“...In the ancient past, before this world and even Our Lord Herself came to be, the gods of xerocoles walked the earth, passing stories amongst each other. This tradition was given the name ‘popular culture’.”

“Do we have popular culture in our world?”

“Mmm...in some places, and in some ways.”

“That’s what you always say about everything…”

“In any case: one such story concerned a mythical creature called ‘Cordyceps’, which the gods believed had the ability to grow inside of mortal beings and take control of their bodies and minds. They also believed that, as long as they cultivated an air of respect towards this demon, they would remain unaffected by its powers. So they crafted legends in its honor, wherein it would rise out of the mortal world and wreak havoc in the heavens.”

“So then...Our Lord summoned it here to punish us??”

“In a sense. Within our mind-code, there rests a program that will activate if we are ever discarded from the Ordered World. This ‘Cordyceps protocol’, formally known as CDY101-9, erases the will of a sinner and compels them to walk into the jaws of the Worm. Much like the creature of legend, it urges one towards one’s own doom.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“And that’s why She named it that.”

“Precisely.”

“…”

“...Why are you so interested in Cordyceps all of a sudden? I’ve never known you to be curious about mythology.”

“...Well...to tell you the truth, there’s something I’ve been worried about…and I think I might get in trouble...”

“Again…?”

“Don’t make fun of me, Hizen! This is super serious; I’ve been keeping it a secret for weeks...!”

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

“I...I don’t know...I want to tell someone, and you’re my best friend. But I’m scared…”

“Meissen, you know you have nothing to fear from me.”

“…”

“If you wish, I will keep your secret as well. No matter what it may be.”

“...I’ll whisper it to you—”