Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Thud. You finally stopped your already slow steps. Thud. As if that wasn't enough, you took another step back. It wasn't a mistake. Something moved in the darkness. -You there! Soon a child's voice came from beyond the darkness. It was such an innocent voice that you'd want to take out candy and put it in their hand if you had any. However, in this ominous darkness, that clear resonance only added to the ominousness. Damn it. The situation of having to be scared by just a child's voice brought on self-loathing. You wanted to light a fire right away to confirm the identity of that damned voice. That absolutely couldn't happen. You recalled the rules. If you lit a fire now, it would be like personally setting up a target for the evil objects. You recalled the rules. Everything encountered here deserved to be guarded against and suspected, but there was no need to shrink more than necessary. You recalled the rules. If you just followed the rules properly, surely- "Please step back." Above all, a reliable member of the Sword Sheath was with you. She stepped forward in front of you reassuringly. -You, yes you, can't you hear me!? If you're ignoring me on purpose, I'll think you're scared of me!? It came closer. Eyes accustomed to the darkness grasped its true form. "..." Damn it. Curses rose up like bile. Its appearance was truly grotesque, unlike its voice. A rag doll with a child's physique. Its facial features weren't expressed with buttons or stitching like other dolls. Ears. They were exquisitely positioned in each spot, shamelessly representing facial features. Should it be considered fortunate that they weren't real ears? "I'll handle it, so don't worry." -Ah! We made eye contact! You! You can definitely see me! Then there's no avoiding it now! We're going to play riddles! The riddle doll. She muttered and immediately checked the guidebook. ──────────────────── [Type 0 Evil Object: Riddle Doll] Overview: A rag doll with a child's physique. Containment location: First floor, room 3. Occasionally leaves its position to wander inside the warehouse, so caution is required. Special notes: All facial features are replaced with ears, and it forces riddle games. Precautions: When this evil object approaches, you must not ignore it and must respond to conversation. No one other than the game target may interfere with the game. When in contact with this Type 0 Evil Object, the following rules must be followed. 1. Respond to the riddle game the target forces. 2. At this time, ask a question before starting the game. 3. "What will you do for me if I win the game?" 4. The target will present various conditions, and in that case, respond as follows. 5. "What's that. You're boring. I won't play with you." 6. If all rules are followed, the target will pretend to cry and leave the place. ※: The riddle doll will definitely present conditions that are impossible to refuse. You must never accept these. The game opponent can demand any wish from the riddle doll, but the riddle doll has absolute power to win the game as payment for that. Therefore, don't be deceived by the format of a game and remember the authority granted to each other. Riddle doll: Can definitely win in games. Opponent: Can freely decide the price of victory and defeat. In other words, the way for us to win the 'game' is to not be satisfied with whatever price the riddle doll presents. ──────────────────── Got it. Having confirmed the rules, she confidently responded to the game. "What will you do for me if I win the game?" The riddle doll fell into serious contemplation. Think all you want. Will my answer change? She mocked the doll and prepared the scripted response. -I'll revive your little sister who you abandoned and ran away from, who was torn apart and eaten alive by demons! "..." Her mouth stopped unnaturally. You recalled the rules. [No one other than the game target may interfere with the game.] "Good." That was why. Why you couldn't stop her in time. The game begins. -That's too easy!!! The riddle doll answered correctly as if it had been waiting, the moment she asked the question. -Wrong! Conversely, the answer she spoke after much deliberation missed the mark. A series of processes repeated as the game continued. The riddle doll gradually approached her. -Last question! What thoughts did your little sister have while being eaten alive by demons!? What was spoken in that innocent voice was no longer a riddle or anything else. She couldn't answer. Her mouth, which had been speaking only wrong answers, had somehow been replaced with an ear. Even her eyes and nose too. With ears, she couldn't speak or see. Naturally, she couldn't breathe either. She collapsed where she stood, clawing at her throat. -What's this! This is too boring!!! The riddle doll mockingly laughed at the loser with great excitement. -I still want to enjoy more!!! It stared at you. *** -B-boring...!!! The riddle doll cried out as if throwing a tantrum. -Don't be unreasonable!!! "Unreasonable? How is this unreasonable?" -Of course it's unreasonable!!! How can a human be a mage and a swordsman, and a priest and a dark mage at the same time! Humans can't do that!!! You're wrong! My answer is correct! The answer is a book! "When did I say the answer was human?" -What!? "I said the answer was me." -Th-that's the same thing! You're human! "But as I said, I'm both a mage and a swordsman, and both a priest and a dark mage." -Prove it!!! Risir proved it. -Wh-what's that- You're weird!!! "Look who's talking?" -Th-this isn't a riddle!!! "Then what is a riddle?" Risir approached the doll. The doll was startled and stepped back. -N-now it's my turn!? It's my turn to ask a question! "Go ahead." -What is darker than darkness in the morning, but brighter than light at night!? "This guy?" -That's right!!! As Master said, I am the White Flame Dangaleon who is darker than darkness in the morning but brighter than light at night!!! Once I was a black flame that devoured even darkness, but now I've been reborn as a white flame that illuminates even light!!! A grayish-white fireball that had appeared at some point showed off its pure white form(?) that was brighter than light. -Wrong! The answer is tomorrow! "No it's not? It's Dangaleon?" -Don't be unreasonable, you worm!!! Master's tomorrow shines brilliantly from morning, how do you explain this!!! -Y-you're the ones being unreasonable!!! This isn't a riddle!!! "Really? Then here's another question. What isn't a riddle, but is a riddle?" -Stop!!! That childish voice swelled up like the surface of rotting meat. The ears that had replaced eyes, nose, and mouth opened wide and vomited blood. The cloth became soaked with blood. "Wrong." Risir answered. "The correct answer wasn't 'stop' but my riddle." As the aftermath of having just deployed four types of power simultaneously, blood flowed from all the openings in his face. His face became soaked with blood. -As expected! Just as I predicted!!!" "Oh, Dangaleon. Did you get it right?" -It was too honest a question for me!!! All intellectuals in the world would feel the same way! -Hi, hiiik...!!! G-get away!!! You're boring!!! I won't play with you! The riddle doll tried to leave its position. As a Type 0 Evil Object, it was both matter and phenomenon. The end of the game it declared acted like a kind of law. The doll's body gradually faded. At the point when the game ended, there was no reason for it to remain in the place. "Then the game is over, and I won?" But Risir grabbed it. The doll's body became clear again. -Wh-what!?! Let go!!! The game is over, I said! It's over!!! "I know. The game is over, I won, and now we need to settle accounts." -S-settle accounts!? "Either the winner gets a reward, or the loser gets punishment." -I-I'll give you a reward!!! What do you want!? What do I have to give for you to go away! "You, I guess?" -What? The doll's gaze turned to the side. -!!! A Baby Spirit that had appeared at some point was staring at the doll with its characteristic spirited eyes. Smack! The Baby Spirit licked its lips very spiritedly. -N-no...!!! The doll struggled. However, that impossible power that simultaneously 'bound' the doll and its game opponent no longer existed. At this very moment. It was nothing more than an ordinary doll as it appeared. Somewhat large, hideous, and- -I'll eat well!?! Delicious-looking, that kind of doll. *** "How is it, Ver? Is it tasty?" -!!! The Baby Spirit that had finished eating crouched down and gathered its strength. Then explosively, it raised both arms high. -It was more tasteless than expected!!! Poot. A cute burp leaked from that small mouth. -Graaah!!! What peak of deception!!! That worm-like bastard!!! Tempting Lord Ver with a delicious-looking appearance!!! Lighting fires or any act that illuminates the surroundings is strictly forbidden inside the warehouse. Because it could provoke the evil objects. Making loud noises is strictly forbidden inside the warehouse. That too could provoke the evil objects. These were basic rules. Those basic rules were not being followed at all. This was the situation unfolding before Bolton, the head of the Sword Sheath. Though they had barely set foot at the warehouse entrance, it was a hair-trigger situation where any unexpected incident wouldn't be strange. "..." But why was it? Bolton couldn't bring himself to think about stopping them. "The riddle doll..." The situation that had unfolded just before was still flickering before his eyes. "...Lord. Lord Bolton?" "Yes...? Ah!" Bolton came to his senses only after Risir had called him several times. "What should we do now?" Risir pointed to the interior of the warehouse. Whenever Bolton looked at the interior of the warehouse, he always felt as if something was constantly moving and screaming in the darkness. But now. That darkness felt endlessly quiet. "You certainly said that. That there seemed to be a problem inside the warehouse during the process of that man called Cort removing the Succession Book." Right. Even though, as he said, the warehouse was in an unprecedentedly unstable state. "What should we do? Should we retreat for now?" "..." Bolton slowly turned his head to look at Risir. "What do you think, Lord Risir?" "Normally, we should return first, consult with others, make full preparations, and then come back. But-" "...But?" Risir glanced once at the Succession Book tucked under his arm. "!!!" Then he looked at the Baby Spirit whose eyebrows were furrowed in anger from the unsatisfactory meal. A moment later. He scratched the back of his head and said. "Should we keep going for now?" It was a defenseless attitude as if sticking his face out to check under a rock. "Let's keep going!" Bolton felt infinite trust in such an attitude. *** Delron and other members of the Sword Sheath. Karoer and other members of the expedition. Now, they were gathered in one place, preparing for any possible situation. The expressions of those endlessly passing time were quite complex. In the strange atmosphere, Ratsil suddenly spoke. "It'll be okay, right? Since it's Risir?" It was Lunadien who answered. "Yes. In most cases. But don't let your guard down. From what they say, that place is where they've gathered Type 0 Evil Objects like the 'Succession Book'." "Well, Lord Lunadien. I keep saying this, but it will be fine." Delron spoke to them restlessly. "It's said to be a place where evil objects are gathered, but the warehouse is actually a place where evil objects are 'locked up'. Most of the evil objects there are isolated under detailed rules. As long as the rules are followed, the evil objects won't be released from isolation and attack visitors." "If the rules are followed properly..." "Yes! If the rules are followed properly! Isn't that why the head of the Sword Sheath went with them!? He knows the rules better than any of us—no, better than anyone else in the world! At least when it comes to the evil objects contained in that warehouse! It's an indisputable fact! There's absolutely no chance they'll encounter trouble in the warehouse!" Stone Heart and other members of the Sword Sheath tried to reassure them with relaxed smiles. -Hey, humans. "...!" It was then that a voice full of hostility was heard from somewhere. The magic sword Curse that Risir had placed in the corner. That purple sword was emanating an ominous aura. Of course, that aura posed no real threat since it had been worked to the point where literally only a shell remained. -I'm telling you this as someone who went into that 'demon realm', but you'd better hurry to help them... But that meaningful voice. Tension instantly filled the place. "Wh-what do you mean, magic sword!?" Delron, who was by far the most tense, questioned it. -You remember that Cort... that bastard removed the 'Succession Book' from the warehouse. But think about it. Do you really think that greedy pig could have entered and exited that demon realm with his own power? No way. He came begging to me on all fours like a pig. Please lend me your power... I sent my vassals as he requested and retrieved the Succession Book from that warehouse. Kek kek kek. The magic sword let out a sinister laugh. -Now. Use your imagination. Do you really think I went into that warehouse and obediently only took out the Succession Book? "...Wh-what the hell did you-" Delron's face turned pale. The magic sword spoke, pleased with his reaction. -There are two possibilities. If they were caught before they could even close the door, then the evil objects are probably wandering outside the mansion by now. If they closed the door before being caught, then they're probably struggling between life and death inside the warehouse right now. Ah. Or maybe they're already dead. Here's my proposal. -Curse... It was a voice that interrupted Curse's words: Beast. She called her sibling's name with a worried voice. Curse answered. -Don't worry, Beast. The plan is perfect. -Please... -Yes. You can look forward to it. We'll definitely be able to escape from that bastard. -No... Please, don't do anything unnecessary... If you do something unnecessary and I get caught in the crossfire... How do you plan to take responsibility for that... Uwaaah!!! The magic sword spewed out all kinds of curses along with a shriek. -Here is my proposal! Promise our freedom! If you do, I will help you get the guys trapped in the warehouse out! With the power of my curse! "..." Delron and the others urgently exchanged glances. They carefully took both magic swords and headed toward where the warehouse was. *** "G-good heavens...!" "O-oh gods-" It was the moment they arrived in front of the annex building called the warehouse. The members of the Sword Sheath showed reactions of utter dismay, their legs giving out and collapsing. The warehouse. Not only was the door of that demon realm open, but all sorts of miscellaneous items were piled up at the entrance. They were the main bodies of evil objects that had been isolated inside the warehouse. The worst possibility had become reality. Risir and Bolton. The moment they entered the warehouse, they fell victim to the evil objects' attack, and the evil objects that the magic sword had released escaped outside. -Hey. Humans. Calm down. Shouldn't we lock those evil objects back up even now? My power—precisely, my vassals are relatively free from their power. Entrust your power to me. Then I'll resolve that chaos for you. Conversely, for Curse, it was the moment when the best possibility became reality. She became extremely triumphant and boasted to them. "N-no..." Delron muttered in despair. He was thinking of Bolton. A situation where evil objects were rampaging out of control. If it were Risir, he might be able to preserve his life. But what about Bolton? What could he do in such a chaotic situation where rules wouldn't work? In Delron's mind, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Bolton was already a dead man. Just as Stone Heart's expression was about to be steeped in grief- "...Huh?" Delron felt something off about the objects piled up at the entrance. His gaze turned toward a certain picture frame. That evil object named [The Expressionless Ones] kidnaps targets who fail to follow the rules into the frame and makes them part of itself. "That's..." Was it just his imagination? From the Expressionless Ones, it seemed like expressions were visible. The emotion felt from those expressions was- "Oh, everyone?" At the same time, Risir came shuffling out from beyond the dark door. Wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, he looked like a worker in the midst of intense labor. In both his hands, objects were clutched like baggage. Behind him, Bolton came out dragging a wooden chair. All of these were objects that served as the main bodies of evil objects. "R-Risir, sir!? What are you doing right now!?" Delron shouted as if in shock. He couldn't understand the purpose of voluntarily removing evil objects that should be isolated inside the warehouse to the outside. "Ah, well- we're cleaning." "...Pardon?" "It's the process of separating cooperative friends from those who aren't, you could say." While everyone was utterly dismayed. Beast spoke. -I definitely tried to stop Curse... This has nothing to do with me... After that. Beast explained the whole situation to Risir faster than anyone else. -I say again... My lord... I actively tried to stop it... You must clearly understand this... "Ah. Of course. I know perfectly well. I don't think you participated in this matter either." Whether he truly felt that way, Risir spoke soullessly. -Fuck, what the hell-... That was why Curse's confusion deepened further. -Ah... At those simple words, Beast let out a breath of relief.