TFWSDW 32

~Chapter 32~

He recalled the very moment before the crimson chains bound his hands.

BZZZZT!

“……”

CRACKLE!

CLANG!

Even as he was scorched within that cage of lightning—even when his malice-filled hand had been poised to strike a vital point—
those eyes had not so much as trembled.

Those large, unflinching eyes only observed him coolly, feigning indifference as though mildly incredulous.

This was no ordinary child.

How could he not be intrigued?

‘She knew. Without a doubt.’

It was clear she had understood the “rules” of this space.

Her expression said it all: if he dared to attack her, this would be the inevitable outcome.

He could not deceive her.

‘But when… when did she figure it out?’

Usher’s fingers twitched with the urge to move.

“Evil god! Damn you, evil god, just die! Die!”

“Aaah! Please, save me! Save meee!”

Horrific screams. Desperate, final cries for life.

The sounds of madness seeped into his ears,
the very same madness coursing through his veins.

‘She’s irresistible…’

A political shrewdness unbefitting her age.

An incredible gift for holy power, even capable of summoning her guardian unbidden.

Perceptive. Intelligent.

‘If she were my Pope Candidate… how exhilarating would that be?’

Usher’s hand twitched again.

To mold a promising seedling like her into a servant of the Evil God—what a delicious thrill that would be.

As a fanatic, every part of him was made up of pleasure, obsession, and amusement.

Silently, he raised his hand.

CLANG.

His eyes fixed intently on the figure ahead.

‘That neck.’

He could see her slender neck so clearly.

‘I could grasp it…’

He clenched his fist.

The light in the fanatic’s eyes dimmed, leaving only fanatical delight and dangerous curiosity.

‘Should I risk an arm and see if I can seize her?’

Would it hinder the Evil God’s grand design?

Hmm…

Then should he simply kill her?

As his faint hesitation began to tip one way,

“What are you dawdling for?”

Nemesia suddenly turned around, as if by magic.

Usher, caught gazing into those astonishingly large and translucent eyes, smiled with rapture.

“My hands hurt so much. Carry me.”

“…Tch. You look perfectly fine to me.”

With light, almost playful steps, Usher followed the little girl’s quick pace—

delighted. Tremendously delighted.

* * *

‘Haah, finally… we made it.’

I gazed ahead with a face drained of strength.

The space was undeniably familiar, yet my mental stamina was dwindling at an alarming rate.

‘The problem is the companion. The companion.’

Fortunately, ever since Usher’s hands had been bound by the crimson chains, he hadn’t tried to harm me again.

Together, we had managed to overcome a few challenges.

“Oh, don’t you think we’re surprisingly well-suited as a team? How about changing your form of address and calling me ‘Dad’?”

Yeah, go choke on that idea.

Beyond that bridge lay the final location.

The problem was—

“Well now. It’s broken, isn’t it?”

The bridge had collapsed.

Tch.

‘At this point, I think it’s fair to say my in-game luck has completely gone to hell.’

Maybe I’d used up all my luck choosing my guardian.

‘Otherwise, how could there be seven paths and I just so happen to land on the one that’s broken?’

The paths were randomized, so even knowing the mechanics didn’t help.

It was purely luck.

‘Doubling back through another path… No, it’s too late for that.’

I envisioned the “room” at the other end of the broken path—the final chamber, and the main stage of this paranormal phenomenon.

Most of all, spending more time with this fanatic was dangerous for me.

‘Father… I miss you…’

“What’s your plan, Candidate?”

For some reason, I didn’t want to dignify that expectant expression with a proper answer.

“From here, we split up.”

“Hm? All of a sudden?”

Usher smiled, clearly entertained.

“Then how do you plan to solve the problem? That boulder earlier wasn’t exactly accommodating to your height!”

This was all because of the vile Church officials who thought it was fine to test children like this.

“Not your concern.”

“Come now, don’t be like that. How about a deal?”

A deal. A word I loathed.

It was tied to the powers of “that man,” one of the three great villains here—the Royal Spies’ infamous representative.

“What kind of deal?”

“I’ll help you cross the bridge. In exchange, all you have to do is tell me nothing but the ‘truth’ while we’re in this space. Simple, isn’t it?”

His words were saturated with ulterior motives.

“How simple, exactly?”

Before I could dodge, Usher gripped my shoulder. It didn’t hurt, but I couldn’t break free.

He pressed down lightly, forcing my head to turn until our eyes met.

‘Damn it. So that’s why he hadn’t used it yet!’

[Danger Detected! Fanatic ‘Usher Tatum’ has used a hidden ability on you!]

Fortunately, the coercion I felt from those azure eyes wasn’t as overwhelming as I had feared.

[Would you like to use your ‘Purification’ ability?]

Absolutely not.

‘There’s no helping it.’

From the moment I’d been forced to travel with him, I knew this moment would come sooner or later.

‘Now that this bastard’s even using his ability, I just have to minimize the damage.’

“Fine, I’ll do it! But… it’s unfair, so give me a veto!”

Usher’s eyes widened slightly.

“…Alright. I’ll give you three. Aren’t I generous?”

Generous? Yeah, right.

‘I’m going to be sick.’

“Alright then!”

Perhaps taking my reply as acceptance, Usher tucked me under his arm.

I wanted to snap at him for holding a child in such a ridiculous manner, but I let it go.

What could you expect from a fanatic?

“Should I hold on tight?”

“No, you’re the one who should be holding me!”

Before I could say another word, Usher stepped back, then charged forward at full speed.

Leap! Whish! Leap!

The bridge was little more than its skeletal frame, but Usher lightly skipped across the wooden beams and, without hesitation, jumped from the final plank.

‘Aaaah, I’m never, ever riding an amusement ride again!’

Usher landed solidly on the other side and, without a shred of ceremony, dropped me to the ground.

Thud.

‘This ill-mannered, discourteous fanatic…’

“Cough! Cough!”

“Now then, the first question.”

He waved a crimson-chained hand in front of me as I struggled with a cough, tears clinging to my lashes.

In those strange, flickering blue eyes, I could see it clearly.

“You already knew that if I attacked you, this would happen, didn’t you?”

My tongue tried to move of its own accord.

Instead of resisting the compulsion directly, I slowly lifted my gaze.

“I’ll answer. But… would it be alright if we go inside first?”

[Post][Guide]

[How to Deal with the Maniac Who Forces the Player]

First of all, newbies should start here: <Link: Maniac List for Beginners 1>

• Usher Tatum’s brainwashing ability places you under a “curse” until its conditions expire once you’re caught.

If the curse is strong, even your movement keys will reverse. There are two ways to deal with this:

1. Stall for time.

2. Keep moving from place to place without pause.

Usher readily agreed to my request. A man who thrived on amusement would naturally be curious about my intentions.

And after walking the long corridor—

“Nemesia!”

At the chamber’s end, I was reunited with the father I had so longed for.

“Daddy!”

Why did my heart swell with such relief?

Like a family reunited after years apart, he scooped me up and held me tightly in his arms.

“Your arms and legs are intact, right? Fingers, toes—are they all still there?”

…Father, isn’t that a rather terrifying way to check on your child’s well-being?

He didn’t even know yet that Usher was a fanatic, yet his tone and treatment made it sound as though he were addressing one already.

‘Ah, but still… I feel like I can finally breathe again.’

Being wrapped up in his solid, warm embrace brought me a deep sense of comfort.

I had missed it so much while we were apart.

“Well then, Candidate? You must uphold our agreement,” Usher said as he approached with languid steps, waving his chained hand as though nothing had happened.

Others were in the room besides Father. Perhaps conscious of their presence, Usher suddenly reverted to his polite tone.

What a loathsome, duplicitous man.

“…Yeah, I know.”

My answer lit a spark of delight in Usher’s eyes.

“Then, the second question—”

“I’ll answer it five minutes from now. I’m tired…”

Father turned with me in his arms, as if he had been waiting for those words. Usher’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“Our Candidate says she’s tired.”

“My agreement with her comes first, doesn’t it? But… fine. This might be entertaining in its own way.”

Usher shrugged and stepped back.

I laughed at him inwardly.

‘Go ahead and wait. See if those five minutes ever arrive.’

Because…

I slowly surveyed the space around me.

‘We’re the last to arrive, aren’t we?’

I spotted numerous familiar faces scattered throughout the chamber—other Pope Candidates and their guardians who had entered alongside us.

But the real issue was… we were not the only ones here.

“Nemesia, don’t be alarmed,” Father murmured. “There are… civilians here as well.”

Of course there were.

This was precisely why this chapter was notoriously brutal for beginners.

Because soon, a horrific game would begin—using those civilians as its stakes.

Before I could respond—

GRRRRK!

– Entry to Second Space Complete –

The door Usher and I had come through slammed shut behind us.