Chapter 8 (2/2)
When the probing eyes of the Guide had left him, Seol hurriedly opened the remaining boxes - both of them at the same time.
[Your Innate ability, Nine Eyes, is evolving further.] [The left directions (3) of the Innate ability 'Nine Eyes' has been unlocked: Yellow - 'Attention Required', Vermillion - 'Do Not Approach', and Crimson - 'Immediate Retreat Recommended'.] [You have acquired the 'Paper Talisman'.]
Seol couldn't see this talisman at the moment. Because, he was far too occupied to notice it. Seol was under the belief that he could only see green until now, so the mental shock he received was similar to someone violently hitting him on the back of his head.
….You have beautiful eyes….
….Yes, they are beautiful. In the seven shades of a rainbow…
Seol inexplicably remembered something from his distant past, something he had almost forgotten. The whispers of a woman he couldn't even remember the face of, brushed past his brain cells like a lightning.
'H, hold up. Red, orange, yellow, green…..' (Seol)
”Excuse me.”
While Seol was in the midst of his stormy thoughts, someone from the right side of the a.s.sembly hall piped up with a voice smaller than a mosquito buzzing around.
Han was still rubbing his chest while feeling rather relieved with himself. His eyes immediately s.h.i.+fted towards the group of the Contracted. A young woman sporting a bob-cut hair was dusting her b.u.t.t while standing up.
”Uhm, is it, possibly….”
”What is it? We're just about ready to begin, too.” (Han)
His att.i.tude was markedly different from when interacting with the Invited. Hearing his voice full of annoyance akin to chasing away a pesky bug, a certain sense of dissatisfaction formed on the woman's face.
”You are not giving us anything?”
”You know, like those bags those people just got.”
The Guide let off a cynical chuckle, and then replied immediately.
”Yes. You don't get anything.” (Han)
”B, but why not?”
”Those bonus items are reserved for the Invited only.” (Han)
It was a simple and articulate answer, but still, the woman's expression became a deep frown.
”Why is there a difference?”
”It's simple.” (Han)
The Guide smiled softly and his right hand pointed towards his right - the left side of the hall.
”These guests have been invited here after going through a strict evaluation.” (Han)
Next, Han's left index finger pointed to his left, the right side of the hall, in a somewhat accusatory manner.
”And you people got dragged here because of the Contracts.” (Han)
”No, that's not what I meant!”
”Besides, didn't you, Miss s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah, receive ample compensation back in reality? Hmm?” (Han)
With the timely arrival of that question, the woman with bob-cut hair, s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah, became utterly lost for words. She sat back down with a reddened face, but that wasn't the end.
”Really? Is that all you gonna say?”
A man from the group of the Contracted stood up in indignation. Seeing how fierce his eyes were, not to mention his rather well-developed physique, he looked like someone who knew how to get down and dirty if it needed to be.
”And what else do you want now?” (Han)
Finally, a look of irritation formed on Han's face.
”Ah? Can't you provide a proper explanation on what this bullsh*t is, Contract or whatever? You told us to gather around here, yet what the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing?”
A few people here and there began to quietly agree with the nameless man.
Such a complaint was bound to occur sooner or later. After all, ever since he had appeared, the so-called Guide was paying attention only to the left side of the hall, where the Invited were.
They were already feeling unsure and anxious, yet now, after being treated like a bunch of invisible fish out of water, it was not very strange to see them spit out their dissatisfaction in the open. Unfortunately for them, this wasn't the place to voice their problems, neither was Han the correct person to complain to.
”You know what, stop wasting time and get us some chairs, too. My legs are aching from all that standing around.”
”That's right! Now that I see, you look like still a young man, so, how can you even think that it's good to discriminate people like this?”
When more and more voices began chiming in, some amount of confidence and energy began filling up the expression of the nameless man. He glared at the Guide, waiting for a response.
As for Han, he was simply smirking back at them.
”….Sometimes, we get people like you. Those who don't know their place, those who only know how to bark and nothing else.” (Han)
”What did you say?”
”Well, I do understand you. I don't know which deplorable b*stard reeled you in, but you must've jumped in first without even waiting to listen to an explanation - after being blinded by money and the promised reward.” (Han)
The nameless man flinched.
”Whatever the case may be, you have already signed the Contract, haven't you? As long as you are here, you don't have a choice but to follow my guidance. If you want to complain, then you should meet up with the person you signed the Contract with later on and do so.” (Han)
”So, what you're saying is, I should jump when I'm ordered to, is that right?”
”Pretty much, correct.” (Han)
”We don't deserve to know, so we better shut up and do as told?”
”Again, correct deduction. Very encouraging.” (Han)
”Aigoo~~. What should we do, then? Because I don't feel like doing that.”
”Well, if you feel that way.” (Han)
Seeing the nameless man's rebellious att.i.tude, Han simply pointed at the lone exit of the a.s.sembly hall with his index finger.
”You can simply leave.” (Han)
”What the, you stinking son of a b*tch. You think I won't leave?”
The nameless man venomously shot back and turned to address the group, shouting out loudly at them.
”He's telling us to leave, so let's leave, then! Tell them to do whatever the h.e.l.l they want and let's go!”
Then, three or four began hesitantly standing up. Ultimately, though, the number of those preparing to move was small.
”What are you all doing? I'm saying, we should leave, now!”
Even after the nameless man urged the crowd, no one else budged. And when the majority didn't move, even those who did stand up began sitting back down. Sure, there was the awkward atmosphere to consider, but also, it wasn't as if every Contracted here didn't receive an explanation or two before coming here.
”Hah, screw this. What a bunch of dumb cowards.”
The nameless man muttered a few choice words, and then, angrily stomped his way towards the exit. The blonde maid with her quick wits was already there; she carefully creaked the door open. The man turned around, spat on the floor of the a.s.sembly hall, and made his exit.
”Is there anyone else who wishes to leave?” (Han)
The Guide asked, but no one else made a move. The maid silently closed the door and locked it.
Han didn't say anything else. He simply stared at the door with an expression of someone finding it all rather amusing. As this strange silence continued, the crowd alternated their gazes between the exit and the Guide for a while.
And so…. a minute went by like that. And just as the second minute was about to tick by….
They all could hear the hurried and scared running steps approaching the door. And then….
The door handle was desperately yanked at from the outside.
”Open the door!! Open the door!!!!!”
Then, there was heavy pounding on the door…..
”Y, you f*cking sons of b*tches!!!! Open!! Please!! Pleeeeaaaase!!! Ah, aaaaaahhhh!!!”
The noises from the outside got suddenly cut off - both the screams of that nameless man, the pounding on the door….
”Well, I knew that would happen. Alright, in any case. Everyone, let's all get started. The time's already this late and all.” (Han)
The Guide smiled brightly and tapped an icon on his smartphone.
[You have received a new message from the Guide.] [The Tutorial's first mission, 'Escape from the a.s.sembly Hall', will now commence!] [The diary of an unknown student has been updated.]
”I pray for an enjoyable school life for all of you.” (Han)
Han placed his right hand across his chest and politely bowed. And then….
”Everyone, I wish you all, a good fortune.” (Han)
….He vanished into the thin air, just like when he made his first appearance. Not just him, but the blonde maid, as well.
Now left seemingly abandoned, people began standing up in haste, one by one.
And just as someone was about to shout out…
KWAHNG!!
An impact noise on a different scale from the previous pounding rocked the exit door, instantly silencing the uproar before it could even start.
One of the door's hinges couldn't endure the impact and broke off from the wall, hitting the ground with a sharp metallic clang. The door had been securely locked up, yet it was forced open just a crack before it was closed shut again.
The silence that settled within this confusion was deafening.
None of them knew what to do next. Only the instinctive reaction of the mouths silently bobbing up and down continued.
Of course, Seol too didn't remain still as this confusion unfolded. He picked up the empty golden bag, slung it over his shoulder, and got up from his chair. He didn't forget to keep his eyes on the door, however.
Because, the door was no longer s.h.i.+ning in green, but in the colour of orange.
< 08.=”” the=”” awakening=”” (1)=””> Fin.