Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Chapter 21: - There Is Always Only One Truth
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Chapter 21: - There Is Always Only One Truth

There Is Always Only One Truth

My back hit the hard, concrete floor.

Or was it the concrete floor that fell onto my back? Honestly, it doesnt really matter. The fact that it hurts like hell didnt change.

Pow!

The sound of a leather drum bursting echoed.

If any children wondered what a drum made of human skin sounded like, they could just refer to the sound my back emitted. My back was akin to a human leather drum.

I couldnt scream because all the air had been knocked out of me. I endured the pain in silence. Meanwhile, the Regressor that threw me stared at her own hand.

I jumped to reduce the impact

You call that reducing the impact? Youre crazy. We consider this an attack.

Wow, I executed that absolutely perfectly! Maybe I have an aptitude for judo.

She thought that as she put her thumb up. If I landed wrong, I could have easily died from the impact. To jump on my own The moment I felt something was off, I was caught off guard and thrown to the ground.

My Sky Turner is a form of qigong that I specialized in as a form of counterattack. Since its a move ingrained into my body, it activates before I can even think about it. He jumped as he saw it. That was a good response, but

A counterattack ingrained into the body. Thats just cheating. I approached using the perfect blindspot, yes as soon as I made contact with her, she performed a perfect throw only seen in books. It was the ideal textbook move, so I didnt get folded wrong anywhere. But the shock itself was so great that its difficult to move. Its like my back is being stabbed by a thousand tiny needles.

His response was good, but he didnt feel good in my hands.

This is why you shouldnt associate with people whove been battling their way through their lives. To judge people by how good they feel in your hands Am I a sushi ingredient or something? You disgust me.

I frowned.

Get your foot off me. Was throwing me to the ground not good enough that you have to step on me?

Ah.

The Regressor moved her foot off my collarbone. I dusted the footprint off my shirt as I lay on the ground.

This is your fault. Whyd you touch me all of a sudden?

Hmph. You really value your body. How are you going to get through everyday life if you throw people who tap your shoulder slightly?

If this is a world full of strangers who grab my shoulder out of nowhere, then I dont need an everyday life.

Are we strangers? You make me sad.

Of course we are. What else would we be?

A warden is like an instructor.. and a trainee. They say to honor your teacher, but to throw them to the ground and step on them? Wow. How sad.

The pain from the shock still hadnt fully dissipated, so I couldnt even stand up. I continued to lament as I lay on the ground.

Saying that it was his fault for coming at me unprepared I guess this isnt a battlefield. I did strike first.

The Regressor did feel sorry, albeit very slightly. She replied in a faint voice.

Whoever you might have been, you should have been prepared to face the consequences after getting in my way.

Is she really sorry? Look at how her words contrasted her thoughts. Im going to lose my mind. If I werent a mind reader, I would have exploded in rage.

I still feel like Im going to explode.

Is this regret? Is this unfair? Did you think that no one would try to stop you after you cleaved the wall open and tried to slice the golem in half?

When dealing with the Regressor, you need two logical arguments. Due to her tendency of being weak against logical arguments, shes the type of person who would agree to anything that has some form of ethical point.

Now that I think about it, that man is a warden. Which means hes an eye of the State. I was about to destroy this golem without even considering this man.

Its a relief that she understood.

Phew.

Should I just deal with him right now? I feel like I could eliminate him this time.

I take it back. It seems that just because were both human doesnt mean we can understand each other.

Time to change topics.

I started conversing with the mini magic golem.

Hey, Captain AB.

Captain Abbey speaking. The current situation has been analyzed. I thank you for your actions.

No, you know what, stop talking if you dont want to get destroyed.

I stopped the golem from continuing to speak. If it continued, it could reveal my identity. Thankfully, Captain Abbey quickly caught on. They seemed to realize that I was the only one in the abyss who would assist them.

I lifted the golem up while still lying on the ground. It was the size of a small doll, but it was far more solid than one. Its thin metal arms and legs dangled in the air.

Trainee Shei.

I changed the tone of my voice. I closed my eyes and continued as the Regressor seemed to feel a slightly strange glare.

Not only did you slice open the wall and destroy the golem, but you also assaulted me. Very naturally.

And?

Sure, the wall was already demolished, the golems almost just as damaged, and my body was there to be thrown anyway. I wont ask any more. So lets forget about the golem for now.

Well

Considering theres already a warden here, it wouldnt matter whether or not the golem remained. Theyre both dogs of the State. And it might be better to leave it alone.

After some consideration, the Regressor put away her sword.

I just need to not be watched by that.

It wont even if I ask it to. You already saw how it was hiding in the cafeteria earlier. If it wanted to keep a watch on you, it wouldnt have hidden itself there. The bourgeois who has four meals a day while the others barely get by with the limited supplies wouldnt come to the cafeteria anyway.

Hmm.

If you understand now, please leave.

What are you going to do here?

Now that I know theres a golem remaining, I should make a supply request. Since someone has been stealing all our supplies at night.

Sure

After deciding not to fight with that man, its inevitable that some information will slip past me. Lets just wait and see. This might turn out to be a good chance to gather some information regarding that man.

After nodding, the Regressor shot a sharp glare at the golem before turning away.

Could you ask if they could supply blood as well? It seems like Tyrkanzyka is a bit short on blood after suddenly moving her body.

Ill check and inform you.

Who the fucks going to supply that?

Ill be returning to my room now.

Stay safe.

The Regressor left proudly, as if she was showing off her leaving stature. Only the golem and I were left in the dark cafete

Wait.

Trainee Shei. Didnt you say you were leaving?

I could feel a surprised thought on the other side of the wall. The Regressor replied with excuses.

I-I was about to leave. I was just doing something.

What, are you trying to eavesdrop?

I glared at the door. The Regressor left with loud footsteps. I heaved out a long groan and lifted the golem up again.

Its been a while. Captain AB.

Confirming your survival. You did well to last thi

Wait.

I covered the golems mouth as I stood up from the ground.

Ow, my neck. Im sure it was my back that slammed onto the ground, so why does my neck hurt?

I stretched my neck by moving my head every which way, then stared into space.

Is there still something to eat around here? You said you were going back to your room. Why dont you go now.

Amidst the blinding darkness there was a subtle distortion. As if shocked, the camouflaged Regressor held her breath and stared at me with trembling eyes.

He saw me? Through the Veil of Darkness, which hides even the faintest of movements? N-No, theres no way He didnt realize last time

Stop fooling around. Its too obvious. Who the heck stomps through the hallway as if theyre announcing their departure?

Urk, was I really too obvious? But that man shouldnt have any evidence. Hes probably just throwing it out there. Lets just feign ignorance for now.

Just go away!

I threw the pot that was on the table. The Regressor ducked down before the pot could hit her, and it hit the ground with a clang. The camouflage was dispelled by the sudden movement, so the Regressors eyes met with mine.

The astonished Regressor blushed, red from the embarrassment.

U-Uhhh

Trainee Shei. Didnt you just say something about the golem keeping a watch on you? This is the same thing. Eavesdropping on someone while using camouflage is a really bad hobby.

I-I know. I just

I understand that there are such instances in life. Anyone can be curious or make mistakes. I wont say anything, so just go this time.

O-Okay

Fuck, fuck, fuck! I should have been more careful about it. I underestimated him because of our previous interaction!

The Regressor left with a drooping head. I thought she would cover up her embarrassment by lashing out at me, but as a perfectionist, she seemed to feel slightly depressed by her own inadequacy. She ran down the hallway, loathing herself.

Watching it all happen, the golem began to speak.

So you did have abilities.

You should know how I made money. Its just some psychological warfare.

Its a relief that you seemed to be doing well.

What? A relief?

A new worker was to be placed into the next supplies list, but it seems that is not needed. Human resources will not need to be wasted.

Ah, you meant in that sense.

The Regressor might be a Regressor, but the State was also made up of people who were hard to get along with.

They chucked me down here expecting me to die.

You know the gist of the occurrences down here, right? Then I wont need to explain anything.

False. I had this unit hidden from Trainee Shei. Observations could not be made outside of the cafeteria.

Aha. Is that so?

Thats some good information. Seeing as how theres information that only I know, I could get some value out of this.

If you report any valuable information, I promise to provide my absolute support to you.

And theyre quick to catch on. They recognise their position and my motives to present a trade offer. I do like their efficiency.

Do you have any special reports or requests?

I have one. I

But I still have another option.

Ah, wait a minute. Strangely, I can hear another thought. Theres no way. Getting caught twice for the same act makes you an idiot, and thrice makes history. The Regressors offering her name to the history books.

She renovated a prison cell on the first floor and is now living there of her own accord. I wouldnt be hearing her thoughts if she had actually given up and returned to her room. The reason I can hear her is

Was it my 7th cycle? I learned the far hearing skill from demi-humans who had very perceptive ears. At the time, I considered it a useless skill because it picked up all sorts of sounds from every direction. But it might be useful in this situation. Because its quiet everywhere, I should be able to hear them clearly. Now, lets see

Wait a minute.

I walked over to the pot I had thrown earlier then searched the storage and got another pot.

Nice, there arent any cracks and its in good condition. This should be enough.

I waited for the perfect time and spun the pots around.

Although I dont have the ears of a demi-human, if I put my ear against the ceiling I should be able to make out what

As soon as I heard the Regressors thoughts, I slammed the pots together.

Clang!

!!!!!!

The circular-shaped metal in itself served as a great amplifier. Additionally, these pots were made out of alchemic steel, engineered to keep every drop of water in. When the two pots were slammed together with full force, a sound loud enough to ring throughout all of Tantalus was produced.

The sound traveled down the corridor and rang through the building. A solemn sound that could rival that of a bell. An echo sustained throughout the abyss.

I waited for the faint echo to cease.

Ah, ugh Ah

A silent cry emerged from downstairs. I crouched down and spoke to the concrete.

Trainee Shei.

Ahhh, theres no way

Youre not even coming out to ask what that sound was. You werent eavesdropping on us again, were you? I trust that you werent.

You are going to cry? Nah, theres no way. Surely you wont. The feeling of wanting to cry and actually crying is quite different. Even a tearless man weeps in the heart. The feeling of wanting to cry from sadness and embarrassment isnt a rare occurrence.

Its a shame. If I saw her actually crying, I could have made fun of her til the end of the world.

Anyway

Now that the hecklers been dealt with

How did you know that she was eavesdropping?

I told you, its psychological warfare. Shes the type of person to chase after great profits. Due to her compensation mentality, shes the type of person to chase after profits over and over again even after experiencing failure, thinking Itll be different this time. She is the type of person who only becomes satisfied after gaining something.

Its all a lie. I read her mind. But even if this is a lie that was made up last second, it makes sense from beginning to end.

And there was nothing to lose. It was a zero risk high reward move.

Understood. What is the percentage of her eavesdropping again?

Honestly, its a loss for her even if she starts eavesdropping right now. She should have given up while she was ahead. How much more humiliation does she need?

The Regressors thoughts came to an end.

Ah, is this alright? This level of lacking in thoughts usually occurs due to fainting.

It might have been too harsh, but compared to the fear I felt, it was nothing. Mental pain was nothing compared to physical pain.

Anyway, after successfully pulling the rug from under the Regressor, I continued my business.

This golem has the form of a human. Its the type that shares senses with its user, right? One that you control by syncing your body with it.

Affirmative.

In that case

I tapped the golems body. As the golem reacted, I began to write on its body with my finger. My finger swerved around its chest and stomach.

Ill write all the important messages on you, so try to understand them. Just reply with a nod.

After the golems body slightly shivered, it responded with a slight nod.

Even if I can read minds, its better safe than sorry.

If I was going to communicate like this anyway, why did I slam the pots together?

I just wanted to witness the Regressors pain.

You said you were only in the kitchen, right?

I pretended to have a normal conversation while writing on the golem.

Im pretending to be a warden here. I lied so I could survive.

The golem responded with a slight nod. Then it spoke with the speaker in its mouth.

Affirmative.

Then you would have seen me and Azzy eating.

So, can you pretend Im a warden as well?

This time, the golem shook its head. As I shot a glare at it, the golem spoke clearly.

Not all of it was observed. As I had mentioned before, this unit was operating in a highly dangerous environment, so it was shut down during the day. Warning. Impersonation and false reporting is a heavy offense.

I guess its replying by adding stuff to the end of its sentences. Well, impersonating as a State warden is quite the crime. Even in this kind of situation, the States Radioman is still strict about it.

Then it would have been active during the night.

Then I wouldnt have a reason to protect you anymore. I would also lose my authority. If you dont help me, I cant carry you around.

The golem froze for a second. It was probably processing the conflicting information between its duty to keep watch and my crime of impersonation.

However, it didnt take long to reach a conclusion. The golem nodded and responded in an even more robotic voice.

Affirmative.

Nice. Thats been sorted for the time being. Now, I can just be the man in the middle for the States authorities and Tantalus while reaping the benefits.

It was worth getting thrown over. It hurt like hell, but I gained something.

I smiled.

And

After short consideration, the golem continued with a bit of hesitation.

This unit is linked with my senses. So care should be taken when handling it.

What does that mean? I cant read its mind, so I cant really understand it. Is it something important? It seems to be trembling slightly.

I lifted the golem up again and then began writing on its chest and belly with my finger.

OK. Youre telling me that I should only write it out when its something important, right?

Urk. You didnt

Huh? Thats a weird response.

The golem trembled strangely, as if it were broken, and spoke on its own.

A moment after, the golem swatted my hand away. Even though it was a miniature golem the size of a doll, it was still a State magic golem. Its metal limbs could easily deflect my hands.

It doesnt matter.

What? Whats with this response? I dont get it.

I didnt realize how unfortunate it was that I couldnt read the golems mind. I would have been able to read this persons mind and gained the upper hand. However, since it was a remote-controlled golem, there was no way to do so. It also had no facial expressions, so I could only make assumptions based on its tone of voice.

Is this what its like for the average person? Its more inconvenient than I thought. Its like buying something for my kidneys.

Oh, wait.

It did say that it was active throughout the night, right?

Then it should know who stole the food.

Got you.