Chapter 79: Song of the Faceless Ones (3)
Chapter 79: Song of the Faceless Ones (3)
“That’s a funny joke. My race is a high-ranking one that follows the stars. Even in the Otherworld, our numbers are few.”
Believe it or not. It’s your loss if you don’t meet your own kind, not mine.
“Then, can I ask my questions now?”
I spoke as I sat down on a hard bed nearby.
“Yes.”
“This Otherworld Erosion. You’re the one who spread it, right?”
“…Yes.”
She flinched.
As her body trembled, her form—already dark from being in the shadows—turned even blacker.
Thinking back to that Octopus Head, is black the color of fear? She must think I’m going to hurt her.
I stood up, moved behind her, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
I could feel her body shuddering through my palm.
“Relax. I don’t have any plans to do anything to you yet. At least, not yet.”
I leaned down and whispered into the concave hole that seemed to be her ear.
“As a victim who got caught up in this, I’m just curious why you spread this kind of Otherworld Erosion.”
An strange Otherworld Erosion with no lethality and no physical force.
It might be effective at neutralizing an opponent, but the fact that there are no troops around to actually subdue the target makes the situation abnormal.
“It’s too strange to be called neutralization, and based on my experience, it makes even less sense if it’s meant to turn people into something else.”
I continued speaking while stroking her quivering tentacles.
“That is…”
“Don’t interrupt me.”
I applied a bit of pressure to her supple skin.
Supple, huh… Is it a gender difference? That octopus guy’s skin was just slimy.
“Otherworld Erosion is an act of aggression where one spreads their mental imagery, will, or hometown over another dimension to turn it into a world where they can thrive. Right?”
“…Yes.”
My hand slowly moved down. From her rounded head to the small pillar where the octopus and human parts of her body joined.
“Then it makes even less sense. I’ve been thinking about this on my way here—if the people here had spread it, I could understand. they were venting their desire to be treated as human without hiding it.”
As I placed both hands on her slender neck, I felt her swallow hard through my touch.
“I don’t discriminate against Mutants. Like I said, I have plenty of them among my acquaintances. But you’re suspicious as hell.”
Since further intimidation wasn't necessary, I continued speaking while looking at the back of her slightly trembling head.
“You said it yourself, didn't you? That you’re a high-ranking race of the great stars. Why would someone like that spread an Otherworld Erosion that obsesses over being human?”
Action was no longer needed for this level of threat. What was needed now was the most fundamental relationship that exists between living creatures.
Thump.
I released a Limiter.
A shockwave erupted from the surface of my skin and spread outward. The tent stakes caught in the blast were ripped out, and the fabric fluttered wildly.
Light poured through the half-collapsed tent, revealing her form before my eyes.
Pitch-black, glossy skin. It was proof that this creature was harbored by an emotion of terror so deep it couldn't possibly get any darker.
“Here’s my conclusion. You spread this Otherworld Erosion to increase your numbers by replacing humans with your own kind.”
We might have turned into strange creatures that weren't quite octopuses, but perhaps someone else did.
Just like her race.
And if everything ends with them not realizing it, believing themselves to still be human?
“It’s a fascinating Otherworld Erosion. I thought it was just simple mental damage, but if 'human' is defined there as an octopus like you, then everyone inside will eventually become your kin.”
“I would never…!”
Oh. She broke through the pressure? I guess her claim of being a high-ranking race wasn't just talk.
Thump.
Since she seemed to have some fight left in her, I released another level of the Limiter.
“Gurgle… Kurrrrk…”
Finally, mucus began to leak out.
It seems she’s more accustomed to emotional control than that Octopus Head fellow.
“Well, it doesn’t matter if I’m wrong. It’s all just my guess anyway. Otherworld Erosion is open to interpretation, isn't it?”
As if in agreement, the Octopus Head shook violently. Her tentacles whipped through the air as if they were about to snap.
“And about my comrades being captured—if I just kill you, the Otherworld Erosion will dissipate and it’ll all be over, right?”
Snap.
She seemed to understand exactly what I meant. The frantic movement of her tentacles stopped instantly.
“Why did you spread this Otherworld Erosion? Why did you have such mental imagery? If you don't tell me, what do you think will happen?”
Dangerous sprouts.
Must be pulled out by the roots.
Even if they happen to be allies of humanity.
“It’s time for your final statement. If you have something to say, say it.”
I engaged the Limiter again, calming the boiling energy.
“…You truly are exactly as you feel. A pure, unadulterated corruption.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but are those your last words?”
Then I should kill her as she wishes.
To throw away her last chance like that. How unfortunate.
Just as I thought that and put strength into my hands to end it—
“No! No! Wait just a moment!”
The octopus, unable to give up, flailed and scrambled to offer a pathetic excuse.
“I believe I said it was your final statement.”
“Who actually ends it just like that?!”
I wonder. By my risk assessment standards, I should exterminate you right here and now.
“…We had our reasons too.”
“All criminals say that.”
It was a strange atmosphere.
I was putting more and more strength into my hands, but the more I did, the more the octopus in front of me panicked in a way that seemed increasingly human, making it oddly difficult to finish her off.
“Actually, it’s true that my Otherworld Erosion was intended for that kind of racial transformation, but…”
“Ah, so it is true?”
Crunch. Crackle.
The sound of skin tearing, the sound of neck bones snapping.
Without hesitation, I twisted my hands.
The octopus’s neck rotated 180 degrees, and the eyes on her face met mine.
My own blunt expression was reflected in her wide-open eyes. Even I had to admit my face looked incredibly cold.
Her mirror-like, wide eyes seemed to say she truly hadn't expected me to do it, but it was already too late to turn back.
The octopus’s life had ended, and the Otherworld Erosion would have dissipated.
“…”
I fell silent and let go of her neck and head. Her limp body, losing its support, collapsed onto the bed she had been sitting on.
Watching her, her human-like reaction flickered in my mind, but only for a moment. I stood up, thinking about what I had to do next.
I should go check on Irua and Han A-bin.
What excuse should I give to the guard captain outside?
As I thought about my next move, I moved my hands.
They were sticky.
I felt the mucus on my hands. It was a small amount, but definitely an annoying substance.
Looking around for something to wipe it on, I saw the thick clothes worn by the corpse, which was now sprawled out like an octopus at a fish market.
Should I use that?
With that thought, I turned back toward the body I had just stepped away from.
“…Even so, I don't think you need to wipe your hands on the clothes of the person you just killed before you leave.”
My eyes met the Octopus Head, which was looking at me while rotating its neck back.
…Was the rotation not enough?
Is it because she’s a mollusk? Apparently, one full rotation isn't enough.
My knowledge has increased. If that Octopus Head bothers me again, it seems I can give his head a full spin and he'll be fine.
As I indulged in that amusing thought, I reached out toward her.
“It was the only way to protect the people here.”
Pause.
My hand stopped.
“What do you mean?”
“Because of the strange incidents happening around here lately, the barrier alone didn't feel safe…”
Squish.
Instead of grabbing her neck, I palmed her forehead.
“Even a mollusk will die if its head explodes. Continue.”
“You’re just going to keep threatening me, aren't you…”
“You’re a dangerous lifeform, so isn't that obvious? It would be horrific if you just spread an Otherworld Erosion in a place like a city.”
‘No matter how I think about it, the person saying that is much more dangerous…’
This one talks to herself too.
“I won't deny that. However, since I am on the side of humanity, please believe that such a thing would never happen.”
“I’m talking to you like this because I believe you to some extent, don't I?”
If I really thought you were an enemy, I would have pulled out my hammer and turned you into mincemeat long ago.
“…Let’s continue. A few days ago, beings from the Otherworld began to gather as if they possessed a unified will.”
“And?”
“At first, I thought it was a common overflow or that an intelligent ruler had appeared to attack the Great Barrier.”
Fear began to seep into her voice.
Her face clouded over as she finished speaking, as if she were recalling something terrifying.
“But it wasn't. I felt a horrific touch. A dominant power that forcibly drags out everyone belonging to the Otherworld. The touch of those at The End of the Story, whom we had forgotten.”
What did she just say? The End of the Story?
“What is The End of the Story'?”
“You don't know? They must have spoken to you when the invasion first began. The one who opened the dimension, the one who opened the first Hole, must have succumbed to them…”
This is new information. If I don't know it, the Management Bureau probably doesn't either.
This kind of information never came out of the mouths of other Mutants.
They only ever answered that they had simply invaded through the holes that opened.
“I have something to ask you. We’ll do that later; keep going.”
“Very well. The touch of domination reached out to the people as well. Their bodies were already contaminated by the Otherworld, with some having turned into Mutants. Their minds were being dominated bit by bit. To prevent that, I spread a barrier that blocks God at the cost of my own life force.”
“God? That flimsy barrier?”
Finding it was the hard part; breaking it wasn't that difficult.
“…It is not a flimsy barrier. Do not interrupt the story.”
Seeing her glare at me even while her head was being held in a death grip, she must have been truly offended.
“To continue, the barrier was enough at first. The dominance of the being controlling them couldn't penetrate my barrier and stopped reaching out.”
Her dark expression grew even darker.
“But instead, they used a more powerful method. They gathered people whose minds were already dominated, had them infiltrate the interior to attack me, and weakened the barrier. That’s why I spread the Otherworld Erosion—to prevent anything that wasn't me from entering the barrier.”
I get it now. The barrier was likely designed to only allow humans in. That’s why she spread an Otherworld Erosion that turns them into something other than human.
“Stop. I understand everything.”
It seems she wasn't lying.
“Yes.”
As soon as she spoke and I removed my hand from her forehead, the black drained from her skin, replaced by a pinkish hue.
Was that… joy and excitement?
She seemed happy that I understood.
Anyway, so there are such ominous beings lurking around here…
Since they might interfere with my plans, I should have The Society look into them.
“For now, deactivate the Otherworld Erosion. I’ll protect you in the meantime.”
“Understood.”
As she spread her tentacles and muttered something short, I felt the barrier that had been blocking my senses vanish.
I waited for a moment in a state of alert in case something happened, but when nothing did, I relaxed my stance and asked her one last question.
“Do you know who they are?”
I should probably clean them up before they cause an incident here, so I might as well gather some info.
I was getting bored anyway; this gives me something to kill time.
“Are you talking about the beings that tried to dominate us?”
“Yeah.”
“Actually, we don't know much either. At most, we know they are a unified organization.”
A unified organization, huh.
What kind of unlucky star am I under for two organizations to clash right here?
“They say their plan is to liberate the Contaminated Zones and tear down the Management Bureau’s towers.”
Of all things, their goal is the same too.
“And that their leader is a being with the power of domination. She is referred to as Lady Linshua.”
Of all things, the leader’s name is the same too. My daughter’s name shouldn't be that common.
…Let’s stop escaping reality.
“Are you alright? The aura you’re giving off suddenly changed…”
“It’s nothing.”
Brushing away the tentacle reaching toward me, I looked up at the beautiful, trash-colored sky of the Contaminated Zone.
“What’s your name?”
“Are you asking me? I am Al’shirin.”
“I’m sorry, Al’shirin.”
‘Why all of a sudden?’
Listening to her inner thoughts, I admired the trash-colored sky.
It was total shit.