「Who do you wish to be?」
There was a voice, echoing in the back of my mind. Yet even though I could comprehend those words, I could not make sense of them. I could not reply or process them.
「Do you wish to become a hero? Or do you wish to become someone greater?」
I was floating. I could not tell if I was floating in the middle of the cold ocean or the vast space, if I was sinking, or if I was roaming without direction, deeper into the stars.
All I could say was that I felt weightless, with no strength to spare. It felt impossible to open my eyes and even though I simply wanted to fall into that unknown darkness, into a deeper slumber, that voice kept trying to reach me.
「Reality as we know is dying. There is no known way to stop it.」
What was it saying? I kept trying to force my eyelids to open, yet it was as if they were not obeying me.
As if fingers were being pressed against my eyes, not allowing me to open them.
「A hero is not enough. A savior is not enough. We need someone greater. Someone foolish enough to aid us.」
From that endless darkness I was in, a light started to pour into that space. As if there was a door somewhere, getting opened bit by bit, a light that even with my closed eyes I could sense it—could “see” it.
「Are you a fool? Fool enough to walk on a crumbling path that may not even have a destination? Fool enough to start an adventure that may only bring death and destruction?」
I was not sure how to answer, it was as if I had forgotten how to speak.
「Whether you are a real Fool or simply a foolish being, the path is paved. And you are the only one who can walk on it.」
「So beware, for others may envy that foolishness of yours.」
「Others may wish to steal it. Or silence it.」
It was as if the voice was coming from multiple places and at the same time, one single spot. It was above me, below me, beside me, inside me. It was a voice that sounded as familiar as it sounded peculiar, I voice I could’ve known my entire life or one I had only just met.
Yet there was one single tone, a melody almost, that no matter how much I listened to it, it would repeat in the same way, with the same vibration and notes. Something that was undoubtedly present and alive within that voice.
Sadness.
[Beware, and take good care of this foolishness.]
[For we need it.]
The light got brighter, hotter. At some point my body had become one with its glow, its shape dissolving into nothingness while my own existence faded and blended with that powerful light.
Yet as the seconds stretched, I felt the pull on my soul getting weaker, my body going back to what it once was.
My conscience, my heart, my very self returning to the vessel that contained my soul. Rather than continuing to fall, a force pushed me up with an immense speed. It was as if gravity had returned, making me fall in reverse.
When I hit the ground, at last—
I finally managed to open my eyes.
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I was starting to get annoyed to wake up in the ground, every time. As I tried to stand up two pairs of hands grabbed me by my arms, the twins looking at me with concerned gazes.
“Are you okay, Mister?”
“I told you he was a weakling, Hil. For someone who wants to protect us, you sure are out of your depth.”
I tried not to smirk, rubbing the area around my chest. Somehow, I could still feel the pull, however the words that had been spoken to me… They were unclear, their meaning lacking.
The people around me kept stealing glances, eying me in odd ways, yet I had more important things to look at. I opened the menu, one icon in particular glowing. One that I didn’t know what it meant before.
However, the icon had changed from what it was before. The first time I checked, it had a symbol that resembled a star, and what I was seeing at that exact moment was a dog.
Staring me from a cliff.
I clicked on it, trying to ignore the sense of doom that dog gave me, my vision getting polluted by the many messages that popped into my face.
[New Self Park Eun-Woo has officially entered a contract with a Benefactor!]
[You gained a skill!]
[You gained a skill!]
[You gained a skill!]
[Your title has changed to ‘Contracted Self’]
[Your rank has been updated!]
[You have acquired a unique aura!]
[Increase your influence with your Benefactor to receive more unique skills!]
「If you are all done checking your new skills, I will move you to the first Trial. I-I only require a couple of minutes to prepare myself.」
The squire closed his helmet, holding his sword with both hands. It looked as if it was gathering energy.
I cursed under my breath, rushing to close all the messages. How long had I been out? And why did it seem like I had been the only one?
“The squire thing said that some people may pass out for a couple of minutes if their bodies are weak. Does that mean you are weak?” The smile on the boy’s face as he asked me that.
...Oh, the kid had some nerve.
“What Benefactors did you choose?”
I chose to change the object; I didn’t want to consider the possibility my body was too weak to hold that new power.
The first time I came in contact with Justice’s power, I felt fine. Perhaps because it wasn’t a direct contract?
If this was truly the case, maybe investing in the Wands status was a solid plan.
“Why should we tell you—”
“I chose the Star and Hal picked the Moon one.”
“Hil!” The brother covered his sister’s mouth with a furious and desperate cry, frustration flooding within his gaze.
Those names meant nothing to me anyway, so it didn’t matter much.
“Are your skills any good? You don’t need to tell me what they do if you don’t want to, I’m simply asking if you think they are useful.”
Hal and Hil exchanged glances, a silent conversation going on between them.
“It depends on what the next Trial will be about.” Hal finally answered.
I couldn’t help myself but smile; glad to know those kids were no fools. “Great answer. I wish I could say something different, but—”
[Passive Skill - The Fool’s Journey I]
[Cards effects are boosted 200%. Bonuses will be granted based on status. Cards that share your Destiny are boosted 250%.]
[Active Skill - Yappy Dog I]
[Allows you to listen to the wisdom surrounding you, warning of any eminent dangers and perils. May only be used once per day.]
[Active Skill - Blissful Freedom I]
[Allows you to choose between two attributes from a Card. Bonuses will be granted based on status. May only be used once per day.]
[Unique Aura - Foolish Endeavor]
[You emit this aura of obliviousness and blissful ignorance; you don’t seem to know what you are doing or where you are going. Other Selves will not feel threatened by you or take you seriously at first glance.]
What could I even do with those? I didn’t have any card—didn’t even know what those were or did. Suddenly I regretted bitterly not giving enough time to learn all the four categories on the gacha machine.
Perhaps cards could be useful.
「Forgive me for the delay. Now, everything is set up and ready! Remember, beware where you f-fall.」
The squire’s sword, I had just realized, had tripled its size. It pulsated with a powerful, reddish glow as the creature pointed the weapon toward the crowd.
People immediately shrieked and ducked, likely afraid the squire would fire the beam again.
「May the Universe bless you all—you worms will need it!」
As the squire spoke its last sentence, its face changed briefly showing the teeth and mouth alongside the furious gaze.
Something exploded from the tip of the sword, an enraged red and black light that engulfed and swallowed all of us.
I grabbed the twins' hands, holding them tight before I could brace for the impact. Rather than something hot and painful, I felt the same sensation as when I was transported to the trails.
A cold, blinding light embraced my entire body, taking me away.
The first time, that light had promised me Death.
This time, I could do nothing but fear and pray to whoever or whatever was watching, pray so they may at least give us a fighting chance.
For a chance was all I needed.