I emerged into a dimly lit place filled with decrepit buildings.
I looked around.
It was a familiar landscape, and from afar, I could hear a lively sound, so it seemed we hadn’t completely escaped the festival site.
I tried reopening the door we had exited, but it did not connect back to where we had just been.
It was a dark room filled with a chilling atmosphere.
I guess the space must have collapsed, severing the connection.
‘It’s truly fascinating no matter how many times I see it. How was such technology even created?’
Unlike Earth, in this era, the technology to create spaces from different dimensions, like the one we just experienced, has become practical.
Well, I’ve heard rumors that it’s still unstable and accidents happen frequently.
Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now.
Right now.
“Let’s hurry.”
Nod.
I climbed onto Red’s back, wrapping my arms tightly around her neck to avoid falling off.
“Hold on tight so you don’t fall.”
Nod.
Pop!
The moment Red lifted her feet off the ground, I felt a buoyant sensation.
After hopping onto the rooftop of a building in one swift motion, Red began to move quickly between the rooftops without delay.
The strong headwind whipped my hair around chaotically.
Wow. So fast.
Even though she adjusted her speed to ensure my comfort, it was still incredibly fast.
If I loosened my grip, I would probably float away.
I tightened my hold around her neck.
“Just hang in there a bit longer.”
Nod.
Just because I was rescued doesn’t mean it’s over.
The festival isn’t over yet.
The children’s play is yet to be performed.
They must have already commenced by now.
The reason Red was in such a rush was that we needed to arrive on time to get on stage together, even if it was just for a little while.
But if…
If, in the end, we were too late and couldn’t get on stage.
I would be fine.
‘There’s no reason to be sad about not being able to do that one thing. It was forced upon me; I was made to do it because the kids wanted me to. So, I wouldn’t feel bad if I couldn’t perform…’
Instead, I felt sorry.
It couldn’t be helped, but the fact remained that my absence might cause the kids some trouble.
And it was a play that everyone had worked hard to prepare, sweating together to practice for this day. If I was the only one who couldn’t participate, the children might be very sad.
It would be better if they were mad instead.
Unlike me, they are kind children, so perhaps they would try to console me.
‘….’
Suddenly, the faces of the children finishing the play without me came to mind.
My mood soured.
While playing at the festival, the children had been happy.
Every single moment was filled with joy and excitement, but the moment they were looking forward to the most was the play performance.
After safely completing the play, we would have a celebration afterward and share happy conversations.
It was supposed to conclude with the best day.
If I were to miss the play, the children wouldn’t be able to laugh.
Their happiness would come to an end.
The atmosphere turned gloomy, which didn’t sit well with my heart.
So, for the children’s happiness, I hoped we would arrive in time.
I fervently prayed to a deity, whether they existed or not, to grant me this small wish, so that I could finish with the children.
“Rene!”
“Red!”
“How far along is the play? Are we late?”
“That is…”
As soon as we arrived, Rene, who had been waiting, greeted us.
Upon seeing my face, Rene looked relieved.
However, in response to Red’s question, Rene’s words trailed off.
Her expression also seemed somewhat dark.
I clenched my fist.
Why couldn’t such a simple wish be fulfilled?
Rene explained that the play had already progressed to the latter half, making the timing for the princess’s entrance awkward.
“Isn’t there anything we can do?”
“It’s not that there’s no way, but…”
“What is it? Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me quickly.”
Rena glanced at me, gauging my reaction, as she explained.
It was a scene where the princess, who was just about to be freed from a curse, was supposed to appear.
As per the script, we should just act, but unfortunately, since I was missing, the script had to be modified, and as a result, I would need to remove my mask to get on stage.
Red also realized the problem and glanced down at me.
Both of them knew well that I was hesitant to appear in front of people without my mask.
If it were within the orphanage, it might be different, but I still didn’t want to reveal my face in front of others.
“Is there seriously no method aside from that?”
“…”
Rene nodded weakly.
I could sense her apology in her gaze.
You don’t have to apologize.
It’s all my fault.
I lowered my eyes slightly.
A melancholic silence enveloped us.
‘Ever since I fell into this place, nothing has gone as I wanted…’
It wasn’t a difficult task.
I simply had to present myself boldly and walk into that place.
However, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
At least not for me.
‘Usually, beautiful or handsome individuals benefit, but why have I never once had that fortune?’
My face attracts people’s attention.
Outwardly, I extend my hand with a friendly face, but all the intentions behind it are selfish.
Is it that my face awakens people’s desires, or is it just that there are many with such greed?
I began to hide my face because I no longer wanted to be pursued by people.
My voice bewitched the hearts of others.
Like mice following a pipe’s tune, it drew in those with sullied thoughts and hearts.
They kept pestering me for my voice.
So, I became silent.
‘What exactly am I afraid of, to still wear a mask? What is it that I fear so much that I refuse to speak?’
I am not who I was when I first opened my eyes to this world.
Unlike before, I now have power, so I shouldn’t have to hide my face or voice.
No one can touch me recklessly anymore.
But why do I remain shackled by the past?
Even now, in this moment.
I closed my eyes.
Before my sight, which should have been dark, a red world unfolded.
A bl**d-red river.
Beneath the river lay the corpses of those I had killed thus far.
Their gazes, filled with anger and resentment, mocked me for not being able to enjoy even the smallest happiness.
‘Yes. I…’
I slowly opened my eyes.
I do not mind if I make myself unhappy.
However, I am not pleased if those around me become unhappy because of me.
If I gain courage here, I might cause an even greater chaos.
I could be banished from the paradise I had struggled to attain through a storm of confusion.
Or, I could end up revealing my true self to them.
If I give up here, nothing will happen.
The children would force themselves to hold back their sadness and still perform for me.
And they might say to be sure to do it together next time.
Next time…
There may not even be a next time.
As it has been until now, unexpected things are bound to occur in the world.
Hoping for a vague future might cause me to miss the present.
Then, the only choice I can make here is to believe.
I snuck a glance at Red.
If anyone, she would surely protect the children until the very end.
Just as she has done until now.
I interjected between the two, who were discussing the play issues.
And then, I declared my resolution to them.
They were both startled.
What were they so surprised about already?
*
The play was in full swing.
Even though all the actors were children, they showcased surprisingly good acting skills.
The stage props were also intricate, contributing to the immersion in the play, and despite it being longer than expected, the audience was not bored during the entire performance.
While many expressed their emotions abundantly, a few were watching with stern faces throughout.
They were silently hoping that the play would end quickly.
That would be the moment to move.
‘Everything is for the Grim Reaper.’
‘A d*ath that is equal in this world.’
‘To bring restful peace to these innocent souls.’
These individuals were followers of the Cult of the Grim Reaper, extreme believers commanded directly by a prophet.
They had mingled among the people to ruin this festival.
They were ordinary people. They possessed no magic powers. They had not undergone any body enhancement treatments.
How would they ruin the performance, let alone the festival?
Inside their bodies lay miniature bombs.
Moreover, these bombs were high-performance ones, obtained through costly means as per the prophecy, allowing them to sneak in without being detected at the entrance.
The moment they bit their tongues, the bombs would explode, sweeping through the venue.
d*ath was not to be feared.
Thinking that their deity, the Grim Reaper, was watching over them, they felt emboldened.
Surely many would get hurt or d*e.
This festival, filled with happiness, would be cloaked in despair and sorrow.
The followers felt no guilt.
All of this was for a greater cause.
Offering up their lives, they took pride in bringing true peace to the ignorant and innocent people.
Pain lasts only a moment.
As long as this mission finishes successfully, the long-awaited Grim Reaper would resurrect.
Then everyone could be happy.
They would be free from all the tragedies taking place in this world.
d*ath is salvation!
A new hope!
The followers exchanged glances with one another.
When the play reached its conclusion, that would be the moment to act.
“Witch! Why did you curse the princess? What crime has the princess committed for you to perform such a terrible act?”
“Ahahaha! Do you truly believe the princess is virtuous? The princess is evil. She is a deceiver, planting vain dreams in people, dragging them deeper into despair. That is why I, this one, have stolen her face and voice!”
“You scoundrel!”
“The condition to break the curse is hope. If hope truly exists, why has the princess’s curse not yet been lifted? So, answer me!”
“Guh…”
Though it was just a play, the Cult of the Grim Reaper’s followers resonated deeply with the witch’s words.
This world holds no hope.
Without hope, the world overflows with anguish.
In a world filled with pain and sorrow, those who live there cannot help but be miserable.
Thus, they themselves are unhappy. Everyone is unhappy.
As per the teachings of the Cult of the Grim Reaper.
This world.
Must disappear.
It must be ended.
According to the teachings of the Cult of the Grim Reaper, they aim to bring forth a new hope.
At that moment, when they were unable to refute the knight witch’s words and found themselves in a quandary!
Stomp, stomp.
A song began to be heard.
It seemed to be the voice of a girl.
Those who heard the song momentarily doubted their ears. Such a beautiful voice!
It felt like it was from another world.
As the warm, gentle song filled their hearts, people one by one succumbed to happiness.
And the spotlight shone towards the direction of the singing.
“Huh!!”
“No way!”
“!!!?”
Not only the followers of the Cult of the Grim Reaper but everyone who saw her face could not hide their astonishment.
Gasps of wonder erupted from everywhere.
Revealed before them was a girl in pristine attire.
Her appearance was as clear and pure as frozen water, with sparkling blue eyes.
The white-haired smiling girl was singing and slowly stepping toward the stage.
The witch, who had been mocking hope from the stage, became rigid, unable to mask her shock.
Even the knight, the maid, and all the actors on stage could not conceal their amazement.
So surprised was Rena that she made the mistake of missing her cue for the song. However, it was precisely because of this that the white-haired smiling girl’s song began to fill the venue.
People realized that this girl was the princess who had never appeared in the play until now.
Such a beautiful face! Such a fantastic song!
Regardless of gender, all the children in the audience fell into their first love.
Some men were led to believe they were dreaming.
Some women found tears streaming down their faces for an unknown reason.
Some elderly men mistook themselves for having entered heaven.
The princess’s song nestled itself in the hearts of the people.
Clear skies. The rising sun. Warm touches.
No words could express it sufficiently.
Simply by listening to the song, the darkness in their hearts vanished.
It was a gentle song.
Even the followers of the Cult of the Grim Reaper, who had been filled with madness due to their beliefs, gradually softened in demeanor.
As the princess appeared on stage, the witch, genuinely flustered, trembled and struggled to deliver her lines.
The princess seemed unfamiliar with raising her voice, speaking slowly and clearly.
The performance continued.
The followers of the Cult of the Grim Reaper, previously indifferent to the play, began to focus intently on the stage after the princess’s appearance.
The more they watched her act and the more they listened to her voice, the clearer their minds felt.
They began to grapple with doubts about the beliefs they had held onto until now.
It was merely a play, and nothing more than reciting rational lines.
Yet, the princess’s words held an inexplicable power.
For reasons they didn’t understand, it felt as if the princess’s words were correct.
Simultaneously, they felt shame towards themselves for contemplating ruining this play and festival.
And so, once the play concluded.
All the actors came out, joined hands, and deeply bowed to the audience in greeting.
In that moment as the play ended, cheers and applause erupted.
By rights, the followers should have bitten their tongues and detonated the bombs right then and there.
However, they could not do so.
They, too, were applauding the actors who had delivered a splendid performance.
‘That’s right, let’s live kindly from now on.’
‘The world still has hope. No wonder, it’s so beautiful.’
‘Terrorism is bad. You can’t save the world through terror. Love and peace are the true hope.’
‘Mom, from today, I will live diligently.’
‘After this festival ends, I will turn myself in.’
The followers present saw new hope through the performance.
They abandoned their misguided beliefs.
In this way, the plans prepared by the Cult of the Grim Reaper and the prophet were completely derailed.
