Is There Such a Reality? -2

Doppelganger.

A term referring to an unbelievably identical version of oneself.

When two such people meet, one must die. One side must kill the other.

Even setting aside such ghost stories, this was quite bizarre.

“Brother, are you okay?”

“Ah… yes, I’m fine.”

Because this Demon King looked exactly like Noah.

Why do the protagonist and final boss of this world have the same appearance?

Though Shin Hyun had such questions, there was no way to find answers.

That was natural.

After all, he only discovered this two weeks ago, so what could he possibly do?

‘…Haah, damn it.’

For now, he could only carefully please the Demon King and gain her favor. Perhaps someday she would inadvertently say something revealing.

There was a reason Shin Hyun thought this way.

“Brother… are you really okay?”

“Hmm… my heart hurts a bit.”

“Are you okay? Should Demon King blow on it?”

“I think it’s because of the bug. If I could remove it, it wouldn’t hurt anymore.”

“Uh… b-but that… if you remove it… the subordinates will call you a traitor…”

The Demon King’s eyes wavered as she spoke.

Shin Hyun let out a hollow laugh as he looked into those eyes.

“It’s okay.”

“Mm… I’m sorry…”

“Though it is a bit disappointing.”

“Uuugh…!”

“I’m joking, just joking.”

“Hmph! Brother is mean!”

The Demon King turned her head away, pouting.

Seeing this, Shin Hyun picked up a doll and spoke in a voice.

“I’m sorry~ Please forgive me~”

“…”

“I want to play with Demon King~ Let me play~”

“…J-just this once.”

The Demon King, with puffed cheeks, turned and picked up a doll. It was a child-like mood swing.

Shin Hyun watched the Demon King as he played with the dolls.

‘She’s just a child…’

Well, if her appearance is accurate, the Demon King is only about seven years old. Why she’s like this is the most puzzling thing.

No joke, if they continue to get closer like this, she might just hand over a commander position.

That’s how children are.

And that made it all the more difficult to understand.

‘Why on earth is she the Demon King?’

She’s young.

Too young.

I’d sooner believe that bastard Ppyong-Ppyong is the Demon King.

What kind of being was the Demon King in this game?

In the late stages of the game, she descends directly to overwhelm the magical girls, goes toe-to-toe with the powerfully developed Iris, and delivers several bad endings—the very embodiment of evil.

But the reality is a little girl who resembles Noah. How on earth does the world work?

But no matter how much he denies it, it’s a clear fact that this child will eventually face Noah.

‘The more I dig, the more crazy it gets.’

Because the route he transmigrated into happened to be the happy ending route, things are occurring beyond the information he has.

But still!

“Playing with brother is so fun!”

“Is it fun?”

“Yes! I love it so much! Hehehe…”

…This is driving me crazy.

Why does she have to resemble Noah of all people?

The opponent began to look not like the Demon King, but like a cursed, younger version of Noah.

‘Damn it.’

A bitter taste fills his mouth.

At this rate, will he be able to seal this child in the future? Depending on the situation, he might even need to be prepared to kill her.

“Brother? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

The Demon King rolled her eyes and put down the doll. Then, she clung to Shin Hyun.

“I’ll stop now because brother looks tired.”

“Really?”

“Brother looking tired makes the Demon King sad.”

The Demon King continued to cling to him.

Shin Hyun gave a blank look at the Demon King, who resembled a golden retriever meeting its owner.

‘She acts exactly like Noah.’

Looking lonely, looking desolate. When you share a little affection because you just can’t leave her alone, she clings to you—it’s exactly the same.

Perhaps if he had met Noah earlier, would such a scene have unfolded?

‘She’s cute.’

‘If only she wasn’t the Demon King.’

‘Should I seduce her?’

‘Are you crazy?’

‘No, since you seduced Noah, I thought that was your preference…’

‘She’s too young, even so!’

‘There’s no such thing as too young though?’

‘…You little brat, I’m confiscating your phone.’

What’s wrong with Kkomul-i? He seems to be losing his mind day by day.

“Brother?”

“Yes?”

“Are you tired?”

“Yes.”

The Demon King nodded.

“Then go rest. Thank you for playing with me today.”

“Are we done playing now?”

“Yes. Brother looks tired. Go rest quickly!”

“Then after I clean up—”

“Nn, no! Demon King will clean it all up! Brother go quickly! Quickly!”

Shin Hyun moved his feet under the Demon King’s pressure.

Of course.

He had no intention of just leaving.

“…Hmm, is it done?”

“Oh? What are you doing there?”

“Ah, it’s you.”

“Yes, it’s Ppyong-Ppyong. Ha-ha, my goodness. Did the Demon King get you again?”

“Well, that’s right. Kids never get tired.”

“That’s how children are. Ah, this is… I’ve held up someone who was going to rest. I apologize. Please go and rest.”

“I was just about to.”

Under Ppyong-Ppyong’s pressuring smile, Shin Hyun hurriedly left.

Ppyong-Ppyong didn’t take his eyes off Shin Hyun until the moment he disappeared.

As if monitoring him.

Only after he disappeared beyond the corridor did Ppyong-Ppyong turn to the Demon King.

“Now, how is he? Please tell me everything you felt.”

With a subtly threatening tone.

+++++

The Demon King always hated this time.

“Oh, so he showed such behavior.”

“Yes. Brother seemed to enjoy playing with Demon King too.”

“I see, I see… Is he a pedophile? After seducing Na Noah… now even to the Demon King.”

“Brother and I aren’t like that. We’re just friends.”

“Friends. Just friends… Haha, that’s good.”

Because.

“…Don’t misunderstand. He is merely a chess piece, a being to be used eventually to destroy the world.”

Ppyong-Ppyong always showed a strange side during this time.

Enduring his frenzied gaze, the Demon King questioned.

“Can’t we be friends?”

“No. Just don’t misunderstand. Our purpose.”

Ppyong-Ppyong spun around and gently stroked the Demon King’s shoulder.

“Isn’t our purpose to destroy the world and enjoy amusement?”

“…”

“I’m especially looking forward to it. This world. And you, grown even stronger.”

“…”

“Do you understand my heart? Demon King.”

“…”

“He too is ultimately just to be used and discarded. Don’t put too much affection into a toy. You won’t become a great person that way.”

It was painful.

So frightening.

This doll is too dangerous. Even the Demon King, still a young girl, could understand that.

However.

She couldn’t resist.

“…Sh-shut up.”

No, she couldn’t resist.

Until she met him.

“Hmm?”

A questioning sound escaped from Ppyong-Ppyong’s mouth.

A hollow gaze was directed at her, but the Demon King willingly met that gaze.

“What Ppyong-Ppyong does isn’t fun.”

“…It’s not fun?”

“Yes. Playing dolls with brother is much more fun.”

“…Doll… playing.”

“It would be nice if Ppyong-Ppyong played like this too… it’s too much… you said you’d make it lots of fun, but…”

The Demon King’s pent-up complaints burst forth.

For the past two weeks, the time spent playing with Shin Hyun had been immensely enjoyable for the Demon King.

More than slaughter or massacre.

More than the aesthetics of destruction or whatever.

Therefore.

“No matter if it’s Ppyong-Ppyong… no.”

“Wait, stop speaking right there.”

“Even if you’re father, calling brother a toy is—”

“Enough!!!”

“Eek…!”

“You really are a child who doesn’t listen! Fine, the conversation ends here. Don’t forget! Why you were chosen! Why you were chosen instead of that trash sister, Na Noah!”

“F-father… I…”

“I’m not father! I’m Ppyong-Ppyong. Ppyong-Ppyong, the doll you used to play with! Why do you think I’m in this ridiculous form!”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“It’s because of you! All because of you! I’m in this form because of you!”

“…”

“So stop being childish now. Child, you are the Demon King. Understand? The Demon King who will destroy the world.”

Sniff, sniff.

With sobbing sounds, the Demon King nodded.

“I-I understand, father…”

“Ppyong-Ppyong!”

“Ugh… uugh… I’m sorry, Ppyong-Ppyong… I won’t do it again…”

“As long as you understand. Now, clean up—”

At that moment, Ppyong-Ppyong’s ears twitched rapidly.

“Who’s there!”

It felt like someone was eavesdropping on the conversation.

Ppyong-Ppyong rushed out quickly.

That’s when it happened.

A man who had been listening to that conversation completely melted away and disappeared.

“…Was it my imagination?”

This happened even before Ppyong-Ppyong burst through the door.

+++++

‘How is Lust’s ability?’

‘Excellent. There’s a reason he’s one of the top executives in the Demon King’s army. Such a perfect clone.’

‘Sharing audio and visual… it’s a shame the limit is one person if you want to make it perfect.’

‘Yes, anyway… speaking of that.’

Plop.

Shin Hyun, who had been sitting on the bed, lay down completely.

Not fluffy, but a fairly warm warmth heats his back.

Shin Hyun closed his eyes slightly.

It was a dilemma. Despite learning such an enormous fact that his mind should be numb—

His head was filled entirely with thoughts of Noah.

“…What should I tell Noah?”

Your father might actually be a strange fellow. He’s definitely hiding some big secret related to you.

No, he called you a failure? Believe me! Your father is definitely a strange villain!

Should I say that?

“…Ha.”

No matter how he phrased it.

“…Noah will be sad.”

It would be a painful story for Noah.

“I can’t help it.”

He’ll just continue doing what he’s been doing.

Being there for her whenever she’s sad. That’s something he can do over and over.

And.

‘Even if he’s my father-in-law, if he makes Noah sad.’

“I’ll have to crack his head.”

He’ll simply destroy enemies that interfere with Noah’s happy ending.

Just that.

Hoping that Noah won’t be too shocked, and that she’ll come as soon as possible, Shin Hyun quietly inhaled.

‘…But you’re not objecting to the term “father-in-law”?’

‘Be quiet.’

You’re ruining the mood.