I am not a prophet. I can read human thoughts, but I cannot predict how they will act in the future. But could I truly say I didn’t know?

“Set, Lee!”

It had been months since we fell into the Abyss. In a place where no light penetrated, survival depended on relying on each other. In an isolated space, frequent contact naturally led to forming bonds that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Love, too, is a feeling that aids in the survival of the species, and it grows stronger when men and women have few other choices. Beta and Delta were exactly such a case. Well, that’s the long and complicated explanation.

“Fahrenheit!”

To put it simply, Delta loved Beta.

“Why-y-y!”

Bang. Flames spiraled from the muzzle of his magically ignited gun. It wasn’t quite a magic bullet—just an ordinary bullet lit with magic fire. Yet the intent behind the attack was clear, more so than what could be seen. In the middle of the gunshots, Delta shouted.

“You cursed vampire! Did you really have to kill her in such a gruesome way? Cindy was nothing more than an insect to you! You could’ve just ignored her cries, but no—you had to kill her like that!”

Of course, only the intent and cries reached their mark. Had Delta’s attack affected the Progenitor, she wouldn’t have been a symbol of fear for over a thousand years. As the bullets were swallowed up by the darkness, the Progenitor recognized Delta and responded.

“Cindy? Ah.”

The coffin opened slightly, and a pale white hand extended from within. Clutched in the bloodless hand was a blood-stained cross held upside down. It was Cindy’s. Holding the cross inverted, the Progenitor spoke coldly.

“Are you speaking of that vermin who dared to toy with a trinket of the Heavenly God in my presence?”

“Cindyyyy!”

Bang, bang, bang. He fired recklessly without even aiming as soon as he reloaded. But before debating whether it inflicted any meaningful damage, it didn’t even hit the coffin in the first place. Yet Delta didn’t care. He knew from the beginning that this was a suicide mission. He simply couldn’t bear not doing it.

“You’re right. No matter what you shout, it’s just meaningless cries, and no matter what you try, it’s just meaningless gestures. I neither evaluate nor care about them.”

“That’s exactly it! If you’re so strong, then show mercy!”

“However, faith in the Heavenly God is different. That is an insult, a blasphemy against me. I have always exacted a price for that faith and shall continue to do so. If one’s faith is so deep, then they should be prepared to die in my presence without regret.”

His bullets spent, Delta advanced on the coffin, pointing his empty gun.

“Monster! You’re…you’re just a monster!”

“I’ve heard that countless times before. It doesn’t even stir me anymore.”

Delta’s mind was a storm of emotions. The torrent of feelings was so intense that even I could barely read it. Fear of death, rage that exceeded it, love and loss, and a thirst for revenge. Yet, filtering through all of this was one clear desire…

“You should suffer too…!”

A small yet determined wish that managed to bloom here at the bottom of the Abyss. I watched, just in case it led anywhere. But the result was this.

‘I don’t believe I can kill you. I just want to convey even a fraction of my sorrow and pain to that monster! If bullets can’t hurt that creature, then maybe my heart can!’

Delta, that sounds so simple. Language is a tool. Only those who frequently handle it can wield it properly. You, who can barely speak, will find it difficult.

“Yes! You’re magnificent! The great Progenitor! May you remain a monster forever, living until the end of the world!”

I know what you’re trying to say. You’re cursing her to live in solitude forever, to remain a monster until the end of days, dying without ever knowing emotion or companionship. If you’d polished your words just a bit more, if you’d understood her better before saying them…you might have hurt the Progenitor’s faint desire. But Delta couldn’t reach that level.

“Your cries are meaningless as well. If your lover was so precious, then go to the same place.”

Darkness enveloped Delta. His feet lifted off the ground. In that moment, he sensed death.

In truth, Delta had already died the moment he started this. He’d stepped off the cliff’s edge, and now it was only a matter of when he’d crash against the bottom. Though it took some time, the end arrived. The Progenitor spoke.

“I hope you find your way to heaven. I shall not be there, so it will be a pleasant place for you.”

Delta struggled, not because he wanted to live, but because he wanted to accomplish something before dying.

“Somehow…even just a bit of my pain…”

As his consciousness dimmed, Delta wished for the Progenitor to feel his agony. Even as blood engulfed his body, crushing his bones and tearing his flesh, he clung to that wish in the midst of excruciating pain.

A human who had once been Elsie Clarke in life and became Delta in the Abyss died, leaving only a faint, muddy echo. He had fallen into Tantalus with grand aspirations, found a fleeting moment of happiness after abandoning his ideals at the bottom, but ultimately achieved nothing and faded within me.

It was an absurd death. Humans, who are no more than beasts, knowingly threw away their lives, manipulated by love or ideals that are as invisible as air. Some would call it romantic, but to me, it just seemed foolish.

But, I am the king of such foolish people. The king of broken beasts who, swayed by what they cannot see, throw their lives away.

Ah. I need to be more ordinary.

“I have given you ample time. I have also shown you an example. Are your deliberations over?”

The arrogant Progenitor declared.

Ah, you pitiful being, having lived so long that you attempt to define yourself as a phenomenon. Surely, your true desire is to return to being human. So why strive to become a god? Do you so desperately seek to be understood by all?

You are not a god. At best, you are the King of Vampires…and even that is only a half-truth, as you cannot represent them all.

I spoke without hesitation.

“With two dead, I’d like to ask for a bit more. Save me, and save my remaining comrades.”

“Greedy. There is a limit to how much one can demand.”

“In return, I’ll make your heart beat again.”

As if struck, the Progenitor flinched. While she turned her head in surprise, I moved toward Finlay, who had been silent with his head bowed. Even when Delta died, the Progenitor’s command still held, forcing Finlay into silence.

‘Hahaha! Serves you right. Yes, this is it! This is the rightful food chain! Hahaha!’

Although he was forced to be silent, his thoughts remained loud.

I had brought along the stake that had once pierced Finlay and the undead’s arm. Approaching him with the stake in hand, I watched his expression shift.

‘There’s no way a mere human could harm the Progenitor! Heh heh. Yes! This is how it should be…wait, what is he doing…? Doesn’t he know I can’t be killed with a stake while the Progenitor is here?’

“Set, Lee, Volt.”

I embedded the stake into Finlay’s chest, letting a small electric current flow from its tip. The current ran along the stake into Finlay’s heart, causing him to shudder.

‘Ugh, what…? This attack isn’t dangerous, but it’s uncomfortable…?’

The current was weak, hardly enough to kill even a human. It certainly wouldn’t affect a vampire. Finlay, unharmed, was about to ask the Progenitor for permission to kill me when I addressed her.

“Did you notice? Finlay’s heart reacted.”

Of course she had. Finlay was within the Progenitor’s domain, and every movement of his blood was laid bare to her. She could read his blood’s flow as easily as the lines on her own palm. She didn’t respond, but I took her silence as affirmation and shrugged as I explained.

“From what I’ve heard, vampires’ hearts don’t beat. They use blood magic to move blood throughout their bodies. That’s certainly impressive, but wouldn’t it be easier if the heart just beat naturally? Moving each part manually seems tedious, don’t you think? Perhaps my electricity could make your heart beat again.”

‘What? Suddenly…this impudent human is…what is he planning, Hughes?!’

Her interest piqued. The coffin lid opened, and the Progenitor, looking as pale and delicate as a young girl, rose for the first time in centuries, showing a deep fascination with this new knowledge of the heart.

“Is it true? Can you really make my heart beat?”

“Of course, although my electricity might not work on someone as powerful as you, Progenitor…but humans have discovered that hearts beat this way. If the principle holds, there should be some response.”

‘No way. A mere human couldn’t harm the Progenitor…! Then why…why do I feel this ominous sense of dread? What’s this chill running down my spine…?’

The Progenitor may have hesitated to expose her heart to another, but it wasn’t out of fear it would be damaged. Rather, it was a sense of modesty at showing her bare skin. However, modesty was easily defeated by desire, and the Progenitor was no exception.

Desire overpowered her embarrassment. Deciding to indulge, even if it was a lie, the Progenitor loosened her garments to expose her chest, the flawless skin parting to reveal the grotesque interior.

“Then. Go ahead and try it.”

“If I succeed, you’ll stop the battle, and you’ll protect me and my remaining allies.”

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned with what happens if you fail?”

“I don’t waste my energy worrying over meaningless things. If I die, so be it.”

While speaking with the Progenitor, I could hear Finlay’s desperate mental cries.

‘Progenitor! No, this cannot happen. Please, no! That man is dangerous. Even if I don’t know his method or his intentions, he’s planning something…! Progenitor!’

But the Progenitor’s commands were absolute, and Finlay had to remain silent. Since the Progenitor had not given permission to speak, he could only stay silent.

Smiling slyly at Finlay to provoke him further, I turned back to the Progenitor. The electric charge crackled in my hand, holding something potentially deadly.

Today, everyone would see their wishes fulfilled. The Progenitor would finally experience the feeling she’d longed for, and, as Finlay desired, she would finally reemerge into the world.

Humans are beings who sacrifice themselves for the invisible. It doesn’t make sense, it’s not rational, and it’s vastly different from ordinary animals…

But I am their king.

 

Meanwhile, Kanisen, who had been fighting Ebon, died with his chest pierced. Alpha, having lost an arm, bled out. Although they had awakened the undead on behalf of our side, the undead on this barren land without the energy of the earth was merely a powerless relic. They were no match for Ebon’s subordinate, Chloe.

The Colonel and Nabi, meanwhile, were suppressing Azi. Unable to attack humans, Azi could only endure, beaten until he collapsed, bleeding. Ebon achieved his objective, but his body shivered with unease.

To any observer, Kanisen and Alpha’s deaths appeared to be delaying tactics. This meant the rest of the team must be working on something that required time. Ebon anticipated this easily.

“Could they be trying to wake the Progenitor…?”

The blood that spilled from Kanisen and Alpha’s corpses crawled along the ground, flowing somewhere. Following the trail of blood toward the underground armory, Ebon muttered to himself.

Ebon’s loyal aide, Colonel Grunt McKinsey, overheard and replied.

“What concerns you? I’ve heard the Progenitor doesn’t interfere in human conflicts.”

“It’s not that her principles are absolute; it’s that she doesn’t want to get involved, so she created those principles. What could the Progenitor, who would even insult the gods, fear? I don’t think she’d break her principles easily, but I can’t predict what those lunatics might do to wake her.”

“She didn’t react when the military nation buried her in the Abyss. How could they possibly wake her?”

As if in answer, a voice came from beyond the iron door.

“What about the flesh of the undead?”

Ebon turned to face the source of the voice. A large iron door, engraved with bloody symbols, stood before him. Red energy seeped into the cracks, but then the aura scattered, and the door creaked open. From within, a man staggered forward, holding something dark.

Ebon recognized him. He was a prisoner who had been hastily thrown in after Colonel Lankart’s escape. Ebon needed someone to keep Tantalus under control for Jiseon’s plans, so he picked a petty criminal from the recent arrests awaiting trial. Thanks to Lankart taking the dangerous prisoners with him, Ebon had been able to use this small-time criminal.

He’d heard the man was just a petty criminal. But then…what was this feeling?

‘What is this sense of wrongness?’

As Ebon observed him, he identified the object in the man’s hand.

‘The arm of an undead…?’

The man, face stained with blood, waved the arm that wasn’t his own toward Ebon. Though he couldn’t explain why, Ebon found the sight inexplicably chilling.

“Hello, Ebon Crimsonwild. Well-fed cat. Nice to meet you.”

[Hehehe!]

Then, the sound of hooves grew closer from beyond the open door. A massive blood-red horse burst from the corridor. Ebon tensed.

‘Bloodmare Ralion…! The Progenitor’s servant! So they really did wake the Progenitor! But then…?’

The blood-red horse glared, not at Ebon but at the man. Though horses are generally mild creatures, its face conveyed immense anger and murderous intent. If Ralion so much as touched him, that man would be crushed to bits.

Just before Ralion could trample him, the man extended his left hand. A cloth unfurled beside him, flapping before Ralion’s eyes, diverting the horse’s attention. At the same time, the man ground the undead’s arm into the floor. The blackened flesh crumbled onto the ground, and as Ralion’s hoof landed on it, it dissolved, causing the horse to slip.

The maneuver was as precise as a matador’s. Ralion veered away from the young man at the last moment, tumbling toward where Nabi stood. Nabi hissed, leaping up.

“Nyaaah! Weird horse! Smells like blood! Disgusting!”

[Neigh!]

As the two beasts fought in the background, the man slowly advanced. Despite the shocking sight, Ebon quickly regained his composure.

‘The Bloodmare Ralion is the Progenitor’s servant. Judging by its attack, they failed to ally with the Progenitor. That means there’s no reason to fear.’

“It seems your final gamble has failed. I wish you luck in the afterlife…”

“You’re chasing after something invisible too, aren’t you? Hahaha. Impressive. How comfortable and well-fed must you be to risk people’s lives for your sense of purpose?”

Ebon’s calm demeanor began to waver. With a hardened expression, he questioned the man.

“…What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t start that way, did you? Your sole motivations were the instinct to survive and hatred for your enemies. With those two things alone, you overthrew kingdoms and became a general, well-fed and comfortable like a fat cat.”

The man spoke his piece. Each word resonated with Ebon’s life experiences, making it impossible for him to dismiss.

“When you lost your enemies, you started looking for new ones. Now you fight against yourself! Wasting lives, killing your subordinates, and even sacrificing yourself! Such a noble hobby!”

“You…!”

“You are undoubtedly human, Ebon Crimsonwild! Only humans would gamble their lives on such meaningless dreams of being acknowledged as human!”

The man burst into laughter. At the same time, the air took on a darker hue.

The shadows stirred ominously. The blood roiled uneasily.

Something was happening. No—it had already happened. Ebon’s animal instincts screamed this truth at him.

“What did you do?!”

“Hahahahaha! You’ll find out soon enough!”

[Aaaaargh! It hurts, it hurts!]

From deep within the darkness, a voice filled with agony echoed. The voice, weeping in pain, was none other than the Progenitor, Tirkanjaka. Ebon froze in place. The Progenitor, a being of immortal flesh who felt no pain even with a stake driven into her heart… And yet, this man had somehow inflicted agony upon her.

“Seems like the Progenitor overslept and lost her immunity! A heart allergy is giving her fits! Watch out for seizures and hysteria, everyone!”

[You wretched…! How dare you…!]

“Hahaha! How does it feel to be alive, Tirkanjaka? Isn’t it exhilarating? Isn’t it thrilling? This is my gift to you! A gift for a Progenitor who wants to experience being alive!”

With a bang, a gigantic hand formed of blood burst through the iron door, like a demon reaching out from the depths of hell. The massive, blood-red hand, dripping with blood, groped around as if searching for someone.

[I will not forgive you! I shall never forgive you!]

“If suffering is part of life, then suffering is also a blessing! You don’t have to thank me. Granting wishes is my duty!”

The demon’s hand clenched into a fist, locking onto the sound of his voice. At that moment, Ebon’s fur stood on end. Trusting his instincts, Ebon leapt away, mere seconds before the massive fist slammed into the ground.

With a thunderous impact, the concrete shattered in a radial pattern. Blood spurted into the air. Ebon managed to dodge, but a colonel who didn’t react in time was crushed into a mere splash of blood.

Though his Qi Gong skill was low, the colonel had reached a rank where he should’ve been able to resist, yet he was reduced to a bloodstain with no resistance. Ebon knew his own fate wouldn’t be much different.

Faced with the terror of death, Ebon glared at the man.

‘This rampage of the Progenitor’s is his fault! If I want to survive, I must sacrifice him!’

With his target set, Ebon lunged forward like a wild beast, charging on all fours to seize the man. But the man was agile, and, above all, he used the demon’s hand as if it were his own. Each time Ebon lunged to grab him, he was repelled by the demonic arm, forcing him back.

“Are you planning to get us all killed?”

“That wasn’t my intention, but everyone here seems eager for a suicidal end! Well, what can I say? Humans are capable of anything. If they’re using that power to kill themselves, I’ll gladly lend a hand!”

“You…! Gah!”

The demon’s hand swept across the ground in a wide arc. Ebon couldn’t evade in time and was thrown back like a ragdoll. Yet, amidst the chaos, the man remained unharmed. The Progenitor’s voice echoed through the entire chamber, resonating as if the very walls were her vocal cords.

[Heaven will not take you. I shall hang you upside down and torment you for all eternity!]

“Wow! Such devotion! But what can I do? I have no intention of getting caught! Alright, here’s a mission for you! Progenitor Tirkanjaka, come find me outside the Abyss! Having a purpose makes life more interesting, doesn’t it? Hahahahahaha!”

[That will never happen. You shall not leave this place alive!]

“Sadly for you, I’m a magician. When everyone thinks it’s impossible, I can vanish into the sky or sink into the earth. Ta-da!”

With a snap of his fingers, a deafening explosion sounded. It originated from the control room located at the very heart of Tantalus. Red flames and thick smoke erupted, and the shockwave trembled through the ground.

And from that explosion, cracks began to spread.

 

In fact, Tantalus could be destroyed with explosives; Gamma, a technician, figured this out within days. Beneath Tantalus’s floor was a hollow void. Like a lid placed on top, it had weakened over the years due to prisoner uprisings and assaults, making it brittle. Gamma had kept this knowledge to himself, valuing his life, and confessed it only later, thanks to Hughes’s persuasion. He received forgiveness from everyone and shed tears of gratitude.

However, he hadn’t known. Someone had independently attached a detonator to the explosives.

Gamma only realized this when the explosives detonated before his very eyes.

 

The beast of blood roared. Human corpses were swallowed by waves of crimson, and those bodies left undigested were cursed. Simultaneously, explosions and tremors rocked the ground. The earth shook, walls crumbled, the world tilted. Gravity lost its grip.

The concrete ground, the artificial surface beneath everyone’s feet, met its end. Tantalus was falling into the Abyss.

Screams, roars, collapse, and descent.

“…Sorry, Azi. Once again, I couldn’t keep my promise.”

And a final apology for a promise left unfulfilled.

Bearing the marks of everything that had transpired within, Tantalus plummeted, becoming a massive tombstone for the dead.

Rumble. The earth split open, and the black Abyss swallowed everything.

Thus, everything fell into the Abyss.

And disappeared into a past that no one could ever know.