Chapter 160: Preparation
Chapter 160: Preparation
I opened my mouth to the person in front of me.
I told him about everything that had happened during Mobilization Training.
The joys I found there.
The unexpected new connections.
The new information I had gathered.
With emotions straight from the heart, I conveyed it all to my companion.
“…And that’s how it went.”
Having finished my story, I lifted the cup filled with a sloshing black liquid and let it flow into my mouth.
A bitter taste, strong enough for even me to feel, dominated my palate, followed by a hint of sweetness that made the flavor enjoyable.
Was it coffee spiked with brandy?
It wasn't something I would usually drink, but being in a good mood, I found it wasn't half bad and savored the taste.
How long had I been acting so unlike myself?
“…Is that all?”
Finally, my companion spoke.
He was stiff with tension, sitting halfway off the chair without even leaning against the backrest.
I knew I should answer his question, but my hand was still holding the cup to my lips, draining the last of the drink.
He had every right to express frustration at my behavior, but perhaps because he was used to me, he sat in silence and waited.
Or maybe it wasn't familiarity, but simply the knowledge that making a move at a time like this never led to anything good.
Gulp.
After the last of the liquid slid down my throat, I finally set the cup on the table and spoke.
“Basically, yeah…”
I had been so polite.
Perhaps my low-key attitude had provoked him.
“What have you done this time? What do you want? Are you finally shaking me down for money? Or are you going to scold me for still failing to fix Enclu? Or is it, heaven forbid, because of Nanjido? Let’s be honest here. There was no clause in the contract saying we couldn't deploy Quilp, was there? If you wanted that kind of information, you should have expected us to move. There was no condition in the contract stating we couldn't profit from that information, and frankly, I’m very grateful you took our side, but if you’re going to use violence against me again or claim that choice was wrong now…”
Jabber, jabber, jabber.
An endless stream of self-justification poured from the octopus in front of me.
He must have been agitated; his skin shifted through a kaleidoscope of colors, and he fidgeted like a feather duster.
“…And wasn't it you, Lee Ha-ram, who attached Sister Sirin to me? Do you know what’s happened because of that? The alcohol supply has dwindled. Alcohol! Does this make any sense? I’m not even human; do you think I’d get drunk and commit violence or make mistakes? If it were my Colony General, I’d understand. He’s someone I can learn from and be disciplined by. I mean, of course, it’s not like Sirin and I aren't related by blood. But while we’re on the subject, if I may voice a complaint, the drink you just had was my last ration for the week—”
…He’s starting to get on my nerves.
Thinking that, I flicked my finger, firing a marble toward his head.
“…I have nothing to give y— Gwak!”
The Octopus Head, his skull now sporting a fresh dent, shut his mouth with a bizarre cry.
“Shut up, brat. Why are you giving me your whole life story?”
I had intended to be patient since I was here to ask a favor, but there’s a limit, you know? A limit.
Having calmed the octopus down, I sat back in my seat, again acting unlike my usual self.
Normally, I’d be threatening, Pressuring, or interrogating him. But regardless, wasn't I the one asking for a favor this time? I had to behave.
I waited for a while for the slime-splattering octopus to come to his senses.
“Cough, cough. Ugh. My skin has been so dry lately, what on earth was that for…”
What a strange thing to worry about.
If you’re short on moisture, just drink some booze.
Ah, did he say he was being restricted?
Hmm…
Whatever. Not my problem.
Al’shel deserves to suffer a little.
Settling my thoughts, I looked at the pathetic octopus with a warm yet profound gaze that said, 'I hope you suffer for the rest of your life.'
“What is it? That look doesn't suit you, so stop it.”
‘What? Is today the day I die?’
Yes, yes. You poor octopus. I’ll let you off easy today.
“Are you calm now?”
“Ha. You don’t listen to a word I say, do you? Yes, I’m calm. So, I’ll ask again: if it’s not for one of those major reasons, why on earth did you come looking for me?”
Now then, where should I start?
I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts.
“Do you know how to enter The Hole safely?”
I decided to stop beating around the bush and asked him directly.
My patience was already at its limit; I didn't want to waste any more time.
“Huh? Enter The Hole? Has your long-suppressed suicidal urge finally exploded? If so, I can support you—”
Tsk.
Clicking my tongue, I pulled out my hammer and rested it on my shoulder.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“Then you’re not joking? You’ve been in there a few times, so you should know. No matter if it’s you, Lee Ha-ram, that is a place where survival cannot be guaranteed. Did you finally snap and delete your own memories because you couldn't handle it?”
Oh, I knew well enough.
I knew that the difference between the vicinity of The Hole and what lay beyond was as vast as the distance between the earth and the sky.
As one of the few Returnees, I knew the horror of the interior all too well.
Even so.
“You think I don’t know? It’s the last place I’d ever want to go. But the thing is…”
Whew.
I swallowed my words to suppress the fear that bloomed just by thinking about the inside for a moment.
“Something existing inside there called out to me. So, I have to go.”
“…Who called you?”
Perhaps because I spoke with a voice laced with fear, the being before me transformed.
He became like he was when we first met.
Devoid of humanity, devoid of playfulness.
A blue Mutant radiating pure killing intent, despising and loathing everything.
A being who hated humans, but hated the Otherworld even more.
Usually, he hid that side of himself behind a mask of personality, but when his true nature was revealed, that perception took on a physical aura and washed over those around him.
Like telepathy with physical force.
“Why? You gonna tell me if I tell you?”
Of course, it was meaningless to me.
I had my own history to lean on; I wasn't about to be pressured by an aura like this.
I sat with my legs up on the table, hammer held ready, while the octopus glared at me with cold, dead eyes. How long did we stay like that, testing each other?
“Can I be honest with you?”
The octopus finally opened his moist mouth.
“Go ahead.”
“I’m thinking about how I might be able to obliterate you, Lee Ha-ram.”
“Well, that’s a fresh take. And why is that?”
“…I like Earth.”
What is he talking about all of a sudden?
“Yes, I know that even to you, those words don’t seem to fit me. But it’s true. I really do like Earth. Though I hate the humans and the other races clinging to it. I can tolerate them if I think of them as the pillars maintaining the current Earth.”
Setting aside the sudden coming out…
“How does that connect to obliterating me?”
“Because if you meet that right now, this balance might crumble.”
I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Yes, yes. You don’t have to ask. I’ll explain everything. It’s written all over your face that you don’t understand.”
Grin.
The octopus’s tentacles spread wide, and his brow furrowed deeply.
It was likely a sneer.
“I haven't heard who it is yet, but did that being really call you?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re saying they didn't say they were coming over themselves, but told you to come find them?”
“That’s right.”
Hahahaha.
I heard laughter.
Even though I’d known him for a long time, it was the first time I’d heard Al’shel laugh like a madman.
“Do you know what that means? No, I suppose you’re saying that because you don’t. That is a proposal that could destroy the Earth.”
Hahahaha.
As the laughter continued to echo from somewhere, Al’shel’s story went on.
“In the vast Otherworld where destinations cannot be found, a being who can target and convey a message to someone specific—and moreover, a being so powerful they cannot cross The Hole themselves—calling for someone else can only mean one thing in my experience.”
Hahahaha.
The laughter grew thicker.
Enough to fill the entire room.
“A Pillar.”
Hahaha.
“Ah. You wouldn't understand if I called it a Pillar. Do you call them O-Ranks here? It’s a scheme to cram themselves into such an existence and manifest. A complete Avatar, unlike that trash that popped out of Nanjido, unable to even handle its own power.”
“….”
“So, I’ll ask again. Lee Ha-ram. Who called you?”
“…The Queen of the Magic Kingdom.”
“I’m not entirely sure, but is she the leader of those Magical Girl Type S?”
“…Probably.”
“Ho. Then at least she’s not a lunatic demanding someone else because she can’t pinpoint a location. And seeing the state of those Magical Girls, it doesn't seem like she intends to do anything to Earth.”
Was the long Q&A over?
Al’shel finally stopped shedding his skin and put his persona back on.
Silence returned to the room.
After being bombarded with questions, I finally opened my mouth to break the quiet.
“…Is that Queen person someone trustworthy, in your opinion?”
“Hmm? Trust? There’s no such thing as trust among those Type S. However, seeing how she operates, she’s probably better than those damn bastards in the back. Seeing as she’s dispatching terminals at a loss, she at least has no immediate intention of doing anything to Earth. However…”
Grin.
Al’shel gave another twisted smile and offered a piece of advice.
“Don’t trust them too much. Everyone who has taken root in the Otherworld is fickle, profit-driven, and broken in some way.”
“Like you?”
“Hmm. I can’t deny that.”
Haha.
Perhaps because we had exchanged a joke, the room, which had been broken and surreal just moments ago, seemed to return to normal.
“The coffee has gone cold. We’ve been talking for too long.”
The Al’shel in front of me began to drink his coffee normally.
Just as he tilted the cup and brought it back down.
“Ah.”
The octopus seemed to realize something and let out a strange sound as he set the cup down.
“Come to think of it, I haven't asked this yet. Lee Ha-ram. Why did you come to me?”
“What do you mean?”
“If it’s a way to enter The Hole, people like Quilp or Seini would know better than I would. Didn't Seini guide you when you went in with the Management Bureau?”
Seini.
Right, we were able to succeed in that operation because of him.
But the situation is a bit different now.
“I heard something from Seini back then.”
“Ho. And what did he say?”
“He said that while he’s an expert at fixing space in the Otherworld… Al’shel has lived for a long time traveling between worlds despite having no such technique.”
It seemed Al’shel was that much of an anomaly.
A being who didn't belong to any Story, yet crossed worlds—not drifting by chance, but living with a sense of purpose.
“Hmm. I suppose that’s true. Seini can maintain a space, but he wouldn't be able to travel toward a specific world.”
“Right. That’s why I came to you. Can you help me?”
When I agreed and threw out the question.
Thud.
The table shook with a dull sound.
“Don’t tell me. You still intend to go even after hearing what I said?”
The source of the sound was Al’shel, who had dropped his coffee cup in surprise.
“Yeah. If it’s The Queen of the Magic Kingdom, she must know something. And according to you, she’s at least not an enemy.”
“Earth aside, your life could be in danger.”
Hah.
“Since when have I ever not done something because my life was at risk?”
“…That’s true. I feel like a fool for trying to persuade you.”
“Right? So, hand over the info.”
“I suppose you’d find a way to figure it out even if I didn't tell you.”
You know me well.
I’d probably end up torturing others to find the method. It was only a matter of time.
“Sigh. I have no choice. But I have one condition.”
Perhaps because he knew me so well, Al’shel sighed and held up a finger.
“I want you to bring me a Reality Anchor of the level I specify.”
It was a simple condition.