GLITCH

The Dark Side of the Society

PUBLIC MARKET, Port of Kirmish

December 10, 2500

7: 00 AM

I followed the Glitch, an Aero Morph, to the slums.

As always every place has this same scene. It's like the government's dumping site for those they found either incompetent or not worthy to be helped. But then again, I'm not a politician, and I hate politics. I only adore the monarchy of Licht in the Maiden's Island. I also saw the slums in Maiden's Gloss City, but it's way better than what I'm seeing today.

The place is as gray as it is. Rats could be seen swimming around the stagnant puddles scattered about. The homes are either made by cheap or scrap materials. What's worse is that the people here are in their worst shape. I wish I could help them, but it's the government that should change. They're the ones in the position. I guess the rumors I've heard about this place long before I started becoming an informant are true.

Casting that aside, I kept on chasing the Aero Morph until she entered a house. Of course, my outfit is already gaining a lot of attention and it resulted in me gaining their curious stares. I didn't mind them anyway. My primary concern is the Aero Morph's status condition.

Aero Morph Level 72

HP: 800/9100 MP: 670/11000

Strength: -120 (-315)

Dexterity: 320 (-620)

Constitution: -800 (-1000)

Intelligence: 7110

Status Condition:

CURSED

- The being is cursed. Curse condition: The afflicted being will have his/her life force away.

I would understand if it were in the middle of a battle, but this kind of experience is torture, a truly horrifying experience. I crept towards the home when I was suddenly attacked with an axe from behind. Of course, I was able to evade it but as I look from the attacker's eyes, these aren't just from anger.

Yes, I am surrounded. But that doesn't mean I can't stare at them. The one who attacked me earlier stopped after I just pushed him away. He's still a boy, and is suffering from malnutrition. All of them were suffering like him.

This is the stuff that I always hated whenever I read this in novels and movies I randomly read and watched.

"Er...are you alright?"

"Hiiiii!!! She's going to kill me!"

"Wait. I'm—"

"Why are you here, you vile creature of the higher status!? You're merciless! Get away from here this instant!"

Their anger is understandable.

But you got the wrong person to blame though.

However, even if I try to plea for my innocence, they would chamge their perspective until I do something that'll move their hearts.

Dang, I did think about not helping them but...this situation of theirs is clearly not something I could just ignore.

I'm lucky that Ma and Pa saved me. I'm lucky that Miss Syakila, my other mum, nurtured me despite being an absolute stranger when we first crossed our paths.

If weren't for them, I would probably be one of them.

In the end, I could just remain silent as I stared at their eyes.

"WHO ARE YOU!? [Hydro Whip]!"

Whoa there. That's one nasty sneak attack.

I turned behind, and saw another Morph. But this time, it's a Hydro Morph.

Hydro Morph Level 72

HP: 800/9100 MP: 670/11000

Strength: -120 (-315)

Dexterity: 320 (-620)

Constitution: -800 (-1000)

Intelligence: 7110

Status Condition:

CURSED

- The being is cursed. Curse condition: The afflicted being will have his/her life force away. The curse would be amplified if the afflicted use a skill.

She possessed the same stats as that other girl. Are they related perhaps? Heck, her status condition is worse.

"YOU SCUMS SHOULD NEVER COME HERE! YOU CORRUPT AND FIENDISH BEINGS!"

That's not something a little girl could say.

"Please listen to me at least once. I'm not—"

"ALL OF YOU GUYS JUST SAID THE SAME LINES! AND WE FELL FOR EACH SCHEMES YOU DID! BUT THIS TIME, WE WON'T BELIEVE A SINGLE WORD COMING FROM YOU SCUMS!"

Ah, did I just fanned the flames?

"TAKE THIS! [Water Wave]!"

"Wait, anymore than that will surely kill you!"

"I don't care! You and your companions are more lethal threats than me being killed by using my powers!"

So, she's conscious about her health. It should've been more of a reason for her to stop.

Seriously, just how scummy are those bastards from the higher status are?

A giant surge of wave sprouts from her feet and crashed upon me. Perhaps due to the effects of curse, her aiming is so bad that despite the wideness of her skill, she missed.

With that, the water crashes towards outside the slums and hit one of those skyscrapers near here. It causes explosions and damaged the building.

"N-no..."

I glanced at the Morph and she's clearly terrified about something. Her whole body is shaking as she drops to her knees. The people also did the same.

"No... One of our saviors will be captured. Why..."

"Will Shirley be taken by the guards?"

"... I hope it won't happen."

"Shirley please don't go with the baddies."

"L-let's protect her!"

"But if we do, we'll be the ones that'll get killed."

Just hearing their conversation lit a fire of hatred in my heart pointed at those who are in the high position in this place.

Has it always been like this? How come I didn't hear about it?

The people started swarming the Hydro Morph, named Shirley, and acted like they lost an invaluable treasure.

Few minutes lapsed, and a platoon of guards appeared. Their navy blue uniforms were visibly stained with blood. Don't tell me they're killing people right on their way to here!?

This is...

Calm yourself, Rylai. You don't wanna end up like them, right? You don't want to become one of those who kill for pleasure under the pretense of executing justice, right?

That's not how those who possess Mantles should act.

"Are you alright, ma'am?"

One of those guards asked my well-being in a polite tone. The other guards, however, are busy stomping some grown ups covering their children from the guards' heartless approach.

Just because I'm not wearing tattered clothes, I'm being treated differently?

"Ma'am, we would like you to please evacuate this area. This place is dangerous for you."

"Don't mind me. Say, what would happen to those people?"

"Since they've gone and done it, they'll be punished with death. That skyscraper that was just damaged is an important property of one of our lovely taxpayers. We can't afford them to escape from the consequences. Sorry if they caused trouble. As you can see..."

I find this conversation so disturbing that I ended up not listening to the rest of what he's saying.

I watched the bunch of people rounded up and were now surrounded by the guards.

However, there's this one phrase that brings my attention back to the man explaining nonsense beside me.

"...so for that, they'll be executed."

That's it. I've had enough.

That cross the line.

"What do you mean by that?" I giggled while I acted like getting something from one of my lab pockets but in reality I went and grabbed my purse out of my inventory. "Do you have a Omega card scanner with you, by chance?"

"Ah, yes. We're bringing it always as mandated by our law. Why do you ask?"

"I'm the one who damaged the skyscraper, apparently. So I have to pay the damages."

"Eh?"

"What's wrong? Am I mistaken? Isn't it the right thing to show these peasants how puny they are?"

•••

"I'm the one who damaged the skyscraper, apparently. So I have to pay the damages."

"Eh?"

"What's wrong? Am I mistaken? Isn't it the right thing to show these peasants how puny they are?"

What is she saying? It's not her, it's me who did that!

Why is she covering for us?

Even the people who were with me were confused as of why she's covering for us.

"Could you really pay for the damages?"

"Of course! I'm filthy rich! Here, scan my card. How much is it?"

"It costs five hundred Omegas."

"I'll give you seven hundred. Now shoo. I want them to get drowned by my hands", she said with a smirk.

Upon hearing that, my people are getting terrified as ever.

She can't fool me though. I have my skill, [Water Perception]. It's a passive skill that tells me whether what a person's saying is real or not. Luckily, that one outfit of hers was slightly drenched on the shoulder. With that, I could totally know what her real message is. Just knowing it, made me cry.

Just who is she...? My dear god, Tlaloc...please grant me your guidance.