General Dante stared at the clutter of papers on his desk, his jaw tight and a simmering anger flickering in his eyes.
The dim office light cast a yellow glow across the documents, making the shadows stretch long and uneasy.
The muffled noise from outside, the chants, the arguments, and the restless footsteps only agitated him further.
He still couldn't believe it. Someone had started a vicious rumor in the base claiming that he had hoarded massive amounts of food and that once he became the military base leader, he would generously distribute one kilogram of rice to every citizen.
Absurd. Malicious. And clearly designed to corner him.
The worst part was that everyone seemed ready... no, eager... to believe it.
Citizens marched to his office day after day, righteous fury burning in their eyes.
Some demanded he step up and take the position of base leader immediately, insisting that such generosity made him the only worthy candidate.
