The Tombs of the Star Corridor remained completely silent.
Kenjaku stood calmly in the darkness.
Takeru?
Still talking.
"So, like…"
Takeru leaned against one of the stone pillars.
"How long have you actually been planning all this?"
Kenjaku looked at him.
"A very long time."
"Like… months?"
"Much longer."
"Years?"
"Considerably longer."
Takeru's eyes widened.
"Centuries?"
Kenjaku smiled.
"Now you're getting closer."
Takeru nodded slowly.
"…That's actually insane."
Kenjaku said nothing.
Takeru continued.
"So what do you even do when you're not plotting?"
Kenjaku blinked.
"…Plot."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"No hobbies?"
"No."
"Cooking?"
"No."
"Video games?"
"No."
"Watching movies?"
"No."
Takeru stared at him.
"…You need hobbies."
Kenjaku's expression remained completely neutral.
"I assure you, I don't."
"You absolutely do."
"I have goals."
"That's not a hobby."
"It occupies my time."
"So does staring at a wall."
Kenjaku sighed.
"You came all the way here to discuss my recreational activities?"
Takeru shrugged.
"Partially."
"Then what is the other part?"
Takeru smiled.
"I'm trying to figure you out."
Kenjaku narrowed his eyes.
"And why would you care?"
"Because you're weird."
A pause.
Kenjaku stared at him.
Takeru continued.
"You've been alive for an absurd amount of time, you've possessed multiple bodies, you've manipulated entire generations of sorcerers…"
He pointed at Kenjaku.
"…and somehow you still decided that this was how you wanted to spend your life."
Kenjaku smiled faintly.
"You speak as though you understand my motivations."
"I don't."
Takeru pushed himself away from the pillar.
"That's why I'm asking."
Kenjaku's expression became more serious.
"My objective is to create something beyond what currently exists."
Takeru nodded.
"Yeah, I figured."
"You say that as though it is obvious."
"It kind of is."
Kenjaku looked at him.
"…And you aren't afraid?"
Takeru smiled.
"Nope."
"Why?"
Takeru's eyes gleamed.
"Because if you were actually confident you could beat me…"
He paused.
"…you wouldn't still be standing there talking."
Kenjaku's smile disappeared for a moment.
Silence.
Then Takeru grinned.
"So…"
"Wanna keep talking?"
Kenjaku stared at him.
"…You are remarkably persistent."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I know."
Takeru sat down on a nearby stone ledge.
"Anyway…"
Kenjaku sighed.
The conversation continued.
And somehow—
the ancient mastermind behind the Culling Games had become trapped in the world's longest unsolicited interview.