The Underclass - Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Along with the bright light and the voice came the sound of applause for the curtain call.
Galaxy remained kneeling beneath the altar, but when she looked up, audience seating had appeared in the previously dark voids. Countless figures wearing masks, their faces hidden, sat high above in places she couldn't reach, staring down at Galaxy with absolute emotional detachment.
In that moment, Galaxy finally understood where the residual terror, pain, and despair in Caleb's memories came from.
So their lives were nothing more than a play for others' amusement.
And the only protagonist in this play was Galaxy. The only one who could earn the right to leave this place was a Galaxy who satisfied the audience.
A massive screen rose from beneath the altar, displaying: "The Counterattack of the Fallen Genius, this year's most thrilling masterpiece."
The audience gradually dispersed, though Galaxy knew that didn't mean they were physically present in this forbidden zone.
Because they enjoyed watching a fallen genius.
So Galaxy lost the talents she was once so proud of, becoming a rat cowering in a cramped apartment.
Because they loved watching a genius's descent into depravity.
So Galaxy was innocently dragged into a murder case as a scapegoat, forced to kill a police officer in self-defense and go on the run.
Because they didn't like overly depressing plotlines.
So as long as Galaxy successfully counter-killed an enemy under high pressure, she would receive more rewards and uncover more secrets.
At every crucial juncture of her life, countless pairs of eyes from outside this city-state stared at her, cheering or booing.
Every dollar tipped dictated the course of her life.
And An Hua's life, too.
She was the protagonist of this world; everyone else who oppressed her, who brought her pain and despair, were merely supporting characters.
The protagonist endured all the suffering.
The major supporting characters enjoyed lives of luxury and the most cutting-edge technology.
There were also supporting characters like the Rat King, Fula, and Caleb, meant to bring her hope and assistance, yet they were forced to endure the same suffering and despair precisely because they belonged to Galaxy's faction.
Only An Hua somehow discovered all this, resolving to rely on Galaxy to shatter the barrier.
The last thing she whispered in Galaxy's ear was: I'm sorry. But you absolutely must make it out.
I'm sorry. Even though she had discovered the truth, she had no choice but to inflict more pain upon Galaxy, all to force her to uncover the truth.
She could only remain the protagonist. Only by carving out a new path through a continuous cycle of being cornered and fighting back could she deliver an ending the audience found satisfying.
Thus, only An Hua could play this malicious, all-controlling villain who relentlessly pushed her, giving the story its necessary twists and turns.
Between the two of them, one had to leave this City of Illusion and step into reality.
Galaxy killed the woman controlling everything in this game—the designated villain—and finally secured her exit ticket.
The elites beyond this world had no interest in watching the protagonist grow old.
They would select the next pitiful protagonist and drop them into that city brimming with surveillance.
They would watch them grow up, stepping into the next dramatic, heavily monitored life.
Galaxy felt another burst of flashing lights. She squinted her sore, swollen eyes, feeling as though another ring of chilling eyes surrounded her from all directions. This time, a single spotlight shone directly on her head.
A voice echoed from the side, repeating the earlier message.
"Hello, 0412. You have completed the first half of your drifting life, delivering a wonderful performance for the audience of Alta City. You have earned the right to become a lower-class citizen of Alta City. We wish you a happy life hereafter."
An Hua's blood was still on Galaxy's arms. She looked down at it and let out a completely emotionless chuckle: "Just a lower-class citizen?"
Not even a word of explanation. So utterly arrogant.
"You need to learn to be content. Before this, you were merely an even lower-class entity in the City of Illusion, a plaything with no human rights. This is charity from the audience; please harbor a grateful heart." The voice continued, "Of course, you may also make the same choice as 0411."
"Which is what?" Galaxy asked hoarsely.
"To become the President of the Federation in the City of Illusion. This is a secondary reward; your predecessor made this choice. We will use technology far superior to that of the City of Illusion to wipe your memories."
So that was it.
Galaxy's eyes flashed.
She finally understood the meaning behind Karen's words.
She also finally understood the hints in the speech Karen gave her that day during the assassination attempt.
—Only two paths lay before her.
Enter Alta City and become a lower-class citizen.
Or return to the City of Illusion and become the next President, a pig raised for slaughter by the high-and-mighty residents of Alta City, waiting to serve as a stepping stone or outright become the next villain when the next protagonist appeared.
A former victor becoming a loser—perhaps that was the gimmick for the next show.
But she had already made her choice.
Staring at the flashes of the audience seating, Galaxy spoke slowly and firmly: "I choose to become a citizen of Alta City."
The voice let out a haughty, somewhat sluggish scoff. "Then as you wish. Welcome aboard."
A staircase materialized behind Galaxy. It was the road to Alta City.
She raised her head, her gaze seeming to pierce through the void to meet the eyes lingering behind the curtain.
Light spilled across her face, illuminating even the bloodstains clearly.
Without a word, she began walking downward.
She clenched her fists, feeling the power of the body An Hua had modified for her.
In her pocket lay the large vial of all-consuming Black Water that An Hua had slipped in right before she died.
This was all the luggage she carried to Alta City.
She was unleashed.
She would walk down this path.
And kill everyone who had watched them.
No one could control her anymore.
Comments
Post a Comment