The body is already perfected, and I’ve figured out the way beyond, so there’s nothing that can block me.
Ah, was there just one thing?
“Hey. I came to talk.”
“Umm…”
Does this guy really forget that I almost killed him once?
How can he come to see me so cheerfully?
Does he have some kind of assurance that I won’t harm him? If that’s the case, he should have come a bit sooner.
“Tsk.”
Well, thanks to him, my level has risen. Even if I went about it in a roundabout way, I still reached my destination, right?
Not exactly a familiar face, but at this point, I’m not harboring any hatred toward him anymore.
Thinking that, I looked at the fool many people call a god with a pitiful gaze.
“So, what’s on your mind?”
Don’t tell me he’s come to ask me to stop the Nameless again?
He must have reached a level where I couldn’t consider him a threat or an obstruction anymore.
What could he possibly say? With that thought in mind, I squinted my eyes.
“Haha, don’t look at me so terrifyingly.”
He seemed to be in a good mood, adding to his words with a shrug of his shoulders.
“I just came to help a bit.”
“…Help?”
Why?
Isn’t he the one who wanted to keep me bound here until now? And now—
“The situation has changed a bit. I’ll handle things here, so I don’t need your help.”
I don’t need his help anymore.
In other words, he found some way to deal with the Nameless… no, the Nameless One?
“Speak clearly; you don’t mean to say that my level has become a threat to you and you want to kick me out, do you?”
I was curious about what this method was, but I didn’t feel like asking.
Conversing with him would only make me feel worse; I could always return here and see the Nameless again if needed.
“That’s right.”
Despite my slightly sharp attitude, he continued with an awkward smile.
“Still, it won’t be perfect, right? I’ll help you with some of your rough edges.”
With such an ambiguous offer, what was I to say?
“…Some rough edges, huh.”
True, although I’ve reached a level, mastering it perfectly is another matter.
When it comes to this level, I’m just at the threshold.
“What specifically do you plan to help me with?”
Having discarded the thought of refusal from my mind, I tilted my head and asked him.
“I’ll help with plausibility.”
Plausibility?
“Since a lot of time has passed since you came to this side, your appearance too, right?”
“Ah.”
So, he means he’ll help with that aspect?
Well, I really can’t even begin to imagine the concept of time-traveling.
If I go back and see a world that’s evolved too much, I feel like it’ll sting a bit. It really shows that I’ve spent a lot of time in this world.
“I see no reason to refuse.”
Thus, his help is appreciated.
However.
“Forget the latter. Just help with the former.”
I have no intention of relying on his help for my appearance.
“Really? Wouldn’t it be better to go back?”
“I’ve already lived in this body for over 300 years. I don’t even remember what I looked like.”
Not remembering what I looked like, and being comfortable in my current body gives me a strong ‘why bother?’ feeling.
If I were to completely sever ties with this world, I might miss the faces of the people I’ve met here at some point, right?
If, at that time, I had to be in the appearance of my past self… it seems like a hassle.
Plus, and this is crucial.
“No one there knows the present me, let alone my past.”
Meeting someone is bothersome and scary, which is why I avoided forming bonds.
…It’s just saying I have no friends.
Oh, and to add, I don’t even remember the faces of my parents who gave birth to me.
So it’s not like I’m longing to meet family or people from back there.
It’s more like nostalgia, you see?
I could say I have no reason to go back, but.
The original reason I wanted to return is simply that I’m fed up with this world.
Aside from meeting the Nameless, it was only bad experiences I want to erase from my memory; staying even a second longer in this world is something I detest.
…Well, since my story here is basically at its end, would Nameless even be unhappy just because I’m not around?
He’s a pure-hearted and strong child.
He might struggle a little at first, but he will definitely rise again.
In doing so, he might meet someone wonderful and forget someone like me.
I’m just a pit stop for the Nameless, a minor character with only three appearances—just enough.
Plus, isn’t he no longer alone now?
With a good friend named Lucius and Camilla and the Saint. There are also acquaintances he met at the Academy.
There are kids he needs to take care of too.
Sure, the name might change, but the Cheonma Church will be there for him, protecting him, and making sure he’s not lonely or in danger.
Isn’t it true that I created the Cheonma Church for the Nameless, for the time when he’ll be alone when I go back?
“Hmm. Okay, I understand. From my perspective, it’s better for you to stay as you are.”
“…? What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing. Just hurry up and get ready to go.”
I was a little concerned, but…
Well, it’s probably not a big deal.
Nodding awkwardly, he began to draw some strange symbol.
“It’ll be a hassle, but since you were originally destined to have that body, history will change. It might get a bit confusing, but it won’t be uncomfortable. Please understand that it’s all for the sake of plausibility. Still, nothing major will change.”
“Thanks for the consideration.”
There’s a large circle with various smaller circles inside it. In between, jagged teeth mesh together and spin fiercely.
I realized instinctively.
If I climb on top of this and pour my energy into it, I can return to my original state.
It felt strange. But, I stood on it.
The more I hesitated, the more doubts sprouted in my mind, threatening to make me regret it someday.
“Do I not need a final goodbye?”
“Of course not.”
If I meet others now, I’d probably have a sad expression for no reason.
But I can’t let that happen.
I must always be a perfect presence for them, so I can’t show any weakness.
And when we meet again. Won’t it be a bit embarrassing if I remember that moment?
This isn’t the end of our bonds; it’s just a brief rest.
“Wouldn’t you say?”
“Well, do as you wish.”
“Tsk. Well, you take care of yourself too. Stop relying on others and try doing something on your own.”
“Bahaha, sure.”
Radiant light engulfed my vision.
It was a rather pleasant feeling.
Gradually, the light faded.
What appeared was a familiar yet unfamiliar space.
A place I longed for but never imagined I would see again.
A small room.
Books that had never been touched lay scattered on the floor, and the light illuminating this room wasn’t from candles or sunlight, but the ceiling lights.
“Ah… I’ve returned.”
Somehow, I felt a little teary.
*
“Wow, I really came back.”
It might sound a bit funny, but it was a week later that I actually felt it.
You could say I just couldn’t take it in.
I spent the first day cooped up in the room, doing absolutely nothing, just lying on the bed.
On the second day, I went out to buy clothes and realized I had no money.
…Should I get a job?
Suddenly, I began to regret things immensely.
From the third day onwards, I spent my time closely observing the room’s layout, rummaging through my memories.
Finding out how to use electronic devices, or where the savings account was took quite a long time.
From the fourth day up until now, I focused on my training.
After all, the flow of energy in the air here is fundamentally different from that place, so I needed to restore my abilities to regain my power from that time.
It seems my energy is based on nature itself.
But there isn’t much nature-like scenery here, so it took a bit longer.
…Well, I don’t know if I’ll need it, but.
Having something and not having it feels pretty empty.
So, what am I doing now you ask?
“…”
Just like on the first day, I’m lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
…I feel a bit bored already.
I thought I was devoid of the feeling of loneliness. After all, it’s been nearly 300 years. No, if I add up the time spent here, it must be even more than that.
But it seems the presence of my disciple made a bigger impact than I realized.
Strangely enough, I felt a bit lonely.
That’s when it happened.
knock knock
“…A guest? Who is it?”
I felt a familiar presence.
Could it be? The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it and walked toward the door.
It must be a mistake.
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