"The Corruption of Knowledge"
Chapter 16: Beautiful Lady
Author: Frenames
"What a shame… I wanted to test my abilities, but I don't have anyone to spar with."
A faint look of disappointment appeared on Fray's face as he let out a quiet sigh, clearly not yet satisfied with his newfound strength.
"Now that I've finished dissolving the principal patterns… it's time to end my meditation."
Slowly, Fray opened his eyes. Golden light from the setting sun streamed through the window and fell upon his face, giving him an almost radiant aura—as if a new power was silently awakening within him.
"You sure took your time meditating. I thought you weren't going to wake up anymore."
The commander spoke in a teasing tone while looking at Fray, though a hint of concern lingered in his voice.
Fray turned to the right, where the voice came from.
He smiled brightly, but the commander felt slightly uneasy at that smile—it carried a confidence he couldn't quite read.
"Judging by that smile… it seems you gained quite a lot. If I'm not mistaken, you awakened an ability."
The commander added, "If you didn't awaken anything, then you're truly useless. You've been meditating for nine hours—if nothing came out of it, then I wasted my time guarding you."
The commander closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, sounding irritated yet unable to hide his curiosity.
Inside, Fray hesitated whether to tell the whole truth. In the end, he decided to reveal only ten percent and keep the rest hidden.
"My luck isn't that bad… I only awakened about three abilities."
He said this while scratching the back of his head, as if downplaying it.
Upon hearing that, the commander's eyes widened in shock. He knew how difficult it was to dissolve principal patterns—especially with unknown patterns interfering and preventing complete understanding.
"You're a genius… no—not just a genius. You're a monster!"
The commander exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and excitement.
"Please don't praise me too much, commander."
Fray replied with a smile.
"I'm not praising you—it's the truth! But that smile… it looks like you're proud of yourself. This kid is becoming arrogant."
The commander muttered to himself.
"I'm not praising you just for that. That new recruit—he's been an ascendant for five months, and he's only awakened one ability."
The commander added, as if countering Fray's modest claim.
"That long… just to awaken one ability?"
Fray was genuinely surprised.
"Yes. That long."
"But he can't compare to me. I awakened my first ability in just one month."
The commander boasted. But deep down, he knew he was lying. In reality, it took him longer—and he nearly became corrupted back then.
"In all the history of ascendants that I know… you're the only one who awakened three abilities in just nine hours."
Fray felt slightly embarrassed by the praise.
"If I told him I actually awakened fifteen abilities… would he faint from shock?"
Fray wondered to himself.
Suddenly—
Grrrrrr…
"What was that sound?"
Fray looked around, only to realize—it came from his own stomach. He had just remembered that he hadn't eaten for several days due to continuous meditation.
The commander laughed upon hearing the loud growl.
"Let's end this for now. We'll continue our discussion about ascendants and other matters tomorrow."
He paused briefly before speaking again, his tone turning serious.
"What I told you today is confidential. Don't tell anyone. Do you understand?"
Fray nodded.
"Yes, I understand, commander."
His voice was firm, as if making a silent promise.
The commander added, "And don't wear that uniform outside. Those working under Beta Military must remain hidden—for your protection and for the people you care about."
"Why? Don't tell me we're a cult?"
Fray blurted out, covering his mouth with his left hand.
"No, idiot! We have many enemies!"
The commander shouted, clearly annoyed. He thought Fray was intelligent—but sometimes, he acted foolish.
"I was just joking… you took it seriously."
Fray muttered to himself.
The commander waved his right hand, signaling that Fray could now leave to eat and rest.
"I thought you were going to treat me to food… but you're sending me home hungry."
Fray complained internally.
Moments later, Fray stepped out of the commander's office.
"So stingy… couldn't even treat me to a meal."
He muttered while walking home, clutching his growling stomach.
"Ah-choo!"
"I wonder who's cursing me right now?"
The commander said to himself while wiping his nose.
He stood by the window, quietly watching the setting sun. The fading light matched the heavy feeling in his chest.
He looked in the direction Fray had gone and sighed.
"Another young life stepping into a world of death…"
He whispered softly.
"There's no turning back… and corruption never ends. It will follow you to your grave."
Silence filled the room. Only the wind outside could be heard.
"I've seen many people die young… and turn into monsters because of corruption."
The commander murmured, his expression slowly filling with sorrow and regret.
He remembered his former comrades—
People who once fought beside him…
But in the end, he was the one who killed them—
Because they had become monsters.
---
As Fray walked, he wore the same clothes he had on when heading to the church.
No one looked at him the same way anymore. The charisma he had while wearing the Delta uniform was gone.
There's a saying that clothes make the man.
As Fray moved farther from the Beta Military base, he glanced back at the building. But what he saw was just an ordinary structure—old and seemingly close to collapsing.
He was confused. When he first arrived, it looked grand and well-maintained.
"Maybe this is the work of an ascendant… to hide the Beta Military base."
Fray whispered to himself as he continued walking, realizing he didn't even have money for transportation.
"This makes Beta Military even more mysterious… what about Alpha Military?"
He wondered.
Lost in thought, head lowered as he processed everything—
Five meters ahead, a woman approached him.
Moments later, they collided.
Fray was startled and quickly caught her as she lost balance.
He held her by the waist. From a distance, their posture looked like a dance—the woman leaned slightly toward him, her left hand on his shoulder, while his hand supported her waist.
They locked eyes.
Fray couldn't look away—as if it was the first time he had ever seen such beauty.
But suddenly, something within him snapped him back to reality.
He helped her stand properly and quickly let go.
The woman smiled charmingly.
"Thank you, sir."
Fray replied, "You're welcome. It was my fault too—I wasn't looking ahead."
As he looked at her, it felt as if some mysterious force urged him to keep staring.
She wore a simple black dress—not particularly elegant, yet her natural charm made it look captivating.
Her face was striking—easily one of the most beautiful in the city. A sharp nose, and lips painted red, making her even more alluring.
"I'm sorry, miss, but I'm in a hurry."
Fray said politely, his expression humble.
"Alright. Take care… we'll meet again."
The woman smiled before walking away.
Fray watched her as she left.
Moments later, he continued walking as well.
To be continue...