21. Cult
"Salvation"
"Salvation"
In a spacious hall, several people dressed in white, their faces filled with worry, repeatedly shouted the same word in trembling voices. They clasped their hands tightly, eyes closed in deep prayer.
Before them, a man dressed in white sat calmly on a golden-yellow throne, his face exuding serenity, a stark contrast to the unease around him. Beside the throne stood a figure dressed in black, standing rigidly and armed.
Hearing the praises from his followers, Cores smiled gently. Slowly, he raised his hand, signaling for silence.
Cores rose gracefully from his golden throne, holding a radiant golden staff in his hand, and spoke, "The obedient will be saved."
Cheers of joy erupted in the room. The followers' faces lit up upon hearing Cores' words. Their previously despair-filled eyes now shone with hope.
They looked at Cores with profound admiration, having witnessed firsthand the miracles performed by their leader.
Cores was not just a leader to them but a savior. He had created a safe zone and even managed to drive away zombies with a mere wave of his hand. To them, he was godlike.
Life here was far better than at the base, where they had to scavenge for food and labor tirelessly. Here, they only needed to sit and pray while enjoying meat daily.
And if chosen by Lord Cores for sacrifice, they believed they would enter a beautiful realm after death.
In the midst of the crowd, figures clad in black entered the hall, causing a hush to fall over the room. The followers stepped aside, clearing the way for Yuta to pass.
Once in front of Cores, Yuta lowered a person from his shoulder.
"The lost shall face punishment," Cores declared loudly.
"The lost shall face punishment."
"The lost shall face punishment."
The followers enthusiastically echoed his words. Cores glanced at the unconscious person on the ground, hiding a sly grin. In truth, he had intended to capture the scientists at the laboratory who had thwarted his plans. However, due to limited weaponry, he had only managed to take a hostage.
"Take this lost woman to the Chamber of Redemption," he ordered.
Then he turned his gaze to Yuta. "You will be blessed" he said with a sly smile.
Changing his expression into a soft smile, he looked at the foolish followers before him. "I wonder who the lucky ones will be this Thursday."
"Lord Cores, please choose me!"
"Me!"
"Me!"
The enthusiasm of the crowd invigorated him slightly.
Amid the bustling noise, a woman sat trembling. Her face was pale, sweat dripping coldly from her forehead. Her eyes anxiously tracked the movements of the staff conducting the selection.
Each time the staff pointed at someone, her heart raced faster. She clenched her hands tightly, not wanting to watch, and closed her eyes tightly.
Thud!
Her body stiffened as she felt a soft touch on her shoulder, making her feel as though the world had momentarily stopped.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, filled with hope. Her gaze shifted from the staff to the man standing before her.
The man's smile was etched on his face, but it wasn't the kind of smile that brought warmth. It was more unsettling.
"Congratulations to the final chosen one," he announced.
An elderly woman beside her nudged her. "I envy you. Congratulations."
o0o
Karina carefully examined the tattoo of a snake and an eagle emblazoned on the chest of the man before her, identical to the one possessed by the mutant.However, confusion crept in as she realized that many others also bore the same tattoo. Karina grabbed a knife and pressed it against the snake beside the name 'Jeno,' causing the man to scream in pain.
"Where did this tattoo come from?" she demanded.
The man grimaced, blood seeping onto his clothes. Gasping for breath, he replied, "The tattoo... hah, it's... sold widely at the market." His gaze avoided Karina's piercing eyes.
But Karina wasn't satisfied with his answer. She pressed the knife deeper into his skin, eliciting another pained scream. No one around heard his cries, leaving her feeling free.
"This isn't publicly sold. Only members of our gang have it," she declared.
Raising an eyebrow, she kicked his shoulder. "Take me to your gathering place."
Jeno grinned broadly at her request. If he could bring the scientist to his headquarters, he couldn't wait to see what rewards awaited him.
"I'll take you," Jeno said eagerly. But suddenly, his mouth was forcibly pried open, and a pill was shoved inside.
Reflexively, he tried to expel the pill by jamming his fingers into his mouth, but his efforts were in vain and only worsened his injuries.
"If you cooperate, I'll give you the antidote," she said.
Jeno lamented his misfortune. He now realized he was trapped in this cruel game. Driving the car, he appeared restless, his body weakening from the toxin he had just ingested.
Meanwhile, the one who had administered the poison sat calmly in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing at Jeno with a smile that Jeno found more terrifying than a demon's. Quickly, he looked away.
He furrowed his brows, seemingly deep in thought. "If this scientist dies at the headquarters, she will perish without the antidote. But if I save her, I'll die at the boss's hands."
o0o
When they arrived at the headquarters Jeno had mentioned, she tied her hands securely with a rope. After making a strong knot, she looked sharply at Jeno before closing her eyes.As she was brought into the hall, her ears were bombarded with praises for the false god. The urge to smash his head surged strongly within her heart.
Jeno nudged her hand, signaling her to wake up.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, feigning weakness. In truth, she could have easily overpowered the false god. However, there was a specific vengeance she needed to fulfill first.
"I apologize for this unpleasant treatment. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Emperor Cores. You may call me Kai or Cores," he said.
The sight of his smile made her feel disgusted, but she forced a smile and began her act.
She widened her eyes in feigned surprise. Weakly, she sat on a chair, aided by Jeno.
"I've heard much about you. It's an honor," she said with a slight bow.
"No need to be formal. Perhaps it was fate that brought us together. I believe I've seen your face before. Aren't you the lover of Haven's leader?"
"That's correct," she replied.
Several individuals entered, bringing food and placing it before her.
"Please enjoy this simple welcome," he said.
Karina only smiled as she looked at the food. "If I may ask, why did you kidnap me and my companion?"
"I apologize for the inconvenience. Your friend is resting in a room. I merely wish to ask about the new drug developed by Haven. You're quite the brilliant inventor."
Hearing the awaited question, she smiled slyly. "Actually, I'm not the one who created it."
"What do you mean?" Cores asked, his voice rising slightly.
Feigning embarrassment, she said, "It's not right to lie before God, so I must confess."
"Another scientist discovered it. Due to my relationship with the base's leader, I claimed their hard work as my own with my lover's help." She pinched her thigh to force tears to flow.
"I've sinned greatly. Please forgive me," she said, successfully shedding tears that deeply moved those watching. But inside, she rejoiced. Wasn't this exactly what the protagonist wanted—a confession of their hard work in a previous life?
In this life, she would repay in kind. An eye for an eye, and death for death. After all, she was never a good person to forgive freely.
0o0