CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 57 - FALSE PROMISES

Chapter 57 - False Promises

After that, Jack walked out to the open field where the group of volunteers stood waiting anxiously. A look of worry and nervousness was clear on their faces. Inside, the rest of the people watched them, faces filled with fear.

"Why did they agree to leave the base? Are they stupid?"

"Ian, please! Don’t do this! Listen to your mom!"

"Goddammit, we’re going to lose more people!"

The reactions were, naturally, mostly negative. They knew how dangerous it was outside, and stepping out of the base was basically a death sentence. For them, this was the safest place in the world, and they didn’t want to leave it at all.

This was their sanctuary now, and their protectors were those military men who had weapons and were supposedly ’stronger’. However, they also knew those weapons were mostly useless and wouldn’t be able to do much.

In that atmosphere, Luna, General Hermann, and a few other soldiers stood facing the group, their expressions tense and serious as they waited for Jack.

"Is he going to take long?" the man whispered to Luna quietly. She looked at the door, then at Hermann.

"He will be here any second. Please be patient."

"..."

"S-Sir, can I ask a question?" One of the volunteers lifted his hand. "What are we going to do exactly when we leave?"

"It’s simple. We will find good targets for you to kill and gain the special abilities our heroes have received."

"So, everyone can get them?"

"Yes, as long as you kill a monster, you get them."

"..."

"Kill monsters?"

"How are we going to do that?"

"We are going to kill... Obviously, what did you think was going to happen?"

"You’re right... I need to be ready."

The whispers among the group grew louder. They already knew they would have to fight, but when the time finally came, the thought of it dawned on them—and they found themselves getting nervous... really nervous.

However, as everyone was contemplating whether to continue with this or retreat, Jack finally walked out, catching everyone’s attention. Walking down to the field, he stopped near Luna.

"I think I found a good place to look. It’s not that far away from here, so we should be able to make it there relatively easily," he said to her.

"Should we separate into groups?"

"No, the number is too small for that. We will go together."

If the number had exceeded a hundred people, then Jack might have considered it. But since there were barely fifty, that wasn’t necessary. Sticking together would increase their efficiency greatly.

"Okay, are you ready, General?" Jack asked. "Did you hand them the daggers I told you to?"

"Yeah, everyone has a dagger in their hand."

"Good. We will leave immediately."

"As you heard, gather up and head to the gates. We will be leaving," the man said in a calm and confident tone.

However, before they could start moving, one of the citizens stepped forward and stared at Jack. He was an older man with a sharp look and a rather strong presence.

"Can you promise us that we won’t die, sir?" he asked in a fearful yet determined tone.

"..."

"We are ready to face this danger, and we believe we can become stronger and protect ourselves. But... what if you are leading us to our deaths? We are trusting you because we are desperate and afraid of dying. Can you promise us that you’re leading us to survival?"

"..."

His question rendered the entire place silent as everyone stared at Jack. This was something they all wanted to ask, but were too afraid to. They had agreed to leave, they had agreed to fight, but... even if he was the hero who saved them, he was still a boy—a teenage boy with no real battle experience.

Could someone truly change so much within a day?

They didn’t know, and they didn’t have any other choice but to go along with it.

"Lead?" Jack asked, sighing. "Who said I’m leading you? You seem to have gotten something wrong."

"..."

"I’m not your leader, and I’m never going to be your leader. I can’t promise you that all of you will survive."

"Huh?"

"What is he saying?"

"Not our leader?"

"Then why are we following you?"

The reaction to his words was confusion and surprise. Jack had come into their base as a savior, and he even said he was glad he saved them. Why was he now claiming he wasn’t going to lead them? Wasn’t he the strongest?

Doubt crept into their minds.

"Jack..." Luna stared at her friend, waiting for him to continue.

"However," the boy continued, "what I can promise you is that... if you follow what I’m going to say now, you all will be able to fight for yourselves. That’s it, that’s the most I can promise you. Survival? Don’t be foolish. I, nor anybody else, can promise you survival. We are not invincible, and we are certainly not all-knowing. Death is around every corner, and the only one capable of preventing it is you. Each one of you holds your fate in your hands."

"..."

"If you are too afraid of death, then by all means, go back inside. I’m not going to promise you anything I can’t give. However, if you truly want to get stronger and become a true fighter, then you are welcome to join."

Silence took over again as the crowd stared at the boy. A mix of surprise and realization hit them like a truck.

They had made the mistake of thinking Jack was a deity, a true divine hero, when in reality, he was just like them—a normal person who had the opportunity to become stronger. He was never going to keep them all safe.

They were the ones responsible for that.

A few moments passed, and nobody moved from their spot. Jack watched intently before nodding.

"Good. Don’t take anyone’s word for granted. You will be lied to and deceived a lot in the future."

With that, he turned to the general. "We will move now."

"... A-Ah, yeah..." The man, still in shock, snapped out of it and quickly started giving orders for their exit.

Watching the process silently, Luna approached Jack.

"That was pretty good, Jack."

"..."

"They need the truth more than anything."

"Many of them will die in the next few weeks," Jack said, exhaling. "If half of them remain alive, it would be a success in my books."

"..."

Luna frowned, eyeing the group as they marched to the door. She also knew deep down that many wouldn’t survive that long. But even then, she still wished to try to help as many as she possibly could.

Even if it was just one single extra soul saved... she would go out of her way to save them.

Meanwhile, the gates of the base opened, and the group started marching outside after making sure the path was clear.

"Let’s go, Luna."

"Mhm..."

With that, the two followed them from behind and walked out of their safe zone into the unknown world.

It was the second morning, and the weather was clear. However, for some reason, it appeared to Jack as if it was gloomy... way gloomier than ever before.