◈Episode 26 In front of the fruits of choice (1)
The truth I learned in my life was one in broad terms and two in details.
First of all, ‘There is nothing as useless as saying it can’t happen.’
And the realization that ‘that’s why it’s better to focus on the present’ follows from experiencing it.
In summary, there are so many things happening in the world, and many of them are unbelievable, so let’s not just assume or deny it, but do our best at each time.
Even though the damn logout bug occurred, it was as if I was optimistic that the game would turn off when the time came.
Even though he knew that the proposition was not absolute, he focused on the game as if he was certain.
“log out.”
“
This is an impossible command.” Of course, some people might think that I am complacent.
“…log out.”
“It’s an impossible command.”
I admit it. From some perspectives, my optimism may be remiss.
“…Tell me to fucking log out!”
“It’s an impossible order.”
But if I were to be pessimistic instead of optimistic, would the current situation and the conclusion I should have reached been different?
“Please log out….”
“This is an impossible command.”
No attitude can be the right answer in a situation that you cannot control or resolve. It’s just a means of enduring and holding on.
* * *
Before arriving at Tatara, we set up camp in the forest for a meal and some sleep. Camping was all about lighting a bonfire and sleeping bundled up in a cloak, but anyway.
The time for the nutrients injected into the capsule to run out has already passed. Funny enough, the related notification didn’t pop up right away.
Maybe yes. The capsule itself may have broken down. It’s a capsule I bought for the price of a car, but if it doesn’t work, you’ll break your nose even if you fall backwards.
In fact, there is no way the emergency protocol wouldn’t work unless the capsule is damaged.
“Forced termination of emergency protocol capsule.”
“It’s an impossible command.”
I tried to mutter even though I knew it wouldn’t work. Crackling. Beyond the abominable window, only a bonfire burned brightly.
Other than that, the sound is okay. Maybe it’s because it’s night, but my son-in-law is very quiet. This is probably because everyone is asleep, believing in the barrier created by the wizard.
“…under.”
So is it time to admit it?
That I was completely trapped in the game. And that there is currently no way out.
“…Damn it.”
For no reason, I massaged my itchy right arm and cursed.
My tight chest is asking me to quit smoking since I was in my 20s. I want to let out a sigh filled with color. If you say
, “I’m going to die like this…”,
will I be reported as someone who died while playing the game due to a combination of game bugs and device failure? This kind of fame is a thing of the past.
Or, will my death ever be discovered in the first place?
My parents are at home, so they cannot understand my situation as I live alone.
friends. I’m going crazy over the game again, so I’m going to skip it. There must be a lot of records.
If the work was being serialized, you might not know it, but now that it’s finished, there’s no need to contact the person in charge.
Even if you try to tell others using Party Play, you don’t have an internet connection, so
… it’s not about sponsorship. It’s better not to contact them since they’ve set up an automatic transfer. The child will be sad when he hears that his sponsor has died.
If the sponsor dies, does the sponsorship stop? I don’t know because I haven’t done any research on this field. Still, with the money left in the bank account, we could support the child until he or she becomes an adult.
“….”
With my eyes fixed on the bonfire, I continued to think in confusion. In general, it was about the aftermath of my death.
Friends who will come to the funeral of a grieving parent, acquaintances from related industries, readers who will pray for the soul’s soul through comments…
“I have never imagined death like this.”
Strangely, there were no tears. Is it because the predicted death is so absurd? It still doesn’t feel real.
It’s like a frog in a pot. A frog that stays still and dies because the water boils so slowly that it doesn’t even notice the temperature change.
That’s actually wrong.
“…If someone recognizes me.”
If anyone notices that my lack of news is strange, I would like to bring it up.
Maybe I can live? Is it okay to look forward to that possibility?
“Ha… who would notice?”
There’s no way something like that is possible. Moreover, it seemed like it would take another two weeks at the earliest, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to hold out until then.
Nutrients are nutrients, but humans can’t survive for long without moisture. Three or four days at most.
So I leaned fully against the tree. As I came to the conclusion that I had no means of escaping before death, I lost all my strength.
“It would have been better if it had been a trip…”
Then suddenly, the only thing occupying my head was a foolish thought.
Is it because I often encounter creative works? Or was it an escape from reality brought about by the helplessness of not being able to even struggle?
The scenery is so realistic that it’s hard to believe it’s a game. An NPC that is overly human-like. The convenient structure may also have had an impact on this delusion.
To be honest, the sudden development of technological power like this often leads to the development of ‘it was actually a different world.’
Of course, it is impossible to really believe it because the UI and system exist. The appearance I chose is reflected, the presence of weapons and inventory, and the automatic washing and restoration of clothes.
Isn’t this kind of convenience provided in reality?
However, the reason I can’t easily let go of the thoughts that come to mind is probably because possession or tripping seems better than starving to death.
Anyway, my motto in life is to keep all possibilities open and I preferred living to dying.
“…for a moment.”
But I’ve been thinking about concepts all this time.
…ah?
I looked back at my actions passing through my mind. It was natural that the blood drained at that moment.
Was all that shit real? Absolutely not. I absolutely cannot tolerate this.
What happens to my social reputation if the harsh words I gave to NPCs before I had to risk my life to catch the demon lord were in fact my anger at real people?
It was as if I thought only my friends were coming to hang out, so I came out with my panties on without any respect, and ended up face to face with a stranger brought by my friend.
It’s embarrassing and shameful.
You can even blame others for bugs or glitches, but in this case, there was no one to blame. Because I chose it all and did it myself!
“Oh shit.”
It seemed better than starving to death, but in other ways it was more hopeless, so I prayed that it wouldn’t happen either way.
It was a very pestilent thing.
* * *
“Are you awake?”
Either way, it seems like I’ve had a bad night since I realized I was helplessly unlucky.
“….”
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
But just because I’m unlucky doesn’t mean I don’t want to live.
There was nothing I could do anyway so I decided to continue playing the game.
It was a bonus that I pledged to improve my relationships with companion NPCs and to tone down my concept personality.
“…?”
I’m not particularly certain that this is a different world. However, whether this was a game or reality, it was just more advantageous to do it this way.
Especially the concept change.
If it’s a game, I don’t mind acting like I am now, but if this is a real world… I will cooperate with them in the future and even catch Satan.
I’m just trying to be a little more cooperative, just in case.
Of course this can’t be real, it definitely shouldn’t be, but whatever!
“Demon knight.”
“What.”
But why is the Inquisitor glaring at me like that again? What is it again? Are you saying they are raising my favorability rating without my knowledge and then lowering it without my knowledge?
“Would you like to eat?”
“…Sure.”
“…!”
I came up with an answer while wondering what on earth was in that red head.
The next moment, the Inquisitor’s eyes widened and her hand reached for the mace. White light formed on the mace.
“Is it the devil!”
…Example?
“…What are you talking about?”
First of all, I had to react to the sound of the devil, so I wrinkled my face and picked up the hilt of the sword.
Then Dev, who was just organizing the bonfire, and Archmage, who had barely opened his eyes, were taken aback. It was worth it. I didn’t understand this situation either.
“What is it?”
“What…”
I don’t know. But he suddenly started a fight. I tried to treat you well starting today.
Isn’t the issue of our right-hand devil already over?
“Get behind me!”
However, instead of explaining, the Inquisitor simply led the confused people behind him. It was mind-blowing.
Why are you doing this? Let’s at least know the reason!
“Do you think I will be fooled?!”
“What are you talking about this morning?”
“The Demon Knight does not speak so gently!”
…yes?
“He doesn’t answer me, and when he hears the devil’s voice, instead of asking back, he pulls out his sword!”
…????
“How dare you pretend to be him when you were lucky enough to occupy his body for a short period of time!”
I couldn’t come to my senses from the Inquisitor’s shouting. What did you just do? no? what?
“Such wicked tactics won’t work on me!”
…You’re kidding, right?
“What are you doing? Why did the knight, Nari, suddenly—!”
“…No, wait and see.”
I didn’t know where to start to correct the Inquisitor’s misunderstanding, so I inadvertently tried to turn my attention to the Archmage.
I thought that a wise person would educate the Inquisitor about how ridiculous this was.
“What are you waiting for?”
“The Inquisitor is right.”
But the Archmage also betrayed my expectations!
I twitched my lips as my blood pressure soared.
“Don’t worry Demon Knight! I do not fall for the abominable smoke of the devil! As I promised, I will buy you some time until you come back after pushing away the devil!”
No, where on earth did this misunderstanding start? Why do you think I was eaten by the devil?
And last time, I was wondering why people asked me why I was wasting my time by entrusting something to someone. Was this a build-up? I’m really going to go back.
“….”
What was even more sad was that the Archmage and Inquisitor’s expressions were so determined. No excuses or explanations seem to work for them.
Even if you confess the truth, saying, ‘This is acting,’ people will probably say, ‘I don’t listen to the devil!’ Especially the classic wall window kimchi dumplings!
But whatever. Pretending to have been refused a favor that was given on a whim?
I don’t think anyone will believe that either. I don’t even have the confidence to express something like that in the first place. I’d probably just turn around in anger and go alone, but there’s no guarantee that they won’t be there for a long time.
“If you don’t come, I will go!”
…More than anything, I think this will happen again if he misbehaves later due to my failure to interpret it!
“…haha.”
I dodged the Inquisitor’s attack and touched my forehead.
“This is getting caught….” A
very strong feeling filled my head.
“Shall we try to do it this time?…”
Even though he was acting, he felt astonished. Furthermore, it went too far.
Do I have to go this far? No matter how much you enjoy playing with concepts, you have to play two roles—double personalities—because of the character interpretation of NPCs?
Or rather, is my interpretation of NPC characters true? I may have acted like that on purpose, but how can I just this once be like, ‘You’re not that person!’ Is there any sound?
This is completely unacceptable. This crazy situation should not have become reality! This has to be a game!
“also! “I guess my eyes were wrong!”
I was immersed in shame as I listened to the cries of kimchi dumplings. Can not help it.
Until now, the reason I was able to throw away all my face and make excuses was because this was all for my own benefit, and even if I did involve others, I only did so in situations where there was tacit agreement.
In other words, it’s not reality, so it’s a concept.
But maybe that’s not the case? Regardless of whether it is true or not, the mere suggestion of such a possibility makes me feel embarrassed.
The mouse hole was so desperately needed.
“Next time… I won’t go back so easily.”
Even as I was typing my lines, I felt like I was going to die of embarrassment. I feel my face getting hot, but I can’t stop it.
I just want to stick my nose in a plate and die.
“Demon knight!”
In the end, I fell down, covering my face with my hands. Maybe it was because I fell, but three people came running this way.
But I couldn’t watch that in my right mind.
So I decided to just quit the ceremony. There was nothing difficult about using the system.
「 ▲ 0 hours 10 minutes sleep ▼ 」
Please wake up and wake up in reality. Reality when you wake up! Please before my social reputation dies!
* * *
“Demon Knight!”
The Inquisitor rushed out as he saw the person falling.
Have you become feverish due to the fierce fight with the devil inside you? The face of the fallen person was redder than usual.
“lily?!”
She reflexively drew up her divine power for treatment, then withdrew it with a frowning brow.
I forgot that the power of God acts as poison in the body containing the devil. This was something the Archmage explained to him when he joined.
“Luckily I only fell asleep for a moment. “You don’t need to worry too much.”
“Is that so?”
“Hey, is there something wrong with you? You’re a devil and all in the morning. “Why did Nari suddenly collapse…”
I’m glad she fell asleep. I don’t know why I suddenly fell asleep… I guess I was in a real fight for dominance with the devil.
“I’ve never imagined death like this,”
she recalled the voice she heard last night.
『…If someone recognizes me.』
Immediately after discussing death, I reflected on the wish expressed in my damp, cracked voice.
Perhaps the Demon Knight foresaw this situation. But the reason he didn’t tell them that was probably because they didn’t trust him yet.
“Are you ignoring me?”
“noisy.”
My thoughts were disturbed. She glared sharply at the thief she could not bear in mind and lifted up the demon knight. Since I couldn’t leave it on the cold floor, I wanted to lay it down on a blanket that hadn’t been laid out yet.
“You will wake up.”
She laid the demon knight down without difficulty and covered him with her cloak. I don’t think the demon knight would be very happy with his temper, but I couldn’t help it. The body I touched for a moment was so cold.
“…You have to wake up. “I just don’t know which side he is when he wakes up.”
The Archmage’s doubts were valid. That’s what she thought right after she first encountered the demon knight.
“well. “I think I know.”
But now she no longer doubted it.
“He cannot be defeated by the devil.”
A demon knight will never be defeated by the demon.
“Ah, so what is the situation?”
“It’s noisy! Don’t disturb that criminal’s sleep!”
“What can you say about religious thugs!”
“You despicable thief!”
…So, I will believe that the Demon Knight will awaken and get rid of that criminal in advance!