Character side story: Katarro, Believer of [Deception]

Before the Nothingness Finale.

That world leading to the future was never the Isle of Hope, because the Isle of Hope has long been buried in the past.

This cannot be called a consensus, after all, countless beings on the Isle of Hope are unaware that they are merely the background of a game.

Even if there are those who know the truth, they will not be "saved," because in a sense, the Isle of Hope worships the gods, originally belongs to the [Origin].

Katarro was wise; he had long foreseen his own end.

As servants of [Nothingness] and "False Emissary" of [Chaos], being buried with the Temple [Chaos] at the Nothingness Finale is the best possible end.

He dared not hope for anything, after all, his Lord of Grace had also died here.

Yes, he knew the devastating news of [Deception's ] departure; Cheng Shi told him himself.

Even if Cheng Shi hadn't said anything, he had already anticipated it.

Although [Deception] never summoned Katarro again after the False Curtain Call, Katarro understood everything. He was always by [Deception]'s side, and even if he didn't know [Deception]'s specific thoughts, he could understand what his Lord of Grace was doing.

Cheng Shi's words merely shattered his last shred of illusion.

Recalling all the blessings bestowed upon him by his Lord of Grace, Katarro for the first time suppressed his smile in the Temple.

Sensing the sorrow in the Katarro, Cheng Shi also fell silent.

Undoubtedly, Katarro made a huge contribution to [Nothingness], and he was even more devoted to Cheng Shi. It was his role that gave Cheng Shi a trump card called "Ultraman" in the process of becoming the Predestination, and it was also his loyalty that allowed Cheng Shi to know many secrets about [Deception] in advance.

Cheng Shi kept this in mind.

That's why he summoned Katarro once again before the future arrived; perhaps this was the last time he would do so.

The Greedy Lord's Greed is not just on the surface; there is a fire burning in his heart. Just as he always kept a backup plan in the previous Trials, he has also hidden a trump card this time, facing a dilemma.

He wasn't sure if this trump card would work, but... like he said, how would he know if he didn't try?

So he said to Katarro:

"I know you are loyal to [Nothingness], but in essence, you are still loyal to [Deception], after all, [Nothingness] has only ever had one god..."

I know that your biggest regret might be not being granted a Mask that represents [Deception].

But Katarro, He has never wronged you, nor has He ever intended to wrong you. Otherwise, He wouldn't have pulled you out of the past. You should know that anyone could stand here under the gaze of [Deception], but He chose you alone.

This is also your destiny.

Remember, Katarro, you are not only a servant of [Nothingness], but also Believer in [Deception].

Upon hearing this, Katarro choked up.

Indeed, although he considered himself a servant of [Nothingness], he steadfastly remained at the Temple [Chaos] from beginning to end, and the Divine Power he borrowed was all from [Chaos]. He never had Mask of his own.

Does he want it?

Of course he wanted to, but he also understood that as long as he could stay by his Lord of Grace's side, some obsessions were not important.

The problem is that he has now lost the opportunity to be with her all the time.

Cheng Shi gazed into the depths of Nothingness, as if reminiscing, and after a moment murmured:

"I cannot be His master, nor can I give you a new Mask in His place, but..."

I happen to know that a Mask has lost its owner and was left behind in the past.

I was in control of this Mask, and today, I bestow Mask upon you.

With that, Cheng Shi waved his hand and presented a Pure White Mask to Katarro.

Katarro tremblingly picked up the Mask, his knees buckling as he knelt down. Cheng Shi didn't look at him, but instead asked a strange question:

"When you put on Mask, you often become someone else. Katarro, if one day you forget yourself... what would you do?"

Katarro paused, seemingly understanding something. He gripped the Mask tightly and said firmly:

"My lord, it doesn't matter who Katarro is. [Nothingness] needs to Katarro is, Katarro is."

I may forget myself, but I will never forget you and my Lord of Grace.

Cheng Shi chuckled lightly and shook his head, saying:

"I am not important either. You can forget me, and you must forget me, but you must not forget Him."

As he spoke, Cheng Shi's expression turned somewhat serious:

"Katarro, remember your loyalty; wherever you are, you will always be His Believer."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Shi left. Looking at the empty Temple, Katarro, holding Mask, walked step by step to the Temple entrance.

His thoughts were racing, and his expression was complex.

Looking back on his life, from an unknown Scholar to a servant by the side of the gods, and finally to a witness to the end of Nothingness Finale, he felt he had gained too much along the way.

He dared not ask for anything, even though he wanted to know what the future that his Lord of Grace and Cheng Shi had foreseen would be like, but he could only keep this thirst for knowledge and desire to himself.

He always understood that the future belonged neither to him nor to the past.

But Cheng Shi's words today gave him new hope.

He put on the Mask and stood straight at the end of the Long Stairway, just as he always had to greet Cheng Shi here. He looked into the endless Nothingness and felt that an era was coming to an end.

Everything ultimately returns to Nothingness...

Katarro closed his eyes, and his whole being sank into darkness.

Katarro, [Truth] Scholar, [Nothingness] Servant, [Deception] Believer

Birthday: March 24