27. White Night (13)

Foreword

To the Reader Who Might Exist

To you, dear readers who pick up this tale,

Cast aside all passions.

And please, don’t get angry while reading this story.

Even if there’s nothing evil or ugly to be found,

And perfection is scarce save for matters of laughter, if you see great sorrow that wounds and torments your hearts,

You will understand that no other story can capture my heart.

It’s always better to write about laughter than tears.

For laughter is the nature of humanity.

So.

Smile for me, Jihoo-ya.

Because I eventually laughed.

Even when I realized I couldn’t escape this goddamn fake world, I never cried.

Smile at me.

Come to me.

Because I’m the only one who can understand you.

I’ll be waiting.

Always.

* * *

I had a nightmare once.

In the dream, Pira-hyun appeared and seemed to say something.

After waking up, I couldn’t remember what it was.

After all, it was just a dream.

However, the closer I get to where Pira-hyun is, her voice gradually echoes in my ears, and memories deep within my brain that I had forgotten long ago slowly rise to the surface.

It was a phenomenon that occurred so naturally.

[Remember.]

[Don’t deliberately forget.]

[You know it, don’t you? That I’m special.]

Yeah. I’ve vaguely known it for a while now.

But until now, I had been unconsciously denying the truth.

The fact that Pira-hyun is a little, or maybe a lot, different from the other beings in this world.

She was different from the very beginning in the novel.

‘The day will come when you have to say goodbye to that ability.’

Her prophetic ability, which was clearly mentioned even in the original [The Academy’s Duplicationist].

Her other abilities, absorption and release.

And even the mental snatching ability whose identity is unknown.

Frankly, it’s a power that ordinary humans can’t possibly possess.

If she’s not an ordinary human, then what on earth is she?

Could she really be some kind of god?

No, that’s all wrong.

I already know what she is.

She is…

“We’ve arrived.”

“…Ah, right.”

It was a member of the unit who brought me back from my wandering consciousness.

He must have thought my expression looked dazed, because he’s looking at me with a worried face, which makes me feel a little sorry.

We left the Velocity Center and were heading towards the enemy’s base.

The enemy side must have gradually noticed that intruders had entered the interior, as they were slowly narrowing the encirclement.

But each time, we used Alice’s ability to easily escape the enemy’s encirclement.

Of course, I don’t think this meaningless game of tag will last long.

A fight that only ends when one side is caught. Rather than wasting stamina or resources in a meaningless war of attrition, I think it’s best to carefully watch for an opportunity and aim for a single blow.

Therefore, the ultimate goal for now is Pantagruel’s base. A reasonably sized military facility called ‘Omega Zero’ among the unit members.

It’s already been three days since we started marching towards that place.

The movement speed itself was slow because we were gradually attacking the demon’s strongholds and advancing, but there were no cases where we were surrounded from the front and back or truly trapped and unable to move.

It’s all thanks to Alice’s ability and the quick wits of the unit members.

We’ve suffered quite a bit in the past three days.

There were many cases where we couldn’t even rest, let alone sleep, and the operation almost failed because we couldn’t communicate smoothly with the outside.

The only advantage was that we could receive supplies via teleportation in a timely manner, so it was by no means an easy journey.

But finally.

We were able to reach our desired goal.

[Omega Zero]

[Warning: Unauthorized access prohibited]

“First, try to communicate with the outside, and if that doesn’t work, set up a shielding device and try again. If it still doesn’t work, it’s probably because the magic concentration here is too high, so try doing it further away.”

“Yes, I’ll set up camp first.”

Currently, the outside is ready to provide support here at any time.

This is partly thanks to the fact that we have reduced the number of demons through continuous engagements over the past few weeks, but the biggest reason is that we have tied up the demons’ feet with our infiltration operation.

According to information from the outside, the government side knew about our infiltration a long time ago, but they just turned a blind eye.

Whether it’s a sign that they don’t want to bother each other anymore, or whether they mean that they will proceed with their own operation regardless of our operation.

Either way, there was nothing that would harm us.

A very positive sign. It was as if I could vaguely see the goddess of victory’s flag raised high.

“Only a minimum number of people should stand guard, and the rest should rest.”

After giving simple orders to the squad members, I entered the temporarily prepared commander’s office.

…There were guests already there.

Hayul-i, Sura-sunbae, Rei, and even Yewon-ssi.

The fact that these four, each of whom is equivalent to a company commander, are in one place must mean that they have something to tell me.

“Why are you all gathered here?”

“Jihoo-ya.” “Jihoo-ssi.”

“Well, you’re not going to come all the way here and tell me to retreat, are you?”

“…It’s not that.”

Yewon-ssi walks towards me with a stiff face.

Her dark purple hair and firm eyes that don’t dull in the face of any dirtiness are looking at me.

“I just wanted to tell you not to get hurt.”

“…All four of you?”

“We all met in front of the door. If you don’t believe me, you can check with the others.”

“No, there’s no need to go that far… I’m rather grateful that you came.”

“Then shall we get started?”

Yewon-ssi took out a small bottle from her bosom.

With familiar movements, she opened the bottle cap and poured the liquid from the bottle into a water glass placed on the makeshift table.

“Take a glass.”

“No alcohol-“

“It’s not alcohol, so it’s okay.”

I had no choice but to accept the glass that Yewon-ssi handed me.

She took out four more glasses from the cupboard next to the table and poured the unidentified drink into the other glasses in the same way.

Only after Hayul-i, Sura-sunbae, and even Rei received their glasses did Yewon-ssi pick up her own glass.

“Unless something else happens, tomorrow will be the last battle, right?”

“That’s… right?”

“In the old days, they held small banquets like this before the final battle. So, let’s think of it as that. A final banquet.”

“Jihoo-ya, you can relax. You’ve seemed too rushed until now, so take it easy today.”

Hayul-i’s words supporting Yewon-ssi.

Sura-sunbae and Rei also nod as if agreeing with her.

Did I look that precarious? I feel a little sorry for unintentionally causing them concern.

Seeing my embarrassed expression, Yewon-ssi curled up the corners of her lips and raised her glass high above her shoulder.

“Then shall we toast? Let’s forget about the worries of today and only think about tomorrow!”

“Yeah, cheers.”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers…!”

A chuckle escapes me as I watch them awkwardly raise their glasses.

Everyone came here for me.

It feels like the fatigue of the past few days of hardship is washed away in an instant.

I also raised my glass high.

The light purple drink glistens in the glass.

I don’t know what it is, but judging from the subtle scent that comes from just holding it, it must be pretty good.

“Cheers!”

I drank the drink all the way down in one gulp.

And then, I was surprised by the unexpected taste.

‘It doesn’t taste like anything…!’

Even when you drink plain water, you usually taste a unique metallic or fishy taste, but for some reason, this liquid is literally tasteless, it doesn’t taste like anything.

Before the surprise at the taste could fade, I was even more surprised by the special effect of the liquid that followed.

“Yewon-ssi, this is…”

“Yes, it’s what they commonly call it. The one that boasts the highest price among consumable artifacts.”

Elixir.

The effects I’ve heard so far are mainly three.

First, it restores all physical and mental fatigue and puts the user in top condition.

Second, it permanently increases the total amount of magic power, albeit slightly. In addition, the ability to handle magic power increases dramatically for about 24 hours.

And the last third is, in some ways, nothing special.

The blood flow throughout the body speeds up.

Faster blood flow means… better blood circulation.

That was true not only for the chest and arms, but also for the lower body.

“It’s the last time, so how is it…?”

Changgeurang.

An empty plastic cup hits the floor.

Yewon-ssi was already pressed tightly against my body.

“…It’s not possible. At least after tomorrow.”

Even if I can somehow solve the soundproofing issue, the fact that this appearance could be revealed as a commander would greatly hinder morale.

Absolutely. Absolutely not.

Of course, I wanted to do it too, but… this time, I absolutely can’t.

“Phew. That’s too much.”

“Jihoo-ya… you really won’t…?”

“I’m sorry, sunbae.”

When I refused with even a bow, Sura-sunbae showed her disappointment by puffing out her cheeks.

I’m disappointed too. Who wouldn’t be?

But public and private matters must be clearly distinguished.

…Instead, I thought I could do this much.

“…Ah, ahaha… Thank you, Jihoo-ya…”

I hugged Sunbae with all my might.

To show that my heart for Sunbae, the temperature of my heart that will never cool down, is still intact.

To let her know that I love her.

Love that started with Eros is completed with Philia.

Only now, at this moment, before the final battle.

If this isn’t fate, then what is it?

We separated only after sharing a loving embrace for a long time.

After that, Yewon-ssi, Hayul-i, and even Rei.

Hayul-i even started to sob, so it took quite a while to soothe her.

The night deepened for the four of us like that.

The last night that will never come back.

And finally, the twilight dawn arrived.