Chapter 41

— Next trial…

“If that’s the case.”

The Judge and I spoke at the same time.

I grinned.

“There’s no need for a trial anymore.”

[Hidden Skill “Child Actor” activated!]

Alright, let’s begin.

“Because I no longer have a reason to save that defendant—or rather, those hostages.”

My clear and steady voice rang out.

— Why?

— Why?

“You admitted it yourself, Your Honor. I have to save humans.”

I slowly turned my head.

The three hostages tied up before me.

Ever since I saw them clap, I’ve stopped seeing them as human beings.

“But they’re not… human, are they?”

Ruuumble!

As the ground shook beneath me, I stood firm—as if daring anyone to challenge what I’d said.

This trial can no longer proceed.

Because the one passing judgment has changed.

“W-what on earth are you talking about?!”

I turned my head to see one of the hostages suddenly sit upright, eyes wide with panic.

“Hah…! Wh-what do you mean we’re not human? That’s…”

Crack.

Rage. Injustice. Confusion.

Their faces were full of emotion.

At a glance, they might seem like real people.

“You acted like you’d save us, then used us like tools!! And now… you insult us too?!”

“Y-yeah…!”

“You sick b*tch! Just die already!!”

I stared at their complaints with a calm expression.

Say what you want…

You’ve already been found out.

— They said it.

— So it’s true?

I wanted to provoke them more, but unlike me, Dad would be freaking out right now.

So I decided to stop here.

“What exactly is true?”

I glanced sideways.

Then I looked directly at the one who’d glared at me first—the one who yelled the loudest.

“You clapped with the back of your hand.”

Even twisting it in an unnatural way.

The ground shook even harder.

— So what?

— What does that even mean?

Woof! Woof! Barking echoed from the walls, but I ignored it and spoke.

“When humans are driven into a corner, they act on instinct. Real humans… behave even more human under pressure.”

— …

“Just like how I’m desperately thinking of ways to survive right now.”

I faced the hostages and spoke slowly and firmly.

“That’s why you’re not human.”

The shouting stopped.

No more insults. No more blame. No more crying.

“…”

“…”

“…”

In an instant, six eyes stared at me with eerily blank expressions.

And then…

“Heh, haha… Just—just because of that?”

A hollow laugh slipped from one of the hostages.

…

…

Creak.

The man’s neck snapped with a twist.

— They were found out?

— Yeah, totally busted.

— Keekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeekekeeke

Screeeeech.

The sound of nails on a chalkboard made me instantly cover my ears.

But what was more disturbing was—

— How did you know?

‘Oh sh*t, that startled me.’

The hostage’s neck stretched unnaturally.

A face stopped inches from mine. Its bulging eyes were losing their pupils.

At the same time—

— I said, how did you know?

The Judge, now enlarged, loomed in close on the other side.

I could feel its snarling teeth.

※Warning※
Once you point out the hostages are monsters, they jump-scare you.
Don’t panic, it’s just a horror game lol

A dog-head in front, a monster with a broken neck in the back.

‘This scene is… genuinely horrible.’

It was fun when I saw it in-game, but now? Not even remotely.

‘It reeks! You mangy dog, you stink!’

Fortunately, with the “Child Actor” skill still active, my mental strength was high enough to stay calm.

“And that’s why, Your Honor.”

I gave my closing statement.

“With no humans left in Team 2 to stand trial, I have no reason to remain. Please let me go.”

This is where the chapter usually ends.

‘Only one thing worries me—the Judge’s condition.’

As expected from a sandbox game, there are alternate endings too, but I didn’t think it would come to that.

Though I’d briefed Dad on all the possible outcomes, just to be sure, I whispered a magic incantation in my heart.

‘Did I finish it off?’

Looking at the motionless monsters, I quietly swallowed my breath.

‘Looks like it’s really over.’

But I should’ve known better than to relax.

— Don’t wanna.

— No!

— No way!!

The Judge opened its mouth wide. I thought it was just a normal dog’s mouth, but inside…

Two rows. Three rows… an endless sea of teeth.

I tried not to look into the darkness writhing at the back of its throat.

※Warning※
DO NOT make eye contact with the rampaging Judge.
You’ll suffer a mental attack.

— Our trial isn’t over!

— Show us more fun!

— More!!

‘Man… I’m hitting all the rare events.’

Ever since entering this game, my luck had skyrocketed—in the worst way possible.

This was one of those rare patterns—when the Judge refuses to let you leave.

This ending only happens if you make the Judge panic too many times during the trial.

— Let the next trial begin!

— Begin!

Ruuuumble.

The floor trembled nonstop.

The Judge had transformed completely.

A grotesque form, shifting shadows swirling behind it.

“Since you won’t let me go… I have no choice, huh?”

I slowly recalled a certain post.

From this point on, the genre changes.

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

~Paranormal Class~

“The Judge’s Law”

Grade: Arkhon

Alright, folks, good job making it this far!

From here on, this is a guide for those who chose the wild route.

To all you mad lads trying to hunt the Judge…

◆ The monsters disguised as hostages are actually part of the Judge’s design.

So if you want to fight the Judge, take those freaks out first.

But don’t even dream of doing this as a beginner without the Purification skill lol

Hunting the Judge.

That damned Judge won’t let me leave?

Then there’s only one option.

‘Beat the crap out of them.’

The problem is, without the Purification skill, that’s impossible.

Which means… you just die.

‘But I’m not out of options.’

In other words, if you have the Purification skill, it is doable.

— Next trial begins!

— Remaining prisoners: 666!

— Begin!

A barely-holding-itself-together monster pointed at me.

The hostages, now fully abandoning their human disguise, lunged at me—ears sharpened, half-beast faces distorted.

Their bristly hands grabbed both my arms, but I wasn’t afraid.

Even though I was low-level.

Because my Guardian is a former hero?

“Daddy!!”

[Mission! Create the biggest heart possible!]

[If you fail, it will not activate!]

Alright, this is nothing.

‘Piece of cake!’

I unleashed my divine power and flung both hands free.

“Uuugh…!”

The monster’s grip faltered for a split second.

I took that chance to raise both arms above my head.

It wasn’t cool, but it was the best I could do.

I formed the biggest heart I could above my head.

‘Activate already!’
 

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Translator: Japchae