Ever since Somnu found himself in the Abyss of Lethe, from the second he had entered that crypt hidden amongst the withering trees…

  He had been playing right into John Doe’s, and possibly, the Faceless Forager’s plans.

  No, it all started on that night nine years ago…

  Everything had led to this moment, to his current predicament after falling into the deep hole beneath the clearing.

  He would have risked resummoning Fala, but he had no idea what kind of implications that might have on Almon’s stolen limbs. Thankfully, Grudgekeeper had managed to soften the blow somewhat by pushing most of its fabric to his back, the point of impact.

  Now, Somnu’s body was limp, his back throbbing against the cold wall in the darker side of the newly formed pit. In front of him, on the opposite side, the green moonlight revealed Almon’s remains, or what was left of them.

  “Don’t take too long, otherwise, I’ll have to find others to keep me company! Hahaha! Our one-on-one must come! I’ll be anxiously waiting once more!”

  That had been the last thing John Doe shouted before straining Almon’s body and leaving it resting in a similar position as Somnu’s, except the severed head was left between the cut off legs. The face was still affected by the Unseen Personal Title, leaving only the faded yellow glow staring at the one who had stolen its shine.

  It was the only thing Somnu could focus on right now.

  “...”

  I messed up… I walked into a trap while knowing something was up… I let him trick me into believing he was Almon and now… Somnu grit his teeth, shuddering in the process from the jolt of pain it had caused across his body. Now I killed an innocent person…

  And yet, he couldn’t know if Almon had truly been innocent or not, he couldn’t leave any words behind. His last moments had amounted to nothing but a helpless struggle.

  As if responding to his feelings, Veilbinder’s Deidam dug itself into its master’s skull.

  ***

  What’s going on…?

  Somnu’s vision had suddenly changed from Almon’s severed head to a scenery far different.

  Now, he was looking at a young boy. Disheveled black bangs covered most of his face again, but his yellow-ish eyes were peeking out. A gray hoodie covered most of his small body as he wrapped it around himself, fidgeting and darting his head left and right. He didn’t look older than eight or nine years old.

  What little skin was visible on his face was covered in countless bruises and scars.

  Is this… Almon’s past? Somnu questioned as he finally saw the resemblance. Why am I being forced to see this… It’s too cruel…

  He tried to stop his Memento from going further, but to no avail. Even with another Hollow Core rank up, he figured he still wouldn’t be able to fully control the legendary Memento. It was too high level for him.

  For now, that meant his new journey down Almon’s life would continue.

  “Where are you?!”

  “!”

  A booming voice shook the walls of the dark room, lit only by a flickering night light. Hearing it, Almon immediately hurried to a corner, sat on the ground and crawled into himself once more.

  His shivering only increased as tears rolled down his face.

  THUD!

  “Are you here?! Come on out, you useless piece of garbage!”

  As soon as the door opened, the boy dug his face into his shaking knees.

  He swallowed his tears, forced his body to stay still, dug his nails into his hood…

  And yet, none of it amounted to anything.

  “There you are! Why are you not answering me, huh?!”

  A stomping man barely visible from the low lighting grabbed the thin boy and effortlessly threw him across the room, leaving the opposite wall to catch him.

  “Augh!”

  “Who said you could eat the last piece of bread, you filthy bastard?!” The man carried his heavy belly over and screamed into the boy’s hidden face. “I bought that with my money! You hear that?! I earned it myself! What do you do here besides eat and shit, huh?!”

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  The voice got louder with every punch and kick the boy received. Soon enough, his coughing and blood-spitting came to a halt, his body finally passing out.

  “She should’ve taken you with her, that useless slut! Killing herself like the selfish woman she was!”

  The man stretched his arms and left the dark room, leaving the boy to bleed on the floor.

  That had been Almon’s childhood at home.

  Somnu was forced to witness it, along with the bullying from school. It was a familiar story. For his unkempt appearance, his strong stench, his gloomy vibe… He had been easy pickings for those who prey on the weak.

  All Almon wanted was to disappear, to turn completely invisible so no one would ever notice him again.

  And so, he turned to prayer.

  He prayed for any and all deities he found, clinging to any hope of being saved.

  If that was possible, he would gladly become a follower of any deity. So long as the pain stopped.

  The scarecrow watched, a tightness growing in his chest. A need, no, a wish within him hoped for Almon’s rescue, and perhaps…

  Then, one day, the boy had a dream.

  It had been a beautiful dream.

  He found himself in a different room, one brightly lit from all sides. There was a big clean bed, a flat TV screen, even a gaming setup. And as for himself, Almon was wearing a brand new hoodie, his hair was styled in a short bun, and his face…

  It was smooth and scarless.

  Looking at his reflection in the nearest mirror, he brought his index fingers to the corners of his mouth and pushed them up.

  He tried to smile, but it looked off, nothing like the smiles he had seen on other people.

  “I need more practice…” He murmured, feeling the texture of his smooth skin.

  And then…

  “!”

  His face darkened in an instant.

  “What…?”

  Turning away so he didn’t replace the image of his clean self from his mind, Almon bumped into a tall and imposing figure.

  Looking up, all he could see was a tight prison attire outlining the man’s muscles, and a wide maniacal grin on the invader’s covered face.

  “I see you!” The man said, reaching down to grab the boy. “You’re mine now! Let’s have some fun together!”

  Almon could do nothing but fidget in place again, his entire being was taken over by someone else.

  ***

  John Doe…! Damn you! Somnu grit his teeth once more, ignoring the pain the action caused this time. He played with Almon’s life like it was nothing, only to toss him aside like garbage!

  Before Somnu had come back to himself, many images flashed before his eyes. He could see what Almon experienced, being in and out of it throughout the last few years.

  When he was allowed to take control, his manipulator had made it clear what would happen if he wouldn’t behave himself. The looming presence behind his possessor did not help his confidence either.

  Almon hadn’t dared to go against his instructions. He simply crawled back into himself and did as he was asked, keeping as low a profile as he could.

  However, watching Somnu fight back for once… To get close to freeing him from the prison of his own body…

  Almon took action.

  No adult had helped him. No deity had reached down and saved him.

  However, the one reckless naked guy in front of him was his best option. Whether he could believe in him or not didn’t matter, he chose that scarecrow to put an end to his fears.

  That was why Almon had struggled and pushed back against his possession the moment it began to weaken under the violent slashes and cuts that repeatedly ripped him to shreds.

  None of that pain had mattered anymore, he pushed against it all, seeing the glimpse of hope in the glowing violet eyes.

  He wished he could have met them sooner, he would have gladly followed them if it had meant he could be saved.

  Dammit…!

  And having to experience the feelings and thoughts of the one he ended up killing, Somnu’s tears simply wouldn’t stop.

  His body wouldn’t move anymore, forced to blankly stare at the remains of Almon Gorbert.

  His full name had finally been revealed along with the features of his face.

  The System had briefly flashed in front of Somnu’s eyes before it had completely disappeared, likely never to be seen again.

  Perhaps, that was what Almon would have wanted…

  I killed someone… someone as mistreated and miserable as Almon… Somnu felt a knot in his throat, slowing down his breathing. He simply wanted to be left alone… To not be forced to fear anything and everyone around him… I ignored the vision I had before the fight, I should have tried to understand it!

  Silence overtook the deep hole, filled only with the guilt of a new murderer.

  As his stitched up wounds continued to bleed, Somnu forced his eyes shut.

  His current physical pain was nothing compared to what he had suffered before. However, these wounds had been almost the same as the ones his mother had succumbed to.

  Mom… Is this how you felt at the end…? Did you have to deal with all this pain on your own while I was out enjoying myself…?

  Why would they kill you? Who were you really to them…?

  What would you think of me now? Would you be glad I cheated to win, even if I became a killer…?

  What am I thinking… there is no way you’d be glad about that…

  What would Leyna and Mo think if they saw me now…?

  Are they okay…?

  Once again, Somnu felt his Memento dig into his skull.

  And this time, instead of showing him something from the real world…

  He saw his adopted siblings standing with Mr. Emberlyn’s granddaughter, a horde of Nightmare Creatures blocking their way.

  What…?! How are they here?!

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