novelraw Chapter 12 : Chapter 12
Chapter 12 : Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Two People (2)
Clack.
What I saw when I opened the door was a man with his shoulders slumped.
He said.
“You…… you returned.”
The ‘Watcher’, his face above the nose wrapped in bandages, was sitting blankly in a neat suit.
His appearance, lost in thought with his chin cupped, was quite different from the one I had known.
He was originally someone who put on a business smile and developed the scenario with a polite tone.
He was a salesman of death.
‘Cain.’
That was that Watcher's name.
He sat by the wide window, casting a shadow over the pile of corpses.
Because of the bandages covering his face, the focus of his eyes was unknown, but his entire gaze must have been directed at the ground.
I could see failure and despair weighing down his shoulders.
“…….”
I looked around the office.
The mournful moonlight beyond the window was illuminating the indiscriminately piled corpses.
Under that blue light, even the blood looked chilly.
It was as if the expression of this world was pale.
‘It’s excessive.’
I thought as I estimated the number of corpses.
The number looked to be over 100 at least, but since they were all exploded and torn, I couldn’t count the exact number.
The original number of people working in Room 1423 was only 11, so the rest must have been people who flowed in from outside.
My guess was turning into certainty.
‘I know who it is.’
This was a strategy I also knew well, so the opponent must have been quite clever.
And if it was someone who could be this clever so quickly, it was obvious.
“You couldn’t stop it either?”
I asked Cain.
At that, he twisted his head and answered.
“What?”
Killing intent surged within the short question.
An emotion close to hostility, beyond just a question.
Leaving such a Cain behind.
“That’s answer enough.”
I walked out of the room.
***
Coming outside, I ran into Kang Yuha, who was climbing the stairs.
“Heok…… Heok…… The elevator…… by elevator……”
To her, who barely managed to speak while catching her breath.
“The elevator’s position can be read.”
After speaking curtly, I climbed the stairs again.
“Yes? Eek…… Heok……”
“To the rooftop.”
“Ah…… Haa……? Ahh.”
She thought as she watched Han Chulwoon’s retreating back.
‘So blunt.’
In truth, this complaint was also directed at herself.
She had exercised a little by doing Pilates or yoga, but why was it so hard now.
Was it because of the high heels?
She had taken them off now, but her feet still hurt.
Or maybe it was due to psychological factors.
‘Tch, this isn’t the time. Let’s move.’
She pushed aside the various emotions twisted and tangled in her heart, such as sadness, fear, and the joy of survival, to one corner of her mind.
‘I have to catch up to Mr. Chulwoon.’
If he was really a regressor, there must be a reason he chose her.
There must be a reason he was rushing, too.
Perhaps, making her suffer like this was a form of training.
Usually, wouldn't a regressor be like a protagonist?
If so, she was a person with the protagonist, so this could be called good fortune.
‘Life probably won't flow like a novel, but.’
If she got on his calculated rail, it would be an opportunity for her too.
In the worst case, even if she died in this life…….
If she proved her usefulness, he would come to save her in the next life too.
“…….”
The fact that she had to act conveniently for others was a little upsetting.
However, it was an undeniable fact that Han Chulwoon had saved her.
She would have to be more helpful than what she received.
“Huuuu…… I’m coming soon.”
She said to the retreating Han Chulwoon, and began to move her heavy legs.
Her feet hurt and her thighs were sore.
It was when she had climbed about half a floor more.
Wasn't there a pair of sneakers left on the stairs?
‘These sneakers?’
They weren't hers, but at a glance, the size looked like it would fit…….
When she put her feet in, they fit perfectly.
She felt like even her aching feet had become much more comfortable.
‘……Was this considerate.’
What on earth did I do in my past life?
Why did he tell me to resent him to my heart's content?
And for what reason did he fail and end up regressing?
Could I even lead him to success?
‘I don’t know. The time will come when I find out.’
“Huu…….”
After catching her breath, she began to climb the stairs again.
***
The building rooftop.
In one corner, there was a space where people could enjoy cigarettes and chat.
A person was standing there, a place I was also quite familiar with.
The opponent looked up at the sky with their head tilted back, as if interested in nothing.
That gaze was directed only upward as if searching for stars, and was wandering through the empty darkness.
Just like that, without even turning their head, the opponent noticed my presence.
“There was…… a survivor?”
It was a shaded voice.
A deep, low voice, as if it carried the sins of the entire world.
“…….”
But, that voice was somehow familiar to me.
‘As expected.’
The opponent was an existence that shouldn’t be here.
No.
Am I the one who shouldn’t be here?
And then, warreureu.
Messages from the Constellations flooded the Status Window.
[The Constellation ‘Ruin of the Gigantes’ is paying attention to this ordeal.]
[The Constellation ‘Six-Eyed Prophet’ predicts misfortune.]
[The Constellation ‘Restless Mind’ is…………]
[The Constellation…… is……
…….
[Several Constellations are paying attention to this meeting.]
‘No wonder. I thought the gazes on my side were sparse. It seems that one over there has already made a big scene.’
Smug.
‘This is a new development.’
I liked this situation.
I said to the opponent.
“I was wondering what bastard was acting so grim.”
Only after hearing my voice did the opponent turn to look at me.
Those eyes were filled with shock.
The opponent had also recognized me at first glance.
It was almost simultaneous.
A point of air distorted around the opponent, and a deep blue sphere materialized there.
‘Magic Bullet.’
It was magic that was close to a bomb.
It was a skill that could make a human body explode in a single blow.
Furthermore, it was a high-level destruction magic that was hard to imagine obtaining in the first scenario.
“Room 1423. It is you.”
“…….”
The opponent did not answer.
They immediately fired the Magic Bullet.
Flash!
Turning into a streak of light, it stretched out long and shot forward like a needle.
‘Hm?’
I was surprised by the skillfulness of the technique, but I responded immediately.
I rotated both hands in a circle, winding my Magic Power.
‘It’s still a dangerous state to use Magic Power, but.’
Hwiririk-
A small current of air generated between my two hands.
That current drew a gentle curve, spinning as it spread out.
The opponent's Magic Bullet was caught in the spiral current, bent, and flew off to a completely different place.
‘Linear attacks are easy to counter with techniques based on Tai Chi.’
Paat!
The Magic Bullet shot up into the empty air.
The streak of light split the sky like a reverse-shooting star.
“Right. You must have massacred people to be able to do that much. Was it worth it?”
The opponent could already be considered to have reached the ranks of the strongest, for the first scenario's level.
‘A skilled fighter.’
If the distance was close, there would be a way to respond, but at this distance, even I couldn't guarantee victory.
Perhaps, it could be seen as dangerous.
Seeing me brush off the attack, the opponent asked.
“You…… What are you?”
To that, I sneered at the opponent and replied.
“You call that a question?”
“…….”
“Soft. When you question an opponent, you should first clarify the hierarchy.”
“What?”
“If I beat you to death, isn't it the way that you'll spit everything out, even things I didn't ask.”
It was the moment I threw out those provoking words.
-Hm? What is this. I came because I felt a powerful Magic Power.-
Cain floated up, climbing the building's outer wall.
He stood with both feet on top of the safety fence.
“This scenario shouldn't be happening yet?”
Cain's atmosphere changed.
Instead of the despairing look from before, it was an attitude that seemed to hold considerable interest.
The interest this situation provided was enough to cover even the memory of his terrible failure.
Because Watchers were beings fascinated by watching special stories.
“Right. Not yet.”
It was after Cain appeared.
“Eok…… Heok…… Heok……. I, I really can't go any further. Heok…… We don't have to move anymore, right? Heok…… Heok…… Or are there transparent stairs again or something……”
The last one to arrive was Kang Yuha.
She was bent deep at the waist, barely catching her breath.
“Heok. Heok.”
Her chest rose and fell, repeating.
Soon, feeling the quiet surroundings, she raised her head.
“Ah?”
And then, not knowing where to look, she froze and spoke.
“ Mr. Chulwoon is…… two people?”
Because on this rooftop, there were two Han Chulwoons.
Build, clothes, appearance, atmosphere.
They were the same without a single thing being different.
Just, one of them looked a little more exhausted.
“W-what is this?”
The one who answered her question was Han Chulwoon.
The one who had come with her from the beginning.
“Nothing to be surprised about. That’s Fake-Chulwoon, I’m Real-Chulwoon.”
“……Yes?”
At that, the opponent said in a cold tone.
“Fake-Chulwoon? Just now, were you talking about me.”
“What you heard is correct.”
Around then, Cain cut in.
“I apologize for interrupting the flow of conversation, but since this is a rare opportunity, I would like to make an interesting proposal.”
And then, he snapped his fingers!
At the same time, a message appeared on the Status Window.
[Quest (Cain)]
[Proof of Truth]
[Expose the opponent’s identity.]
[Reward : 1000coin]
“As I must help you all with your scenario progression, shouldn't I at least know who you are?”
He grinned, smirk.
It was a face that seemed to say this unusual situation was amusing, rather than that proving each other's existence was important.
“1000 coin? Why not more?”
“It's because I am also still poor.”
Scenario and Quest.
If a Scenario was something that came out in a set order, a Quest had a different tendency.
A Quest was a type of mission contract that arose from a Watcher, a Constellation, or even a human.
Furthermore, the reward was 1000 coin.
I had said it was lacking, but for a first scenario, it was an amazing level of reward.
The opponent spoke.
“You, you have no intention of revealing your identity nicely, do you.”
I answered with a question.
“Fake-Chulwoon. Do you still not know who I am?”
At the words fake-Chulwoon, the opponent stopped talking and frowned.
And after a moment, said.
“……I refuse. I am Han Chulwoon, you are Doo Chulwoon.”
“Huh? Haha.”
A laugh like a sigh came out.
It was a childish battle of wills, but it wasn't bad.
That didn't mean I intended to yield the name.
“Good idea. Of course, you’re Lee Chulwoon.”
For a moment, the opponent who was glaring at me opened his mouth.
“If you have no intention of talking……”
“If you knew who I was, I think you might change your mind. Should I give you a hint.”
“…….”
And then, I motioned to Kang Yuha, who was between us.
“Yuha. Go to that guy, Lee Chulwoon.”
“Yes?”
“We’re the same person anyway. It’s just that that side will be a little more gentle.”
“But.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come save you in the next life, too.”
“Ah…… Yes.”
She eventually went to the opponent’s side.
“What are you scheming?”
Lee Chulwoon asked.
It was a harsh question, but I clearly saw his expression.
As Kang Yuha approached, his expression changed minutely.
That expression.
It was joy and relief.
“And now for the main point.”
“……Do you, think I would believe you?”
“You will.”
I grinned, smirk.
The opponent’s reaction seemed like it would be so amusing that I couldn’t hide my smile.
Furthermore, Lee Chulwoon felt an unknown ominousness.
It felt like he needed to shut that bastard’s mouth right away, but.
“Yuha.”
My words were faster.
“Yes?”
“That bastard, while imagining you, jacked……”
It was that moment.
Lee Chulwoon erupted with fiery anger.
“That mouth!”
The atmosphere around him swirled and contracted.
“Shut up, you son of a biiiiiitch!”
Finally, four Magic Bullets were created.
“……!”
Lee Chulwoon, who had squeezed out his power to the point his complexion turned white, fired the Magic Bullets, and they surged at different angles.
‘Already at this level?’
At that output, even I was a little surprised.
Just making four Magic Bullets at once was excessive, but to fire them at different coordinates.
It was worthy of being called a secret technique of the highest level.
This alone was enough to completely dominate the early scenarios.
“Hup!”
I tensed my body and moved quickly.
I launched my body, twisted, and spun.
Two Magic Bullets were avoided like that.
One was deflected using a technique based on Tai chi.
And the last one, which I had no way to dodge.
Kwaang!
I dispersed the impact.
The moment it exploded on my stomach, I scattered it with the Magic Power in my body.
“Keuk!”
However, even the remaining shock after dispersing it was not ordinary, so a shockwave erupted around my body, and I was pushed all the way to the corner of the rooftop in one go.
Immediately after.
Kaaaaang!
The Magic Bullets I had dodged completely blew away the safety fence behind me.
A giant flame rose behind my back, and a heat storm and shrapnel scattered in all directions.
The atmosphere vibrated with the roaring sound.
It was almost simultaneous.
Lee Chulwoon, who had rushed in at some point, grabbed my shoulder and pushed me to the corner.
Kkwaaaak!
Deudeudeudeudeuk.
Pushed just like that to the corner of the rooftop.
With my shoulder grabbed, I was left with the empty air of a 22-story height beneath my feet.
“You, fuck! Really……”
Lee Chulwoon said.
“It is me.”
I replied.