Silence fell over the place after the employer's words, and no one dared to raise their hand in objection.
Even the faint sounds of insects in the nearby fields seemed to pause for a moment.
Everyone was staring at the employer and at those strangers who stood there calmly and confidently.
What madness is this? Hunting monsters? And powers? This... is not an ordinary world at all.
Suddenly, the employer cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
He said confidently:
"I know what I told you might be shocking... but there is no need to be afraid."
He paused for a second, then continued:
"I have a unique ability."
Some murmured in surprise, and others exchanged glances.
He slowly raised his right hand, then pointed to a small rock beside him and struck it forcefully with his fist.
The rock crumbled as if made of clay. Dust flew, and the sound of shattering echoed in the place.
He said firmly:
"My ability is called the Iron Form. My body becomes as hard as steel, and I am not easily injured."
Some faces began to change. Some felt reassured, while others looked greedier.
He smiled faintly and added:
"I will be with you; I will protect you myself... and on top of that, you will receive large sums for the mission."
The atmosphere changed.
Anxiety began to turn into curiosity.
Fear started to melt away before the shine of money.
As for me...
I was still standing there, my heart pounding hard, as if caught between two choices with no third option.
Withdraw... or dive deeper into this world.
A short silence followed the employer's words... but it was quickly interrupted by a familiar voice with a proud tone.
Luxian laughed shortly and said:
"Hah! I was sure you weren't just a simple businessman. One rock? You could have shattered the mountain!"
Then he added, crossing his arms:
"As long as you're at the front, I don't mind being behind you... temporarily."
Some workers laughed nervously, but no one replied.
The black-haired teenage boy remained standing silently.
His eyes watched the employer closely, as if analyzing him.
Then he said in a low voice, barely audible:
"Iron Form... a defensive ability. Useful for fighting monsters."
It wasn't a tone of admiration, but an acknowledgment of the ability's usefulness.
The forty-year-old man in the dark blue cloak simply smiled quietly.
He showed no surprise, as if what he heard was expected.
No one moved.
Everyone stayed in their places, standing silently; some began to whisper quietly, others smiled greedily at the promised reward.
And the hands?
Not a single hand was raised.
Not one.
I felt my chest tighten.
Am I the only one who wants to withdraw? Am I the only coward here?
I slowly looked around...
Their faces were different:
Some excited, some nervous, some indifferent.
But no one moved.
My hand trembled for a moment, wanting to raise it, to announce my withdrawal, to shout:
"I don't want this! This is not my world!"
But... I didn't.
How could I raise my hand and betray all these people?
I could barely stand in school in front of my classmates to write the homework on the board...
My face would blush, my hand would tremble, and the teacher would correct my pronunciation loudly.
How could I now be the only different one here?
I swallowed hard.
And pretended to be calm.
Inside, I was screaming... but my body betrayed me.
But...
Despite my fear.
Despite my heart screaming, my hand hesitating, and my forehead sweating...
I raised my hand.
Slowly...
Fearfully...
But steadily.
At first, no one noticed.
But little by little, eyes began to turn.
The first to see me was the worker standing beside me, then those behind him, then... the employer himself.
Speech stopped.
Whispers faded.
Some widened their eyes, others raised their eyebrows in surprise. Even Luxian, who was leaning on one of the barrels, fiddling confidently with his hair, stopped and stared at me in astonishment, as if what I did was not in the vocabulary of those who know him. He looked at me with a mix of surprise and mockery, as if saying:
"Does this person think he's brave?"
But amid all those surprised looks...
Only two remained unmoved:
The teenage boy, still standing quietly as usual, his eyes followed my raised hand for a moment, then returned to stare into space as if nothing happened.
And the forty-year-old man, with his calm face and inscrutable features, gave me a quick glance... then turned his face slightly as if it wasn't worth any reaction.
But the rest of the workers?
They were in shock.
Some opened their mouths, some stared at me in disbelief, and some exchanged looks saying: "What is that fool doing?"
The employer looked directly at me with mysterious eyes, neither angry nor mocking...
But something else... I do not know what.
As if I had broken a rule no one dared to break before.
I felt like I was shameful under their gaze.
But I did not lower my hand.
I am afraid... yes.
But I do not want to die.