Chapter 2
1.
The prison was cramped and dark. Three sides were sealed off by solid stone walls, and the only window was a brick-sized opening high above, far beyond anyone’s reach.
The air was thick with the damp, musty smell of mold. Shadows pooled like stagnant water. It wasn’t hard to imagine how many years had passed since sunlight had last found its way inside.
Whenever she looked up, her view was cut off by iron bars packed so tightly that even a grown woman’s arm would have struggled to fit between them. Whether that was fortunate or not, the cell directly across from hers was visible. It stood completely empty. Only dried bloodstains streaked across the floor, flickering beneath the torchlight as if foreshadowing the grim fate that awaited whoever occupied it next.
‘Seeing it in person… it’s far more terrifying than I’d imagined.’
Sophia quietly took in the bleak prison; it was far harsher than the version she’d pictured while reading the original novel.
“Hey.”
The steady sound of unfamiliar footsteps echoed down the corridor toward the cells. A moment later, someone called out to the guard. Judging by how cheerfully the guard answered, watching over a prisoner who had nowhere to run must have been mind-numbingly dull.
“Ah, you’re finally here. How’s it going? Enjoy your dinner?”
“I sure did. I’ll be on watch from tonight until morning, so I made sure to eat my fill.”
“Good to hear. I can’t wait to grab a bite myself, wash up, and get some sleep. I’ve been fighting to stay awake for a while now.”
The clatter of keys being passed from one guard to another echoed loudly through the corridor. Their casual conversation continued all the while.
“By the way, anything unusual about the new batch of humans?”
“Nothing in particular. Other than one woman who’s been crying nonstop for half the day.”
“Well, humans cry over everything. I wouldn’t call that unusual.”
“Exactly. Crying doesn’t change anything, yet they always do it. I just don’t get them.”
The guard who had been standing watch outside the cells shrugged, like he genuinely couldn’t comprehend the human race.
“Still, they’re quieter than I expected. Not a single one has tried causing a scene or putting up a fight.”
His reddish-brown eyes drifted toward the cells. The guard relieving him followed his gaze and looked inside as well.
Sophia hurriedly lowered her eyes, fixing them on the stone floor.
Their gazes swept indifferently over the humans trapped in the cramped cells, devoid of even the slightest trace of sympathy or pity.
There was something unmistakably oppressive about the way they looked at them. It felt like an unspoken warning — that if she valued her life, she’d do well to remain obedient.
As if to reinforce the threat, the newly arrived guard spoke.
“They’d better stay quiet if they want to live.”
“…”
“The very idea of resisting is foolish. The Overseer said as much himself, didn’t he? Anyone who tries anything stupid is to be dealt with immediately.”
“That’s right. The Overseer has always been a cold man. He won’t forgive anyone reckless enough to test his patience.”
The two guards’ cold eyes moved from one prisoner to the next.
Each time their gaze settled on someone, a sharp gasp of fear broke the silence. Some shrank into the corners, trying to disappear into the shadows. Others curled themselves into tight balls, making themselves as small as possible.
Sophia merely shivered, letting the prison chill creep down her spine.
Only after inspecting every last prisoner did the two guards finally look away and bring their brief conversation to an end.
“Then I’ll be off. Good luck with the night watch.”
“And good work holding things down during the day.”
After exchanging a friendly farewell, the first guard departed, leaving the newcomer to take his place.
The footsteps echoing through the prison gradually faded into the distance. A door opened, then shut with a heavy thud.
As if he had been waiting for that very moment, the new guard turned to face the prisoners.
Strange horns, unlike those of any animal Sophia had ever seen, jutted from his head. A bizarre tail swayed behind him, protruding just above his hips. His reddish-brown eyes glinted in the darkness.
“…If you don’t want to die, you’d do well to remain obedient. Your bodies exist to offer your life essence to the noble mouth of the great demon, Lord Eligos.”
A slow grin spread across his face.
“It’s an opportunity not just anyone receives. You should consider it an honor.”
“…”
“And try to keep the crying to a minimum. You’ll have all the time you want to cry later.”
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