Chapter 3: || Chapter 1.3 || The Plan
The soothing melody of the playing piano rings in the air. It was filled with endless softness as if narrating the goodness left of the world. Gentle hands, void of scars and wounds, elegantly pressed on piano keys as if immersed in an elegant glance. Although the song was perfect for a bright sunny day, it appeared more emotional when the clouds were dim and a wistful ambiance surrounding the whole estate. It was precisely the kind of day that welcomed Cadel when he woke up.
Cadel's fingers finally stopped when he finished the song. A sigh escaped his lips as he lifted his gaze to the window.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Mary applauded with a bright smile. She neared the young master, praising him. Taking the score sheet, she glanced at it, and surprise was written on her face. "Young master Luke, you weren't following this song?"
Like shook his head and smiled. "No, I played something new."
"Oh, no wonder I haven't heard of it before. The young master seemed to have the talent of making music. I am impressed." She nodded in satisfaction. "Your grandfather will be happy to hear about this."
"I hope so." Luke lowered his head shyly, playing with his fingertips. "Mary, can I ask you one thing?"
"You can ask me anything, young master."
"H-How does a person know which is a friend and who is not?"
Mary smiles, eyes narrowing. "Does the young master have anyone in mind?"
"Oh, no. I was just asking."
Mary relaxed at his words. She took a seat on the space next to Cadel on the bench. "It is difficult to judge a person when you first meet them. Only by getting to know the other and going through the countless experiences together can you truly know if that person is truly a friend. They should be loyal and cares for you greatly no matter what you are."
Luke nodded.
Mary chuckles caressed Luke's hair gently. Her eyes were warm, concealing the suspicious within. "The young master is truly talented and curious. If you meet someone, you must tell me first. You promised not to keep secrets from me, remember?"
"Yes, I know." The boy nodded obediently.
Mary praises him for his compliance. She tells Luke to read in advance for their next lesson before she exits the room to prepare lunch.
Sitting alone in the silence of the room, the young boy sighs and turns to the dim sky through the windows.
Kerpuffle: Host, Is it truly essential to alter the events of the world?
Cadel calmly stood up from the bench and strode towards the windows. His crimson eyes gaze at the grey clouds rolling like ocean waves in the sky. 'Because of the base marker, I cannot leave the estate without dying. I only have exactly one hour and thirty minutes to execute the plan. I must return home before the time runs out. No promising child from the clans survived to aid the destruction of Valerian. Perhaps, If I help eradicate the people who created the trap. Those children would be saved.'
Kerpuffle: I fail to see why this would offer you an opportunity for a 'noble death.'
Cadel: Shut up. I haven't even thought of a plan for that yet.
Kerpuffle: Okay! Okay! Geez. (carefully back away)
Cadel: Remember what we planned.
Kerpuffle: Yes! Operation "knockout super overprotective robot lady" will begin in three hours.
Cadel furrowed his brows. Luckily, the system was cooperative. He wouldn't know what to do to subdue a vicious man-killing puppet with this fragile body. The dumpling would temporarily shut down Mary so Cadel would have time to leave the mansion. The dumpling system gave him this advantage as one of Cadel's free benefits within their contract. However, Cadel didn't know if he could still exploit the system's power in the next world.
During lunch, Cadel ate his meal silently. Mary could notice the crease between the boy's eyebrows. Her eyes slightly deepened in worry. What could the young master be worried about?
After eating, Cadel went to his room, waiting for Mary to shut down. The female puppet was putting the plates back on the racks before her vision turned red, her system shutting down. Her limbs stiffened and froze. Mary appeared frozen like a statue. The vibrant glow in her eyes has vanished. All this happened within three seconds.
Receiving Kerpuffle's signal, Cadel wore a severe expression as he packed his tools and jumped down the balcony of his room. His fingers stung as he grabbed the vines and slid down, but he landed successfully. Taking one last glance at the house, he dashed towards the walls. Climbing the walls was tiring and difficult with Cadel's current build, but he managed to land on the other side.
Ding!
(Life Depleting)
The timer began to start, and Cadel advance into the woods as he eyed the first of the three yellow bars slowly decreasing. Clutching his backpack, Cadel ran past the trees.
Thunders roared within the dark sky.
.....
Boom!
The leaves rustled as the wind passed through the trees and the scent of an incoming storm enveloped the whole forest. Under the dreary shades of the trees, a lone figure stood before a river. The water was violent, washing away even the largest rocks in the banks.
Strands of pitch-black hair danced under the caresses of the strong breeze. His eyes of pure golden gleamed brightly despite his cold exterior. Cedric Gray lowered his gaze, eyeing the silver band around his wrist. The blinking red light signifies his heartbeat. The elders were monitoring him especially.
Six days have passed, and he remained firm, persevering with the dangers of the woods. Never mind surviving the forests, he was undoubtedly even able to withstand surviving life in harsh deserts and freezing tundras. Armed with only a knife and a beacon for surrender, Cedric swept the forests with only his strength and determination.
He eyed his wristband. The next step was crossing the concrete bridge a couple of miles ahead. Considering the nearing storm, if he failed to cross the bridge in time, the water will flood the whole area and wash him away with it. There was no time to waste.
He must cross it.
He must expose himself to danger.
He must win.
Rushing into the woods, he paid no mind to the bellowing thunderclaps resounding throughout the forests. He slashed his way through tall shrubs and thick branches. He must arrive quickly. The wounds that we're just about to heal open, and pain spreads out. However, he ignored it. There was time to deal with it when he crossed the bridge.
Cedric had paused thrice to rest, but it did not last long. He was determined to finish the competition quickly. He cannot fail at all costs.
Not long after, the young man finally decreased his steps. The sound of running water was fierce and violent. The wind was getting stronger and stronger. Cedric Gray ceased his movements. His eyes turned dark and cold. A terrible aura seemed to shroud him.
He wasn't alone.
Before him, a crowd of children like him paused before the wide concrete bridge of the cliff. Some were shivering at the cold, some were eyeing the others warily, some were fearful and cowardly, and some had anger burning within their eyes. Dirtied skin, messy hair, bodies marred with scratches and wounds, they looked pitiful, but it is what they should appear- to experience the harshness of the wild and to survive it.
However, it wasn't their existence that irked Cedric. It was the boy standing at the other side of the bridge. Ambitious and pathetic. The spoiled master of the Theal Clan, Alexander Theal. A terrible grin decorated his plump face. Within his grasp was a small detonator with only a single button. He waved it carelessly, threatening the young at the other side of the bridge. Although he was alone, none of the fiercest children dared to step close to the bridge.
Water was rising, and the wind was getting stronger. It was a miserable moment for the helpless and strong.
"Take one step closer, and I'll blow up this bridge!" He threatened, waving the remote in the air for all to see.
The bridge was the only way across. None of the children wore any communicators to contact the elders and guardians. If they have to report something personally, they would have to wait until the event ends or use their beacons to forfeit and forcibly confront the people of their clan. The beacons would immediately transport them out of the forest and back to the main camps on the other side of the land. However, how could they afford to lose their right to succession? It was the only thing they've been trained for in their entire lives. None of them wanted to give it up.
Cedric stepped forward with clenched fists. The storm had arrived, the water was rising, and if the bridge were destroyed, the whole area would be drowning in water. There would be no escaping it.
Alexander grinned at their wretched forms. "Forfeit now, or you all die."
At the corner of his eye, Alexander spotted Cedric. His eyes widened, and thrill spreads inside his being. The famous promising successor of the Gray clan was at his mercy! If he surrenders, then all the glory would belong to Alexander! Perfect! Perfect!
The chubby child pressed on his earpiece, "Are the detonators all set?"
"Yes, young master."
"Affirmative, young master."
"..."
Alexander furrowed his brows when his third man didn't respond. "Where's Paul?"
"Perhaps, he just went to take a leak. He was complaining about it earlier." Minion one responded.
Minion two: "I agree..."
"Alright..." Alexander cut the link.
Meanwhile, the two minions had met up when they had finished their job: a tall one and a short one. They grumbled at the cold weather before sitting a distance away from the cliff.
The tall one slapped his neck when a mosquito buzzed near his skin. "Damn it! Why the fuck are we involved with this shit?"
"Hey, keep your mouth shut. We don't want anyone knowing about us." The short one glared as he whispered. "Where the hell is Paul?"
"How the hell would I know?!"
"Damn that asshole..."
The tall man cursed as he wiped his muddy boot on a rock. "Let's just get out of here when that kid is done."
"Yeah, I don't want the clan leader knowing about us. He can fuck his child up but not us." The short man said as he packed his equipment.
Rustle!
Both of them paused. They grabbed their gun and looked around cautiously.
The wind blew past them, the only sound around them. They only saw bushes and trees, nothing that could raise their guards.
"What was that?" The tall man asked.
"I don't know... must be a wild cat or something..." The short man lowered his gun.
Just when they were about to finish packing up the tools, thunderclaps roared, and lightning flashed, illuminating their surroundings for a brief moment.
The two men were oblivious about the shadowy figure perched on one of the branches of the trees above them. Crimson eyes glowed frightfully like a devil's deathly gaze. He was slender, but his body exuded the aura of a ferocious killer. Like the assassin, Cadel was once was.
By the third lightning flash, the taller guy noticed something strange above him. He lifted his gaze, and the last thing his eyes saw was the flash of a sharp blade.
.....
Boom!
Alexander flinched at the sight of lightning. It looked like it would strike him at the next second. He gazed over the bridge, realizing that most of the bravest candidates still wouldn't forfeit. The cowardly ones have already activated their beacons, but the rest hadn't. He didn't need to worry about being reported. He wasn't even planning on blowing up the bridge entirely. The detonator in his hands could only be triggered by the three idiots he hired. The elders could treat this as part of the test of survival.
"Hey, you! Give up already!" Alexander shouted.
There was a total of thirty youngsters left who remained unmoved, including Cedric. They were the well-known candidates of the three clans. Stubborn but capable.
The young man with golden eyes narrowed his gaze, eyeing remote in Alexander's hand. He could feel the incoming rain.
Eyes burning with anger, Alexander screamed. "To hell with you all!"
Maybe they needed a little scare.
He pressed his earpiece. "Hey! Light one up!"
"..."
"Fucking-Can you fucking hear me? I said, light one up!"
"..."
Alexander widened his eyes. An ominous feeling crept into his heart. "What the..."
He trembled as he gripped his earpiece and shouted angrily, but no matter how much he yelled, no one answered. Finally, he felt fear grip his whole being.
Before he could look up, a sharp jab struck his face. Blood splattered as two of his teeth fell on the ground. Falling back, Alexander cried out as he covered his mouth, painfully screaming. Trembling, his eyes looked up, and a pair of fierce golden eyes looked down upon him as if he was already dead.
"It seems someone took care of your bastards." The young man glowered. Spotting the remote, Cedric crushed it with his foot along with Alexander's hand. The kid cried out, yelling for help, but no one wanted to. The rest of the children crossed the bridge, gazing at Cedric with grateful eyes. They paused to beat the spoiled brat a few times.
Just in time, the bridge was engulfed with water. The children managed to avoid the depth by climbing up the elevated ground.
Rain fell upon their head, soaking them from head to toe. They needed to find shelter quickly before moving forward.
"Hey! Many thanks!" One boy yelled at Cedric, but the latter only looked away. Nevertheless, the boy was grateful.
Suddenly, Alexander, who was left at the edge of the high rock, charged at Cedric. He knew he was ruined, but he refused to go down alone!
He took hold of Cedric with all his might and pulled him backward. Because of the slippery ground, they fell into the cliff. The boy and the others were too late to save them both.
Cedric released a curse and kicked the boy away from him. However, he was falling into the water. He was falling to his death. He failed.
Just as the waves caught him, his eyes opened one last time.
A pair of slender hands reached for him, surrounding him. He felt the tightest embrace he had ever felt in his entire life. There was nothing as warm. An exquisite face with dazzling crimson eyes faced him.
And both of them fell unto the cold water...
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