Chapter 106: Untouchable Tyrant

Faith’s POV

I would like to say that Scar is different from before, but the more I think about it… I’m strained to really consider if he’s always been this way. His attitude is, for the most part, unchanged. But now, his actions and words hold a different… and much more bone-chilling sense of conviction.

When Cliff was killed, I couldn’t fully comprehend what Scar had done until the two separate groups were formed, making the tense atmosphere loosen.

I was shocked… it was so quick and ruthless. On the surface, I didn’t understand how Scar could do what he had just done. Though, with some thought, anybody could’ve pulled the correlation between Ace and Scar… and the fact that they both possess supernatural abilities.

But a part of me still rejected what my eyes had seen, which raised a new question.

Has my mind already become numb to such brutality?

Or maybe… over time… my brain grew to accept this image of cruelty subconsciously?

I should’ve saved myself the trouble of even trying to figure out the answer. Because… both of those questions can’t be answered. The world always seems to revolve around questions like those.

Whether it was out of fear or not, nobody dared to stand up against Scar following that moment. It was as if Scar had planted an idea into our brains, forcing us to accept the irrefutable facts he enforced. Cliff was dead, and that was that. I had mixed feelings about Cliff… sure, but I didn’t want him to die. No matter how I feel about someone, I don’t wish death upon anyone.

Is that what separates me from the others? Has that belief somehow deprived me of emotion? Because, right now, I don’t feel anything towards Cliff. Not relief, not sorrow, not remorse. Nothing.

There’s just… fear. Only fear.

And in terms of having that inkling of fear, I feel like I’m not alone. After watching Scar kill Cliff… nobody could speak, care, or do much of anything. It was cruel and unjust for the rest of us to ignore Cliff’s murder, but the facts were facts. Scar didn’t have to say it himself. From that point onward, we all realized Scar’s will and word were law. Disobeying his wishes may potentially cost you your life… and that was a bridge of uncertainty that nobody dared to cross.

So, in fear of losing our lives, we were all collectively required to push any lingering thoughts or emotions about Cliff into a locked box… and toss away the key. And just like that, we moved on.

The first thing we did once we separated ourselves from Scar’s crew of four was try and formulate a plan to bargain with Scar peacefully. We knew he would eventually come to seize ownership of the beacons and map model, and we had nothing to offer him in return. The mood was bleak, and while Code and Ember kept bringing up different ideas, they were all sooner or later conceived to be too risky.

But I haven’t lost hope yet. Scar may be powerful, but he’s also rational. As long as we don’t provoke him enough to the where he feels his only option is to get rid of us, we should be able to discuss terms rather naturally. After some thought, I proposed approaching this negotiation from a unique angle. We can’t flat-out reject whatever Scar asks for, but we may be able to work ourselves around it cautiously. Here’s the plan I proposed:

Scar will request that we hand over the map model and beacons, but we can’t exactly do that. So, we counter and offer to split the items equally. The issue with my proposed counter is that while there are four beacons, there is only one map model. However, we’ll ensure Scar understands that he has no benefit from having the map model.

He and his group will be in front of us, so we couldn’t gather any information for him to use effectively. Additionally, based on something as simple as common sense… there is nothing for Scar to gain if his group were to split apart. Why would they break apart? Well… while the map model can be utilized somewhat successfully with a group that sticks together, it won’t be nearly as effective if the beacons aren’t separated by a vast margin.

The map model can display the locations of all four beacons at once, and while Scar could see our two beacons… their locations in the maze would be places he’s already gone to. Meaning that our beacons would be useless, and he would be forced to rely on his own two beacons, essentially halving the all-around value of the map model. Furthermore, based on what we know about the maze from Hunter and Forest, it’d be far too risky to split apart a group of four without information about what’s lying ahead.

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Despite whether he’d be willing to admit their relevance or not, it’s impractical for Scar to ignore these facts completely. On that basis, we’ll suggest a truce. We will split the beacons evenly, but our group will keep the map model. We’ll offer our full cooperation and communicate with him every step of the way through radio transceivers.

It’s a sensible proposal, and the chances of Scar negatively interpreting it are slim. Essentially, although our groups are separated, we will still be forced to work together anyway if we want to increase our odds of survival to the maximum they can be. It’s unreasonable to do otherwise.

There is also the possibility that Scar will take the items from us through force. Still, if it comes to that, I told the others I was not willing to die for this stuff, and they all nodded in agreement. As I wrapped up that final point, Scar could be seen approaching us, with Forest quietly tagging along from behind, and our hasty put-together plan went into action.

As we expected, Scar came over with the motive of taking the map model and beacons with him. But… that’s about all that we- I… could predict would happen during the negotiation. Scar heard us out as we presented our proposal and offered a truce. But then, once we informed him that we were done… he swiftly rejected it, and my chest immediately compressed.

“Working together may increase your likelihood of surviving, but that figure doesn’t apply to me. Allowing myself to rely on you for information only lowers my odds. That being said, you believe cooperation is necessary, and I agree with you there,” said Scar. “From now on, you four will work for me…”

Vanishing into thin air, my heart skips a beat as Scar reappears momentarily, standing in a different spot. In his left hand were the four beacons, and under his right arm was the map model… he swiped them all before we could even blink!

Exchanging glances between Scar and his empty lap where the map model was resting, Code said through gritted teeth, “Bastard…”

Walking over to one of the crates, Scar placed the map model on the ground before sitting on top of it and resting his back against the crate, causing the holographic design on the MM to glitch and disappear. He put the four beacons in his pocket, and only after he showed us that... did he rest his gaze back on us. Staggered by what Scar had done, Forest stood uneasily, anxiously awaiting what would happen next.

A broken mirror then appeared beside Scar, and Scar promptly stuck his right hand inside. A few seconds later, he pulled out a glass dagger, the mirror disappearing as he did so. Delicately grazing its’ sharp edges with his fingertips, Scar says, “Change of plans. Here’s what is going to happen now. You four will enter the maze before us this morning and act as… well, just think of yourselves as test dummies. You’ll run around and map out the route for me. In exchange for your services, I’ll frequently communicate to the best of my ability to keep you alive.”

“Tha- that’s crazy!” says Code. “We don’t have powers like you! Right now, you’re sending us to our death!”

“Hm, I’m not so sure about that,” replies Scar, carefully studying Code. “Didn’t you and your team propose the very idea of cooperating? Earlier, you implied that you wanted me to put my life in your hands… but from that comment, it’s evident that you can’t put your faith in me. What bullshit. How are we supposed to cooperate if this essence of trust doesn’t go both ways?”

Code scoffs, “Yeah, right. Says the guy who's currently threatening us with the same weapon he used to murder somebody. You’re also the guy who turned down our truce because you didn’t trust us. You seriously think we would trust you after observing those events?”

“Wrong. I didn’t turn down your proposal because I didn’t trust you. I rejected it for personal reasons, simple as that. And while your feelings toward me may be antipathetic, you aren’t really in the position to dismiss my orders now, are you?” imposes Scar, a menacing silver light in his eyes.

He’s right. There’s nothing we can do but follow his demands. Scar can fight Zeris alone; he’s said so himself. He doesn't need any of us if he’s not lying about that. Scar killed Cliff, physically the biggest and strongest out of all of us. And while you can defend the point that it may have been out of self-defense… Scar murdered Cliff effortlessly. And now, he’s brought back out the same murder weapon, sending the message that if we disobey him now, we’ll meet a similar fate.

Peeking over at Forest, he blended in with the rest of us as he wore a similarly terrified expression. Although I have no way of knowing, it appears choosing to go with Scar’s group doesn’t really give you any room to breathe, either. Otherwise, why would Forest be so frightened right now?

After our group reluctantly agreed to Scar’s terms, the entire camp was in hushed, hectic chaos. All you could hear were the feet of people scurrying about, grabbing their things, and preparing all they needed for the journey. The only relaxed person was Scar, as he calmly sat himself down at the edge of camp. Wearing his signature straight-faced look, Scar was seated at an angle where nobody could catch him by surprise.

As we all recognized earlier, Scar’s will and word are now law, and defying him could result in a swift end to your life. With his petrifying reign of power, fear, and influence, Scar has effortlessly become our camp's untouchable tyrant.