Simple man with his overpowered army Chapter 40: ...and to some hell is a lonely place

Novel: Simple man with his overpowered army Author: SanderTomson Updated: Jun 08, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 40: ...and to some hell is a lonely place from Simple man with his overpowered army, a Fantasy novel by SanderTomson.

The world turned dark, and for a mont, Lud could hear nothing but his own heartbeat. Then ca Sarah’s voice, faint yet filled with urgency, cutting through the silence: "Faust! Faust! Do you hear ? Faust!" He tried to respond, but the words wouldn’t co.

As light flickered above him, he noticed he was seated in an empty space, surrounded by darkness. A man’s voice broke through from a nearby seat:

"So this is how Maumar intends to play." Nesis’ voice was laced with dark amusent. "So trial..."

Nesis says while sitting on his seat in the darkness "Maumar has a weird taste, that’s for sure. But no matter, I have spent longer ti in the depths of the abyss, so this type of torture is nothing."

"Where are we?" Lud asked, scanning the shadows around him.

"Where do you think?" Nesis scoffed. "We’re inside my very essence—the concept of Nesis. A trial of willpower, perhaps? If so, I could do this in my sleep."*

Lud frowned. "So... it’s about who can endure this? Fine. I’ll play Maumar’s ga."

"Oh, how noble," Nesis sneered. "I assure you, though, your ’endurance’ will be tested beyond your naïve little ideals."

Then both of them hear Li saying "It seems like he is not waking up Ms. Livendig. I suggest that we..."

But Sarah’s voice echoed "No! It will work! It has to work! If not, then what are we supposed to do?!"

Li’s voice echoed "We have to make sure our lord’s effort is not to be wasted. We must move forward."

Sarah says "But how?! How are we supposed to do that?!"

Li’s voice echoed "Like we did when he was gone before this was just a ga to him. Although things have changed, we must persevere. I have taken the duties of our lord temporarily, so the battalion commanders should hold a eting with so of the officials to determine the next course of action."

Sarah says in a much calr voice "Fine. But whatever happens, that bitch must pay for what she did to him."

Li says, as if he wasn’t responsible for allowing this to happen "Of course."

Lud asked "What was that?"

Nesis answered "This is the beginning of my journey. When Ludwig Freigner beca dräk’nor, all that was left was the body of Faust Ilumnos. No sense of self left in the body. Just an empty shell of the forr self. In desperation, Sarah placed the Grail of seven sins into that body in the hope that it would reawaken him, but all it did was to bring into being. A consciousness that had no freedom to move the body it was in."

Lud asks "So... you are... the embodint of that world item?"

Nesis says "That is what I thought I was at least. But now that we are in this kind of hell together, I don’t know if that is the complete truth anymore."

Lud asks "What do you an?"

Nesis says "You really are a dimwit, aren’t you. Well since we co from the sa cloth, I can’t say that I am a genius myself, but the essence is simple. This thing is only possible because the world sohow registers us as the sa entity or whatnot, making us live through my life again like this."

Lud says "But I have been into the abyss before and we didn’t connect then."

Nesis says "I see. The explanation could be that I already was a singular entity or that this whole abyss stuff is a whole lot more ssed up than I thought it was."

Lud asks "So... what will we do now?"

Nesis says "Good question. We have until the end of ti to talk since that is when I entered the abyss, so we can listen to what my body could hear during that ti, talk to each other or just wait."

Lud says "So... we will be here for a while then."

Nesis says "Oh trust , ’a while’ is one hell of an understatent."

After hearing commotion outside, Lud asked Nesis "Why are they all bickering so much?"

Nesis looked at Lud with a raised brow. "Haven’t you noticed that there are factions in Elysium?"

Lud frowned, taken aback. "Factions? What are you on about?"

Nesis chuckled. "So you haven’t. Well, since we have all the ti in the world, let enlighten you."

"There are three factions in Elysium: The Guardians, The Vanguard, and The Balancekeepers."

"The Guardians are focused on preserving the status quo, maintaining current systems, and defending Elysium without unnecessary risks. Tear, Xu, and Marchosias belong to this faction."

"The Vanguard is committed to expanding Elysium’s influence, pushing outward to claim new territories and take on a more proactive role. Lili, Illi, Elisia, and Brutus align with them."

"And then we have The Balancekeepers, who prefer a middle ground. They watch, waiting to intervene only when necessary, avoiding extres. Li, Lych, Liz, and Sarah are in this faction."

Lud shook his head. "But... I thought we were all on the sa team."

Nesis smirked. "Of course you would. You and your naïve way of seeing things—all sunshine and rainbows." He paused, letting the words sink in. "Yes, they belong to different factions. But make no mistake—they’re all still loyal to their one and only king."

Lud asks "What happened to Altair?"

Nesis replied "My tiline’s Altair beca a wanted criminal in the eyes of Elysium. Of course this ant that the star elves beca our enemies and that is sothing that we won’t be hearing from for quite so ti."

Lud asks "How will it end?"

Nesis says "Elysium wipes the star elves into dust after all the battalion leaders had made their judgnts. This also ant that Elysium beca quite a war focused nation and many fell to their might. The Genocide of Lutah is what they called it."

Lud says "That is... why would they do that."

Nesis says "I guess that their loyalty to their king was just so great."

Lud and Nesis could hear soone breathing heavily and both of them had a weird sensation. Lud asked "What is going on out there?"

Nesis replied "If I recall correctly, that is Sarah having sex with our body."

This surprised Lud and he asked in shock "She is doing what now?"

Nesis says "Of course she would. After accepting that I wouldn’t wake up, the conclusion people outside ca up with is to produce an heir. Since our equipnt still worked, there was no issue."

Lud says "But... Isn’t this considered rape by so standards?"

Nesis says "Most likely. But since the conclusion they ca up with was made with the assumption that I would never wake up again, they saw no issue doing this."

Lud says "This just feels so wrong."

Nesis replied "Get used to it. We’ll be hearing a lot of this kind of thing in the near future. But don’t worry, when all the won who volunteered have gotten pregnant, there won’t be any kind of reproduction in a while."

Lud noticed sothing in Nesis’ words and said "In a while you say."

Nesis just says "Well, look at the bright side, if you are the one that wins this little bout, then you can say that you had the experience of having sex with your underlings."

Lud stayed silent for a mont and Nesis continued "Granted, if you end up in the sa body as before, the body is still considered virgin by so standards. Weird how you can be and not be a virgin at the sa ti."

Lud asked "Will the... children that co out of all of this really be okay?"

Nesis answered "Define okay."

Lud says "So that is a no I take."

Nesis says "We will be hearing them confessing a lot of things to us during their lifetis."

Lud says "You said that we will be here until the end of ti, correct?"

Nesis answered "Yes, if I understand our predicant correctly."

Lud asks "Then how many generations of our descendants will we be hearing from."

Nesis answers "Plenty."

Lud repeated Nesis’ words "Plenty?"

Nesis repeated again "Plenty."

Lud rubbed his head in contemplation, until a thought ca to him. He decided to ask "So... we will experience losing so people as well during all this."

Nesis says "Ti is a bitch, aint it."

Lud says "But why will our body last so long?"

Nesis shrugs and says "Who knows. Maybe it has always been ageless or maybe becoming a thryv’nith has sothing to do with it. Either way, we will be here a long ti."

Lud wonders "Will I actually be able to bear with this?"

"Feel free to give up whenever you’re ready," Nesis taunted. "I’ll happily take my prize at the end of this tunnel."

Lud’s gaze hardened. "I’ll endure whatever it takes. For the people waiting on the other side."

Nesis chuckled. "Bold words for a man trapped in a cage of my own making."

"Maybe," Lud shot back. "But this ti, you’re in here with ."

Lud asks "How will this, genocide of Lutah end for Elysium?"

Nesis says "Elysium becos the greatest nation to rule the middle realm and all other races don’t dare to make any hasty moves against it. Personally, I would have just continued to wreck Lutah even more, but it is the people who we put our trust in that made that decision, so I can’t really bla them for going all out."

Lud comnts, "You really are a horrible person."

Nesis shrugs it off by saying "I am the epito of sin after all."

Lud asks "So, since they have co and talked to us so much, do they know that we can hear them?"

Nesis says "Quite likely. One of Lili’s devices detected that there was brain activity in us, so that is why they cald down a bit at one point. Whether they think we can hear them probably differs from person to person."

After an unknown amount of ti, Lud decided to ask a question that he should have asked long ago. "Why do you do what you do?"

Nesis asked back "Do I need a reason?"

Lud said "Everyone has reasons for doing what they do, so what is yours?"

Nesis chuckled a bit and then said "There is no reason. I’m not so misunderstood villain who has a tragic backstory. I simply wish to destroy. Destruction for the sake of destruction. The ultimate sin. No reason behind it. Just unadulterated destruction until I can’t continue any more. And when that happens, either I have t my end or the world has been completely annihilated."

Lud asks "So do you enjoy doing what you do?"

Nesis says "Of course I do. The feeling of seeing sothing that once was to not be anymore is exhilarating. There is of course the factor where sothing new can sprout from one thing being destroyed, but that is not the goal. There is no goal. Only to destroy, destroy and destroy."

Lud asks "Do you think... that it is sothing that I harbor as well?"

Nesis shrugs and says "Who knows. While my body once might have been that of Faust Ilumnos or Ludwig Freigner, now I’m only Nesis. A vessel of sin. The primordial sin of annihilation."

Lud asks "Do you have any regrets?"

Nesis says a simple "No."

Lud asks "Even if I end up being the winner of this trial?"

Nesis scoffs and says "Bold words for soone who is so naive. But even if you end up being the last man standing after all this is over, I don’t have any regrets. As a wise man said ’death cos to us all’ so there is no backing down."

Lud says "I think that you do have regrets. I don’t know what kind exactly, but I have a feeling that you do."

Nesis says "Think what you will."

Ti has passed and Lud made a comnt "Since we can think but not move our body, do you think that this is so kind of dical condition?"

Nesis says "Who knows. Maybe, maybe not. In my opinion, this is just sothing magical that Maumar put us through."

Lud thinks a little further and says "I’m pretty sure that there exists conditions similar to what we are in now. ’Locked-in syndro’ was it?"

Nesis says "I don’t think that our situation can be compared to that of our world. I may not be the smartest, but I don’t think this is the sa."

Lud says "Let’s agree to disagree."

Nesis says "Sure. That makes things easier."

Ti passed in their endless waiting. So much so that the even fateweaver changed the writing system for a mont. One of their conversations turned to lighter—though sowhat bizarre—topics.

Lud: "So, who’s the hottest person you know?"

Nesis: "Honestly? The archon. Quite a looker, in my opinion."

Lud: horrified "That is so wrong on so many levels."

Nesis: frowns "Why?"

Lud: "You really don’t know?"

Nesis: "Know what?"

Lud: "I thought you singular entities had access to everything in a tiline. And yet you didn’t check the one thing that would’ve made it very clear what Toki is to us?"

Nesis: "You forget—we’re still pretty much three-dinsional beings. We don’t find every little detail. It’s like skimming an encyclopedia and missing a line in so random entry."

Lud: sighs "Still, surprising that you missed it. It’s a pretty big detail."

Nesis: pauses, intrigued "All right, enlighten . What detail did I miss?"

Lud: flatly "Toki is a child of another version of us."

Nesis simply makes an "Ah" sound, and there’s an awkward pause.

Nesis: clears his throat "Well, in that case... I’d say Elisia is quite attractive too."

Lud: "Seriously?"

Nesis: "What? Don’t tell I missed another critical detail."

Lud: sighs "Obviously, Tifa’s the MVP."

Nesis: "I get it, but... I’m not into her hair."

Lud: indignant "What’s wrong with her hair? You’re literally just another that absorbed so goblet!"

Nesis: deadpan "That ’goblet’ happens to be a world item. Multiply that by the many I’ve absorbed, and you get ."

Lud: "Still, what’s wrong with dark bronze hair?"

Nesis: shrugs "It’s just... h."

Lud: "How dare you call it ’h’?!"

Nesis: "Are you a simp for her or sothing?"

Lud: grumbles "She was our girlfriend on Earth."

Nesis: unmoved "And her hair’s still h."

Lud: gritting his teeth "Then what’s so great about Elisia?"

Nesis: smirks "Proportions. And the ears."

Lud: groans "You’re such a pervert."

Nesis: "Hey, evolutionary traits. You can’t argue with biology."

Lud: "Since when did you care about evolutionary traits?"

Nesis: shrugs casually "Honestly, I don’t care about attraction much at all. I an... I’ve done things with both n and won before, but it wasn’t about attraction."

Lud: grimaces "You’re really a horrible person."

Nesis: mockingly "Yes, yes, epito of sin here. Why does this man even ask?"

There’s a beat of silence.

Lud: hesitantly "Seriously though... n as well?"

Nesis: "Yep."

Lud: "Why?"

Nesis: smiles darkly "Lych."

Lud: sighs, shaking his head "Can’t argue with that."

So ti passes and Lud and Nesis are now staring into each other’s eyes in silence.

Lud raises his hand on the side and snaps his fingers, which makes Nesis look at the fingers for a mont. This makes Lud say "I won" and Nesis shouts "Dammit!"

Turns out they had a staring match.

Lud stares at the white sky in boredom and asks Nesis "Hey, do you think that this white area will get bigger if I manage to convert you to be good or sothing?"

Nesis says "That would be a classic symbolism I’d say, but I doubt that you can manage that."

Lud says "Well, I guess I should start trying to convert you."

Nesis says "I’d like to see you try."

Lud responds "Because it is getting boring?"

Nesis sighs and replies "Sort of, yeah."

Nesis: "If you had to sacrifice one of your battalion leaders, which would you choose?"

Lud: without hesitation "Brutus."

Nesis: smirking "Cold. Though, I can’t argue. The guy’s pretty replaceable."

Lud: "He’s only in charge because he was first in line, not because he’s any good. His wife practically does his job already."

Nesis: "True... What was her na again?"

Lud: pauses, then frowns "Good question..."

Lud: "What did you do the first ti around, when I wasn’t here?"

Nesis: "Sleep. Lots of sleep."

Lud: sighs "And now we can’t even do that."

Nesis: "Well, I’ve had ti to think about it, and I’m starting to suspect we’re not in the sa experience I had before."

Lud: "You an...?"

Nesis: "I don’t think we’re fully inside that version of . We’re more like... alongside him."

Lud: "What makes you say that?"

Nesis: deadpan "Because I can look at your face."

Lud: after a beat "That... actually makes sense. You probably had nothing but darkness the first ti, so zoning out was easier."

Nesis: "Glad you’re finally catching on."

Lud: "No, I’m probably just slow because it took you pointing it out."

Nesis: "Fair."

Nesis: "Hypothetically... would you sleep with here if we could?"

Lud: deadpan "I’m neither gay enough nor narcissistic enough to consider that."

Nesis: nodding "Fair."

They sit in silence for a mont before Lud’s eyes narrow.

Lud: "Wait, you didn’t... do that with other versions of us, did you?"

Nesis: "Not that I recall."

Lud: sighing in relief "Oh, thank god."

Nesis: smirking "Technically, we’re here thanks to A god."

Lud: "Just... let have this."

Lud is repeatedly smacking his head against the back of his chair.

Nesis: sighs "Can you stop? You’re giving a headache."

Lud: "What else am I supposed to do? There’s nothing else I can do."

Nesis: "Just wait patiently, and it’ll be over eventually."

Lud: chuckles "You’re actually encouraging to hold on? This place must be getting to you, too."

Nesis: "It’ll end. Eventually."

Lud: "Easy for you to say. You’ve done this once before."

Nesis: "Hey, it could be worse. At least we’re not enduring what the star elves do with their criminals."

Lud: pausing "Oh yeah... That punishnt where they stare into space until their sentence is up. What was it called again?"

Nesis: "Lonely Immortality, I think."

Lud: grimaces "Yeah... sounds about right."

Lud: "Do you think Lych is... you know, into guys?"

Nesis: bluntly "He’s bi."

Lud: skeptical "How can you say that so confidently?"

Nesis: "I’ve seen enough tilines to know."

Lud: nodding thoughtfully "Right... makes sense."

A slight pause as the thought sinks in. Then Lud’s eyes widen.

Lud: alard "Wait—don’t tell that in one of them, I... end up with him?"

Nesis remains silent, staring blankly.

Lud: more worried "Say sothing!"

Nesis: smirking "You said not to tell you."

Lud: "You know the worst part of all this?"

Nesis: deadpan "Being trapped here with ?"

Lud: "Actually, I’m glad for the company. The worst part is that, for so reason, we can’t get up from these chairs."

Nesis: shrugs "Yeah, whoever designed this place has a strange sense of humor."

Lud: "Feels almost like a taphor for paraplegia... though we can still move our legs, so maybe not."

Nesis: blankly "I don’t know what ’taphor’ or ’paraplegia’ ans, but I disagree on principle."

Lud: sighs "Honestly, I’m not totally sure on ’taphor,’ but ’paraplegia’ ans losing control over your lower body or sothing."

Nesis: crosses arms, unconvinced "Regardless, I disagree."

Lud: "So you do think it’s a taphor?"

Nesis: pauses thoughtfully "Yes... No... Actually, yes."

Lud: eyeing him "Was that last part necessary?"

Nesis: smirks "Absolutely."

Lud: "Why can’t you just stop breaking everything in your path?"

Nesis: casually "I don’t want to."

Lud: exasperated "Are you... a toddler?"

Nesis: raises an eyebrow "A toddler lacks the... scope of my talents."

Lud: sighs, resigned "Alright, fair point. But still, can’t you just... try to stop?"

Nesis: shakes head "No."

Lud: "Just once?"

Nesis: deadpan "No."

Lud: mutters "You’re impossible."

Nesis: smirking "Feeling’s mutual."

Lud: "I’m surprised that so few of our descendants turned out to be gay."

Nesis: eyes narrowing "And that would be an issue because...?"

Lud: awkwardly "It’s not an issue. I just... thought the odds would be different, that’s all."

Nesis: shrugs "People have been gay since the dawn of ti, Lud."

Lud: sighs "Yeah... I just didn’t think my descendants would be. Feels a bit surreal."

Nesis: dryly "That’s what a homophobe would say."

Lud: frowns "Didn’t you imply once that I ended up with Lych in so tiline?"

Nesis: deadpan "Lych is... Lych."

Lud: nods slowly "Hard to argue with that."

Nesis: smirking "He’s canonically male, but that doesn’t an you can’t treat him however you like."

Lud: squints at him "Since when did you beco so... progressive?"

Nesis: smirks "I have my monts. Right before I... make everyone around disappear."

Lud: mutters "Of course."

Nesis: "Do you think I’m a bad person?"

Lud: without hesitation "Absolutely."

Nesis: clutches chest mockingly "Ouch."

Lud: "What did you expect to say?"

Nesis: shrugs "I thought you’d soften it a little, considering I’m technically you too."

Lud: "Do you think I’m a bad person?"

Nesis: nonchalant "No. You’re just a naive guy trying to do good. While I... accomplish things, you fumble around."

Lud: rolls eyes "Which was... exactly my point."

Nesis: deadpan "What point? You didn’t actually make one."

Lud: sighs "I don’t even know anymore."

Lud: "Have you ever considered being kind?"

Nesis: smirks "Why would I?"

Lud: leans forward "You’d get more done if you were kinder."

Nesis: smirking "Kindness and destruction don’t exactly go hand in hand, Lud."

Lud: shrugs "You don’t know that. It might work."

Nesis: nonchalant "Maybe... in so hypothetical side story."

Lud: frowns "What?"

Nesis: stares at him "What?"

Nesis: squints "Is Maumar... a virgin?"

Lud: blinking, incredulous "What?"

Nesis: "I an, think about it. Why would he bother with sex? And... with who, exactly?"

Lud: raising an eyebrow "He has... sothing going on with Ao, doesn’t he?"

Nesis: snorts "You think his multidinsional self would go for a stuck-up god like her? Unbelievable."

Lud: smirking slightly "So, not an Ao fan, huh? Because she’s associated with Altair?"

Nesis: crosses arms, annoyed "I have my own beef with Ao."

Lud: leaning forward "What did Ao do? Will I ever find out, or are you going to keep it cryptic?"

Nesis: "I an, her association with Altair didn’t do her any favors, but that’s not the whole reason I dislike her."

Lud: "Then why not just tell ?"

Nesis: shakes head firmly "No."

Lud: grins "You’re not... embarrassed to say it, are you?"

Nesis: laughing loudly "HAH! , embarrassed? Why would I feel embarrassed?"

Lud: narrowing his eyes thoughtfully "Because you have a thing for Riatla, and Ao did sothing to her in her tiline that makes you mad."

Nesis: stiffens "How did you co up with that?"

Lud: shrugs "So I was right."

Nesis: glares "Don’t tell that was just a guess."

Lud: silent, trying not to smile

Nesis: exasperated "Say sothing!"

Lud: calmly "You told not to say anything."

Lud: "It’s kind of ssed up, you know, to both love and hate Riatla."

Nesis: scoffing "I never said I loved her! I don’t even think I have room for that."

Lud: grins "But you do fancy her."

Nesis: frowns, looking away "No... I don’t."

Lud: "Why don’t you say that while looking in the eyes?"

Nesis: glares "Shut your mouth, you naive little—" mutters "bottom-feeding, ...uh, ... bitch-fucker 9000!"

Silence.

Lud: confused "Where did the ’9000’ co from?"

Nesis: calmly, without missing a beat "Sounded cool in the mont."

Lud: stifling a laugh "You wanted your insult to sound... cool?"

Nesis: rubbing his temples furiously "I don’t know what I’m thinking anymore! It’s your fault—all your talking is ssing with my head, making think I actually care about Riatla!"

Lud: smiling "So you do admit it."

Nesis: glaring "Shut up, you bottom-feeding, ...son of a bitch!"

Lud: raises an eyebrow "No ’9000’ this ti? And you realize we have the sa mother, right?"

Nesis: grits teeth "Just... shut up."

Lud: "So, do you know this Fateweaver guy?"

Nesis: blankly "Never heard of him. He sounds important. Is he important?"

Lud: "According to Toki, he’s the one who, uh... decides our fates."

Nesis: "So he’s the one who put us in this ss?"

Lud: "Well, technically that was Maumar."

Nesis: "Right."

Lud: "But Fateweaver made Maumar make that decision."

Nesis: nodding thoughtfully "So he is guilty."

Lud: "Pretty much."

Nesis: coldly "May he et a hell worse than ours."

Lud: sighs "Can’t disagree with that."

Sowhere, Fateweaver has taken note of this conversation.

Lud: groans "Remind why we’re doing all this?"

Nesis: "For Maumar’s amusent."

Lud: sighs, frustrated "You’re serious?"

Nesis: "At this point, I’m just hoping soone is getting a laugh."

Lud: dryly "Not ."

Nesis: sighs "Sa."

They sit in silence for a mont.

Lud: "So, what’s the real reason?"

Nesis: vague "So trial for you and . For so... reason I can’t rember right now."

Lud: smirking "Would you kindly try, big brother?"

Nesis: pauses, visibly uncomfortable "At first, I thought I liked being called ’big brother’... but after thinking about it, it feels wrong. Please stop."

Lud: grins "Not until you remind of the reason, big brother."

Nesis: grumbling "Fine. Just... let think."

Lud: "Have you figured it out yet?"

Nesis: distracted "Figured out what?"

Lud: irritated "Are you kidding ? I asked you to recall why we’re in this ss, or I’ll keep calling you big brother."

Nesis: mutters "Right, that. Just... don’t do that. Give a second."

Lud: warning "If you forget halfway through this ti, I swear to god—"

Nesis: dryly "What’ll you do? Annoy to death?"

Lud: leans in "Don’t tempt . I’m this close to starting."

Nesis: holding up hands "Fine, fine. Just... give a second."

Lud: crosses arms "You better not forget halfway through."

Nesis: grits teeth "I know."

Lud: "Better not."

Nesis: snaps "I get it! Now shut the hell up!"

Lud: glancing over "Have you figured it out yet?"

Nesis: distracted "What? Oh, right—the reason we’re here."

Lud: impatiently "So?"

Nesis: shrugs "To make you the next vessel, I think."

Lud: frowns "The next vessel... of the Abyss?"

Nesis: waves a hand vaguely "I an, I can’t rember Maumar’s exact words. Maybe I never knew them. But... sothing about you taking Maumar’s place and the end of ti being postponed."

Lud: sighs, skeptical "And if I don’t want to?"

Nesis: dryly "Then just give up here."

Lud: rolls his eyes "Wow, such a compelling argunt."

Nesis: leaning in "Oh, really? You’re just going to abandon your friends?"

Lud: narrows eyes "And who are you to lecture ?"

Nesis: grins "Fine, do it. I dare you."

Lud: crossing arms "Well, now I’m not gonna."

Nesis: smirking "You were never going to, and we both know it."

Lud: "Well, you don’t know."

Nesis: chuckles "You’re insane. We’ve been here so long, you’re losing it."

Lud: dryly "Look who’s talking."

Nesis: smirks "This isn’t my first rodeo, kiddo."

Lud: scowls "Call ’kiddo’ again, and I’ll start calling you ’big brother.’"

Nesis: sighs "Fine, be boring. Not like you were going to last until the end of ti anyway."

Lud: curious "How far away is that, exactly?"

Nesis: sarcastic "Oh, yes, because I have a perfect sense of ti here."

Lud: smirking "Maybe you’re one of those geniuses who counted seconds since we got here, like in those mangas."

Nesis: deadpan "Honestly, do you see having the patience for that?"

Lud: laughs "No. You’re , and neither of us has that kind of focus."

Nesis: smirking "Exactly. So stop asking dumb questions."

Lud: sighs "So you have no idea how long we still have to wait."

Nesis: shrugs "Nope."

Lud: sighs, defeated

Nesis: "Kid."

Lud: frowns "I told you not to call that."

Nesis: shrugs "You only banned ’kiddo.’"

Lud: sighs "Fair. Go on."

Nesis: hesitates "Do you... think I could beco a good person?"

Lud is silent, caught off guard.

Nesis: grumbles "Is it that weird a question?"

Lud: blinks "It’s just... you could’ve asked anything else, and I’d be less surprised than I am right now."

Nesis: rolls eyes "So it’s that out of character for ."

Lud: leans forward "What made you ask that?"

Nesis: looks away "Just... being here with you. Probably getting to . Forget I said anything."

They sit in silence for a beat.

Lud: softly "I think you could. Beco good, I an."

Nesis: snorts "You’re kidding, right? , a good person?"

Lud: shrugs "No taking back what you’ve done, but anyone can at least try. You’d need... a blank slate, and... find a way to forgive yourself. Just my opinion."

Nesis goes silent, staring off in thought.

Nesis: murmurs "Do I want to forgive myself? I an, I still enjoy destroying things."

Lud: smirks "I’m sure there are good jobs where you can do that."

Nesis: raises an eyebrow "Like?"

Lud: after a pause "Like... an adventurer."

Nesis: mulls it over "Adventurer..."

Lud: nods "Yeah."

Nesis: thinking "I’ll have to think about that. Thanks, kid."

Lud: smirks "You’re welco."

Nesis: scoffs "No humility? Not even a little?"

Lud: grinning "Well, screw you too, if that’s how you’re playing."

Nesis: "Hey, kid."

Lud: sighs "What is it?"

Nesis: hesitates "What was... our life like before Lutah?"

Lud: nods, understanding "Right, you don’t rember that stuff, huh."

Nesis: sighs "Yeah."

Lud: smiling softly "Well, then, we’ve got a lot to talk about."

They settle in, and Lud begins to tell Nesis about his life on Earth, talking long into the tiless space around them.

Nesis: leans back, sighing "I see. That was... a lot."

Lud: nods "Yeah. Feeling better now?"

Nesis: shrugs, smirking "Sort of. But don’t start thinking of as so misunderstood villain, alright?"

Lud: smiling wryly "Of course not. You’re just a terrible person."

Nesis: mocking bow "A reminder that I am the epito of sin in Lutah."

Lud: chuckling "That’s for sure."

As they spoke to each other, the room subtly transford. Without either of them noticing, the space around them grows brighter, a gentle light filling the entire room—except for the area directly around Nesis, where darkness clings to him like a shadowy aura, an inverse of their previous setting.

Lud: "You still there?"

Silence.

Lud: "Nesis?"

Silence.

Lud: "I’m going to call you big brother next if you don’t answer."

Silence.

Lud: "Big... big brother."

Silence.

Lud: "So..."

Silence.

Lud: "It’s just now..."

Silence.

Lud: "Huh..."

Silence.

The room was bright, but sohow, it felt more dark than it did when it all started.

Lud: "Is this what Nesis experienced when he first started? I can’t even hear any noise from the outside anymore. No people. No birds. No wind. Nothing. Just... silence."

Lud: "When will it end?"

Lud: "Haven’t I..."

Lud: "... Suffered enough?"

Lud: "Who..."

Lud: "What..."

Lud: "Why..."

Lud: "Just..."

Lud: "End it..."

Lud: "Please."

A touch on the shoulder. That was the happiest thing that Lud had felt in... ages. When he looked up, he saw himself, a cracked version of him, with shadows spewing out of him.

The man said "You’ve done well kiddo. Let’s not ever make this hell reappear in our lives."

Lud, smiled faintly at the man "I told you to not call kiddo."

With that, the bright room... faded into nothing... separating the two forever... never to et... again.

You are reading Simple man with his overpowered army Chapter 40: ...and to some hell is a lonely place on WuxiaFull. Use Previous, Chapter List, or Next to continue.