When one of our family—our brothers and friends—dies, we all gather in memorial for their courage.
"They shall live in our hearts, and their names shall never be forgotten," Renzou declared, holding two bottles marked with the names Castle and Luc.
Klein's eyes drifted to what they called the Tree. It wasn't wood at all, but iron—an iron tree, its branches heavy with bottles dangling from ropes. What unsettled him wasn't the tree itself, but the sheer number of bottles swaying in the wind.
"How many people died here?" Klein asked quietly.
Dain, standing beside him, stared at the tree. "That's the risk the mappers face…"
"You mean all these people were mappers?" Klein pressed.
"No," Mikail interjected. "There were seven other camps here before ours. They were wiped out." His voice dropped. "Only one person made it out."
Mikail's gaze shifted toward Renzou.
Everyone resumed their tasks, but the atmosphere was heavy. Even Dain—the small, frail, but hardworking boy—was sluggish, his hands trembling. He was afraid, and understandably so. Two mappers had died yesterday, and replacements were needed. A vote would have to be made, and everyone knew nobody wanted to be a mapper. The decision would be settled that evening around the bonfire, with the entire camp present.
Klein, curious as ever, observed quietly. He knew this wasn't the right time to ask questions.
"Hey, Klein, go fetch us some manure!" Axel shouted, his mood sour.
Klein picked up the basket and walked toward the forest. "Where's the compost site again?" he muttered, scanning the area.
Then—crack. He turned and spotted Renzou with Mikail. Instinctively, Klein ducked down, squatting low. Why am I hiding? he wondered. But it was too late—he overheard their voices.
"We can't keep this for long. When are you going to tell everyone?" Mikail demanded, his tone sharp. Klein had never seen him so furious.
"What next?" Renzou glared at him. "Telling them won't change anything. No matter what, we need to maintain this system."
"What system, for the grace of the Lord, Renzou?" Mikail spread his hands in anger, his face twisted in mockery. "Keep it up until everyone dies like the previous group?"
Renzou fell silent. Klein's heart raced—what were they talking about? He crept closer.
"Listen, Renzou," Mikail pressed, "I know you're worried, but keeping this to yourself will weigh on your mind. Everyone needs to know. It will also ease the mapping team selection."
Renzou rubbed his temples. "No. I can't."
Mikail turned in fury, nearly shouting but restraining himself.
"Listen, Mikail," Renzou said firmly, "nobody needs to know that everyone here has a defined lifespan, based on their resistance to the sickness. When it reaches the point it can't be contained, they need to leave. Who would feel okay hearing this? That no matter what they do—even if they never enter the Tower—they will die?"
Mikail's lips parted, but Renzou cut him short. "We'll continue this discussion later. I need to prepare for tonight." He walked away, leaving Mikail staring after him.
Crack!
Mikail spun, eyes narrowing at the bushes. He approached cautiously, but found nothing. The forest was still. He frowned. "All this stress is making me paranoid."
"Where have you been?" one of the farmers asked as Mikail returned.
"Sorry, I had something to do," Mikail muttered, quickly resuming his work.
"Hey!" a voice called. Mikail looked up, but the shout wasn't for him.
"How long does it take to get the shit?" Alex complained.
Klein dropped the basket. "Sorry! You didn't tell me where to find it. I got lost trying to figure out the damn site." He snapped back, then walked toward Dain to help with the farm work.
Mikail's gaze turned cold as he watched Klein's back. Klein could feel it.
"Is everything okay?" Dain asked softly.
Klein wiped sweat from his brow and uprooted a carrot. "Maybe it's just tonight's stress."
The day passed quickly as the sky dimmed, evening approaching. Klein stabbed the muddy soil with his machete, then stood, wiping sweat from his brow and scrubbing mud from his hair.
"Is it time?" he asked.
Dain nodded silently. Axel adjusted his pants while Dimitri scrubbed his hair as they walked past.
"Hurry up. We can't be late for the gathering. Renzou won't be happy," Dimitri warned.
The atmosphere was tense. Renzou stood before them, his gaze solemn as it swept across the crowd.
"We all know why we are gathered here tonight. Let's be straightforward," he said, his eyes lingering on Mikail, who frowned and shook his head.
"Who wants to become a new mapping member?" Renzou asked.
Silence followed. Seconds stretched into eternity.
"Then, I shall star—" Renzou stopped mid‑sentence, his gaze fixed on someone.
Dain and the others turned in shock. Klein's hand was raised, his expression serious.
"No," Renzou said immediately, without hesitation.
"Huh? Why?" Klein asked, surprised.
"You are not eligible. You just arrived. We cannot send you to your death," Renzou replied firmly.
"What are the modalities?" Klein pressed.
"…You need at least two to three months of stay in the camp," Renzou explained.
"Hey, small boy! Stop playing hero and put your damn hand down!" Kaz shouted, his followers glaring at Klein. But Klein ignored them, keeping his eyes on Renzou.
"Two to three months is too long," Klein complained.
Renzou shook his head. "That's the rule. But I am glad you are willing. Be patient… perhaps you will change your mind." His voice dropped low at the final words.
Reluctantly, Klein lowered his hand. Mikail stared at him for a long moment before turning his gaze back to Renzou.
"We shall begin the selection," Renzou announced, producing a box filled with sticks. Everyone knew what to do.
Klein was exempted. One by one, the boys drew their sticks and revealed them.
"Damn it," cursed a boy from the Builders. Kaz walked over and hugged him.
"Bro, it's okay. We're here. Everything will be fine," he said, though his face was heavy with sadness.
But there had to be a second. Klein looked around, searching. Then—thud.
He turned and saw Dain beside him, clutching his stick tightly. Dain raised his eyes to meet Klein's.
"Shit," Klein thought.
And then Dain spoke.