Path of the Extra Chapter 404: The Proctor’s Game

"An angel...? Master, is that truly an angel!?"

Without even glancing directly at Azriel, Nol persistently nudged his side, his eyes wide with excitement as he fixated on the supposed angel.

Meanwhile, Azriel regarded the celestial being with a somber expression.

"...It is possible."

Azriel's lack of denial only amplified Nol's growing excitement.

From Azriel's understanding, these proctors belonged to the lower echelons of the Divine Court, their duties, as stated by the proctor itself, encompassing the smooth orchestration of scenarios and the amusement of the gods.

This, to humans, rendered them all the more fearsome.

For reasons Azriel couldn't quite fathom, he held a different perspective.

"Foremost, my cherished humans, I extend my sincerest congratulations to all of you!" the proctor declared, a radiant smile gracing its features.

"With minimal direction, a great number of you have performed admirably thus far! The final night looms on the horizon, ladies and gentlemen! Buuuuuut—!"

Abruptly, the proctor raised a single finger.

"It appears certain participants have ventured far beyond the expected parameters of this scenario! Your human enthusiasm brings me joy! You see! You see! This scenario actually features two distinct conclusions! Two separate versions of the final night! One, designated the Canon Ending, mandates that you participants select a side—either the nobles or the revolutionaries—and upon the arrival of the final night, you shall engage in a monumental war against one another! Who will fall? Who will endure? The outcome remains unknown! Your choices will dictate which faction triumphs in the end!"

The angel unfurled its arms expansively, a wide grin spreading across its face.

"Yet, instead of adhering to this path, it seems some of you humans have devised an even more brilliant strategy! The creation of your own faction! This ingenious move has effectively aided you in fulfilling the secret objectives and thus unlocking the Secret Ending Route!!!"

The angel appeared on the verge of exploding with delight as it joyfully spun through the air.

Subsequently, a luminous white panel materialized before Nol and Azriel, its borders shimmering with a golden hue.

[Secret Ending Route: Divine Wish]

[You have discovered peculiar tunnels concealed deep beneath the world. These conduits lead to enigmatic doors, the keys to which are strange, tooth-like objects. Once half of the required keys are inserted, the doors swing open, ushering you toward the unknown. Where does the other half of the keys lead? Merely surviving the revolution is insufficient for your ambition. The future of this world holds no consequence for you. Your avarice rivals that of a king. Your desires know no bounds. You yearn for more... wish... wish... wish... Is a single wish truly worth more than your very life?]

Upon absorbing the entirety of the text...

Azriel experienced a premonition more unsettling than any he had felt before.

*****

Lumine, Yelena, and Anastasia gazed upward at the angel, their necks craned in disbelief.

At this juncture, it no longer surprised anyone that Vergil maintained the utmost composure among them...

However, was it merely Lumine's imagination, or did Vergil's expression not convey a sense of displeasure?

There was insufficient time to ponder this observation further. Another panel materialized before them, appearing immediately after they finished reading the text detailing the [Secret Ending Route].

"Now, I must confess, even the Architects are unaware of what lies beyond those particular doors. This scenario appears to be one of the exceptionally rare ones! Therefore, ensure you leave an unforgettable mark. Trust me, mortals, the rewards will be substantial! And to further motivate you..." the angel proclaimed, its grin widening, "how about I reveal precisely which among you has contributed the most significantly thus far toward achieving this hidden ending route?"

A new panel materialized into existence.

[- Leaderboard -

#1 Participant: Azriel Crimson

#2 Participant: Nol ???

#3/#4 Participant: Celestina Frost

#4/#3 Participant: Liliane Bellefleur

#5/#6 Participant: Lioren Dusk

#6/#5 Participant: Vergil Voss

#7 Participant: Ranni Everse

#8/#9 Participant: Jasmine Crimson

#9/#8 Participant: Felix Emberhart

#10 Participant: Jegudiel Storms

- Leaderboard -]

Lumine's eyes expanded in astonishment as he scrutinized the leaderboard.

He had not secured a position within the top ten.

That particular outcome did not elicit any surprise from him.

What genuinely startled him was the individual occupying the uppermost rank.

Azriel Crimson.

He was one of the select few participants who had engaged in discussions with everyone else only recently.

No... actually, upon further reflection, Lumine realized that Azriel's attainment of the first position was hardly surprising. The prince had been instrumental in compelling everyone to seriously contemplate strategies for concluding this scenario—or, at the very least, he had spurred individuals like Prince Lioren Dusk to adopt a more assertive approach than they had previously.

However, Lumine and the others were not the sole observers of these unfolding panels.

They were situated within the garden, encircled by various other participants.

And those particular participants...

They did not appear entirely convinced by the names displayed on the leaderboard.

This was rather amusing, considering the minimal, if any, contribution most of them had made toward the scenario's progression.

Not that Lumine, in all honesty, possessed the standing to voice such a critique.

"You realize..." the angel suddenly spoke, a cruel grin stretching across his features. "That participants who haven’t contributed anything meaningful to this scenario have already been warned about being erased from the records back in your Soul Realm. Which means you won’t be receiving any rewards. However, as this is a special scenario... perhaps special exceptions will apply, don’t you think?"

A sense of dread washed over Lumine and the others as their gazes shifted upwards towards the angel.

"This world... how shall I describe it...? Hmm..." He tilted his head inquisitively. "It feels like it’s missing the vibrant colors that ought to have been splashed across it already."

The panels suddenly disappeared.

Then, without warning, a surge of mana pulsed through everyone present.

"Those who are idle before the divine are unworthy of receiving their blessings."

A chilling voice emanated from the angel, causing Lumine to instantly tremble, his heart pounding wildly within his chest.

Just as abruptly, the angel’s smile reappeared.

"Buuuut! Even when you falter before the gods, they are ever forgiving! Therefore, you indolent humans, you shall be granted one more opportunity to amend your wrongdoings!"

The next moment Lumine blinked, he perceived something quite peculiar.

He looked towards Yelena, and she met his gaze with equally wide eyes.

Hovering directly above each of their heads was a marker, shaped like a triangle, reminiscent of those seen in video games.

Yelena’s marker glowed green.

So did Lumine’s.

But when he turned his attention to Anastasia, her marker was a striking red.

Vergil’s, in contrast, shone with a brilliant gold.

Surveying the garden, Lumine quickly ascertained that the majority of the participants—nay, all participants within this garden—bore markers similar to Anastasia’s.

Red.

"Hey, what is this...?"

"Look over there! Vergil has a gold marker! Lumine and Yelena have green ones! Hey, angel! Why are theirs different from ours?!"

The angel seemed immensely pleased by the inquiry.

"An excellent question, mortal!"

He gestured towards Lumine, Yelena, and Vergil.

Vergil, who had already begun a slow retreat, halted abruptly the moment the angel pointed at him, forcing out a strained smile.

"You see, all of you displaying red markers have been judged as utterly dull, without worth, and undeserving in the sight of the gods! What have you accomplished besides hiding behind the strength of others? These are times of conflict and demise, and yet, if your only recourse is to depend on the mighty without ever striving for personal growth, are you not simply burdens? This is a trial. A trial where you do nothing is no trial whatsoever. Hence, all of you bear red markers!"

Gradually, the expressions of everyone marked in red grew somber.

The proctor then redirected his attention to Lumine and Yelena.

"Those bearing green markers are safe. For the present moment, at least. They have made some contribution, and the gods have graciously decided to grant them a provisional reprieve."

He then looked towards Vergil, who had once more resumed his cautious backward movement until compelled to cease.

"Damn it..." Lumine overheard Vergil murmur.

"And now, we have someone truly exceptional! A golden marker! Anyone within the top ten ranks will bear a golden marker above their head, signifying the gods’ immense satisfaction with them! Thus, well done, Vergil Voss!"

The proctor drifted slightly closer to the assembled participants, his voice lowering as if imparting a secret.

"But now, this is what truly counts... every single one of you with a red marker shall perish."

"...!"

Instantly, a wave of pallor swept across everyone’s faces.

"What?! You must be jesting!"

"W-wait, please, grant us another chance! You cannot simply eliminate us! W-we—this is utterly unfair! How are we expected to excel when individuals like the Great Children and formidable talents such as Vergil are present?!"

"HahahahahahahahahahahAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The proctor’s uproarious laughter sliced through the burgeoning chorus of complaints like a sharp blade, bringing an immediate silence.

"Fairness? Performance? Talent?" he echoed, his laughter wild and unrestrained. "You mortals truly speak like the defeated! Why would the gods ever bestow favor upon humans who cripple themselves with such pathetic mindsets? You humans are the true amusement here. However... you are fortunate! For as I have stated previously, the gods offer forgiveness. And thus, we are presenting you with a single opportunity... to earn that absolution."

"W-what must we do...? Please, we will undertake anything!"

Many nodded in unison, their desperation and urgency evident as they voiced the same fervent plea.

Lumine subtly looked behind him and noticed something significant.

Vergil was no longer there.

Swallowing nervously, Lumine felt an instinct to also depart. He thus grasped Yelena’s hand, drawing her attention, while cautiously observing Anastasia to ensure her focus remained solely on the angel, unaware of their intent.

Yelena showed no surprise.

She uttered no words.

She simply nodded, as if she had already arrived at the same conclusion.

The two of them gradually began to step back as the proctor's voice echoed once more.

"Anything? Well, I appreciate your spirit, human. But what the gods demand of you is not particularly difficult. To change your marker from red to green is actually quite straightforward..."

The angel's smile grew wider.

"You merely need to kill."

"..."

"..."

A chilling silence descended upon the entire garden.

Finally, someone stammered out,

"K-kill...?"

The angel nodded with evident pleasure.

"Yes, kill! Any human bearing a red marker who takes another's life can have their marker turned green. Your objective is simply to eliminate one competitor! Buuuut, here's the thrilling twist! If you manage to slay any of the top ten participants who possess a golden marker, their position becomes yours! This means, if you were to eliminate Human Verg—oh, he's already fled! Quite astute! Well, in any case, should you kill Human Vergil, his spot on the leaderboard is yours to claim!"

The proctor clasped his small hands together, practically radiating delight.

"And that's not all... any newcomer who ascends to the leaderboard from this point forward will receive immediate bonus rewards directly from the gods, without any need to await the scenario's conclusion! And what might this reward be, you inquire? Well... your mana core will advance by one level! Astonishing, is it not?!"

"!!"

As a matter of course, Lumine and Yelena were compelled to halt their retreat as countless gazes shifted towards them—towards the very spot where Vergil had stood beside them.

"Our markers are only green..." Yelena whispered, attempting to offer Lumine some reassurance. "Honestly, I doubt they would dare to target us..."

However, Lumine remained unconvinced.

"They might begin to perceive us as rivals."

Yelena pressed her lips together.

Then, the angel delivered one final statement—one that astonished everyone even more profoundly.

"Oh, but there is one more detail, my dear humans! The participant currently holding the top rank on the leaderboard—Azriel Crimson... what an intriguing individual he is! I genuinely have no clue how he attained that position! Ah, the gods and I are so bewildered, as we are inexplicably forbidden from observing! What kind of suspense is being woven around this particular human that I am not even permitted to direct cameras his way? Ahem! Ahem! Regardless... Azriel Crimson bears, not a gold marker... but a white one!"

A sinister glint flickered within the angel’s eyes.

"And a bounty has been officially placed upon his head!"

The garden fell into absolute silence.

Then, the angel's smile widened even further as he announced,

"Any individual who succeeds in eliminating him will be granted a three-level increase to their mana core."