'So… were my thoughts wrong?'
Unwan wondered. He tried to justify himself, to convince his own mind that his reasoning had been correct. Fred and others, meanwhile, showed no sign of stopping. Only occasionally pausing for a second or two to catch their breath.
'Were my thoughts wrong? Really? Is intelect something you only gain after time has passed? Or is strengh merely something that is granted, never something you can truly attain on your own?'
'No'
'Then why? Why do I still have no power? Why am I still weak? Why can I not reach it?'
There was no answer. Perhaps one existed, but it was not something a healthy human mind could ever arrive at.
But was Unwan a healthy human being?
A tiny spark flickered within his mind. It was not hope, nor opportunity, nor faith. It was sorrow, cold clarity, and bitter truth.
'I… I see now. I didn't want it badly enough. I didn't chase it. I didn't work for it. No matter how intelligent I thought I was, I was a fool for missing this simple truth. Did I really struggle? No. Did I suffer? No…'
'Did I suffer?'
Unwan fell silent. His body and mind both grew still. He didn't want to answer. He didn't want to admit it. Because suffering, pain, was strange. For some, it was a dream. For others, the thing they feared most. But had he truly suffered?
'Yes. I suffered. But if that's true, why do I still have no power? Then it means I didn't suffer enough.'
But was that really the truth? Unwan had already endured countless hardships. Since birth, even. His bruised, battered body was proof enough. He had endured pain for a long time, but his patience was finally wearing thin.
So then… where was his source of power?
***
The grimoire shot out from the Greater Spell, leaving behind only a trail of light. Its form was that no one could clearly see it. It passed through houses, buildings, and roads like a sound itself, leaving only a sharp whoosh in the air and a deep violet glow behind.
Some people, upon seeing the light, rushed indoors and hid. Others tightened their grip on themir sword hilts, readying themselves. Even some Mechanical Guardians lowered their artificial arms, preparing maces and swords.
But the grimoire did not slow.
If anything, it seemed to accelerate with every passing second. It already knew where its Owner was. Unwan's soul had already bonded with it. Now, it was only a matter of time.
***
— "Had enough?" Fred sneered. "We're starting to lose our appetite.
Unwan waited a moment before speaking.
— Cruelty blinds a person. But this isn't cruelty, you're just saying that because there's no uninjured part of me left.
— Don't pretend to be clever. You've already killed any intention we had of letting you go.
— Don't act like you ever intended to.
— Tch… enough. I'm tired of listening to you. Dorgon, you know what to do.
One of Fred's friend smiled, a chilling grin spreading across his face.
— Of course. You two can go.
— "I trust you," Fred said.
As Fred and the other man left the blind alley, they glanced back at Unwan.
— "Let's hope Dorgon doesn't torture you too much," they said mockingly. "Not too much."
Dorgon watched them leave, then slowly slipped his hand into his pocket. As he pulled something out, he spoke calmly.
— Life is a great blessing. To value it… to cherish it… that is important.
Unwan thought about those words. They contradicted everything Dorgon was about to do.
— But taking that blessing away from someone is a pleasure. Tell me, giving such a gift to weaklings like you… isn't that a waste? I believe depriving people like you of it is both my duty and my right.
Unwan searched for a counterargument, and found one.
— Then there would be no living beings left. After all, every person is weak as a child, as a baby. Would you kill them too?
A strange expression crossed Dorgon's face.
— That doesn't count. They're children.
— And what difference does that make? Where's your equality? Your justice? I'm weak, they're weak, so why me?
— They're weak because they're young. You're weak even now.
— And is it truly right to judge worth by age? Isn't your logic flawed?
Dorgon paused. Even after 5 seconds later, he had no answer.
— Tch. Don't waste my time. Will you live another two minutes or not? Why should I talk to my prey?
Suddenly, he lunged forward. Unwan didn't fully understand what was happening. To him, Dorgon was just charging straight at him. Both arms moved with his stride. But in one hand... there was something sharp.
Realizing this, Unwan tried to stand. Tried to run. But he couldn't.
His legs, his entire body, were too badly injured. He couldn't even stand upright. Pain surged through every inch of him, locking him in place.
And besides… this was a blind alley. One entrance. One exit. There was nowhere to run.
Dorgon closed the distance in an instant and drove the sharp object straight into Unwan's abdomen.
Unwan froze. For several seconds, he did nothing, then collapsed to the ground. The pain was unbearable, tearing through him. But that alone wasn't what broke him.
His body had already been suffering.
This, this was different.
For the first time, he felt death standing right before him.
Dorgon looked down at him, smiling cruelly.
— This is your end. Just as I said, depriving life from the weak is both my duty and my right.
Unwan spat blood. This time, far more than before. He didn't answer.
Instead, he thought about his weakness, about how merciless and unjust life was, about how he was unwanted by everyone.
'So this is really the end… Hah. The things I managed to do… and all the things I never could.'
Unwan laughed. It became his final smile.
'Funny… in a moment like this, even the last sparks of hope grow cold, and the truth of life reveals itself. I wish I had been given that truth earlier… No. I was given it. I just understood half of it in the morning, and the rest only now.'
Dorgon turned away.
— Let's hope you're not weak in the next world, unlucky fool.
Unwan stared at him. He felt it, this was his final glimpse of the living world. Life was slipping farther away. Death was drawing closer.
He closed his eyes. He wanted to think of nothing. But one last thought remained.
'Power… should only belong to those who are intelligent or just.'
His thoughts loosened, fading like drifting into sleep. And then—
Something interrupted the darkness.
A deep violet light erased the blackness behind his closed eyes.