Chapter 4: An Unforeseen RevelationContemplating my next move, I recalled an intriguing strategy I had conceived for such situations. The approaching group was part of an expedition team, inherently implying their superior combat capabilities. My understanding of the expedition teams' ranking, courtesy of the knowledge I gained in the Sacred Hall, made me tread carefully. I had to assume they were on par with my strength, no matter their rank. One wrong move could give away my presence.The expedition team drew closer, their attire and gear strikingly different from what I had encountered before. Their lack of visible enhancements baffled me. The most potent energy I could sense emanated from the woman who seemed to be leading the group. Shrouded in mystery, their true strength remained an enigma. But the answers were imminent.With ten Skills at my disposal, a few of which I acquired after becoming a thief, I no longer needed to manually access my Subspace to use items. Conjuring th
In a dimension distinct from the familiar laws of time and space, the Sacred Hall stood. This realm, ruled by God Himself, was a breathtaking marvel untouched by worldly concepts and constraints.In this domain, mere thoughts were transformed into tangible reality. Fatigue, discomfort, and hunger were foreign, replaced by an endless stream of entertainment that kept boredom at bay. The primary spectacle was the Golden Screen, aptly known as the World’s Mirror. It was a divine conduit through which one could observe any person, place, or event occurring within the earthly realm.Observing the daily unfolding of life from this privileged vantage point, I realized that God's famed omniscience was enabled by this all-seeing mirror. Time, an illusion in this realm, allowed me to immerse myself fully in humanity's last struggle, presented without restriction on the screen before me.With an unsettling fascination, I watched the desperate battles, the rivers of spilled blood, and the mounting
Anne was gasping for breath, her lungs straining with every inhale and exhale. Her eyes were wearied, and her body trembled on the brink of collapse. However, she clenched her fists, determined to persevere in her struggle, banking on a miracle to unfold. The previously fierce look on her face melted into a soft one as the monster bore down on her, its oppressive aura advancing relentlessly. Her comrades lay incapacitated on the battleground, moaning in agony as their lifeblood drained away, leaving them powerless."How did we end up here...?!" Ana seethed through gritted teeth. She had harbored some hope of overcoming the beast, but the creature’s overpowering ability that allowed it to withstand their combined assault was something she hadn’t accounted for.The ogre grunted, its mouth watering as it savored the intoxicating mixture of Anne’s sweat and blood. The scent only fed the monster's perverse thrill.Drained as she was, she had enough strength left for one final activation o
Clad in my dark, hooded cloak - check! Donned in my sleek gloves and boots - double-check! My exquisite sword at the ready - triple-check! And, to top it all, the fox mask that I had eagerly purchased online, inspired by one of my favorite anime - quadruple check! A rush of thrill surged within me as I stood poised before the mischievous Ogre. Enveloped in an aura of charisma, my mysterious persona brought a smile to my face. 'I must admit, I've always yearned to have an experience like this!'I had to credit God for this opportunity. This world was the perfect canvas to paint my fantasies upon, and I planned on creating a myriad of colorful memories.I summoned my Core-5 blade from the [Subspace] and brandished it at the Demon, a grin etched beneath my white mask. The sword, once belonging to an erstwhile ally, was tightly grasped in my hand. After losing my previous weapon to the Hell Kobold King and depleting my arsenal of daggers due to their frailty against its mana shield, t
As the day steadily transitioned into the evening, countless hours had elapsed since the taming of the monstrous ogre. My gaze remained fixed on the group from earlier, now on their feet and seemingly rejuvenated, though the trauma of the encounter with death still clung to their faces.While her comrades sought solace in rest, the leader, identified as Anne, decided to retrieve their coveted prize. A sense of wonder took hold of me; despite their earlier peril, they hadn't abandoned their quest. Was it purely the prospect of precious resources that anchored their resolve?Their ultimate aim, it seemed, was a Vending Machine. A banal device, but one laden with potential nourishment and items to bring back to their camp. Anne approached it eagerly, a palpable sigh of relief escaping her as she considered the dual victory - the fulfillment of their quota and the acquisition of a new skill from the defeated monster's Demon Core.'Ah, she's planning to transpo
"...My second reason is anchored in hope. I believe that these seemingly barren buildings still hold potential resources. It's likely that food, clothing, and other invaluable materials are hidden away within them. So, while we secure shelter in one of these structures, I will personally undertake a search to uncover anything we can use back at the camp," Anne articulated with conviction.A wave of awe washed over the group as they absorbed her words. Indeed, they couldn't imagine a more fitting leader among them. Anne's assertiveness and pragmatic outlook were undisputed.Her words were undeniable; the logic, indisputable. Anne was not just thinking about the immediate wellbeing of the group, but also contemplating the long-term sustainability of the camp.The man with the glasses, named Peter, was the first to break the silence. "I-I see… I apologize for my earlier misunderstanding," he admitted humbly.Anne dismissed his apology with a casual s
Anne, the group's leader, leaned in closer to the young girl, her voice low and coaxing, "...Do you see now, Katie? We must stick together as a unit. It's the surest way to guarantee our safety." She was doing her best to convince the visibly uncomfortable girl.Katie, as she was referred to, seemed to grapple with Anne's rationale. Her hesitance hung palpably in the air, a weak protest on her lips before she swallowed it back down. She seemed to understand that arguing would only paint her as selfish."In any case," Anne continued, "I will be setting out soon to scrounge for supplies. You simply can't be alone, Katie. Leaving you here by yourself would unsettle me deeply."The gravity of Anne's words hung heavily in the room, effectively silencing any retort Katie might have had. To speak out now would be a sign of ingratitude for Anne's heartfelt concern for her safety. It would also indicate an unreasonable stubbornness that could potentially put the te
'Oh, this is far more entertaining than I anticipated!'From my vantage point, I could feel the young woman's palpable fear resonating a few meters away from me.I had been discreetly observing her as she embarked on a futile quest throughout the building, searching for any useful resources, only to be met with disappointment.Finally, she crumbled to her knees, heavy breaths escaping her lips. It was clear that fatigue had finally overwhelmed her.'This is my opportunity,' I mentally prepared myself.Within a few moments, I silently traversed the distance between us, approaching her from the nearby stairs. Aware that my presence would soon fall within her sensory range, I steeled myself for the impending encounter.I had taken the necessary precautions beforehand. I'd altered my clothing and smeared my face with dirt to give myself a ragged appearance. My hair was tousled into a disheveled mess, and a thrilling grin spread acros