I'm... losing consciousness... and what's... that voice? ... melancholy.. tomorrow?
It's dark... I can't move... What happened? ...Did I die? No! Please... I haven't... granted their wishes yet! And Ria... I have to... go back. Don't die, Miles! You bastard! You're the scum of... society! Don't die... asshole! I don't want to... die... I don't... want to die. I don't want to die!
"It's okay... I'll let you see."
It's the voice... before I... passed out... and... the door... she's the... voice.
"I'll let you see... I'll let you see... I'll let you see."
Shut up! I don't want to die!
"I'll let you see... I'll let you see... because... it's my fault."
Her... fault? I'm losing... consciou-...
"It's okay... this is... you'll see... because... it's my fault..."
I'm... back...
"Miles... you'll help me, right?! You're alive, right?! Liar!"
I'm standing next to Ria... and she's crying... over a dead body?! We'
A gunshot! The gunman is here! But I'm prepared! The location of my death is outside the restaurant. I'll take not a single step beyond that door!"Miles..."Her fingers are trembling as if they were freezing. I see a chilling cloak of fear blanketing her body. I'm usually too embarrassed to ask, but..."Ria, give me your hand."Even if my hand feels like a swamp, it should be enough to warm her."W-What do we do?"We could just relax here, savor our food, and relish your attractive stupidity, but-"Somebody call the police!"The random man said it... We could take the back exit behind the toilet and enter a dark alley, but that could be the gunman's escape route. Remaining as an inanimate object in this palace should be anything but the worst possible outcome, so that should be our cho-"Somebody call an ambulance for the old man!"Old man?! Surely he's jesting, right?! The old geezer is a... neat human being, I'
If the word "fucked up" was a place, it'd be what I'm currently witnessing. I may have just found my answer to a preceding question. Is this world nothing different from the previous one? It's like comparing ice to a block of frozen water. I'd say this place is a cheap knock-off of my former world."*15 minutes earlier."|...|"Judging from what happened earlier, you lot are no ordinary customers."A compliment? Trying to sweeten the pot, aren't you? Unfortunately for you, I don't bite those words, unlike this adorable idiot I'm with."I'm humbled by your compliment, but back to the offer... so what do you want?"Pretty sharp, aren't we? You suddenly switch to a cocky tone... I was right about you.""Please cut the crap, milady... you're offering us a mountain that we may not be able to climb. Surely, you have a tall order!"The next card she'll probably play is something like, "seems like you don't want to, then I'll look for
What the... we're suddenly in a carousel on a bridge! We were elevated earlier... about second-floor level, and now we're on ground elevation. The slums in front of us and a gigantic wall behind us?!What the hell is wrong with this city?! So they're separating the pitiful and the blessed, I assume?! That's next-level human atrociousness! The level of bullshit with what I'm currently witnessing is equal to that of the Atlantic slave trade... I may have transmigrated to an extreme version of my previous world."Sir, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost.""I-I'm fine!""You don't want to be moving too much, sir. Your girl's asleep...""Who... oh."Again? I kind of like it this time! So I'll let it be."You two seem too close to not be dating.""Seriously, we aren't!"Then is she you're sister?""Do we look alike?""Figures... Seriously though. If you aren't lovers, then I don't know what you two
What is... this soft sensation... Am I in... a bed? I was... on the... floor with Ria... losing... consciousness-"Grahhh!""Don't startle me, peasant!""Ria! Where is she?!""Relax! She's next to you!"I made it out... Damn it, Francis! You clever bastard! And Ria... She seems to be well...Hahaha... Don't start crying now, bastard! You couldn't... protect her... you have no right to be this relieved.I can still hold her hands. I can still see her smile... Ah! Fuck it! Might as well let my tears fall."D-Don't start crying n-now. It's making me feel guilty.""I-It's not your fault, Ms. Alice. But tell me... who did this?""That's why we brought you in, to find who did this. It's been one of Equipoise's most dubious problems. The Kuroi Katen gang."How long is she asleep?""Eh?""She's in a coma, right?""Y-Yeah, for a month... How'd you-""She told me she'd only take a nap, so
"Why won't you pull the trigger? Too afraid of the consequences or the crowd? You want me to swallow the gun for you? I'm just an ordinary elf visiting his lovely uhh... g-girlfriend."Lesson three of Uncle Jerry's classes. If you want to attract attention, fuck with the police, legally. And the best way to do that is to be a "victim" of racism. If I were downtown, I would've died on the spot, but that won't be the case If I'm near a government facility with a fair amount of people. The police corps cowers in the presence of crowds or government officials, so what happened to the old man of the toilet was a freak accident."C-can you prove you're just visiting, and you're not a member of the gang? T-they've been rioting for a whole week!""And whose fault is it that they're rioting? If the police corps didn't murder an innocent man and his daughter, we would be living a peaceful life!"Good... he's trembling and stuttering. Dissecting him would be child's
That should be enough marveling at her face. It's 'bout time I patch up the cracks."So uh... how do I get to the lobby?"Where's a teleport enhancement when you need one? I've practically made this hospital home for the past week, but I still don't know how t-"*Thud."Ouch! Someone crashed into me..."S-s-sorry.""I-it's fine... here you dropped this...""T-thank you."How peculiar... This man, who appears to be a dwarf, has ambiguous behavior. Sweating, stuttering, adrenaline-like movement, and eyes full of... wrath. Could he be Hitoshi? He has the same frame, but I doubt that a leader of a notorious, world-recognized gang operates in such a sloppy manner, so I have to investigate."Excuse me? Can you show me where the lobby is?"Lesson fifteen of Uncle Jerry's classes, if a citizen of Midway is kind to you, they're up to something. To alleviate suspicion, they'd do anything to make them appear "kind.""
"Not to be rude, but can I decline that offer?""It's your choice, but I suggest you get familiar with them first.""Neh! What's your name? Tell me, dead eyes! What's your na-""Miles..."That's one lively kid! And why is Ms. Alice recommending a mere CHILD to join me in hunting a NOTORIOUS GANG LEADER?!"I apologize on behalf of my brother's behavior, so you must be that guy who tried to intervene with the corps last week?""Uhh... Have we met before?""Y-you don't remember me? After I gave you a wonderful date?"Date? I don't remember going out with anyone! And if I did, then it has to be Ria!"I think you have the wrong guy?""I'm the waiter who set you up before!""Now you're getting your identity wrong... The waiter who set me up was a guy!""No, it's me!""How?!""Oi! Don't leave me out! What are you talking about? Neh? Don't leave me o-""Will you please stop be being obno
"You're changing, Sir Miles.""W-what brought this on?""I've always thought you loathe social interactions, so you avoid them every time possible, but what you did earlier was... out of character, I'd say.""Is that a compliment or an insult?""*Giggles. It's a compliment, sir."Francis isn't exactly wrong... I've always thought that as long as you have one person you cherish more than your life, you won't need another one... since all that does is add more to grieve about. But ever since they've been taken away, I started looking.Freedom really is a lie... you can't decide anything for yourself. I've determined in the previous world that as long as I have my parents, I'll just live in the moment, go with the flow of life, but here I am in a completely different atmosphere, stuck with an idiot."Is that what you think? I-I didn't do it for them. I-It was for the sake of the mission!""I despise people who lie to themselves, S
Uhh... No reply?! What the hell is this supposed to mean? I feel like they know something I don't, and it's not good news. "Master... I'd like t-to update you about something." Nori barely muttered. "G-Go ahead..." While scratching her head with a poker face, Nori exclaimed, "Uhh... Master, you may die." "Eh?" |...| The fate of Midway lies in my hands. I can feel the unbearable weight of the task ahead of me, crushing my sanity like crumpling paper. And I don't know if some seventeen-year-old pessimistic sadboi can bear the burden. What's worst is, despite such arduous ordeal coming at my face full speed, the people I relied on are acting like children... at the MOST CRUCIAL moment of the crisis! "C-Come on, Master! What are we waiting for? Let us do the switch." Nori exclaimed as she awkwardly giggled. Even without trying, I can tell that smile is fake! It's no use trying to talk it out of her! Perhaps
"Wake up, you useless piece of shit! You're this close!" I cried out with all my might as I spat out blood. "Don't die! Don't die! Don't die!" I repeatedly yelled. Each scream gets silent as time passed by... while I slowly succumb to the void devouring my existence. The blank night sky and the crimson moon started fading away... as if a black hole was absorbing it. The harbor began disappearing too... Well, at least its remains. What used to be an iconic piece of infrastructure is now reduced to dust and pebble. And along with the dirt and shrapnel, a pile of corpses blankets the ground like snow. For every second, the void threatens to fully envelop the hell I've been living in... like it's mere moments away from becoming just another memory. "I want to go back..." I whispered to myself as I closed my eyes. |...| I opened my eyes and silently said, "I'm here again, huh?" I've lost count of how many tim
"Stop it? Don't fuck with me. I don't know when to stop. Not until I know the truth behind the innocent men and women you murdered-" Sir Rigor threw himself on the floor and started banging his head on the ground. While having a breakdown, he yelled, "Arghh! Stop it! I don't want to remember!" |...| A thud reverberated throughout the room. And then another... and another... and yet another. It turned to a rhythm, a decelerating cadence becoming more silent for every thump. "..." A few seconds passed, now the thud turned to a splat. It's like the sound of footsteps on water. 'How did the noise change?' You ask... Well, if I were to say that a man continuously pounded his head against the ground until a pool of blood gushed out from his face, will you believe me? I'm currently witnessing it now... from the man the least I anticipated to do so. Never in a million years would I have expected to see Sir Rigor in such a pathe
"Liar! Papa would never abandon me!" The kid cried out. "Don't fuck with me, brat. You know it yourself... Your father is a criminal. If he doesn't give an ounce of fuck about the law, what makes you think he cares for you?" "Liar! Liar! Liar! H-He said he wouldn't... He said he wouldn't..." Taking care of this child will be... troublesome. |...| An unknown substance is flowing through my veins. For all I know, it isn't my blood. I could barely stop myself from punching the air... Yes, that's right. That unknown substance is pheromones. I'm beyond excited! "Miles, you're wagging your feet. A-Are you nervous?" Reyna worriedly asked. "No, I'm... exhilarated!" This excitement can't be explained! Only two more hours left, and the one obstacle that's preventing me from having a delightful Isekai experience will be gone! Reyna looked me in the eyes and asked, "There you go again. You're Miles, right? Not Fukit
As Reyna's mother try to annoy us, a sobbing voice could be heard near the end of the tunnel. This voice sounds all-too-familiar, but I've never heard it sob before. "Elena... is that you?" |...| I have yet another query. If you don't mind, may I ask... what is happiness? It's a vague question with no incorrect answers, and of course, there are no correct ones too. It is simply subjective. Our definition of the pinnacle of life deviates from each other, but if there was one thing we could all agree on, it's this moment. Never in my unorthodox life have I witnessed such genuine happiness. If the world were watching, I'm sure even the most heartless individuals would be touched by this reunion. "Tintin... this is really you, right?" Elena barely whispered as she cried out an ocean. Her body trembles as she holds her brother tight with a warm embrace. "I'm an adult now... d-don't call me that." Sir Konstantin replied with teary ey
Before I could finish, I felt a soft sensation on my cheeks. It goes beyond the many elating experiences I've gone through in this world. "Thank you, Miles." |...| This soft feeling is like touching the clouds... it makes my chest fuzzy too-... Hold up! D-Did Reyna just... kiss me on the cheeks?! "Reyna! What was that for?! I wanted Ria to be my first! My purity has been stained! Well, it's not like it was on the lips. "T-That was just a little thank you! A-Anyways! I-I'll meet with my mother now. B-Bye, Miles!" Reyna muttered and ran away. What a troublesome woman! If you're embarrassed, why do it in the first place! But... I kinda liked it. Ah, fuck me! This isn't the time for that, Miles! For now, I should meet with the hostages. As I reached the end of the hallway, I heard laughter behind a shabby door. My curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to open the-. |...| Hmm... what the fuck is
The look of sheer determination written on his eyes. Even if God himself became an obstacle to his goals, he'd do whatever it takes to achieve it... That's right. This is Hitoshi. As I try to discern Hitoshi's action, Hitoshi stood up. In a moment of sheer disbelief, one that made me question the existence of this world, Hitoshi threw himself on the floor and begged, "Miles! Please take care of my son! |...| If it doesn't bother you, mind if I ask a question? You don't have to answer, just give me your thoughts... what is emotion? It's a vague question, isn't it? Well, back in the previous world, I've always thought it was nothing but a system created by humans to understand what they can't. A cliche phrase, but humans fear the unknown. Right now, I don't know myself. The man that has caused me countless troubles, the same man who put Ria in a coma, is asking me the impossible... take care of your son, you say? Sure, the creator's sins
Reyna broke the silence and said, "Miles, I'm sure you're unaware of this, but ten years ago, there was an incident called the night of noble snakes.""Your lady is correct, Miles... ever since that day, the police corps have killed ten thousand as a result of collateral damage."Huh... Sir Rigor's police corps?! That's... ridiculous.|...|An excruciating pain stung my back. Almost as if I was stabbed by a dagger. My emotions were hard to put into words... constantly shifting between anger and misery.Right now, I'm stuck to my chair while staring at the ground; It's like my soul had left my body. It left me clueless, but there's one thing I'm sure of... For some reason, I felt betrayed.It was glaring from the start. The same police corps that Sir Rigor is leading is the same police corps that murdered an innocent man and his daughter..."With that said, Miles, I have another proposal..." Hitoshi said.Another proposal? What
I could barely control my arms from shaking... Just like the words of Sir Konstantin, I have murder in my mind. Hitoshi... I have a lot to ask you. Where was this sympathy when you killed all those innocent people... |...| Have you ever hurt somebody before and regretted it? I'm sure you have... even God himself has regrets. But if you were to harm a criminal, would you still feel the same? Would you punish Robinhood for stealing from the rich and giving it to the poor? I know many of you won't, but what if I told you... that stolen money was supposed to be used for the pitiful. Will you still praise him like a saint? I've been through such a scenario... where I'm stuck between being "good" or "righteous." I exposed the student council president for bribery. That may sound like a "good deed," but it isn't the entire story. Why am I telling you this? Cause I'm currently going through it again. |...| "So, Miles... I'll gl