Branch K-02, part 4 (after battle)
I see endless mounds of dead bodies.
The Inquisitors were raising their arms in unison as if to worship something.
And there Kromer stood at the highest peak.
She held out her hands in a prayerlike gesture toward the Golden Bough atop an altar.
The fathoms of the ego are already open. I see someone has resonated with the Bough before us.
The hell are they up to? What're they raising their hands for?
…Prayer.
Once upon a time… people used to believe in gods, or so I heard.
딩동댕동 (학교 종소리)
…What is this sound?
This feels awfully familiar… Somehow annoyingly tingly… and unpleasant…
…It's a school bell. Our boy hated school that much, eh.
The playful conversation seemed to lighten the mood of the Sinners.
Save for one.
The one who should have been the owner of the fathoms still showed unease.
N-No… I don't want to show my memories, they, they're…
Unfortunately, his plea held no power over the realm.
Alright, everyone! Listen up!
The One Who Grips so declares.
The One Who Grips so declares.
Not only are those heretics disturbing our sacred rite, they are now after the offering that is rightfully ours to consecrate!
Disgraceful and defiled are they.
Disgraceful and defiled are they.
Go forth and die! Do not fear your end!
As long as the offering of gold is with us, you shall be brought back to life again and again!
We shall fear not, for the One Who Grips is with us.
We shall fear not, for the One Who Grips is with us.
And… Sinclair.
Hurry over. You belong in my hands.
No greater joy exists than to be wielded by the One Who Grips.
No greater joy exists than to be wielded by the One Who Grips.
I - I…
Sinclair.
Did you bring the coin?
…The breaks between classes are always lively since everyone gathers around to talk.
The adults would often watch us from afar and take this as a heartwarming sight.
But there's something they don't realize.
When you take a closer look, these merry interactions are brimming with envy, vainglory, pride, and guile.
Children are crafty creatures.
I heard Rahul from the next class over's getting surgery on both arms by his father. Gonna be with some new tech that's never been shown before. How cool is that?
You know this actor on all the magazine covers? Did I ever mention they're getting an eye transplant at my mom's clinic? The waitlist was so long, they personally begged to be moved up.
I grow more anxious with each boastful story my classmates tell.
What can I share? Their expecting eyes pointed at me felt like they could turn into scoffing leers at any moment.
T-This is a secret, but…
I swallowed nervously.
Maybe they weren't asking me for a story after all.
But I had to keep their curious eyes on me.
I knew for sure that I'd become an outcast the moment they looked away.
My dad… signed a contract with P Corp. They saw the technology he was working on and agreed to give their full support.
My goodness, just what was I thinking when I spilled that?
Out of the fear that I'd be isolated from my peers, I carelessly spelled my own ruin.
Maybe I was compelled by some childish urge, or an inherent desire to be recognized by the other students.
"Now Emil, this is a confidential agreement for our business. You mustn't tell another soul." His insistent reminder echoed in my head - I could see his face.
Whoa… Is that for real, Sinclair?
P Corp? Like that Wing?! Wow… I'm jealous.
I became the center of conversation in a split second. I can feel the stimulated eyes of the other kids in class drawn to me.
Superiority was pretty damn sweet.
I guess I was driven by a depraved craving for attention.
Oh right, Sinclair! Your procedure's soon, isn't it? Y'know, the prosthetics.
Y - Yeah, of course. They told me I'll get the… newest model.
If they paid just a bit of attention to my face…
They'd have noticed the reluctance in my expression.
Fortunately, no one ever pointed it out.
A massive wave of guilt eventually washed over me after our break was over and I was finally left alone.
I was supposed to keep that a secret… What if Father finds out?
Ah…
Blood was leaking from my fingertip.
The bad habit of biting my nails whenever I felt anxious ended up hurting me.
I tried clipping them as short as I could to work on breaking it…
But I never considered that I might bite into my skin instead.
Watching blood droplets fall on the desk, I thought of something.
Once I graduate, I'll get a prosthetic replacement…
And then I'll never get hurt or see my blood ever again.
But… Is that really…
You're… bleeding.
Someone casts a shadow over my desk with a whimsical whistle.
She was a classmate I rarely talked to, so I could barely remember her name.
Flustered, I stuttered out my response awkwardly.
Wuh… What… was that?
Listen, what you said earlier… Is it legit?
Um, y-yeah… It's legit.
I see. Your father must be a real big deal, isn't he?
Yeah, uhm… I guess.
Her unexpected flattery has me embarrassed.
As if my father's greatness were somehow my own.
Though… Why did you make that face?
H - Huh?
You know… You were thinking it to yourself.
Then she lowers her head and whispers for only me to hear.
That it's filthy.
My eyes widen.
Not just because I was surprised by how she knew what I was thinking…
But the fact that a total stranger like her had been able to figure out exactly what I'd been hiding.
H-How did you know?
I could've gotten away with it if I'd just denied her accusations, but tactlessly, I asked her that with a dumbfounded look on my face.
Pffh… Because… I agree with you on that.
You… You agree?
You can see a lot from those who are on the same wavelength as you.
Nice to meet you. I'm Kromer.
Ever since then…
Kromer and I became friends who'd talk often.