Chapter 10: Injustice

■■■■■■■■■■

Finally, it was my turn to stand before the red-haired goddess.

Everyone else had already received their blessing and could see their status.

The blonde goddess seemed unusually interested in the ranks. It was likely the most important part of the status. I’d be happy if I could get at least a ‘B’ rank.

“You’re the last one… huh?”

When the red-haired goddess touched the back of my left hand, she looked puzzled.

I had a bad feeling about this. And unfortunately, my bad feelings are often right, though I’d rather not have that ability…

“This is strange. Why are you even here?”

“…Um, I don’t really understand what you mean.”

It’s not like I chose to be here on my own, so I have no idea why she’s saying that.

“Shailee, what’s going on?”

“This child isn’t on the list, Tiraia.”

So, the red-haired goddess is named Shailee, and the blonde one is Tiraia.

Knowing their names didn’t make much difference, but I needed to focus on something to keep my anxiety at bay.

I had always been plagued by anxiety, and I coped by escaping into my thoughts.

A hologram appeared in front of Tiraia, who widened her eyes as she looked at it.

“…It seems this child is still alive.”

Wait, did I just hear something unsettling?

Am I… still alive?

“This can’t be! All the children I brought here should be dead!”

Tiraia was visibly agitated.

“Calm down, Tiraia.”

“How can I calm down, Doras?!”

So, the handsome god was called Doras.

But now wasn’t the time for that—why were they panicking so much?

Could it be a problem if I’m still alive? Couldn’t they just send me back to my original world?

“I was the one who negotiated with the god of Fastcloud! I specifically got permission to bring only the souls of the deceased. What will they say if they find out I brought someone who’s still alive? Ugh, this is a mess!”

I see, so that’s the backstory. No wonder Tiraia was freaking out.

“What are we going to do with him?”

“Well… what should we do?”

“We can’t exactly send him back now, can we?”

Don’t talk about me like I’m a return that can’t be refunded…

“Alright, let’s just dispose of him!”

Wait a second, Tiraia!

When you say it, it’s no joke. Don’t say things like that!

“If you do that, how do you plan to explain it to the god of Fastcloud? Just admit your mistake and apologize.”

Shailee, are you even a god?!

“I think it would be best if we just told the truth to the god of Fastcloud.”

“Oh, that’s easy for you to say! I’m the one who has to bow my head and endure all the snide remarks! It’s going to be so annoying!”

Just apologize, will you, You!

“Are you seriously going to dispose of him?”

“I really think that’s a bad idea…”

“I’ve already decided! We’re disposing of him!”

“…What?”

So, that’s really where this is going.

Why is it always like this for me?

What did I ever do?

“Thanks to you, we’re all in trouble now! You worthless trash!”

Honestly, I think Tiraia’s thoughts are far more trash-like than mine.

“Ha ha ha! Trash, she says! Disposal, she says!”

Ken Ishiba burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

The other classmates looked at me with the same derisive gaze.

I wonder how they’d feel if they were in my position.

I’ve always masked my expressions, suppressing my feelings of anxiety and fear. It’s how I learned to survive.

You’ve never had to experience that, have you? Try going insane from fear yourselves.

“This is wrong! If Ishida-kun is still alive, please send him back to his world!”

Only Mirei Katsura stood up for me, positioning herself in front of me.

At that moment, Doras moved, hitting Mirei Katsura in the stomach with the butt of his spear.

“Ugh…”

She lost consciousness and collapsed on the spot.

What the hell are they doing?!

“You’re the lowest. You dragged us here for your own convenience, and now you’re planning to dispose of me because it’s inconvenient?”

I had been brought here by these so-called gods while I was still alive.

If they would just admit their mistake and send me back to Earth, that would be fine, but I’m sure they’ll just pretend I’m dead. So why should I hold back and keep quiet?

“Huh? You’re getting cheeky, aren’t you?”

“Cheeky? The fool who brought me here while I was still alive has no right to say that.”

“W-who are you calling a fool?!”

I pointed at Tiraia.

“You, you piece of trash. And you too—what’s the point of saying ‘I think that’s a bad idea’ if you’re not going to stop her? You’re just as trashy as she is. And you—don’t you dare attack Katsura-san for defending me! Looking at scum like you makes me sick!”

I let it all out in one go.

But this was barely one percent of what I actually felt.

After holding it in for so long, speaking up didn’t come naturally.

“Well said! Don’t you dare swallow those words back now!”

“So, you call us trash, you lowly creature?”

“Even calling me trash, huh? Quite cruel of you, Disposal Hero.”

“Prepare yourself!”

A blinding light erupted from the godly trash trio, and in an instant, I was wiped out of existence.

“You’re all worthless trash! I hope divine punishment rains down on you!”

“Haha! We are the gods! You pathetic waste!”

Tiraia’s words were the last thing I heard as I lost consciousness.