Did he want to know? The introduction alone sounded ominous, almost forbidding. It was significant knowledge, after all. Whether it would truly benefit him was unknown. Though, the topic does concerned power, and it would be a lie to say he wasn’t interested at all. Still, some things were best left undiscovered, for the burden of such knowledge could bring more harm than good. But Kaiser couldn’t die anyway, and as the Chief had said, it was only fitting for a Player to know because someone like him who doesn't have the luxury of a normal life would learn of this secret sooner or later.
As they moved deeper into the forest, shadows pooling under the trees, the old man made sure there was no one else around—only him and the three teenagers. His voice lowered as he began to speak.
“First of all, this hidden knowledge originated with the ancient Players, hundreds of years ago. It was granted only to certain trusted families and passed down through generations. As you might have guessed, these families are descendants of Players. However, we who lost our lineage and became mere humans had no right to this knowledge, according to the laws. Once the higher-ups in Greenland discover what we know, the sin could cost us our lives. So I’m already asking a favor of you, Child, please keep this between you and me, for the sake of our village.”
“I understand. Don’t worry about it, I promise I won’t get the village in trouble.” Kai shrugged the request, as if the matter didn’t weigh on him; after all, there was no benefit in risking trouble for them. However...
“Though, I do have a question. If it's exclusive for descendants, then how did you come to learn of it?” Suspicion crept into his tone as he considered the darker possibilities. Did they force it from a descendant? Steal it? Or perhaps something even more sinister?
Once again, his expectations were betrayed.
The old man gave a faint smile. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said, his gaze growing distant, as if recalling the bitter days of his past with a trace of amusement. “I, no, We didn’t come by this knowledge through evil means or any fortunate encounter. I discovered it naturally, probably much in the way the first Players did.”
“Huh?” He and Cia raised an eyebrow, while the chief continued uninterrupted.
“You see, I was an unusual child, even in my youth. While other children played with their toys, I was drawn to my bow. I’ll leave it to your imagination how often I played with it, how deeply I became absorbed by it. I killed my first bird at seven, just to feed myself, and soon found myself honing my archery until I became the backbone of this village. Prey after prey, I brought them down, whether they were small creatures or fierce Beasts—whether for my own sake or for others. And, if I’m honest… there was something strange about me: I enjoyed it. I enjoyed ending creatures with a single shot from my bow, sniping far away prey and bringing death without even seeing their killer or know what had killed them.
"Before I knew it, my hands had been stained with so much blood that… I began to feel something. An unnatural power was growing within me, subtly enhancing me, pushing me beyond the limits of a mundane human. At first, it was so faint I didn’t even notice it. I even thought perhaps it was a gift from the gods. But as time passed, the blood on my hands increased, so did this mysterious force growing within me."
"I've lived this long thanks to that. Fortunately, I wasn't swayed by ignorance in my prime and controlled myself to take responsibility for the greater good." He spared Kaiser a meaningful glance, "Do you understand now why its so forbidden?”
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Kai slightly nodded in response, deep in thought with a deep frown on his brows.
In his understanding, the summary of the forbidden knowledge is that, the more an individual kills... The stronger they became. Which is indeed a serious matter, potentially threatening the entirety of humanity. Because evilness was already carved in people's hearts, and with this knowledge informing everyone that the most vile deeds of taking another's life are rewarded with longer life and strength... Kaiser struggled to imagine the mayhem it would cause. Heck, it could outright ruin a civilization.
Everyone fears death for it is the unknown, making them desire for more time. If people would kill for Money, then imagine how far they could go for more life? The poor might not make that much difference, but the rich and those ambitious figures that stand on the top who served as the backbone of society could destroy everything. Driven by this knowledge, they could create a twisted system focused on dyeing their hand red for the sake of prolonging their lifespan. At the same time, granting the vile leaders with astonishing power. Not to mention what it would do to the merciless criminals, it would raise their numbers and enhance their individual capacity, making them capable of achieving more wicked things. By then, would justice still exist? Can anyone change such cruelty and not be swayed by the promise of higher life through killing spree?
The animals would go extinct, and humans would kill each other which they're already doing in every universe. Only with this broken rewarding system, the slaughter would intensify.
'... What kind of sick law is that?'
It basically turns this world into a devouring game, where the strong feed on weak lifeform constantly, for those unable to kill either learn or devoured. That law in life alone had broken the balance of life. Potentially leading civilizations into dark and twisted communities of who kill better. Instead of focusing on prosperous advancement on how to live better.
No wonder the higher-ups prohibited knowledge of these rule due to the potential ruin it posed to society. Suddenly, Kaiser's heartbeat hastens upon realizing what kind of deep sh*t he put himself in. There are things better not known for the troubles it may bring, and he just struck the jackpot!
Secretly giving the old man's back a complicated glare, he fought the urge to slap his face. Because now, with the world changing secret in his mind, wouldn't it put him in serious trouble with the authorities?
Like them.
'Damn you, chief... Putting me in the same boat as the rest of you. Gods, you had me good there.'
He thought dejectedly. Although, the old chief discovered these by accident without committing any bad deeds. Thus, deeming him innocent.
However, the sheer weight of this knowledge is too overwhelming to ignore. Whether unintentionally or not, the fact remains that they broke a really crucial regulation deserving of death as punishment - a way to silence untrustworthy outsiders.
It's possible for him to be hunted by authorities now. Fortunately, the Player privilege would save him, right?
'Yeah right, my ass. Like hell I'll speak a word is this sh*t ever as long as I live... Wait, is this why he had the audacity to Inform me? Because he knew I can't share it with anyone.'
Even the unassuming, hunched, old man senile thinking cannot be undestimated. Added that geezer excellence in marksmanship, his still a considerable person.
Though, jokes aside. It was indeed serious.
He inhaled sharply, startled by the revelation. Beside him, Cia also seems unsettled by the hidden rule of this world. She must have attained deeper insight of its morbid effects on humanity due to her superior understanding of politics, economy and human psychology. Subjects that he didn't pay little attention to, in all honesty. All which goes to show just how cruel this new world can be.
It was much crueler than he thought.
Breaking the somber silence, it was who asked an intriguing question this time.
"I apologize for being a little rude, Grampa. But... Earlier, didn't you mention that knowledge of these twisted law of life originated from the Players. So how did you know the secret's origin if you unintentionally discover this knowledge. Furthermore, do these law only apply in Greenland? Or does it cover the entire Shattered Realms? Does it discriminate against other living beings?"
She's right, it doesn't make sense for the Chief to know where it had begun if his a natural discoverer. Additionally, what's the dark law's scale of effect? Does it apply to every Realm and blessed every creature that kills?
'What's the meaning of this?'
So many questions yet no answer... Yet.
Kaiser stared at the chief's hunched back, who strangely remained silent, calmly walking through the woods followed by them under the shadows and rain of sunlight streaming through these leafy crowns. Was he contemplating a suitable answer or thinking of something else? Kai isn't sure, but he do feel a bit uneasy.
After few seconds more in odd quietness, the old man stopped and finally spoke.
"...There you are."