Doing the Right Thing, Like a Hero
Doing the right thing. Like a hero.
Modern internet might seem like a wild sea of uncontrolled information, but getting info on suicide isn't that easy. Even chatbots shut it down firmly if you even hint at it. Search engines redirect you straight to suicide prevention centers at the slightest whiff.
But people understand human desires. Those with context about In Jisan could tell exactly why that info slipped out.
"This is..."
"Suicide."
Until just moments ago, Isabelle had been skeptical of Brunhilde's theory. It wasn't impossible, but the simplest explanation for his actions was that they all stemmed from his desires.
But the results were in. If he needed to kill someone, if he could use his power, he wouldn't have to dirty his own hands. Just hypnotize them and command, "Die." That would do it without a drop of blood on him.
"All the messages... they're suspicious."
He was still sending messages to friends and family right now. Worrying about those who'd suffer from his suicide, assuring them his death wasn't their fault.
"Yeah, you can't think otherwise."
Isabelle had to admit her worldview was too cynical. Give a man power, the right to do anything and be forgiven, and he'd chase his desires—she'd thought that was human nature.
But not him.
"He was under stress. Extreme stress... enough to choose suicide."
"No. It's more reasonable to think he tried everything else and chose his own death."
Remember how happy he looked with his followers? Hard to believe stress drove him to this. At least, that's what Brunhilde thought.
"But right now, more important than reasons... is his life."
"Yes."
Brunhilde cared for him deep down. People like him shouldn't die.
And he had an even bigger reason not to.
"Not the god himself, but still... it changes nothing."
Isabelle spoke heavily. "Considering the AP phenomena every time he uses his power, even if it's not the god, it's clearly connected. Like a faucet channeling divine power, if I had to put it."
"His actions will lead to something bad, one way or another."
Worst case: the faucet blocking that power vanishes, and it bursts out uncontrollably. No need to look further. Annihilation.
Not the slow doom WSC had braced for, but instant, unstoppable world-ending catastrophe.
"Even if a successor to his power appears—"
"They won't use it with his restraint."
If after his death, someone inherits it through a path WSC can't detect. Even a "modest" wish like "I want to be the world's richest" would shake the economy. Top tycoons and stock kings toppled, massive shifts inevitable.
And if the new bearer hated someone? It happens all the time. Hell, in modern times, people without hate are rarer. National hatred, ethnic, gender, political. Normally it stays at "they suck." But give that hate power? Disaster.
"But how..."
They could stop it once. Call the cops with WSC pull. But if he truly wanted death, no human could.
"Deploy robots to contain him... no. Realistically, probably pointless."
They didn't know. Didn't even know what they didn't know. All they had: he couldn't control power manifestation, and he could hypnotize strangers without faces or names.
Restrain him rashly, and if he turns on WSC? Catastrophe.
They had to convince him.
"Share WSC intel?"
"Too risky. We'd need to talk him down..."
Brunhilde bit her lip. "I'll go."
Only she could handle this.
"Alright."
Preparations done. Will written. No notary, but I didn't have much anyway—good enough.
Sorry to my studio landlord, but unavoidable. Blame the suicide for dropping land prices as a noble sacrifice? I'd appreciate that. Not that they'd know my story.
No charcoal burner. Easiest painless death, sure, but hard to get and unstable.
I wanted quick and simple, even if tougher to endure. Bought rope. Basic, sturdy stuff.
Studio ceiling low, but above my height. Secure it right, and it'd work.
Final goodbyes to loved ones sent. Hard drive wiped for contingencies.
"...Hah."
In the last moment, I thought of that statue.
Everyone striving to do the right thing—you're all heroes.
The right thing. Taking responsibility. Protecting others from harm.
"Well, calling this duty might be a stretch."
Life is precious above all. I knew that. Nobody takes others' sacrifices lightly, can't casually say "lay down your life."
No honor, duty, friend, or love outweighs life.
Yet I believed in its value.
My power didn't suit a hero. Still, I wanted to act like one.
Like those sacrificing in the clutch for others.
Like those giving life for more happiness and lives.
I wanted to be that. Admired it. Survived thanks to them—time to repay.
This wasn't despair-fueled escape. I tried everything, gave my all.
So this was choice, not flight. Sacrifice for all.
The right thing...
Decision made, I tied the rope to the ceiling.
Time to say goodbye to the world.
"Judging how much intel to share? That's for me—I know him best."
"Too dangerous."
"We risk it. No risk, no progress. Delay even a minute, we can't stop his death."
"Think of your position. WSC sending talent like you into danger?"
"I won't die."
"If his hypnosis slips control, you could lose yourself—regardless of his intent."
Isabelle desperately tried holding Brunhilde back. "You could lose yourself. End up like his followers. Worshipping unheard-of values, becoming someone entirely different."
Brunhilde feared that too. Not death. But becoming another person in her own body and mind.
Losing memories, warped values, shattered beliefs—terrifying.
Her lifelong unshakeable conviction, more precious than life, vanishing like it never existed— horrifying.
"Even so, I must."
Running now would shatter that conviction herself.
"Even if hypnotized into vile, lewd acts—I must. I'm prepared."
Seeing Brunhilde's resolve, Isabelle reluctantly nodded. "Depart for Korea now. WSC jet. Fake ID and org ready—use them."
"Yes!"
"Emergency, as you say. Steer clear of exposing WSC if possible, but if needed, do whatever. Your call."
"Got it!"
"Give it everything."
Like a lady sending her knight to war, Isabelle smiled wistfully.
Unyielding, Brunhilde left the room.
Stepped forward.
Duty, person to protect, obligation awaited.