MFM | Chapter 1.2

Brushing off the red rust on his hand, Gabriel followed the external stairs connected to the balcony and went down. When he stepped off the last iron step, his feet touched the unpaved, soft ground.6d746ae9e616b3713032

Should I smoke one more or not, Gabriel thought, but recalling the price of cigarettes, he shook off the hand putting it in his pocket and checked his pocket watch.de6b9e6c03afa98893f6

Today is Saturday, the day to receive the weekly salary.ffd7a6738f26890632c0

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Now, 6 hours and 38 minutes left.1b57e015e4edb416c07b

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What kind of existence is a monster that forms a pillar in the skeleton of the Kingdom of Arkham? History records that they suddenly appeared about 500 years ago. From the black lands, now called contamination, and from the sea. Those creatures, which were close to rampaging beasts, gradually became more grotesque and ferocious.218a33b1f7f0bb16e7f7

The staple food of the monsters was human fear. They crushed human flesh and broke bones but did not eat them. They only reveled in tearing apart human memories and destroying reason, enjoying the sharp screams and the eyes turning inside out.4b457f024f9cb4b4e250

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In front of the rampaging monsters, the human territory gradually shrank. The fact that monsters shunned light and fire was at least a hope for humans. During the day, their appearances decreased, and at night, humans could fight by lighting castles with oil-soaked torches.a9932228a1084951eaac

The church called this incomprehensible situation the foretold trial of the goddess Anat. The prophecies stated that the goddess would bestow a divine gift upon humans, and most humans would neither understand nor accept this sacred truth.53b274fdc61ca29d3b49

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From the perspective of weak humans, the goddess’s gift was a cup laced with poison and a box surrounded by thorns. Only those who endured the pain and opened the box to pull out what was inside could enjoy glory. Who would pass the test and lead humanity to prosperity? The church raised its voice to the world.db3d3f42f71e27a1608a

Under the noble values, hundreds of priests sacrificed their lives. Thousands of knights and tens of thousands of soldiers died with swords plunged into the heads of monsters. It was truly the era of the Great War.f3d8a6b89ed75ecdc8b7

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The monster called the ‘evil god’ manifested at that time. A being that drove humans insane just by encountering it. Among witches and wizards, it was called the ‘Forgotten Great One,’ ‘Lord of the Abyss,’ and ‘Ancient Ruler.’39fb8b2e4d3b750fd6a1

In the face of extreme fear, the number of those who worshipped it increased, giving birth to a cult. Their questions seemed valid.b7d53df02bc7e66cc270

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Is a god that exists only in records, a silent god, a god that observes the world from above truly a god? Does it even exist before that? Isn’t the powerful figure visible before our eyes more deserving of being called a god?5cf8ebd568b86c1ce2c3

Doubt about the goddess led to distrust of the church. Apostates existed everywhere. A king offered his son as a sacrifice, and a cardinal scratched himself to bleed and danced naked.6452a6ba01d7d2fcc605

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It was when even the last hope was fading.5c3fd7800e171aff867e

Some of those who survived the contamination underwent strange mutations. Regardless of gender, they grew larger and gained immense strength. Their bodies regenerated quickly unless the brain or heart was destroyed, and they could communicate using the language of beasts, pheromones.941b631c772879da5705

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Above all, they were not afraid of monsters at all.a4b6986ff9c5196c1e41

But who could point fingers and call them bizarre? The church embraced them, calling them the blessed children of the goddess. Their achievements also led humanity to call them heroes.ecc0fc2fecaeb31d67ac

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With their seemingly unkillable sacrifices, humanity finally exterminated the evil god and claimed victory. The remaining monsters crawled into the cemeteries on the outskirts of cities, beyond the walls of rural areas, and mostly into the depths of the sea, becoming parasitic beings.94b28b59e5c8d2a6e3d2

Now, it was the monsters, not humans, who were hunted.5764fd9e09799e51777c

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The academic world discovered that their blood and flesh held valuable worth. Wasn’t this truly deserving of being called the goddess’s gift? The advancement of medicine and industry unfolded before their eyes as if drawn. It was a time when everyone celebrated the arrival of an era of peace.eb579b5bb33709127209

On the very night they returned from the battlefield to everyday life.3d6355edb44663ce8f53

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The victory celebration banquet, which should have been the most luxurious and boisterous, was a mess. Most people did not attend the banquet because they were too busy embracing and rolling around with someone, their eyes turned inside out.af599433761867d4419e

Even those who attended were equally shocking. They seemed to have forgotten etiquette and manners, grabbing chunks of meat with their hands and tearing into them voraciously. They dragged plates to their faces and licked them, and lifted entire pots to gulp down their contents.87b20d23300244bb0362

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However, the true horror of that night was only revealed the next morning. The honorable knight commander was found having killed his wife and children, dragging their bodies around while laughing.dae9dd335d1b707b37f9

They all returned to their senses a few days later.5d13d730b24118b71bed

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The church protected and embraced them, declaring that it was just another trial given to the mutants, and instructed the wise to study them.cb2f8b6c8d15151d5d10

Scholars named those among them who could conceive as Omegas, and those who could impregnate as Alphas, contrasting with calling non-mutants Betas.24dae3e1be7fe29f678c

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It was also revealed that the madness inherent in mutants could be somewhat alleviated by regular release, and that was why they appeared relatively normal during the Great War.b840b6c781a0781a879f

However, they could not find a dramatic way to alleviate the madness of mutants. Time was what accomplished that.ff7d9025c8709c9daa5d

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As generations changed, the power and madness of the succeeding mutants weakened.d5bba09a689303da73d6

They could no longer regenerate damaged bodies immediately, nor did they boast the strength that could split the ground. With guns, Betas could kill mutants.55040b9adb0dae8abd5a

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Even without such weapons, the power of the royal family, the authority of the church, and the rising capital brought mutants to their knees. The fearless mutants gradually became docile in the face of organized fear.84d1fc1733eb9e115063

Meanwhile, the madness of mutants was simplified into a cyclical form of sexual desire. In academic terms, it was called the frenzy period, popularly known as rut or heat.99b4a609b922623f9f58

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As they appeared more human, fear and hatred towards mutants mixed with admiration and fascination. In a society where lineage was more important than traits, and class more important than lineage, exchanges increased, and technology advanced. Sea routes were opened, and culture blossomed.4556e621e7a92b807d5d

It was the best of times, an era of prosperity, a century of civilization, and a season of light. Humans prided themselves on having pulled out the most precious and valuable thing from the box gifted by the goddess.334d44ba2734b49f20bc

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At least, most people living in the capital Sumnerus of the Kingdom of Arkham did.0885f221d93120afe12f

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The work that started at 7 a.m. finally ended at 7 p.m. The sound of the chapel bell announcing the hour echoed through the open window.b0166d1aa962c9ba07f8

If it was a chapel of the state religion, it had to have a bell tower. Bells rang every hour from dawn till night, and Sumnerus, with its many large and small chapels in each district, aside from the grand cathedral where the cardinal resided, made the sound particularly grand. It was the reason why those who came from the provinces marveled, calling it the capital of faith.6746cc5f0f1dfac93bc2

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Of course, Gabriel was more faithful to cash than to faith.7385a4d147dc59654639

While the solemn and heavy resonance covered all of Sumnerus, Gabriel collected his weekly pay envelope under the envious gazes of his colleagues. Inside was a precious 2 pounds.75efc6c7df85ded08336

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Gabriel’s income was about 15 pounds a month, or roughly 300 rion. That was including the income from his work as a coroner. Out of that, 50 rion went to rent, and 200 rion disappeared for cigarettes.1a23112d4e82070c6852

Spending four times the rent on cigarettes. But that was a necessary expense for Gabriel to maintain his daily life. If he reduced even one cigarette a day, he never knew when he might collapse with a high fever during work hours.b045622abd1afbf957d8

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So, he had no choice but to cut down on food and living expenses. Gabriel survived on expired canned food and military supply biscuits. He drank tea that had lost its aroma, like pencil shavings, and used oil lamps and candles instead of paying for gas. Walking instead of taking a carriage was a given.9169f01bee58612c3b47

Even then, only 1 pound remained in his hands by the end of the month.3f1cc8c54a9c9be1afe2

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Still, Gabriel diligently saved that 1 pound in the bank. He thought that someday he might be able to buy a house.b547f124bf381ee5ea43

Gabriel had already checked the selling price of Berkel Street No. 37. It was 3,000 pounds. Even if he took out a loan, he needed to save at least a thousand pounds, and by his calculations, Gabriel could buy that house in about 83 years. Assuming he wasn’t fired from his job, didn’t die before reaching 107, and most importantly, that the bank’s interest rate and the rise in house prices remained almost the same.db68c08493dde06eab57

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Thinking about such things allowed him to focus solely on work. What did it matter if Lunggen threw something at his face, as long as he got his weekly pay? What did it matter if a colleague badmouthed him, as long as it didn’t cost him money?05c76e1a9bcb2960a756

The important thing was money, only money. The steadily growing savings in his bank account were the only thing that held meaning in Gabriel’s mind.6e74cd93982a02b190d1

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Once he left the company building, Gabriel headed straight to the bank. Today was the day he promised to buy cigarettes. He planned to withdraw money from the bank, buy cigarettes, and then go to the police station to work.e5763173fb34e8c7854c

With so many places to visit, his steps naturally quickened. Gabriel, having secured his money, checked his pocket watch as he walked out of the bank. Time was a bit tight, but he couldn’t afford to take a carriage. As he blended into the crowd on the street, his briefcase was jostled here and there.157390bb342d7d20348f

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Thud.2c0d2a74341239bc3a6b

Gabriel suddenly felt his right hand become lighter. When he checked his hand, he was only holding the leather strap. Gabriel quickly turned around. A small man wearing a hunting cap was slipping through the crowd with Gabriel’s bag clutched to his waist.943385f9abd7f1051b3e

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Inside were work documents, various tools for earning a living, and most importantly,3f853e77abbf48ebae01

Most importantly, the 10 pounds he received today, including his weekly pay.43e32ee70fa35aa4967a

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“No way.”0032eb7186eebb7c8646

His mind, which had been dizzy, quickly burned black. Gabriel began urgently pushing through the crowd to chase the thief. He heard curses from behind, but he didn’t care. His patience was wearing thin.ad149065817af0bc0ee8

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As he reached the edge of the bustling street, the density of the crowd decreased, and the path cleared. His gradually quickening steps turned into a sprint.2d7e5600abca96cbd13c

The thief, running down the main street, quickly turned into an alley. Gabriel followed the thief into the alley. The cool evening air damply brushed his cheeks. Just when he thought he could catch the thief soon.5975a23055a1be98bf93

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“Hyah-!”8672a57524b6fdd02eaa

He saw a carriage charging at him from the front. The startled horse neighed and raised its hooves. Gabriel barely rolled to the side to avoid the horse. Meanwhile, the thief had gained more distance and was running away.2d65a8a1bd17beff717d

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Gabriel got up in a hurry and continued chasing the thief. He couldn’t even hear the coachman’s curses. He just moved his legs in a mechanical motion. The thief was ahead of Gabriel by a few meters.7cac7ca0f2356eeb6037

“He seems like a Beta, but what stamina…”4b0608250bc69ba45394

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