Chapter 15: Origin Fire Test [l]

"Madman! Who wants to be his manager?"

"Yeah! The previous manager was brutally dismembered in the open market!"

"Previous? All his managers met worse deaths, and compared to others, insulting each other was nothing."

"B… but if no one chooses to be his manager, then our death is also not far away."

A timid young boy narrated his thoughts.

Thud!

A ferocious giant body patted the timid boy's shoulder.

"Boy, choose your death wisely."

"Yeah, we chose to die here rather than live every day in fear!"

Gulp!

The timid boy retracted his thoughts and stared blankly at the sky, as if letting go of all his worldly belongings.

Like this, sharp and vicious arguments reverberated throughout the surroundings, sending chills through any heart.

Among them, one pale boy with mid-tone skin lowered his head, staring blankly with hazy eyes.

'Where am I?'

'Who am I?'

Suddenly, he clutched his head with both hands and slumped to the ground.

"My head is splitting!"

Clenching his teeth, his pale face became even paler, and his head was tightly clamped between his knees.

Drip!

The soil greedily absorbed the drop of blood, waiting expectantly for the crimson bead hanging at the corner of his lips to fall.

A moment seemed to pass like an eternity…

His grip on his head loosened, and the clamping on his head ceased.

His hazy eyes regained some color, and trembling, he stood up and stared blankly at the mass of people chattering endlessly with no outcome.

Licking his lips, he spat out the blood and swallowed, trying to calm his nerves.

'I'm Code Number 31.'

Slowly, he recalled his identity, and his eyes wandered back and forth between the crowd.

'I'm in prison… And my sole purpose is to become the manager of the rising champion.'

Gradually, he reached the conclusion of who he was, where he was, and what his purpose in life was. That was enough for him to know what he should do.

"I'll become the manager!"

A sharp and bold voice, contrary to his body, reverberated throughout the entire prison, instantly descending into pin-drop silence.

"Who!"

"Who is the madman!"

Suddenly, all the prisoners roared in unison, their loud voices reverberating in the prison cell.

A hand was raised in the air as the sharp and bold voice continued to echo.

"I'll become the manager, you mongrels! Cowards who can only choose to live at the leniency of death!"

Everyone's eyes widened, but before they could even voice their thoughts, the voice continued to resonate throughout the prison.

"Don't forget the purpose! Why were you even born? To be sneered at by others?"

"No. Never!"

"Then why hide in the skirt of your own sister, you mongrel? Because you fear death? Death will come once, but fear will make you swallow your entire life, you mongrels! You pathetic fools can't even understand this! Don't justify your life with these false bases! False bases always tremble and drive you even deeper into the abyss!"

"Code Number 31!"

A voice reverberated through the speaker across the whole prison, and the boy's gaze wandered as he quickly understood how they had found him.

'Cameras are fitted in every dimension of the building, leaving no loophole.'

Shrugging his shoulders, he strode toward the prison gate while the other prisoners made way for him—some fantasizing, some sneering, some glaring… each displaying their own distinct expressions as if in cosplay.

Before the boy stood two guards with masks on their faces and guns in their hands.

"Come behind us!"

The boy nodded and followed them.

After passing through many prison cells, he now stood before a monumental gate, and the guards simply returned to their places before instructing him.

"Beyond that door lies your manager journey."

The young boy stared at the colossal gate, which seemed like a fortress whose durability could surpass all human attacks.

'My goal is to be…'

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, the young boy groaned, clutching his head as if memories were being forcefully poked out of his mind. His still-hazy eyes were becoming clearer as the process continued.

'So, I'm not a native of this planet and…'

"Why can't I access more?"

The young boy whispered under his breath, trying to comprehend his surroundings.

Some moments later…

The young boy stood with a paler face, his once-clear eyes returning to their previous hazy state, as if he were once again unaware of himself—unknown to even the young boy himself, except for his origin and purpose.

'I have to know!'

Creak!

The colossal gate faltered, creating just enough passage in and out, and a cold, emotionless voice echoed from the other side.

"Code Number 31, His Majesty demands your presence!"

Taking a deep breath, the young boy stepped forward, moving toward the colossal gate carefully, lest he make a mistake that would lead to his death.

Step… Step…

A sight came before him that left him in awe.

'Marvelous!'

A young soldier, clad in a luxurious silky cape with his abs and strong muscles visibly exposed, stood armed with a spear, a sword hanging at his waist. He looked dignified and noble. But the most intriguing and captivating aspect was the blue flame illuminating behind him, as if symbolizing something.

'What is this? This familiarity!'

A broad-shouldered man, also with a sword hanging at his waist, strode toward the young soldier.

"Your Majesty! He is Code Number 31, your selected manager!"

The young soldier gave a brief glance at the young boy before nodding to the broad-shouldered man.

"Make him wear some tidy clothes before sending him to my probation office."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The young soldier turned around, his cape flailing mindlessly, and soon disappeared, leaving the young boy standing in the grand hall with the broad-shouldered man and the remaining soldiers, their whispered murmurs reverberating in the air.