Chapter 96 . . . It’s For Survival

Brago shook his head. "No. But it came to the point that I don't agree with your leadership anymore."

I gaped at him. "What's there to not agree with? I think you guys have it easy."

"Easy?" Brago raised a brow. "Storming the Blood Rain isn't easy, and all for what? To bring food for these women who do nothing but laze around in the house all day? I think it's time for a new leadership to take place."

Emi and Sheryl glared at Brago, and the former warned, "Be careful what you say there. You might have been the leader before, but we can easily replace you, too."

The corner of Brago's lips quirked upward. "You know as much that I'm the strongest in here."

<From their self-righteous attitude, anyone can tell that they have already passed judgment. It's time to kill them.>

"E-everyone . . ." Megu didn't know what to say or do, seeing that everyone wanted the leader's position.

"The owner of the house is me. I built this," I told them.

<Go get them, Host.>

But it seemed like they didn't hear me as they continued to quarrel amongst themselves.

I then talked to Brago, wanting to change his mind. "I'm changing the roles. Isn't that what you want? We shouldn't fight about this and just vote it out like civilized human beings."

<Vote? There's nothing to vote for. This property belongs to you, Host. The System strongly believes that you should kill them all.>

Could you stop making things more complicated?

"Shut up." Emi hissed, making me flinch. "I'll give you five minutes to back the hell away, or I'll roast you myself."

"Stop with the pep talk, Cross," added Brago. "Changing roles wouldn't cut it. You have to order these people with iron fists for them to listen to you. Both you and I know that you're not capable of that. Only I am capable of that in this group."

The poison in their hearts was spilling out for all to see. I finally realized that they were only motivated by their own selfish desires.

Their curled lips and subtle baring of teeth were intimidating, making me want to turn away and not get involved anymore.

It wasn't like I wanted to be the Lord of the House. As long as I had a roof over my head and ate three meals a day, then I was already satisfied.

I knew it well — that I wasn't born a leader. Ever since I could remember, I have always been a follower.

"What do you mean you?" Emi scoffed. "And iron fists, my ass. You just like control and the feeling that everyone depends on you. You're nothing but a big man with an even bigger need for approval!"

Brago's face darkened. With a low, threatening posture and baleful eyes, he displayed the malice hidden deep in his savage heart. It seemed like he was going to launch himself against Emi, and I had to do something about this.

"Calm down, everyone," I said, but after my words sounded, I found myself the focus of baleful intent in the form of an attack that sought my end.

"W-what?" I stepped back when all eyes were on me.

"The leader is whoever kills you," Emi said, and I caught the flash of cruelty from the smile on her face.

"Agreed," affirmed Brago, who was seriously looking at me like I was already dead. "Sorry, Cross. But for the good of the group, you need to hand your Tokens to me."

Huh?! I gaped at them. How did they even decided that?

"W-wait a minute, you two . . ." I raised my hands and took a step back. "We can talk about this like human beings."

Sheryl laughed. "Funny how you're still acting like an idiot even in the face of death? Know that you'll be remembered as a fool."

Idiot? Fool? Was that what you call helping your fellow human beings?

If so, then I didn't know what kindness and compassion were anymore.

Did this world corrupt them? Or were they just corrupt to begin with?

<All humans are evil, and it shows in desperate times!>

My eyes went to Edgar, Megu, and Sheryl, who were at the side. Edgar couldn't care less. Megu avoided my gaze while Sheryl was enjoying the show.

Brago launched himself at me with ruthless abandon, his sword slashing right to my chest. Out of shock, I stepped away immediately and lost my balance in the fireplace. My back hit the couch, flipping the chair.

Waves of pain radiated up my spine momentarily, blurring my thoughts. Honestly, I was more in pain from hitting the couch than his strike on my chest.

I quickly got up and stared at them seriously. "You're making a big mistake."

Brago was confused when he saw that he didn't even manage to leave a scratch on me. "I applaud you for your fast reflexes of avoiding my strike, but you're only delaying the inevitable, Cross. Hold still, and I will finish this quickly, so you won't feel any pain."

Maybe he was right. Maybe I should just give up. That would be much easier than struggling in here and being continuously disappointed by all the humans I interacted with.

I understand that they were only looking out for themselves. Thrown into this unknown world where killing and betraying each other was the norm, they were just scared like I was. That was why they acted first to save themselves.

All of this is for survival.

But what about me? What about my family? Did it really have to be like this?

I had to fight back. If not for myself, then at least for my family who might be here.

Wasn't there another way? Couldn't we work together instead of fighting one another?

The answer was apparently no when a ball of fire hit me in the head. It sizzled before it disappeared completely.

Emi had a frown on her face. "It didn't burn him?"

( . . . continuation on NOTES)