The Day Before the End of the World

This time, there were clearly many more people who could make a choice.

Aside from Sour Wine, who was in a soul state, and the Princess, who had passed over from the first painting, Iver and the Old Dog had suddenly gained soul states as well. There was also Aleister, who was still alive, and the loyal "Old Dog," Laro.

The number of people who could vote had risen to six. Half of them were spirits.

This time, five points were added at once, one of which glowed brightly. The steel door finally changed as well—a deep groove appeared across its surface. Touching it with a hand gave one a sensation similar to that of a layer of keratin.

The groove was dark gold, resembling the claw mark of some animal, yet also like a scab formed over damaged human skin.

"The plot of this painting has finally started moving forward..."

Iver let out a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, they aren't very familiar with the rules of modern society, so they didn't make us miss too much information..."

After taking a rough count, the number of living people had quietly fallen to only four—or perhaps five.

The first painting could neither be entered nor exited anymore. As a result, it was impossible to tell whether the Child of the Moon, who remained petrified inside, counted as alive or had been permanently sealed away.

If she did not occupy a living-person slot, but no soul could come out to vote either... then only four people were still alive.

The Princess, Laro, Aleister, and the warrior who had been captured. If one more person died, the special victory condition, "Choose One of Three," would be triggered.

...It was ridiculous.

Looking closely, two of the three strongest people had already died.

Meanwhile, the