#42. Chapter 10. The Great Principle (3)

The hologram's multiple-choice question.

Like O/X questions or subjective ones, it was a function that could yield information... but it differed somewhat from the previous two.

The multiple-choice question didn't tell me the answer.

O/X questions gave extremely concise responses—yes or no, nothing more.

Subjective questions provided answers that didn't seem immediately useful, only revealing their meaning in hindsight.

But multiple-choice... there was no predefined correct answer presented by the hologram from the start. It only offered the options, leaving me to select the wrong ones and deduce the right one entirely on my own.

And if I managed to choose correctly.

The information gained from a multiple-choice question was incomparably superior to O/X or subjective ones.

"……."

Gazing at the hologram, I organized my emerging thoughts.

I couldn't gauge the correct answer yet, but it was clear I'd obtained highly useful information—guidelines for my future actions.

Options a through d likely hid traps.

Even those serving as traps... could yield inferences.

First, option a: Replace the protagonist of Kill the Evil.

It might be a trap or impossible. But I decided to keep the possibility open. Even if Sea was the protagonist now, maybe I could change her to someone else.

Second, option b: Fully awaken the trait Black Heart.

Regardless of whether it was a trap, the odds were high that it was feasible. As its owner, even I didn't know its full effects—this final boss perk from Kill the Evil. It was likely to bloom fully ahead, with corresponding repercussions I could infer.

Third, option c: Destroy the beyond-rank treasure Eastward Flowing Moon.

As the author of World Guardian, I didn't know of this item. It might have existed originally, or perhaps it would be created in the future. The info to destroy it could be a trap. But if such an item existed or would exist—not something the hologram fabricated entirely—then I needed to acquire it. Only then could I decide to destroy or use it.

Fourth, option d: Fight and lose to the protagonist of Kill the Evil.

The others were ambiguous, but this one baffled me completely. It clashed with the clear condition for Kill the Evil's reward—becoming the ultimate victor. Yet considering it with the others opened interpretive leeway.

"Hoo……."

Sighing, I rose from the bed.

Further rumination here wouldn't concretize clues right now, and I heard footsteps outside the door.

Stepping out, I saw Sea filling a measuring cup with water. She seemed to be studying for exams—her eyes more hollow, expression bored compared to dinner earlier.

She turned at the door sound, so I approached and asked, "Midterms prep? Want me to make a midnight snack if you're hungry?"

"I'm good. Already eating."

She replied curtly, raising her left hand hidden by her body. A few syrup-filled jellies clutched inside. Those were ones I'd bought before... when was that? Lately, I picked up snacks for her whenever I thought of it on the way home. She devoured them if available, so her intake had skyrocketed since before White Day compared to before. I hated not buying since she ate well anyway, trapping us in a vicious cycle. As the culprit, I chided her anyway.

"Eating's fine, but brush your teeth before bed."

"……Not sleeping tonight."

She shot back softly, stuffing coffee grounds into the machine. Soon, a faint brewing sound rose. With time to wait, she returned to her room, and I pulled ingredients from the fridge, whipping up a simple sandwich with quick hands.

I poured the finished coffee into a mug, loaded the tray with the plate, and knocked on Sea's door.

"Can I come in?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

No answer—instead, a soft click as it opened.

The room was dim, only the desk lamp lit. Sea, munching chocolate cookies, eyed my tray, so I set it on the desk corner and said, "Too many snacks at night are bad for you—eat sandwiches instead. I'll make more if needed."

"That'll make me gain weight too……."

She grumbled midway, then quietly added, "……Thanks."

I should leave now that I'd delivered it, not disturbing her studies... but my head was a mess today too; I wanted more talk. Buoyed by consoling her earlier, I probed lightly.

"Why the glasses?"

Thin black frames, no lenses. Her vision was fine—no need.

Reaching for the sandwich, Sea answered, "Can't study at home without 'em."

"Ah, I see……?"

Isn't that just an excuse? I swallowed the thought, asking again, "You worried about gaining weight? Doesn't look like it to me."

She ate so many snacks, yet she seemed unchanged from before. Cheeks maybe a tad puffier, but I preferred her now.

Sea replied firmly, "……Uniform feels way tighter than freshman year."

"Really? Want money for a new one?"

"Nah. It was baggy back then anyway."

To me, it looked the same... but if she said so.

Finally, I offered, "Want me to help study? Can't do Magic Dynamics since I know the questions, but other subjects are fine."

Midterms at Jeil High started after this weekend. Practical exams aside, the written ones were notoriously brutal. Sea made up weak written scores with practicals, from what I knew. Years post-graduation, I still remembered key textbook sections and wanted to seriously help her aim for top of the school this time...

She seemed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tempted but refused. "I'll do it myself. ……Top of the school."

Who wouldn't love hearing that? Beaming, I clapped involuntarily; she glared and said, "So, out."

"Yeah, study hard. Tell me if you need anything. Fighting!"

Closing her door near-silently, I returned to my room.

Of course, I felt pleased and gratified.

And deep down......

Depressed.

If that sweet, pretty girl was Kill the Evil's protagonist.

Forcing me to hurt her more than ever, fighting her as the final boss.

I absolutely didn't want that.

Yet I couldn't blindly deny she was the protagonist.

So, I'd do what I could.

My sister Sea is highly likely the protagonist.

Depending on my actions, I might replace her.

Kill the Evil Volume 2 has begun. Subtitle: Hero's Disciples. Progress ticks up even now, and rewards have time limits anyway.

Hesitate more, and it might be too late.

So, risking danger, I had to decide now.

I admit I'm selfish.

Even admitting it, I think my actions are trashy.

To avert potential danger from my sister, I'm dragging others in.

And......

Since it doesn't violate my grand principle, I won't hesitate.

If I can do it, I'll do everything.

Not hypocrisy like "for Sea's sake." She wouldn't want this.

I just can't bear it because I treasure her—and it's familiar anyway.

Not a day or two.

From the hologram's appearance at my parents' funeral.

Ever since, I've never once been selfless.

April 19th, Monday morning.

Jin Yu-ri, who usually fussed over her hair each morning, tied it back tightly unlike usual. With resolute eyes, she slipped on her shoes at the entryway. In her right hand, a thick stack of papers.

Jeil High midterms started today. Her self-made cheat sheets with theory summaries for Monday's subjects. The organization was near-perfect, contents memorized thoroughly.

Yet her expression wasn't bright.

Can't let my pace slip......

Last weekend's unexpected blow hurt deep, when she should've sprinted. Saturday was practically a wash for studying; yesterday, Sunday, doctor's orders post-discharge forbade overdoing it. She burned to pull an all-nighter, but her parents' ironclad watch made it impossible.

Noticing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her unconsciously gloomy face as she saw her off, her mother asked, "Feeling off anywhere?"

"……No, I'll be back."

Forcing resolve, Jin Yu-ri turned.

As she reached for the door.

"Honey, hold on."

Her father, Jin Cheol-min, emerged from the master room with the newspaper, calling her.

"Yes?"

Hand on the knob, she paused; he instructed, "When you get to school, pass on a message for Dad."

"What message?"

To whom, what? Puzzled, Jin Yu-ri awaited the request...

"……Pardon?"

At Jin Cheol-min's bewildering words, she unwittingly scowled.