I put a leash on Catastrophe

The pharaoh was silent for a while in response to Zhi-wu’s question, and then said with his usual arrogant expression:

“Just because.”

“…What?”

“I just didn’t like him.”

Zhi-wu was speechless at such an absurd answer and became angry. Although he didn’t expect a detailed explanation of the reason for the killing, he still didn’t want such a frivolous answer.

Looking at Zhi-wu’s darkening expression, the pharaoh laughed loudly and pointed at the monkey’s hand in Zhi-wu’s hand.

“You didn’t even know what it was used for, but you still managed to get here. Not bad, better than I expected.”

Zhi-wu blinked, hearing the pharaoh’s words. Judging by his tone, the pharaoh seemed to know what this thing was used for.

‘By the way, he’s the one who told me to buy it, right?’

Without it, he not only wouldn’t have been able to get here but would have just wasted time wandering in the chaos outside. Apparently, this is what the pharaoh was talking about when he mentioned regret.

“Why didn’t you tell me how to use it if you knew?”

Zhi-wu’s face turned red. He remembered holding this thing in front of the pharaoh and wishing for his death.

Just as it’s strange to use a hammer instead of a spoon for eating, Zhi-wu felt shame imagining how ridiculous he must have looked in the pharaoh’s eyes, using the item for the wrong purpose.

To the question full of reproach, the pharaoh slightly raised his eyebrow with a displeased expression.

“Why should I have told you about that?”

“That’s…”

“Hm, I even gave you a hint at the auction, and you’re not even grateful. That’s why people…”

Zhi-wu didn’t know what to answer to the pharaoh, who was displeased that in response to his kindness he received only reproaches. Indeed, thanks to his hint, everything became easier. He realized that his behavior was like demanding a wallet after being pulled out of the water.

Zhi-wu, hesitating, bowed his head low.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

“And thank you for the advice.”

The pharaoh looked surprised to see Zhi-wu sincerely apologizing and thanking. It seemed he thought Zhi-wu would ignore everything he said due to his dislike.

Pleased with his honesty, the pharaoh smiled, softening his expression.

“A good boy needs to be given a gift.”

Although his tone was mocking, the pharaoh really did give a gift. It was the ether stone extracted from the bear he had killed. Zhi-wu flinched in surprise when the egg-sized ether stone flew towards him, and he caught it.

“Why did you…”

“Just because.”

Again “just because.” He really was strange.

“…So this place isn’t related to you?”

“If you’re asking if I made it so that this world merged with yours, then no, it has nothing to do with me.”

“Hm…”

“Of course, I assumed it would be like this, but since it didn’t concern me, I just left everything as it was.”

Zhi-wu was surprised to hear that the pharaoh had foreseen this. Does he have some sensors that allow him to predict the future? Although he was surprised, it wasn’t like that.

He just saw the Gates opened here when he was wandering around.

“Although it was a bit strange.”

“Strange?”

“Yes. When I saw them that day, they were very stable.”

He said they weren’t in such an unstable state that they would explode in just a few days.

Unlike Zhi-wu, who was worried because the future he knew was constantly changing, the pharaoh seemed to be enjoying the situation.

“This is really interesting.”

What exactly did he find interesting? Zhi-wu was irritated that the pharaoh seemed to be enjoying this situation, which was unfavorable for humanity. However, his next words caught Zhi-wu’s attention.

“Why do the plans keep going awry? They shouldn’t have opened at this time.”

“Plans?”

“Well, it’s not some grand plans. We were just supposed to appear when you were ready.”

“…Ready?”

Zhi-wu didn’t understand. Isn’t it more logical to attack when the opponent isn’t ready, instead of waiting for them to finish preparations? He’s giving up such an advantage and waiting for the opponent to be ready?

‘This seems like…’

Not an invasion, but a game? Of course, humanity never expressed a desire to participate in this game.

The pharaoh, staring intently at Zhi-wu’s confused face, twisted his lips into a smile. Unlike the previous joyful smile, this one was rather mocking.

“Although it’s arbitrary, it’s fairer than you think. We give a chance. A chance to protect your life.”

“…”

“This chance is given several times, but it’s difficult to use. Because you…”

Have to fight not only with us but also with each other.

The pharaoh leaned towards Zhi-wu and whispered in his ear. Although his voice was quiet, as if he was revealing a secret, for Zhi-wu it sounded like thunder, reverberating in his ears.

Ignoring the still confused Zhi-wu, the pharaoh muttered:

“The Gates opened, although they’re not ready yet, hm. And the fact that I awakened earlier than the original plan… This game is full of oddities.”

Although it was more thoughtful mumbling than a question requiring an answer, Zhi-wu could understand the answer to the question that bothered the pharaoh.

‘Indeed, I… shouldn’t have returned.’

He called it a game. Although the identity of the game master controlling this game was unknown, one thing became clear.

He noticed that humanity had used a cheat. Therefore, this whole situation was like a penalty imposed on humanity for using a cheat.

“Ha… haha…!”

Zhi-wu laughed and sank to the ground. He didn’t care that his clothes were getting dirty in the ash and soot covering the ground.

‘Ah… I’m tired.’

He thought that after all his efforts he had found a solution, but he couldn’t even imagine that it would turn out to be a switch bringing the end of the world closer. In a situation where, despite all efforts, nothing was improving, Zhi-wu wanted to lose his mind.

‘If I just went crazy, I wouldn’t have to suffer.’

Martin knelt beside Zhi-wu, who was sitting with his head down. He just stayed nearby, not saying a word of comfort.

As time passed, his complex thoughts about the recently learned facts became clouded, and in his calmed mind, one word surfaced.

‘Chance.’

If he gives up here because of the penalty and fatigue, he won’t be able to use the remaining chances. Zhi-wu’s clouded eyes sparkled again.

‘Let’s deal with this first.’

He couldn’t just sit and watch as monsters continued to break out. But how to close the Gates?

Zhi-wu looked at the pharaoh. He could ask him, since he knew about this well, but…

‘He’s unlikely to tell.’

Although the information he had received so far was the result of the pharaoh’s whim, he might tell. However, there was a way to find out without his help.

Zhi-wu turned over in his hands what he was holding.

“What I want to know… is the place where there’s a way to close the Gates.”

He was worried if the question could be formulated like this, but fortunately, the finger began to move. It pointed somewhere in the distance, beyond the blazing flames.

* * *

On the way to the place the finger pointed, there were no obstacles. Even the pharaoh didn’t interfere with Zhi-wu, but just quietly followed him.

He even helped, subduing the flames on Zhi-wu’s path to make it easier for him to walk. Zhi-wu was curious why he was doing this, but he didn’t ask.

Anyway, he thought that if he asked, he would get the answer “just because.”

After a long walk, they reached a cliff. On the vertical rock face rising high into the sky, there were many holes. Probably these were dwellings of some animals.

‘…Up there.’

However, the finger pointed not down, but up. If he had wings, he could fly up, but Zhi-wu didn’t have them, and even if he had climbing equipment, it would be easier, but he didn’t have that either.

While he was pondering what to do, Martin opened his arms again. This was a gesture meaning he would climb up carrying Zhi-wu.

“…Then, please.”

Zhi-wu sighed because of his inability to do anything on his own, but he had no choice but to agree. Next to Martin, who was jumping up carrying Zhi-wu, the pharaoh flew, hovering in the air.

As they ascended, the angle of the finger pointing upwards gradually changed, and when they reached one of the caves, it pointed straight ahead. Turning on the phone flashlight and entering inside, they saw something huge.

It was something oval-shaped, pointed at the top like an egg, but only in shape – it was covered with protruding blood vessels that pulsated at regular intervals, as if made of living flesh.

Zhi-wu’s face twisted in disgust at this nauseating sight.

“What… is this?”

Although he didn’t know what it was, it was clearly a means to close the Gates. However, he didn’t know what to do with it and hesitated.

“Should I destroy this?”

Martin raised his sword and asked Zhi-wu. Zhi-wu hesitated, hearing Martin’s words, but judging by the disgusting appearance, he thought it probably wasn’t protecting what was inside.

He looked at the pharaoh, just in case, but he looked as if he just wanted to see what choice Zhi-wu would make.

“Ha…”

In the end, Zhi-wu could only nod.

Having received Zhi-wu’s permission, Martin swung his sword. The surface seemed hard, but when Martin applied force, it cracked with a dull sound. Unlike the pulsation outside, there was nothing inside. Only black darkness swayed and flowed out through the formed crack.

Kyaaaa!

Grrrrrr!

At this moment, loud cries came from outside. These were not sounds of one creature, but as if cries of a whole flock. It didn’t end there – there was a sound of footsteps, as if something was running in their direction.

However, the monsters didn’t have time to reach the place where Zhi-wu was.

Martin’s sword touched the ground, and the incomprehensible object split in half. At the same moment, the flowing darkness shot up like a fountain.

Seeing everything around being colored by darkness, Zhi-wu became confused and stumbled, but someone’s hands supported him. Martin and the pharaoh grabbed Zhi-wu’s arms from both sides.