CHAPTER 122: CHOICES

Choices

Shortly before the Mole died.

As the group addressed Emma, the eyes of the creature turned black and shifted to them. More specifically, they shifted to Osho and Gale.

’Found you.’ The creature controlling it thought. However, just before the Mole fully lost consciousness, the eyes of Gale and Osho simultaneously shifted to look right at the creature as well, both of them holding a biting coldness within them.

’Interesting...’ It trailed off as the Mole died.

’Osho...’ Gale started, and Osho nodded imperceptibly

’Yeah, I noticed. We’ve been spotted.’ He replied calmly through their bond. He took note of how he was the one being stared at. Well, he and Gale, with the others barely being noted.

’Am I truly the target of this entire thing?’ He mused, not at all panicking.

He glanced at the others and saw them asking Emma, who looked more than a little bit enthusiastic to talk with them, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

’Trying to fully understand the abilities of who or whatever is the cause of this thing is a waste of time. There should be some form of mind control, though. But guessing their intentions should be easy enough,’ He looked at Emma. ’They will probably figure out that I’m only after students from our school. In that case, there’s a high chance they will intentionally seek out Bright Spark students to use them as hostages and draw me out, now that they know that they are the ones I’m trying to save.’ He exhaled as he considered his options.

’On one hand, that could indeed force my hand. And revealing myself will subsequently put the others in danger. Also, if they truly try a hostage situation, there is no guarantee that they will let them go if I turn up. Chances are that they will just kill everyone. Hm...’ He sighed and stared up at the barrier, his thoughts spinning as he started to make up a plan.

"Osho," He was snapped out of his thoughts when Ellie patted his shoulder, her face holding a bit of worry. "Is everything alright?"

He looked at her and smiled. "Yeah. Just considering our options," He tilted his head. "Speaking of. We should find the other two and leave quickly." This caught the attention of the others.

"Huh? Why?" Kurt asked with confusion.

"First of all, I’m fairly certain that the beasts are aware of each other’s positions in this place. So the fact that a fairly strong Apprentice rank Beast died will indicate—at least— a somewhat strong student, which will prove to be an issue, so it’s likely more beasts will come to check it out," He lingered. "Then there’s the possibility that we’ve been outed." The words caught everyone—other than Emma—off-guard.

Before they could ask, Osho explained.

"The thing doing this can remotely control beasts. I noticed the Mole gaze at me before it died. Moreover, it was far more intelligent than what it had displayed prior to its death. It felt like it was another creature that was looking at me, and not the Mole," He shook his head. "There are probably beasts coming this way as we speak, so we need to be quick." He looked at Emma.

"What way did your sisters run?" The girl—sensing the severity of the situation despite not understanding—nodded and quickly pointed in the direction her sisters went.

The group nodded and quickly went in that direction.

___

In the very center of the simulated forest.

A large group of beasts had gathered. Many of them belonged to different species, many of which would—under normal circumstances—try to tear out each other’s throats the moment they made eye contact.

Yet currently, all of them were lying side by side in a docile manner. The scene would seem almost wholesome if not for how eerie it was.

They were all so in sync that it was simply uncanny. They all moved their heads, breathed, moved in the same way, like they were all being remotely controlled by a singular being.

Which they were.

In the center of the large gathering of creatures, a strange lifeform could be seen on a large rock.

It looked to be made up of black tar, its form constantly shifting and changing. It looked vaguely humanoid at the moment, but it was hard to ascertain as it changed shape continuously.

"Fascinating. They noticed me so quickly." It spoke, its voice sounding like an amalgamation of other voices, making it quite unpleasant to hear.

"Moreover, how are they able to avoid my detection? I should be aware of everything within this dome, and yet, I only saw them because I looked at them directly. It seems like you are more interested than I initially gave you credit for. Osho. It should make killing you that much more satisfying." Its body shuddered with what could be described as childlike glee as it thought about such a reality.

"But first, I need to get him to show himself. But there’s no way he’d just come and meet me. Hm... ah, that’s right, he was saving those three girls. They are his classmates, aren’t they? In that case, those are who he is after. I can work with that." The creature mused aloud, its voice resembling something that could barely be called amusement.

Among some of the dying trees, there was movement, and then something stepped into the clearing where the beasts and creature was.

It was a large T-Rex-type beast, its rough skin brushing past the surrounding vegetation and its large feet crushing many things that were beneath it. It was at the Adept rank, but even then, it seemed to be among the stronger versions of its rank.

"Let... Me... GO!" However, the odd thing was the human who was currently being held up by the thing’s teeth and carried along.

The human struggled fiercely, but it was to no avail as there was also magic holding them in place.

Moreover, a small creature that seemed injured could be seen floating next to the T-Rex, encased in a bubble of fire that didn’t hurt it. But could do so at a moment’s notice.

When the T-Rex approached, the beasts suddenly parted like a river, allowing the large beast access to the strange lifeform in the center of the gathering.

When the T-Ren reached the center, it unceremoniously dropped the human on the ground in front of the strange lifeform, making him grunt.

"Argh! You bastard!" Han Jiwon cursed the creature, but he quickly froze when he realized the thing that was in front of him.

As soon as he’d hit the floor, the strange lifeform had moved to his front, its shifting mass just inches away from his face.

Han Jiwon, on instinct, nearly used his magic, but the voice of the thing stopped him.

"Hm, that’s not a good idea..." It spoke, and Han Jiwon blinked as he was now aware of the hundreds of gazes weighing down on him.

Sweat gathered on his brow as he realized just how precarious the situation was, his eyes darting around to find a possible escape route.

"Hm, good. You understand your situation." The creature drawled as it moved around Han Jiwon, as though it were a snake.

"... What do you want?" He asked slowly after a moment of silence.

"Smart," It appeared in front of him again, its body taking an even more humanoid shape this time. However, its face still lacked any features, so it just made an eerie, expressionless head that occasionally shifted like boiling oil.

"You see, I couldn’t help but notice just how ’close’ you are to a certain candidate named... Osho." It said slowly, and Han Jiwon frowned, but he didn’t let it interrupt.

"I believe that, similar to me, you have... issues with him. So, I’ve come to propose a deal," At this point, Han Jiwon snorted.

"I don’t know what you are, or where you came from, but you must be out of your damn mind. You come here, kill my classmates, and then you have the audacity to ask me for anything?!" His voice became increasingly agitated, and the thing paused for a moment before saying.

"Right... I suppose that humans are—to a degree—pack animals as well. Well, I apologize for that," It replied, not sounding sorry at all. "Think of them as... necessary sacrifices. As long as Osho continues to live, it can’t help but kill more of them." It spoke, seeming to genuinely try and justify its actions.

"I have a job, and until that job is accomplished, more people will die. So don’t blame me. Blame Osho for not revealing himself sooner." The thing sighed before speaking again.

"However, I do also recognize that this isn’t sustainable. So, that’s why I’ve proposed this deal with you. You help me lure Osho here, and I won’t kill anyone else. Moreover..." Its voice became a bit amused. "I could help you as well. You’re interested in that Eleanor girl, aren’t you? If you help me? I can help you have her. Make her yours, like you crave so dearly." Its voice was sweet and tempting, making Han Jiwon pause, seemingly to actually consider the offer.

Seeing this, the thing gave another pleased shudder.

"Hm, while I’d like to give you time to consider, time is... a limited commodity at the moment, so, to spur your decision." Han Jiwon flinched, and his head snapped to his beast which let out a pained noise as the bubble of fire around it suddenly shrunk a little bit, but just enough to singe parts of its body.

Genuine panic flashed across his eyes and he looked distraught for a moment, then he gritted his teeth and looked at the creature, his voice hoarse.

"What... do you need me to do..." Hearing this, the creature hummed with satisfaction.

"Good choice."