311. Observation (3)
●
It’s a fact that can be understood even in my situation of being possessed while playing the game – I take games quite seriously.
Because I immerse myself in whatever I’m into and spend a lot of time on it, the games I’ve played are not limited to Savior Rising, but also a wide range of genres.
In that sense.
I can see at a glance what kind of ‘challenge’ Mobius has prepared for me.
“It’s a boss battle, right?”
[…a boss battle?]
“Yes, there is such a thing.”
I answer Caliban who asks within Soul Linker, with a smirk, and grasp the composition elements of the ‘stage’ that are set up in front of me.
Well, it’s a common gimmick for a final boss battle. Facing the bosses I encountered before one by one, in sequence.
It’s a nostalgic structure that tests the memory and skills of the player who has made it this far.
The problem is.
“…The intention is obvious, isn’t it?”
I say with a bitter laugh.
No, it’s understandable.
The things that little guy prepared as a boss.
[…Is that a devil’s ‘model’?]
‘Anyone can see it that way, right?’
The first one in front of me is…
An automaton enveloped in a blue aura.
All its joints clearly mimic
what it’s supposed to be, and it’s obvious to anyone.
[Liru?]
‘Liru.’
Thinking like that, Mobius scans the automatons that he has prepared behind them.
Each and every one of them.
They are filled with things that clearly imitate the people around me.
– Look at this guy.
The sinister arrangement is so malicious that it feels disheartening as if it’s flowing out naturally.
Of course, it’s obvious, but it’s not just done that way to annoy me.
‘Maybe they’re trying to prevent me from using magic.’
Since I had summoned all my strength to collide head-on, now they’ll try to get rid of the ‘experiment’ excuse and hit me with full force.
It’s a definite fact that they’ve prepared various means to block my most powerful weapons.
They’re saying that they’ll make it impossible for me to use what I can use.
[Are you going to do it?]
‘Then you’re not going to stop here?’
[…I can’t even imagine you stepping back in a situation like this. Let’s make one thing clear and go in.]
Kalius let out a sigh and spoke.
‘That guy is still the leader of the Witch Tower, right? Isn’t he?’
‘Yes, he is.’
[A guy like that, making himself so blatantly visible, feels more like he’s setting a trap. Walking into such a place might not be such a good idea, don’t you think?]
‘That’s a problem to think about later.’
I’ve never forgiven anyone who messes with those around me.
That guy didn’t just mess with them; he went to the extent of being so wicked that it’s hard to open your eyes and look.
I have said this before, but killing once is not enough.
“If you mess around, you’ll end up with a split head.”
[…Hmm.]
I brush off Calliban’s heavy exhale with my own sigh.
It is reasonable to worry.
Honestly, the conditions themselves are too unfair.
Over on their home ground, they can use whatever resources they have, while we are held hostage.
I take a deep breath and organize my thoughts.
“The goal is.”
To kill Mobius.
To save Astrid.
And.
“…”
If possible, to save that guy too.
From Noble mtl dot com
With that thought in mind, I look at the human standing beside Mobius, seated far away in the control room.
Viscount Vogt.
Originally, he was supposed to be tucked away somewhere and destined to be “disposed of,” but I heard that Professor Mobius personally saved him from that fate.
[…Why is he here?]
“Do you know about that, Calliban?”
Thanks to the various abilities I’ve obtained along the way, I quickly figured out one thing.
That human, even his insides are already rotting away.
There isn’t much time left for him to live.
It’s one thing to know that, but…
Given how the situation has escalated to this point, I can’t just let that human die without a second thought.
“If that human didn’t exist, I might have ended up living without knowing that person was my own mother.”
[…]
“…Don’t you think you should at least thank him?”
Unless you’re a fool, you can’t not know.
I don’t know where he started wearing that from.
That bastard.
I have noticed that you have taken advantage of me to inform Astrid of the current situation and have orchestrated this confrontation in an effort to rescue her.
“And, it’s not like I don’t have any trust left.”
As I think this, I look towards Jaesang next to me.
And Jaesang meets my gaze, nodding with a determined expression.
“Should we escape now?”
“…”
No.
What are you talking about, seriously?
As I gaze at you with narrow eyes, Jaesang speaks in a gloomy voice.
“…It’s almost, not impossible. Fusion.”
“…”
Is that so?
Certainly, it’s an absurd story.
After preparing all sorts of smokescreens and tirelessly practicing “fusion” with Jaesang, it’s nearly impossible to maintain that state stably, not even for 10% of the time.
Using a technique with that level of stability in actual combat is tantamount to suicide.
“And, honestly, the power itself-“
“No.”
I interrupt Jaesang’s words abruptly and smile.
“That’s enough.”
The power of the yellow demon has greatly declined.
After all, it’s the power that allowed me to travel from the future to the past.
Compared to Mobius’ trap that pulls out everything in the tower, what I hold in my hand is nothing more than a small dagger.
However.
That small blade, it will surely make a cut.
[…Are you speaking as if you have some evidence?]
“Well, I’m not sure.”
I answer with a sly smile to Kallivan’s question.
“I’ve never lost a life-or-death fight until now.”
Right now.
The fact that I am alive and standing here proves it.
●
Exploring the memories of others is like swimming in an ocean of emotions made up of colors.
At least, that’s how it felt to Elnor.
“…They seem to get along well.”
It was a thought that drifted while spending time with the girl who was entrusted with the task of being a guardian.
The previous Dowd undoubtedly appeared to be a person without emotions.
It was clear that the colorless ocean of emotions reflected his formed mental world.
From the environment in which he was born and raised, it was the perfect place for humans to form.
Even if he were to take on the role of guarding, he would only linger around the girl like a ghost. He would do as he was commanded. He would learn to be a learner.
Clearly, he was solely focused on surviving in that place, with no emotional exchange anywhere to be found.
At first.
“You know, how about trying to smile?”
“If it’s an order, I’ll try.”
“Not fun.”
The girl was banging on the emotional interior of the man, who was as unfeeling as stone, without knowing how to tire.
Despite being irritating, full of annoyance, and sometimes even anger, it was clear that she had an attitude of wanting to peer inside this man’s heart without getting tired.
– Ah.
And from that sight.
Elnor suddenly discovered that she resembled someone.
Somehow, she seemed similar to him, this girl.
Always.
Towards this man, who never showed anything deeper inside his heart to others.
The sight of dedicating everything – time, effort, passion – to “courtship” brought to mind the Elnor he first encountered.
Of course, Dowd’s heart did not easily open up. Emotions without color do not easily change.
– Ah.
But.
Time accumulates.
Memories, experiences, sensations, emotions accumulate.
The sound of droplets bouncing off the sea, dyed in a freezing blue that makes the eyes ache, between the white foam.
The lines of currents, the touch of the wind, the piled-up rocks, all contribute to the infinite potential of things underwater.
As Dawood spent more time with the girl, the colors of the passing emotions around him became deeper and more dazzling.
“I see.”
Elnoir, who always kept an eye on Dawood’s every move, knew everything about him. It was because of her.
It was clear.
The “origins” of his current habits.
Most of the foundations that make up Dawood Campbell’s personality as a human were derived from the time spent with this girl.
The first warm interest he had ever received. Hospitality. Connections with other humans.
All of it was built up through his experiences with this girl.
The origins of Dawood Campbell as a human stemmed from these memories.
“… “
Elnoir closed her eyes for a moment and slowly brought it back.
When you let yourself go with the flowing current, you naturally start to feel what is at the back of your mind.
“… Coldness.”
A bad memory.
If the warmth that formed the basis of Dawood Campbell’s personality as a human is here, then the back part of the “trauma” he is holding onto starts from here.
The memories intensify.
A calm yet intense spiraling whirlpool.
Horror.
Red and black.
“Is it this way?”
Following the remnants of these colors, Elnoir slowly worked her way back up through the memories.
The incident happened one evening.
One day, when a hostage drama unfolded, targeting the daughter of a wealthy family.
●
