Kaelan was given a comfortable room—complete with a bed, clean clothes, a sturdy wooden chair that looked pleasant to sit on, and a window overlooking the city and the massive wall protecting it.
He felt exhausted from the rapid changes that had happened ever since he dug himself out of his grave. Kaelan decided to take a short nap.
He woke up about three hours later. Kaelan made his way back to the hall and ordered some food.
Looking at the menu, he found something unsettling. The written language looked familiar, yet strangely foreign at the same time. Almost as if it resembled something he might have known once.
"Hurry up and decide. I don't have all day," the canteen cashier—a bald man in his early forties—said coldly, visibly annoyed. His attitude was far from friendly.
Kaelan picked his food and drink at random using the pictures provided. It seemed the place used images to help those who were illiterate.
"Eight bronze," the cashier said apathetically.
Kaelan froze. He had no money. He panicked for a moment until someone approached.
"I'll take his bill," Reynold said with a wide grin. "And I'll have my usual drink!"
Kaelan returned the smile. "Sorry… and thank you."
"It's nothing. We're comrades now, so don't feel awkward. You can pay me back next time."
When the food and drink arrived, Kaelan was ready to satisfy his hunger—until he flinched at the sight of his meal.
A lump of brownish meat drenched in brown sauce. The aroma was slightly burnt, but the horrifying part was the meat itself.
Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
It was twitching—just slightly—almost as if it still belonged to a living creature.
Was Reynold pranking him? Giving him a live creature to eat?!
Disgust twisted in his stomach. Any trace of hunger faded instantly.
Reynold noticed and burst into laughter, as though Kaelan's reaction was amusing.
"Did you forget about food too?" Reynold teased. "That's Earthworms meat. A monster worm with insane endurance despite its body being as soft as fat."
Earthworms were known for their durability, still able to move even after being killed. In this case, the remaining parts could twitch a little even after being cooked.
Reynold said it was a popular dish, but to Kaelan it looked barely edible—if not outright grotesque.
He swallowed hard. He didn't want to eat it, but he had no choice. He was too hungry.
The first bite entered his mouth. The meat was soft, slightly wriggling as he chewed. It tasted fishy and bitter, but thanks to the sauce, it was at least somewhat bearable.
Still nauseating. In the end, Kaelan couldn't finish it. It seemed adapting to this world's food would be difficult.
"Can I ask you a few things?" Kaelan said.
"Since you're a member of Radiant Covenant now, there's no need to hide anything," Reynold said with a cheerful grin. "Ask me anything."
Kaelan nodded. There was so much he needed to know because he knew nothing.
"I want to know about us—about Radiant Covenant."
Without the freedom to choose, Kaelan had become a member of Radiant Covenant. An organization seemingly affiliated with Lunaria and the others.
"In short, Radiant Covenant is one of the three major factions in this world. Ah, it would be four if you count the Outcast."
Four major groups existed in this world, each holding significant power and pursuing their own goals.
Radiant Covenant represented humanity's hope of restoring the sun. The organization was founded thousands of years ago, back when humanity lost its light.
"As the name suggests, we pledge ourselves to the pursuit of light. To reclaim the life we deserve."
Not only that—the Radiant Covenant kept Devourers bound by rules. They protected the cities and supported their needs.
In essence, Radiant Covenant also functioned like a nation. They governed, protected, and sustained life in the city.
"What about the other groups?" Kaelan asked. He needed to know who was friend and who was foe.
"There's a bunch of crazed fanatics known as the Church of Redemption. Another group that worships madness and pursues corruption: Eternal Darkness. And lastly, like you know—those cast out from society who live freely without purpose: Outcast."
Reynold explained that the four major groups didn't get along. Their visions and goals were vastly different.
For example, the Church of Redemption and Radiant Covenant were opposites. One believed the cursed world was divine punishment for ancestral sins. The other dreamed of a world without curses.
Eternal Darkness was even worse—universally hated for their obsession with power and extremism.
Meanwhile, the Outcast simply lived freely without rules.
"But why do you hate the Outcast so much?" Kaelan asked, remembering their first encounter. "From your explanation, they don't sound hostile."
Reynold sighed, looking both sad and bitter.
"A few years ago, there was an incident involving the Outcast. A tragedy no one wants to remember."
He didn't go into detail. In summary, an Outcast had caused massive chaos within the city. Many lives were lost, and Rebecca's family died in that incident.
"I hope you understand. Everyone here carries wounds that can't heal," Reynold said heavily. "We live in a cursed world that demands tragedy and sacrifice."
Kaelan somehow understood. This world was terrifying. It was hard for him to believe he truly lived here.
He felt like an outsider dragged into a foreign world with no knowledge. If he hadn't met Reynold and the others, who knew what would have become of him.
"What is our main goal—Radiant Covenant's main purpose?" Kaelan shifted the subject. He didn't want to linger in such a heavy atmosphere.
"Oh, that," Reynold said, pointing at someone approaching from behind. "The captain will probably explain that during your oath-taking."
Lunaria approached, giving Reynold a light smack on the head and offering her gentle smile.
"I'm sure many things are still confusing for you. But we need to handle the priority procedures first. Little by little, we'll help you adapt, Kaelan," Lunaria said. "As Reynold said, you need to recite the oath now. We'll guide you."
"Oath-taking?" Kaelan asked.
"It's simply a requirement to officially join us. After that, I can share more information—within the limits of what you're allowed to know."
Becoming a member of Radiant Covenant required an oath—a vow to dedicate oneself to the pursuit of light. Seekers of light within a cursed world.
Kaelan didn't object. In fact, this might be his best chance to survive—and to uncover his identity.