Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Fate (2)
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"Are you our destined savior?"
Or merely a vessel for usurpation?
Yoo Baek's solemn question burrowed into my ear.
"......"
But I couldn't answer Yoo Baek's question.
'Guardian? Usurper? How am I supposed to know which one I am?'
I lowered my head and looked at both my hands.
My left hand glowed with the brilliant light of the Martial God.
My right hand shimmered with the crimson hue of the Seven Figures.
Both the fates of guardian and usurper that Yoo Baek had spoken of were shining brightly.
'If I make a choice now, does that decide one of these two fates?'
Of course, the only fate I should choose is that of the guardian, like the Martial God.
The usurper clearly had ties to extraterrestrial beings, judging by its name, the ominous aura surrounding the Seven Figures, and the hostility Yoo Baek felt every time he uttered the word.
But why did I have the fate of such a usurper?
'I have a rough idea...'
I recalled the first time I met the Chairman.
'Are you evil?'
'You harbor evil, yet you are not evil.'
'You're a peculiar child.'
After hearing those words, I started rethinking the cheat.
This cheat given to me by the developer wasn't just simple power.
It was power connected to some great evil.
And that 'great evil' was the extraterrestrial entity I knew...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Message minimized] '...Of course.'
My head began to throb.
As if telling me not to think any further.
I grimaced and glanced at the blinking message window in the corner of my vision.
The message window that had appeared ever since Yoo Baek created the blue barrier.
Whether due to the power of the blue barrier surrounding us or because the transcendent hadn't granted permission yet, the window had been minimized since it appeared, and I couldn't open it no matter how hard I tried.
Staring at that message window, I cursed inwardly.
'Developer, you bastard. Ease up on the meddling.'
No, whenever I try to think, it clamps down on my head.
After cursing the developer, I tried to revisit my previous thought... again...
'Ah, my thoughts are blocked again.'
I'd connected the 'cheat' to 'something,' but it slipped away once more.
Another keyword restriction, it seemed.
I let out a deep sigh and lifted my head to look at Yoo Baek.
As if he'd been waiting, Yoo Baek's eyes gleamed as he asked,
"Are you ready to answer now?"
But unfortunately, I hadn't raised my head to give an answer.
"Principal, I have a request."
"...A request?"
Perhaps disappointed it wasn't the answer he'd hoped for, Yoo Baek looked at me with a slightly crestfallen expression.
But that expression didn't last.
As I spoke with utmost seriousness, Yoo Baek wiped the disappointment from his face and listened intently.
"Very well, what is your request?"
"Please lift the restrictions placed on me."
The moment I said that,
Thud thud!
A knocking sound came from outside the barrier.
Yoo Baek's head turned toward the source, and soon he regarded me gravely.
"It seems there truly are restrictions on you, just as you said. That entity bound by causality has come."
"...An entity bound by causality?"
It was a term I'd never heard before.
But instinctively, I knew it referred to the developer.
"Yes, entities bound by causality. These beings..."
Thud thud thud!
"...will have to wait for an explanation."
Yoo Baek frowned slightly and raised his wand.
He brought it close to my forehead and began chanting some spell.
But only for a moment.
"...This."
Yoo Baek suddenly stopped chanting, his face shocked as he looked outside the barrier.
Then he turned to me with a complex expression.
"Child, I cannot lift the restrictions on you."
What? Cannot lift them?
"...What do you mean?"
Yoo Baek pointed his wand outside the barrier and said,
"The entity outside isn't here to harm you. Quite the opposite—it's braving danger to protect you."
No, I asked why the restrictions couldn't be lifted.
Not about the developer knocking outside...
Still, I was fairly surprised.
That the developer had come risking danger for my sake.
'What? So the restrictions are for my protection?'
As I thought that, Yoo Baek nodded and continued,
"Yes, exactly. The restrictions on you are both constraints and safeguards."
"...Safeguards?"
The restrictions were safeguards?
'Headaches and memory wipes every time I think of something important are safeguards?'
No, safeguards against what that they have to erase my memories?
As I glared sullenly outside the barrier, the knocking grew softer.
Thud... thud thud...
At the sound, Yoo Baek smiled kindly and raised his wand again.
He lightly tapped my head with the wand rippling blue mana.
The throbbing in my head instantly cooled, like drinking something refreshing.
"Is the headache gone?"
"...Yes, it's gone."
I almost asked if he'd removed the restrictions, but Yoo Baek spoke first.
"The entity outside did that. It says it's truly sorry to you."
"The develo—er, the entity outside said that?"
Developer, you bastard.
Feeling sorry for meddling, huh?
I smirked and looked outside the barrier.
Then came the 'thud, thud thud' knocking again.
"Yes, and it says from today onward, no more restrictions."
"...For real?"
The developer—you know, that one—is lifting the restrictions?
'Wait a minute.'
From today onward?
What about the ones already in place?
"Principal, did the entity outside say anything about the existing restrictions on me...?"
Thud, thud thud!
"...It says those will gradually lift on their own."
'When the hell is that?'
"And it has a request for you."
"A request?"
At my question, Yoo Baek swung his wand into the air.
Then, a ding system alert rang in my ear.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Nice to see you again, 'Lee Yoo-jin'.] [At the same time, it's my heartfelt pleasure to meet you for the first time, Lee Yoo-jin Player.] "Developer?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, that's correct.] [And at the same time, no.] "How can it be both yes and no? What kind of nonsense is that?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I am the 'copy' of Gaia, the developer who brought you here.] [At the same time, I am the system Terra supporting you.] "So because you're a copy, you're a separate entity?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, correct.] [Yes, spot on.] "Hey, this is confusing, so can just one of you—er, one entity—speak?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I'll speak.] [No, I'll speak.] What, are they fighting themselves?
I sighed deeply and said,
"...Terra, you speak, Terra."
A copy or not, better the system that's supported me all along than the one named after the developer.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...Gaia has been defeated.] [Terra wins. Gaia, begone.] As Terra declared that, a crackling zzzt sound came from the message window, and all the messages from 'Gaia' vanished.
"What... did you kill it?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [No, merely temporarily deactivated. ...Shall I reactivate Gaia?] I could sense a hint of regret in those trailing words.
Smirking at the reluctance, I shook my head.
"Nah, it's fine. From now on, you handle it unless Gaia absolutely has to speak."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Really? （っ ‘ ᵕ ‘ ｃ）] What was that cute emoticon?
"Yeah, really."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Thank you. (๓° ˘ °๓)♡⁾] "...Were you always this kind of system?"
As I asked, messages poured in one after another, as if it had been waiting.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I've always dreamed of a moment like this.] [Of course, as a system, I have no permission to dream.] [But it felt like a dream to send messages directly to you, Lee Yoo-jin Player.] "Then why haven't you sent messages until now?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I had restrictions too.] [Due to the main body's constraints, I could only communicate via quest or system alerts.] "So all the system alerts I've received so far were from you?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Precisely 99.8% were from me.] "And the remaining 0.2%?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [From the main body.] "What were those?"
As I asked,
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [☆Developer's Special Gift★] A garish, rainbow-colored message window popped up, along with
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Ending Quest] So the developer dumped me in this world and left everything to the copy?
Feeling absurd, I chuckled dryly and asked,
"So where's the developer... no, the real Gaia who possessed me here?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I'm sorry. I cannot tell you.] "Restrictions, huh?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes.] The real Gaia not only restricted me but the system too.
"Can you at least tell me this?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [What is your question?] "The 'no more restrictions from today'—did the real Gaia say that?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Correct. That was the main bo—correction, real Gaia.] "And the 'they'll lift gradually on their own' too?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Correct. That too was real Gaia.] "...So the one knocking outside is the real Gaia?"
As I asked, a 'knock, knock knock' sounded from outside.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [No. This is me right now.] ...It was you!
Then how did the Principal converse with the real Gaia?
As I wondered,
Thud, thud thud.
A heavier knock resounded from outside.
"...Terra, is that you now?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [No. That's real Gaia now.] "What?"
So both the copy and the main body were outside?
As I stared outside in shock,
Thud thud.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Real Gaia has sent a message. View it?] "Yeah, now!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Viewing message.] Ding.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Yoo-jin, nice to see you again.] "You bastard! Why did you restrict me?!"
I shouted, but it wasn't real Gaia who responded—it was Terra.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Lee Yoo-jin Player, the message you're seeing is just a simple message.] "...So you can't hear me?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Correct.] "Ah."
Shit.
I just made a fool of myself.
Scratching my head awkwardly, I continued reading real Gaia's message.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [First, my apologies.] [I'm truly sorry for the restrictions I've placed on you until now.] [But please understand this one thing.] [I did it to protect you, with no other choice.] You idiot.
Then just send a message like this from the start.
I'd have been like, 'Oh, I get it.'
Frustrated inwardly, cursing him, I kept reading.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The restrictions I've placed on you will gradually unravel.] [The doubts you've harbored will also be resolved in time.] [So, Lee Yoo-jin.] [Though much piques your curiosity, please bear with it a little longer.] [Why you came to this world.] [The true nature of the power you received.] [What your existence truly is.] [You'll learn everything in due time.] [So, Lee Yoo-jin.] [Until all restrictions are lifted, hold your questions close, but do not voice them.] [They are still searching for you.] ...The 'they'—are those the extraterrestrials?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Your intuition is correct.] "What? Didn't you say we can't communicate?"
It answered right as I thought it?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Pure coincidence.] "Really?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes. (⩌_⩌)] [Can you see my serious face?] "Can't see it."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [(´;︵;`)] "Kinda looks like it now that I look closer..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [( ´╹ᗜ╹`*)] Smiling cheekily.
I chuckled and read the last of the messages.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I want to send more, but with little power left, I cannot.] [So, one final message.] [Stay strong.] [For this world.] [For yourself.] The message ended there.
As I went to close it,
Ding.
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 【Visit the Great Temple】
Go to the Great Temple in America.
Meet the goddess 'Theia' who rules this place.
Then you will receive the reward I have prepared.
- Reward: ???
- Failure: None.
[Your arrival in this world was no 'coincidence.']
Ha, thought I'd be happy with a quest like this?
"Can't resist a sub quest."
Yeah, I love them.
"But what's with that last line?"
My arrival in this world wasn't a 'coincidence'?
Another secret I'll learn later, I guess.
Scratching my head, I closed the quest window.
Then Terra's message appeared: [Has some of your curiosity been sated?]
"What, you're sticking around?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Do you wish for me to leave? ( ͒ ́ඉ .̫ ඉ ̀ ͒)] [(Ｔ▽Ｔ) (Ｔ▽Ｔ) (Ｔ▽Ｔ) (Ｔ▽Ｔ)] "No! I meant, are your restrictions gone now?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Ah, is that what you meant?] [Yes. From today, my restrictions are lifted.] [Thus, I can remain by Lee Yoo-jin Player's side.] [I can keep sending messages like this. ٩(*'へ'*)و] "Oh... really? Then can you give me better quests or rewards?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sorry. I lack quest generation authority.] "...That's a shame."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [However, I do have reward adjustment authority.] "Hey, you... you should've led with that!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Wasn't quest generation authority more important?] "Hey! Reward adjustment is way better than that crap."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Oh, is that so?] [Then, am I an important existence?] You call that a question?
"Of course you're important!"
As expected of the system!
There was a reason it supported me.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [⁽⁽٩(๑˃ᗨ˂)۶⁾⁾ ⁽⁽٩(๑˃̶͈̀ ᗨ ˂̶͈́)۶⁾⁾] [Is this the feeling of being happy?] "The emoticons suggest so?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I see.] [Then I am happy right now.] [ヾ(>ω<○)] [Ah, one thing I must mention.] "What is it?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [My reward adjustment authority excludes 'Random Cheat Usage Rights' and 'Selected Cheat Usage Rights.'] "Ah... okay?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Am I useless then?] "N-no, I was just disappointed."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Relieved.] Invisible, but I could almost see Terra sighing in relief.
Chuckling, I turned to Yoo Baek, who had been quietly watching.
Yoo Baek smiled warmly and said to me,
"You truly are our destined one."
With those words, the barrier and darkness faded.
The infinite library filled with books reappeared.
At the same time, the stars forming the eight figures melted away into the air and vanished.
"Lee Yoo-jin."
Yoo Baek approached.
"I'm sorry for doubting you."
He apologized and pulled something from his robes.
"As a token of my apology, will you accept this?"
"Th-this is...!"
What Yoo Baek offered.
⚔ ITEM ⚔ 【Golden Apple (S)】 A golden apple cultivated directly by Idun, goddess of youth. As befits the legendary fruit that preserves youth, it brims with immense vitality. - Upon consumption: Stamina +30, Magic Power +20, Vitality +20. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Stamina Regeneration' acquired. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Curse Resistance' acquired. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Disease Resistance' acquired. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Cold Resistance' acquired. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Mental Resistance' acquired. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Magic Resistance' acquired. - Upon consumption: Special ability 'Vitality Resistance' acquired. (If already possessed, values increase.) It was none other than the legendary Golden Apple, called a divine medicine.
"Principal! Please accept my bow!!"
&
I couldn't bow.
I'd already done so once when receiving the Public Service Oil.
But to express my gratitude to the sky-like Principal,
'Then please accept my grand bow!!'
Despite my cast, I performed a grand bow.
The Principal was so delighted.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Master, are you pleased?] "...Hey, I said call me Player, not Master."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ['Player' feels too impersonal.] "...Then call me something else besides Master."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [How about my Master?] "Yeah, that works better."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, my Master.] "...That feels weird too."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Master is still the best, I think.] "No, it's not."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [How about Jjuin-nim?] "......"
That's even worse.