"The children have gone hungry for days. This time, we can finally eat our fill."
"Luckily, we have the divine messenger, Sniper King. Without him, we would never have found food."
"I just hope this war ends soon. Life like this is no life at all."
Deep within a dark tunnel, a group of weary people slowly descended until they reached their refuge.
At the end of the passage lay a massive natural karst cave, large enough to rival two football fields placed side by side. Flickering torches illuminated the damp interior while droplets of fresh water fell steadily into a carved stone basin nearby.
"God, please save us. Please make this war end."
Hundreds of refugees filled the cavern. Their clothes were torn, their faces thin and lifeless from starvation. Some leaned silently against the walls, lost in despair, while others gathered together and prayed in hushed voices.
"Faster! Shoot it already!"
Not far away, several skeletal children lay on the ground, distracting themselves with slingshots despite their hunger.
"Stop rushing me!"
A young boy puffed his cheeks, closed one eye, and released the stretched sling.
SPLAT!
The stone struck a small twig perfectly, sending it flying.
"Yes! I hit it!"
The boy jumped up proudly, only to freeze when he noticed people descending from the upper passage. His eyes locked onto the heavy sacks carried on their backs.
"Dad! Dad! The divine messengers are back! They brought grain!"
His excited shout instantly stirred the exhausted refugees.
"Grain? Where?"
"There's food?"
"Did they really find grain?!"
The starving crowd hurried forward, surrounding the returning search party with desperate hope shining in their eyes.
"Divine messenger Sniper King… is it true? Are those really supplies?"
Several of the remaining leaders trembled as they stared at the dozen heavy sacks.
The long-nosed man with curly hair smiled confidently and nodded.
"Yes. Our companions discovered hidden noble storehouses. These sacks came from there. But everyone must ration it carefully. Cook only porridge so it lasts longer."
"Hooray!"
Cheers erupted throughout the cave. People embraced one another, tears streaming down hollow cheeks.
After nearly five days of starvation, even thin porridge sounded like a feast.
"Women, start cooking immediately. Watch each other carefully, no one steals food," one of the men ordered harshly.
In this country, women held little status and rarely spoke against commands.
"There's no need for that," the long-nosed man said gently. "No one here would steal food."
Unfortunately, reality proved otherwise.
CRACK!
The sharp sound of burlap tearing echoed through the cave.
A terrified scream followed.
"God… this isn't grain! It's dirt!"
CRACK! CRACK!
More sacks were ripped open.
"It's all dirt!"
"What you brought back is dirt!"
"What?!"
Panic spread instantly. Men and boys rushed forward, staring in horror at the piles spilling onto the ground.
Nothing but soil.
"Move aside!"
The long-nosed man pushed through the crowd with his remaining arm, disbelief written across his face as dust rose from the scattered dirt.
"How… how can this be dirt?"
Several refugees surrounded him, their expressions dark and twisted.
"Sniper King," one of them growled, teeth clenched. "Didn't you swear there was grain in those cellars? We carried these sacks back with the last of our strength, and this is what we get?"
"I…"
Sniper King stepped back cautiously.
"According to my plan, there should have been grain. I don't understand what happened either. Maybe we should investigate again."
WHOOSH!
He narrowly dodged a wooden stick swung at his head.
"Go again?" the man snarled. "Just going once nearly killed us!"
The refugee's gaze changed completely. The gratitude that once filled his eyes had vanished, replaced by raw hunger.
"How about this, divine messenger," the man said coldly. "Show us your kindness one more time."
Sniper King immediately sensed danger.
Silently, he reached into his bag and gripped a smoke bomb.
"What are you planning?"
"Heh… divine messenger Sniper King," another man said with a chilling smile. "Why don't you sacrifice yourself so we can eat? Once we regain strength, we can search for food again."
Sniper King's eyes widened.
"You want to eat me? I lost an arm saving you from the rebel army! I nearly bled to death! I found this cave and helped you search for food, and now you want to eat me?"
"Otherwise," the man replied calmly, glancing toward the women and children, "we would have to eat our own people first."
He sighed heavily.
"We've lived together too long to start with them. You, divine messenger, joined us only recently. It makes more sense to begin with you."
Sniper King stared blankly.
"But… you called me a messenger of God."
His voice trembled.
"You're going to kill God's messenger?"
The sudden change left him unable to process reality.
Moments ago, he was their savior.
Now he was food.
"Since God sent you to save us," another refugee said while tightening his grip on a stick, "then however we use you must also be God's will."
The men slowly closed in, smiling like starving demons.
"Thank you, God, for sending us the divine messenger!"
"If we survive, we will build a monument in your honor!"
"Like hell I want a monument from you people!"
Sniper King cursed and slammed the smoke bomb onto the ground.
Then…
Nothing happened.
The refugees blinked.
"What is this supposed to be, divine messenger?"
"Oh no…"
Sniper King stared in horror.
"I've been stuck in this damp cave for days… the smoke bomb got wet!"
"Damn it! That was my last Pop Green!"
Without hesitation, he grabbed several seeds from his pouch and hurled them into a nearby puddle before turning to flee.
"Certain Kill, Green Star: Demon!"
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The ground shook violently.
Gigantic flytrap-like plants burst from the earth, snapping their massive jaws shut as vines lashed outward, binding and striking the approaching men.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the disheveled one-armed sniper ran desperately toward the dark tunnel.
Tears nearly streamed from his eyes as he fled.
"Boo hoo… Shirogai, Luffy, where are you?! Being a hero is way too stressful! Even divine messengers can end up getting eaten!"
^_________^
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