F/VoH Ch 134: Giving Choices

However, behind Ryan's calm demeanor, there was a burning anger—anger at the reality that these soldiers had been treated as tools for a greater purpose, without regard for their fate.

Ryan looked at them once more, as if to ensure they were truly giving everything they knew. "Is there anything else you would like to add?" Ryan asked, his voice uncertain whether it was a threat or just an empty question.

However, the soldiers could only bow their heads, unable to speak further, knowing that their lives now hung by a thread, depending on their next answer.

Ryan stood tall, his sharp eyes sweeping over the faces filled with fear before him. The ten soldiers knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling under Ryan's gaze, which seemed to pierce their souls. The sound of leaves rustling in the night wind was the only noise accompanying the tense atmosphere.

"Alright," Ryan said, his voice deep and firm, breaking the silence. "I will give you two choices." Ryan paused for a moment, ensuring that every word he spoke sank deep into their minds. "The first choice, you will die here, today. There will be no mercy."

The soldiers swallowed hard, cold sweat trickling down their temples. Ryan continued mercilessly, "The second choice... you will also be considered dead. Everyone you know will think you are gone. There will be no names, no identities. You will become shadows without a past. But you will live, starting anew. So, what do you choose?"

Ryan's words echoed like a verdict in a courtroom. One of the soldiers, a man with a face full of battle scars, lifted his head slightly. With a trembling voice, he asked, "Sir... are you sure you are giving us this choice?"

Ryan nodded slowly, his gaze showing no doubt. "Yes. State your choice."

Silence enveloped them for a moment. The soldiers looked at each other, as if seeking strength from one another. Finally, the man spoke again in a low tone, almost like a whisper. "We... we choose the second option."

Ryan regarded them with a cold stare, then nodded. "Good. Then go. Leave this place and never return. Your old lives end here."

However, before they could move, another soldier, smaller in stature than the others, dared to ask. "Sir, are you really sure you want to let us go?"

Ryan fixed him with a sharp gaze, causing the man to immediately lower his head. "I have made that decision. Now go, before I change my mind."

Without waiting for further orders, the ten soldiers slowly rose, avoiding Ryan's gaze. Their steps were hurried as they left the place, as if pursued by a shadow of death. Ryan remained standing there, watching them until they disappeared into the distance.

Once they were gone, Ryan let out a long sigh, then turned his gaze to the dense forest ahead. The Cursed Territory stood still, like a giant waiting for its prey. The thick black leaves moved slowly in the wind, carrying mysterious whispers that could only be felt by those brave enough to approach.

Ryan glanced briefly at Arash, then spoke in a calm, almost cold tone, "Arash, burn all the bodies here. Make sure some disappear without a trace, so those ten are not suspected."

Ryan's tone was so flat, as if he were not talking about bodies that had just lost their lives, but rather worthless items. To Ryan, the ten people he had just released were not important enough to be considered a threat. Some might think Ryan was naive for letting them live, but Ryan knew exactly what he was doing.