Suddenly, there was a minor explosion. With the unexpected blast of wind and dirt from an explosion just behind her, Iris covered her eyes with her right arm.

After everything had been cleaned up, Iris’ eyes were startled when she saw Baru with a large wound in his stomach. And just behind him stood the Drago tribe’s leader, Orrinth Quendris.

Smoke was still flowing from Orrinth’s right hand, showing clearly that he was the perpetrator of the attack.

“Baru!” Iris dashed toward the apemen, who was now supporting himself up with his ax. “What were you thinking when you blocked that attack?” screamed Iris. Her expressionless face revealed emotion for the first time.

“Yo-your hands,” Baru said, his voice quivering as blood dripped from his mouth. “You were the same size as them when I met you.”

.

“It’s alright. You don’t need to speak. Drink this potion right away.” Iris said in a panic as she looked at the bag hanging on her side.

“The-they are the same size of those children’s hands whose parents that I killed.” Baru continued.

Iris came to a halt at his words. But Baru stared at her in the eyes. Then he patted her head with his enormous hands. “If-if I could turn back time, I really wish that all of that never happened. Your hands are not yet totally blood-tainted. If you’re lucky enough to make it out here, it is not too late for you to make a change. Don’t become like me, little sister. A horrible worthless bandit.”

Baru removed his hand over Iris’ head.

‘I also wish that I could protect you until the end. I don’t understand why I insist to become close to you. But it might be that. When I saw your tiny hands clasping each other trying to warm them from that cold cell, you remind me so much of that girl too who grabbed my hands begging me to help her parents who were on the brink of death. That little girl was completely oblivious that I was one of the bandits who raided and caused her parents like that.’ Then he began to turn around and rush to the person who caused his wound as quickly as possible.

‘To think, Lord Orrinth Quendris of the Drago Tribe, that in the end, I shall still die in your hands.’ Baru grinned as he wiped the blood from his mouth.

“I’m Baru, and I’m the one who started all of this rebellion, I just used Iris!” With all the strength he still has, Baru thrust his ax into the air, aiming at Orrinth.

‘Those icy emerald eyes maintained the same gaze. The same gaze that peered down on us that day when you killed all the people from my tribe, Lord Orrinth.’ Baru grinned as he continued to dash.

Orrinth took out his sword from his scabbard this time.

“Baru! What are you saying?! Stop!” Iris attempted to run towards Baru while also trying to release her Lifa once more. But suddenly her heart pounded violently, causing her to come to a standstill and become immobilized on the spot. She collapsed on the ground, her back facing the sky. ‘No. This can’t possibly be happening right now.’ Iris lifted her head to look for Baru.

Her eyes widened in horror as she witnessed how Baru’s head flew out from his neck. Everything slowed down as she watched what was going on in front of her. Iris had a moment of realization at that time, that hammered not only to her head but to her heart. 

‘This world, the people here, everything…’

‘What part of a book…’

‘What-what did I do?’ Iris reached out her hands to grasp Baru, whose body had dissolved into light particles. A single tear fell from Iris’ cheeks as the light reflected on her eyes. ‘I’m such a fool.’ Please, Baru, don’t abandon me.’

“Sure! Then I’ll become both your big brother and first subordinate at the same time.” As Iris’ eyes got heavier, the stupid grinning face of Baru from the first time they met flashed through her mind then everything became dark.

Malaya, Dorris, and Rein could be seen in the shadows of one of the buildings near the plaza. They were observing secretly, everything that happened from beginning to end.

“The revolution is over. Let’s go on to the last stage of the plan.” Malaya concluded. She returned her attention to the fallen Iris near the plaza’s stage.

‘Don’t expect to be confident in everything just because you read the book containing this world.’ You thought you could start a conflict like this and act hastily. You should have been more careful, especially around those who became close to you. They are no longer just characters. Everyone’s life here right now could snap away at any time, and they will never return, no matter how much you wish for them to live again.’ Malaya turned away from the plaza. ‘I realized this too late and now bear the consequences too.’

‘We don’t have any qualms with each other. But if you make it out alive here, this should serve as a good lesson, fellow transmigrator.’

—⚓⚓⚓—

A few years ago, a certain little girl with orange hair was sold by her aunt from the slave trader. She got auctioned and a wealthy merchant bought her. But she got blamed for stealing an expensive earring from the new master she was serving. 

Due to that, she was sent to te the Octagon. The girl kept rubbing her hands to keep herself warm at the new cell she would be staying in from now on.

“Hey!” She glanced up when she heard someone’s voice. She turned around to look to where that voice was coming from.

“Here! In the opposite cells of yours.” Brown eyes glistened as she looked in front of her. From the light coming from the torches, in the opposite cell of hers, a tall white ape-man stood up.

“I’m Baru. What’s your name?”

The little girl didn’t answer for a while as if deciding whether to tell her name or not to the stranger in front of her. ‘Baru? Hmm. I don’t remember him in any main or side characters of my book. A no-name character? Well, I guess it’s alright to have someone here given my physique right now.’ The girl pondered. 

Baru patiently waited for her. ‘Well, it’s also alright too if she doesn’t speak with him. Given his scary appearance, any kid would definitely be scared of him.’

“Iris.” But he was surprised when he heard that soft but firm voice.

“What a wonderful name you have. Don’t worry, even life here at Octagon could be harsh, I’ll look out after you. From now on, I could be your big brother here, Iris!” Baru said enthusiastically. His face looked stupid like that of a child who couldn’t stop himself from grinning.

Iris raised her brow as the apeman that was staying in the opposite cell of hers started prattling nonsense. ‘How stupid. A big brother? That won’t help me at destroying this world.’

“No.” Iris interrupted him. “I don’t need anything like big brother but instead you’ll become my first subordinate,” she demanded. 

Hearing Iris’ remarks, Baru let out a burst of hefty laughter. ‘Is this some sort of a kid’s thing? Well alright, better just agreed with her.’ 

“Sure! Then I’ll become both your big brother and first subordinate at the same time.” 

‘It’s confirmed, this monkey is a complete idiot. But at least, he’ll pass as my first henchman.’

Days passed and since they were just the two of them at the corner of the underground of the Octagon. Baru tended to chat to Iris every single day. Although, Iris’ was quiet most of the time.

But Iris’ couldn’t deny it. Somehow, she was starting to get used to this ape who chat nonstop.

“Baru, do you want to get out of here?” 

Baru stopped talking as soon as he heard Iris who suddenly spoke.

“Well,” Baru scratched his ear. A mannerism Iris notice when the apeman started thinking. “Rather than escaping here, would it be much better if there will be no slaves anymore? If that happened, then there will be no bloody fights at the arena. And no one would be sold to those auctioned houses and be sold.”

Hearing Baru’s statement, Iris’ held the cold metal collar on her neck. ‘Abolishing the slaves, huh? I guess, if I plan to destroy this world, slaves wouldn’t be needed anymore too. It would be fine if they could experience freedom once in their lives before the world got destroyed.’

Seeing Iris’ deep in her thoughts, Baru laughed awkwardly. ‘Hahaha. You don’t need to listen to my nonsense, Iris. If we could escape here especially you, that would be much bett….”

“I’ve made up my mind. Let’s do that.” Iris stood up interrupting Baru’s words. “Since your my first henchman, I’ll accept your wish. Let’s abolish slavery and at the same time overturning the founder of the Octagon. Let’s take over the whole Taleba.” 

Baru thought at first that what Iris said was just a joke, but two years later,  he saw how that simple remark from that little girl with orange hair and placid almond eyes became almost a reality. But at the same time, a certain fear slowly took his heart. 

‘Just who is this girl to do all of this?’ But since he swore he would become Iris’ big brother and subordinate, he would try to his utmost life and capabilities, to serve and protect her.

┈ ✁✃✁✃✁✃✁✃✁ ┈

Extra Scene:

“Vivian! Here are the flowers for mom and dad!” Vivo happily ran towards Vivian. They were currently at the back of their house. Vivian turned to look at her little brother.

She accepted the flowers that Vivo reached to her. “Let’s now give this to mom and dad.” She said as she turned to two stone tablets that were now in front of them.

Today was the fourth death anniversary day of their parents.

“Mom, dad, even if there were so many things that happened, thankfully we are still doing fine. Please continue watching over us from the origin of life.” 

Both Vivian and Vivo offered their prayers and the flowers to the two stone tablets in front of them.

┈ ✁✃✁✃✁✃✁✃✁ ┈