Chapter 119: Monologue (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 119: Monologue (2)
Pitch-black darkness descended in an instant, and a long-concentrated mana surged, enveloping my entire body.
I looked around. In the absolute void, a single glimmer of golden light caught my eye. As I moved toward it, a new sight unfolded before me.
“Whoa.”
It was a cavern so vast its scale defied estimation.
Mana circuits, flowing like golden blood vessels, crisscrossed the walls. Topaz light, radiant as the sun, pulsed from the rock mana embedded in the center of the ceiling.
And there, in the center of the cavern...
What I first took for a mere rock was actually a colossal turtle.
Its eyes were shut. It had a shell of jagged stone and an exterior resembling an Alligator Snapping Turtle. The light-brown shell looked like a massive mountain of rock, studded with protruding golden crystals.
“Gormos…”
He was once known as the hands and feet of the Primordial Rock Sovereign—a mythological rock elemental magic beast.
He was the Stone Turtle-Gormos.
*
[Stone Turtle-Gormos]
Lv: 180
Race: Magic Beast
Elements: Rock
Danger: X
Psychology: [Wary of you]
*
As expected, seeing him in person, his overwhelming presence was no joke.
While he was lying down, he seemed to be one with the earth, but if he were to stand, he would be larger than most mountains.
Stone Turtle-Gormos slowly opened his eyes, revealing light-brown pupils. Those very eyes fixed their gaze on me.
[You know my name, I see.]
The Stone Turtle narrowed his eyes.
His voice was a deep, masculine rumble. It resonated in my mind with the calm, intellectual tone of a venerable elder.
[…I sense the aura of the Ice Sovereign within you. I see you have risen to a formidable level at such a young age.]
At least this guy didn’t harbor any ridiculous delusions about me being the reincarnated Ice Sovereign. That was enough for me to be satisfied.
[Have you come to face the Trial of Sandstone?]
At this point in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, there were two possible responses.
‘Yes’ or ‘Please wait a moment.’
Of course, my answer was already decided.
“Yes.”
[Then I shall open the door to the Trial.]
With a heavy rumble, the ground beneath my feet shook. I nearly lost my balance.
I turned my head toward the source of the sound. The rock on the walls ground apart, revealing a passage illuminated by light-brown mana.
It was exactly like the Trial of Frost. From the moment I entered that passage, Gormos’ Greatsword would attempt to petrify me before trying to crush me into dust.
[Another world will consume your mind, and your physical body will gradually turn to stone. Those who are unworthy will meet their end, shattering into tiny bits of gravel. Overcome the trial and prove you are worthy to become the Master of the Obsidian Blade.]
The Stone Turtle recited the official lines, the same ones I had heard in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
The Obsidian Blade.
That was the original name of the ultimate elemental weapon known as Gormos’ Greatsword.
That was my goal.
‘I’m getting nervous…’
I swallowed hard.
In the game, the Ultimate Weapon Trials were designed to erode the protagonist's mind by weaving together memories, actual events, and "what-if" scenarios.
The problem was that in the game, you could only experience this once per playthrough. However, after clearing the Trial of Frost, I was now facing a second Elemental Trial.
This was something that could never happen in the original ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
I didn’t know if the content would be similar to the Trial of Frost. If it was, it might be a repetition of my past—opposing Alice, facing the Evil God, or confronting some other trauma related to Isaac.
‘…I can’t predict what will pop out anyway.’
There was no need to dwell on it. Had the Trial of Frost gone exactly as I predicted? Of course not.
It was business as usual. I simply needed to overcome it.
My elemental bracelet was attuned to the Rock Element. With this, my [Rock Elemental Resistance] was increased by 40.
I closed my eyes and pulled myself together. Then, I slowly stepped forward, entering the passage radiating topaz light.
“…”
As I entered the gap between the rocks, a long, dimly lit passage stretched out before me. Yellow stone fragments floated in the air.
Thanks to them, I could somewhat distinguish my surroundings. It was a far cry from the pitch-black darkness of the Trial of Frost.
Kuuuuuuuuu──.
As expected, a brutal grinding noise began to emanate from above.
Since the light didn’t reach the ceiling, I saw only an abyss when I looked up. It wasn't hard to guess that the ceiling itself was slowly descending.
If I didn’t pass the Trial of Sandstone in time, I would be crushed under that ceiling before I even finished turning into stone.
At the end of the passage, I could see an entrance emitting a yellow glow. The Obsidian Blade was likely there. However, I couldn't just sprint at full speed because of the floating yellow stone fragments.
‘It’s a trap, after all.’
Each stone fragment was a massive concentration of mana. Any part of my body that touched one would petrify at an accelerated pace. If I ignored them and just ran, I wouldn’t last a minute before my entire body was turned to stone.
Armor wouldn't help. Against these mana-dense fragments, I was practically naked. That was why I’d dressed in light, comfortable clothes.
‘Let’s go.’
I proceeded with hurried steps.
The air felt devoid of moisture. I could feel my skin becoming parched and dry. My face and limbs gradually stiffened.
This was the sensation of petrification.
When the image of an "Isaac Statue" suddenly popped into my head, I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
‘Everything I’ve done would be for nothing. How anticlimactic.’
Though it was frightening, the effects of [Frozen Soul] quickly suppressed my fear.
My steps didn't falter. I carefully wove through the yellow stone fragments without slowing down.
Soon after…
A man’s voice resonated in my mind.
────Face the Trial of Sandstone.
Just like that, my consciousness drifted into infinity.
*
Humid air filled my lungs.
I scrunched my nose at the musty smell and quietly opened my eyes.
A bright light flooded my vision—the lamp on the nightstand. The ticking of a clock echoed in my ear, a routine noise that usually went unnoticed unless one deliberately listened for it.
I remembered wondering if my concentration had broken because of that ticking.
“…”
I was slumped over a desk.
I lifted my head, wiped the drool from the corner of my mouth, and looked around. The sight of a cramped, semi-basement studio apartment filled my vision.
Thick law books were piled so high it felt suffocating just to look at them. A video game console was squeezed into a tiny gap in the cluttered space. A humidifier emitted a red light; it seemed the water tank had been empty for some time.
I turned my gaze back to the desk.
A summary of social welfare and civil law was propped up on the reading stand. In front of it were civil law practice problems for the first round of the bar exam and a notebook filled with scribbled solutions.
It seemed I had fallen asleep while studying.
On the shelf above the desk, well-worn books were arranged in an orderly manner. A briquette-shaped keyring from a volunteer delivery trip, a pretty hourglass of forgotten origin, and a jar with a marimo moss ball I’d bought to stave off the loneliness were all squeezed onto the shelf.
The wall was covered in Post-it notes.
They were covered in trivial philosophical quotes—the kind of "enlightenment" one thinks they've found while studying—and encouraging phrases like ‘You can do it.’
As I read the dense notes about the differences between transfer for security of circulating items and general security... I felt like I was about to throw up.
On the calendar in the corner, only study plans were written.
It seemed too late to…
…Feel the eerie sense of anxiety.
The Ultimate Weapon Trials mixed the memories of the challenger, actual events, and possibilities... creating a new world to devour their sanity.
The ultimate weapon itself had no intelligence or life, but it possessed the will and power to perform its function. It was possible the Obsidian Blade had targeted the "me" inside Isaac and prepared this wretched stage for the Trial.
“…This is actually fucked.”
I really… didn’t expect this.
*
Leaving the room, I was greeted by a drab alleyway.
A ‘No Smoking’ sign was posted on the building’s exterior, yet cigarette butts littered the ground anyway. Sparse lamp posts lined the street. Low-rise housing—this was the heart of Sinlim-dong, the neighborhood for state exam students.
It was a familiar sight, but not a welcome one.
And…
‘Descending Sky.’
It wasn't a sunset. The sky emitted a brilliant topaz hue. Massive currents of rock mana flowed through the air like wind. It was a beautiful, terrifying scene.
As I had seen in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, that was the ‘Descending Sky.’
The sky itself was rock created through mana. It was slowly descending, and eventually, it would flatten this entire world. Seeking refuge underground was futile. The moment the sky touched the ground, my real body would be crushed into smithereens by the ceiling in the cavern.
Suddenly, I saw my reflection in a building window.
I was wearing comfortable sweats—the uniform of my life as a student.
And…
“…It’s Isaac.”
It wasn't my original self, worn out by years of studying. It was Isaac’s face. However, my hair was black.
It felt like my body hadn't changed otherwise. That was good.
I raised my right hand and channeled mana. Pale blue ice mana flowed from my palm, and tiny ice crystals began to float in the air. There didn't seem to be any problem with my magic.
Next, I checked my status window.
*
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 103
Gender: Male
Year: (2nd)
Title: Prospective Second Year
Mana: 24000/24000 – Mana Recovery Speed (B+)
*
The status window was the same. Aside from my hair color, I was physically the same Level 103 Isaac.
“Come to think of it…”
Ah, I’d overlooked something because I was so focused on the Trial.
I quickly returned to the cramped room and turned on the game console. I had always played ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ as a reward after studying. That game world had become my reality.
But here, ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ was just a game.
Given the strange events I’d experienced, there might be some secret hidden within the game itself. This could be an opportunity to glimpse the truth behind the world.
“What the hell?”
However, the screen was filled with static and noise. The ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ cartridge was there, but an unknown force obscured the view every time I tried to look at it.
It was as if the world was telling me this was the one thing I wasn't allowed to see. A transcendent power was blocking me.
“…”
It wasn't even surprising anymore. I decided not to get flustered and pushed my questions aside.
For now, the immediate problem was that, just like the Trial of Frost, I didn’t know the clear condition for the Trial of Sandstone.
What were the rules?
Since this was a Trial, it had to be related to overcoming trauma. If that was the case…
‘Do I have to pass the bar exam?’
…No. There’s no way that’s it.
I could tell by looking at the calendar and the books. I had been solving problems for the first round of the exam. The second round was a long way off.
My time was limited. Even if time in the Trial flowed faster than in reality, the difference would only be a few months at most. Besides, how the fuck was I supposed to do that again? Had the Trial lost its mind?
“Then there must be something else.”
I needed information. I got up and left the room again.
“…?”
What’s this?
I noticed something strange once I reached the main road. I climbed the pedestrian overpass and looked down. The same peculiar phenomenon was happening to everyone.
“Why is everyone like that?”
They were all gray.
Literally gray.
I could hear their voices and see their expressions, but every person was drained of color, as if they were made of ash.
Now was not the time to be stunned.
‘I should try talking to someone.’
I was worried their heads might split open like in the Trial of Frost, but…
‘Am I in any position to avoid risks?’
I didn't have time to hesitate. I approached a man in sweats—clearly another student—and spoke to him.
“Hey there… oh.”
As I reached for his shoulder, my hand passed right through his body. It felt like I was grabbing at thin air.
The shock made me let out a pathetic gasp.
My voice didn't seem to reach him either; the man continued walking, completely unmoved.
“After all I’ve been through, now I’m a ghost…?”
I let out a wry laugh.
Seriously?
“But I can touch other things.”
The cold, solid metal of the overpass railing was distinct under my hand. I deduced that I was a ghost only to these "gray" existences. How absurd.
In short, I wasn't a complete ghost.
Am I more of a poltergeist?
‘That is…’
So sweet.
Of course, I didn't have the luxury of wandering around scaring people for fun.
“First, this trial…”
Suddenly, the strength left my legs.
I slumped down, gripping the railing. I knew why. Despite pretending to be fine, I fucking hated this place.
My life as a student… the desolate darkness of an endless tunnel… I despised the isolation I had felt for years.
Though those days had become nostalgic memories after I finished my exams, the current "me" was experiencing that old exhaustion and fatigue all over again.
“I’m going to lose my mind…”
My stomach churned, and I felt like I was going to vomit.
“Haah.”
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and finally stood up.
Pull yourself together.
I slapped my cheeks with both hands. I needed to figure out how to pass this Trial. I had to find a hint—something unusual in this world that differed from my memories.
Underneath the Descending Sky… I began to walk once more.
“So this is how it felt. I can finally feel it now.”
High above the clouds at Märchen Academy.
Amidst a cluster of shimmering, multicolored stars, a female student sat cross-legged, floating in the air. She wore a witch’s hat, and the ends of her long, light-purple hair were tied up. It was Dorothy Heartnova.
As if she had gained enlightenment through meditation, a mischievous smile broke across her face.
[Did you feel something?]
Ella, the white cat familiar floating nearby on starlight mana, tilted her head. Dorothy nodded.
She could feel it—her abilities had reached a new level. Just moments ago, she had sensed an anomaly in the world and observed the birth of another worldline.
And now, she was confident she could interfere with that world.
“Nihihi. I’ll be back, Ella.”
This was the stage the extraordinary genius Dorothy Heartnova would have reached in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ if she hadn’t died.
It was the result of Isaac defying fate to prevent her inevitable death, regardless of how many times the game’s story demanded it.
At this very moment, something that should never have happened was about to unfold.
Ella giggled.
[Okay. I’ll see you soon, Dorothy.]
The power of [All In the World] merged with starlight mana, and Dorothy erupted into a radiant brilliance.