《Pandemonium: Struggle for Survival》


 Chapter 1 - God and Devil

    Within an empty, white space two individuals were arguing. One a god, and the other a devil.


    The god was a charming, pale little boy with short blonde hair, he seemed young enough to the extent that he could be considered a child at a glance. He was garbed in a white toga, two similarly colored angelic wings sprouted out from behind his small back, and he wielded a divine bow at his side.


    In comparison, the devil had a purple tint to his skin and was much larger than the boy. He towered over the boy enough to cast a shadow over him. The devil looked like an older youth with long black hair that covered the sides of his face, twisted black horns sprouting out from the side of his head, similarly colored demonic wings sprouted out from behind his back, and he wielded a ghastly dark trident at his side.


    ¡°Tell me¡­ Ain!¡± The devil yelled in frustration, ¡°Why do you continue to hold faith in such¡­ such scum! Do you not recall their origins?! What of Adam?! What of Eve?! Are they not simply vermin that destroy all those around them?!¡±


    The devil pointed his trident outward, and what appeared directly in the trident¡¯s line of sight was a distant planet. Earth.


    The mere sight of the dying planet filled the devil with disgust. How is it that even after the god Ain had expelled them from his planet Eden and to the developing planet Earth, they would also bring corruption and devastation unto Earth as well? The once beautiful planet was constantly being destroyed bit by bit. Extinction. Pollution. Starvation. It was in a state of decay that the humans living on it brought upon themselves. Although they had the means to fix it, it seemed tantamount to an impossible task, this the devil knew. If someone were to ask the devil why, he would have responded with a simple reason. Humans were selfish. They were greedy. They were flawed beings, and yet, it was exactly because of this that makes them human.


    ¡°Calm yourself, Yalda. I believe in them, as I believe in myself,¡± the god named Ain replied.


    What else could he have said? Ain had modeled them after himself, after all. If he had denied their existence, was he not denying his own existence as well?


    ¡°You¡­!¡± The devil named Yalda was at a loss for words. He opened and closed his mouth, seemingly to begin to say something, before abruptly pausing and opening his mouth again. Yalda sighed, shook his head, and made strange hand motions in concert with his opening and closing mouth.


    It was quite a funny sight to behold if one were to look at it from a spectator¡¯s point of view.


    Yalda placed a palm on his face in resignation. He seemed disappointed in Ain.


    ¡°You believe in them, you say?¡± Yalda asked quietly whilst removing his palm from his face.


    ¡°I do,¡± Ain replied confidently.


    Ain was well aware. Humans were selfish, but what of it? Was he and Yalda not selfish as well? Were they not just as flawed? Ain knew better than anyone that humans had their own strengths, and one particular strength prevailing over all others that was even enough to impress a god like him.


    ¡°You fool¡­ Even after all this time¡­¡± Yalda whispered. How could he convince Ain? Was it even possible? Ain had endured watching the slow decay of Earth for millenniums, and yet he still believed in the cause of its decay. The thought agonized him.


    A realization. An idea flashed through Yalda¡¯s mind. To convince Ain¡­ Didn¡¯t he just have to prove it? Humans were vile and base beings, although they themselves could understand and see the problems plaguing them, they were unable to put past their selfishness to act for the greater good.


    The devil Yalda began to laugh maniacally. His sudden bout of laughter caused Ain to wrinkle his brows in confusion.


    ¡°Then do you dare¡­?!¡± Yalda screamed. He stretched his right hand out, and plunged it into his own chest. The gruesome sound of flesh being punctured and rended echoed out within the white space.


    ¡°Yalda! Have you gone mad?!¡± Ain reached out towards Yalda¡¯s right arm in an effort to stop his bizarre actions.


    Yalda pointed the trident in his left hand towards Ain in a threatening manner, making Ain stop in his tracks. His right hand left his chest in a closed fist. Yalda slowly stretched and opened the hand, revealing the contents within.


    A strange, purple pearl rest on his open palm. The pearl would occasionally pulsate, indicating that it possessed a life of its own. Strange violet wisps of mist revolved around the pearl.


    Ain gasped.


    ¡°The Hades Heart, for,¡± Yalda named the pearl in his hand, while pointing his trident out with the other. The trident pointed at what was above Ain¡¯s head. A radiant yellow halo was what floated above it.


    Ain understood Yalda¡¯s actions. The devil wanted to make a wager with him.


    ¡°You believe in them, don¡¯t you? Then prove your beliefs! The seven billion of your creations against the seven of mine!¡± Even as black blood trickled out of the corner of Yalda¡¯s mouth, he spoke clearly and confidently.


    Yalda¡¯s Seven Demons against the seven billion humans of Earth.


    Unlike the humans that hide and ignore their flaws, Yalda¡¯s apostles were exceptional beings that accepted their flaws. They were legends that became the embodiment of sin themselves.


    Yalda snapped his fingers and seven silhouettes, projections appeared behind him.


    The demons Belphegor, Asmodeus, Mammon, Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub, and Abbadon.


    Yalda was confident that even a single one of them was sufficient in annihilating humanity. If both their creations were to truly collide at this point in time, it would not be a fight, but simply a one-sided massacre.


    Ain sweated at Yalda¡¯s declaration. He was also aware of the inevitable result if the two sides were to clash in the present, but even his convictions were called into question. Ain knew it was impossible for humans for now¡­ but it hadn¡¯t always been impossible. All he needed was time. A change in the human mindset, a rearrangement of the paradigm.


    Currently, humans were at the top of the food chain¡­ but it hadn¡¯t always been that way. They had grown complacent due to the lack of predators and threats, opting to fight amongst themselves because of it. They had become spoiled. Helpless. How many of them were truly ¡®capable¡¯? Relying on heated weapons that would have no effect on Yalda¡¯s creations¡­ How could the humans of the present be compared to the humans of the past, when they were forced to hone their bodies and push themselves to their limits in order to survive? Constantly adapting, evolving, and improving themselves, whereas their growth as of now had reached a dead end.


    ¡°I accept your wager, Yalda, but¡­!¡± Ain pointed his finger out to the vast white space. The finger landed on a large planet several times the size of Earth, covered in patches of strange colors. This was the planet named Pandemonium.


    ¡°We do this on the planet Pandemonium with the God and Devil system, and I want to give them a grace period of ten years!¡± Ain listed several conditions.


    ¡°Ten years is too long, five!¡± Yalda bargained.


    ¡°Fine, but after the five year period, you can¡¯t send your seven apostles in simultaneously, they can only be sent to Pandemonium in yearly intervals,¡± Ain gritted his teeth.


    ¡°Then we have a deal, Ain,¡± Yalda¡¯s eyes flashed ominously.


    Ain knew better than anyone else. His creations, humans, were inherently flawed, but even so! Out of all the beings he had seen thus far, there was absolutely nothing that could match up to their persistence, tenacity, and drive to survive. He just had to reignite it. In his anger he had cast Adam and Eve out of his planet of paradise, Eden, into the hellhole that was the developing planet of Earth where they were among the weakest of creatures. At the time they were no different than ants. He had expected them to die off, but they hadn¡¯t. A handful of humans developed and multiplied into seven billion. A handful of humans survived in a time where predators roamed the Earth and survival was nigh impossible for them. This was the power of their persistence, where humans were able to make the impossible possible!


    ¡®Sending you to Pandemonium with a functional God and Devil system, and giving you five years is all I can do. Prove me wrong once more, humanity!¡¯ The god Ain silently hoped.


    ¡­


    Morning.


    In a small, dilapidated apartment, a young man was reading a newly opened letter in his hands.


    ¡®Dear Chrono Freed,


    We regret to inform you¡­¡¯


    He crumpled the letter and tossed it to the side without reading the rest of its contents.


    ¡°Another failed interview,¡± Chrono bitterly chuckled.


    The young man had messy black hair that made his eyes barely visible. If one had the fortune, or rather, misfortune to see his eyes, their initial impressions would be that they were dead and mechanical. He naturally radiated an unapproachable aura.


    ¡°Boring¡­ Everything is so¡­¡± Chrono lifelessly murmured.


    He was eighteen this year, recently graduating from a renowned university a few months ago with a Master¡¯s Degree in Human Psychology along with the highest honors. He was hailed as a genius, and everyone predicted that he¡¯d have a bright future ahead of him despite his personality.


    ¡°Even back then¡­ It was so¡­¡± Chrono continued, his dull eyes continuing to stare into the nothingness.


    Parents deceased, no living relatives. His academic achievements and background didn¡¯t seem to help him in entering the workforce. What had he been doing all this time?


    He felt like he wasn¡¯t living, but simply surviving. Clinging onto an empty husk of life. Functioning like a living dead, a machine.


    When was the last time he felt excitement? He had forgotten. It was too long, too many years ago for him to remember.


    Chrono thought that living a meaningless life like this was a life better off not living.


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    Chrono sighed, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. Darkness engulfed his vision. A small part of him wanted for things to stay like this forever. However, the world always seemed to work against people¡¯s wishes.


    At that instant, all seven billion humans of the Earth¡¯s population disappeared. The young, the old, even the newly born and those on the precipice of death. They vanished into thin air.


    The same seven billion people reappeared on another planet. The planet Pandemonium.


    A strange, unfamiliar smell entered into his nostrils. This smell was unlike the usual artificial stink of his dilapidated apartment. It was a much more different and natural smell that prompted him to open his eyes.


    A different scenery entered his view. Chrono moved his head to the left and right. He was surrounded by trees as far as his eyes could see. He was also surrounded by many others of different age, sex, and nationalities. He estimated it to be around one or two hundred scattered people. In actuality, it was precisely two hundred people summoned to this particular location.


    A scarce few of the summoned were in the middle of bathing or using the toilet, placing them in extremely odd and uncompromising situations.


    The forest was completely quiet as those summoned were still trying to process the events that unfolded. They were unable to keep up with the sudden change.


    Chrono noticed a small icon in the shape of a body on the upper left corner of his view. Focusing on the icon, it expanded into a transparent window. The appearance of the window slightly startled him. He thought that this all functioned similarly like a UI.


    Name: Chrono Freed


    Title: N/A


    Affiliation: N/A


    Health: 100/100


    Mana: 190/190


    Strength: 8


    Intelligence: 12


    Vitality: 10


    Wisdom: 19


    Agility: 10


    Status effects: Divine Protection of Ain (all forms of damage are nullified for the duration of five minutes)


    Right as Chrono opened his status window, the panic finally began to set in for others. The sudden noises disrupted his concentration, and the window vanished.


    ¡°Where the hell are we?!¡± Someone asked.


    ¡°Mommy!¡± A child cried.


    It seemed like everyone was teleported independently and randomly to a designated location on Pandemonium.


    Chrono remained unfazed even in a situation such as this. The only thing that changed about him was that his heart rate and pulse had unknowingly slightly sped up. Was this¡­ nervousness? Was he feeling¡­ excited?


    No, it couldn¡¯t be compared to that extent, yet.


    ¡®Annoying,¡¯ Chrono thought of the sounds generated from the ones panicking around him. The phenomenon they were experiencing couldn¡¯t be explained, so why bother? Chrono knew that thinking uselessly about such an issue as of now would only create stress and affect your mental capabilities. He tuned out the sounds and re-focused on the icon to the upper left of his view, opening his status window once more. This time, he focused on each stat individually. A small description for each of the stats appeared.


    Health: Current well-being, a prolonged zero stat will result in death


    Mana: Required to use certain spells or skills


    Strength: Fitness, Physical strength


    Intelligence: Knowledge, Magical strength


    Vitality: Stamina and physical defense, ten health increases per every point


    Wisdom: Judgment ability and magical defense, ten mana increases per every point


    Agility: Reaction speed, speed, dexterity


    ¡°Ding!¡± A sound of a bell echoed out into the minds of everyone. Chrono¡¯s status window was forcefully closed, and another blinking icon appeared next to the status icon. The new icon was in the shape of a closed scroll.


    Chrono focused his attention on the new icon, and another transparent window popped up.


    Quest Log:


    Introduction to Pandemonium (Mandatory Quest) - 4:58


    He further focused on the only active quest on the list.


    Introduction to Pandemonium (Mandatory Quest):


    Welcome to the planet Pandemonium. All seven billion inhabitants of Earth have been transported over to this lawless world. Pandemonium has an active God and Devil System and with it, you can surpass the barriers of humanity that were placed on you back on Earth. Struggle! Adapt! Unite! This is your only hope of surviving. As an important note, you must not fail any mandatory quests! Take a weapon to defend yourself with. - Ain


    Success Conditions: An introductory weapon is acquired by the time five minutes are over.


    Failure Conditions: You are not in possession of an introductory weapon by the time five minutes are over.


    Rewards: Acquired introductory weapon


    Chrono closed the window and thought over its contents.


    ¡®An introductory weapon¡­¡¯


    Brilliant flashes of light appeared within the forest, and piles of weapons fell to the ground.


    There were twenty piles of ten weapons each scattered all around their vicinity, two hundred of them. The weapons were precisely enough for each of the summoned people.


    The weapons were varied from knives to axes, swords, spears, bows and the like. What they all had in common was that the weapons looked very simple, and when focused upon, their information windows would show an ¡®Introductory¡¯ title next to the respective weapon¡¯s name.


    Chrono slowly walked towards a pile of weapons, ¡®Is it safe?¡¯ he thought. Could he freely take any of the weapons? Were there any traps? Similar questions appeared in his mind.


    There was only one way to be safe, and that would be to not be the first, nor the last in acquiring a weapon. The first to take a weapon would bear the highest risk of springing any traps, and the last would be at the highest risk for failing the quest.


    Chrono stood near a pile of weapons while observing the actions of the others.


    Time continued to tick, and there were four minutes left until the quest¡¯s deadline. It was at this moment that others finally began making their move, and Chrono saw the first person safely pick up a weapon.


    ¡°So it¡¯s safe,¡± Chrono whispered, and reached his hands out towards the pile.


    The time limit for the quest neared five minutes, and there were mere seconds left before its completion.


    People around were still scavenging in search of weapons, others refused to take up arms, and a child or two continued to cry, unaware of the situation.


    Chrono remained standing still and carefully observed his quest window.


    Quest Log:


    Introduction to Pandemonium (Mandatory Quest) - 0:05


    Time continued to pass until there were only three seconds left, then two, one¡­


    He swiftly gazed at those that still haven¡¯t acquired any weapons.


    The quest timer finally hit 0:00, and those that haven¡¯t met the quest¡¯s success conditions¡­ exploded.


    Their bodies exploded violently into a mass of chunky blood and gore.


    Those who were near were showered and drenched in the blood of the deceased.


    All hell broke loose as the survivors erupted into a mass hysteria. Screams of disbelief echoed out within the forest.


    They didn¡¯t know at this time that their noise would attract the original inhabitants of the forest, and little did they know that the second the first quest ended, the Divine Protection of Ain disappeared from them.


    The second mandatory quest rang out with a ¡°Ding!¡±


    It was titled, ¡®Escape from the Forest.¡¯


    Panic. Confusion. Fear.


    People were filled with a variety of different emotions.


    Amidst the chaos of the 164 survivors in the area, there was only one person who felt happiness, utter euphoria.


    He stood there breathing heavily. He felt his heart rate quickly speed up. Droplets of blood cascaded down his cheek.


    He said, ¡°I missed this feeling of excitement!¡±


    ¡­


    In a separate dimension, within an empty, white space two individuals watched similar events transpire to seven billion people all around Pandemonium.


    ¡°Do you see, Ain? Bear witness to their true nature,¡± Yalda said.


    Ain watched the seven billion solemnly. He didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry.


    ¡®They may be flawed, but¡­!¡¯ Ain clenched his fists tightly, ¡®It¡¯s what makes them human!¡¯ He silently repeated in his mind.


    ¡°Humans are greedy¡­¡± Yalda¡¯s words were like a sweet, sweet whisper.


    The devil didn¡¯t need to say anymore for Ain to understand.


    If only they hadn¡¯t taken more than they needed¡­ Many more would have survived. Ain thought back to Adam and Eve, and shook his head.


    Some were still scavenging, searching for introductory weapons, but were unable to find any.


    There should have been enough for everyone¡­ So why?


    To sate their greed, some took more than they needed and hoarded weapons. Some took several weapons, indirectly leading the others to their death.


    Ain shook his head, turned, and walked away.


    Yalda kept watching. The devil¡¯s gaze briefly scanned across the survivors, paying special attention to those that took more than one weapon.


    Yalda briefly paused his gaze on a man. The man¡¯s face was splattered in small amounts of blood, and his expression shocked Yalda. He was surprised to discover that the man wore the same expression he currently wore. In the man¡¯s situation however, that expression was completely out-of-place. A twisted grin. Yalda suddenly felt a shiver crawl up his spine, and quickly averted his gaze.


    ¡°What was that¡­?¡± Yalda asked to no one in particular. His body was trembling.


    A human had frightened a devil.


    That man Yalda saw, Chrono, had four weapons hidden on his body.

 Chapter 2 - Rising to the Occasion

    ¡°Hahaha! Perhaps I don¡¯t even need to send in my seven creations, they¡¯ll have internal disputes and kill themselves off for me!¡± Yalda laughed.


    Ain was filled with immense disappointment. Had he really been wrong about humanity all along? He paused his footsteps and contemplated.


    No! Was that all his beliefs were worth? It was too soon for him to give into doubt. Although there were indeed many that were greedy and had taken more than one weapon for their own protection or benefit...


    Ain turned around, and watched the many other groups that were scattered all throughout the world of Pandemonium.


    ¡­


    In a meadow, a woman spoke, ¡°Everyone, calm down and listen! Pay attention to the icons on the corner of your vision. Although we¡¯ve all been taken to the middle of nowhere, we can¡¯t jump to any conclusions. The safest thing to do is to follow the quest and listen to the warning of the person named Ain, everyone line up and take a weapon!¡±


    The charismatic woman exuded the aura of a leader.


    The woman had established order amidst all the chaos and confusion. Each person went up to take hold of a single weapon.


    Miraculously, not a single person died in this woman¡¯s group of hundreds.


    ¡­


    In a swamp.


    ¡°No one move! Get down on the ground!¡± A man shouted. He pulled out a sub-machine gun from his side. The man¡¯s entire body was covered in tattoos. On Earth he was a gang leader that dabbled in drugs, arms dealing, and human trafficking.


    ¡°You, you, and you,¡± the man proceeded to count out twenty people that caught his attention, ¡°You¡¯re all the people I need. Gather the weapons and pile them up over here.¡±


    The former gang leader continued giving commands while waving his gun around threateningly.


    ¡®Fuckin¡¯ idiots,¡¯ the man thought, ¡®What the hell can a gun even do with the Divine Protection of Ain? Now¡¯s the best time to gather all the weapons for myself and establish a faction. In times like these the only thing that matters is power, and whoever has the most power wins.¡¯ He grinned menacingly.


    The recently summoned people were in a state of confusion and fear, and most of them were unable to think properly to pay attention to the little details such as the Divine Protection of Ain, especially when a gun was being pointed at them.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who Ain is, or whichever world we¡¯re in. In the end, there are only two kinds of people: Leaders and followers. Anyone here wanna challenge my position as the leader?!¡± the man interrogated the terrified crowd.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think so,¡± he laughed uproariously while picking up an introductory weapon.


    Within this man¡¯s group, aside from himself and the twenty others he selected, everyone else died excruciating deaths, their bodies exploding into chunks of bloody meat.


    ¡­


    In a snowy region.


    ¡°W-Wha?!¡± People were screaming incoherently as the first mandatory quest ¡®Introduction to Pandemonium,¡¯ had finished, and those that failed were burst apart into a shower of gorey blood.


    While people panicked, a single girl stood dazed while looking up into the heavens, ¡°I¡¯m free,¡± she muttered softly with a dagger in hand.


    Earth was an incredibly vast place with deep history. Seven billion people. Among Earth¡¯s long history, there existed special organizations and ancient clans since time immemorial. The people from some of these dark organizations and ancient clans would be bred since young to become what people from modern day would call ¡®Assassins.¡¯


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    These assassins would be given different upbringings depending on their clan, but they would generally adhere to strict training regimens and guidelines. Walking on glass and hot coals, digging their hands through buckets of iron powder, enduring unimaginable physical and mental torture. They were considered non-existent to society and lived only in the underworld.


    Most assassins would be treated like machines and given tasks to complete. If they failed, they would be replaced, and only death awaited them. Their freedom was vastly restricted back on Earth, and at this moment in time many of them had been ¡®liberated,¡¯ here on Pandemonium. Their freedom was restored to them, given back to them as the day they were born. They were set loose into a lawless world.


    ¡°I¡¯ll live life the way I want to,¡± the girl said, and her figure vanished.


    The screaming survivors of the first quest dropped to the floor one after another. A shadow blitz past them and a dagger found its way across their throats. Some of them were clutching onto their necks, trying to stop the blood from making its way out.


    With each person the shadow killed, it could feel a part of the slain¡¯s power flowing into it.


    ¡®A property of Pandemonium¡¯s God and Devil System?¡¯ the shadow thought.


    ¡°H-Hiii! W-what are you doing?! Why are you doing this?!¡± A horrified survivor asked the approaching shadow while running for their life.


    ¡°Because I can,¡± the shadow replied.


    The last survivor fell with a cut to their throat, dead.


    The girl reached out to loot another dagger and jacket off a corpse, and walked into the snow, making her way off.


    In this girl¡¯s group, she was the only survivor.


    ¡­


    Many similar scenes played out on Pandemonium among the once seven billion-strong population of humanity. Now, there were only approximately five billion humans remaining. About two billion humans had lost their life on the first quest and its resulting aftermath alone.


    In times of great chaos and strife, special individuals would make themselves known, rising to the occasion. Those with talents among billions would appear, and those that didn¡¯t know they had them would stand out against the rest. Mayhem would always bring about a growth in character and aptitude, and this was a chance for humanity to shine. This was what Ain had hoped for by sending them to Pandemonium.


    A trace of a smile made its way across Ain¡¯s face as he watched these unique individuals.


    ¡°Now, do YOU see, Yalda?!¡± Ain mocked, ¡°I believe in humanity! I believe in them! I believe in myself! I believe that in five years, they would have grown enough and be ready to defeat your seven apostles, and when they do, I hope you have the Hades Heart prepared for me!¡±


    ¡°Tch,¡± Yalda clicked his tongue in irritation, ¡°Not bad,¡± Yalda praised while he sneered internally.


    ¡®So what if there are still five billion of them left? Their numbers will be used against them. All I need is to wait patiently for five more years...¡¯ Yalda thought. As soon as the five year grace period was over he would send his seven apostles into Pandemonium. Yalda already planned the line-up of his seven demons, and the first demon he would send in...


    ¡®Isn¡¯t that right, my son, Belphegor of Gluttony,¡¯ Yalda mused.


    ¡®Oh, how I can¡¯t wait to see the look on your face while the humans you so believe in devour one another, Ain!¡¯ Yalda thought maliciously as he licked his lip.

 Chapter 3 - Wolf in Sheeps Clothing

    Chrono¡¯s twisted smile almost reached his eyes.


    He had taken a total of four weapons, pocketing three sheathed knives and holding a short sword by his side. Chrono took more than one weapon for several reasons, one of them being for increased protection, but more importantly it was to test his theory. As for those that he indirectly led to their deaths? He couldn¡¯t care less about them. This was to test the quest system. The previous quest¡¯s success conditions was to acquire an introductory weapon, and the reward for the completion of the quest was the acquirement of said weapon, but¡­


    The quest didn¡¯t specify an amount of weapon(s). This meant that however many weapons you could acquire would be your reward for the quest, and this further implied that the quest system,


    ¡®It doesn¡¯t care about the methods to fulfill the conditions,¡¯ Chrono thought. As long as they didn¡¯t fail the quest, they were free to do whatever they wanted within the lawless world.


    At the same time, those who understood this while taking more than one weapon were the truly, ¡®Dangerous ones.¡¯


    The thought of not being bound by rules excited him, living freely without being tied down by the mundane lifestyle back on Earth.


    ¡®This world- Pandemonium. I will enjoy it thoroughly,¡¯ Chrono¡¯s mouth involuntarily curved upwards as he thought.


    Pulling himself out of his reverie of thoughts, he noticed a girl, a brunette with a ponytail staring directly at him with a strange expression. The expression contained minute traces of fear.


    36 people had just exploded into a mass of blood that rained upon them and the entire group was in a crazed uproar, yet there he was, the only one standing there with an utterly depraved smile. Others were vomiting, some would definitely develop a trauma or have nightmares having experienced what they had gone through. It would be stranger if no one had noticed.


    If Ain had seen Chrono at that moment, aside from shivering like Yalda, he would have included him within the group of thousands of ¡®special¡¯ individuals he sought out for. The capable individuals with the highest rate of growth and survival, ¡®Humanity¡¯s hope.¡¯


    A human that could smile in a situation like this, could that still be considered a human? At least to the girl who was observing him, if she were asked, she would have said, ¡®That man isn¡¯t human.¡¯


    She wouldn¡¯t be able to forget the expression Chrono made at this moment in her lifetime even if she tried.


    Chrono cursed inwardly, and he tried to cover up his mistake, hastily changing his twisted grin into a ¡®shy smile.¡¯ He judged that the best thing to do at the moment was to avoid attracting attention, and he had already messed up before he even started. It was best to stay inconspicuous until he was at least powerful enough to protect himself on his own. Individual strength was most important at the end of the day, thus his priority at the moment was finding a way to increase his stats.


    Noticing that Chrono¡¯s smile was directed towards her, she hurriedly turned her head and avoided eye-contact, while thinking, ¡®This person is dangerous.¡¯ However, no one else heard her thoughts.


    Chrono opened up his Quest Log and looked at the newest quest.


    Escape from the Forest (Mandatory Quest):


    The forest you have arrived in is filled with many dangers that are able to threaten your lives. Escape before they find you.


    Success Conditions: Exit the forest.


    Failure Conditions: Die before being able to escape.


    Rewards: Survival


    ¡®This quest is a warning,¡¯ Chrono mused. This quest had no time limit, unlike their first quest. This meant that they could stay in the forest for as long as they pleased, but they had the highest risk of dying here. They had to leave as soon as possible.


    Assuming that the other inhabitants of Earth were teleported to different places, ¡®We¡¯re really unlucky,¡¯ Chrono made a wry expression as he realized.


    A woman¡¯s shout broke the chaos, ¡°Calm- Calm down! Everyone calm down!¡±


    Although the woman¡¯s words were in another language, Chrono, and everyone else, was able to understand the meaning behind them. This was another function of the God and Devil System.


    Everyone¡¯s attention was attracted to the source of the voice, and what they saw was a young woman in a police uniform. A police officer. While everyone¡¯s eyes were attracted towards her, Chrono¡¯s eyes moved towards what was at her waist- a gun.


    ¡°There¡¯s a new quest. We need to leave fast!¡± The police officer continued. The consequences of failing the previous quest was still fresh in everyone¡¯s mind, and they quickly reached a consensus to leave.


    Just because they possessed the will to leave, it didn¡¯t mean that they necessarily could.


    ¡°Why should we listen to your orders? Do you even know a way to leave the forest?¡± A man cut in. He was a giant, bald middle-aged man who wielded an introductory spear, but what stood out about him was his attire. An orange jumpsuit. He was a convicted prisoner, imprisoned for murder. He was in his prison cell just before being summoned. Naturally, his opinion of officers wasn¡¯t very good. He had even known and experienced police officers abusing their power in prison. He didn¡¯t want the group to unconsciously view the police officer as their leader, so he made efforts in swaying the group¡¯s opinion.


    The prisoner¡¯s words planted a seed of doubt within everyone¡¯s minds. Would they be able to leave? Did they even have to listen to the officer?


    ¡°I used to go out camping lots in forests, if everyone wants to get out of here alive, your best bet is to follow me!¡± The prisoner shouted while a grin formed at the corner of his lips.


    The prisoner created a rift in unity within the group. Could they trust the words of a prisoner? People would unconsciously be biased against them, but he did have a point. Besides, who¡¯s to say they¡¯d definitely survive if they listened to the police officer? Two factions were quietly forming within the minds of everyone in the group.


    Still, given the choice between order and chaos, respectively the officer and prisoner, most people would lean towards order. Most had grown up in a lawful society, after all.


    Whether their current mindset was advantageous to their new world remained to be seen...


    Seeing that the majority had sided with the police officer, the prisoner grunted in discontent before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go along with you, for now.¡±


    ¡°You were right though. I haven¡¯t been in any forests and don¡¯t know how to leave them when I¡¯m lost. Since you¡¯ve camped lots, you must know a way, right?¡± The police officer taunted while sneering.


    It was evident that the prisoner was lying to persuade the crowd, and the officer was hiddenly pointing it out. They were words laced in venom.


    ¡®A bunch of monkeys,¡¯ Chrono thought in disdain as he saw them arguing. They were in this sort of situation and yet they were still arguing among themselves. He had considered stealthily ditching the group and traveling on his own, but ultimately decided it was too dangerous and tossed that idea to the side. Traveling in a large group didn¡¯t guarantee safety, on the contrary it would bring more risks by making them a bigger target. Chrono preferred traveling in a small group of capable people, rather than a large group filled with burdens. However, it would attract too much attention to him if he took the initiative to form a small group, so the only option left to him was to make do.


    Chrono wasn¡¯t considered a genius back in his school days for nothing. He had already thought of several ways to leave the maze of a forest. Among those ways were Tr¨¦maux''s Algorithm, where you leave marks of places you¡¯ve traversed as to not get lost, he combined it with the Wall Follower Algorithm, also commonly known as the right or left-hand rule, where you stick your hand out to the same side of a path and move forward, eventually making your way out of the forest.


    The ideal thing to do when lost in a forest was to constantly travel in one direction, not deviating from your decided path. This would eventually get you out of a forest.


    It was obvious to him that the group was going absolutely nowhere, so he had to reluctantly stand out and intervene.


    ¡°U-um, I know a way to leave the forest,¡± Chrono ¡®nervously¡¯ suggested and explained the method to the arguing duo and the group. His words were like a ray of hope, and caused the two to momentarily stop arguing with each other.


    The group of 164 finally came to a consensus, and decided to go with Chrono¡¯s method.


    They chose an optimal direction and started walking, while Chrono quietly thought about the group, ¡®If they continue to get in my way, I won¡¯t hesitate to abandon them.¡¯


    He would unhesitatingly forsake the entire group because when all was said and done¡­


    He had only chosen to stick with the group to use them as scapegoats if they encountered any danger.


    ¡­


    The group had already been trekking for a few minutes. Somewhere along the way, Chrono had inconspicuously made his way to the center of the group. The center was the safest place in case of an ambush from any direction.


    The group was tense as they chattered among themselves in an attempt to dispel their nervousness.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.Chrono was keeping to himself when he suddenly felt a giant arm wrap around his shoulders, along with the words, ¡°Hey man, what¡¯s up? Wanna be my underling?¡±


    The large arm wrapped around his neck seemed like it would snap it at a moment¡¯s notice if the owner of the voice heard the wrong answer. It was like he was being held in a death vice, and it made him feel uncomfortable.


    Chrono continued walking as he turned to see the owner of the arm. It was the prisoner.


    The prisoner had been impressed with Chrono¡¯s earlier display of intelligence and wanted to draw Chrono to his side. Most importantly, Chrono¡¯s ¡®timid¡¯ character made him an easy target for the prisoner, so he decided to assert his dominance and intimidate Chrono. In his eyes Chrono was the prey and he was the predator.


    Chrono didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. His attempt at acting as a weak, background character to avoid attention had worked against him and made him the target of coercion for the prisoner.


    ¡°S-sure,¡± Chrono ¡®nervously¡¯ said as he made an equally nervous smile. There was an unnoticeable sharp glint in his eyes as he thought, ¡®I¡¯ve decided. You¡¯re the first one I¡¯m going to be killing.¡¯


    Someone actually targeted him? Chrono had decided to make it the prisoner¡¯s worst decision in his life.


    ¡°Hahaha! Great! Great! You can call me Big Dog, from now on you¡¯re under my protection,¡± the prisoner laughed with glee and released his overly-familiar arm from Chrono¡¯s shoulder. The two traveled together side-by-side.


    The group continued walking for a few more minutes when suddenly faint sounds could be heard from afar. It was the rustling of bushes and leaves.


    ¡°D-Did you hear that? It came from over there,¡± Someone said and pointed.


    It was a given that their loud screaming and arguing from before would attract attention. Together with the sound of them chatting and moving, the large group of 164 was like a large glowing target to the original inhabitants of the forest.


    From the direction the person pointed at, small, ugly, green creatures with rags tied around their waists gradually came into view. They came in droves, and there was at least fifty of them.


    When the group focused on the creatures the name ¡®Goblin¡¯ popped up above their heads.


    Goblins had the agility, size, and intelligence of children, and they hunted in groups.


    They held a variety of crude weapons and bows, and their weapons were covered in mud-like grime. Others wouldn¡¯t have paid any particular attention to the filth covering their weapons as it seemed to fit into their overall appearance, but Chrono was different.


    ¡®Poison. Looks like there¡¯s going to be a lot of casualties,¡¯ Chrono thought grimly. They had no choice but to run. How could a group of people who had mostly never known death be a match for hunters that had known it their entire life?


    He was right. Goblins may have the intelligence of children, but that wasn¡¯t to say children were dumb. Children held the highest capacity to learn. Goblins were at the bottom of the food chain within the forest, and thus had to devise several methods of scavenging and hunting in groups. They covered their weapons in a mix of their urine, saliva, and feces, developing a natural poison. A single cut by their poison-covered weapons would most likely lead to a very slow and painful death. They, who were at the bottom of the food chain, suddenly found a group who radiated inexperience and fear. A new species that actually seemed to be lower than them in the food chain. They judged the group of humans to be an easy prey. Fresh, soft meat. Food. The thought fired up the morale of the goblins. It was time to hunt.


    An arrow whistled towards the group and pierced into the head of an unsuspecting person, instantly killing them. They didn¡¯t even have the chance to cry out before dying.


    The group quickly fell into disorder, some already began screaming and fleeing in different directions.


    ¡°Run!¡± Someone screamed in terror.


    The goblins broke into the crowd of disorganized humans.


    The cowardly within the group outnumbered the brave, and those that decided to stay and fight were quickly overwhelmed by the experienced methods of the goblins. The prisoner, Big Dog, being one of them.


    In modern times with the exception of the minority, most sane humans were hesitant to kill. Big Dog was a murderer who had already gotten over that hesitation.


    Two goblins with daggers from the vanguard rushed towards Big Dog from the front.


    ¡°You little shits! See how I kill you!¡± Big Dog shouted valiantly as he pierced the brain of one of the approaching goblins with his spear. The other goblin made use of its comrade¡¯s death to slip into the range of Big Dog¡¯s spear and leapt towards him.


    Big Dog saw the goblin¡¯s dagger growing bigger in his eyes. Time slowed down as his life quickly flashed past him, and he thought, ¡®God damn it! Is this how I die?!¡¯


    Chrono circled around the goblin leaping towards Big Dog and pierced its back with one of his introductory daggers. Even though it was Chrono¡¯s first time stabbing anything, there was absolutely no hesitation in his movements like those in the others. His actions were so natural that it made it look like the others who were clumsily fighting look like they didn¡¯t know what they were doing. The goblin yelped in pain as Chrono twisted the dagger in its back and pulled it out.


    The goblin leaping towards Big Dog suddenly paused and fell from mid-air. It was dead. Chrono felt a small amount of power flowing into him after killing the goblin, but there was no time to dwell on it. He had to move fast.


    Chrono quickly took the two pouches tied to the waists of the dead goblins and handed the dagger he had used to kill the goblin to Big Dog while saying indifferently, ¡°Take it. They¡¯re too quick, you need to use a light weapon.¡±


    Big Dog¡¯s eyes widened in confusion and surprise. He took the dagger and said, ¡°Y-You saved my life. Thanks.¡±


    Chrono ignored him and started making his getaway, hurriedly and noticeably distancing himself from Big Dog. ¡®I didn¡¯t save you out of concern. I saved you because I want you to suffer,¡¯ Chrono thought to himself and smirked.


    Big Dog, who was still watching Chrono, noticed an eerie smirk appear on his face as he turned around and ran as far away from him as he possibly could.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Big Dog uttered in confusion. He suddenly noticed a swarm of goblins heading towards and surrounding him.


    Two goblins were dead at Big Dog¡¯s feet. The goblins¡¯ first casualties. The goblins were incensed at their comrades¡¯ death. Big Dog stood conspicuously holding a dagger and spear covered in goblin blood. Coupled with his valiant and intimidating nature, Big Dog looked like a god of war.


    A human, who the goblins had deemed to be helpless, managed to kill some of them? That human looked large and fierce, he was obviously the biggest threat to them. He had to be eliminated, and he couldn¡¯t be forgiven for killing their comrades. He had to be tortured before they killed and ate him.


    Big Dog felt a sharp pain from his back. He was pushed into the ground from a goblin stabbing and tackling him from behind. Goblins quickly piled onto him as they sawed at his hands and feet.


    ¡°Ahhhhhhhh!¡± Big Dog screamed in agony. His vision slowly grew dark, his last view being the fading back of the one who had ¡®saved him.¡¯ In his last moments, he had realized, Chrono wasn¡¯t the prey. He had never been the prey. All along, he had mistakenly targeted a predator.


    The police officer was fumbling while trying to retrieve her revolver. Her hands were trembling. In truth, she had never shot and used it on a ¡®living target¡¯ before. She was preparing to shoot one of the goblins when a hand caught her wrist and pulled her into a run. A young man¡¯s voice entered her ears, ¡°Don¡¯t. Firing that will attract too much attention.¡±


    Chrono dragged the police officer as he ran towards their initial direction alongside some of the remnants of the fleeing group.


    The goblins hadn¡¯t bothered to pursue them, they had hunted enough humans to fill their bellies for the moment. They would stalk and kill the rest for later. It was a part of the hunt.


    Seeing no one pursuing them, Chrono stopped running and released the police officer. He was filled with exhaustion.


    He counted the people around them. There were about thirty people; these should have been the relatively luckier or smarter ones since they all fled towards the direction they decided upon at the beginning. They were all ragged and panting. Chrono noticed a familiar face and smirked before continuing to walk.


    It was the brunette who noticed his twisted smile at the beginning. She had secretly and warily watched him all this time. The girl carefully observed him and followed in the direction he fled in when the goblins attacked. She thought, ¡®Doesn¡¯t anyone else notice? It¡¯s all an act. He isn¡¯t a timid coward like the impression he gives off. He isn¡¯t even afraid. He¡¯s too calm. He¡¯s treating this like this is all a game.¡¯ He was a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. The thought terrified her. Even though she was afraid, she knew of one thing. The highest chance of her and the group¡¯s survival lied with that man: Chrono.

 Chapter 4 - Fragile Unity

    ¡®Struggle! Adapt! Unite!¡¯ Ain¡¯s words resonated within Chrono¡¯s mind. This implied that there was a common enemy and was what Ain said was the key to survival for humanity, but was humanity really capable of doing so? Anyone was able to struggle for their lives. The survivors might even be able to adapt to Pandemonium, but uniting¡­ Was humanity really able to unite? Like Yalda, Chrono didn¡¯t think so.


    The first thing most of the unique individuals that Ain had his eye on would do was to create a faction or backing for themselves, absorbing as much power and people as they possibly could. Not even an hour into their summoning and Big Dog had tried to draw Chrono under him. Who would willingly give away their authority and allow someone else to take control when the hierarchy had been reset on a new planet? The few selfless ones would be the first to die, while the selfish would create an internal struggle within humanity, completely ignorant of humanity¡¯s ¡®common enemy.¡¯ There would be absolutely no unity until humanity had been pushed to the brink of annihilation. Only when humanity felt the threat of extinction would they truly unite, and by that time it¡¯d already have been too late.


    Chrono had no desire to save humanity, nor did he want to be absorbed into a power and be forced to work under anyone. The only thing he valued was freedom and excitement, but it seemed like he¡¯d have to work for his freedom. What good was a playground if you weren¡¯t allowed to play in it? It had become clear to him that the only way he¡¯d truly be free from the solicitations of the other developing powers would be to become strong enough on his own, or to develop his own personal backing. He wasn¡¯t limited to one choice either, so why not both? He had just discovered that his status could be raised when he killed a goblin a moment ago, now all he had to do was establish a faction.


    Even humanity being summoned in separate groups and everything up to this point, it was like it was based on the premise of people and factions growing as a trial by fire. It hadn¡¯t even been a day in Pandemonium, and yet Chrono had been able to put together most of the essential pieces of information.


    ¡®I¡¯m thinking too far into the future, for now¡­¡¯ Chrono thought to himself as he continued to walk. His immediate priority was to leave the forest by night.


    The group of survivors had just fled the pack of goblins and were now resting with their guards down, thinking they had escaped their hunters. Most were on their backs or knees panting with Chrono being the only one continuing to move forward. This undoubtedly drew the attention of others. It looked like he was walking aimlessly, but in fact he was carefully calculating his steps and position. At this point Chrono had already abandoned the idea of not standing out and acting as a nervous pushover. It was clear that the girl from the beginning had already seen through his poor act. It was more advantageous to stop the act because he planned on proving his worth and making a show of leaving the group to go his own way. This was all for taking over the leadership position of the group and establishing a foothold for the creation of his own faction. Even if his play failed, it didn¡¯t make a difference to Chrono at all. It would just mean that there was less of a burden tying him down.


    The stage was nearly set, and the final actor was entering the stage, stalking and targeting the group from above a tree. Due to their carelessness, no one but Chrono was able to detect this uninvited actor. A stray goblin. It was a runt of the litter that had come late to the raid. It must¡¯ve been dismayed that it wasn¡¯t able to make it in time to hunt for any food, and thought itself lucky that a group of exhausted and unsuspecting humans had delivered themselves right towards it.


    The goblin targeted a ragged man that was collapsed, resting with his back to a tree. Coincidentally, this was precisely where Chrono was walking to.


    The goblin jumped down with a dagger pointed downward right towards the head of the exhausted man. Just as the dagger was about to dig into the man¡¯s head, Chrono¡¯s short sword thrust right above him. The exhausted man was terrified, breaking out into cold sweat. Chrono¡¯s actions from when he began walking to when he made the spontaneous thrust was seen by the entire group.


    The short sword impaled the falling goblin in the stomach, pinning it to a tree. The goblin¡¯s blood dripped and splattered onto the exhausted man¡¯s head, the goblin still clutching the dagger tightly in its hands just inches above the man¡¯s head. Only after he felt the blood dripping onto his head did the man make a delayed reaction of yelping and hastily rolling over to the side.


    Chrono felt another small stream of power flow into his body as he yanked his sword out of the tree. Without saying a word, he took the small pouch tied to the goblin¡¯s waist and pried the dagger covered in grime out of its hands.


    Stolen story; please report.


    ¡®That makes three,¡¯ Chrono counted as he pocketed the pouch. Goblins would fill their pouches with necessities like dried meat, nuts, seeds, and fruits in case of emergencies. Three pouches filled with rations. Food. This was the reason why the first thing Chrono did at the first goblin raid was to swipe the two pouches off the dead goblins. Food wasn¡¯t a big issue as of yet, but as time went on¡­


    Chrono was well versed in Human Psychology. Maybe he was the only one within the group that was enjoying this, but everyone else must¡¯ve been utterly miserable. Witnessing bodies exploding before their eyes and death for the first time in their lives. Being forced to flee with uncertainty. Not knowing whether they¡¯ll live to see another day. The continuous mounting pressures of Pandemonium. The tension and stress must¡¯ve been unbearable for the average person.


    ¡®It¡¯s about time they reach their breaking point,¡¯ Chrono mused.


    When pushed to their limits, humans would do one of two things: overcome them and experience unprecedented growth, or¡­ breakdown.


    This was a part of the reason why Chrono didn¡¯t want to travel in large groups. When people mentally breakdown, they become unstable and unpredictable. Insanity. They were capable of letting go of all restraints and giving in to their darkest desires. Things that were once taboo and difficult for them to do become as easy as breathing. Murder, rape, cannibalism. There was no telling what they¡¯d do.


    Just before people broke down was the easiest time to influence them. That was the moment that they¡¯d cling onto anything. A beacon of hope. A leader, and at this time and place the person they¡¯d cling onto was Chrono. The man who had developed the method to leave the forest. The man who had just easily slain a goblin before their eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving on my own, the rest of you will only drag me down,¡± Chrono deliberately said loudly as he began to slowly walk forward after he grabbed his spoils off the goblin.


    That beacon of hope was slowly fading right before their very eyes.


    ¡°W-Wait! We need to stick together!¡± A woman¡¯s voice shouted at his back.


    Chrono turned his head and coldly gazed at the policer officer who shouted. He ignored her and continued to slowly walk away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave, or I¡¯ll shoot!¡± The police officer screamed hysterically as she took out her gun pointed it at his back with trembling hands.


    Chrono paused. With his back facing the group, no one could see the growing smirk on his face. He calmly walked back to stand in front of the police officer.


    Thinking he had chosen to stay, the police officer lowered her gun and let out a sigh of relief.


    Chrono abruptly grabbed the police officer¡¯s wrist, dragging both of her hands holding onto the gun and pointed it straight at his heart.


    ¡°Do it. Shoot me.¡± Chrono said indifferently.


    The police officer¡¯s hands trembled uncontrollably.


    ¡°Do it!¡± Chrono yelled.


    Beads of sweat dripped off the police officer¡¯s face, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to move. She was filled with a stifling, engulfing fear that emanated from the man before her.


    Chrono brought his mouth next to her ear and whispered, ¡°You¡¯re weak.¡±


    He released her wrist and turned back around, walking away under everyone¡¯s gazes.


    The police officer crumpled helplessly onto the ground. On her wrist was five dark purple fingerprints, bruises.


    Chrono didn¡¯t walk far before...


    ¡°Let me come with you!¡± the brunette who had been watching Chrono from the beginning shouted, hastily running after him.


    ¡°I-I want to go with you as well!¡± the exhausted man from earlier with goblin blood still dripping down his hair added soon after.


    Two followers quickly turned into three, three into four, four into five, and soon the entire group of thirty survivors called out to him. The bandwagon effect. The minority quickly turned into the majority.


    In the end¡­


    ¡°Take me with you!¡± the policer officer scrambled after him.


    Chrono on his own was more attractive to the survivors than a group of thirty others without him. That was the impression of reliability and aura he gave off.


    Chrono¡¯s form of leadership was no better than a subtle brainwashing. The actions and play he had set up had imprinted on the minds of everyone, ¡®If I follow him, I¡¯ll have the highest chance to survive. If I don¡¯t, I¡¯ll die like the others.¡¯


    He had become the unspoken leader in the eyes of everyone present in an instant.


    He had established his own faction.


    ¡®So the play was a success,¡¯ with those thoughts, Chrono opened his status window as he continued to walk.

 Chapter 5 - Leave

    Name: Chrono Freed


    Title: N/A


    Affiliation: N/A


    Health: 100/100


    Mana: 190/190


    Strength: 8


    Intelligence: 12


    Vitality: 10


    Wisdom: 19


    Agility: 10


    Unallocated points: 1


    Killing two goblins earned him one stat point. Chrono sunk into deep thought.


    ¡®Will only killing things directly transfer their power over? So setting traps might not be as effective¡­ But there were introductory bows¡­ And then there are humans...¡¯


    There wasn¡¯t enough information. He decided to test things more thoroughly next time, and ultimately put the unallocated stat into Vitality. He thought that having enough endurance and stamina was the most important he needed for now.


    Time passed as Chrono pondered, and the twenty-two other survivors of the group quietly followed after him. Soon, the foliage of the forest became less and less dense. Even a faintly trodden trail made itself visible. It was clear that they would make it out of the forest soon.


    It was at this moment that a man of the group shouted out while glaring at Chrono, ¡°We¡¯re finally out of this damned place! That means we don¡¯t need to follow you anymore. From here on out I¡¯m going my own separate way, anyone with me?!¡±


    It was obvious. They had only followed Chrono and made him the temporary leader of the group out of necessity; it was a decision that was made purely in order to survive. Otherwise, how would the few with such high pride be willing to bow their heads and become willing followers so easily? Now that the threat of the forest became a thing of the past they no longer needed the person they had considered their insurance for safety. This was simply how most people were. They acted based on their immediate needs and convenience.


    Chrono stared at the man with a deadpan look. It was like he didn¡¯t care whether the man really left the group. The look made the man¡¯s skin crawl, and the other members of the group were hesitating. They were hesitating on whether to follow Chrono, or go their separate ways like the man said.


    ¡°Then leave. You can try to leave, but you¡¯ll definitely die. We¡¯re being tracked by that group of goblins. They¡¯ll probably try to ambush us when we¡¯re off-guard tonight, or early tomorrow morning,¡± Chrono said a matter-of-factly.


    Although he hadn¡¯t paid too much attention, he was approximately 90% sure that they were going to be traced. It was near impossible to cover the tracks of a group this large unless they were professionals, and unlike them who were unfamiliar with the forest and environment, the goblins had most likely lived here for a good portion of their lives. It was clear to the group who was in the position of hunter and hunted. That meant they still needed a leader, otherwise they¡¯d only be picked apart.


    After hearing Chrono¡¯s words, the man must have realized this as well. There was power in numbers. He quickly stammered, ¡°N-nevermind, I¡¯ll stay with the group, for now.¡±


    Chrono shook his head while walking up to the man.


    Perhaps sensing the tension, the other members quickly distanced themselves from the two to form a misshapen ring around them.


    ¡®It went as planned. I needed someone to make an example out of.¡¯ Chrono thought while smirking. He stood directly in front of the man. As the man was large, Chrono actually had to look up at him to meet his gaze. Nevertheless, Chrono said with a smile seemingly unfit for the situation, ¡°Leave.¡±


    The man laughed awkwardly with a wry smile on his face, ¡°I was just kidding earlier, you didn¡¯t actually think I was serious, did you?¡±


    ¡°Leave.¡± Chrono repeated once more.


    ¡°Oi! Didn¡¯t you hear me?! I said I was just joking!¡± the man furrowed his brows in irritation.


    The other members of the group were quietly whispering to one another at the spectacle.


    Chrono swiftly moved past the man. It happened so quickly that only those who were concentrating could see it. As Chrono moved forward, he swept the man¡¯s legs, making him fall face-first forward onto the ground. In a smooth motion, Chrono turned around and swung downwards twice with his introductory shortsword. The sword sliced into the man¡¯s legs, accurately severing the tendons in both his ankles. He was effectively handicapped. Unless there was something that could heal him, it would be more merciful to simply kill him like that.


    ¡°AAAAAHHHH!¡± the man yelped at the unexpected pain.


    The group was utterly speechless. Their murmuring all stopped simultaneously, a few in mid-sentence left with their mouths still hanging open.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? I said that you can try to leave, but you¡¯ll definitely die...¡± Chrono carefully spoke each word slowly.


    ¡°However, I never said that the goblins would be the ones to kill you,¡± Chrono¡¯s words were like a death sentence to the man¡¯s ears.


    The man struggled. He used his arms and upper body in an attempt to stand back up, only to discover that he couldn¡¯t put any weight into his ankles. At this point in time, they were nothing more than useless lumps of meat. Deadweight. He fell back down and continued to use his elbows to drag himself across the floor in a desperate endeavor to escape the reaper hovering over him.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t do this!¡± the man begged with a fear-struck face.


    The pathetic sight of the man crawling made the other members of the group feel empathy for him, and yet they all felt happiness at the same time. That happiness stemmed from a feeling of relief. Whether consciously or unconsciously, all other twenty-one members of the group thought in a corner of their minds, ¡®I¡¯m glad. I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t decide to leave the group, and¡­ I¡¯m glad that it wasn¡¯t me.¡¯


    Everyone was so focused on the man that they hadn¡¯t noticed Chrono pull something out from his waist. They had only realized what it was after Chrono called out to them.


    ¡®Twenty-one is perfect,¡¯ Chrono thought, raising the object in his hand up and saying to the onlookers, ¡°Each person cuts off one of his fingers or toes.¡±


    Their attention immediately shifted to Chrono and his hand, or rather, what was in its grasp. It was a crude dagger covered in grime. A goblin¡¯s poisoned dagger.


    His intentions couldn¡¯t be any more blatant to the group. He didn¡¯t grant the man a quick death, he wanted him to suffer. That was their interpretation of it.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t, you¡¯re next.¡± Chrono muttered and passed the dagger to the trembling person closest to him.


    The members of the group resolved themselves, and approached the crawling man.


    Some of them made excuses in their minds in an attempt to justify themselves such as, ¡®If I don¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll die...¡¯ ¡®He¡¯s as good as dead anyway, right? It won¡¯t change anything if I do a bit more...¡¯ ¡®Everyone else is doing it, so¡­¡¯


    For a while, the only thing that could be heard within the forest was the death throes of a man that simply wished to die.


    In reality, if the group was really against it they could have overpowered Chrono with their numbers. It was twenty-one to one. No matter how it seemed like, Chrono was physically only an ordinary youth. The only thing he had that the others didn¡¯t was his decisiveness in killing. The thing was¡­ The group was afraid. They were afraid of Chrono. If they did gang up against him, there would undoubtedly be casualties. No one wanted to be the casualty. No one wanted to be the first to stand up against him. The fate of someone who did was right before their eyes, after all.


    By the time the man¡¯s final finger was cut off he had already stopped screaming. He could no longer spare the energy make any form of noise. He already knew he was a dead man, his only wish was to die sooner.


    At that rate, he would either die from bleeding out or from the poison making its way throughout his body.


    Chrono¡¯s eyes scanned through the group, and landed on the only person to not have participated in torturing the man. Aside from Chrono, there were twenty-one other members, but the man only had a total of twenty fingers and toes. The twenty-first person. The police officer.


    Chrono grabbed the goblin dagger and handed it to her, saying, ¡°Kill him.¡±


    The police officer approached his body and gazed into the man¡¯s eyes. It was as if his eyes were begging silently, ¡®Kill me.¡¯ He no longer wanted to feel anymore pain.


    The police officer trembled, struggling with her conscience.


    ¡°He wants to die. Put him out of his misery. It¡¯s not a crime, nor a sin. You¡¯re helping him,¡± Chrono urged.


    The dagger plunged into the man¡¯s skull, and a small stream of power flowed into the officer¡¯s body.


    ¡°I-I killed him¡­¡± the police officer muttered incoherently and collapsed onto her knees. It was the first time in her life she had ever killed a person. She had made a vow to protect, but ended up killing the very same people.


    ¡°We killed him,¡± Chrono smiled mysteriously, patted her shoulder, and continued to walk out of the forest.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, it¡¯s still not safe here.¡± His lingering words broke the group out of their stupor.


    It had gone more smoothly than he had anticipated. Discontent members would make an attempt to leave the group when they had the chance and when Chrono had served his use, and Chrono planned to make an example of them.


    This was to familiarize the group with killing, and rid them of the hesitation of killing humans that Chrono didn¡¯t possess. It was also to form a sense of solidarity of membership within the group. They would all be burdened with the thought that they had killed someone. In other words, they were all accomplices. It was too late to turn back at that point.


    This was a method that some mafia groups back on Earth would perform. They would make new or hesitant members commit murder in order to make them feel kinship with their group, and in order to create a feeling that it was too late to turn back by having them participate in the crime itself. It was the equivalent to forming bonds by sharing sin.


    It had gone exactly as Chrono had planned, but¡­ He wasn¡¯t satisfied. It wasn¡¯t fun for him at all.


    ¡®Humans¡­ are so predictable.¡¯ Chrono thought to himself as he hoped to meet interesting individuals. Individuals that were capable of amusing him.


    Chrono never knew that he was walking towards two such individuals that were summoned right outside of the forest.

 Chapter 6 - The First Apostle

    Outside the forest, another group of approximately fifty survivors were arguing with each other. Hours had passed since their summoning, and yet they were still unable to come to a decision that everyone agreed on.


    They stood upon a rarely trodden road that led into a forest, and their most popular options were primarily separated into two choices. One was to follow the path that led into the forest near them, and the other was to follow the path leading to the direct opposite of it. Both options had merits in their own right.


    The two that seemed to be the leaders to both sides of the argument were a man and woman. Although both looked ordinary at a glance, the aura they emitted was a different matter entirely.


    The Chinese woman, Tang Suzhen, had a special ability. It wasn¡¯t an ability gained after being summoned to Pandemonium, but it was a learned one that was trained throughout her twisted life back on Earth.


    She was a woman that wasn¡¯t supposed to be born, a human that was never supposed to live the way she had. This was due to China¡¯s one-child policy. Her family already birthed a son, an older brother, and she was a child that wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. In China during that time, males were desired over females, and all subsequent children after the first child had only cruel fates that awaited them. Most normal second children were executed, some were abandoned, others sold to the underground human trafficking black market to become slaves for the rest of their lives. Their families would be punished if more than one child were to be discovered. The fate that she went through could be considered to be one of the worst. She was hidden by her family, stuffed inside a room for years and never allowed to come out.


    She had asked herself many times. Why? Why her? Why did she need to live her life that way? The conclusion she came to was because of money. Her family was relatively ordinary and poor, but what about other families? Others with money or connections would be able to pay off government officials to forge documents, or have them look the other way. Corruption always existed within a society, this was especially true in countries that had a compulsory military service. Those with money would be able to pay the government to keep quiet and waive any issues.


    Using that thought process, she escaped her family and developed a technique that was unique to her. By observing how a person conducted themselves, their habits, subconscious actions, and many other miniscule details she was able to determine their value and the gist of their potential. People were judged and converted into currency in her eyes.


    An average, healthy adult would be worth at least 130,000 Yuan, or 20,000 USD. This was usually the minimum value if their organs and blood could be taken apart and sold.


    When she was first summoned to Pandemonium and observed the people around her, the majority were worth the expected several hundred thousand yuan. A rare few were worth a million or two, but there was one value that shocked her.


    In her entire life, she had only known one person whose value she couldn¡¯t determine. A person who she deemed as priceless. That person was herself, but now, one more stood before her.


    The man that led the other side of the argument, an unreliable-looking man wearing a lab coat and glasses.


    Suzhen spoke, ¡°We follow the road out of the forest. It¡¯s our best chance of finding civilization.¡±


    That was indeed the safest option. But¡­


    The man wearing the lab coat, the Japanese chemistry teacher Nakamura Kazuya responded, ¡°We can¡¯t see the end of the road so we¡¯ll probably need food from the forest for the trip. Besides, even if we do find something on the other side, who¡¯s to say they won¡¯t react hostile to us?¡±


    With Suzhen and Kazuya arguing on end and unable to reach a compromise hours continued to pass. It was when they finally decided to just split the group apart and simply go their own separate ways that a scream rang out from within the forest next to them.


    They were able to tell instantly. It was the screams of a man, a human. No, it was such a soul-inducing wail of despair that it was more akin to someone¡¯s death throes.


    Their group froze in shock, and a sense of trepidation and foreboding filled them.


    Suzhen and Kazuya stopped arguing, exchanged glances with each other, and looked into the direction of the forest.


    Suzhen had a cold look on her face, wearing a frown.


    Kazuya wore a troubled, yet slight smile.


    All eyes were on the forest for a moment when finally figures could be seen coming out of it.


    It was approximately a group of twenty or so people, Chrono¡¯s group.


    Compared to their own, most members of his group were covered in blood and grime. There was a tense atmosphere surrounding his group, unlike their group¡¯s relatively relaxed atmosphere. They were unnaturally serious and disciplined. Even when they discovered other survivors, none of the members made a sound, while the people on Suzhen and Kazuya¡¯s sides were calling out to them in shock, relief, and wariness.


    Chrono was placed inconspicuously at the center of the group. Usually leaders would be at the forefront, but despite that, both Suzhen and Kazuya were able to spot him out instantly.


    It wasn¡¯t because Chrono appeared to be the leader of the group. Compared to some of the other members, like the police officer, he actually didn¡¯t stand out at all. All three people: Kazuya, Suzhen, and Chrono exchanged glances for a brief moment while narrowing their eyes.


    It was because all three of them radiated a similar atmosphere, an invisible pressure that only they could feel from each other.


    It was because they came to a tacit understanding with one another that they were from the same breed. Irregulars among humanity.


    Back on Earth, once a reporter in America pretended to be insane to be allowed into and investigate a mental institution that allegedly abused its patients. The staff of the mental institution was unable to distinguish the reporter¡¯s acting from the other patients. The patients themselves on the other hand immediately saw through the reporter¡¯s act. They said to the reporter, ¡°What are you doing here? There¡¯s nothing wrong with you. You don¡¯t belong here.¡±


    When Suzhen looked at Chrono, she wasn¡¯t able to estimate his worth either.


    People like them were able to easily recognize one another. The three¡¯s interchanging looks only lasted for a moment.


    ¡®Interesting¡­¡¯ Chrono thought to himself after looking at the two.


    ¡°Thank goodness there were others. A bear attacked and killed one of our members just a few moments ago. The forest¡¯s dangerous,¡± Chrono quickly said in a breath of relief. His group visibly tensed up at his words.


    A lie. There was no bear. The screams everyone heard from before was from the man Chrono¡¯s group themselves had just tortured to death.


    It was unknown whether the other two saw through his lie, but their expressions never changed for a second.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to meet other survivors, I¡¯m Nakamura Kazuya. You can just call me Kazuya,¡± the Japanese man smiled to Chrono in a gesture of goodwill.


    ¡°Tang Suzhen. I told you the forest was dangerous.¡± the Chinese woman said, before condemning Kazuya.


    ¡°I¡¯m Chrono. Let¡¯s stick together, I¡¯d feel uneasy if I were alone,¡± Chrono suggested.


    Although Kazuya and Suzhen were planning on splitting apart, with the suggestion of the new arrival they decided to stay together for now.


    The sky was beginning to darken, and whatever option they decided to take would be safer with more people.


    In the end, the total of about seventy people set up camp on the outskirts of the forest.


    The stress of the whole ordeal was too much for an ordinary person to bear, and they needed some sleep and rest. Chrono and his group was especially exhausted.


    A visible gap could be seen from both groups figuratively and literally. When members of Suzhen and Kazuya¡¯s summoned group tried to interact with Chrono¡¯s group, there was an awkward atmosphere, and they received brief replies. It was like the two summoned groups were separated by an unseen, insurmountable distance.


    How could they possibly so easily get along with each other? A group that had experienced hardship by struggling together for survival inside the forest, and a group that hadn¡¯t. It was obvious that there would be a degree of discomfort and unfamiliarity between them, but the true factor that separated the group from each other was Chrono¡¯s group participating in the torture and group killing of one of their own members. The experience and psychological impact of having participated in killing a human.


    Both groups came up with a rotation for lookout and had their own patrols of two members each set up. Most people found a spot to lay on the grass, and others picked a nearby tree to fall asleep leaning against. Some had trouble falling asleep while hugging their introductory weapon, but the weariness and darkness got the better of them.


    Chrono himself fell into a trance, a state of half-sleep. No matter what, he didn¡¯t trust the others. He¡¯d be able to wake up and move in an instant like this if he needed to.


    Time passed in the middle of the night. Nearly everyone was asleep aside from the lookouts at this point. Even the lookouts were showing signs of drowsiness and sluggishness.


    It was then that a shadow in Suzhen and Kazuya¡¯s summoned group quietly and swiftly weaved its way to their two inattentive lookouts.


    A lookout suddenly felt a hand covering her mouth, and looked down to see a knife sliding across her neck. It was the last sight she saw before her consciousness sunk into darkness forever. The same happened to the lookout beside her. The shadow was delighted to discover the streams of power that entered into its body after killing the two lookouts before it continued to move.


    The shadow indiscriminately killed the sleeping people closest to them in Suzhen and Kazuya¡¯s group. Due to the distance and darkness, Chrono and his lookouts never noticed the massacre that was happening.


    Ten people died just like that in their sleep. Then twenty. Thirty. When the thirtieth person was killed, the smell of blood began to permeate the air.


    A boy who smelled the blood felt uncomfortable, stirred in his sleep, and finally opened his eyes. He saw a silhouette standing over him. He opened his mouth to speak, but the silhouette had already stabbed the dagger it held into his windpipe before any words could come out. The boy gurgled on his own blood before his vision began to whiten, and he died.


    Suzhen, like Chrono, was in a state of half-sleep. She heard a slight noise that promptly caused her to open her eyes when the death count was approaching forty. She heard sounds and saw the shadow moving from person to person, killing them. The unnatural smell of blood filling the air confirmed her suspicions.


    ¡°EVERYONE WAKE UP! WE¡¯RE UNDER ATTACK!¡± Suzhen shouted as loudly as she could, jolting everyone awake and out of their sleep.


    Her yell had even woken up all of Chrono¡¯s group who were positioned slightly further apart from them.


    The shadow, having been discovered, made a break towards the forest.


    Now, Suzhen and Kazuya¡¯s group only numbered in the tens. The rest had already been killed, and all of their deaths were attributed to a single person.


    Everyone, realizing the danger they were in, chased after the fleeing shadow. Chrono and his group were no exception. Due to being positioned closer to the forest, Chrono was actually leading the chase and was the closest one to the fleeing shadow. The light from the moon was barely enough to make the back of the fleeing shadow visible. It was a person wearing a white lab coat.


    Everyone that saw it aside from Chrono and Suzhen were surprised. His lab coat was splattered in blood. Kazuya had even killed the people who were siding with him in the argument. Members of his own group. He abruptly stopped running and turned around to face the people running after him, causing a chain reaction from his pursuers in response.


    There he stood, laughing at the thirty plus people who chased after him. Kazuya and the others were separated by a distance of several meters with Chrono at the forefront of the group.


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    Kazuya¡¯s expression was distorted into a twisted grin, similar to the one Chrono had made after he had taken the four introductory weapons. He held up the introductory dagger that was covered in the blood of more than thirty people, and licked it. Kazuya continued to laugh while saying, ¡°AHAHahahahAHAH! How about it?! It was beautiful, wasn¡¯t it?!¡±


    The thirty plus pursuers froze in their place at the out-of-place sight. That act and expression of madness. They were afraid. They had chased him with the intention of stopping him, but they didn¡¯t know what to do when they had finally caught up.


    Chrono slowly stood out from the group, and directly looked at Kazuya. Chrono judged it beneficial for him if he stood out here.


    Noticing this, Kazuya called out to him, ¡°The others can all go die, but why don¡¯t you join me, Chrono?! You have the same smell as me. You enjoy it when people die. When they suffer!¡±


    The outburst made the others flinch. They could only continue watching from the sidelines. It was like the confrontation of two behemoths that they couldn¡¯t take part in. Monsters in human skin.


    Chrono slowly pulled out his shortsword while saying, ¡°Go to hell.¡±


    Chrono didn¡¯t particularly enjoy the killing. Killing to him was just a small part of it. A means to an end. What he truly sought was entertainment, and that entertainment came from the unexpected. It was no fun if everything went as he had expected. The struggle, the boundary between life and death. The things that he normally didn¡¯t see coming from humanity. An existence like Kazuya was one of them. At this moment, facing off against Kazuya, Chrono sported the same crazed grin as he did.


    Their distance didn¡¯t shrink, both Kazuya and Chrono were waiting for the other to make the first move.


    From the side, Suzhen took out an introductory crossbow and loaded a bolt into it. She was now the one standing at the forefront from the group of thirty plus other survivors. Hesitation could be seen in her expression as she alternated her aim between Kazuya and Chrono. They were both hindrances to her, and the ideal scenario for her would be if they both died. She judged it was best to use both behemoths to take each other down, and killing the weakened survivor.


    Kazuya and Chrono heard Suzhen load the bolt, but neither paid her any attention. It was the same as interference from something neither of them cared about.


    Being up against more than thirty people didn¡¯t faze Kazuya in the slightest, and instead he continued to laugh.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity,¡± Kazuya muttered while reaching into a pocket of his lab coat with his free hand. He pulled out a capsule between his fingers that was similar to an egg in shape and size, and held it up against the moonlight, before asking Chrono, ¡°Do you know what this is?¡±


    Silence.


    Everyone¡¯s attention was focused on Kazuya and the egg-shaped capsule he took out.


    Hearing no one reply, Kazuya continued, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a hint. It¡¯s composed of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal.¡±


    Only three people out of the group of thirty visibly reacted. Chrono, Suzhen, and the police officer.


    Chrono¡¯s grin slowly changed into a frown.


    The things Kazuya listed were the ingredients for¡­


    ¡®Gunpowder,¡¯ Chrono thought to himself.


    The capsule Kazuya retrieved was a handmade explosive. A bomb.


    Having come to a decision, Suzhen aimed the crossbow at Kazuya¡¯s head. He was too dangerous. If Kazuya survived, she and him would inevitably enter a life-or-death struggle against each other, but it wasn¡¯t certain Chrono would enter a life-or-death struggle against her if he survived. Chrono at least acted rationally, he was a better alternative to keep alive if she had to pick between the two.


    Having sensed the crossbow lock onto him, the smile on Kazuya¡¯s face only grew wider.


    In a quick motion, Kazuya twisted the egg-shaped capsule in his hand and tossed it into the air between the group of thirty and him while tilting his head to the side.


    At the same time, Suzhen pulled the trigger on her crossbow.


    The crossbow bolt whizzed past where Kazuya¡¯s head was just moments before.


    ¡®Missed,¡¯ Suzhen thought while clicking her tongue, simultaneously crying out to the people who hadn¡¯t yet realized it, ¡°It¡¯s a bomb! Run!¡±


    Chrono, Suzhen, and the other survivors quickly hopped away from the capsule while covering their heads. A few survivors were confused and too slow to react, standing frozen in place.


    The moment the capsule made impact with the ground, an ear-piercing explosion occurred and blasted away those nearest to it.


    Amidst the few burning bodies and smoke, Kazuya¡¯s fleeting voice rung out, ¡°We¡¯ll meet again, Chrono.¡±


    They could only blankly watch Kazuya¡¯s back as he ran into the forest. This time, no one dared to chase after him.


    ¡®It isn¡¯t worth it,¡¯ Chrono thought. It was too dangerous to pursue someone into that forest at night. Even if they did somehow manage to catch up to Kazuya, the losses they¡¯d experience was too much. Chrono wasn¡¯t willing to take the risk.


    ¡®Nakamura Kazuya...¡¯ Chrono repeated the name within his mind for a while. His blood boiled with excitement.


    ¡­


    Was the number he just killed about forty? It was barely passable, Kazuya thought to himself as he ran deeper into the forest.


    Why did he become a chemist? It was because he loved it. When things broke apart into pieces. Decomposed. Slowly burnt into ashes.


    He wanted to raze the world and everyone in it into the ground. It was his secret desire.


    That was the reason he had explosives on him at all times, even when he was summoned onto Pandemonium.


    ¡®If I knew this was going to happen, I should have brought more with me,¡¯ he thought.


    He had been holding back his urge to kill on Earth. How would society react to someone like him? It wasn¡¯t possible back on Earth, but here on Pandemonium¡­ He knew. He could do it.


    If Kazuya were to have rampaged back on Earth, he estimated that the amount he¡¯d be able to kill was only about one-hundred people before he would be gunned down by the Japanese self-defense forces. However, on Pandemonium, he thought that he would be able to kill one-hundred thousand people in the least before anything managed to stop him. He had even managed to absorb the power from about forty people in a single night, but that wasn¡¯t enough for him.


    He wanted to thank Ain for summoning them here, but if there was one thing he had a problem with¡­


    ¡®You dared to make light of me, Ain?¡¯ Kazuya thought, ¡®Acting like a game master in a game, treating me and the rest of us like we¡¯re mere players.¡¯ The thought irked him. They were summoned to Pandemonium on Ain¡¯s whim. They were treated only as disposable pawns. Kazuya wanted to prove to Ain that he had made a mistake. Kazuya wasn¡¯t an ordinary person, nor was he an ordinary player inside Ain¡¯s game.


    ¡®I will be the game master,¡¯ Kazuya decided. ¡®My victory conditions are to kill everyone, and everyone else¡¯s victory conditions, including Ain¡¯s, is to survive.¡¯


    While Kazuya made plans for the future, a group of about fifty miniature humanoids appeared before him. He had never seen them before, but it was the same tribe of goblins that nearly wiped out Chrono¡¯s group from earlier. They were in the middle of making their way out of the forest to ambush the remaining group of survivors tonight, but a lone human, Kazuya, had encountered them before they were able to pull it off.


    Kazuya paused, a twisted smile returning to his face.


    The tribe of goblins examined Kazuya with disdain like they were looking at an insect. At the vanguard of the group of goblin¡¯s was the largest one, the tribe¡¯s chieftain, with two other similarly large goblins by its side.


    Kazuya didn¡¯t run away like the goblins thought he would. Instead, he unexpectedly broke out into a dash and headed straight towards the chieftain.


    The unexpected action produced a delayed response from the goblins. They hastily readied their weapons at the approaching human.


    Kazuya threw what appeared to be a palm-sized rock in the eyes¡¯ of the goblins at the goblin archers who were preparing their bows in the rear.


    The goblins broke out into an uproarious laughter at the amusing, suicidal monkey performing before them. What was going through their minds was, ¡®Did that human really think a mere rock would be able to do any damage to us?¡¯ They could tell that the rock was hastily and inaccurately thrown as well, and wouldn¡¯t manage to hit any of them.


    What stopped the goblins¡¯ and the chieftain¡¯s laughter in its tracks was the abrupt sound and vibration that materialized behind them. It was something that the goblins had never heard, felt, nor experienced before in their lives. An explosion.


    Determining the rough location of the vibration, the goblin chief quickly turned around.


    What entered its eyes was a gruesome sight. The aftermath of the explosion. The goblin archers placed in the rear were blown to a burning, gory mess. Pieces of limbs and chunks of meat was all that was left of what used to be the tribe¡¯s archers.


    Before the goblin chief was even able to register the sight, it felt a sharp stab of pain digging into the back of its head. The goblin chief had died in an instant.


    Using the explosion as a distraction, Kazuya had swiftly dispatched the goblin chieftain and the other two large goblins by its side with his dagger.


    A scene of carnage and hell. This was something that goblins, being the lowest on the food chain, were used to, but such a total and swift defeat had never happened to them before.


    It was only now that the goblins realized something. That they had make a mistake. They weren¡¯t hunters, they were the ones being hunted. By a single, lone human. A predator.


    Kazuya paused to kneel down after killing the three, digging his hands into the dead goblin chieftain¡¯s head. After pulling his hand back out, he smeared the blood on his fingers across his face and stood back up. His actions left a few streaks of the goblin chieftain¡¯s blood to be painted onto him like it were tribal paint.


    Kazuya placed his foot onto the deceased goblin chieftain¡¯s head, stomping on it while laughing maniacally, ¡°ahahHAHAhah! Why don¡¯t you join me?!¡±


    The goblin chief¡¯s head caved in beneath Kazuya¡¯s feet. Complete dominance.


    The survivors of the tribe didn¡¯t try to avenge their chieftain. They were able to tell. Trying to do it was the same as suicide.


    The rough meaning of Kazuya¡¯s words were transmitted to the goblins due to the God and Devil system.


    A shocking scene happened. The surviving goblins dropped down on their knees and bowed to Kazuya. In this forest it was survival of the fittest. This tribe of goblins had a tradition. Their leader and chieftain would be the one the tribe deemed to be the strongest. This meant: they had thought Kazuya to be the strongest. The strongest they had ever encountered. Strong enough to make him their new chieftain, even if he was a human.


    It was at this moment that the sound of a bell rang out in the minds of all the humans on Pandemonium, and a message appeared before their eyes.


    [The First Apostle: Kazuya of Insanity has arrived on Pandemonium.]


    ¡­


    In another dimension, Yalda and Ain were staring wide-eyed.


    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this, Yalda?! There are still five more years!¡± Ain quickly said in disbelief.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me! He was your creation!¡± Yalda retorted.


    Silence enveloped the two deities.


    ¡°This can only mean one thing¡­¡± Yalda muttered to himself.


    Ain solemnly nodded in silence.


    The two didn¡¯t need any more words to voice their thoughts.


    Kazuya¡¯s desire and potential to eliminate humanity was so high that Pandemonium¡¯s God and Devil system had mistaken him for a deity¡¯s apostle.


    In spite of this, Yalda laughed, ¡°In addition to my seven apostles, it looks like your creations will have to deal with their own.¡±


    For a while, there was only Ain¡¯s grim expression and the sound of Yalda¡¯s laughter in their white dimension.

 Chapter 7 - Money

    What is the most valuable thing in the world?


    This question has been asked since time immemorial. The answer to this question may change depending on the values and belief of the individual being asked, and it may not have an answer that is most ¡°correct.¡±


    Love. Happiness. Freedom. There are millions of different ways to answer this question. Some may be uncertain and not know the answer to this question as of now, but would gradually come to find their own unique answer to it within their lifetimes. However, if she were asked this question¡­


    Tang Suzhen would answer it in an instant. The most valuable thing in the world. There can only be one. It has been, is, and will always be... Money.


    She believed that there was no one else in the world, the entire population of Earth¡¯s 7 billion people, that understood money more than she did.


    If only her family had enough money, would she have had to remain trapped in a single room for nearly a decade?


    She thought it was ridiculous. A foolish concept. People attaching value to mere scraps of paper. A scrap of paper which could decide the fates of others, their very life and death.


    Five dollars. That was it all took to purchase the lives of mercenaries and slaves in Thailand, Africa, and other parts of the world. Five dollars for several lives. In the past, just thinking about it had driven her insane. Were human lives so cheap? Was she worth so little? Her mind became warped, and then she finally understood.


    That¡¯s right. Money. It could buy everything. Tang Suzhen believed that money could make others act in any and every way you desired them to. Everyone had a price, and if they didn¡¯t? Would they still have a choice if money was used to destroy everything in their life until they had no other options aside from the path that was laid out for them?


    Her greed rivaled that of Yalda¡¯s creation, the demon and Apostle of Greed, Mammon.


    An abnormal genius. In a way she was both similar and different to Chrono and Kazuya. A twisted mentality. A strange philosophy. Nevertheless, it was this mindset that allowed her to develop the unique ability to be able to judge a person¡¯s value just by observing them.


    It was easy from there. So what if money is a foolish concept? She just had to control it. All of it. If the world revolved around money, the only thing she had to do was make money revolve around her. Possess enough money, possess the world. That was her ambition. To become the richest person in the world and control everything. She would no longer be the one trapped within a single room, and would instead be the one to trap the world. Only, it was unfortunate that before she was able to achieve her goals¡­


    ¡°We¡¯ll meet again, Chrono.¡± Kazuya¡¯s words drifted to the crowd¡¯s ears as he fled into the woods.


    People were still shaken and were trying to find their bearings from the aftermath of the explosion.


    Only two of the remaining thirty plus survivors stood there, composed. Chrono Freed and Tang Suzhen.


    ¡®Pandemonium¡­¡¯ Tang Suzhen scoffed in her heart as she gazed at the smoke and burning corpses.


    ¡®Nothing has changed. My goal still remains the same,¡¯ she thought to herself, having complete confidence.


    Possess enough money, possess the world. In a way being transferred to Pandemonium had made her goal easier for her.


    Earth¡¯s population had been teleported to another world with nothing more than what they had on them. Those scraps of paper she deemed so worthless had lost their value. If dollar bills were no longer valuable, what would be the next most valuable thing in a situation such as this? She had arrived at an answer as soon as she was teleported.


    Human resources.


    In other words, she had no choice but to become a leader. The one with the most skilled followers under their control would be the richest in this new world.


    People had multiple uses, talents, skills, and abilities. Every individual person was so unique and different that they each had their own merits and vices. There was no one who could see it better than she did. It didn¡¯t matter who it was. When she looked at someone, she was able to condense the entirety of their being and evaluate them. Until now there had only been three exceptions, herself, Kazuya, and Chrono. Humans whose worth she was unable to calculate, people from around different parts of the world that were far from normal. She predicted that from now on she would be encountering many more on Pandemonium. Still, people were nothing more than numbers in her eyes, and the ones that had the higher number were the ones that would be more useful to her, and maybe, just maybe¡­ If she could get the people whose values she was unable to measure with her vision under her control¡­


    Her lips slowly curled upwards into a cold smirk.


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    Chrono was the only one standing in her way of gaining complete control over the rest of the survivors. He was the only threat to her leadership.


    To become the richest. It was time to seize the initiative and bring them all under her control.


    ¡°Does everyone remember Kazuya¡¯s words?¡± Suzhen questioned the remaining survivors at the outskirts of the forest.


    Memories of Kazuya¡¯s mad ramblings flashed through their minds.


    ¡®The others can all go die, but why don¡¯t you join me, Chrono?! You have the same smell as me. You enjoy it when people die. When they suffer!¡¯


    The thought might have passed over their heads if Suzhen hadn¡¯t brought it up.


    ¡°Kazuya said that Chrono was the same as him and wanted Chrono to join, can we really trust someone like that?¡± Suzhen¡¯s loud voice echoed into the quiet night. She emitted a majestic and righteous aura.


    Seizing the moral high ground. Sowing the seeds of doubt.


    As people regained their composure, it was clear that they were now divided back into their own original groups. On one side, Chrono¡¯s camp, and on the other, Suzhen¡¯s camp. The survivors of both groups numbered in the tens, with Chrono¡¯s possessing a slight advantage in terms of numbers. Suspicious gazes were cast towards Chrono, even ones from the members of his own group.


    Chrono wore a bemused expression on his face as he looked at Suzhen in the distance.


    ¡®Amateur, that won¡¯t be enough to dispel my control over them. This is why you still have a long way to go,¡¯ Chrono chuckled in his heart. That was the difference between Kazuya and Suzhen. It was enough that Chrono felt excited facing off against Kazuya, but was only mildly interested in and was able to disregard Suzhen.


    The moral high ground? What the hell does that count for? Would people still be caring about morals when their lives are on the line? If they did, they would undoubtedly be the minority. Humans are complex, but also simple at their core. They would only care about their own survival or the ones close to them, and if the leader they chose to follow would be conducive to it. The thing the majority would look for in a leader was how much trust they could put into him or her for their survival. That was Chrono¡¯s judgement.


    As for the amount of trust Chrono¡¯s group could place onto him? This was also one of the reasons he had decided to confront Kazuya earlier when the rest were afraid to approach him. It left a indelible mark on their subconscious, that Chrono was the only one on equal terms with Kazuya.


    ¡®In the first place¡­ My followers wouldn¡¯t be able to erase the mark I¡¯ve left on them so easily,¡¯ Chrono thought.


    The mark of fear Chrono had left on them.


    Suzhen was out of her playing field. She may be an abnormal genius when it came to money, but Chrono was an abnormal one when it came to psychology. It could be said that he grasped and plays with human mentality in the palm of his hand.


    Chrono had understood and developed his own individualized system of leadership. He personally divided followers into three separate levels, and these levels represented their willingness to follow their leader. It was the same for bosses and employees.


    The first level: Loyalty. This was the strongest category that compelled followers to listen to their leaders. At the same time, this was the category that was the most difficult to develop and achieve among followers. The first level could be formed as a result of blind devotion achieved through religion or upbringing, debts of gratitude, and love. It is nearly impossible for followers under this level to betray their leaders.


    The second level: Fear. The second strongest category that compels followers to listen to their leaders. This level is formed as a result of threat and fear for one¡¯s life, the lives of those close to them, or things that are most valuable to them. As long as the followers in this category was under a satisfactory level of fear, unless they encounter something more fearful to them, it is extremely unlikely for followers under this level to betray their leaders.


    The third level: Greed. The weakest category that compels followers to listen to their leaders. This level forms through self-interest, desire, and necessity. In normal groups, this is the most commonly seen category among followers. Followers in this category are fickle, and may betray and leave their leaders as soon as they find opportunities that provide more interest towards them.


    It was possible for followers to be under two, or even all three categories at once.


    Chrono had forced the members of his group to torture and kill a man within the forest, making them believe that they were accomplices, and at the same time branding his followers with the mark of fear. He made them believe that he was strong, the strongest among them, and appeared more indomitable to them than he actually was. This belief was only further reinforced when he stood up against Kazuya. They feared Chrono, but at the same time they trusted him as being strong just as much. As long as they followed him, they would be safe, this was how the majority of his followers thought.


    Chrono had effectively placed his followers under the category of fear. It didn¡¯t matter what Suzhen said at this point. His followers would continue to follow him unless they encountered something or someone they feared more than him, or they believed that Suzhen would be able to ¡°save¡± and protect them from Chrono.


    The results were evident. Although there were some suspicious gazes cast towards Chrono from his own group, they didn¡¯t move, and on the contrary still remained standing by his side to look towards Suzhen¡¯s camp.


    ¡°Trust?¡± Chrono said in mock-sarcasm, ¡°Tell me, where were you when Kazuya was still here?¡±


    Suzhen frowned.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you hiding with the crowd with your little crossbow?¡± Chrono pointed out.


    Suzhen¡¯s group looked at her. A few were even gazes that seemed to be filled with distrust and disdain.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯m not the same as Kazuya, because if I was¡­¡± Chrono trailed off.


    ¡®If I really wanted to kill everyone,¡¯ he thought.


    ¡°None of you here would still be alive,¡± Chrono¡¯s words were quiet, but everyone heard it clearly as if he were standing right beside them, chilling everyone to their bones.


    Suzhen¡¯s camp looked at Chrono in confusion, as if he were a lunatic. Chrono¡¯s followers, however, found themselves unconsciously trembling. It was because they knew that he was speaking the truth, and they found themselves being convinced that he would have made it happen.


    Suzhen was looking at Chrono expressionly. It was like her face was covered with a mask of frost. Chrono responded in kind with the same bemused expression. A wordless taunt. It sent a clear message that he was looking down on her.


    The air between the two seemed to freeze. In this single moment, nothing else existed besides the two of them.


    ¡®I will pull you down when you least expect it, and when I do¡­ At that time, if you won¡¯t join me and become a part of my wealth¡­ I will kill you,¡¯ Suzhen secretly thought.


    ¡®You aren¡¯t ripe yet. Not like Kazuya. I¡¯ll give you a chance and allow you to grow. Don¡¯t disappoint me. The day you¡¯re fully grown and point your fangs at me will be the day you die,¡¯ Chrono felt excited at the thought.


    The two looked like they were having a staring contest, as if the first one to break away from the other¡¯s gaze would be the loser.


    An explosion sounded off in the distance, along with the message:


    [The First Apostle: Kazuya of Insanity has arrived on Pandemonium.]


    A quest appeared in everyone¡¯s mind. It was a quest to slay the Apostle of Insanity.


    ¡®He wasn¡¯t ordinary, after all,¡¯ Chrono thought to himself.


    After some time, Chrono looked towards the forest Kazuya had fled in, and voiced his thoughts to everyone, ¡°We¡¯ll need to re-enter the forest tomorrow morning, or eventually we¡¯ll run out of food.¡±


    Suzhen sighed. In the end, they would end up going into the forest anyway.


    Chrono¡¯s followers frowned at the idea, but found themselves feelings pangs of hunger at his words.


    ¡®Shall we go apostle hunting?¡¯ Chrono thought and made a pure smile out of sheer elation, however, it was no different than a devil¡¯s in the eyes of everyone else.