In the center of the stone city, which appeared deserted and silent like an embodiment of the world's end, stood a massive building made of black stone.
In front of this structure stood a young man with black hair, clad in shining silver armor, making him appear completely at odds with the stagnant atmosphere around him.
With steady steps, he approached the building until he was directly before it. The structure was square in shape with a symmetrical design, featuring a massive entrance with square edges, made of black stone that seemed to absorb light itself.
Above the entrance, five symbols were carved in a specific arrangement, but they looked as if they had been intentionally erased, as if someone wanted to conceal their meanings.
Sami raised his hands and placed them on the strange door, then began to push.
Slowly, the massive gates parted, revealing a vast hall that stretched before him, teeming with silent people lined up like stone statues.
They wore white robes, embroidered with a moon symbol on their backs, and stood in a specific formation, silently staring at the podium in the center of the hall.
On the podium, there was a circular shape, and at its center, a simple-looking "throne" was placed, less grandiose than to deserve that title.
And on that throne sat a humanoid entity completely covered in black cloth, appearing like nothing more than a lifeless shadow.
Before the throne, a black stone of the same material as the building was placed, and embedded deep within it was a slender sword, unadorned, with a black hilt, seemingly stuck in the depths of the stone.
Sami froze in place, observing this strange scene.
But what confused him more was that none of those present turned to acknowledge his entrance, as if he were invisible to them, or as if they were just rigid, soulless statues.
Sami moved slowly through the crowd, expecting some reaction, but they didn't move.
Even when he pushed them or passed between them, they showed no response.
Their eyes were glazed, empty... exactly like the eyes of that old woman he had met earlier.
He continued advancing until he stood before the sword, then raised his gaze towards the entity sitting on the throne, which remained motionless.
And suddenly...
The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps coming from the stone staircase on the left side of the hall.
Sami flinched involuntarily and quickly withdrew, flattening himself among the crowd, activating his "Viper Slayer" skill, trying to conceal his presence.
Finally, the approaching person descended.
It wasn't just anyone...
It was Senn.
She wore the same white robe as the others, but it seemed ill-fitting on her, like a shackle stealing her natural radiance.
She was as beautiful as ever, but at this moment, a strange sorrow shrouded her features, as if she were a captive in this place.
She approached the sword, bowed before it, then began trying to pull it out.
Once... twice... three times...
But the sword didn't budge an inch.
Finally, she gave up, fell to her knees, and began crying silently.
Sami looked at her, and a hint of sorrow flickered in his eyes.
Damn, why are you crying now, you wretch?
He almost laughed mockingly but stopped himself.
What a fool I am... Am I really pitying someone who stabbed me with a poisoned sword? This is no time to be weak in the face of beautiful women.
He stood silently behind her, hesitating, but realized she hadn't noticed his presence; she was completely immersed in her tears.
He passed by her side until he stood before the sword, then placed his hand on it.
"You couldn't pull this sword? How weak."
He glanced at her with a mocking look, then continued:
"Watch, I'll pull it out on the first try."
Sami's plan was simple but carefully considered.
Throughout the past four days, he had done nothing but analyze his skills, review his tools, and explore every possible scenario.
He concluded that what he had to do was continue playing his role as merely the "Knight of the Moon," and all he had to do was obtain this sword. Then things would begin to change in his favor.
But...
Pulling that sword from within the very temple inhabited by the Demon itself?
That made it extremely dangerous.
Yet, doing so wasn't a choice but the only way, and he had prepared a thousand possible scenarios.
Despite all the preparations, what happened now was completely outside his expectations.
But... wasn't that the nature of the ordeal?
Unpredictable... always.
After finishing his thoughts, his eyes met Senn's, who looked at him with her silent tears.
But she didn't try to stop him... didn't show any resistance... just stared at him in resignation.
This was strange.
But Sami ignored it and gripped the sword's hilt.
And instantly... the sword slid out of the rock with ease.
As if... it had been waiting for that from the beginning.
At that moment, something strange happened.
He felt a deep shiver penetrate his body, as if the very air of the entire hall had changed.
He quickly turned his gaze towards the throne...
But the figure shrouded in black didn't move.
He turned his gaze towards Senn...
But she kept staring at him silently.
Finally, he lowered his gaze to the sword in his hand...
Then he heard a laugh.
It was a strange laugh... unnatural...
He didn't know where the laughter came from or where this image in his mind originated, but he felt certain that the laugh emanated from the sword itself.
Startled, Sami immediately threw the sword away.
He turned towards Senn, trying to comprehend what had happened, but she finally lifted her head and looked at him with extreme calmness.
Then she said in a quiet voice:
"That's why I told you, you're a truly unlucky drifter."
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