Chapter 152 - Decisive Entry
Sizzle…
The fire burning gloriously atop the wooden torch flickered along with the seeping wind, threatening to end its own life, fading away into nothingness…
Sizzle!
However, as if refusing to let go of its duty to illuminate the world, the weak flicker left for the wind to extinguish made a comeback, riding its nemesis to plant its fangs into the oil-soaked cloth that gave birth to it, exploding into a mass of scarlet flame!
"You were all gathered here based on your own decisions!"
A strong voice resounded in the lamp-lit cave, traveling through the underground caves. Standing atop the carved stone podium, the source of the voice overlooked the masses in front of him with contradictory gentle eyes.
Amid the long rows of shaken young men and women, a young man with disheveled pitch-black hair similarly stared at the low podium, his eyes possessing an extra hit of clarity…
'My decision?'
The young man's memories were a mess, every single point of his life felt blurry. Let alone why he was here, he couldn't even remember what his name was!
The scenes in his head gradually started becoming clearer, but this only made it more confusing. These clear memories desired to fade away… Just what was this place?
Although his head didn't hurt, the young man felt that someone had taken it out for a spin. The screws weren't in the right places. If not for the solemn atmosphere around him, he would have long called out for someone to explain his situation.
"...Ho?"
Just as he was contemplating the idea, the young man heard a whisper thinner than a bird's chirp, prompting him to discover a pair of glittering big eyes staring at him.
'Ho?'
The young man felt greatly affected despite not knowing the reason, but the shock he felt in his mind was greater than the one in his heart.
A mere single glance was all it took! It was as if someone had suddenly stretched his hand into his mind, dragging all the weak fading memory from the depths of his consciousness, all while stimulating the source that oppressed them!
'My decision!'
As true clarity split out from the now equal memories, the young man's gaze sharpened as a certain scene appeared in his mind. Coming here was indeed his decision!
[ The Energy Threshold of the 'Reader' has been reached. ]
[ You can choose to activate your next 'True Reading' experience within the next 240 hours. Otherwise, it will be automatically activated at the end of this period of time. ]
'240 hours?'
Far from Leo's expectations, the voice in his head didn't bring an undeniable command but a controllable necessity. Although he still had to comply no after the passing of 10 days no matter what, the grace period was definitely helpful when it came to concentrated preparations.
'But…'
It was fine if he was forced to accept the situation and face it as it came. However, being given the power to decide only made Leo more conflicted!
Normally, more time would naturally be better since he would have the time to accumulate more specific knowledge, but the presence of the upcoming meeting added more than one factor into the pool…
Waiting until the meeting concludes to deal with the things on the table was a viable option, there might be even some unexpected surprises that could better prepare Leo for his own adventure!
On the other hand, using another day or two to finish up his preparation before proceeding with 'True Reading' to obtain as much strength as possible in preparation for the meeting was also a very logical choice. At the very least, he could further boost his confidence.
Thanks to the countless unsolved mysteries surrounding Leo's new life, none of the two options came on top. He couldn't confirm that the time ratio would stay that high every time, which presented the possibility of missing the meeting. At the same time, his current level of ability wasn't reassuring enough to brave the meeting without worries…
Meow?
For a moment, Leo just wanted to sink into his bed, sleeping the worry away. Would it not be better if everything went on without him getting involved? However, Dark's lost face was like the little push that woke him up!
'Would I really rather be powerless?'
Regardless of whether great responsibility came with great power as Rain had said it, breaking free from the restraints of powerlessness itself wasn't that easy. Giving everything up was equal to accepting the shackles of normality! Had he not survived for a whole 8 years just to see the light of the next day?
'There is only one option!'
Life was a race that had no pause buttons, its troublesome tribulations had no end, the only way to stay ahead was to never stop running!
[ Initiating 'True Reading'... ]
That was right! Leo had chosen to charge right in during the decisive moment! He really couldn't help the emotions that overflowed at the wrong time, but he made use of the right one at the right moment!
'This time…'
The mess in the young man's head vanished as he consolidated his identity. Originally, his experience of receiving his memory as Leo should have been easier this time. However, his third persona's memories were already a mess even before he remembered his identity as Leo. In fact, his surprise emergence had almost crushed the original consciousness into dust.
The pieces were being recollected in his mind now, but that left Leo unsure of where he was sent this time. If not for…
As silence pervaded the stone-carved gathering hall, Leo couldn't help but take another glance at the figure beside him. Surprisingly enough, this was the reason his original identity didn't collapse!
"Baekho?"
Just as Leo was about to call out the Personal Book for a little help, the figure's two words jolted his memory once again, drawing out a single world in response…
"Yeon?"
[ Complete Awakening has been confirmed. ]
[ Entry Point: Chapter 2 ]
[ Issuing quests… ]
The strings of memories were pulled out one after another as the voice in his head resumed its monotonous liveliness. Leo's help could barely maintain their serenity as he heard what the voice had to say… It seemed like he was thrown into a much larger pond this time!