Mirei had hidden many things from Seol thus far.
And she still wanted Seol to trust her and continue the experint? If a hundred transferees were asked this question, all one hundred of them would refuse.
Ill do it.
What?
I told you, Ill do the experint.
Like always, Seols decision went against expectations.
- I cant believe he fell for her
- He should just run away, though Malacus was fucking scary
- Doesnt matter~ Hell just shit on him with the Exceptional Skill.
- Doesnt matter~ It wont work on him~
- Doesnt matter~ Can you guys stop?
- Doesnt matter~ Ok.
Well, alright. If youve already decided, theres no need to waste ti. My hideout is over there.
The house was made out of lumped-together trees. Even if the vegetation around the house was covering it, the house was built way too carelessly.
Dont you think that its too obvious?
"I used so tricks so that the hunters wouldnt see it even if they looked at it head-on. Well at least it has worked so far.
Mirei stretched and continued talking.
There isnt much ti left until they find us. Especially Malacus, he doesnt know when to give up. I just got the short end of the stick, having him chase Regardless, theyll likely find this place soon."
Then, are we starting the experint right away?
Were not. We might be short on ti, but theres still one important thing left before we can begin.
What?
This experint wont be successful if youre the only person ready. Your partner needs to be ready, too. Also, you dont even know how this experint works. Now that Im saying it out loud, youre a dude without backup plans. Did you really agree to it when you dont know what wed be doing?
- Ill do it.
- The experim What?
Seol asked her a question.
Well, I had a rough idea. You want to do sothing while Im in the false-death state, right?
Exactly. Im glad that you can at least read between the lines. Youre ready for death, huh? Alright, then Ill explain exactly how it will progress.
Mirei began by asking Seol a question.
What do you think is waiting for you after death?
I dont know.
Yeah, and I, soone who has died before, dont know either. I'm also sure that your shadows dont rember, either. We have no idea whether the dead drift endlessly in a void or if theres a world exclusive to them, since we cant rember.
She smiled then placed a hand on the tense Seols shoulder.
Dont worry, though. Based on the instruction manual, the False-Death Inducing Device wont actually kill you. It just brings you close to death, then makes you dive into your deep consciousness.
Deep consciousness?
Basically, its the deepest, darkest part of you. Sothing that isnt expressed logically, but with your heart. Anyway, theres a small side effect during that process
Ha. There are side effects, too?
Yeah. Basically, its difficult to enter your deep consciousness because its so painful. It succeeds maybe one every one hundred attempts?
...Didnt you say were short on ti?
Tadah! Thats why I needed this dicine.
Mirei flashed Gunts Sleeping dicine.
Youre not feeding that, are you?
Yeah, I am.
- And for that reason, Im out.
- The experim What?
Gunts dicine puts people to sleep before turning them into slly, pus-covered monsters.
And right now, Mirei was trying to feed that dicine to Seol.
Are you out of your mind?
Calm down. Why do you think its called dicine? I acquired a small amount of this dicine last ti and analyzed it. Based on my research, you wont experience any side effects as long as you can wake up from sleep on your own. So, as long as you can control it, this dicine wont only be an effective sedative, but also the best painkiller.
Like you said, isnt that only if you wake up?
Are you not going to wake up then? Youll die if you dont wake up.
Its not like I can wake up just because I want to, though.
Dont worry so much. The False-Death Inducing Device and this dicine synergize well with each other. They cover each others weaknesses.
I dont think its that simple, but alright, what now?
Mirei put up a finger.
First, youll take this dicine and dive into your deep consciousness using the False-Death Inducing Device.
She then put up another finger.
Also, it wont be just you, but also one of your shadows.
My shadow?
Yup. This experint tests whether the shadow and shadow summoner can coexist, after all.
Why just one, though?
Oh, thats an easy question. Its because the False-Death Inducing Device is for two people.
Ah
We could forcibly try including more shadows, but because we dont know what side effects would occur if we do that, well just have to pretend that option doesnt exist.
I understand. What next?
She then put up three fingers.
Your deep consciousness, like how I ntioned earlier, will bring out any terrible regrets or mories you have. It will also try to keep you there. If you can escape, the experint will end.
Its much simpler than I thought.
"It isnt. It's like saying, 'Ill conquer the world,' which is different from actually accomplishing it. Now, while I prepare the experint, I need you to choose which shadow youll enter there with."
Understood.
* * *
Karen, Karuna, and Jamad.
The three of them left the hideout with Seol, all with dissatisfied looks on their faces.
Im telling you, we couldnt leave the Shadow Space the mont that hunter bastard showed up.
Master, hes dangerous. I wont be able to protect you.
As this was their first conversation after being hunted by Malacus, it was obvious that the conversation revolved around that.
Master, do we have to do this? Can we just not do it?
I agree with Karen. While facing the Shadow Hunters again is certainly dangerous, right now, this experint is much more dangerous.
Seol nodded.
I know. But thats why we have to do it.
How co?
Because this will be a huge stepping stone to reach my goals.
...I guess we have no choice then. Lets do it.
There was no ti for them to go back and forth like this.
The mont Seol finished preparing, the experints would begin imdiately.
We have to choose wholl go with . All of you heard about what the experint entails, right?
The shadow who would enter the deep consciousness with Seol would have to die once more.
I dont want to die again
Now that youve ntioned it, what does it feel like to die?
Are you curious about that, Master?
Of course, after all, Im about to die right now.
Hm So, if I have to describe it its like the ground you were walking on suddenly disappeared.
It was a hard to describe feeling.
Karen continued trying to describe it, bringing her hand to her chin.
Its like swoosh boom it kind of feels like nothings supporting you?
So what supported you disappearing What else?
Honestly, that was all I felt when I died. I was furious, the world around turned red, and before I realized it, I lost consciousness. That was it.
Do you rember anything else? Like an afterlife or sothing?
You believe in sothing like that? Hm Well, it could exist. I just dont rember. Or maybe my mories were erased?
Karuna spoke after Karen.
Its the sa for , as well. My world turned black, and my head felt clear for a second before I lost consciousness entirely. Nothing felt particularly special.
I agree. Theres nothing special about dying. Its the fate of all living creatures, after all.
Jamad as well
As Seol combined their statents, he realized that he didnt need to worry too much about what would happen afterward.
Ill experience it one day anyway.
As Seol thought, Karen spoke up.
Ill Ill do it.
What?
The False-Death Inducing Device or whatever it was called Ill enter it with Master.
No, Karen. Anyone but you.
Karuna?
Karuna was opposed to Karen.
Why?
Did you not hear? Itll bring back your most painful mories. What mory do you think would be brought up if you go in that?
......
The mory of the usurpers taking Jin from her.
It was clear that it would be that, but could Karen overco it?
She wasnt confident that she could.
Thats why Ill go.
No, you cant go either.
This ti, Jamad refuted Karuna.
I dont rember anything other than what happened in Montra. Thats why
What if the deep consciousness pulls out sothing youve forgotten?
Then
If it brings out sothing youve forgotten to hurt you, you might also fall.
That wont happen
Are you sure that wont happen? This isnt just your life on the line, but all of ours.
......
Jamad stood up.
Ill go.
What?
Jamad!
I rember everything Ive been through since I was born. I can overco any mories that may be used to hurt . After all, I overca them once already.
......
No complaints, right? Then its decided. Ill do it.
- Theyre all begging to die wtf
- But if I was the summoner in this situation and my summons were acting like this, Id be touched.
- Get out of my way! Im going to be the one that dies!
Mirei notified Seol that the experint was ready, prompting Seol and Jamad to enter the wooden house.
The device looks rather eerie.
I agree.
She awkwardly laughed at Seol and Jamads complaints, then proceeded to bind their bodies with steel chains, securing them further with a lock.
What are you doing, woman?
It might get troubleso if you move around and accidentally break the device before you escape.
Hmph! Theres nothing that I, Jamad, cant escape.
Regardless, let warn you both before you enter.
What is it?
You will see each others most terrible mories. Through that, you will understand each other. However, you mustnt help each other haphazardly.
Why not?
"If you haphazardly intervene in their mory to help them, not only could your partner succumb to their mory but also you. And if that happens, youll both die."
Seol looked at the Sleeping dicine.
Knowing how dangerous it was, it was hard for him to put a good expression on his face.
Mirei, seeing that, spoke to Seol.
Trust . This might be for my research, but its also a good opportunity for you. I want you to know that I would never intentionally harm you.
...Okay.
[You have acquired Mirei, the Shadow Summoner as a helper.]
[Mirei, the Shadow Summoner is a Heroic rank.]
[Helpers have a chance of appearing in all Adventures.]
[They will help you differently based on their favorability toward you.]
After saying that, she beca listed as Seols helper. Seol, seeing that ssage, confidently nodded.
Gulp Gulp
Seol and Jamad both drank the Sleeping dicine.
Hummmmm
The False-Death Inducing Device ran.
Crackle
Seol could feel himself drifting from reality.
Now, I hope you enjoy your ti in the sea of oblivion and emptiness.
Crackle
Zap!
With the sound of a bulb popping, the world turned to black.
Beeeeeeeeeep
- What the hell? Why are we left behind here?
- God damn it I should just go to sleep.
- I knew this would happen, fuck
* * *
Drip.
Drip.
It sounded as if water was dripping down in a dark and clammy room.
[[Davurg, the Plateau's End, asked you a question. How do you respond?]
1. This was not my will.
2. You are correct, Davurg. You will die today, right here.
3. Davurg, please, calm down.
4. It is unfortunate that things have beco like this. However, wouldnt you agree that you are at fault, too?
]
Option 2. Ill choose option 2.
Yeah. Weve co this far. We should see it through to the end with Davurg, right?
A good choice! Hahaha!
Seol nodded back.
Before Seol realized it, a snowman mask had covered his face.
Seol returned to his heyday, back when he was a winner who hadnt experienced defeat.
Seol saw multiple options.
Option 1. Ill go with option 1.
Alright!
This is perfect!
Lets go option 3.
"Looking at it again, I don't think hes made a single mistake!"
At this rate
Option 5.
Option 7.
In the end, Seols piece had successfully landed an attack on Davurg.
[[Davurg pleads for rcy. It's a completely unexpected situation. What end will you grant him?]
1. There is no rcy. Finish it.
]
Option 1.
Of course! There will only be trouble in the future if we spare him now.
I cant believe Davurg is dying here! He killed so many of my pieces!
I never thought Id see Davurg die with my own eyes.
Everyone, co watch this! Snowmans about to kill Davurg!
No way! Davurg is going to die?
Where?! Where are
It was
It was always like this.
He was always surrounded by them, receiving endless praise and basking in eyes filled with admiration.
There were also individuals who waited for his fall and were envious of him, too, though.
However, that didnt matter to Seol. Sothing that small didn't matter.
I just have to enjoy it.
The piece started moving.
Crackle
Huh? Now that I think about it
Crackle
It felt like Seol was on the verge of recalling a certain mory.
Troll a small troll
It was the mory of a small troll, a long ti ago
It was a mory of being with that troll
Whats wrong, Snowman?
Seol gave a big smile.
Its nothing. Just for a second, I
Crackle
The mory of helping that troll.
I just felt like I had forgotten sothing. Its probably just in my head, though. Lets continue.
Alright!
Thud!
Reviews
All reviews (0)