Ch.119Chapter 119: An Unexpected Invitation (3)

#

The space guided by the mysterious being who greeted me with simultaneous welcome and caution was filled with a static atmosphere.

Tick-tock

Making a very regular pattern of sound.

Tick-tock

The rhythmic sound of interlocking gears, which could calm one’s mind if listened to long enough, was the only non-static element in this place that prided itself on its stillness.

But right now, I had no time to contemplate what kind of noise was breaking the silence.

Why, you ask?

Because after dragging me here claiming to have a conversation…

【You’re not even surprised. Most people would be terrified experiencing something like this. Ah, perhaps you’ve experienced something similar before?】

This entity was grating on my nerves, not even showing itself while speaking as if it knew everything about me.

As if that wasn’t difficult enough, there was something else making me even more anxious.

‘Fafnir.’

[….]

‘Fafnir.’

[….]

Fafnir’s heavy silence in response to my calls was exactly that.

I had expected him to be more vocal than me with his near-monologue observations in this situation.

But his complete silence made me wonder if he had lost consciousness.

【Ah, I forgot to make my entrance while spacing out.】

My thoughts about Fafnir were interrupted as the one who invited me here finally showed signs of revealing themselves.

Clap-!!

Just like when I was brought here, the crisp sound of fingers meeting fingers overpowered the sound of interlocking gears.

“Greetings, being of fleeting life.”

The entity that had been communicating unilaterally through the voice echoing in my head finally addressed me through a voice resonating from their own vocal cords.

The sound came from behind me.

The voice was remarkably clear and pure compared to the distorted version I had heard in my head.

But I had no leisure to appreciate the beautiful voice reaching my ears.

Because I hadn’t sensed any sign of their presence until that voice came from behind me.

It was chilling. To think I hadn’t noticed someone so close, close enough for me to hear their voice.

[It’s dangerous to leave your back unguarded.]

Fafnir, who had been silent since we arrived here, finally spoke to me.

I hurriedly turned around following his advice.

“No need for alarm. Even if it were someone else and not you, there wouldn’t be a handful of beings who could predict my appearance like this.”

What my hastily turned gaze captured was a figure with androgynous features, shrugging their shoulders while speaking in a flat voice.

I questioned whether ‘figure’ was the right term to define them, but they did have a human form.

I carefully examined the person before me without lowering my guard.

They had features that would be unforgettable even if seen only in passing.

Jet-black hair that matched well with the emptiness where nothing existed except for the regular ticking sound.

Contrasting snow-white skin.

A beauty that fully revealed androgynous features built upon that skin, covered by an expression full of mischief.

And an exceptionally sophisticated black suit made of the same material as their hair color, completely covering all skin except for the face.

And, most noticeable of all…

“Hmm… About a minute has passed.”

The entity raised their right wrist to check the time, revealing what appeared to be a watch.

It was incomparably smaller than a pocket watch that would be hung on a wall or carried on one’s person.

But it was unmistakably a watch.

A watch… a watch?!

Could this person be…?

I vaguely thought I knew who they were.

So I opened my mouth to reveal it, but…

“My introduction is late.”

My mouth couldn’t open as the person raised their right palm toward me, silencing me.

Seeing that I couldn’t speak, the mischief in their expression deepened, and they shrugged once more.

“I am Renium. As you can see, I am the one who governs time that flows meaninglessly even in this moment.”

They revealed themselves with a confident tone that contrasted with their simple introduction, which felt almost humble.

Renium, Renium…

It would be inaccurate to say I know them well.

But I can’t say I don’t know the name either.

The mastermind who controlled the major incident right after my regression.

A twisted deity who could stand alongside Desire, the evil god who distorted my life.

Such a being had shown interest in me and brought me here.

“…Damn it.”

The sudden surge of irritation made me unconsciously utter crude words.

“To speak like that in front of me. You’re more gutsy than I imagined.”

Huhuhuhu

The evil deity who introduced themselves as Renium kept laughing with mischief as they watched me.

Meeting a twisted deity like Desire, who treated me almost like a plaything in the time before my regression, was more than enough.

How could another unknown deity, not even the same one from the previous timeline, show such interest in me?

In this empty space where there’s no one to hear my complaints.

“Haah…”

I feel powerless, only able to sigh.

#

It’s frustrating.

So frustrating I can hardly breathe.

After summoning me here with a single gesture.

After confidently revealing themselves before me with their self-introduction, the evil deity Renium’s behavior is the cause.

Didn’t they say they wanted to have a conversation before bringing me here?

If so, they should act accordingly and do something fitting for a conversation.

But after revealing themselves with momentum as if they were about to do something…

“Hmmmm…”

The evil deity Renium maintained their position after revealing themselves and just stared at me intensely.

They took no other action.

Ah, I forgot to mention they were moving around to different positions while observing me.

Anyway, their attitude, which showed none of the dark malice I felt when they first spoke to me, was enough to make me confused.

“Ahem…”

I deliberately cleared my throat to try to provoke a change in the other party who was just observing me, but…

“Hmm…”

Regardless of what I did, Renium’s observational attitude remained unchanged.

I wanted to burst out with something like “What are you doing?” and express my frustration right there.

But knowing that the being before me, no matter how twisted, was of a rank that ordinary humans couldn’t even imagine, suppressed such thoughts.

Perhaps sensing the rising tide of passion in my heart…

“Sometimes, observing silently can yield more than exchanging dozens of words.”

Finally, Renium spoke with considerable gravity, removing some of the mischief from their expression and voice.

Does this mean they can understand someone like me through observation alone, using the intuition naturally developed with their transcendent status, without needing conversation?

The nuance in their serious words irritated me more than when they spoke with a mischievous voice, but…

“Irregular one. You who overlay the same time with different experiences to reverse a twisted fate without receiving my baptism.”

To Renium’s words that pierced my essence while using metaphors, abstractions, and expressions difficult even for me to understand…

“…”

I could only remain silent like someone who had swallowed honey.

As if they had predicted I wouldn’t be able to say anything after hearing these words.

“Seems like that struck a nerve. You looked like you were about to snap at me before I said that.”

“It wouldn’t matter if I did…”

“Hmm?”

“To you, I’m just an insignificant creature that could be erased with a single gesture, so why would I need to unnecessarily upset you?”

As soon as my words in response to Renium’s probing statements fell in the space where only boring observation and silence had been exchanged…

Hahahahaha-!!

A thunderous laugh that could shatter the tedious silence erupted.

This laughter was, of course, coming from Renium who had invited me here.

“Ah… haha. Hahahaha. You really are an interesting one.”

Genuine laughter flowed continuously from Renium’s mouth.

“Even when I deliberately called you harshly to intimidate you before bringing you here, you didn’t cower, which was impressive.”

While continuing their thunderous laughter…

Wiping tears from their eyes, Renium’s words contained undisguised admiration for me.

“At first, I thought Laplace was making excuses for failing his mission, but in the end, it was I who was wrong for not properly listening to my loyal servant.”

They didn’t forget to express regret to their direct subordinate who had first provided information about me.

Laplace.

How could I forget that name?

The name of the subordinate who tried to assassinate Siz before she fully awakened her heroic qualities, following their master’s orders.

Even though he couldn’t exert even half of his original power due to forcibly interfering with the timeline…

It was only with appropriate luck that I was able to stop him.

Otherwise, right after regressing and vowing to protect her, I would have helplessly watched her die before my eyes.

“Anyway, impressive. Very impressive. Even considering that you’ve had similar experiences and that I’m not fully manifested here right now, your unintimidated demeanor facing me is quite admirable.”

My extended thoughts were disrupted by Renium’s words, which still contained admiration.

By the way, this deity.

They really seem to find things to admire.

Are there no beings around them who maintain equal communication relationships, if they highly evaluate someone just for maintaining a high posture without succumbing to their power and authority?

Ah, considering the status bestowed upon them, perhaps that’s a natural reaction.

Against a deity with a status so high that even comparing oneself to them would be considered blasphemous, albeit twisted…

I know how difficult it is to maintain dignity without bending oneself.

Although I didn’t want it…

Even Desire, who reconstructed my dying body with a single gesture and imposed the position of agent on me, using me…

In some sense, greatly favored me for maintaining a rebellious attitude while considering them an enemy.

Even more than Adorator, who would act without hesitation if ordered, even if the order was to die.

Do beings with such high status pay more attention to those who don’t bow down to them, even if rebellious, rather than those who offer blind loyalty?

…That can’t be.

It’s simply that the distorted aesthetic sense of a twisted being like Desire was stimulated by my crooked attitude.

As I tried to suppress the suspicions rising in my mind…

“I’ll tell you the results of my observation, Irregular.”

Finally, Renium, who had been observing me without doing anything, slowly opened their mouth.

What did they feel while observing me, and what are they planning to do to me based on those feelings?

No one would enjoy being unilaterally observed by someone right in front of them, but…

The overwhelming power and status of the other party makes even such unfairness seem natural.

Whatever the case, I needed to respond according to their reaction.

‘Fafnir.’

[Just say the word.]

‘You’re well-prepared.’

[I’ve been wanting to give this twisted deity a good hit since earlier.]

‘Not yet, please be patient.’

As I inwardly urged Fafnir to prepare for any contingency…

“There’s no need to be so cautious. Today’s I did not come to harm you.”

As if they had heard my conversation with Fafnir, Renium opened their mouth with a bitter smile, raised their right hand, and overlapped their thumb and middle finger.

Clap-!!

They emitted a sound more cheerful than any other sound they had made by flicking their fingers.

Tick…

The regular, ceaseless repetitive gear sound completely stopped.

And light began to seep, albeit faintly, into the bizarre space that could only be described as void.

What could this mean?

“I’ll get straight to the conclusion. It has been determined that you are not a harmful entity that damages the values I protect.”

At least, from Renium’s subsequent words, it seemed clear that I wouldn’t have to face a dangerous situation.

But why?

Why do I feel so afraid of the next words that will come from this evil deity’s mouth, who declares they won’t harm me and says I’m not harmful?

Renium’s expression as they paused to catch their breath while pronouncing the verdict was still full of mischief, just like when they first revealed themselves.

But for some reason, that expression seemed to show satisfaction as if observing something other than me.

Ominously so.