THE TRUTH SEEKERS
CHAPTER 7: Testing Begins (2)

"Khe-"

The man held back a laugh. Staring at the laptop screen that lit up on his lap. Showing a picture of a young boy who fell and went into a dark foggy classroom. The hand moves to sip a cigarette between the index and middle fingers. Let the puff of smoke rise out through the open windshield of the car door.

A soft 'bang' sound was heard as the car he was riding swayed slowly.

"You look happy, Razark no Danna*." Cetus someone, but only his voice was heard. His appearance was invisible because it was hidden in the darkness. Razark Shiryuu snorted, "It's quite entertaining. You put the camera in the best corners."

(*Danna : Sir)

"Are you not going to help him? Looks like the ghosts isolated the third floor so that the child was entangled in 'Looping'."

"It's just more interesting."

There is no lawfulness. But the little grin that formed on the man's lips was enough to confirm something.

"You must be planning something."

A loud voice sounded. The man grabbed something from his pocket pocket and pinned it to his ear. Just when the young man who was highlighted on the laptop screen went inside a locker, he said, saying,

"Time to wake the kitten."

...............

...~My world and your world are now one~...

...THE SEEKERS 7: The Exam Begins (2)...

"Stop... Please don't kill me..."

Zraaassh

Blood splashed when a girl's neck was slashed by a jagged knife.

"KYAAKKHH-Ohokk-"

ZLEBB

A boy was stabbed in the heart

"Please... Let me go-kyakhh-"

Head on the floor until the sound of cracks is heard.

"Gihihi GYAHAHA-"

A person laughed merrily amidst the pile of corpses with a face filled with the look of madness.

Be ill. Be ill. Be ill.

Mournfully. Mournfully. Mournfully.

Despondent. Hollowly.

Angering. Angering. Hates. Hates.

VENDETTA.

Compounding negative emotions hit me irresponsibly. Making my head ache like all that emotional outburst was causing swelling in the head cavity and being pierced by dozens of kitchen knives. My hands cooled, stiffened, spruced hair until they pulled out a few strands.

The vision continues to flutter. My head wants to break. Everything was spinning until I felt like vomiting.

"Stop..." Isakku. Started to cry staring at the crazy figure that suddenly appeared before me. Fresh blood came out of his mouth when he saw something flashing. I looked down, looking at the chest that had been stabbed by the rusty knife covered in blood.

"Ohokk-"

I fell to the floor with all the pain that destroyed my sanity.

So painful. So pitiful. I feel burning. I'm wrathful - I'm angry. I hate it---

Dying.mati.mati.mati.

Mati.mati.mati.MATI--

I cursed. I will continue to curse him to the bottom of hell.

That bastard-that bastard

"GYAAAHHKK-"

Stop the. Please all stop.

My head hurts. I'm gonna kill him. My sanity eroded. I'm gonna kill him. I'm gonna go crazy-I

"He-I must die-"

"Wake up, son."

DEG!!

My vision vibrates. To grow and become unworthy.

"You heard me, right? I said get up quick."

DEG!

"Hakkhh-"

I jerked. The previous terrifying vision finally disappeared. My momentary lost-like sanity slowly began to return. Now I looked back at the closed dark locker door and realized that I was curled up with cold sweat all over my body. My breath was badly severed and I trembled.

Barusab it-what-?

When I came to, I felt as if I had just been called by someone. But I'm not sure, though,

"Sir...?"

"When do you want to curl up in the locker?"

I started to panic and seemed to be hallucinating because I had just heard that person's voice, "Sir? Sir Razark?! W-is that you?"

"Left pants pocket."

I immediately reached into my left pants pocket and was stunned when I felt something inside. I pull that thing out and I put it on my palm. My eyes are shaking, though,

"Soundless child. I told you not to be consumed by your empathy. Have you forgotten?"

"Sir Razar!" No doubt I feel so happy. I am so happy that my voice is vibrating. This voice belongs to Sir Razark! He spoke through this wireless earphone-like thing!

"How's testing? Smoothly?"

I scowled wryly because I wanted to cry. Evaporating my fear and anger simultaneously in front of the eraphone "Where is it coming from? I was ganged up by ghosts at this school and couldn't get out!"

I could hear a little mocking laughter from across the street making me feel so angry and annoyed. But on one side I felt slowly starting to calm down.

This guy's with me. He didn't just leave me in this horrible place. I was so relieved that I wanted to cry because I thought he had actually left me here...

"Quick out. You made the exam so boring for a long time."

"I can't get out sir. They're swarming there."

"Then fight them."

"What?"

"You have to fight them all."

I glared at the horror, "A-you're kidding? How can I fight them?! They are so many and I can't even use a Skill like you!"

"Tch, didn't you notice how I did it before?"

I just wanted to answer, but something suddenly happened,

GRADAKK-

My world shook like an earthquake and I rolled out of my locker. My body felt very sick and I just realized that the locker I was hiding in was lying on its side. My neck suddenly cooled

Die me-mom-dead

"Gyeahhh!!"

Ghosts have swarmed around me with faces filled with absolute anger. The air became so heavy and stuffy that I had trouble breathing.

Mati.mati.mati.

mati.sati.mati.mati

I'mscared.... I can't talk... They continue to shower me with vile words of judgment. Loaded with anger and resentment that so thick and make me waver.

I'm going to die-off

My eyes moved towards the earphones lying beside me. I hurriedly picked it up and brought it closer to my face with trembling hands. Protecting those earphones as if they were precious lives.

"S-south... Please me... I'm going to die..."

There was no immediate answer and I think he left me because I didn't try harder on this exam. I wanted to cry because I was so desperate.

"Calm down."

My lips vibrate. The rustling sound was still heard and I intended to attach the earphones to the ears.

"Sir... You're not leaving me?"

"I will lead you. So stop shaking and freaking." He said, "Get yourself strong and focused. Don't let them use your fears to pressure you. Feel your existence, feel the turmoil that is within you. Rest assured that you can control them all and fortify yourself with your own existence. Remember, the source of your strength is not small."

I replied with a trembling and passive pessimistic tone, "But I'm not strong enough.. I'm not like you, Sir Razark."

"Son.." This time I could feel that his tone had become more subtle and gentle, "Trust in your potential. You can do it."

Maybe because of his words, or maybe because I know that I'm not alone. My fear is slowly diminishing. There was something exploding inside my chest and I became calmer.

It was as if that person was by my side right now.

The head that was originally lowered slowly lifted. My frowning eyes began to get used to the darkness around. Fear had once again strangled me when I saw a crowd of ghosts who like competing to squeeze the rest of my courage. But I remember his words. Everything he said. He believed that I could. So then... I should try it.

"I... I can't be afraid..."

The legs that felt like liquid candles I moved stiffly, supporting a staggering body. It trembled and held on to the dull wall behind. Lips that vibrate and seem to want to let out a stuffing I bite hard. I clenched my fists.

Mati.mati.mati.mati.

Mati.mati.mati.mati.

The voices are still ringing around me. I shook my head. I must feel my existence. Feeling something stirring within me. This heart belongs to me, this body, and this soul-this

I can't lose myself here by them!

"I see you, son."

The deg!

"I'm not afraid." I stared at the ghostly crowd with trembling eyes yet forced a stifling feeling that was so explosive inside my chest. A familiar feeling, this... The calm and strong feeling I felt was like when he was helping me at the restaurant that time...

Feel your existence. Don't get eaten up by your empathy.

Black eyes are like dark marbles that only reflect that hatred

Like Sir Razark, I'll fight him!

"I'm not afraid."

ZRAAT!!!

"GAAKKK-"

Just then, something suddenly splashed from inside me and spread out strongly. Like a high-voltage electric current running through me. Instantly making the Ghosts that were grubbing screamed in horror and became chaotic. Confusion and panic-looking so choose to retreat to the corner of the room. I blinked my eyes twice and then looked at my body,

The shock wave loop just---

There's someone snorting across.

"S-sir? What was that-"

"Don't be happy, son. If only that wouldn't be enough to stop the entire building. They're ready to pounce on you."

Sure enough! Only then did I feel like cheering as the originally frightened ghosts turned even more angry and were about to come back to attack me. I shuddered and immediately ran out of the room when I saw that the door was free of guard. Of course they'll all be chasing me with a bang.

Hihihihi~ kihihi~

Kthashi... Kemenee...

Mati.mati.mati.mati.

"YYAHY!!! SIR RAZAAARRKK!! I-I HAVE TO HOW ELSEII?!!"

"Stop running stupid!"

"If you don't run they'll attack I know!" I was bored but kept running.

"This kid-new too I said don't be afraid! Control yourself, you fool! You have psychic powers, take advantage of them!"

"That was just a coincidence! I don't know how else so that it can be confused-GYAAAHH!!" I screamed again because my way was blocked. I almost hit him if not immediately braked suddenly. It was a huge black figure that had previously blocked the path to the lower stairs!

"SIR-"

"Follow my words. Just this time, I'll give you the answer."

I don't know why, but he suddenly spoke more quietly so I had to listen carefully. But this time it felt different. I even felt that my heart was pounding faster when listening to every word that came out of it.  In a moment it felt so empty that it then became filled with various strange turmoil that I did not understand.

But his words... What is he saying this...

I can easily understand it.

"Now try."

"I... I'm still not sure--"

I finally decided to stop running away. Weighing well what I can do. Ignoring the ghosts that were about to lash out in a hurry. For a moment I closed my eyes and I focused on feeling something that felt turbulent in my body. Remembering what he said to me in half a whisper earlier.

L'm.. Would try.

Hands outstretched, touching the giant black figure towering blocking my path, then-

ZRAAT!!

"GRAAAGGHHH-" The black figure suddenly howled loudly. I was a little surprised by his voice. The figure eventually wavered and stepped aside in a stiff motion and opened the way down. Even the corridors that seemed to be looping are now turbulent and have returned as usual.

It turns out he's been the one that kept me stuck here!

Now there's only one problem.

I turned around while staring at the ghosts fiercely. They came back to me, but didn't attack me immediately. Samar, I can feel a strange emotional turmoil around me.

"You can feel it, right? They're scared of you. Listen to their anxiety. Look why they didn't attack you."

He's correct. This strange emotional turmoil was because they felt fear. They're... They're shaking. Staring at me with eyes as dark as night that looked worried. Grumbling on the sidelines cruel.

"Stop everything! I'm not afraid of you anymore!"

Bwooshhh~

Something seemed to detach from me and spread slowly. The ghosts stopped in unison before successfully lunging at me when exposed to air pressure that felt different.

"I've been tired of running around for a few hours, and I have no intention of staying stuck here! So stop chasing me! Let me out of here! I don't want to bother you so don't bother me anymore!"

My voice was still trembling, but it turned out to be powerful enough to chase away the ghosts around me. They fidgeted and retreated even further before he disappeared. I ventured to get closer.

Closer to the ghosts of schoolchildren.

"Oi boy, what do you want to do?"

"I..  Wanted to talk to them..."

"Huh?"

I stopped right in front of the ghost of a shoulder-haired girl trembling to see me.

"Hey," Call me, "I know why you attacked me. I know what's going on in this place. You're all... Killed by a runaway prisoner here, right?"

I can feel the hate they have unleashed. But in addition, there was a bitter feeling that made my chest tight.

They're... They were scared and crying... Also desperate...

"I'm not him." My speech. Staring at all of them with his eyes pounding and holding onto the fibers of his clothes, "I am indeed an ex-Napi, but I am not the one who killed you. I know you hate me so much, but I'm sorry I can't die here." I forced a smile that was so stiff but full of my sincere feelings that it was painful to see them,

"I have to stay alive. Because if I die, I can't uncover the truth of those who can't be saved with me."

Wushhh~ is like a magic, slowly the ghosts disappear one by one. It was as if it was carried away by a sudden stream of air blowing and flying out of the room. It left behind a thin smoke that surrounded me so gently. The cold hand felt as if it was touching my face and the shadow of the previous girl appeared through the smoke,

"Please look..."

My vision was blurry and I saw something like amateur videos. Flashing randomly in my head.

They're... Tell me this truth.

"I'm sorry..."

My tears came down slowly and I fell silent in silence. He bowed his head while grasping the faint fading remnants of smoke and hugged it until it disappeared

"Sir... I know why you don't like humans..."

"Have you seen it?"

"Yes..." I'm lirih. "Are humans really that bad...?"

"Everybody has a rot inside of him. So never trust anyone too much."

I'm silent. Now what I think is no longer my fear but the feeling of sadness and grief that is so piercing.

If I die, will I end up like them? Flirt, put a grudge on erratic people. Become a curious ghost who still keeps looking around for who should be responsible for their deaths.

If I think about it, I feel lucky because I survived the fire. Even Sir Razark came to give me a hand.

"Hey, the exam's not over yet. Get out of there."

Ah, right too. I almost forgot I was being tested by this guy.

"Sir, does this mean I passed the exam?"

"You haven't graduated yet if you haven't come out."

I scowled, "But I've started to be able to use Psychic Skills. You won't believe it because you didn't see it!" My reply, then I snorted as he began to give cynical orders,

"I-iya-iya I know! I'll be right down!"

Actually I still feel afraid because the other ghosts still keep watching me even though they do not dare to approach. But I decided to keep coming down mumpung they're quiet so.a

The deg!

Stalled steps.

Suddenly I felt a strange feeling of anxiety. Maybe because now I have started to be able to use psychic skills, all my senses and body seem to be sharper. I heard unusual footsteps coming from the direction of the stairs and the unpleasant feeling grew. Then something came up from there.

Seesshhh~

A black figure that was even more dense than the darkness of the night. He was over two meters tall and his body was so slender. His legs are long like grasshopper legs and he... Have red eyes lit up like a laser.

Instantly my skin brushed to numbness. Eyes were round, widening with disbelief as he looked at the figure that had loomed before me. The bad memories that I wanted to bury deeply were like they were being dug back. Reminds me of a terrible night filled with flames.

"Sir... Razark-"

"Ah, the security guard's coming too."

"What do you mean?"

"Run."

My body is cold. Stuck with the commands coming out of the earphones in my ears.

"He's not a ghost. He is one of the Unliving Level 3."

"Ti-level three?"

"Yes. You can't face it now."

Suddenly my fear became more. My face is pale. What's this guy saying? That black figure-that

"But-but he was the figure I saw during the fire!"

Taps.. Taps.. Taps...

The stiff neck moves slowly. The eyes looked at the horror at the pitch-black figure that was like being surrounded by black flames. Red eyes like lasers glared at me, nailing at my frozen figure like an ice sculpture. The feeling of anxiety that I felt since then seemed to be an alarm for the coming of great danger.

I obviously can't fight it. Even if I can use psychic skills like that

"Because run away." The voice was still heard through the earphones. "He'll kill you."

DEG!!

"Ap-"

KYAAAKKK!!

ZRAATT

"Hieeeee!!" I shrieked loudly and immediately threw myself to the side until it hit the wall as the figure leapt towards me while aiming its claws. My face paled. Seeing the claws that scratched the floor to cause deep scratches and penetrate to the floor below.

Just be right. JUST REALLY!! HOW SHARP ARE THOSE CLAWS?!

"Gyaaaahhh!!" I squealed back as he hissed loudly behind me. Without babibu I ran down the stairs. But without guessing

DEG!

Kikikik~

Another one appeared from the same ladder.

My eyes are in disbelief. My knees were shaking until they felt like melted dough.

The black figure is two...

KYAAKK!!

I protected my head and ducked down to avoid its claws. A few strands of my hair were slashed and flew around me. But I don't have time to just stare and be scared.

Because I have to run. Run. RUN!

"YAROSHENY!!"

I forced myself to get up and run from those two black figures. Just three steps away, sharp black claws had swept over me. I tried to dodge by twitching to the side.

"Ukhh-"

I could feel something tearing at my skin, but I ignored the pain and heat by running.

"Sir! Sir Razark!" Call me, try asking him for help. But there is no truth at all.

"Sir Razark! You hear me?! Sir!!" Still no answer. I twitched back when one of them started to throw up the benches and broke the window. Making chaos in a haunted building inhabited by spirits.

But now even the ghosts are not seen at all.

I started to panic and get scared.

"Sir Razark, please don't mess around! It's not funny at all! Help me..." My voice shrieked with a gripping feeling that made me so desperate.

He said I should run, but until when? My breath was already too crowded and my energy was drained from being chased by ghosts before. And now I have to get back running from both of them! Sir Razark did not answer my call or give any more directions!

Did he leave me? Is he going to let me die here?

Damnit damnit! Damnit damnit! Damnit damnit!

Kyawk!!

"Ohok!" One of the figures flew up and headed my back. I fell down and rolled into an empty classroom. I hissed and cornered myself to the edge of the window as the two figures walked in while giggling madly.

"Sir Ra-" My heart slipped.

Her earphones-where her earphones--the

Kreekk

My eyes are in shock.

The earphone was stepped on by one of the black figures in front of the door. I saw him with a face full of despair.

"No..."

The only thing that got me connected to Sir Razark... That thing's been destroyed. I can't ask for help. He is the only one who can help me now...

"Hi!!" My eyes glare at horror. Seeing two black creatures approaching while raising claws. My body trembles. It's different. This was completely different from the previous ghosts. The terrible pressure emanating from them was also the cruel desire that I could feel this-this

This really isn't something I can handle! It's a genuine killing desire that I can't even suppress with my current abilities.

GRAARR!!

And when the two creatures started crashing towards me, I could only close my eyes in resignation.

I'll be dead-l-l

DOR'S! DOR'S!

KYAKKKK!!

The sound of firearms sounded loud. My eyes opened immediately. Straddling, surprised when he saw the two black creatures were stopped in place with a hollow chest the size of a volleyball. Snarling like pain while staring at the wound that gave a scar like embers and reflecting thin smoke.

"Foolish boy, you're lost or how to get back to this room again."

My heart seemed to have slipped from its place and I raised my head back in shock. A feeling of tightness filled my chest. I really don't know how to cry when I see her there.

Sir Razark, with a pistol outstretched and smoling, had been sitting on the skeleton of a wide-open window right behind me. Her disheveled hair made her eyes invisible. A cigarette stuck in the cleft of his lips that showed a mocking grin.

Since when was he there? How could he be there?

Is... He rushed here after telling me to run?

"The sir..." Call me weak with a trembling voice. Small biting of the lips with mixed feelings. A relief that I could not express stuck at the tip of my tongue.

I'm really scared... I'm so scared...

I thought I was gonna die...

The man looked at me so casually, yet I felt so calm when his big hand touched my head.

"You don't have to be afraid. I'm already here."

He jumped down from the window frame and stood on my back. Sipping a cigarette for a while before finally dropping it on the floor. He played a silver metallic pistol that seemed to reflect moonlight from a wide-open window.

KYAAKK!!

The black figures looked wrathful and shouted towards us. I gulped violently because I felt the pressure of anger they were aiming at. But to my astonishment, Sir Razark did not look at all daunted or frightened. He remained calm and relaxed as if he did not have the slightest fear.

Actually was... What kind of calm feeling is this?

"The security guards came, and we went on to chapter two. Take a good look."

He grinned happily.

"What I'm going to teach you is how to annihilate Level 3 Unliving by using an Active Psychic Skill."

[CONNECTED]