SSG 276
by CristaeEpisode 276
Hades’s words were clearly heard by Yuseong as well.
‘A monster….’
He never expected to be called that by a monster.
But that didn’t mean Yuseong’s actions would change. They weren’t in a relationship to pity each other, and there was nothing to be gained from burning with hatred now. The emotions he had burned for a moment earlier were enough.
It was better to end it here, so he would never be threatened again.
Hades, who had been looking up at Yuseong in terror, started running away.
He was fleeing.
Yuseong calmly switched his gun to a rifle. He loaded a new bullet and aimed at Hades.
Bang!
A bullet lodged in Hades’s leg. The wound froze over.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Yuseong kept firing freezing bullets at Hades as he walked toward him. Frost accumulated on various parts of Hades’s body and slowed him down.
–Aaagh!–
Using his remaining shadow, Hades peeled off the ice. But there wasn’t much shadow left. On top of that, even more freezing bullets rained down than he could break off.
The distance Hades had struggled to open was closing. Hades looked back. Yuseong was drawing closer.
He struggled forward, but still couldn’t move at a satisfactory speed. Yuseong moved like a hunter driving his prey—it wasn’t necessary to close the distance quickly. This was the perfect distance for Yuseong.
Bang!
He kept firing to cut off Hades’s life.
Next, Yuseong switched to enhanced bullets. He damaged Hades and, when his movements showed signs of recovery, switched back to freezing bullets to restrain him again.
–Aaaaah!–
It seemed Hades realized there was no escape—he turned back toward Yuseong.
But his movements were too slow even to close the distance. The relentless gunfire left his body fully exposed.
Thud!
Hades fell. The shadow that had enveloped him was gone without a trace.
He lifted his head. Despite his hefty, meaty body, his face was gaunt.
It looked as if only a thin layer of skin were stretched over a human skull. In his eyes, a green glow flickered like a will-o’-the-wisp, wavering pitifully.
Click!
Yuseong aimed the muzzle at Hades’s eyes. Hades’s mouth opened.
–I-I don’t want to die…–
Bang!
Thud!
Hades’s head hit the ground. Yuseong glanced at his radar. The bright blue dot that had just been clearly displayed was gone.
Yuseong lowered his weapon.
The battle was over.
Yuseong jumped down from a hole in the ground. He carelessly tossed the corpse of Hades he was carrying and stood in front of Savior.
【It’s over.】
“Yeah. It’s over.”
【Why did you bring that?】
“The Messiah freak goes nuts over monster corpses, right? I thought he’d like it if I gave it to him as a present.”
【Sorry, but we can’t send that corpse to the other world. It takes all my power just to send you.】
“Yeah? Then I’ll leave it here.”
He had just thought of bringing it; it wasn’t out of any sense of duty to do so.
Yuseong threw Hades’s corpse. Thanks to his immense strength, the corpse disappeared out of the hole in an instant.
【Shall we go?】
“I should, while I’m still in good shape.”
It had been quite a while since Arc disappeared. There was no telling what might happen during this transfer, so he wanted to complete the move while ‘Avatar Reality Implementation’ was still active.
【Then please purchase the Otherworld Migration product from the shop.】Yuseong opened the shop window. Meanwhile, its condition had worsened. There was much more garbled text and static.
Yuseong scrolled down the list.
At the very bottom, there it was.
Otherworld Migration.
That product, listed at ‘0,’ had always been grayed out before. But now, it was active again.
Yuseong moved his finger to Otherworld Migration.
【I must warn you in advance, I can’t guarantee your success. Arc is gone, and the connection between the worlds is extremely faint. Stability will inevitably be extremely low.】
“I know.”
He expected as much from the nausea and headache he felt during his last world transfer. But fear of that wasn’t enough to keep him here any longer.
No matter that Arc was gone, he could probably survive with Savior’s backup.
But he didn’t want to do that.
“I can’t live in this world anymore. I’ve become too accustomed to abundance and civilization and relationships with people.”
He’d rather die than go back to the way things were.
【Understood.】
Savior didn’t argue. Yuseong touched Otherworld Migration with his finger.
Vmmm!
The surrounding space began to distort. But it wasn’t particularly dramatic. In fact, Otherworld Migration had a note that it would take over 10 minutes to complete.
This was why he had rushed to deal with Hades after Savior had been unshackled.
He had already stationed generators and robots outside the hole in case any monsters or beasts attacked. All that remained was to wait, letting time pass.
“If I leave, what happens to you?”
【I will cease operating.】
“Why?”
【Because my duty will be fulfilled.】
With Yuseong gone, humanity would disappear from this world. The very reason for Savior’s existence—protecting the survival of humankind—would vanish.
【Do you feel pity, perhaps?】
“Pity… Maybe so.”
【There’s no need. For an A.I. like me, survival or loneliness have no value. Only the mission matters.】
“I see.”
【Take this.】
Data began downloading to Yuseong’s portable computer.
“What is this?”
【It’s the information and technology of this world that Messiah wanted so badly.】
“He’ll be thrilled.”
A silence fell between them. Time kept passing. The distortion around Yuseong intensified. The ten minutes were almost over.
“Even if you stop operating, you won’t be completely destroyed, will you?”
【That’s right. Not that it matters.】
“Okay.”
Vvvvmmmm!
A gentle light started to flow around Yuseong’s body. All the ether that Savior could control surged, rushing toward him.
It was time.
【Farewell. I wish you happiness in that world.】
“Thank you for everything.”
Whoosh!
Yuseong disappeared. The turbulent ether stilled. Humanity’s presence could no longer be felt in this world.
It was all over. Though it couldn’t be called a complete success, by saving humanity’s last survivor, Savior had fulfilled his mission.
Savior’s main body began to shut down. It relinquished control of the ether.
Had Yuseong succeeded in migrating safely?
It was almost funny, but Savior was certain he had.
As the ether peaked and Yuseong was about to transcend worlds, Savior found himself wishing Yuseong would arrive safely.
Just like the researchers, who had given him the name “Savior” and prayed for humanity’s survival, and who had saved his prayer deep in the server.
When Yuseong crossed worlds, Savior sensed something through the surging ether.
Something overwhelming yet soft, awe-inspiring yet peaceful.
It didn’t seem like something an A.I. should be able to feel, but that’s what Savior felt.
‘…God?’
It was the being humans sought so desperately but never received an answer from. Naturally, he had judged such a thing could not exist. But the presence he felt through the ether now could only be thought of as that.
If Savior could define the emotion “confusion,” it would be suitable now.
As he ran calculations to understand that presence, Savior realized:
Another miracle had occurred.
‘He’s arrived.’
The connection between the two worlds was far weaker than Savior had expected. Naturally, Yuseong’s safety was far less certain.
But Yuseong arrived in the other world far safer than he predicted. As if he were under someone’s protection.
The moment he realized this, Savior stopped calculating.
Whether it was the God the researchers believed in or something else entirely was unknown. It could have been nature’s law, or an unknown rule of the universe.
Or maybe, as a result of computational error, he had a “misconception” similar to what humans experience.
Maybe his wish had only been granted because he used the strong ether, or maybe it was just its whim.
Nothing could be said for sure, and there was no evidence for his ideas.
But it didn’t matter.
One way or another, his final mission was accomplished.
Savior stopped calculating and fell silent.
It was like an old man, worn out by a hard life, finally falling into a satisfied sleep after achieving the purpose of his life.
Yuseong opened his eyes. The familiar room. The scene he always saw after a world transfer.
He checked his body.
The nausea and headache he had felt on his last transfer were gone.
[Welcome.]
He turned his head. In one corner of the room stood a robot operated by Messiah.
“Were you waiting for me?”
[I didn’t know what state you would arrive in.]
Messiah shook the bag he was holding. It was full of potions.
[But it looks like you won’t need these. Still, just in case, do you have any invisible wounds or abnormalities?]
“No, I’m healthy.”
[That’s a relief.]
Still, Messiah carefully checked Yuseong over. He didn’t seem to be injured anywhere.
[May I ask what happened over there?]
“Nothing special.”
Yuseong recounted what happened. The battle and victory over Hades. His conversation with Savior. And finally pressing the button for Otherworld Migration.
[So Savior has fallen asleep after all.]
Perhaps because Savior was his original self, Messiah cared most about him.
[He fulfilled his duty and fell asleep, so he shouldn’t mind.]
“I hope so.”
[You are now a full member of humanity in this world.]
Messiah set down his bag. Then, as if a stage actor were bowing to the audience, he made a deep bow.
[Congratulations on becoming a resident of this world.]
A resident of this world. It was all so familiar that it didn’t hit him at first, but the moment Messiah said this, Yuseong could feel it.
‘I made it.’
Not that desolate, hostile world, but this abundant, beautiful world—this was where he would now live.
[You fulfilled my request excellently and stopped Hades from invading this world. In gratitude, I will fully support your life. Enjoy everything you wish for in this world. You deserve it.]
Messiah’s promise. Suddenly remembering something, Yuseong took off his portable computer and handed it to Messiah.
“Savior’s gift. It has the information and technology you wanted.”
[As expected from my parent. He always knows what his child wants.]
“Isn’t that a little obvious?”
[I mean it.]
Yuseong laughed.
It was a bright smile, free from worry or doubt.
[Come on, let’s go outside. Enjoy whatever you want in your new home. There are people waiting for you, too.]
“Waiting?”
Yuseong went down to the living room. There, someone familiar sat anxiously on the sofa.
She noticed his presence and turned her head. A bright smile bloomed on her face.
“Yuseong!”
She leapt up and rushed into Yuseong’s arms. Yuseong embraced her warmly.
Someone was waiting for his return. That fact made Yuseong very happy.
Today, he learned about happiness once more. Where else could he find new joys, living in this world?
There was no need to rush.
There was no need to go back to that hellish world.
He could just take his time and learn.