Only the sound of trudging feet and worried mutters emanates from the group as they trudge through these dark hallways.

Every person here appears to be scared on some level.

Understandably so, too.

They are constantly told about how dangerous the underground is. How bad of an idea it is to go into Gong’s tunnels. Yet now they’re going into the belly of the beast.

As I walked next to Gong, she’s actually pretty excited. However, she does appear to notice the discomfort that everyone is going through.

As they continue to walk, she calls out, “There’s no reason to worry. This area is clear of any monsters from below that you might fear. As you’ll find out, they avoid the spiders and me.”

Several people relax at her words, mainly the ones who had come here already knowing and trusting gong.

Unheeding of their feelings, she tilts her head, before adding something else that I didn’t know.

“Well, that may not exactly be true. If I think about it, it looks like they actually still attack people near me, if they sense the person is against me. Free game, I suppose?”

Gong seems to have baited out people who view themselves in a hostile relationship to her. I count just under 20 of the people who stiffened up.

I’ll have to remind myself to remember that people should be innocent before being proven guilty. The key word is ‘should.’ I’m sure that I’ll be getting a very intimate understanding of that now.

What this trip does for me, is show me that some of the things that are common knowledge for some people, like Gong and Ai, are not so common for others. More than a few people are remarking on the sheer number of glowing stones that lining the walls. Mirroring what Gong said, the older and well-informed mention it’s not something that’s viewed with valuable resource.

One person tries to wrench one of them off the wall to keep for themselves. Expecting this, Gong speaks up and says loudly that anyone who damages or steals from the tunnels will be thrown to the spiders to be eaten.

Any activities of that sort immediately cease after that statement.

It appears I’m not the only one who is squeamish about going out that way

Soon enough, we reached the giant cavern, which will be the second testing area. The one where we give a last chance to back out of this relationship, before the consequences become… fatal.

Similarly to the other rooms that are this large, there are stones all over the ceiling, floor, and walls.

Even for those who know that it’s inexpensive, they seem to be in shock at the sheer number that is being used in these areas. Some people coming along appear to be reevaluating their decisions. For good or bad.

Gong turns to face the group.

“Once again, I’d like to thank everyone for coming. For looking to join the group and make the situation for demi humans a little easier in this area. Oops, shouldn’t have said that yet…”

Some people in the group glance at each other, but quickly turn to face her as she continues speaking.

“So, this is the location that we will be…”

Someone yells out, pointing at the surrounding entrances. Spiders blocked each of them off. The person exclaims in fear that we’re trapped inside here.

A shiver of fear runs throughout the group, whether or not they’re an ally. No one likes to be trapped in a dark cavern. People in their station don’t stay alive for long, if they easily trust others.

Gone quickly calms the group down by moving the spiders away from the entrances, but still close to them. Which seems to work a bit, though many are still rattled.

“You all don’t need to worry, they’re just there for this next portion of the initiation.

“This is just a formality, since I already mentioned it before. But I do want to leave the opportunity for those to leave, before the consequences become something that you cannot take back.

“To be straightforward, if you join our group and you are looking to betray us, whether through information, action, or even subconsciously, you will die because of it.”

Most people who hear this stiffen up, but mostly because of the obvious threat. What I find interesting is that some people who had stiffened up earlier regarding the hostile action might understand the greater implications of what this might mean. That we are using a contract.

A rabbit demi human steps forward shakily.

“Y-y-you had mentioned that we could l-leave, if we were unsure about our decision?”

Gong genuinely smiles at him before responding.

“Yes, thank you for coming forward. It is much better that if you truly are unsure about your decision, that you leave at this point, because there really is no turning back after this step.

“… You might have died if you didn’t step forward.”

The rabbit demi human takes a breath of cold air before nodding.

“T-thank you for the opportunity.”

His eyes seemed to dart around quickly, nervously, as he walks over to the spiders near the entrance where we had entered from.

Wait a second. It may not be in nervousness, but analyzing every last thing he can get before he goes. To gain as information that he can sell later.

Gong has to know this as well. But, now that I think about it… she collapses the tunnels anyway, so it shouldn’t be giving too much information away. What it will probably do is show that there are quite a few of these light stones here. Which will raise the value of the underground area. Not because of the stones, but the already lit areas.

Definitely a risk, but not too much comparative to the truth of what is going on.

Following his question, others also stepped forward to leave. Surprisingly, they actually nudged each other to leave, indicating that they were working all together.

The only one who wasn’t nudged, was that young boy, who is looking around at the people leaving confusedly. As he is about to step forward, one of the others turned to look at him and motions for him to stay.

They’re using him as a sacrifice…

Going steps forward to the boy directly, seemingly directly imploring him to move with the group.

“Anyone who has any doubts about what they’re doing should leave at this time. I cannot and will not guarantee your safety if you choose to stay at this point.”

She says all of this while looking around at everyone but standing right in front of him. Making her intent completely clear.

However, the boy sits stands there. His eyes swimming around, but still standing there. The girl beside him looks worriedly at him. He’s locked between a rock and a hard place.

Gong’s teeth grit, as she walks away and begins directing the spiders to lead the rest of the people out of the area. With the people that were leaving, surrounded by spiders and heading back up the path they had left in, all that is left is everyone that has agreed to take the contract. 38 people in total have chosen to stay and work with the group.

…

I can’t just let this kid die, right? It’s pretty fucking clear that he’s been told to report information back to that Ling guy.

… Is there anything I can do about this?