The Fragile World
The world is fragile. Thin and delicate, like a sheet of thin ice. Every time someone passes over it, cracks bloom like flowers. But few people could perceive it.
"Hmm..."
The deepest secret base. A fortress of human civilization that would endure until the very end, even if the world perished. Inside it, one woman was reading a document.
A document containing the end of the world.
• Surrender of villain Witae in South Korea.
• During a hostage situation driven by grudge, sexual intercourse with one male hostage, followed by surrender.
• Initial interrogation testimony claimed act due to sexual desire, but retracted after WSC truth serum administration.
• Sexual intercourse with the man and surrender were on orders from the boss. The boss is the man who had sex with Witae.
• Mentioned a villain organization, but investigation found no such organization exists.
• Investigation of the man, In Jisan, found no traces of physically managing or operating a villain organization. No traces of direct or indirect contact or interference with Witae in the past.
• Anomaly analysis via ability: No detection values.
• AP meter used on Witae: Reaction detected.
• Hostage situation site: Massive AP reaction detected.
• AP reaction detected on In Jisan.
All the evidence pointed to one answer.
"Ha."
Isabelle Laplare, leader of the WSC—an organization dedicated to preventing the world's destruction—let out a faint, hollow laugh. It had come. Finally, it had arrived.
The world is fragile. Ordinary people didn't know it, but this world had already faced dozens, hundreds of near-apocalypses. Perhaps it had already perished, or been rebuilt after destruction long ago. The WSC had desperately prevented it.
Of 100 potential apocalypses, 70% passed without incident. They were variables that could destroy Earth only if Earth was extremely unlucky, and required no action as they posed no harm.
The remaining 26% were handled by the WSC. They nipped the seeds of destruction before they could sprout.
The last 3% were crises even ordinary people could perceive. Problems the WSC could no longer hide. Countless heroes sacrificed their lives to stop them, or great powers formed special units and poured in massive resources.
And now, the remaining 1% had occurred. A crisis that simply happened. An inevitable, absolute destruction that humanity could do nothing to prevent. The final end, so vast that one could only resign oneself to death.
"Ahh..."
Isabelle knew. Countless oracles had prophesied this crisis. The WSC had prepared for it a century ago. Not to prevent destruction, but to endure it.
"Perhaps... even the thoughts I have right now in my head... might be the last ones."
Muttering those hollow words to herself, Isabelle turned on the mic. From now on, everyone in the base would hear her words—her declaration of surrender. There was no need to sound the emergency alarm. Waking those at rest for an unstoppable event was utterly meaningless.
"This is WSC Chief Guardian Isabelle Laplare. Message to all agents."
She had always known she'd have to say these words someday. She just hadn't expected it to be today.
"Scenario 333 is complete. Codename Astaroth has awakened."
Normally, when she issued notifications, she used terms like "manifested" or "observed." Every scenario handled by the WSC concerned world-ending events. The mere approach or onset triggered an emergency.
But completion meant the world's destruction.
"I am assembling the Damage Control Division. Executives, report to the situation room immediately upon hearing this broadcast. Other agents, continue focusing on your assigned duties—"
Isabelle gave a sad smile.
"—and enjoy what might be your last free thoughts."
The world had already ended.
Brunhilde Wagner, executive of the Damage Control Division, entered the situation room. Isabelle waited, holding a cup of tea.
"Loyalty!"
"Yes, loyalty. Come in and sit. Where are the others?"
"One on Scenario 242 recovery, one on agent training and replenishment, one on supply securing. Three absent in total."
"Everyone's busy. What to do? We need to expand personnel."
"We will do our utmost!"
"No, we need to reorganize the organization. Starting today, I will concurrently serve as leader of Damage Control. Brunhilde, you will be my chief aide and support me."
"..."
Doubt welled up in Brunhilde's heart, where loyalty was deeply engraved. But her silence didn't last.
She replied briskly.
"Understood!"
"There will be a major reorganization. From now on, recovery of damages from successful operations will be handled by new organizations under those three executives."
Damage Control had two missions. Operations by the WSC to avert destruction inevitably caused collateral damage. Like using hundreds of nukes to "early" eliminate an ice spirit that would freeze the world.
Their primary mission was aiding devastated lands and victims from such operations.
And the second mission. More important, but untouched until now.
Minimizing damage after the world had already ended.
"From now on, you and my Damage Control will make this already-destroyed world end in a slightly less harsh way."
"May I ask a question for mission comprehension?"
"Go ahead."
"I've reviewed the transmitted data and grasped the situation. But I don't understand why this relates to world destruction!"
Isabelle nodded.
"That makes sense. Then, Brunhilde, what do you think of this?"
"It's just one Awakened who gained a sex-related ability. Strike preemptively and kill him before memory alteration occurs—situation over."
Brunhilde couldn't comprehend. It was creepy, but not dangerous.
"We've already identified his ability through numerous prophecy systems. He is omnipotent."
"May I request a detailed explanation?"
"If he wishes, he can change the goals of 'WSC'—an organization whose name he doesn't even know—into one solely serving him and satisfying his carnal lusts."
Brunhilde instantly realized the danger. The moment that happened, this fragile world would vanish.
"What if we strike preemptively before then?"
"He is a god. Merely borrowing a human form."
Isabelle casually sipped her coffee.
"There was a prophecy he'd awaken someday. Perhaps he already has."
"Can't we kill him?"
"Impossible. Even if possible, I wouldn't want to."
Isabelle shook her head.
"If a god dies on this Earth... the world ends anyway. Remember 40 years ago? Ragnarok?"
"...Yes."
A god died far away, on the opposite side of the universe. Monsters and anomalies poured in through countless paths. Many heroes perished.
If a god died on Earth, the Milky Way would perish at minimum.
"Then what must we do?"
"Acknowledge that destruction has come."
Isabelle smiled.
"Polar bears didn't die on melting icebergs with ice chunks. They moved south, mated with brown bears."
"..."
"Humans survived global warming too. Ceding their lands to the sea, growing tropical crops in temperate zones."
World destruction isn't the end. With human effort, one could face an acceptable destruction—or at least delay it.
"Tell me the plan."
"Short-term: Recruit new Damage Control agents from Korea. Beautiful women, as many as possible."
"The ultimate goal?"
"No ultimate goal. On a macro level, delay destruction. So..."
Isabelle tapped the table with her finger.
"Codename Astaroth. Real name In—Ji—San. Guide this man to issue commands that harm civilization as little as possible."
"...Surrender."
"Exactly!"
Brunhilde spoke in a somber tone, but Isabelle clapped, praising her.
"We fawn with honeyed tongues, beg for mercy, offer countless virgins, sacrifice our dignity. 'Please, don't destroy us.'"
"What do we gain from that dishonor?"
"Delaying destruction?"
Isabelle smiled nonchalantly.
"He can manipulate common sense without limits, for countless people. The most fatal... as I said, turning WSC into his lust-fulfilling organization?"
"The moment another crisis arises, the world ends."
"Yes. Or, more gently... what if Astaroth, wanting to monopolize all women, renders all men impotent?"
"Is that possible?"
"For him, anything."
No immediate deaths, but humanity perishes regardless.
"We prevent that."
"Yes. With our bodies, our power. Make him enjoy women and the world fully, desire nothing more. That's our goal."
Damage Control. Victim Management Bureau. Control damage from incidents already occurred, prevent further harm.
"Understood. Finally... one more question unrelated to the mission?"
"Make yourself comfortable. We'll see each other often; better to be friendly."
"How can you, Chief Guardian, speak so calmly?"
Isabelle laughed.
"I've known since I was five."
"..."
"I soaked my pillow, cursed the world, trembled in fear. Nothing changed. The time came, the world ended. So—"
Isabelle set down her teacup.
"Let's go. To greet the new king."