Perhaps one of the most novel and important inventions of humanity, besides fire, was writing.
From there came art, history, values, rules, and human morals.
"…"
As a believer in reading, a skilled reader, and above all, someone who loves to write, I accept that I often daydream about what life would be like if I were its creator.
"..."
Even so, if something so important already exists, but there are others who don't know about something so important...so, it's okay if I bring that knowledge to this world, right?
"A-Agh…" A hand grasped my heel. "RandyBornman...you know that if you do this...everyone would live under a new rule of life?"
And yet, that didn't surprise me; that was exactly what I had planned. So many reincarnations, so many repetitions of the same life, over and over again...perhaps it was starting to take its toll. And I don't plan to give up now, now that maybe, finally, I can change this timeline.
I turned my head and looked down; my leader, on the verge of death, Renato Doblevida.
"…" I would have been worried in past lives if my leader were on the verge of death, however...no, not now. I already have all the power I need, above all, I have already found him. "I know."
I saw Renato's face fill with terror, but at the same time, his grip on my heel tightened. "W-Why…why are you doing this?! Do you know that if you put all your pure energy into that parchment, you'll turn into a demon?!"
"Hm?" Of course I know. Renato. And that is why you have to die so that I can live. "…Ha."
Seeing your leader crawling, with a hole in his torso and bleeding...why does it suddenly make me feel excited? Perhaps, more likely, it's because I'll finally be able to take the next step of my plan.
"You were a good leader, Renato," I turned around. "However, it was your mistake never to have used your clairvoyance…with me."
"…"
"Haha…" It's really funny. I never thought that I, with my youthful appearance, could be able to see my leader this way. "Why not...before you bleed to death; use your clairvoyance on me? Tell me, what do you see in my future, leader?"
I saw Renato frown, however, as the blood dripped from his nose, he himself knew that he would not live for a few more minutes.
"…"
"…"
I chose my words carefully. Didn't I? Why is it taking so long?
"You will die."
And with that, Renato died.
"…"
Me? Die?
"…Stupid."
My whole plan is going perfectly, I won't die, much less will any step go wrong, could there be anything that could stop me in the future?
However, now I must finish transcribing the parchment, while Renato's pure energy entered my body, allowing me to continue writing. This new parchment of Lahn will dictate the beginning of my new life; my new story.
Anyway, perhaps in this life, Sherly will want to accept retirement before turning fifty. "Oh, Sherly...take good care of our Ciro~"
Jeon Kwonoo wrote when Anser met Yoon Hee; 'there are times when one does acts of love that soon end up becoming causes of suffering', however, if my love is much worse than the pain, that means that doesn't apply to Sherly and me, right?
***
"Ah!" A pain in his cheek woke him up; immediately, he looked to his right side, where Joakim Hans was standing beside him. "W-Whay is yappening…?" Joakim was pulling at his cheek, preventing Renato from speaking properly.
They were both in Renato's office; which used to belong to Layla.
Joakim had gone to see Renato to put his plan into action and investigate Lahn's parchment as his first priority; however…as expected, Joakim had been accompanied by Karmen, and in order to begin his investigation, Renato wanted them to be alone, given that Karmen was a member of the Rosicrucian Sect, it would be easy for Randy to enter Karmen's mind and find out that they were investigating him. So, they definitely didn't want to involve Karmen in their investigation; at least not now, until they found a way to cancel Randy's ability. So Renato couldn't think of a better way to do it, so he babbled about: 'Oh, Mr. Joakim! I get very shy when you're not yelling at me or mistreating me...' but knowing Joakim's sensitive temperament, Joakim punched him hard enough to knock Renato out.
Luckily for Renato, Karmen rushed out of the office to find someone to help wake him up, but unfortunately for Joakim...
…He hit Renato too hard.
"You fainted for five damn minutes, we're wasting time." He said, releasing his cheek, and then got up from the floor, walking to the middle desk in the office, and sat there while he watched Renato.
Slowly, Renato sat down on the floor, clutching his aching jaw. "W-Wait…" Then he stood up; he staggered, almost tripped over his own feet, but managed to avoid it, and then he turned to look at Joakim. "I seemed to remember something from...my past life…before I…" He glanced to the side; he knew he didn't need to explain his reincarnation process into a parrot again.
"Yeah, yeah…did you remember anything? Something useful, right? If not, keep it to yourself, I don't care." He said, grabbing a blue pen from the desk; belonging to Renato, which he probably dropped when Joakim hit him.
Renato sighed, then looked around.
"I won't tell you here, let's go to where Lahn's parchment is hidden…"
Renato's sudden serious tone made Joakim immediately stand up from his chair. As much as he hated working with guys like Renato, he knew that if his real enemy was the almost omniscient Randy...they would have to work together.
Joakim closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them, everything around him had changed; pure energy surrounded him, and beneath a window, there he was; chained with chains of pure energy, a technique to keep the parchment protected when the wizards appeared.
"…" It was the first time Joakim had seen the parchment in person; he didn't want to look surprised, but in reality, he was. "What's next?"
When he turned to look at Renato, he could see him walking towards the parchment, and soon, both of Renato's hands gripped the chains. Letters emerged from the chains, and soon, a force pulled Renato aside, sending him flying into the wall behind him; and the wall bound Renato in the same chains of pure energy, preventing him from moving.
"Are you an idiot?! It's obviously a seal! Mandeleine used it to—" And his eyes were opened. How come he didn't realize it before? "…If Mandeleine is dead...how does his spell still work...?"
He looked at Renato, and Renato... "…" Renato seemed to have suspected it before. "Randy was the one who murdered me."
Joakim's eyes opened. Randy? A killer? "What the…" He had never seen Randy directly kill a demon before. It was hard for him to believe that a cult leader as 'benevolent' as Randy...could even dare to kill people. "You're kidding me, right?"
However, Renato's face didn't suggest he was even joking. "It was difficult for him to make use of my abilities, so he simply used my energy to make the Lahn parchment."
Joakim frowned, turning to look at the parchment. "…I don't understand...do you mean that Randy steals his members' abilities when they die?"
"The possibility is high; perhaps it was because he left my sect when he killed me that he couldn't make use of my powers after killing me…" Then he frowned, trying to free himself from the chains. "So, as far as I can tell...there's a possibility that the energy I'm lacking now is in that parchment…"
And Joakim looked at Renato.
It was hard for him to believe him; he had lived longer with Randy than with Renato, after all. But...he knew that...there was something more to Randy that none of the other four sects dared to ask him about; aside from his interest in Sherly, besides his social services to the distant regions of Anarxie; there was still one question, why did he do it? Much less them, as one of the great sects did all those things without reason. Besides, his free time to do that was almost nonexistent.
What did he gain by extending his fame and reputation to all regions? What for?
"…" So, for the first time, he decided to trust him, Renato. "Fine."
He unsheathed Scalybur, lifted it with both hands, and released some of his energy…and then; Slash…
Joakim cut the chains that were around the Lahn parchment, if that was indeed it; as he did so, the parchment opened, and letters shot out all around him. The chains that held Renato still vanished, and immediately, Renato went towards the parchment.
"The pressure you're about to feel might be too much; it might be double the pressure you've faced in Region," Renato said, standing in front of the parchment. "Please take care of yourself; if necessary, duck down."
Joakim looked at him, then snorted, and sheathed his sword again. "Don't tell me what to do."
Noticing that Joakim remained in the same position, Renato sighed, and then, bravely, put both hands into the parchment.
The parchment stretched and warped, the letters that had emerged trembling and unsteady, while all the pure energy of the parchment was absorbed by Renato.
Indeed, the pressure was too much, causing both Renato and Joakim to begin sinking into the ground.
"…" Joakim felt his legs begin to tremble, on the verge of giving up and falling to his knees. Even so, he remained in the same position.
And after a few minutes, the pressure disappeared, and the parchment, no longer 'magical,' fell to the ground.
Joakim looked at Renato, who was looking at his hands.
"…"
And then, Renato turned to look at Joakim, with a terrified look.
"…My theory was correct." Renato had recovered all his energy; however, that also meant that Randy had been using other people's abilities; abilities that belonged to his deceased members who would never reincarnate.
Joakim frowned, then walked towards Renato. "Does that mean that in the end, Randy can't make his members reincarnate?"
Renato nodded. "Without pure magic in their bodies...if they reincarnate, they would simply be soulless bodies walking among us."
"Damn…" He adjusted his cap, and then looked out the window; he could see how all around him, the great tree was beginning to lose that fantasy and magic glow, replacing it with a more...real one. "That also means that—"
"Yeah," Renato frowned, feeling his energy return, and soon closed his eyes; perhaps he could use his clairvoyance again right now. "All this time, Randy has not made use of his true power for some reason…"
Renato's ears made a loud noise that almost deafened him, making him open his eyes immediately and cover their ears.
"What's wrong with you?" Joakim said immediately.
Renato gasped, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"…This…"
"'This' what?! What the hell did you see?!" Joakim said desperately; the only thing that could calm him would be the future that Renato could see.
"I couldn't see anything..."
Joakim's face turned...confused. "Huh?"
Although Joakim didn't know it, and Renato doubted he knew anyway...Renato's visions never failed him. Besides that, he could always see visions; it didn't matter what they were of, he could even see the fate of a stone…so, the fact that I didn't see anything in the future… "What will happen from now on?" The only thing left for him to do was deduce.
And yet, Joakim, not knowing it, much less understanding it, frowned in frustration. "Tsk…!" He grabbed Renato's shoulders and shook him. "What the hell do you mean by that?! You're kidding me, right? Tell me you're kidding me! You're Renato Doblevida! You must be able to see something! Some damn thing!"
Renato looked at him, his face...was just as worried as Joakim's.
"…"
It was then that Joakim realized that Renato wasn't lying.
"…That's never happened to you before, has it?"
Renato nodded slowly, and then lowered his gaze. "That could mean two things..." Joakim looked at him. "Either I die soon, or the world restarts again…"
And that made Joakim open his eyes.
"…Is there any possibility that the rebooter will return?" He said, but just as Renato was about to answer, he interrupted him with a snort. "No—yes, there's a damn possibility, right?" he let go of Renato's shoulders and began to walk in circles. "That mage, Amina, she had an ancient power; she was a real problem, and if she wasn't from this world, that god will probably come back and kill us all, right?"
Renato looked at him, silently. Certainly, they only had two options: the world would restart, or Renato would die.
"…I'd rather die than have the world restart."
And if Joakim was cruel enough, he would say yes; he would rather see Renato die than wait for his death along with all of humanity.
"I hope it's just a damn factory defect, or I don't know..." He said, then covered his face with his hand, staying close to the window.
Meanwhile, Renato slowly approached from behind him. "We must warn Ji Noo; both the fake parchment and the uncertain future that awaits us."
And as much as Joakim continued to hate Ji Noo, he knew that this was their last option; trusting a stranger to help them save the world.
"…Yeah."
And as the thought of an uncertain future, and a life that would soon come to an end, turned to the present, the sun began to hide, giving way to the broken moon.
All they could do was hope that they would manage to change Renato's preaching —if it can even be considered preaching— and be able to save themselves from that future.
_
Barely a day has passed since I sent Liam and Gene to investigate that town called 'Sh'ual'.
It will probably take them about three days to get to the village, and then another three days to get back to Anarxie; anyway, it's a village that's quite far away, almost on the shores of the island…it is difficult to reach without some kind of car, helicopter, or plane. Three things that do not exist in this world.
The day before, when I went out with Anser, I discovered a few things about him…
"Jeon, Sherly would send me here when he and Randy were working and couldn't take care of me."
He took me to his old daycare center. Which, I didn't know existed in this world, much less that there were still children going to it.
"It's incredible that you still remember it..." That was all he could say; if he told him, 'How is it that such a thing exists in this world?!' it would seem very strange to him.
Then he took me to a toy store; they were all made of wood, and upon entering, he showed me several models of toys that he had owned.
"Sherly bought me a set of wooden swords to help me train, but Randy and I used them to play princess, prince, and dragon with him…"
That made me think of him as a cute detail. But, while we were looking at the models, I found one peculiar; a Kendama.
"…"
It was strange. I remember my aunt bringing it back from one of her trips when she visited my mother; the fact that something like that exists in this world...
Weird.
It wasn't until I saw the owner of the toy store; she was an elderly woman, perhaps in her seventies. "Young Ciro! It's been so long since I've seen you around here..." The woman went to Anser, and then gave him a light hug, and surprisingly, Anser returned it. "I still remember when you used to come with young Randy and Mr. Sherly to buy toys."
"Eh?" He calls Randy "young man" and Sherly "sir"...if Sherly were alive, it would surely be a blow to his pride.
However, when the old woman saw me, I could see her eyes open; she seemed surprised to see me, but why? "Erm…"
"Young Ciro, who is this young man...?"
Anser seemed just as confused as I was, then he looked at me, trying to find what the woman saw so clearly in me. "He is Jeon...he is not bad." And the fact that he said it like that made me sigh.
Soon, the old woman cleared her throat, and her smile returned. "It's not just...it's just that I thought I saw him somewhere else..."
Anser and I looked at each other, then at her.
"Although, his name reminds me of a certain writer…"
And my ears suddenly became more acute. Anser didn't seem to understand, but I... no, perhaps that old woman was also reincarnated? In this world my novel doesn't exist, much less me, so…
"Writer?" I asked, and the old woman simply smiled at me.
"I'm just an old woman...I might get confused, you know...books often get lost between generations...I used to read that book to Young Ciro every time he came over."
Huh? Was that even possible?
However, if she brought with her the knowledge from the novel and turned it into a 'book' in addition to the toys from my world...wouldn't that mean that among all these citizens, there were also others who reincarnated like me?
"…I see." And yet, Anser can hear when I talk about my world with Liam, he can't see those 'cross-outs' that Frederick and Gene mention so much.
Although July 14 is also able to hear him, in his case... perhaps it's because he's an artificial being, created by people who don't belong to this world. Except for—
"Enver."
I even got out of bed while remembering what happened yesterday. How could I have ignored something so obvious?
Ever since Raum was still alive, Enver tormented me, and now with Raum dead...why does he continue to haunt me?
It might be suicide now that I think about it, but if I go looking for Enver, will I get more answers about this world?
「There are many things in this world that you haven't stopped to notice…」
Those words echoed in my mind, someone said it...but...who was it?
I shouldn't worry too much, however, if I really take the time to investigate; from this world, to knowing everything about Randy...maybe I can find out that ending that's already written; maybe I can remember that ending.
So I got out of bed. I would go see July 14; he should still be able to remember where the wizards hide, or at least Enver.
"July!" I came to a door; it was Frederick's room, but he shared it with July 14. "July, are you awake? July!"
And the door burst open; but it wasn't July 14, it was Frederick. "'July, July, July'…could you let me sleep?" Frederick's cheap imitation of my voice made me snort. It was the first time I had seen Frederick still asleep at this time of day. "July 14 is not here, he said he would go train with Anser…and next time, just knock like a human."
And he slammed the door in my face, but that didn't matter.
I quickly returned to my room, cleaned up a bit in there, and then put on presentable clothes. Once I left my bedroom, I jumped up the stairs and quickly headed to the back of the base.
And, right there in the training field...I could see July 14 and Anser fighting in the distance; Anser was repelling July 14's green flames, while July 14 was throwing fireballs at him.
Just as one was about to hit Anser, he quickly waved his hand at his side, making the fireball disappear.
July 14 stepped back, suddenly frightened that his fire had so easily faded. And well, I must admit that it surprised me too.
"Wow…" Apparently, Anser is stronger now than when I first met him, and he used to have enough power to split a mountain in two; I can't imagine what he could possibly split now.
Then Anser's gaze turned in my direction; once he saw me, his serious face relaxed, and he came towards me. "Jeon…"
He really does seem like a little dog sometimes, doesn't he? He barely sees me and he practically runs towards me.
On the other hand, July 14 also approached, arms crossed. "Ha, Jeon…what do you want? I thought you were sleeping just like Frederick. I guess not all humans are equally lazy..."
Anser stopped in front of me, then I saw him bend down; he picked up his pet demon, Mayu, from the ground. I couldn't even hear Mayu coming up behind me. Maybe it's another one of its special abilities? Anyway, it doesn't matter... for some reason, that demon seems to follow me every time it sees me, and still, I can't figure out why it does it.
The first time I said they were intelligent, but now I can't even understand their 'affection' for me, if that's what I can call it.
"July, do you still remember where the wizards' base is located?"
I could see July's confused look, followed by Anser's surprised look.
"…Why?" They both said the same thing, but leaving July 14, it was just out of curiosity, but leaving Anser, it seemed like a threat.
I sighed. If I say what I know...Anser shouldn't mind, right? Anyway, it'll be hard to distract him enough to leave July 14 and me alone. "I want to talk to Enver, I want to...know a little about what they're planning."
July 14 and Anser looked at each other, then looked at me.
"…Don't you remember what happened in the Third World?" Well, I know Enver caused the death of the last survivor of the Vulpecula Clan, but perhaps he had his reasons? "He murdered one of my own flesh and blood…Frederick and I did everything we could to protect you... and now you want to go talk to him? What are you playing at? Are you playing with us?"
His voice sounded annoyed—no, he was annoyed, right when I first met him.
I accept that maybe so; what I'm planning to do is crazy, but... I really need to know the information, with or without Anser.
"Sorry Jeon, but this time I agree with what the boss says…" July 14 said, arms crossed, as he watched his tail wag. "I mean, I tried to kill you, and amidst all the pursuit, Anser kept following you; to protect you from me. Shouldn't you be a little more grateful to him?"
Yes, I know I should be grateful but... "I—"
"Besides, don't think we're friends. We're from the same sect, yes... but I think you're a manipulator! Look at yourself! Now, with what Anser is saying, it seems you've been manipulating him!"
Manipulator? No, no, I would never—"I would never do something like that! I would never risk Anser in the dangers of this world!" Even if July 14 don't believe me, it doesn't matter, only Anser needs to truly believe me. "It's just that... I want to know why Enver longs for Raum so much, what he wants him for... and everything he knows about this world."
"…"
However, in both of their eyes, I could see distrust.
And it wasn't the first time I'd seen that in my life, but since it was them; Anser, I have to admit it made me feel guilty. Even if I don't know why.
"Listen...I'm serious," I took out that painting I found earlier; the one where Enver appeared, that only clue to that place, besides being called the same as Anser should have been called. "In this life, Enver didn't die; Enver is alive. And yet, when Lahn died, Enver didn't. Why? None of us know. Only Enver can know what happened when Lahn died; why or what...killed him."
"…"
However, my words didn't seem to work; now, why did they distrust me so much? "I know I shouldn't look for him, knowing everything he did to us; to all those he and his group killed...but, if I can find out more about this world...I will be able to find a way so that all those deaths were not in vain!"
And perhaps the death of all those loved ones; especially for Anser, is the real reason why he doesn't want to lose any more of his friends, his colleagues...his family.
"…" And finally, Anser's gaze relaxed, slightly, but it did. "…I'll go with you."
"I had planned for July to do it..." And I saw Anser's gaze harden again, slowly looking at July 14 with a withering glare. "B-But…! You can escort us there!"
And if his gaze softened.
Damn...just a little more and I swear Anser would have really started fighting with July 14.
"…" Speaking of him... he remained silent. "I'll agree with you, well, half agree with what you said…" He put his hands in the pockets of his black suit. "From the moment I was created, even I didn't fully understand their purpose; what exactly were they looking for? I don't know for sure, and I'm curious to find out...what do they gain from all this? Who is their true objective? And why are you the tool?"
At least my curiosity is shared.
"I'll take you, but let me clarify...if Enver tries to kidnap you, I won't help you. Okay?" As much as I want to take his words as a joke...I could see the seriousness with which July 14 said it.
So, I nodded. "Okay..." Perhaps I should start to worry; I don't think my regeneration is much of a match for Enver's poison...I know that if he were to seriously confront me, I would lose.
Although the idea was disconcerting, I must admit that July 14's sudden sincerity surprised me. I never thought I'd be alive to witness July 14 get serious for the first time, and at the same time, it motivated me to get serious too.
I don't want to disappoint even more people.
"I will be the escort…"
"Yes Anser, yes, you will join us, you don't have to repeat it!" July 14 spat.