The Core of Evil
Ulysses, Unanswered Answer
{{{ The next day }}}
"So, are you feeling better?" Noah asked me
"Huh? I should've asked you that after your brain was charred last night"
"Ughs. Don't discuss..."
Ah, right too. The reason why I was allowed to do anything over the last few weeks is because I had to remove the trauma first
Noah must be worried that I still haven't recovered from that...
Well, even if he's half wrong...
"You know...? You're too slow, how about we just fight now?"
...
Huh huh? A fight?
"I'm busy playing games. Fighting can be later"
"Curtain! Naturally your body is small! You are lazy to exercise!"
"It's better than not cleaning your own room and clothes every day, right...?"
I'm Noah's personal servant in this room. All the things about cleanliness, I'm the one that has to do
So give me a little present! Sports are boring!
"Also, we haven't seen Ulysses and Fuyuki in a while. I wonder how they are doing..." I said to Noah
"You refused to meet them when you heard Hector's name"
...
...
...
"D-Listen, I didn't mean to"
"I get. But..."
Till now. Get to this point. Even when I've talked to almost everyone and know them well...
I still don't know how to talk to Hector. He must have deliberately avoided me, too, because I never saw him go around too much
"Also, Hera told me that we should have a mission. But, we can only send the evasion army only because we are still not { too strong}"
Hmphc... The mission...
Perhaps, meeting with the chairman today would be the right decision
"Noah"
"Yes yeah?"
"So, where can we meet with the chairman?"
...
I stayed with him for too long so I knew that his face said, 'I don't know, but I'd better give an answer'
"Call Hera. He probably knows"
Hm...
He has a point
I immediately turned off the game on my phone and immediately called Hera for information
And after 10 seconds, Hera answered with a word, "What do you need, Arthur?"
His voice was different from the one I heard yesterday. Now the voice of the man...
Her Body Hop was frightening, so it could change genders as well...
"Hera. Can you tell me the chairman's position now?" I went straight to the core without further ado
"Chairman? I don't know why you wanted to see him but for a minute..."
The keyboard sound was heard while I waited for the answer Hera would give. And after a while, his voice also signaled that he had gotten what I wanted
"He's with Ulysses right now. Just finished talking to Hector, and now he's heading back to Ulysses' hall"
"Understood, understood. Thanks for the information"
"Ah, and you better be a little careful with Ulysses"
...
Why...?
"If you ask why, Ulysses can detect the Maledict of Corruption in your body without him being able to avoid it
If you accidentally show Corruption even a little, Ulysses will feel depressed to the point he can't breathe"
That's... Sounds painful
So, all this time when he was around me, Ulysses always felt depressed...
...
"Thank you for the information. I'll be careful"
*tut!*
...
About Corruption...
I can't get into that consciousness room anymore. As if... He purposely blocked my access to get inside that place
I also couldn't use his power from that day on, and I still couldn't move like before. The analysis of some of the doctors sent here is also not very useful. But, Corruption is still inside my body. It still stuck like a parasite, and I could feel its presence clearly
I don't know what the reason is, but the silence of Corruption now makes me very... Terrified
What if one day he would come out again and...
...
"Noah. You think this Corruption..."
"He's still there. But, Eternity said that the creature was upset" He immediately replied casually while eating the apple pie I made and cooled last night
"I didn't know you could cook either?" Noah commented, with his mouth half full
Anything that has nothing to do with frying or frying, I can cook it
But I didn't know that anyone could think my food was good. Who would have thought Noah would have liked it too. Look at how he eats that
...
Ah, I'm still thinking about Corruption
"Noah. We need to go see the chairman to give me an idea for a Corruption I can use again"
Hearing my words, Noah immediately choked until some parts of the apple pie he swallowed were thrown out, while he took a glass of water on the table until every drop of water gulped down
"Well??!" He then shouted. "Do you understand that corruption is not a playful danger?!" Noah added later
"I understand! But if I can't use Corruption anymore I won't be able to become OPS you know??"
Don't forget that my beloved cannon is still in Arcadia's main base...!!
I also hate this creature to the bottom of my heart. But, I can't say he's of no use to me
I know it's cruel, but now I understand why Amitha wants Jun to control me so well. He wanted me to be able to control this Maledict, so that we could use it as a weapon
But this damn thing blocked my access to the space of my consciousness, inside my own body. It has become a parasite, even want to be careless as well. Shameless...!
Well... He's a Maledict, so I was hoping what to try...?
"The point is I have to force this fucker out. I don't want to just sit around and walk around anymore, while there's a mission going on"
Noah immediately looked like he was attacking because he was not happy, but knew I was right
He was also already impatient to get out on the mission, but still stuck with me who was still in the process of recovery
Although he did not protest, he was also eager to take part in the mission
"You're really sure you can control it, right? Corruption is the worst opponent for a host, because he can cheat your control principle against it, or so the sound of the file I read..." Noah said
L'm... Not sure either. That's why I need very strong guidance, someone who can shut my mind immediately in case Corruption gets out of control again
I can name 2 people who can help me. But, one of them didn't like me at all, and the other one would feel depressed if it was near me
2 Maledict besides Hector also could not help. They were too compatible with their Maledict, so could not think of my position directly
This maledict is hard to control. Even Amitha and the Venians also warned me to be careful about using it, while giving me a first-class anti-Malefic serum in case of an emergency
...
But I have to use it. I'm tired of being under his control all this time
Why can't I control too, this goddamn creature...??
"I should be able to, Noah..."
Whatever it is, I don't want to hurt anyone anymore...
"If not... That's probably-"
...
No. gabe. I need to stay focused
"Take me to Ulysses, now"
Noah agreed in silence, getting ready to put on his clothes and jacket as I did the same
The two of us immediately went to the hall of Ulysses, before we could not meet the chairman
...----------------...
...
This is the...?
The door is like the door of a cathedral, and from there I can guess that the contents will also be similar
"Hm. Who would have thought I would come here after my whole life never even entered the church" Noah commented
But the door was closed. It meant that this place did not accept pilgrims, or indeed Ulysses had a habit of closing doors
"Let's just come in" Noah asked
Yes already. It's an emergency
We both pushed both sides of the door until the two started to shift inward, so they could not shift anymore
And seeing that the entrance to the place was unobstructed, we could see Ulysses standing in front of an altar, fervently praying
Noah approached her without hesitation, while I followed her doubtfully. We may be bothering you right now, and that makes me very nervous
But...
"I've been waiting..." Ulysses suddenly spoke, leaving me and Noah shocked
"Waiting? Don't tell me that you spied on us through {that fate} bullshit" Noah scrupulously replied
"No... The chairman said..."
Ah yeah. The chairman is here
"Chairman. Show thyself. I know you're here" I said
A small laugh was heard, making me who called our chairman startled
But, when I realized that it was her voice, I could feel a little more relieved
"It just so happens that you're still here. I really need to see you now"
But, is it okay to be in this place...?
I mean, Ulysses is still here...
"It's okay... Don't worry about my situation..."
Yes, I forgot that he can also read minds
"Chairman. I want to go on a mission" I also without turning immediately say
But there was no response, be it movement or sound
The answer that came out was unfortunately, not satisfactory enough
"No. Unless you can train yourself to never get out of control again"
...
I know where he means with that word...
"Hector" I said to the chairman. "I need his help, don't I...?"
Even though they know very well what kind of trouble lies between me and that guy...
"Come captain. You can't possibly just suggest that, can you?" Noah intervened when he saw that there was no other hope for me
"After all, I want him to be able to quickly use his power. I can't wait to try to resist the power of Corruption" he added, with a clenched right hand that was heading his left palm
"You really... Weird, Noah..."
"There's a mirror!!? You think everyone in this Fleet isn't weird, fake priestess fuck?!!"
"But I'm not a fake... I have only a great sin..."
"Curtain! I'm not gonna argue with a boring guy like you"
Said the person who always bored me so I had to drag out so as not to lock myself in the room...
I know he doesn't want me to be responsible for me, but he's not creative. Really
"And I have one... An offer for you, my son..." Ulysses spoke, staring at me from behind his blindfold
...
The bid... Wh-wh-what for?
He then began to draw closer to me, until I suspected that he wanted to whisper to say about the offer
But I missed a little
He immediately ran the offer without me knowing the contents
"Open your mind..."
And instantly, my gaze disappeared like a broken light bulb, as I felt my body begin to fall backwards
...----------------...
"Huh-uh?"
L'm... Where the...?
Noah...? Ulysses...? The chairman...?
...
This dark room...
...
...
Wait for...
This dark room!
"Fucking shit...!! How dare you enter my place after taking back full control of this body...!!"
!!!
I guessed!
When I woke up and turned around in this dark empty room with no clear foundation, seeing that ugly yet familiar figure, I knew where I was
This is my consciousness room. And now I'm confronted by the Maledict of Corruption in person...
Ulysses, what's-?
'`Can you listen to me, Arthur...?`'
Hearing that resounding voice, Corruption and I spontaneously looked up towards the origin. But there was nothing there, except a strange light from a distance that didn't even help the lighting in my place too much
It was like being at the bottom of the ocean, looking towards the distant sunlight but unable to penetrate downwards
The next moment, I heard Corruption's hoarse voice start to attack
"You seem to be able to bring a friend here huh...?" He then said
Friend...?
I looked up again to see the light, which then suddenly made another sound
'`Yes... It's me, Ulysses...`'
...
Ah, fuck
So the offer he directed at me was this? Forcibly pushing me into the void of my consciousness to meet Corruption?
'`Listen to me carefully...`'
...
'`Good...`'
'`I want you to stay alert... I want you to fight that Maledict, using whatever you have right now... And when you feel like you're going to die, say it, and I'm going to pull you out...`'
"Feel want to die huh...?"
"You crazy...? To have this brat who is not even one hundredth my size fight me?"
Ah, God...
I can't even reach one-thousandth of this creature right now if he's raising himself like this...
Corruption roared at me like a wild beast, and began to make a human hand to pull me away violently
He can even make new body parts!?
My reflexes dodged, barely getting a hard hit from that hand by moving as low and as fast as possible towards his side
His attack did not stop there, as he grew dozens more hands from the giant thing, intending to capture me
I don't have a gun! If those things catch me, then-!
I had not finished thinking and intended to avoid, an object felt was binding me from below. But when I realized that it was some kind of tentacle binding my legs, I could already feel one of the dozens of hands starting to touch my face
'`Sadarlah`'
!!!
"Uhuk!! Uhuk-!!"
Without me noticing it again, I came back out of that vacuum, immediately spewing out my entrails while coughing loudly
Ulysses who saw it immediately took a step back, while Noah tried to help but could only stroke my back
What-What just happened-?
I-i
I was almost caught
But-but
But...
...
I tried to turn my head around so I could see Ulysses face that looked as flat and soft as ever, asking for an answer straight from him. Along with Noah who was also staring at the man, but looked very upset
"I've always hated your magic...! How dare you put my friend in danger without his consent...!!" Noah spoke up, unconsciously clutching my shoulder hard in annoyance
"Noah-"
Hearing his name, Noah stopped his grip, while making sure I was okay with some questions
"That damn fake train is really annoying...!"
...
...
I've never seen him this angry before... His whole eyes and face showed his feelings...
It seemed like Noah's hatred for Ulysses was not just about trying to fight with a stronger person...
Ulysses, who had only seen us, on the other side, began to clench his hands to pray
"I know you're confused... But, I can offer you that if you don't want to be with Hector..."
The offer...?
...
"Noah. Help me-Wake up a little..." I also asked
Noah without further ado immediately did as I asked, propping up the left side of my body so as not to fall as we both looked at Ulysses seriously
He said something about the offer. Something to do with Hector
There is only one meaning to all of his words
"You mean... You'll train me from today?" I asked him my question, answered with a faint nod that I barely saw
"I may not understand you... But I can help you get into that room... Meet with the Maledict until you can be adept at defeating his inner strength..."
"Beating inner strength...?"
"Enhance his spirit... Removing his mindset... Mentally removed... Then..."
...
Ulysses fell silent, thinking as if his last sentence was unnecessary because it was unimportant
Or at least, that sentence was too absurd that I could not take it for granted as an objective
And I understand what he means
"... Kill him in that consciousness room..." I continued Ulysses' sentence, making him silent
"That's impossible. No human can stand up to Maledict completely, and the creature in the void of our consciousness is as powerful as that level" Noah interjected
"Nothing is impossible..." Ulysses denied, making Noah look upset at him again as he approached us
"That destiny belongs to you and Noah... It's beautiful..." He said, as he put his palm up close to covering my face
"A very good change... A very bright light... The chain breaks into pieces... The future is full of smiles and excitement after the many obstacles that drag and block..."
His voice suddenly trembled as if he wanted to cry, as he slowly withdrew his hand and put on the praying pose again
"God really gave us a blessing, chief..." He said again, to our chairman who was still here
"the 12 people who will sit on the pillar of the clock are thanks to God, Ulysses. I only gathered the 12 best people to occupy that position"
The chairman's voice even sounded serious and was not having as much fun as usual...
"The freak" Noah interjected again, then began to turn around without my permission and began to walk
"I'll take Arthur to the woman's room. This stupid exercise you can start only when he agrees" he said, as a sign of goodbye as we walked out of the room as quickly as Noah could
...
...
...
"The training will be dangerous for O-2507" our chairman said, after confirming we were both gone
"I knew... But he really wants to, doesn't he...?" Ulysses answered him, dismantled the prayer position and stood up normally
Our chairman was silent as if he was feeling very worried and wary of Ulysses
And when the person next to him started to feel his departure, he only said one thing
"Don't break the child's mind with your power. Each pillar is an important asset for achieving our goals"
Ulysses was silent for a moment, before slowly nodding to the man who had lost his presence
"I understand, chief...
I want to, too, look for that answer... Answers that no one can answer... Even by you..."
