The man settled more comfortably on the floor, as if the simple act of sitting was already a declaration of intent. Around him, people pretended to sleep, but too many ears were alert. In that place, hope was dangerous.
"You can escape," he finally said.
The phrase wasn't spoken with emotion. There was no drama. It sounded almost tired, as if repeating it too many times had worn it out.
Lux let out a short, dry laugh.
"Sure," he muttered. "And I'm the king of these catacombs."
Sunday didn't laugh. He didn't get his hopes up either. He observed him calmly, measuring every detail of his face, every pause between words.
"That's not something you just say," he replied. "Not here."
Kōri shrank a little closer to Nero.
"Escape…?" she whispered. "Don't say it so loudly…"
Merlin tilted his head, interested. Not in the promise, but in the risk of saying it.
"If you're going to lie," he said softly, "choose your audience carefully."
The man didn't take offense. Nor did he rush to defend himself.
"It's called survival," he replied. "And no, it's not a lie."
Nero remained silent.
Thinking.
The man continued, lowering his voice even further.
"There's a secondary exit. It's not a main door or a nice tunnel. It's an ancient crack in the Wind Catacombs. It was used to drain water… and bodies."
Lux frowned.
"How romantic."
"It's passable," the man insisted. "But only at a specific moment."
Sunday crossed his arms.
"And when would that moment be?"
"Tomorrow," he replied without hesitation. "After work."
Kōri swallowed.
"Why tomorrow?"
"Because tomorrow one of the guards will be on duty," he explained. "And that guard… still remembers he's human."
Lux raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, really? How convenient."
Merlin barely smiled.
"Compassion?" he asked. "That's rare in places like this."
The man nodded slowly.
"That's why he's still alive. Not because he's strong. Because he knows when to look the other way."
Nero finally spoke.
"Why help us?"
The question fell heavily. Direct. No beating around the bush.
The man held his gaze.
"Because I've already seen you die," he replied. "And I don't want to see you do it for real."
There was an awkward silence.
Lux snorted.
"That was inspiring. Almost made me cry."
Kōri didn't find it funny.
"And if it's a trap?" she asked, voice trembling. "What if they take us straight to Reveli?"
The name froze the air again.
The man clenched his jaw.
"If it were a trap," he said, "I wouldn't be here whispering. I'd be shouting their names."
Merlin glanced at Kōri.
"She's scared," he said without cruelty. "That's good. People without fear die first."
"Merlin…" muttered Lux.
"It's true," he replied calmly.
Nero closed his eyes for a moment.
Pieces. Information. Risks.
"You say it's after work," Nero said. "That means we'll be exhausted. Watched. And surrounded by people."
"Yes."
"And if something goes wrong, there won't be a second chance."
"Correct."
Sunday intervened.
"Then it's not an escape," he said. "It's a gamble."
The man smiled wearily.
"Everything here is."
Lux ran a hand over his face.
"Great. Just what I needed. Gamble my life after ten hours digging graves."
Kōri looked at Nero.
"I don't want to go back there," she whispered. "Not tomorrow… not ever."
Nero listened.
And then he thought of the field.
Of the laughter.
Of the shovel hitting a bone.
"We won't survive if we stay," he finally said.
Everyone looked at him.
Nero continued, voice firm, analytical.
"This isn't a temporary labor field. It's a slow crusher. They wear us down. Break us. Use us."
Merlin smiled with interest.
"And when we're no longer useful…"
"They bury us where we farm," Nero finished.
The silence thickened.
Lux swallowed.
"When you put it like that… it sounds even worse."
Sunday nodded slowly.
"If we're going to die," he said, "I'd rather it be trying to get out."
Kōri took a deep breath.
"I… I'm scared," she admitted. "But I'm even more scared of staying."
Merlin leaned back against the wall.
"A compassionate guard," he murmured. "A forgotten crack. A specific schedule."
He smiled.
"Too many details to be improvised. And too many to be safe."
The man tilted his head.
"That's why I only tell it to those who still think."
Lux let out a bitter laugh.
"What an honor."
Nero looked at the man again.
"How many have tried to escape with you?"
The smile disappeared.
"Four."
"How many succeeded?"
"…One."
Kōri brought a hand to her mouth.
Lux closed his eyes.
"I love those odds."
Sunday breathed deeply.
"And you?" he asked. "Why are you still here?"
The man lowered his gaze.
"Because I was the decoy."
That said it all.
Merlin clicked his tongue.
"Classic."
Nero nodded slowly.
"Tomorrow," he said. "After work."
The man looked at him in surprise.
"Do you accept?"
"No," Nero replied. "I'm considering."
Lux looked at him incredulously.
"Considering? Nero, there's no plan B here."
"There is," he replied. "Thinking."
He turned to the group.
"Trust no one," he said quietly. "But don't ignore information either."
Kōri nodded, clinging to that minimal structure.
Sunday closed his eyes for a moment.
"Then tomorrow we observe," he said. "Nothing more."
Merlin smiled.
"And we gather."
Lux sighed.
"Great. Espionage, slavery, and death. What a combo."
The man stood carefully.
"Tomorrow at the end of the shift," he whispered. "If you're not… I'll understand."
He walked away, disappearing among the bodies.
The group remained silent.
Lux spoke first.
"If we die, I'm chasing you in the afterlife," he told Nero.
"Get in line," he replied.
Kōri rested her head on his shoulder.
"Thanks… for thinking," she murmured.
The man left, moving toward another group of people.
Nero closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall and letting his thoughts flow.
If we get out as a group of fifteen, the survival rate is minimal.
If I want my group to survive, what do I have to do?
That man's plan is almost a death sentence! How the hell did he survive being the decoy?
Maybe Reveli is a compassionate man?
But what lies am I thinking! Compassionate, my ass! He has us working a 10-hour shift!
Is that how an average office worker feels?
I'm a Sinner and I have power, but my strength isn't much greater than a trained person… we don't even have the slightest chance!
Unless… no!!
That would be too vile…
But then what option do I have… try to escape and die or…
Nero decided to commit a vile act for the survival of his "family."
…
The next day. Agricultural work field.
Nero's hands trembled only slightly as he let the shovel drop.
It wasn't a sudden gesture. It wasn't an obvious act of rebellion. He simply… stopped moving.
The nearest guard noticed almost immediately.
"What are you doing?" he growled, lowering the spear until it pointed at Nero's chest.
The cold metal brushed against the dirty fabric of his clothes. One more step and it could pierce him.
Nero raised his hands slowly.
"I didn't come to fight," he said in a neutral voice. "I came to negotiate."
The guard frowned.
"Speak."
Nero took a step forward. The tip of the spear pressed harder.
He leaned just enough so that only this man could hear him.
And whispered.
It wasn't a long sentence. It wasn't dramatic.
But the effect was immediate.
The guard's face changed.
First disbelief. Then tension. Then… fear.
"How do you know that?" he murmured.
Nero held his gaze without blinking.
"Because I'm not an ordinary slave," he replied in the same low tone. "And because Reveli will want to hear it."
The guard clenched his teeth.
He looked around.
No one was paying attention. Or they pretended not to.
"Follow me," he finally said.
He didn't touch him. Didn't push him.
That alone was a sign.
They walked.
The catacombs seemed never-ending. Corridors branching off, stairs descending even further, tunnels where the air was cleaner… and others where breathing hurt. Nero memorized every turn, every symbol carved into the stone, every change in temperature.
The guard didn't speak.
After what seemed an eternity, they arrived at a different area.
No mud. No mold.
There were carpets.
The contrast was so violent that it churned Nero's stomach.
Double dark wood doors opened before them.
Inside, the air was warm. Lit by glass lamps. The smell was no longer of death, but of expensive incense and wine.
There was leather furniture.
And women.
Not chained. Not beaten. Dressed in soft fabrics, sitting on sofas, some laughing quietly, others serving drinks.
And in the center of it all…
Reveli.
He was reclining with absolute comfort, one leg crossed over the other, a golden chalice in his hand. His gaze was calm. Intelligent. Dangerous.
The guard swallowed.
"My lord…," he said, bowing his head. "This prisoner claims to have information."
Reveli looked up.
His eyes rested on Nero as if he already knew him.
"Leave us," he ordered.
The guard obeyed immediately.
The door closed.
Reveli smiled.
"Interesting," he said. "A slave who doesn't beg."
Nero remained standing.
"I didn't come to beg."
"I know," Reveli replied, observing him closely. "You came to offer."
He rose slowly and walked around him, like a curious predator.
"Tell me," he continued. "What valuable thing can someone offer who digs soil ten hours a day?"
Nero took a deep breath.
"The loyalty of my group," he said. "And something harder to get."
Reveli stopped in front of him.
"Information?"
"Exactly."
One of the women approached Reveli to serve him more wine. He brushed her aside with a gentle gesture, without looking at her.
"Speak."
Nero didn't hesitate.
"I know that one of your guards plans to help a group escape tomorrow," he said. "I know where. I know when."
Silence was absolute.
Then Reveli laughed.
A calm laugh. Almost amused.
"Ah…," he murmured. "So it was true."
Nero frowned.
"You knew?"
"I suspected," he corrected. "Compassion is a recurring disease."
He took a sip.
"And why come to me with this?"
Nero clenched his fists.
"Because that plan is a slaughter," he said. "And because I want my group to live."
Reveli looked at him with renewed interest.
"That makes you different."
"No," Nero replied. "That makes me realistic."
Reveli walked to a nearby table and set down the chalice.
"Tell me something, Nero," he said softly. "What are you willing to do for them to live?"
Nero held his gaze.
"Anything."
Reveli's smile widened.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
He stepped closer.
"I propose something better than a failed escape," he continued. "A promotion."
Nero blinked.
"Promotion…?"
"Information for protection," Reveli explained. "You become my eyes among the prisoners. Your group works less. Eats better. Lives."
He paused.
"In exchange… you tell me who conspires. Who lies. Who dreams of escape."
The weight of the offer fell like a slab.
Nero thought of Lux.
His tired sarcasm.
Of Sunday, enduring without breaking.
Of Kōri, trembling but standing.
Of Merlin… always calculating.
"And the others?" he asked.
Reveli shrugged.
"Resources."
Nero closed his eyes for a second.
It was vile.
It was disgusting.
It was survival.
"I want a guarantee," he said.
Reveli raised an eyebrow.
"Speak."
"My group will not be touched," Nero replied. "Never. Not by guards. Not by your men."
Reveli studied him for a long time.
Then snapped his fingers.
"Granted."
Nero felt a knot in his stomach.
"And the guard helping the escape…," he added.
Reveli smiled.
"He's already dead."
Nero didn't react.
Outwardly.
Inside, something broke.
"Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Echo," Reveli said. "Spy."