#176
176. Murderous intent
evening a few days ago.
Waiting room 4th floor, reception room of a mansion dedicated to 1 party.
Taoni’s main heroes were gathered.
“Kuhm.”
Edith looked at me and cleared her throat.
He meant if he could speak first. I nodded at him, and Edith took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
“I think everyone has seen a scene similar to mine.”
“…”
Silence hung in the middle.
Most of the heroes gathered here were 4 stars.
From Kishasha and Katio, who were 4 stars since they were summoned, to heroes like Jenna, who started at 1 star and finished their promotion to 4 stars.
‘Currently, there are six 4-star heroes.’
Kishasha, Katio.
Me, Belquist, and Jenna.
Finally Edith.
It was a 4 star listing in Taone.
Except for Edith, everyone belonged to Party 1.
Anyway, as the members of the other 2nd party are also scheduled to be promoted, the number of people joining the 4-star ranks will gradually increase as time goes on.
“To be honest…”
Jenna sighed.
“It’s amazing. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I know it’s amazing.”
“You mean those people who were crowded around the palace?”
Belquist crossed his arms and laughed.
Jenna continued.
“I did just what I was told above, but it must have been meaningful. If I had known it would be like this, I would have taken a closer look.”
“I don’t quite understand. Can someone explain? Wasn’t it just enough to kill all the enemies?”
“Everything we did was meaningful.”
“I don’t know. I don’t have a hobby of solving riddles. It’s just that humans and monsters gathered in a splendid palace, and they ended up squawking among themselves. That means something.”
If you don’t know the context, you may not understand.
Until the 2-star promotion, the story of the past came out, and then suddenly went to a strange place. It would be a bit lacking in hints to figure out the purpose of this world’s existence.
“You’re being unkind. If you’re going to tell me, I’ll tell you properly.”
“That’s true. Should I say there are a lot of cryptic parts?”
“If you don’t know, let me explain step by step.”
said Nerissa, who was sitting in the corner of the table.
She was the only 3 star among the heroes here. I called because I knew quite a bit about this world and the mission. Nerissa said, clearing her voice.
“To put it bluntly, our hometown of Taonier has already been destroyed. And the reason we were summoned here is to undo the past and save Taonier.”
Belquist wrinkled his brow.
“The sight you see is Taoniar on the brink of destruction. It’s meant to show you how this world was created.”
“This, this, a little…”
“I’ll tell you slowly.”
Nerissa glanced at me and began to explain.
Our hometown, Taoneer, has already been destroyed, and we must return to Taone before it was destroyed and carry out our mission. The heroes summoned to the waiting room are the ones chosen to save the world, and the princess plays a key role in the mission.
“Oh, it’s a bit difficult…”
Jenna scratched her head nervously.
“I don’t quite understand. Even if Nell-sama is right, I don’t remember making a contract like that. When I came to my senses, it was here.”
“From my analysis, it is highly likely that low-level heroes were brought here against their will. High-level heroes seem to be different.”
“In the end, you mean you were forced to come here?”
“It must be like that.”
The meeting was going on with everyone speaking.
It seems that Jenna and Belquist are not convinced yet. Nerissa continued her explanation by explaining the information step by step in an easy-to-understand manner.
“I don’t remember. I’ve never seen that blonde girl before.”
“Wouldn’t the memory be released at the next promotion? I think I heard someone’s voice. It’s a very faint memory. It must have been the goddess.”
Edith responded calmly to Kishasha’s objection.
“Nothing changes anyway. Isn’t it the same as having to wake up to the 100th floor? Taoni language is a troublesome problem anyway.”
“Nothing will change. But if this information spreads recklessly, it could cause a commotion to the other residents. We’re going to crack down on our own. Han, what do you think? To the people on the lower floors…”
“…”
“one?”
Edith came to me.
“I want to hear what you think. You haven’t said anything since before.”
“It is. What do you think? What we saw.”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on me.
I clicked my tongue and opened my mouth.
“I have no idea. Do as you like.”
“yes?”
“Tell me later how you decided. I’ll follow suit.”
I got up from my seat.
Edith followed, bewildered.
“Where?”
“Sorry. I’m not feeling well.”
I walked out of the living room at a brisk pace.
Nerissa and Edith are leading the meeting, even when I’m still.
A conclusion will come soon The truth of this world is unknown except for the main combat positions, and let’s not inform others. That was the case with the flow of the meeting.
‘It’s all rubbish anyway.’
What I saw I can’t tell anyone.
Believe it or not, this itself was dangerous information. When she learns that the goddess treats Taonian humans like toys, the morale of the heroes will plummet.
‘… … .’
I opened the door at the end of the hallway and entered.
my room. He threw himself on the sofa next to the bed.
‘It’s annoying.’
I want what is so complicated.
I don’t know how many times I get hit.
The scene I saw is spinning around.
‘I guess I need to organize it.’
To do this, you need a helper.
As I snapped my fingers, stardust glittered right next to me.
[Loki’s subordinate No. 1, Isel Deungjaang!]
Isel spun around and sat on my shoulder.
I began to unravel the messy information one by one.
Isel looked at me thoughtfully.
[It’s been strange since a few days ago. What’s wrong?]
“I have a question. Can you answer it?”
[Gorum! Ask me anything!]
Isel patted his chest heartily.
Anything. Let’s take a look. I smiled and opened my mouth.
“I saw something very funny at the luncheon ceremony.”
[Yes, the director paid a lot of attention to the 4-star promotion ceremony here. It’s made specifically for Taoni, so it’s easy to understand… … .]
“I thought you put a lot of care into the ball.”
Isel backed away in surprise.
[What do you mean, Loki?]
“Answer only yes or no.”
As I was silent, Isel nodded while putting on a bewildered expression.
“The purpose of this game is to save the destroyed world, right?”
[No, that’s right.]
“Masters, heroes, and waiting rooms exist for that purpose.”
[huh. The same goes for missions.]
This is right from what I know so far.
The reason for the existence of this world is to undo the destruction of the world.
For that, there is interference, and there are masters, heroes, and waiting rooms.
“okay.”
[Why all of a sudden?]
The real thing was from now on.
“Are the monsters in the mission related to the demise?”
[…] … .]
“Why did we fight them?”
[Now, wait… … That’s Taoni… … .]
Issel hesitated.
I closed my eyes. The characteristics of the destroyed world that I saw while riding in an airship.
There were worlds where everything was covered in fire, there were worlds covered in seas, and there were also worlds frozen solid.
The characteristics were different, but they had one thing in common.
‘No one lives.’
It became a ruin where not even humans could live, not even a monster, a bug, or even a single blade of grass. It became a completely dead land. It is destroyed in the true sense.
If the reason the world collapsed was because of the monster invasion, that kind of ending shouldn’t happen.
It makes no sense to say that the world itself will perish even if the human race is to disappear.
“Isel. I know more than you expected. Don’t try to hide it.”
[…] … .]
“Among the missions I’ve been through, were there those who caused the destruction?”
I opened my eyes.
Isel, who was shaking, opened her mouth.
[no.]
“Then why did I do that shit?”
Issel looked at me with fearful eyes.
It was a sign of inability to speak. I smiled and pulled out the bifrost.
“Use this. You can cover his eyes.”
Isel looked around the vicinity of Volsera and put his hand on the blade.
Black energy flowed from the sword and wrapped around Isel.
[If you find out about this… … I really don’t know.]
“It’s okay. I’ll stop you.”
[Isn’t that a lie?]
Issel looked up at me.
“When I’m older. Not long.”
[Ah Okay.]
Issel took a deep breath.
[Loki, did you really see the 0th floor?]
It seems that the place I was in is called the ‘0th floor’.
I nodded and said.
“Yeah. I was good at cheating once.”
[If you really get caught, it’s the end. Write, ha.]
Issel took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
[The monsters you fought in the meantime have nothing to do with the destruction of Taonier.]
“…”
[Those guys… … These are the heroes of the past.]
“Whether it’s a human or a different race.”
[huh.]
indeed.
If so, the things we’ve been killing for fun are the guardians who once risked their lives to protect Taonier.
‘It will be the same for things that will be killed in the future.’
“Why did you have to?”
[Because there must be conditions to make a game.]
Issel continued.
The two goddesses of Moebius created a game called ‘Pick Me Up’ to turn the world destined to perish. To be more precise, to borrow the power of Earthlings belonging to the upper dimension of Mobius.
[If there is a hero in the game, there must also be an enemy. so… … .]
“This is what made normal guys into enemies.”
[But if the real enemies appear… … .]
“Because I can’t compete?”
Issel nodded.
I know.
Who are the real enemies we have to deal with.
Right after the 80th floor.
‘I do understand.’
If such guys appear from the beginning, even if the god of the game comes, they will never be able to break it.
Then, the purpose of the existence of monsters before that is… … .
I laughed bitterly.
“Are they just experience points?”
[Monsters are offerings for the level-up of behemoth heroes. It gets damaged in the process of turning into a monster, so it gets in the way of restoration.]
indeed.
[When the world belonging to Mobius perishes, monsters and heroes are determined according to the director’s standards.]
I guess.
I remembered the scenery at that time.
If they had accepted the offer of the goddess, they could have become ‘advanced heroes’. But nobody accepted. So it became a monster.
‘I guess I know the conditions of birth grade.’
It seems that the rank is determined according to the influence of the previous life.
The main characters in that world are of high rank. Those who are close to extras are low grade.
Those who consciously or unconsciously agreed with the goddess remain as heroes, and those who oppose become monsters.
‘It’s completely self-defeating.’
I was dumbfounded and laughed.
One thing you can know is that both heroes and monsters are puppets.
Just like the master.
‘… … .’
This would be trivial. He still hides many secrets.
They are deliberately showing only information that is advantageous to them. It was to the point where the god came up. Even with this promotion, it is the same.
‘… … after.’
Suddenly, Freea’s face came to mind.
The guy just… … .
‘I wonder if it was a word to be thrown away.’
It’s not just Pria.
Everyone including me was like that.
I got up.
“Thank you. Thanks for listening.”
[Yes.]
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.”
What to do has not changed.
Climb the tower, deal with monsters, and keep getting stronger.
And when the time comes, return to Earth.
But in the meantime, there was just one more thing to do.
never cared so far
I was annoyed at this situation, but it didn’t matter much if I could go back.
Ignore it after returning to Earth. It’s enough if you leave as if you haven’t seen each other.
I thought so.
But now, it’s clear.
‘You followed.’
