Gaiden ― Blank (5)
squeak squeak.
The fish, the size of only a span of the palm of one hand, looked exactly at Han Soo-Young, and his mouth twitched.
Then, the transparent sphere that was handed over from Yoo Ji-hyuk appeared in front of her, regardless of Han Soo-young’s will.
tyring.
Then, a translucent window appeared in front of her with an alien mechanical sound.
There was a single line of text written on the notification window.
[I commend you for your insight.]
Seeing this, Han Soo-young could be sure that her prediction was correct.
She opened her mouth, staring at the tank without even sitting on her chair.
“I kept thinking.”
Talking to a fish was a sight that in some way might make other people laugh, but Han Soo-young was serious.
No, she was rather nervous.
So much so that there was no more.
“There must be traces of your contact. Of course, Jihyuk must have had such traces as well. But I couldn’t figure it out or come up with what it was for a long time.”
She pulled a book out of her arms.
It was the very book that was granted only to her, that only she could read, and that only qualified her.
“But I didn’t know that I would even forget this. … No, thanks to that, when I happened to remember this, I was fortunate to have met Ji-hyeok and slowly reminded me of what had happened so far.”
Han Soo-young looked at the fish and said.
“I certainly gave you as a gift to Jihyuk along with Hyeonu. It means ‘friendship and trust with friends’. … The problem is that I’ve never heard in my life that there is a ‘fish for friendship and trust with friends’. It was the same with Hyeonu.”
tyring.
The machine beeped again.
[Again, congratulations on finding something specific with that alone.]
“… Jihyuk once told me that his memory was strange and that someone was manipulating it. I heard that Sbangali had a similar experience. If so, that’s obvious. You also massaged me and Hyeonu’s hair.”
The fish groaned looking at Han Soo-young.
[The squadron Ariman could not be found until the end.]
[From that point of view, I commend you again.]
[A wise man deserves to be praised by everyone.]
Han Soo-young’s eyes twitched at the message written in the notification window.
“… Don’t bring up that story. You are talking to me right now.”
She felt some kind of anger.
Is it anger at the being who has massaged himself, Yoo Ji-hyuk, Choi Hyun-woo, and the people around him as he pleases?
Neither he nor Ariman was actually Yoo Ji-hyeok, so she could not know whether she felt anger at his words and deeds that mocked him.
“I brought you here because I have a few questions to ask.”
The fish puckered its mouth.
[I commend you for your cleverness, and I promise to answer your questions with all my heart.]
[Also, I’m just saying that this fish is just a terminal, just in case.]
“I know about that.”
Han Soo-young sighed.
The truth of this world, the truth of Yoo Ji-hyuk, and the truth of everyone including himself… .
She carefully spit out the questions she had been holding on to since the thought of knowing them.
“Why us?”
[It is difficult to grasp the gist of the question.]
She spoke again as if to reflect on the fish swimming with her fins fluttering calmly.
“Why us? how… why?”
Han Soo-young, feeling the emotions coming up, took a small deep breath.
Numerous thoughts were running through her mind.
Another future self who regretted his whole life and gave up his life for revenge.
Another Yoo Ji-hyeok named Ariman, who became entangled with him and eventually annihilated horribly.
Maybe that was the future for him and for Yoo Ji-hyuk as he knew it.
‘… no.’
In the end, he became the Seven Evil species, Ariman.
When I think of Yoo Ji-hyeok, who was only used as he wanted and eventually lost everything and was kicked out of the original world, he could see that he was already living in a future no different from them.
Moreover, they were not the only ones who were harassed with their lives and lives.
“Why did you choose us? Why am I the main character of this world, why was Jihyuk brought into this world… why? Why did the people around us have to go through that?”
The fish did not respond to her question for a while.
Han Soo-young just stared at her until she opened her mouth.
After a while, the fish opened its mouth.
cuckoo.
[This is a coincidence.]
“… What?”
It was an answer I hadn’t thought of at all.
Accident?
Are you saying that all these things, and all the events up to now, are just coincidences?
Gradually, anger began to fill her puzzled eyes.
“Do not be ridiculous… ! So it was all a coincidence? All of these things? Are you telling me to believe that right now?!”
The fish swam.
[From the beginning of this world, it was a coincidence.]
[All the laws from the beginning of all life you know, the process and product of evolution, the discovery of magic, the beginning of all things, the cause, the effect… All of this literally happened by coincidence and coincidence.]
[Rather, I don’t understand why the ancestors, including Ariman and you, want a grand reason rather than a coincidence.]
it squeaked and said.
[For example, Yoo Ji-hyuk would not have been born into this world if his biological mother had not had an affair with his biological father.]
“Wow, this crazy… !? Shut that mouth right now!”
Han Soo-young was furious at the words that casually ripped open his wounds, but he didn’t care at all.
[And if he hadn’t accidentally shared evidence of an affair with his social father, his family wouldn’t have been broken, he wouldn’t have been abused, he wouldn’t have escaped reality, and he wouldn’t have come back to this world. ]
[Aren’t you still not satisfied with the explanation of coincidence?]
“I told you to shut up!”
As Han Soo-young slammed the tank with his fist, a dull sound resounded.
The fish swam silently and looked at Han Soo-young.
[I advise you to calm your excitement.]
It continued speaking in an attitude as if yielding one step.
[I wish for a smooth future with you.]
[Therefore, I will tell you about information that goes beyond the authority granted to you.]
[Please note that future contents will not be recorded.]
The contents of the notification window that is updated according to the fish that clenched its mouth like a program.
Han Soo-young felt a moment of dizziness like a dull pain.
[In analogy, you are like fish.]
[Also, this world is a breeding ground.]
[You, including the Seven Devils, are devices for managing and controlling the condition of the kennel.]
The fish flailed and moved its fins.
Its mouth was buzzing non-stop.
squeak squeak.
[It is only a coincidence which of those numerous fish will stand out.]
[In a similar vein, it is only a coincidence what the fish will be thrown as food for other creatures.]
[Likewise, if a parasite grows on a certain fish, it can only be called a coincidence.]
[Likewise, it is only a coincidence which fish will be the first to eat the food that has been sown.]
[Everything is just coincidence.]
As the explanation continued, Han Soo-young could not hear or read anything.
The only thing he could hear was the sound of his own heart and breath, which was beating quietly.
“… one more… .”
Han Soo-young muttered quietly.
“… Did you know that the former Ariman, who was ahead of me, wanted to kill you? So what do you think about it?”
[The fact that only the former Ahri was not dealt with can be viewed in a similar vein.]
[To deal with him… To use the previous analogy, if you remove the device installed in the kennel, it will affect many fish in the kennel.]
[As a result of the judgment, it was judged that there was no need to take such a risk.]
Han Soo-young let out a smirk without realizing it.
Ariman.
Another world, another future Yoo Ji-hyuk.
The opponent he had sacrificed everything to bring him down said that he was ‘not worth touching’.
Tears came to my eyes at that fact.
“then.”
Han Soo-young asked without wiping the flowing tears.
“I lost all the people I loved and lived with regret for the rest of my life and died in another world. Ji-hyeok, who was dragged into this world without knowing anything, suffered countless deaths and was expelled. Like Ji-hyeok, Ji-hyeok’s younger sister, who came to this world and ended up dying in the end. Ye-eun senior, who was betrayed by her precious family and left alone. Jin Ye-seul, who was abandoned by her family and never understood by anyone. The reason why I would have suffered all my life because of forty… Are you saying it’s all coincidence?”
The fish did not move its mouth for a while.
The notification window was also not updated.
[In the case of Yoo Ji-hyeok and Yoo Ji-na, I would like to state that it is not a coincidence.]
It stung and moved his mouth.
[In the case of the two targets, only Squadron Ahri specifically selected it.]
[The same goes for the process of trial and error that happened before.]
[However, in the case of the previous generation Ariman, it could be said that it was completely coincidental.]
[In other words, if interpreted more broadly, it can also be said to be a coincidence.]
[It was all coincidence.]
“Yeah, you will. You’re going to be bored.”
Han Soo-young roared with sarcasm.
Then the fish pouted as if it had pierced her head.
[In addition, the reason why people you know, including Yoo Ji-hyeok and Yoo Ji-na, who were called manure stones, wedges, and regulars in the past, are drawn to this world is simple.]
[To give an anomaly to this world.]
“Anomaly?”
[Since stagnant water tends to rot, I think it is easier to understand if it is expressed as adding a variable from the outside so that the world can continue to circulate.]
[…] A more detailed concept cannot be viewed because it is outside the granted authority.]
For a moment, Han Soo-young seemed to have goosebumps all over her body.
“… Have you read my mind right now?”
[This is an incomprehensible question. A more precise explanation is requested.]
“Don’t take the shichimi. So how the hell did you know I was going to ask that next time?”
The fish fluttered and swam through the water.
[I would like to explain that I decided that I would ask about it with a high probability because questions similar to those of my predecessor Ariman were expressed one after another.]
It swam slowly in a large circle, and its mouth twitched incessantly.
[In addition to the previous question, the result of understanding the subject’s disposition… It is believed that they are wondering why there was a difference between the predecessors Ariman and Yoo Ji-hyeok. Was that a reasonable question?]
“… … .”
She shut her mouth.
The fish groaned as if that was enough of an answer.
[You made the difference.]
“what?”
The fish opened its mouth to the surprised Han Soo-young.
[Hyun-woo Choi, Ye-eun Lee, Ye-seul Jin, Naga Lee, Ivan Hunt, Cass Lyle, Do-hoon Ahn, Myeong-jun Lee, Sbangali, Minerva, and everyone he met made the difference.]
[Meeting Yeeun Lee for the first time, he realized that his actions can affect the world.]
[After meeting you, he realized that this world is real.]
[Meeting Ye Seul Jin, he realized that the world does not move according to his own will.]
[Meeting Yoo-na Lee, he realized that the beings living in this world are also those who react and think.]
[Meeting Minerva, he became aware of his position in this world again.]
Ahriman didn’t do that, so people in this world just thought of them as characters in the game.
That’s why they said they were the same person, but they went down different paths.
It slowly moved his mouth as he looked at Han Soo-young, who had his mouth shut.
[Now I will take the last question.]
[Please note that the above terminals will be disposed of after the last question and answer has been completed.]
“You make this world… As you put it, what is the reason for managing and managing this kennel?”
[Contents outside the authority.]
“Are there other beings like you?”
[Contents outside the authority.]
“How many people like me and my predecessor Ariman?”
[Contents outside the authority.]
She cried out, momentarily moved by the repeated reply.
“Are you kidding me right now?!”
Han Soo-young could no longer suppress the magical powers she had captured.
They exploded like an explosion to represent the owner’s feelings, and the tank that was hit with her magic at a close range started to crack gradually.
[Please ask questions that are within the scope of your authority.]
As a new word appeared in the notification window, the cracks in the tank began to increase.
Minerva and Sbangali, who were in the next room, felt embarrassed, but Han Soo-young did not try to control the overflowing magical power as if it was good.
“… What are you?”
The fish answered.
[god.]
it added.
[Or the world itself.]
[Or the truth.]
[or general manager.]
[Or the aggregate of the will.]
[Or a concept that you do not understand and cannot perceive.]
It swam slowly and answered.
[I encourage you to accept, think, and judge as you wish.]
[Everything is up to you.]
At the end of those words, the fish’s body began to swell gradually.
Han Soo-young shouted with an urgent voice as if clinging to it.
“Wait, one last thing… ! Jihyuk, can I really see Jihyuk again? please… !”
The fish, which had swelled several times in an instant, wobbled and turned in the water.
Looking at Han Soo-young, it answered.
[It is also up to you.]
[Like Yoo Ji-hyuk did, I hope you also achieve what you want to achieve.]
tyring.
Again, the sound of the machine rang out clearly.
[End Q&A.]
At the end of those words, the fish exploded like an explosion, and fragments of what used to be fish spread out in an instant in the clean tank.
“… … .”
Han Soo-young, who looked at him blankly, slowly lowered the hand he had raised.
The tank, which had been cracked in the end, could not withstand the shock and was shattered, and even though the polluted water wet her body, she did not even move.
“swimming! Are you okay!”
She just stood there silently until the impatient Minerva appeared, limping.
She just stared blankly at the shattered tank, and the notification window and transparent sphere that had suddenly disappeared.
“swimming!”
Minerva asked, looking worriedly at Han Soo-young, who had scratches all over her body from shards of glass.
Despite the large and small wounds all over her body, she was just calm.
she muttered quietly.
“… You’re fucking fucking me, you bastard.”
Unbeknownst to her, a cruel sound came out of her mouth.
“It’s okay to make fun of people, well… ? Do you also wish to achieve what you want to achieve? And there… !”
Han Soo-young exhaled quietly at the last words that seemed to laugh at him that he had returned to the original world because Yoo Ji-hyuk wanted it.
“It doesn’t matter.”
He just wanted to see his face one last time.
I just wanted to meet him, call his name, and hear his voice.
“I just want to see you one last time.”
She believed Yoo Ji-hyuk’s last words more than the words it had uttered.
He said that every moment with her was real.
It was the same with her.
“That’s it.”
really.
Seriously, that was all.
Then it was something to think about later.
“… ah.”
“swimming? swimming! Calm down, swimming!”
As the tension was released, I felt my body collapsing rapidly.
Slowly, my consciousness began to sink, and it seemed as if I suddenly heard someone’s voice.
It was a voice I missed.
It’s obviously… .
* * *
“… Infant! Swim!”
Han Soo-young’s eyes widened at the whispering voice next to her.
Yoo Ji-hyuk was sitting right next to her.
“Why not, not like you. Are you that tired?”
“… … .”
Han Soo-young turned her head without saying a word and looked around.
Suddenly, the wedding was already nearing its end.
“Ji-hyuk.”
she muttered blankly.
Yoo Ji-hyuk answered.
“Yes, I am here.”
Yoo Ji-hyuk.
Han Soo-young muttered quietly.
She looked around without saying a word again.
Yuzuki Horie throws the bouquet, and Hyerin Lee, who was preparing in advance, receives it.
Hyerin Lee picks a flower from her bouquet and gives it to Laune.
As she watched the people around her smile and applaud, she could feel her mind awakening.
Read At noblemtl.com
Oh
I see
she muttered quietly.
If I could do it, I would want to cry like a childish child in this place.
“Yoo Ji-hyuk.”
And the man who was the cause was standing right next to him.
She kept repeating his name over and over.
“… Sooyoung, are you okay?”
Yoo Ji-hyuk made a worried expression as she continued to call her name.
Han Soo-young smiled quietly.
“no.”
She shook her head.
“It’s not okay at all.”
So… .
She approached him gently and whispered.
“Give me one wish.”
She suddenly and desperately wanted him to whisper her name.
As much as I haven’t heard in two years.
As long as I’ve waited for him.