In the deepest darkness, I finally realized I was in a place completely devoid of light.
It felt like a dream—like I was there, but unable to do anything, just letting it continue.
Kind of like when I dream that I'm peeing. It's warm...
Oh, of course I had to wash my pants and the bed afterward.
I walked further in the darkness, glancing around.
"Kid, you're in the wrong place."
Huh?
I stopped and looked toward the voice.
There they were—four people sitting around a table, playing poker.
"Come over here," a man who looked like a martial artist said.
Hearing that, I sat down on the remaining chair.
"Ugh... I'm playing the King of Hearts—" the hunchback, dressed like a filthy butler, laid down a card.
But as soon as he placed it, a whole stack of cards followed.
"Ah! You bastard!" the hunchback shouted, pointing at the dapper man stroking his beard.
"Hohoho! Your King of Hearts is no match for my Paladin!" the man said, rising and lifting a mace into the air.
"Your turn," the martial artist glanced at the guy with messy hair, who was trembling in fear.
"..."
"Hey, you hear me?"
"Huh?! I-I... Pass! I-I'll pass!"
"Come on, how many turns have you passed already? At least make a move," the martial artist said.
"I-I..."
"It's okay, young man. This old guy believes in you!"
"R-right... Then I'll..."
He suddenly put down all his cards. The whole group stared at them, then at him.
"...You bastard. You had cards that could beat all of us, and you held back? You looking down on me?" the martial artist glared at the guy, who was now shaking violently with fear.
"I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have played at all!!"
The martial artist sighed.
Then, they all turned their gaze to me.
"?!"
The martial artist looked me over from head to toe, then sighed again.
"You're weak. You've trained your body a bit, but still... weak."
"But he still managed to meet us even though it's his first time equipping our gear, which means his Spirit stat must be really high," the Paladin said cheerfully.
"But it's too soon. He hasn't developed yet—how's he going to fight strong enemies like this? He can't just rely on his healing ability forever, that's not safe," the martial artist said, clearly skeptical.
I stood there, confused, listening to them discuss something.
Then I realized.
"You guys... Are you the Enchanted Gears?"
They looked at me, then smiled.
"At least he didn't scream or yell at me right away. I think I can help him," the martial artist said, looking much more at ease.
"Good! Young man, you deserve my love! Hohoho!" The Paladin reached out to hug me, but I declined.
"Heheh... Don't let me down, kid... heheh..." the hunchback grinned, baring his teeth.
"A-as long as you don't do anything weird to me... I'll h-help out," said the timid guy.
The heck? I just said one sentence and they're already this friendly with me??
"Ha, I know what you're thinking," the martial artist chuckled.
"We only need one sentence to figure you out—your personality, your heart, your thoughts, and your true nature. Right now, we're spirits, so we can see straight through people."
"So... You guys are the original owners of the gear?" I asked.
They exchanged glances, then smiled.
"Well, yes and no."
"I appreciate that thought, young man!" the Paladin tried to hug me again, but I dodged.
"Basically, the Enchanted Gears were once just normal equipment. But after being used for so long by their original owners, a part of their souls fused into the gear when they died, transforming them. And from that, we were born."
"We inherited their appearance, personalities, and memories—but we're not them. Think of us as their children, and that wouldn't be wrong."
"Is that so?" I said, surprised.
"You should know—once transformed into Gear, the equipment's abilities and stats are based on the original owner and adjusted accordingly."
"Still, to use its full power, we have to deem you worthy first."
Then they all sighed at once, leaving me puzzled.
"Something wrong?"
"It's just... we didn't expect your Spirit stat to be so high. You skipped the trials and went straight to the core. Now, you're encountering the true power of the Gears."
?!
I looked at them, and they smiled.
"So... if I wanted, I could use your full power right now?"
"Of course not, idiot," the martial artist said, digging in his ear.
"Without our permission? Keep dreaming. We're strict about who gets to wield us. Sure, you're better than most of our previous wielders—but you're still too weak. You're not ready."
Hearing that, I scratched my head.
"...Not mad?" one of them asked, like they were expecting me to blow up, maybe based on how I'd reacted in the past.
"No? You guys are just looking out for me. Why would I be mad? I'm sure using your full power comes with consequences, so you're just protecting me, right?"
"..."
They huddled together, whispering among themselves while I sat alone.
"He's kind. I like him—even if he's weak," the martial artist said.
"That poor child must've been through a lot to have such a good mindset. I just want to hug him..."
"Compared to my past wielders... He shows me respect... Heheh..."
"I-I have no complaints!"
"Hmm..."
They returned to the table and sat down.
"How about this—if I ever sense you're in real danger, we'll activate on our own to save you. As for the consequences, we'll take them on ourselves."
"Huh?! But—"
"Quiet. I'm not finished. UNTIL you're ready, we'll carry the burden. But once you are, we're handing it back—we're not taking all the pain ourselves."
"Oh... Okay."
"Deal?"
"Deal."
"Good. I guess it's time for you to wake up now," the martial artist waved.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, I blacked out completely, sinking deep into darkness.
As I vanished, they looked off in one direction.
"I suggest you turn off the auto-heal on that boy—or better yet, get out of his body, you filthy snake," the martial artist said with disdain, staring into the void.
"I swear on the love of God, you will not turn his body into your vessel."
"If you try... I'll kill you in the most brutal way imaginable... Heheheheh."
"Y-y-yeah, that's right!"
Suddenly, a pair of golden serpent eyes appeared, radiating overwhelming power.
"You cheap equipment dare speak to me?"
"Evil God, I dare."
They glared at the snake, even the timid one looked ready to wet himself.
"Very well."
Huh?
"...That's it?"
"I want to see if he's truly worthy, too."
Then it turned its gaze toward them.
"If he's not... I'll take over his body and begin my plan. A perfect vessel like that would be a terrible waste otherwise."
With that, the snake vanished into the darkness.
The martial artist sighed.
"That kid's really unlucky… ended up with a Gear possessed by an Evil God. Who knows what'll happen now..."