OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 244: Speedrun

Chapter 244: Speedrun

?

***

"So you think he knew about this?"

Eldritch shook his head.

"Isidore... Just listen to my words, man. Like seriously, how many times do I have to repeat myself?"

"Just say it."

"...Look, the guy was probably experiencing an episode."

"Although his nerves woke up, the whispers continued, so he thought that his ears were still malfunctioning."

"His mind at that point should've still been affected, so it's highly probable that this happened."

"Also, listen to his thoughts; you'll see what I-"

"I already am you idiot, and they're dead..."

Auric nodded.

"Yeah, he barely reacted to anything in that mirror room."

Ignatius then commented from the side:

"Then yall think he's just lucky then?"

They all looked at each other for a bit, and then, in a sudden fit, they burst out laughing.

"....Who the fuck does he think we are?"

***

'So they've probably caught on by now...'

'Doesn't matter though.'

Emir didn't care, as he expected it to happen, and walked into the next room.

'Make it... stop... please...'

Similar to the last two, it was nothing but dark.

Unlike the previous one, however, it didn't have any defining features.

[What's this room?]

He stepped forward, but nothing affected his mind.

'Is this... goodbye...'

He didn't fall asleep, nor did he get attacked by monsters.

[Did the phase malfunction or something?]

[Nah, that's impossible.]

His hand stretched out to the void, as he expected something to block his path at any moment.

'Don't want to go...'

Yet nothing appeared.

[Huh... no monsters?]

Emir let out a sigh.

[Then what is it?]

[Wait a minute...]

His feet suddenly paused, and his hands neared his ears.

'Can't hear... fading sounds...'

They were bleeding.

[So it's 'cause I'm deaf?]

[Lucky me~.]

He snickered and continued moving, nearing the door on the other side.

'... Well, that should be enough.'

Emir didn't think that he could trick them.

'Feels like drowning...'

Even though his case would appear normal back then, the old monsters weren't called that for

no reason.

So he devised a plan.

He didn't believe in his acting skills, but he did have another trick to employ.

'It hurts... everywhere...'

Emir would send out certain thoughts at key moments.

Those thoughts were crafted in advance, so he would simply follow along and act out the

scene.

'Gone... almost gone..."

That would easily convince them of the lie.

And he was correct in thinking so.

'Where did everyone go...'

***

"He didn't know?"

That was the question that prevailed in the room of four.

"But... it seems to be true; he was really just lucky."

Isidore sighed.

"It's a good thing, though; luck is also a skill that celestials need."

"True."

"Right."

"Yeah."

***

"Now then... what's next?"

The stage Emir just cleared was called 'Song Of Chaos.'

One could understand its essence from its name alone.

'It's dark... getting darker...'

It was a room where a song would play out, one that would turn the candidates into

maddened beings.

Emir deafened himself in advance, in turn skipping the phase entirely.

"Too tired... can't fight...'

The next one was of a similar disposition.

'Mimicry of Desires.'

Emir entered the dark room, knowing well the illusions that awaited him.

The air was thick with the allure of temptation, a siren call to the deepest desires of the

candidates.

'So cold... inside out...'

For many, it would be a room filled with dreams they longed to embrace.

A momentary escape into the echoes of their hearts' most fervent wishes.

They would indulge in those illusions, causing their emotions to rise and the relic to emit

their 'scent.'

Then monsters would be sent out, their numbers depending on the level of emotion one

showed.

'Can't stop shaking...'

Yet, that didn't matter to Emir.

He had already proven himself immune to such tricks and approached with confidence.

The room transformed into a scene so achingly familiar-his home's dining room, bathed in

the warm glow of happiness.

'So heavy... everything...'

Like a snapshot from a time when everything was okay...

A time before fate had its say.

Or was it after?

No... The specifics didn't truly matter, as this illusion was his dearest wish.

His family was there; all were enjoying themselves...

'Hold my hand...'

And that was all he wanted.

Seated in the illusion, a different Emir watched calmly, with Lyra by his side.

The real Emir remained standing by the door, looking at that scene.

'Can't think... too much...'

He remained still for a moment, then began walking in the next, cutting through the room till

he reached the other side.

Meanwhile, the room pulsed with intensity.

Then the illusionary figures, who continued their joyous activities, suddenly unraveled until

they vanished.

'Is this... the end?'

A result of the one who would defy their scripted destiny.

Emir was not a man to be deterred by mere illusions.

This fate would be broken by his own hands.

Click.

'Don't leave me...'

***

"He's quite simple, ain't he?"

Isidore chuckled at Ignatius's comment.

"Out of us four, you have the least right to say that." "Why though?!"

Auric sneered.

"Because you're a dumbass, that's why."

"Hah?!"

While Auric and Ignatius argued, Eldritch had a moment by himself.

"But the most beautiful of souls are the simplest ones."

"Do you truly believe that?"

Isidore questioned while switching the hologram to show other candidates.

"I do."

Eldritch leaned back on his throne, and his gaze returned to the live feed.

The other two did the same, just as they were done arguing.

And the sight that met their eyes was an absolute disappointment.

"KILL ME!"

"Please... stop talking."

"Kill me, kill me; end it, please."

"????!"

Most candidates didn't even get past the second phase.

They were stuck in the silky traps made by the Fangclad and were minutes away from certain

death.

Yet that didn't appear to matter to them.

They just wanted everything to be over.

The voices made them mad as they begged and begged.

Some had ears that bled, others had eyes gouged, and most had minds shattered.

"Weren't these lot supposed to be the good ones?... We've made the first phase difficult for a

reason."

Isidore asked while his face showed absolute disgust.

"I know, right?! It's a waste to even save them... So I say we don't!"

After letting out a sigh, Eldritch rebuked Ignatius:

"But we can't; we mustn't stain our image."

"True... Guess I'll send them out now."

Auric agreed and left his throne, exiting the room shortly after.

"Why doesn't he just call them?"

Isidore shrugged off Ignatius and focused on the hologram.

It now showed those that went past the second phase and reached the third.

Ragnar was still asleep.

He had already reached the forty-thousand-second mark and was still going strong.

"So we've got two monsters joining us tomorrow."

The rest eerily smiled at Isidore's comment, with full teeth showing.

"No worries, Isidore; we'll keep them in check." "Yeah... I'll beat them up if they dare get out of line!"

Isidore nodded and switched channels once again.

Now they were watching the candidate in second place.

Even though Emir took so long in the third phase, only a single man had caught up to him.

Unfortunately, however, that one man remained enamored by his desires.

Binging shows, playing games, and eating every type of food all day-to only spend the night

with an unending harem of beautiful women.

The man had an enormous castle; his every need and senseless want was catered to.

It was a life of no meaning and purpose.

One of absolute degeneracy and fleeting happiness.

To him, the only highs were new piece of entertainment, a new plate of delicious food, a

new conquest in bed...

It was a consumer's paradise.

A life that many would die to acquire.

"Typical."

A life that would end soon.

"...Should we save him?"

Eldritch asked Isidore while scoffing under his breath.

"No... a man with no purpose does not belong in this world."

***

'Lost... can't find way back...'

The door creaked open, and Emir faced the last room before confronting the Tyrant.

Just like the others, it was consumed by darkness, but there was an...

An eye.

'Please... make it end...'

Enormous, it spanned at least five meters wide and stood ten meters tall.

Positioned in the center, it stared unblinkingly at him, its golden iris never hidden.

This phase bore the name 'Eye of Truth.'

And no one could bypass this truth.

'Can't feel... anything...'

A barrier prevented passage until the eye's revelations were witnessed.

So this was a place where candidates were forced to confront their deepest fears and

vulnerabilities.

Emir wasn't an exception.

He stood before it, his gaze fixed on the colossal eye.

'Where... am I... going...'

Unspoken dread filled the air as he readied himself to face his own truth.

Really, nothing could have prepared him for this.

He couldn't go past it or hide away from it.

Yet, he didn't wish for such a thing.

As always, he would confront his fate...

'Where's the light?'

His fear... head-on.