Outer: Return of the Tenth Commander

"Just who do you think you're talking to?"

After that set of domineering words was uttered from the mouth of the Stranger, Case knew he had been caught red-handed and had no way to salvage to thought up with a backup plan.

That was the main plan, the support plan, and the back-up plan.

'Who am I talking to? Well, if you are so kind, why don't you just tell me?! Fuck! You're leaving me scared shitless here!'

The only thing that Case could console himself was the fact that this eye was remaining mysterious and not telling a single information to him.

But it seemed the Stranger was amused and actually decided to attempt conversing with him.

Probably due to being lonely in the empty void or for what other reason, Case couldn't point it out accurately.

"Puny human, what's your name?"

Each string of words emanated from the eye felt like the whole space was distorting and shaking, which Case could only confirm right now because he was watching the surroundings vigilantly.

Those sparks that seemed otherworldly and mysterious were caught in his eyes.

Case instantly knew he had no chance of escaping, even if he had one, to the entity.

He could only oblige to answer.

"Case. Case Kellys,"

The eye seemed to observe the lonely and stranded human across the space before retorting flatly.

"Strange name,"

Case scoffs.

"I know,"

Case didn't know what went through the minds of his father and mother to give the name 'Case', but he heard a dumb reason from his sister that it's meant to be his last name since Kellys already sounds like a first name.

He couldn't believe it when it came to him.

As for why he's remembering this now, it's probably due to the fact that he was about to die at any moment, so he could only accept his death and converse with an entity that might be the reason for his passage through the afterlife.

'Life flashing through my eyes, kind of moment? Hahaha, I didn't know the great commander Case is feeling that way.'

Musing inwardly, Case decided to be bold and asked back.

"What about you? Do 'you' have a name?"

The eye seemed to twitch uncontrollably before letting out words that seemed to be translated into a language that Case knew.

"I don't have a name, but everyone who knows my existence calls me The Dishonest One."

Having no clue whatsoever about what that pertained, Case disregarded the noises inside his head as he made an assumption.

'Sounds very important figure. Additionally, this Stranger really has some kind of authority like no other I had ever seen…'

He can marvel at the being's strength all he wants, but he's sure that no matter how much he trains, he'll never be able to reach that kind of level.

It was just to the point of absurdity.

The eye whose alias goes by the name Dishonest One, maintained a keen observance of Case before uttering a lowly.

"Do you want to escape, Case?"

Once those words escaped from the Dishonest One's mouth, if it ever has one, Case's mind rose undoubtedly.

At first, it gave him a slight joy before it turned into doubt until Case began to be cautious, as that phrase alone became suspicious.

There's absolutely no way he would trust a Stranger he just met.

However, if there's a chance that the creature wasn't lying, it might be the one-way ticket he needed to go home.

Hence, Case knew what he had to do.

"Yes."

The Dishonest One felt that word so strong yet forceful that he couldn't help but retort.

"Are you ready to sacrifice everything just for you to return?"

Case felt weird about hearing those words, so he couldn't help but raise a brow. Eventually, an answer escaped his lips.

"If I have to offer my life, then I will respectfully decline. But if you're talking about something else, maybe it is negotiable,"

The more the Dishonest hears Case, the more the Stranger becomes amused and fascinated by how bold the human is.

The great being in the lonely void chuckled.

"How hilarious. Well then, Case. You're very lucky. All I need is one little sacrifice, and I will definitely bring you back."

Once the word 'sacrifice' resurfaced, Case didn't hastily made the decision to fully trust whatever the Dishonest One was suggesting to do.

Instead, he asked a simple question.

"Can I ask why you are willing to do this?"

Willingly letting someone escape by making a small sacrifice, adding the fact that he was talking to not just some Stranger, should've elicited a bit more price, like his life.

But Case finds the Dishonest One strange.

It not only seems aware but also composed—something he can actually speak with.

If it were other Strangers, Case surely knows they wouldn't be having this kind of conversation in the first place.

Why would a Stranger talk to its meal?

"A reason, huh?"

The Dishonest One seemed to let out a long breath before revealing his reason.

"I have done too much for this Universe. At this moment, all I'm doing is passing down all that is left of me."

Case silently listened as the Dishonest One revealed more.

"There's no particular reason nor any agenda why I'm being kind to you. Believe me, this is the first. But interacting with a helpless human like you who wants to struggle against the world made me want to help you somehow. And I will give it to you."

Case could only tilt his head to the side, having no idea what the end goal for the Dishonest One but he just couldn't believe a single word from him.

The Stranger is a Dishonest One after all.

However, he also couldn't exclude the fact that he was alive because the same Stranger was being kind to him, a gesture he hadn't felt for a long time.

'Shit…'

Even though it is risky, albeit it was too much of a risk, Case had no choice but to hold that the Stranger's words held true.

Hence, he made a decision.

"What do I have to give?"

The Dishonest One was quiet for a moment before stating.

"Offer your eye to me."

Case made a deadpan expression as he replied back.

"How?"

The Dishonest One replied immediately.

"Pluck it out in this instant. Then, I'll give you the power to escape from this place,"

Case hesitated—rightfully so, given everything.

However, any rational reason that was making him sane was taken over by the fact of wanting to escape the space he was in.

'All or nothing…!'

With his left hand, Case reached into his space suit—deeper and deeper—until his fingers wrapped around his eye and tore it from his face without hesitation.

Psssss—!

The oxygen tank available from his space suit depleted down but to his surprise, he didn't immediately freeze or have trouble breathing in space.

"Don't worry. Breathing here is something we are naturally given. Though my authority is influencing you to breathe in the same space as I am,"

With a bloodied eyeball from his left hand, Case's other eye widened before looking straight at the Dishonest One.

"Here's my offer,"

The Dishonest One chuckled.

"I know,"

The instant the Stranger spoke, Case recoiled backward—an insufferable pain surged within his entire body, all of his pain stemming from the hollow and empty eye socket.

At the same time, the eye that he offered to the Stranger was gone, while his empty eye socket was filled by a new eye, uncannily resembling that which the Dishonest One used to communicate with him in the void.

"This is all necessary."

The Dishonest One commented before a piercing scream resonated in that space alone.

"Aghhhhhhhh!"