Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Encounter with the Unknown - 3
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Of course, I'm a creature well-versed in human conversation styles.
Human conversation means you speak, and a response comes back in about a second...
Even if it's not a clear answer, you at least get some kind of reaction.
You ask a question.
And from the other person, you get at least a minimal reaction like, "Uh, um... let me think about it for a sec."
But this transmitter's way of conversing was on a whole different level from human norms.
You couldn't interrupt mid-sentence.
Ask a question, and the answer flies back fifteen minutes later.
...How was I supposed to adapt to such an outlandish conversation style right from the start?
Anyway, now I fully understood how to communicate with the transmitter.
I had eight question-and-answer opportunities left.
Not many if you think about it that way, but plenty if you don't.
If I just thought my questions through carefully, I could satisfy all my curiosities and still have room for mochi afterward.
There didn't seem to be a time limit before asking, so I took my time pondering before posing my question.
Ah.
No, wait, no.
Before worrying about the question, there's something I need to do first.
The wiki.
I need to check it one more time.
*
⚙ OMMNIA WIKI ⚙ [Transmitter Created by a Fervent Devotee of the Distorted Constellation (Anomalous Phenomenon)] 1. Overview 2. Characteristics 3. Containment Class (Danger Level) 4. Resolution Method 1. Overview An Incertus-class Anomalous Phenomenon personally crafted by 'Anum - Jihad', a Fervent Devotee of the Distorted Constellation. 2. Characteristics The Fervent Devotee of the Distorted Constellation, 'Anum - Jihad', created this transmitter to achieve two goals. One was to carry out the will of the Great Being. The other was to converse with fellow Fervent Devotees. 1. If a non-Fervent Devotee approaches the transmitter, gravitational distortion occurs within a 300-meter radius. 2. This gravitational distortion pulls in all existing matter. 3. If a Fervent Devotee approaches, no gravitational distortion occurs, and a total of ten question-and-answer opportunities are granted. 3. Containment Class (Danger Level) Incertus-class Anomalous Phenomena cannot have their danger levels accurately measured. They can be dangerous enough to destroy planets depending on the circumstances, but if their characteristics are well understood, they pose little threat. 4. Resolution Method Fundamentally, the transmitter does not activate if nothing approaches within a 300-meter radius. If left alone for a long time, it automatically returns to its creator. For Fervent Devotees, safe approach is possible, and upon contact, a total of ten question-and-answer opportunities are provided. Once the question-and-answer session ends, the transmitter returns to its creator. *
See?
I told you the wiki never lies.
The wiki's content updates in real-time based on the target's state.
...Even so, the wiki entry from earlier was undeniably full of mysteries.
From the title to the table of contents, it was all bizarre.
By now, I had a clear idea of what to ask first.
"Fervent Devotee of the Distorted Constellation, Anum - Jihad. I've got something I want to ask first. This transmitter—does it have the property of fundamentally changing its very purpose of existence in real-time?"
I didn't mention the wiki specifically.
After all, I'm the Archivist of the Omnia Archive and a Fervent Devotee of Reflecting Myriad Stars.
I couldn't just casually reveal something as important as the wiki to some unknown entity.
And even if I did, I'd only decide whether to share after getting a question in return.
Unlike this guy, I don't have many cards up my sleeve.
Information.
The more you hide it, the better.
Questions about Anomalous Phenomena and items? I'll save those for last.
I need plenty of time to deliberate before asking them carefully.
Fifteen minutes later.
The response to my question arrived.
⚙ TRANSMITTER RESPONSE ⚙ Indeed... You've already grasped even my true name. I'm honestly impressed. I doubted you after those two trivial questions earlier, but you truly are a Fervent Devotee of the Great Being who governs knowledge. To answer your question: yes, exactly. As soon as you approached the transmitter, I detected through it that you were another Fervent Devotee and immediately altered the transmitter's very reason for existence. From that moment, it became a semi-living entity endlessly pursuing only conversation with you. Hmm.
Well, that means it wasn't vandalism, nor blasphemy, and the wiki didn't lie to me.
The wiki updates in real-time.
Full cola, half-empty cola, empty cola.
Just like that, the wiki's title and content change with the target's state.
So, it makes sense.
...Though I didn't expect the title and table of contents to form a single sentence addressing me directly.
Anyway, I'm convinced.
The transmitter didn't pause for even a second before speaking again.
⚙ TRANSMITTER RESPONSE ⚙ I've conversed with countless Fervent Devotees via transmitters until now, but you're the first Fervent Devotee of Reflecting Myriad Stars I've met. Meeting someone whose existence was uncertain must be fate. Thus, you've piqued my interest—please tell me what others call you. The other party's question was disappointingly simple.
What do people call me?
...In other words, it's just asking for my name.
With only eight—no, seven question opportunities left, wasting one of these precious slots on just a name?
This guy might not be as intelligent as I thought.
Answering his question was a no-brainer.
So, I started thinking about what to ask next.
The deliberation didn't last long.
I opened my mouth without a hint of hesitation.
"Call me Lee Jia. Next up is my question. You seem eager to chat with other Fervent Devotees through this transmitter... Why is that?"
I was certain this question about why this guy wanted to converse with fellow Fervent Devotees via the 'transmitter' Anomalous Phenomenon would yield a ton of info.
With limited opportunities, each question had to maximize information gain.
No better question than this.
Fifteen minutes later.
The response came back.
The guy first reacted with puzzlement to my answer.
⚙ TRANSMITTER RESPONSE ⚙ Lee Jia. Noted. If you'll allow, I'll ask first: Why do others call you Lee Jia? ...What the hell?
I gave my name when asked, and this is the follow-up?
Then the transmitter answered my question.
⚙ TRANSMITTER RESPONSE ⚙ The reason I want to converse with fellow Fervent Devotees is simple: to obtain information. Unlike you, who follows the Great Being who governs knowledge, Reflecting Myriad Stars... most Fervent Devotees, myself included, find it nearly impossible to seek knowledge or satisfy our intellectual desires. You probably can't relate. Thus, I had no choice but to sacrifice much to create the transmitter. As you know, it's only natural for one Fervent Devotee to be curious about another. I, too, struggle desperately against this irrational cosmic order by the will of the Distorted Constellation and myself. Woof woof.
Bark bark bark.
The dog's barking.
Why is seeking knowledge nearly impossible for other Fervent Devotees?
Why is it natural for one Fervent Devotee to be curious about another?
What even is this 'cosmic order'?
I have no clue what any of this nonsense means.
Not a single bit, really not one thing made sense.
You know that saying?
Astronomers are prone to depression.
They realize the incomprehensible vastness of the universe and how tiny they are.
That's exactly how I feel right now.
Too little information—even hearing it, I can't grasp the meaning.
I feel insignificant.
The title of Archivist of the Omnia Archive rings hollow.
...For now, let's extract as much info as possible.
I carefully opened my mouth.
First, the answer to his question.
"They call me Lee Jia because that's my name from the start."
That was my answer.
It felt a bit curt, but...
I'd answered perfectly.
This guy's questions are just so low-quality to begin with.
...Suspiciously so.
A bad premonition crept in.
I was sure: answer his questions, but hide as much information as possible.
I have no obligation to give this guy more than necessary.
Now it was my turn to ask.
"Ah, nice weather. Dusty as hell, throat's scratchy, eyes stinging..."
I spat out some random chatter to buy time for my question.
Before the real one, I pondered once more.
Worried I might waste a precious opportunity needlessly.
...No.
There are still plenty left.
I can afford a few more curiosities.
What the hell are 'Fervent Devotees' as a race?
They exist to carry out a god's will.
In a word, divine agents or fanatic equivalents.
Why do the gods—the Great Beings—operate through Fervent Devotees?
Reflecting Myriad Stars...
Is it okay to be curious about this?
"Ah, wanna eat! Ah, wanna stream! Ah, wanna get some donations!"
...Hmm.
No retribution came down for the blasphemy.
Means I can go ahead on my own.
Good.
Let's ask.
"Fervent Devotees are... uh, um, e..."
Did I talk too much nonsense?
Or was the dust too thick?
My nose started itching.
And then from my mouth...
"Atchoo!"
A sneeze burst out.
Right.
I'm in the middle of a massive hole drilled hundreds of meters deep from the surface.
Dust everywhere, obviously.
A sneeze was inevitable.
A miracle I held it in this long.
Still, it's fine.
If I continue right away without breaking the sentence...
"A, atchoo! *Cough*, *cough... cough, cough!"
...A double sneeze followed by coughing was not in my plans.
"Ah, fuck!"
And so.
My question opportunity vanished into thin air.