Ch.284Fable (1)

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Huh?

A familiar voice awakened my mind. I see a table with delicious food and white plates in front of me.

Along with that, a cold sensation from my palm. Looking at the fork in my hand gives me a strange feeling.

“…Don’t you like it? I haven’t cooked in a while, so honestly, I’m not confident.”

“I used expensive Hanwoo beef, so it would be a problem if you don’t like it.”

“Do you really have to say that even today? You always…”

“No! Dad! I was just lost in thought for a moment!”

Just like before, my father and mother are about to argue.

I quickly stabbed the bread on the table with the fork I was holding. With a crisp sound, a hole formed in the bread, and rich meat juices flowed out through the gap.

Drawn by that intense aroma, I grabbed the bread with my bare hands, tore it off, and put it in my mouth. It was hot enough to burn, but the taste was so amazing that I couldn’t feel the heat at all.

“Why are you eating with your bare hands like that? What’s the fork for?”

“How is it? Delicious? Isn’t it amazing?”

After chewing and swallowing vigorously, I silently gave a thumbs up.

Seeing this, my father smiled broadly.

“I’ve already received my gift. Now it’s mom’s turn.”

“I know.”

“Gift?”

I was surprised as I was licking my fingers to not waste a single drop of juice.

It was very rare for my mother to give me gifts. In fact, after I was hospitalized, it was difficult to even see her face. She was always busy as a famous actress.

“Mom has a gift for me?”

“That’s what I said. I was also surpr—ah, excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

My father left with his phone, leaving only my mother and me in the kitchen. My mother hesitated for a moment before pulling something out from under the table.

The large box with an illustration of a machine resembling headgear was something I knew well. It was a VR device advertised everywhere. I blankly received the gift my mother handed me.

“I asked my manager what’s popular these days and bought this.”

My mother spoke in a slightly awkward voice, unlike her usual self. I couldn’t say anything.

“Such an expensive thing that’s not even that good… Are you crying right now?”

“What?”

As my mother said, I felt warm liquid flowing from my eyes. I wiped the tears with the back of my hand, but they wouldn’t stop.

I am happy to receive the gift, but not enough to cry. Why am I acting like this?

“Hey!”

I put down the gift and rushed to the bathroom. I heard my mother’s confused voice, but I couldn’t look back.

After locking the bathroom door, I turned on the faucet first.

Thanks to the sound of running water, my racing emotions gradually calmed down.

I think I understand why I reacted that way.

Having spent my childhood in the hospital, I had always dreamed of spending happy times with my family. Everyone sitting at the table, eating in a harmonious atmosphere. Now that dream had come true, and I unconsciously shed tears.

I washed my face with water and looked in the mirror.

“Huh?”

There was a small Post-it note stuck in the corner of the mirror. I can see a three-letter word written on it.

The moment my unconsciously extended finger touched the Post-it, the bathroom was plunged into darkness.

The water on my face turned into sticky mucus, and the clothes I was wearing became a suffocating cocoon that tightened around my body.

‘What was that just now?’

All the visions I had seen through the cocoon so far were fragments of memories from the past.

But this time was different.

In my memory, there was never a time when the whole family ate together, smiling happily. Both my father and mother were always busy. By the time I entered college, they were already living separately.

‘And the last part.’

That Post-it note.

It seemed like an important word, but I can’t remember it. It’s as if everything else remained but that part was completely erased.

‘…Will I be able to check it again when I evolve into an adult?’

Since I see visions every time I enter the cocoon, I should be able to see it again later.

I tore through the cocoon and came out.

As I felt the cool air, what I saw was a container with its door wide open and a griffon beastkin standing in front of it.

The Sky Mother was about to bite into an apple in her hand when she met my gaze.

“…What? Why?”

Her reaction was like someone caught secretly cooking ramen in the middle of the night.

[Why didn’t you tell me earlier?]

“I know exactly what you’re thinking. You wanted to evolve as quickly as possible.”

She’s right.

After leaving the dragon’s nest, I wandered around various places collecting genetic essences. Since Megacorp and Star Union rankers had become aware of my existence, I didn’t know when they would come after me.

Moreover, those who are hostile to me are all individuals with the highest power in their respective forces. To face them, I too need to become an adult.

It’s true that I was in a hurry, so I couldn’t deny her words.

[Where are the kids?]

“They went outside with PS-111. They wanted to watch it eat metal.”

[So you’ve already arrived]

No wonder I don’t feel the subtle vibrations from the ship’s inner walls.

The ship has landed on an unnamed dwarf planet. Before going to attack Kesha Arma, I looked for a place where I could evolve into an adult without interference from others.

This is a planet far from its star, with barely any light reaching it. The planet’s crust is made of ice and metal, and the atmosphere is very thin, making it a place where ordinary life forms don’t exist.

Before going to Kesha Arma, I thoroughly searched to confirm if this place was suitable for evolution.

And the result was a pass.

On this small, dark planet, I will become an adult.

[Let me know when the kids come back]

“You’re not going to wait?”

[I’ll be entering the cocoon soon, so there’s no need]

I got up from my spot, shaking off the sticky mucus. My body size had grown larger than before, and ‘2’ long tails dragged on the floor. My body had changed as I gained a new unique trait.

‘I’ll be an adult soon anyway, so I can check then.’

[Please take care of the kids while I’m asleep]

“Don’t worry.”

She had already finished eating the apple and was now taking out frozen grapes.

I suddenly sent a wavelength to her.

[I have something to ask]

“Hmm? What is it?”

[Did you see anything when you raised your incarnate level? Like visions?]

“Visions?”

I regretted asking her as soon as I did. There’s no guarantee that others experience the same things I do. Especially when we’re different species.

I was about to add that she didn’t have to answer, but she spoke first.

“I did.”

[You did?]

“Yes. Memories from when I was human. Looks like you’ve been seeing them too.”

[Yes. I see them every time I enter the cocoon]

To be precise, except when evolving into a Morphlet. I don’t remember seeing visions then. I’m not sure if I just don’t remember or if that was an exception.

Anyway, it seems she also sees visions with each growth. Then perhaps other players have had similar experiences.

“It’s not a particularly pleasant experience. Ah, but maybe it’s different for you?”

[What do you mean?]

After fiddling with the grapes in her golden fur-covered hand for a moment, she spoke.

“I’ve only seen visions twice so far. And they were exactly the same.”

[Exactly the same?]

“Yes. Memories of being bullied in middle school. I tried to forget, but they kept coming back.”

Her answer was unexpected.

Among the players I know, Sky Mother was the only case who adapted well to this world and even got married. Her personality and social skills were good compared to me and others, without any rough edges. I had assumed she had lived a smooth life in reality.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s already a thing of the past.”

[I see]

“What about you? Judging by your question, your memories aren’t that great either.”

I didn’t answer her question right away.

As a human, I was asked countless times why my face looked the way it did. Each time, I had to explain at length why I was like this.

The reactions I got after explaining were always the same. Awkwardness. Disbelief. Cheap sympathy.

Sky Mother might react similarly to them.

‘No. She shared her pain with me first.’

So it would be fair for me to be honest with her too.

I explained to her about the visions I had seen and the major accident I had experienced in the past. She listened to my story silently until the end.

When I finished, Sky Mother let out a short sigh.

“…I had no idea you had such pain.”

[Yeah]

“Take this at least.”

She cut the grape vine she was holding and handed me half. Then she swallowed the remaining half in one go.

‘Instead of a wine glass, I suppose.’

Knowing her intention, I put the grapes in my mouth just like she did. Despite the atmosphere, the tangy and sour taste tickled my entire mouth.

The brief silence created by eating grapes was broken when she spoke.

“By the way, I didn’t know your mother was such a famous actress. I heard she even won awards at international film festivals.”

[Well, that’s right]

“Is acting talent a family trait?”

[Maybe]

After making a brief joke, she soon looked at me with serious eyes.

“This is just my guess, but maybe the visions differ depending on the goals we set?”

[What do you mean?]

“You aimed for ascension from the beginning. I was a bit different. I preferred this world over ‘reality’.”

[That’s true]

“Unlike me, you saw an ideal future instead of negative memories. Then naturally, wouldn’t that be much more ‘motivating’ than before?”

What she’s saying is that the visions might differ depending on the goals one sets.

‘Visions related to goals, huh.’

The sample size is too small to make definitive statements, but her opinion was quite interesting.

The vision I saw while entering the cocoon to create a unique trait.

It was an ideal family image I had never experienced before. To grasp that happiness? I would need to return to reality.

‘Then why show these visions?’

She said it was for motivation, but that can’t be all. There must be a clear reason why we see these visions.

‘…I need to look into this too.’

Visions composed of memories. Perhaps they’re related to why we fell into this world. Separate from the ultimate goal of ascension.

Since there was nothing more to learn, the conversation ended there. Still, it was helpful. I expressed my gratitude to her.

[Thank you]

“Don’t mention it. It’s just a few words.”

[I’ve always thought this. I’m so grateful to have you]

“…Stop with the unnecessary talk. Go prepare to become an adult.”

She seemed uncomfortable with my sincere gratitude and turned her head away. I bowed my head once toward her and then crawled out of the ship.

The desolate metal surface greeted me. It was a place with almost no light, not much different from the darkness of space, but I have auxiliary organs.

There’s a crater not far away. I went into the huge hole created by a collision with a meteorite long ago and settled in.

‘Well then.’

“‘Subadult’->’Adult’ evolution conditions have been met. Would you like to evolve?”

I’ve been waiting for this.

The translucent text box asking for my opinion in the same tone as always.

My answer was also the same as always.

Before the mucus that stuck to me from entering and leaving the cocoon could dry, my body prepares to move on to the next stage.

I closed my eyes.

And when I opened them, instead of the black abyss, I saw a space filled with light and color.

What was in front of me was an iron door of familiar shape.

‘Where is this?’

An old door with rusty hinges and a smooth handle. It was the door to my studio apartment.

From inside, I could hear someone shouting loudly.

“Damn it! You dare interfere with my evolution? I’ll make sure you don’t die easily!”

That voice sounds very familiar.

As if entranced, I reached out and grabbed the doorknob. I feel a sense of déjà vu. I think I’ve done this before, but I can’t remember.

The doorknob turns and the door opens.

In the corner of a studio apartment with a bathroom, on a bed. There lies a man wearing a headgear.

His build looks ordinary, but his body is not. Since he’s at home, he’s comfortably wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts, making it clearly visible. Long burn scars starting from his right leg, extending to his forearm, shoulder, and neck.

“How many times is this now! Why do you keep following me around? Am I that easy to pick on?”

As if completely unaware of my presence, he was shouting earnestly.

The man’s appearance, his actions. Everything is familiar.

‘Something’s wrong.’

I need to get out of here right now. Contrary to my thoughts, my body moved on its own. My wing-like arm removed the VR device he was wearing.

“Hey, what’s this… huh?”

He sees me after coming out of the Space Survival world. His eyes widen as if they might tear.

‘…Crazy.’

He has burn scars on the right side of his face.

It’s the face I used to see every morning in the bathroom mirror.

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhh! Monster!”

The identity of the man screaming at the top of his lungs was none other than ‘me’.