MTLNOVEL Chapter 191
191. There Stood Someone
“Huh…? Where am I?”
I could’ve sworn I just absorbed Zane’s Mystic Eye at Mira’s house…
But I recognize this place. The nostalgic smell, the familiar surroundings. This is…
“Sarina Village?”
No doubt about it—this is my hometown, Sarina Village.
All the buildings are intact, but there’s no sign of life.
“What am I supposed to do…?”
Is the trial already underway? If it is, they could at least explain what I’m supposed to do…
“Ugh… ughhh…”
As I looked around in confusion, I heard the sound of a child crying.
That’s strange. I thought there wasn’t anyone here.
Looking in the direction of the sound, I spotted a blond-haired child crying in the shadow of a building.
This feels suspicious… But if I don’t approach, nothing will start.
“Hey, you. What’s wrong?”
“Ughhh… Waaaahhh!!”
When I spoke, the child cried out even louder.
This is bad… If Raize were here, they’d calm the kid down for sure.
“Did something happen? Did you get separated from your parents?”
“…I don’t have parents. They were killed.”
Killed…!?
That alarming statement instantly put me on guard.
“They were killed. By you. Because you meddled.”
The boy started growing rapidly. His height shot up, his features sharpened.
I recognized who this boy really was—or rather, who he’d become.
“Dan…!”
“Yo. Been a while, huh? How’ve you been? Not that I care.”
This doesn’t make sense. I killed Dan with my own hands.
Yet here he is, standing in front of me, looking exactly as I remember. His smirk, his posture—it’s all the same.
“Why are you here?”
“What’s with that face? Aren’t you happy to see an old friend? Let’s have some fun catching up.”
“…I never considered you a friend!”
“Funny. Neither did I. Honestly, I’d rather not see your face again, but here we are.”
…This must be the trial.
If I defeat Dan here—
“Bet you’re thinking, ‘If I defeat him, the trial will be over’, right?”
Dan read my mind like an open book.
“Classic you. So predictable—just like the killer you are.”
A killer?
“Don’t be ridiculous! Who’s the real killer here!?”
“Passing the blame, are we? I’ve never killed anyone.”
“What a joke… The people you turned into undead can’t come back!”
“My fault? No, no. It’s yours.”
The town’s tragedy is all my fault…?
The thought infuriated me. Even in death, this guy pisses me off.
“Wrong! You’re the one who unleashed the undead!”
“Am I? Or was it you who set things in motion?”
What is he even saying…?
“If you hadn’t opposed me, those people wouldn’t have died. Isn’t that right?”
“…That’s…”
Denying it would be a lie.
“It’s not my fault. The undead were my doing, sure. But the weak people who couldn’t survive them? That’s on them. Not me. Can you say the same in front of those who died?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“I’ve been saying it from the start. You’re a murderer. You trample on others and pretend to be righteous. But you’re no better than me.”
That’s not true. It can’t be.
Words to refute him swirled in my head.
But I couldn’t say them aloud.
Because deep down, I knew it was partly true.
If I hadn’t resisted Dan back then, maybe those people would still be alive.
“Stop playing the victim. You knew it, didn’t you? You’ve built your life by crushing others.”
“Then what was I supposed to do!? I couldn’t save everyone in that situation!”
“Simple. Stay weak. Hug your knees and live quietly.”
Dan spread his arms like a preacher delivering a sermon, a faint smirk on his lips.
“The day you were expelled from the party, you should’ve stayed down. If you’d made that wise choice, no one would’ve died.”
“That’s just hindsight! And I didn’t want to live like that!”
“Didn’t you? You got stronger, didn’t you? Used justice as a shield to justify yourself. Bet that felt great.”
No. No, no, no, no—!
“I’ll tell you your sin. You crushed others but ignored the consequences. That’s your sin!”
“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!”
I shouted, unable to hold it in.
I couldn’t argue back. Worst of all, hearing it from Dan made it unbearable.
I’d convinced myself that I wasn’t like Dan. That he was evil, and I was different.
But we’re the same. Maybe I’m even worse than him.
“Why don’t you just die? You’ll keep killing people, won’t you?”
“I’d never—never do that!”
“Really? Then take a look behind you.”
Dan pointed behind me.
I turned around—and saw familiar faces staring back.