brightened.

"Then, I will give up right away..."

"But there will be a consequence."

The face under the mask became as stiff as the mask itself, and her voice flowed without hesitation,

"The training here is dangerous, but the outside world is also in chaos. You all understand that, don't you?"

"..."

"Furthermore, you were brought here because you were judged to have more potential than others."

Annaby looked directly at the man in front of her, getting to her point.

"Yet, despite that, you want to leave this place because you want to be protected by someone else. It means you don't want to get involved in any kind of fight."

The man flinched and stepped back. Annaby continued even more firmly,

"If you want to seek protection from others, does such a person truly need abilities?"

As Annaby casually moved her hand forward and shook it, the man flinched, and a startled voice emerged from him,

"W-What, the Destiny Window...?!"

"Abilities are not necessary for someone who lacks the will to fight."

A mechanical voice continued to flow from beneath the red mask,

"If you choose to leave this place, we will strip you of your abilities."