It was ironic. Gus had always idolized humans, wanting to be just like them as he read books about their great deeds and their innermost thoughts. But now? If it weren’t for the select few decent souls in the group who Gus had grown fond of, he would have wanted his own revenge on the humans. Not only have they invaded his home, chased away Syuna by bringing the Merchant with them, and consistently made impossible demands of him, but now, they even dare to wish to kill him?
How dare they!? Even if…even if I did commit a sin…do I really have to die to redeem myself? I just…why don’t they blame that snide fiend!? It took over my body, my free will! They all should’ve known that it wasn’t me who did it! It wasn’t me!
Gus’s core was in turmoil. Should he be feeling anger at the humans for wanting to kill him? Should he be accepting of their wrath so that he can redeem himself to them? Or should he be apathetic to their voices, and continue his duty as a Trial Golem to the best of his ability?
No, that Merchant wanted this. He wanted me to be a villain to the humans, someone who would equally hate them as they hate me. But there’s no way I’ll keep bending to that monster’s will.
His hatred for the Merchant was so great that the emotions he felt toward the humans seemed miniscule. It was simple, Gus will do what he wants. And what Gus wanted were two things. The Merchant dead, and to find the Truth. The humans were not a part of these desires.
I guess I have a new desire to keep my core running…not that I wanted this in the first place.
But he was never given a choice, the Merchant was just that hateful to him.
To achieve that goal of revenge, though, he must survive the manipulated humans first. Snapping out of his thoughts, Gus observed the humans for dangerous weapons among their P.G.R.s, hoping for no anti-golem weapons like explosives. Luckily, most of the weapons looked harmless against his resilient stone body.
There were, though, quite a few noticeable faces within the group that had already collected their weapons after Marco. One was the familiar bald short man that Gus found out was called Richard who was ecstatically clutching a large, one-sided axe to his chest. Combined with his large beard and wide chest, Gus could’ve sworn he looked exactly like one of those dwarfs you would read about in fantasy books.
Larry was also distinguishable among the crowd, but not for the reasons Gus would’ve thought. The young man had recently become very depressed after the death of Primis, but for whatever reason, had chosen not to target any of that anger toward Gus like the other humans did. Instead, he had been mostly quiet, which was unusual for the once energetic but annoying person he was before.
Yet now…he looks like he's in a comedy skit.
In his hands resided an unusual animated weapon that was currently lightly tapping the cheeks of the gloomy owner with a childish curiosity. The weapon made of jade was designed to look like a human hand with claw-like nails that resided on a stick, and now, those same long nails were moving with an almost sentient will to poke its master. Finally, the somber man had enough of his P.G.R.s antics and unsummoned it.
“Is this… supposed to help me? What the hell is this thing called a Jade Zhua anyways?” Larry asked with a depressive mood.
Should I call him the luckiest or unluckiest man I’ve ever met?
Gus had heard stories of the humans’ adventure through the ruins prior to arriving to the library. Supposedly Larry was actually the closest one to dying while they navigated the rooms of traps when he had stepped on a pressure plate that had set off a poison dart machine. But before it could pierce the young man’s body and kill him slowly with poison, it had instead been lodged into Larry’s phone that was in his shirt pocket, stopping the fatal blow. And then, as if this miracle wasn’t enough, Larry had gone ahead and barely passed the first test due to a change in grading from the Merchant.
Knowing that man, Larry will probably find a way to survive in the future. Or maybe a way to survive would find him?
After wishing good luck to Larry, Gus noticed there were some other interesting sights as well in the group. The crippled man named Ernie was wielding what looked to be a large wooden crossbow, holding it in both of his arms as he struggled to keep balance on his still-wounded legs. Laura, the other surviving injured member, had gotten a whip sword called a Royal Urumi that was both flexible and sharp that she was holding in her one free arm while her other still lay in a sling.
Poor souls, both of their weapons seem hard to wield with their current injuries.
Looking away from the sorrowful sight, Gus saw another familiar face. Unlike the others, Jack had gotten a unique but overall simple sword that was both wide and designed for thrusting. He was seemingly happy with his new weapon, finding it easy to wield and use. That was until he read the name of the blade, which caused the young man to grow green in the face. When asked by Bruno who had received a large great shield as his own P.G.R., Jack only needed to whisper “Carp’s Tongue Sword” for everyone to understand his issue with it.
Then there was Neve Jasmine, the vengeful white-haired lady who was the professor of the murdered Primis. Gus only recently found out her first name when her full name was written in the book.
If there was any person Gus had to watch out for, it was her. Unlike the other humans who openly summoned their weapons, Neve had decided to keep it a secret from the Golem by choosing not to call upon it. The two glared at each other for a few moments after she received her weapon before the one-eyed lady walked over to the human-appointed first aider named Ronald who had received a P.G.R. of a first aid kit.
As the older professor healed her bleeding socket, Gus turned to watch the last contestant receive their weapon.
Cricket.
The most mysterious of the humans by far, the mysterious frail girl hid many secrets behind her nice and calm exterior.
If the P.G.R.s are molded to match one’s soul, what would hers turn out as?
Yet as Cricket walked up the book with her short flowing blonde hair, Gus suddenly felt another strange sense of deja vu that caused his world to spin momentarily.
Agh! What the hell!?
A flash and then suddenly, a flood of remembrance tore through his consciousness. It was similar to the stream of memories that had rushed into his mind when he first remembered scenes from that book, but this time things were different. The always blurry lines were now much clearer in Gus’s head, reading out more comprehensible sentences.
‘The woman of destined death had placed her hand with apprehension onto the book. And what she feared most came to be true. There would be no other fate for her than the remnant of the Florist.’
* < | {???} had increased to 1.1% | > *
Nova’s voice was like a bucket of cold that had suddenly been splashed on him, awakening him from his stupor. Realizing what just occurred to him, Gus immediately checked his flames out of instinct to see if anything changed from the overwhelming information.
There’s too much…there’s too much happening to me. I need…I need to rest soon.
Gus felt an ache within his soul from the overload of information and noticed that even his flames seemed weaker than before, becoming more transparent. There was just too many things occurring to him at once, making it hard to continue with strength. But persist he did, as with each clue, the more he felt closer to that mysterious desire of his. Not only were the scenes this time in the book reminiscent of reality but there was even a line passage this time that foretold the future. Or an alternate future that seemed eerily similar to his own.
Who the hell is the Florist? And what does it mean by her destined death?
Whoever Cricket was behind that mask of hers, they were not just any ordinary human. Gus would’ve loved to ask her more about her past if it wasn’t for the fact that she was already in front of the book, placing her hand down at that very moment.
And then, as if to prove the book true, a tragedy occurred.
Cricket had been considered ineligible for a P.G.R. from the Merchant. As Gus watched the scene from afar, he could pick up on the voices of humans expressing their confusion and anger. Marco, especially, was the most vocal of the humans.
“...What do you mean she’s ineligible, aren’t you the one making the rules?!” Gus could hear Marco yell in a tone unlike him.
“I am just as confused as you are. It appears she must have already obtained one…but from where, yes, I don’t know.”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
What’s this? Even that wretched Merchant is flustered!?
Gus would have been joyous from such a sight if it wasn’t for Cricket’s face in the background, looking paler than it ever did.
“It…it can’t be…I’ve never seen one before…” She whispered.
“Unfortunately that does not help your case, only worsens it. I suggest you better remember fast, yes, as lessons shall begin in a few days!”
“What type of lessons do you mean?” Marco asked with a hint of apprehension in his voice.
The Merchant’s grin, however, only widened in response as if it was looking forward to the sweet taste of turmoil it would bestow.
“A field trip…and not just any kind. This will be a first-hand experience with Havory's surprises. I am sure, yes, every one of you will gain very much from this lesson.”
What a fucking liar…
If there was one thing Gus knew about the Merchant, it was that its idea of helping was not only cruel but even lethal. The real question would be how dangerous this lesson would be.
Maybe… this time it will be easier than expected? No…who am I kidding, it’s going to be miserable, I just know it.
And then the days passed, the fateful lesson ever creeping.
***
It's so exhausting…
Despite Gus not needing sleep to maintain a functioning body, he still did not enjoy going for a week without it. He had grown fond of sleeping and venturing into the seven lucid dreams he would always have. Yet now, he had no choice but to stay awake due to the vengeful humans who continued to give him suspicious looks. It was tiring to always be on guard, his consciousness being succumbed to endless stress. Fortunately, his golem body was impervious to the side effects of the stress, so it wasn’t as terrible of an experience as it would have been for a human.
However, there wasn’t much for him to do, either, as a trial golem. The second floor was self-explanatory except for a few details. The steps, for example, were quite similar to the first one other than acquiring the P.G.R.s at the beginning. Each human was assigned five books on the floor and then, just like before, had two months to master them. Gus, on the other, would just have to monitor the humans, and then assign the tests at the end. Fortunately, the subject material was much easier for the humans this time. Most of their books had to do with basic psychology recognition and survival skills needed to survive in Havory such as outdoor cooking, recognizing weapon weaknesses, and treating basic wounds.
Weird…
Yet the more the humans progressed through the floors, the more Gus noticed that their subject material was much different than his when he went through the floors. While there were some similarities between them, it almost felt like Gus had read a more…tame version of these books.
Why had Syuna not been upfront with me about this? Everything I had learned was naive and useless…it made me weak.
If the world was plagued with monstrous beings like the Merchant, why had Syuna chosen not to prepare him better? She could have made him stronger, impervious to the weak thoughts he was struggling with now. Why gift him with a strong exterior but not an interior?
Not only that but other than Nova and that mysterious key, Syuna did not give me much to protect myself with.
Yes, Gus was still envious of the P.G.R.s the humans were wielding. It did not help that in each of their five mandatory books, every contestant had one book that served as a guide to using their weapon. This only helped to confirm Gus’s theory that the books and their subjects have changed from when he had been studying on this floor, as there was not a single point in time that he had to study the combat styles of absurd weapons like the Jade Zhua that Larry was begrudgingly practicing. If only he could have studied topics like that instead of childish books about the importance of kindness and empathy.
What will something like kindness get me if I am stabbed in my sleep by a group of angry humans?
The positions of power switched between the golem and humans. The introduction of P.G.R.s had empowered everyone in the room, unveiling new personalities that once had been too meek to make themselves known.
Well, everyone but Cricket who was still empty-handed. All she received for her guide was a book that detailed summoning words.
Maybe, I should go and ask her if I can read that to summon Nova. Though…such a thing would be a little awkward to do now that I told her to avoid me. Oh well, I have two months to figure out something.
Gus continued to observe the humans in idle quietness, his thoughts sometimes turning dark as he remembered the past trauma he endured. It was a scar he would always have to carry. Whenever he noticed the lack of that clumsy yet excited voice emerging from the library, he would turn somber from Primis’s murder. It was just too unfair for him to get over, for both him and her.
It appeared the humans, too, had not forgotten their two fallen compatriots, the impact still being seen in the contestants. Bruno, for example, had become silent from his father’s passing, no longer taking to the other wounded as he left it to Ronald and his magical first aid kit. But the biggest reminder was Neve and her new demeanor. No longer talking to Jack and Larry, her presence in the background of the library haunted Gus of his guilt as she continuously glared at him with her singular wrathful eye.
When her stare became too much to bear, Gus finally looked away and brought up the inner trial system the Merchant had installed within him.
Today is the day…
Promising to return for lessons, the Merchant remained oddly absent despite it being the planned day for it.
While many humans such as Cricket were not looking forward to it, Gus, on the other hand, felt differently.
A field trip…I might finally get to leave this accursed room today.
He had always imagined such a day to feel…amazing. But instead of the liberating experience that it should have been, it was only frightening for the golem. Who knows what would come from the whims of the terrible master of his body?
Speaking of…
“What a terrific sight. Contestants who truly understand the importance of studying. I remember some past trials of mine, yes, that were just awful.”
The Merchant had finally revealed itself, entering from the shadows like it always liked to do while talking about something distant and unclear. The humans tensed upon hearing the hideous serpentine voice and changed their attention to the giant speaker.
“Good day, contestants. Now that I have received your attention, I will clarify that today will mark your very first lesson, yes, hosted by me. To give you a summary of what is planned, each of you will be running a little chore for me on this field trip while I sit on the sidelines, yes, as I get my most needed rest. Maybe I’ll invite the Book family along to spectate with me…”
The Merchant paused his words and thoughtfully looked upwards momentarily before returning his attention to the confused listeners.
“Yes…that is all. Now, what are you waiting for, get ready. We will be departing, yes, very shortly.”
Upon hearing those words, the humans quickly got up from their positions and scrambled towards packing their gear and books away in safe spots as they themselves got ready for the lesson. Whether it be grabbing one last snack, putting on a jacket, or simply analyzing their P.G.R.s one last time, they all found themselves busy except for one.
“Cricket?”
Cricket flinched from the sudden call out and looked with hesitation towards the Merchant.
“Yeah…?”
“Remember your summoning words by now?”
“No…”
“Then you will be first to go, yes. Good luck.”
Then with a sudden flick of its fingers, Cricket suddenly disappeared from everyone’s view. As if she had sunk into the stone floor, the frail girl dropped out of everyone’s view as she fell through the ground downwards.
What—
But before anyone else could react, a blood-curdling scream could be heard as Marco lunged at the Merchant with his fists in fury. It seemed he was under the impression that Cricket had been murdered like the other two and let himself be consumed in an unrecognizable wrath. Yet before his knuckles could reach the hateful face, the Merchant let off a second snap that sank the once taciturn leader just the same as the first. Then there was silence.
What the fuck…?
The Merchant, however, only let out an even wider grin. Vile joy could be seen dancing in its golden irises.
“Now who’s next?”
The humans wanted no part, but just after a couple of seconds filled with screaming and running, there was suddenly no noise. Each and every human was gone from the library. Only Gus remained left with the fiend.
“And now it’s just me and you, Gus. So what do you say? Want to join in, yes, on the fun?”
“Do I even have a choice?” Gus said with much displeasure in response.
“That’s my favorite golem, always so fast on the uptake. Why isn’t this the perfect time to see what you are truly capable of? And besides…this trip of mine is particularly cruel, so be the good golem that you are and make sure you have some remaining contestants left over for the next few tests.”
“Well…whatever you say, Boss,” Gus added with hateful sarcasm at the end.
“Ooo you are so sweet, Gus. I just can’t wait to hear, yes, what you have to say about what I have in store.”
Then with a sudden flick of its finger, Gus felt the earth below him turn void. Seeing the foul Merchant wave him goodbye with its uncanny fingers, he could not help but feel sick at the sight.
“I hate y—”
Yet before he could finish, his body had already fallen through the stone floor.