NOVEL NEXT Chapter 112: Rest In Peace
Leon didn't know how others reacted as his focus was entirely on the metal cages and the creatures imprisoned in them.
He had already guessed who they were, but it still hit hard once it was confirmed.
'Hope you get the day you deserve!'
Those words rang in his mind. He knew they didn't deserve this. All of them were just kids really, who only knew a little more about the world than others, but still just that...kids.
They didn't do anything to anyone.
'This world… is cursed!'
He knew it. But he still felt as if the world was constantly reminding him of this fact. As if he would ever forget the cruelty he had created himself.
Leon gave a deep bow toward the Abyssal Creatures. No student noticed his actions because they were busy in their own thoughts, but Amber did, since she was paying close attention to everyone.
'He remained rational and calm while also sympathizing with them. I wonder if he will be able to kill them,' Amber thought before she turned to look at the others.
She smiled when she noticed none of them backing away or avoiding looking at the Abyssal Creatures.
'It's necessary,' Amber thought.
Leon raised his head and walked toward Natasha, who was staring at the cages with a complicated look in her unblinking eyes.
He grasped her hand and said softly, "It's okay."
"You think I'm weak enough to get deeply affected by this?" Natasha asked, trying to smile, but her lips didn't move along with her wishes. "She wasn't really my friend or anything."
"You're strong. But you're also very empathetic," Leon said, tightening his grip on her hand.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Natasha's eyes as she finally turned to Leon and found him still looking at the cages with a solemn but determined expression.
"You know a lot about me for someone who actually wanted to stay away from me," Natasha said, turning back toward the cages. "But I'm really fine. A little disturbed, but that's all. It isn't enough to shake my spirit."
"I know," Leon said. "I just wanted to let you know that keeping everything hidden in your heart isn't always a good thing. I don't know what future awaits us, but I've called you my friend and that means I'll be by your side in any situation. Remember that."
"You're very silly," Natasha said before she muttered to herself, "I hope I'm never in this state."
Amber tapped on the metal cage and said, "I'm glad none of you disappointed me. You have heart, and as long as you have that, I won't give up on you. Back to the topic, how many of you can actually kill them?"
Many hands were raised, but there were also those who couldn't bring themselves to kill them. It couldn't be helped, as they had been friends with Sarah and the others. The moment they even thought of killing these creatures, they were reminded of them, and hesitation crept into their hearts.
Leon glanced at his friends and found them all raising their hands, including Natasha.
"For those who are still hesitant, I would like to ask you, are you that cruel to your friends?" Amber asked. "They are still being tormented inside these mad creatures. Do you wish to end their torment or not?"
"We do!"
"Yes, never bring that hesitation into your heart," Amber shouted at them. "When you are in the Primordial Expanse, you aren't responsible just for yourself. Your hesitation means the death of many and also the continuation of torment for the very being you feel sympathy for."
The hesitation that had been blocking them seemed to disappear under Amber's words.
"You aren't killing them. You are giving them the peace they deserve after death," Amber said as she walked on top of the cage. "Know their origin. Sympathize with them. Pity them. And bring peace to their souls. They deserve death, even if they were your enemies."
This was Amber's method in dealing with the Abyssal Creatures in every situation. And Leon had to admit it was very useful, because it allowed people to remain calm and rational in the worst situations and come to the right decision.
The students were brimming with confidence and resolution, as Amber's words had deeply affected them. Leon knew it was just a momentary effect for many, but it was still better than nothing.
They would remember this in their worst situations and act rationally, saving many people.
'There is a reason every single student who graduated from her class is successful and famous,' Leon began to respect her even more after this. 'She deserves every praise.'
He knew what students meant to Amber, and the situation with Sarah and her group must have impacted her too. Perhaps that was the reason she couldn't properly control her Corruption back then.
Yet, she was standing here strong as ever, teaching valuable things to her students. Just because she was used to seeing people turn into Abyssal Creatures didn't mean it didn't hurt to see her own students become these hideous monsters.
But she was holding everything back...for the students.
'You are awesome, Amber.'
Meanwhile, Amber noticed the burning resolve of the students and said, "I know you want to kill them now, but I will leave the first experience for later. You aren't in your right mind currently, but you will witness everything that happens to them."
She tapped her foot lightly on the metal, and crimson flames burst out in all three cages, engulfing the Abyssal Creatures.
Inhumane screams filled the training ground, but the students didn't back away. They stared at the flames consuming the corruption and engraved the image in their hearts.
This was what should happen to Corruption and this was what they were supposed to do to it.
They were the soldiers of humanity, who danced on the verge of madness to protect other humans. They were guardians of mankind, with a miserable fate staring at them every moment.
A minor slip.
That was all it needed to push them into the same madness they were fighting.
As the flames raged on, everyone present clenched their fists and kept their eyes straight on the Abyssal Creatures.
Amber witnessed everything and smiled sadly, looking at the cages. 'This is all I can do for you. Rest in peace, my dear students.'