The Little Prince in the Ossuary Chapter 98 : Spark, Fort Roberts (1)

Spark, Fort Roberts (1)

Vrrrrr. The vibration from his smartphone woke Gyeo-ul. The na flashing on the screen was Gerald M. Laughlin—the regintal commander. Checking how long he had slept, Gyeo-ul answered the call before it buzzed again.

"First Lieutenant Han Gyeo-ul speaking."

["Ah, Lieutenant! It's the regintal commander. Sorry to disturb your rest. I told you to take a break, so I have no excuse."]

After returning to base, Gyeo-ul had been granted about two days of leave by the regintal commander. That return was just yesterday, January 30th. Today is the last day of January. Tomorrow will start a new month.

"It's all right, sir. What is it?"

["There are a few things I need to tell you. So matters require your input as well. Ah, nothing dangerous or to do with combat, so don't worry. If you're free, can you co to my office at 1600?"]

"I'll do that, sir."

["Good. There's still so ti, so no rush. I'll hang up now."]

The call ended quickly.

It was currently 2:57 p.m. Gyeo-ul checked his physical condition. His body reacted-nimbly, just as intended. Recovery was complete. No traces of cold or fatigue remained. Still, he regretted the shortened break. In this world, sleep ant a chance to rest only as much as needed for situational calculations.

'Instructions... Could it be about the last mission?'

Massacres of civilians by the military are extrely sensitive incidents. So are clashes between U. S. soldiers. Squad leader Hernandez had worried that the authorities might hush up what happened this ti—afraid they'd get into trouble for no good reason.

Though technically off-duty until today, Gyeo-ul put on his combat uniform and ard himself. Better to be prepared, just in case. In this system, incidents always ca as random variables.

As he dressed, he checked his call history. There were ssages from the two division leaders and two combat team leaders of the Gyeo-ul Alliance, along with nurous missed calls. Many of the texts had been sent before Gyeo-ul returned. But since he was out of network range during the mission, only after returning did he actually get them—so reporting status, so asking permission to deal with different issues, and others simply checking in.

While tapping out a few replies, another call ca in.

"Yes, Yura?"

["Ah! Captain! You finally picked up! I saw your replies and hoped you'd answer. When you disappeared for two days after heading out, we all... We were really worried about you. You're all right, aren't you?"]

From the context, it seed Yura didn't know Gyeo-ul had co back yesterday. Understandable. Even though the combat team mbers were officially regarded as regular troops, in practice, much was still lacking. In Gyeo-ul's absence, there was virtually no link to the U. S. military.

'Well, there is, but it's one-way only.'

Their ability to speak up was even less than when Gyeo-ul himself was just an auxiliary. There was no real way to ask about his whereabouts—the U. S. military wasn't very concerned, either. Sothing to address in the near future.

"I'm fine. And I'm sorry. I should've contacted everyone, but I was preoccupied by the mission and didn't think of it. I got caught up in things. I'll be more careful next ti."

["No! It happens if you're busy! Ahaha, did you go outside the base or sothing?"]

"Yes. I went to Lake Santa Margarita."

Gyeo-ul could then hear soft whispers. Lake Santa Margarita? Huh? I know where that is. Isn't that south of Atascadero? Wow, that's really far! Gyeo-ul could distinguish the voices of Yura and the other combat team mbers under her. He pictured them, all huddled around the receiver, listening intently.

["Ahem. So you're not hurt or anything?"]

Even after being told he was all right, she insisted on asking once more. Gyeo-ul glanced at the back of his left hand. He'd gotten proper treatnt imdiately after returning. There was a brief reduction in grip strength and dexterity as a temporary side effect, but it wasn't bad, just a minor scratch. It might leave a scar, though.

"I was hurt a little, but it's just a scratch. Please tell everyone there not to worry."

["Understood! When will you co by?"]

"I might not make it today. The regintal commander called for , but I still don't know why. If possible, I'll try to stop by even if it's late. Is there anything I should know?"

["No, nothing like that. Since you've been summoned, I won't keep you any longer. Please stop by if you can. Everyone misses you, Captain."]

Then ca a chorus of voices, both n and won, from around her. When will you co? We'll be waiting! Let's have dinner together! Team Leader Yura and Team Leader Jin-seok fought again! And so on. The last comnt flustered Yura.

["Ha, hanbyeol! Why would you say that! Captain! I'm hanging up! Do your best! Fighting!"]

Soft, whispered voices up front, louder and urgent ones at the back. The call ended abruptly, before Gyeo-ul could even respond.

He had thought the two team leaders would restrain themselves after the incident at the lumber mill, but perhaps not.

'Well, feelings that have built up don't disappear so easily. People always find reasons to justify what they feel.'

At least, that was Gyeo-ul's experience—in a world he used to live in. Once you get angry for any reason, you start looking for further reasons to get angry. Anger is like the baobab tree, springing up on its own. Rembering the taphor from a book he once read, Gyeo-ul realized he, too, had one growing inside.

He wanted to express that anger. That's why he sought a world where things, human-like, had those feelings.

He left the barracks. The sky, soon to welco yet another storm, was a dull shade of gray. The rain had let up for the mont.

On the way to regintal headquarters, after exchanging a few friendly greetings, he ran into a not-so-friendly scene.

"Listen to the Word of the Bible! Truly, truly I say unto you! Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life!"

"Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in their heart! Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son!"

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son! Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life!"

"Did you hear that? Those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have no life! Those who don't believe are already dead! What does it an, to be alive but dead? It ans you'll soon beco like those who eat sacrificial flesh! Do you want to live? Do you want to live? The way is in the Bible! The Bible is the Book of Life the Lord wrote to give you eternal life!"

"There are many who carelessly read this precious book! That's heresy! The road to hell! The right interpretation of the Word is the power of the chosen prophet! Seek the gospel from our Pastor Park Taeseon, who has been anointed with miracles! You, too, can gain eternal life!"

The ones boasting with pickets and Bibles were the Full Gospel Believers' Association. From the middle, it was textbook cult nonsense, but to true believers, it weighed as truth.

Co to think of it, what was the true nature of that "miracle"? Gyeo-ul recalled the ti when a cold was going around. There was a rumor: Pastor Park Taeseon's blessed holy water could cure any disease. So speculated soone just dissolved antibiotics in it, but nothing was confird.

'If there really is sothing to it, it might be another change I'm not aware of.'

While Gyeo-ul was lost in thought, soone approached. The girl was clearly afraid.

Within the believers' group, Gyeo-ul's reputation was poor. She must have heard plenty of nasty rumors.

Gyeo-ul started to turn away, intending to pass her by quickly, but the girl ran over to block his path.

"Excuse ! W-ward, wait a mont!"

Eyes turned his way. Regardless of affiliation, everyone was watching this strange stand-off. The girl's hands trembled violently. At last, Gyeo-ul ca to a stop and mustered a smile as much as necessary.

"What is it?"

"Th-this!"

Gyeo-ul took the piece of paper the girl thrust out. Small, covered in tiny, cramped handwriting. Surely not a letter? Looking over it, he saw it was a missionary leaflet.

'Did she make this herself?'

As expected, it was filled with Bible verses.

"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)"

And plenty more besides. Gyeo-ul was about to tell her that such things wouldn't make him believe, but the girl spoke first.

"L-Lieutenant Han Gyeo-ul! Aren't you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Of the flesh eaters!"

Flesh eaters—their term for mutant infectees within the association. Gyeo-ul decided to deny it first.

"And if I say I'm not?"

"You mustn't lie! The Lord hates liars! 'A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish!'

Proverbs 19:9! Please rember that!"

"Why do you think I'd be lying?"

"Because flesh eaters are the wrath of the Lord! Maybe you're lying without even knowing it! You think you're not scared, but deep inside, it's different!"

A question with a decided answer isn't a question at all. Still, the other was a girl even younger than most boys. Gyeo-ul responded gently and calmly.

"That could be. Nobody truly knows their own heart. Even so, the person who best knows my heart is . I don't need to hear others telling , one way or another."

Perhaps reassured by his gentle deanor, much of her fear faded. Religious fervor filled the gap—a pure and innocent kind, fitting her age.

"There's a reason! Your very life is at stake, Lieutenant!"

"I'm sorry, but I can't afford to waste ti like this. Please excuse ."

"No!"

The girl grabbed Gyeo-ul as he tried to pass. He could have shaken her off, but it would look bad. While he wondered what to do, she spoke of her faith again.

"Ugh! Please, do read what I gave you! God said there's no condemnation for those in Jesus! If you believe in Jesus, the flesh eaters won't be able to harm you, Lieutenant! Please listen to our pastor and escape the valley of death!"

As she spoke, her hand clutching his sleeve had turned white. She was that desperate. At least from her perspective, she was acting out of genuine concern for Gyeo-ul.

As he pried her fingers off one by one, Gyeo-ul realized her grip was unnaturally strong. Even the "threat level" evaluation from 「Combat Sense」 put her at about the level of an average adult male.

'Getting a "threat level" tag from her isn't normal to begin with...'

As it was, the only explanation was that the girl possessed a warrior's aptitude. Still, that didn't an much before Gyeo-ul's own passive adjustnts. He removed her hand, then clasped it in his own and locked eyes with her in a new light.

If he simply let her go, she'd probably grab him again. Gyeo-ul soothed her gently.

"I'll read it, so please let go. I promised to et the regintal commander. It would be bad to be late."

"Then promise , too! Since you said you'll read it, you really have to! Lying is..."

"The Lord hates that, right? Understood."

Only then did the girl back off. She looked to be a middle schooler at most. She backed off a few steps and bowed deeply with a flushed face.

"Thank you for your ti! Everyone at church will be so happy if you co by, Lieutenant!"

Gyeo-ul returned a silent nod and checked the ti as he walked away. He had left with more than enough ti to spare. Even after being stopped, he wasn't worried about being late.

From behind him ca the lingering shout of the girl.

"Pastor Park Taeseon saved with a miracle! I hope you experience a miracle, too, Lieutenant!"

Hmm. Looking back, he saw the girl beaming and waving vigorously. Gyeo-ul called out,

"What's your na?"

"? Wow, I'm Hwangbo Esther! If you ever really co to church, please say you ca at my invitation!"

Gyeo-ul made a note to rember the girl was an "experienced" recipient of the "miracle".

---------------------------= Author's Afterword ---------------------------=

#Empathy

The dystopia depicted in the Ossuary is ultimately a world of people lacking empathy. Everyone, don't dislike others just because their opinions differ. The way to bridge any gap is always through conversation. It's not a fight.

#Model

When asked who Gyeo-ul was modeled after, luckySeven7 said the answer was themself. Thank you very much. Be careful when you go to sleep. Sothing ancient and great might be under your bed.

#Q&A

Q. OneChance: I happened to start thinking about colors during my second year of middle school and told a friend. Now, whenever they rember, they tease , calling a second-year! So much for childlike innocence!

A. Sounds like a good friend! Send them to the bottom of the Baltic sea!

Q. twking5008: O great ancient ruler! I offer a sacrifice (sho, nose) for the sake of childhood innocence. Please be satisfied!

A. I am satisfied. Accept my blessing. [Childlike Innocence Recovery Rate 10%]

Q. Saramnamu: Just thought of this suddenly: The businessman who took Gyeo-ul's body was so loyal to his wife that he even felt betrayed by himself, and even when doing sothing illegal, he kept to his own moral code? So is it true the seed of his trauma began with his wife's betrayal and then flowered into... well, sothing close to ho? Haha, innocence, innocence!

A. Whoa... That's a defective innocence! Are you sure your childlike innocence battery hasn't exploded? While The Little Prince in the Ossuary is a good recharger, I think you might be using the wrong voltage.

Q. WooriArts: Is your nickna taken from Tonggu Ska?

A. What's Tonggu, and what's Ska? My nickna cos from the Tunguska Event. Cause was probably a teorite impact.