Chapter 58: Three Weeks

Peace lay sprawled out on the ground.

’It’s already been three weeks, huh?’

Not much had changed about his daily life in that time.

He did what he was told, studied what he was told, and trained when he was told.

At times, he tried asking vague questions, mostly to David, hoping someone would let something slip about the search for a monster immune to corruption, but apparently the matter was being kept under wraps for one reason or another.

Either that or the trauma from Lacan’s death had gripped David so tightly that he refused to say anything about that day or the creature.

For now, his two halves had few ways to benefit each other; they remained entirely separate and independent.

On his monster side, he had been fairly safe for the first two weeks, barely having encountered anyone.

But this past week, it seemed the search had started falling apart. That sounded like a good thing, but it made the searchers unpredictable. Quite a few dangerous groups had wandered into his territory.

He’d made little progress actually escaping the situation.

If nothing else, he’d been able to drive up the counter on [???] quite a bit.

Beyond the minimum of two a night needed to stave off the overbearing hunger, there had been a few nights when he managed to devour three or even four.

The counter had now reached 89.

Sadly, with only a few hours left before the dungeon reopened, he’d be sent in whether he wished to go or not. There was no chance of unlocking it beforehand.

Looming over him, Captain David reiterated:

"Remember, you are not to sleep, lest you sleep forever."

Peace rolled his eyes upward to meet David’s gaze.

"I’m aware..."

Ever since the first day, they’d known about his predicament with Ralph.

Despite his apparent value to them, they had never once suggested involving themselves in Peace’s dungeon affairs. They’d train, prepare, and equip him, but that was it.

They were even going to send him in with stimulants that would help him stay awake for the entire week without too many consequences...

Quite the torturous prospect for someone who could only enjoy the comfort of natural sleep within the dungeon.

Still, if he wanted to survive, they were right to issue him such a warning.

Captain David wore a wry smile as he watched Peace roll onto his stomach and push off the ground.

"Kid... you’re weak as shit."

Peace clicked his tongue.

"That’s not too reassuring."

David forced out a light laugh. ℯℯ𝑙.

"Haha! It wasn’t meant to be..." He placed a hand on Peace’s shoulder as he walked past. "Don’t grow conceited because you’ve grown a little stronger. You’re still nothing. There are many strong as me in the dungeon who’ll kill you as an afterthought."

Following David with his red eyes, Peace replied curtly:

"I know."

David huffed.

"Good... as long as you’re aware."

David exited the training room, leaving Peace alone to wait for the guard to enter and escort him to his next assignment.

’That guy... he has a bad habit of attachment.’

Either that, or Peace had become something of a coping mechanism for him. A new Lacan...

Not that Peace was supposed to know the name of that tragic pupil.

Speaking of Lacan...

The guard on duty shuffled in, a man just a little shorter than Peace, his helmet tucked under his arm. Golden hair, blue eyes, rigid expression. Lorkel — one of the first people Peace had met in this world.

Not that Peace was fond of the guy or their meeting, but...

Peace had since figured out why the nervous guard back at the Inspection Agency had undergone such a profound change over the two days following their first meeting.

He’d never gotten Lorkel to confirm it, but the looks Peace received whenever he questioned the man were telling enough when paired with the resemblance.

Lorkel was Lacan’s ’underachieving twin’.

Okay, that last part was Peace’s conjecture, but they were definitely kin of some sort.

Lorkel, donning his helmet, gave Peace a simple order:

"Follow."

Peace complied silently, tilting his head toward the incandescent light overhead.

He still maintained his creed of never viewing his oppressors favorably... Admittedly, keeping that distance had grown rather difficult with those he’d spent more time around — Ashren, Geronimo, Alexandra, and David — but it wasn’t hard at all with the more distant guards.

In any case...

Unlike every day prior, Peace wasn’t immediately returned to his room. Instead, he was led down a winding corridor he’d never traversed before.

Eventually, he’d been brought to the first room he’d woken up in.

’Ah, screw this place.’

Thankfully, they didn’t feel the need to strap their model prisoner into a chair.

’At least the glazing paid off...’

However, they did feel the need to strip him bare.

Mostly...

He was allowed to keep his undergarments on.

Moments later, a team of researchers and several others rushed in. They began touching him as they pleased — some seemingly for their own amusement now that they could finally interact with the docile specimen, others simply doing their jobs and taking stock of his condition.

Then, his equipment was checked, along with the items prepared for him.

Alongside his custom light armor and gauntlets, he was given a cloak, a quality bag, regular clothes, a sword, a pack of stimulants, a couple of potions, and Noble Path of a True King.

’I’m surprised they really gave it back...’

But he had warned them he’d been ordered not to lose it, so it made sense.

They didn’t want the Witch of Corruption to get pissed at Peace and kill him for not following her orders.

Once the last item on their checklist had been accounted for, Ashren appeared and gave him a few instructions about keeping track of everything, as well as how to deal with Ralph and his posse.

A few moments later, a bag was pulled over his head, and he was escorted away.

’Left, left, right, left... up? Right, right...’

He tried to memorize the route, but eventually lost track and gave up.

Lorkel, still his appointed guard, spoke sternly:

"We’re here."

Without even removing the sack from his head, someone shoved Peace forward.

Peace grimaced.

’Back to hell we go.’

He plummeted as something cold curled around him, drawing him into its embrace.

But as much as he was frightened...

’Finally...’

His head went fuzzy for a few moments before his senses settled.

’It’s time...’

He could chase strength all he wanted... for the most part.

Peace tore the bag off his head as quickly as he could, then pulled his hood up and over his ears.

A voice sounded from right beside him a couple seconds later.

"Well, well..."