Death by Inertia
Alright, got it. So the Archive is still a place I shouldn't visit yet.
Walking helped ease my mood a bit. Thanks to that, a whole chain of thoughts came rushing in. Corridor Walkers, primordial energy, the country I'd regressed into, all of it.
Seeking live test subjects for biological experiments. Payment in Ludens.
Spilling the full story of my first-clear run in the Holy Grail Dungeon.
Recruiting adventurers willing to enter the Severance Gap.
33% chance of nudes from the Witch's secret alt account.
Browsing the Corridor Walker Gallery, I could finally see posts coming in real time. It also explained why the pink rabbit looting the tomb had looked so startled when she saw me again.
My death had triggered a regression. Because of that, everything involving the rabbit or the Corridor City had been erased, as if none of it ever happened.
Even the wizard who had appeared out of nowhere.
I recalled my death. That death with the endlessly long white hair. The woman who wielded those black spheres was far too overwhelming to dismiss as mere magic or mystery. She had to be some kind of mage or witch. They might even be the same thing, but it didn't really matter.
She was probably something I needed to confront. Was she a trial I could overcome? Would she bleed? And what exactly was this regression ability that had taken the place of true immortality?
There were too many unknowns, and the answers felt flimsy. Nothing out there seemed ready to give me a clean, satisfying explanation.
I clearly still lacked information. As was fitting for an immortal, the proper move was to wander around until I found something useful. And right now, I knew exactly where I needed to go.
As expected, the body has to move before the mind starts working properly. That rule applied even to a half-assed immortal like me.
After wandering for a while, I arrived at that familiar alleyway.
"What the hell? Who are you?"
"Hello there, seniors!"
I gave a casual greeting and stepped into the alley. Seeing the Corridor Walkers occupying the space in perfect condition, I felt certain. No severed arms. No torn cheeks.
I roughly estimated the time and spoke up.
"Senior. You haven't seen a knightess around here, have you?"
Knightess from around here. It was a pun just as lame as a rabbit is a rabbit. I rolled it around in my mouth and let out a small snort.
"Senior? Never seen a beggar shit like you before. And what knightess? You just pop out of nowhere spouting bullshit? Where the fuck did you crawl out from?"
"I'm your junior, I keep telling you. Weren't you the one who personally taught me that the Corridor City is a wild place?"
My long-winded explanation carved a deep wrinkle into the Corridor Walker's forehead.
"I'm serious!"
"You son of a bitch. What kind of game are you playing? Get lost while I'm still being nice, you fucking idiot. Or I'll make you mop the floor with your own guts."
I liked mopping with water just fine, but guts? No thanks. I didn't have that kind of artistic hobby.
"Ah, wait a second. It's about to happen soon, you know?"
"What the hell have you been babbling about this whole time, you moron?"
"Someone's supposed to show up here."
I could almost hear the Corridor Walker's sanity snapping in two.
"Haa, fuck. You're beyond saving. This stray mutt's lost his mind."
-Thud!
I was slammed against the wall. The back of my head cracked against the bricks. The Corridor Walker grabbed my throat and drew the short sword from his waist. The mood said he was ready to stab me at any moment. The blade pressed against my side and the back of my skull tickled faintly.
Apparently he didn't like half-naked wild animals. This was the Corridor City. Wild things should be handled in a wild way.
But the person coming now was different. She had just enough clumsy intellect and mercy to toss a few words and some food at a wandering beast.
"That's enough."
And she arrived.
"?"
When everyone's eyes turned, the knightess stood at the end of the alley. Silver bob cut, blue eyes, and light armor protecting her heart.
At her appearance, the Corridor Walkers surrounding me shifted from contempt to caution.
"Who the hell are you now?"
"What's all this noise about?"
Her voice carried clear hostility as she scanned the alley, reading the situation. To drive a wedge into that hostility, I raised my voice.
"Sob sob, please save me! These bastards are trying to rape me!"
"What?! What the fuck is this bastard saying!"
-Thud!
I took another hit while still pinned to the wall. The impact slammed into my solar plexus. By the time my organs started screaming in delayed pain, the knightess had drawn her sword.
Click!
She seemed to have grasped the situation instantly.
"Filthy scum. Let that man go."
A concise demand. But it was more than enough to piss off the Corridor Walkers.
"No way, you bitches keep popping up out of nowhere! You with this bastard?"
"Let him go. I won't repeat myself four times."
Wow. So she was willing to forgive up to three times. I was impressed by the knightess's patience and mercy.
"Huu. Hey, just drown the fucker. We'll kill this guy, then fuck that bitch and sell her off."
Vulgar words that kicked away the chance the knightess had offered. From the corner of my eye I saw another Corridor Walker had already pulled out a single-shot pistol and was aiming it. Click! The finger pulled back the hammer. The muzzle was trained on the knightess, the chambered round carrying fire, ready to crush its target.
Boom!
In that instant the knightess charged.
The moment I thought she'd kicked off from the far end of the alley, the distance had already been cut in half.
"?! Crazy bitch!"
"Oh!?"
My captor's shock mixed with my own admiration.
A superhuman starting dash. The other guy pulling the trigger was only a fraction of a second behind.
-Bang!
Crack!
The gun spat smoke and flame. Almost simultaneously, sparks flew from the knightess's pauldron.
In other words, it was a defensive technique. The coordination and artistic skill to predict the muzzle direction and bullet trajectory, then twist her body at the perfect moment. Something that would make both the shooter and the watchers doubt their eyes.
Realistically, no person should be stronger than a gun. But this was a world where common sense had already collapsed. People stronger than guns were a dime a dozen.
"Wh-what?!"
Right after the shot, blue eyes flashed through the obscuring smoke.
-Whoosh. Swish!
The smoke and wind split apart like they'd been hit by a storm.
Slash!
"Kr, kaaah?!"
The man holding the flintlock collapsed along with his weapon. The pistol shattered, fingers rolling across the ground.
The perpetrator of that violence swung her blade and pointed it at the remaining Corridor Walker.
Whoosh!
Drip!
The thin layer of blood on the sword tip scattered along the wall. At the same time, the thug at the point of the blade trembled.
"Huk?!"
"Pathetic. Want to keep going?"
"N-no ma'am!"
Clang!
He dropped the sword and staggered back, completely broken. It was understandable. What had just happened couldn't be dismissed as simply "fast." Even I, who'd witnessed countless acts of violence firsthand, was impressed.
She's fucking strong. At least a 7th-tier Corridor Walker, maybe higher?
-Click.
The silver bob silently sheathed her sword at her waist.
"I've memorized your faces. This is your first and last warning. Don't cause any more trouble here."
"Y-yes! Thank you!"
The knightess frowned at the man who was trying to flee.
"Take your comrade with you."
"Yes! Of course!"
At her words, he vanished while dragging his fallen comrade. He even carefully collected the severed fingers from the ground.
In the end, only the smell of gunpowder and bloodstains remained in the alley.
And probably me as well.
"Wow, thank you. Even in a city like this, small kindness and goodwill still exist, huh?"
She flinched.
The knightess, who hadn't moved an inch during the fight, reacted to my words. Easy to read. I decided to only say the things she would most want to hear.
"How noble. I hope I can become a Corridor Walker with that kind of nobility someday."
"......"
The knightess stayed silent. But she couldn't hide the faint lift at the corner of her mouth or the light in her eyes. She covered it all with a single cough.
"Ahem. Are you a Corridor Walker too?"
Aha. So this is why people regress! It's so easy to raise favorability! This woman is ridiculously simple!
"No. I just arrived in the Corridor City."
"I see. Well, don't misunderstand. This city might be bleak, but it's not only full of people like them."
As she spoke, she ran her hands over my body here and there. The sudden contact tickled, but her touch was gentle, checking for wounds.
"No serious injuries. But your clothes... were you robbed?"
"Yes. Right after I woke up, a pink rabbit took everything I had."
"A rabbit?"
"Yes. She ran off leaving me with only my pants."
Maybe she pitied me regardless of the circumstances. The knightess thought for a moment before asking.
"You said this is your first time in the city. Do you have any acquaintances or family nearby you can ask for help?"
"Nope."
"A place to stay?"
"None."
"I see."
She rummaged through her pouch and pulled out a few bills. Jeni, another currency used in the Corridor City. Without hesitation, the knightess held them out.
"It's not much, but use this to eat something and buy clothes. If you don't have anywhere to stay, there's a job placement office in the lower district. I'll introduce you to a place I know. Physical labor should let you earn enough to get by."
Wow. Just how far was she willing to go with the kindness? I might actually fall for her at this rate.
I gently pushed away the money the kind knightess was offering and asked.
"No, rather than that, I'd like to ask you something. Do you happen to know a woman with bandages wrapped around both eyes and white hair so long it drags along the floor?"
"?"
The knightess looked puzzled. That was fair. It was the kind of question that pushed away even a helping hand. A sudden inquiry about a specific person.
My real goal had always been gathering information. The gallery had its limits. Having a reasonably kind, well-informed local would make things much easier. And that local was the knightess.
"Actually, I need to meet that woman."
"That's sudden. I think I know who you mean."
The knightess stared at me. I could feel the weight of her gaze. Was she looking into my eyes? Someone once said eyes are the windows to the soul. If so, what kind of desolation was reflected in mine, just like she'd said earlier?
I looked into her eyes as well. Only then did I see it clearly. Those blue eyes held a brightly shining pride. There were no shadows in her heart. They were eyes that used their own light as a lantern to move forward.
Suddenly, she asked while still looking into my eyes.
"Did that woman use black spheres?"
"Oh, that's correct."
Whoa. As expected from a veteran Corridor Walker. The gallery was useful, but it took time. When you needed a fast answer, asking a local was best.
With an appearance that distinctive, it would have been strange if people didn't know her. An existence that reeked of death. No matter what anyone said, it felt like I'd hooked a big fish.
"The person you're looking for is Astarote, the Witch of the Tower. You need to meet her? What business do you have?"
"I just want to have a conversation with that Astarote person. I was curious what kind of individual she was."
"...I see."
Witch? Secretary? Hmm. Several grandiose keywords floated through my mind. Was the talk about primordial energy connected to that kind of title? Still, the most important thing was the name itself.
Witch Astarote. Good. My knowledge had increased.
The knightess, who had paused for a moment, continued.
"I don't know what your situation is, but you probably won't be able to meet Astarote easily. She's one of the witches who manage the Tower, and among the mages in the Corridor City she's on the stronger side."
"Oh? How strong?"
"How strong?"
The knightess blinked.
"I'm curious exactly how strong she is."
"How strong... Well, there's no clear standard, so I'm not sure what to say. Mages are usually ranked by tier. Astarote is a 7th-tier mage. That's roughly middle of the scale if you go up to 13th-tier, but magical strength isn't something you can judge purely by tier."
Not a very satisfying answer, was it? When I looked at her with that expression, she nodded.
A standard, huh. Yeah, there was one very simple standard.
"Does she bleed?"
"...You're asking if a mage bleeds?"
"Yes. For example, if I stabbed Astarote with that sword, would she bleed?"
I pointed at the knightess's sword. She stroked its hilt with a slightly sour expression.
"She would. Mages have physical bodies, after all."
"Aha. That's enough for me."
Clatter.
I picked up the sword rolling on the ground. The one the senior Corridor Walker had left behind. I'll loot it and put it to good use.
The knightess, who had been quietly watching me, asked. Had she sensed something ominous?
"...Do you hold a grudge against Astarote?"
"No, nothing like that."
I tilted my head at her tone. A grudge? I didn't have one. I simply did what needed to be done. If killing the enemy before my eyes was my fate, then I would. If the world rejected me, I would return that rejection in kind. I would do it the way I always had.
"I just have something I want to confirm."
Ah, speaking of confirmation, I remembered. There was the kindness I'd received and a name I needed to remember.
"My name is Lumen Lux. Could you tell me yours?"
"Why do you want my name?"
"I tend to remember small acts of kindness. I want to repay you later."
For a brief moment she showed a hint of hesitation.
"...My name is Ellen."
Ellen, huh. Good. I'd remember it. I should write it down so I don't forget.
"Ah, what about your gallery nickname (true name)?"
There had to be real names in this world.
At that, Ellen's expression turned strange. If I had to describe it, she'd rather not answer.
"Umm... do you really need to know?"
"Is there a reason I shouldn't?"
"It's not that, but..."
Rarely, the knightess Ellen showed a weak side. It didn't match the violence and composure she'd displayed earlier. It felt like if I pushed just a little, she'd fold.
"I plan to find you after I become a Corridor Walker. I can't call you by your real name on the gallery, right?"
"That's true, but... my true name is a bit..."
Watching Ellen hem and haw, I sensed there was something she was hiding. Could it be? Unlike this knightess appearance, her gallery persona was completely unhinged? Or maybe she enjoyed stirring up chaos? Either way, everyone had another side.
"Then it's fine. Thank you. I should get going now."
"You're leaving? You really don't need any help?"
"Yes. From here on, I can handle it alone."
It really was like that. But regardless of what I thought, Ellen didn't seem to agree.
"I don't know what you're planning to do, but cherish your life."
"Huh?"
What was this sudden remark? When I tilted my head, Ellen looked straight into my eyes.
"You have the eyes of someone who thinks it's fine to die at any time."
"Do I look that way?"
"A little."
I tilted my head at Ellen's words. No way. I always lived doing my absolute best. I was simply wandering because I didn't know where that best would ultimately lead. Hadn't someone said that true health comes from overcoming oneself? In that sense, I was living by overcoming.
It's fine to die anytime. Haha, no way.
A small smile slipped out. I spoke as if to show her.
"I'm fine. I cherish my own life more than anyone else."
...
-Crack!
My left arm vanished without a trace. Seeing that, I couldn't help but say it.
"Still only this far, huh."
"How disappointing. I thought something more impressive would show up."
At those words I turned my gaze. There stood the usual mage. The witch Astarote. Black spheres hovered around her. A dotted world that erased anything it touched. Dodging once or twice was pointless.
-Swish.
Astarote scattered them. The beautiful sight of black spheres drifting down like snow. Seeing it, I couldn't help but speak.
Ah, the falling despair is so overwhelming!
You wave of trials that drags me into ruin!
With a body that refused to move, I watched them descend.
"Ha! No choice then! Once more—!"
-Crack!
I thought I'd spat the words out. But since my head had already disappeared, it must have been an illusion left behind in my spine and soul.
Thud!
When I thought my knees had given out, I was once again in the darkness.