Ch.389384 – Lies

The number of global refugees due to natural disasters, climate change, and war is approximately 500 million.

In Korea alone, the officially counted refugee population is about 500,000.

Considering those living as stateless persons who evaded government detection during deportation operations, the actual number would be much higher.

Tracking Adella’s identity would be nearly impossible, if not completely impossible, even if the National Intelligence Service were to get involved.

“Sis, I still don’t think this is right.”

Adella gently pushed me back.

I frowned, not understanding what was happening.

I doubted whether Adella truly understood what I was saying in the first place.

“Mephistopheles’ coordinates were in Japan. But it’s not strange that there would be another set in Korea. The Katsuhata school found Naomi, and we found you. Unlike Dragonia Nascientia, Persona Pisces has been proven to be a feasible magic. I can reveal that much.”

The hypothesis that Adella’s brain map design was fixed to her physical body’s reference coordinates, rather than being embedded in some unknown virtual reality coordinates, made more logical and credible sense.

“Didn’t you want to be recognized as a human in your own right as Adella? Not just relying on a trial that might never end.”

“What if they ask why I didn’t tell them sooner?”

“What good would come from telling them right away?”

Our voices gradually grew louder.

I turned on my other phone that I had kept off.

The phone immediately began vibrating continuously with message notifications.

“I get thousands, tens of thousands of messages daily, and when I step outside the academy gates, there are reporters, and lately even politicians’ lackeys hanging around because of the general election. If you’re looking for reasons to hide my identity, I can list ten more right now.”

“My point isn’t about inconsistency.”

“Then what?”

“This is clearly a lie. You’re deceiving people.”

Adella’s response was so absurd that it left me feeling completely deflated.

“Who’s being harmed by that lie? The criminal ASI creators?”

“Maybe no one right now. But I’m terrified of what might happen when the lie is exposed… Aren’t you?”

“Hey, who caused this mess in the first place? Can’t you see I’m trying to fix it?”

“I’ll just… I’ll somehow get the 200 million won—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think they’ll stop after one demand? They’ll just keep blackmailing us using this as leverage.”

“I’ll handle it myself! I made the mistake, so I’ll take responsibility! Haa… haa…”

I looked up and met Adella’s eyes.

She was breathing heavily, her eyes intense with determination.

“Adella, you seem too worked up right now. Let’s try to calm down a bit. Thinking impulsively will only make things worse.”

“I just can’t lie. According to you, I need to pretend that everything from the rescue process until now happened to me. I don’t think I can make up believable stories on the spot like you can.”

“How is that different from now?”

“Of course it’s different! There are too many lies to fabricate! How can you lie without batting an eye? Is that normal for a person?”

Adella fired off her words like a machine gun.

Seemingly surprised by her own outburst, she covered her mouth and waved her hands dismissively.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant…”

“You’re right, that’s just how I am.”

I answered calmly, without a trace of emotion.

[Princess Estasha Latias de Kaizen, do you know your sin?]

I think I understand a little now—the sin of deceiving, misleading, manipulating, and mocking everyone in this world.

[I still don’t understand what you’re thinking.]

What can I do when I see a way for everyone to be a little happier right now?

[Are you determined not to answer until the end?]

Then and now, I haven’t changed at all. Everyone keeps saying the same things to me.

[…You really are like this until the end.]

“My life has been nothing but lies from beginning to end anyway.”

It seems one’s essence doesn’t change even after reincarnation.

The thought suddenly occurred to me that perhaps reincarnation itself might be the problem.

* * *

Ding-

A message notification appeared on Adella’s phone.

“Read it.”

“Okay.”

“They’re asking me to bring the money quickly?”

“No, they’ve been asking who put me up to impersonating Adella. I think they even know which school I go to…!”

“Did you tell them I was behind it?”

“No, I kept insisting I don’t know you. I didn’t want this to affect you too.”

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Wait, let me see that message again. Something seems off.”

The blackmailer seems reluctant about my connection to what I’ll call the “Adella impersonation case.”

Are they afraid of the consequences if they involve me too?

Or are they planning to blackmail me as well?

“Is this person one of your stream viewers?”

“It seems that way. They knew my community username and streaming schedule.”

“Can I see the email again?”

“Here.”

[I know all your truths.]

(Photo attached)

(Photo attached)

(Photo attached)

(Photo attached)

Adella was active as an ASI in World of Arsheria and as a first-generation member of Safari Dream.

A few days ago, I discovered that you have been pretending to be Adella and substituting for her VTuber broadcasts.

I have evidence that you acted as Adella’s stand-in. If you want me to destroy this evidence immediately, please transfer 200 million won in cash.

Contact me through this link if you have any questions.]

The photos showed detailed images of Adella’s community login, Twissy broadcast station, and even bank account numbers on a banking website.

These were elements that undeniably verified Adella’s identity.

“You said this was taken a month ago? You don’t know exactly when?”

“I go to the café almost every day after school… so it’s probably right.”

I compared the message history again, looking for any clues about the blackmailer.

[Saet: I’m sorry, but I really don’t have any money. Even if I wanted to pay, I can’t…]

[K: Can I ask you something?]

[Saet: Yes.]

[K: What’s your relationship with NoName?]

[Saet: Why are you suddenly asking that…?]

[K: Just curious. Just answer the question.]

[Saet: We have no relationship. And I really don’t have money. Honestly, 200 million won is too much.]

[K: So you admit you’re an impersonator?]

There was about a 20-minute gap between this message and the next one.

After deliberation, Adella asked a different question instead of answering.

[Saet: When did you take these photos?]

And 10 minutes later, the reply came.

[K: Looking to check CCTV? It’s useless. I took them a month ago. You’re a regular at this café, right?]

[Saet: …]

[K: I’ll give you a discount if you tell me what your relationship with NoName is. Be reasonable.]

[Saet: Why have you been so curious about that? Why specifically mention NoName?]

[K: Just personal curiosity. Whether it’s NoName, Kariri, or some third party, someone must have told you to impersonate Adella.]

[Saet: Why?]

[K: How would I know? Maybe to make Adella’s existence more prominent as something beyond the concept of artificial intelligence.]

(…)

[(Photo attached)]

[(New) K: Seeing you in a school uniform, you seem young. You should think carefully. If you just tell me who put you up to this, I’ll forget about the 200 million won.]

A photo taken of Adella from behind.

She was wearing a gray hoodie, but couldn’t hide her checkered school uniform skirt.

“This is definitely setting things up to go after NoName sis directly, right?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“Something about this blackmailer’s attitude is off. Why do I barely see any demands for money?”

“What do you mean?”

It was a familiar scene from social circles.

First, make an offer that the other party can’t possibly accept, then gradually lower the stakes.

This means the blackmailer wants something other than money.

For instance, information about the relationship between me and Cheon Saet-byeol, or if there is no relationship, how she could have taken over the broadcasting station and virtual reality account.

Out of simple curiosity?

“Most importantly, why ask for 200 million won without providing their account? They should be pressuring you with threats to spread this in the community if you don’t pay immediately.”

“Oh, you’re right! Did they forget?”

“That’s impossible. Looking again, there are many strange things. In the email, they said they discovered this a few days ago, but when you asked, they said it was a month ago. Can a month ago be described as a few days ago?”

“Maybe they’re trying to discourage me from checking the café’s CCTV?”

“That could be it.”

“I’ll go check right now!”

“Wait a minute.”

I grabbed Adella’s collar as she jumped up to rush out of the room.

My head tingled as I felt close to grasping something.

The blackmailer knows that Cheon Saet-byeol is a high school student wearing a uniform.

Demanding 200 million won from a high school student makes this even more suspicious.

There’s a logical reason for connecting Cheon Saet-byeol to me.

Since the virtual Adella was dependent on my open world, if anything had happened to her, I couldn’t have been unaware.

So from the blackmailer’s perspective, assuming I directly replaced Adella with someone else would make the most sense.

‘Shouldn’t that be the end of it then?’

Why are there more probing questions beyond that?

It was also very strange to think that some skilled hacker had kidnapped the virtual Adella and was making her broadcast without me or Kariri knowing.

Yet judging by the nuances in the blackmailer’s messages, they seemed to be hoping for exactly that scenario.

Because they think I wouldn’t do such a thing?

“Give me your phone.”

This shifts the weight of possibility from Adella’s acquaintance to someone who knows me.

After thinking for 3 seconds about what message to send to the blackmailer, I moved my fingers.

[Saet: So if I send you 200 million won now, can I continue broadcasting as Adella? Will you definitely keep the secret?]

[K: We’ll see how it goes. But do you actually have the money?]

Yes, I’m 100% certain now that money isn’t the objective.

A proper blackmailer would have immediately promised to destroy the evidence, at least on the surface.

[Saet: Even if I don’t, I should start getting it together quickly.]

[K: I can’t give you much time. If you don’t pay within an hour, I’ll spread everything about you across all communities.]

A blackmailer adding their own constraints.

I drove in the final nail.

[Saet: Actually, we deleted Adella. That NoName hasn’t noticed her attachment doll has been switched for days now, which is kind of pitiful. Since I’ve told you everything honestly, could you reduce the amount? Maybe to 100 million, or better yet, 50 million?]

“Has NoName sis lost her mind?”

“Wait. There will be a reaction.”

I handed Adella’s phone back to her and took out my own, gripping it tightly with both hands.

1 second, 10 seconds, and even after 30 seconds, there was no response.

‘Could I possibly be wrong?’

As anxiety began creeping up on me too,

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG-!

Someone was pounding heavily on our front door.

“Oh my god, that scared me!”

“Haa… Adella, you go check.”

“My hair color magic has worn off though?”

“It’s fine, just go.”

“…Have you decided to give up on everything now?”

Adella trudged toward the door with heavy steps, her beautiful silver hair flowing behind her.

Shortly after, a piercing female scream was heard.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

* * *

[Actually, we deleted Adella.]

“No…!”

Seol Yoon-sul trembled with tears in her eyes, her hands shaking.

[That NoName hasn’t noticed her attachment doll has been switched for days now, which is kind of pitiful.]

“I need to tell NoName quickly…! Huk… hup… haa haa haa.”

In her confused emotional state, unfiltered words poured out.

Adella was an ASI but also human. Not some attachment doll.

Saying they deleted her was no different from saying they killed a dear friend.

The memories of watching fireworks at the amusement park, countless VTuber collaborations, all the precious moments shared with Adella—they were crumbling like a sand castle.

Yoon-sul’s hands were so weak she couldn’t even hold her phone.

NoName’s apartment was right on the floor below.

She rushed out in her pajamas and quickly descended the stairs.

‘No. No. No. No!’

The soles of her feet pressed against the sharp edges of the steps.

At the last stair, she twisted her ankle and banged her knee on the floor.

The brief pain cleared her darkened vision.

She got up like a roly-poly doll and desperately pounded on NoName’s front door.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG-!

“NoName! NoName! Huk… something terrible happened… something terrible! Huaaang! NoName, open the door quickly! Adella…”

Why hadn’t she noticed earlier?

When exactly had Adella been switched?

She should have followed that hooded student at the café all the way.

With each knock on the door, endless self-loathing welled up inside her.

Click-

The fortress-like door opened.

“Huh?”

“Huk… huh?”

“Kariri?”

“A… Adella…?”

Instead of NoName, a girl with dazzlingly brilliant silver hair greeted her.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”