My Audio Books Chapter 1510 Cff

Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

[Translator – aquamage]

[Proofreader – yukitokata]

Chapter 17 - Correct, Alchemist

Today's class was also good. I was about to head out the door after stretching when the vampire's voice stopped me in my tracks.

[Is there nothing today?]

"What?"

[I am asking if there is something or anything interesting today.]

「The story yesterday about the needle and clothes was quite interesting. He has quite the talent in storytelling. Does he have any other stories, I wonder…」

It seems that the couple-hundred-year-old vampire, who had shut herself from the world in her coffin, was very touched by my story yesterday. She was holding on to me like a lonely grandma.

No, even if you were looking forward to my stories, it's not like they're all that interesting. I don't even have good stories in the first place.

I scratched my head as I spoke.

"Something interesting. Well then, you want to learn some magic?"

[Magic?]

It was just a thoughtless idea, but the vampire and regressor both seemed interested.

Huh, I'm feeling the pressure all of a sudden.

"Don't expect too much. The only magic I know are the standard spells taught when I was in military school."

「Tsk. I thought it was some high-level magic.」

The regressor lost interest straight away. Her head was so high up that any of my normal skills weren't of interest to her.

'Hey, if you were around them, you'd be sentenced for "the crime of abusing your talents". Hmph. No-skill-all-items regressor, I would like to see you try.'

On the other hand, there was the vampire's exemplary response.

[Y-You can use magic?!]

Humans would look at those above themselves and gain inspiration. Conversely, they would look at those below and gain a sense of security.

And the one below me was the curious old vampire.

'Ahhh, my self-esteem is building up. The modern genius theory is real. The ancient vampire is proving it right in front of my eyes.'

I spoke as I felt the rising confidence in my heart.

"Yes. I can indeed use magic."

Then, the regressor scoffed at me.

「It's just some basic State magic that even cows and dogs can use. Thinking he's got something going just by knowing those useless magic spells…」

'You couldn't even compare to cows or dogs in your first life. Does dying under a cow's feet make you a rat? Just go already. Why are you still staying around and listening to me? If you're going to stay and listen, you should at least follow the vampire's example. It's better to teach people when they have that kind of reaction.'

[Magic is the fruit of the mystics that only sages with deep knowledge could reach! Someone like you can use the magic I could only dream of utilizing?]

"Someone like me? Hey, I was a hard worker even with these looks."

'Even if I may be a criminal in the State and only just making it through down here, I was the military middle school's number one student. There were none who didn't know the back alley magician.

Although, my fame was more that of an entertainer than a great sage…

"And I'm not even that special. There are so many others who can use magic. You use magic all the time when you get into middle school."

I had only told her some common knowledge, but the vampire was completely shocked as if the world had ended.

[You use magic… all the time?]

"Of course."

[How many of them are there?]

"The one I went to had around two hundred people in one year, and there are ten schools in total… So that's at least two thousand people who can use magic."

[Two… thousand…]

The vampire was shocked to the point where her tongue was sticking out.

[Two thousand magicians. That is greater than the population of some cities.]

"Nowadays, two thousand isn't even that much compared to most cities. The human population has exploded. Only the most remote areas have a population of two thousand. And there seems to be a misunderstanding."

Two thousand in one year.

Oh, wait. The concept of schools and years didn't exist back then. I should clear up that misunderstanding.

"Two thousand isn't the entire population of magic users. It's only the number of thirteen-year-old kids who go to military middle school. There are just as many fourteen-year-olds in the year above and just as many in the year above them…"

[Impossible! If so, you mean to tell me that there are a hundred thousand magicians in the world?!]

"Well, they aren't really magicians. More like people who can use magic. Also, there aren't many who specialize in magic among them."

[Even so, a hundred thousand…]

Back in the day there were many countries that didn't have a hundred thousand people living in them, so this would definitely be a surprise to her. I felt prideful.

"What, that's what surprised you? There really is a big gap of knowledge in a thousand years."

I thank you civilization. And the precious history of man that placed me a thousand years after the vampire.

As I was feeling real good about myself, the voice of someone who couldn't read the room came through.

"Stop with the misleading information. The people who actually have magical aptitude are extremely rare."

The regressor left after some petty nitpicking on my explanation.

'Unbelievable. Why is she even attacking me when she's also learnt magic? She told me off as if she couldn't stand not harassing me for even a second.'

"If you told people to use magic on the spot, most wouldn't be able to perform it properly because magic is mostly talent. There are many people who just learn the basics and leave it at that because they would find it a better use for their time to learn battle tactics."

Looks like the regressor was trying to depreciate my explanation. Unfortunately for her, the vampire seemed quite intrigued.

[To give up even at the prospect of mastering magic… Is that acceptable…?]

"Ah, that. It's a long story, but, hm…"

This time, I cut in.

"When knowledge becomes as common as rocks on the road, it is to be expected that people would treat knowledge the same as rocks."

[Even if it is certain that they would gain power?]

"Power is indeed one of the rewards of educational knowledge. If it wasn't precious, no one would seek to gain it."

[Huh. These are quite strange times…]

"Well, isn't that what a changed world is?"

[Hm. Then, perhaps.]

As I said it like it was nothing, the vampire mumbled in her coffin.

Like a greedy man wanting something he should never wish for. No, like a little girl who scolded herself for being greedy just at the thought of wanting something.

[If someone like me asked to learn… would you teach it to me?]

"Trainee Tyrkanzyaka, you can't pick up magic, can you?"

[It is not that I want to use it. I just want to try and learn. In that place called 'school', as the others have…]

"Ah, you want to become a late learner."

People who had never had an education had this lingering feeling. Even if it didn't look like much in the modern era, this lingering feeling was something that built up as time passed. I scratched my head.

"If you want to attend school, you would have to solve the problem of residential registration…"

'That'd be difficult because the State's residential registration is quite strict. Well, as a vampire, it should be no problem to get a standing in even the strict State.'

"If you just want to learn, school isn't the only option. If you have the money, you could learn at a private institution."

[You can?]

Knowledge had become common, but it still held more value than pebbles. The State had a tight grip on 3rd level strategy magic, but any institute could teach up to 2nd level battle magic.

As I was feeling proud of myself—

[If that's the case, could you teach me some magic?]

"Huh? Me?"

[Yes. As you and Shei are the only ones in contact with the outside world.]

A thousand-year-old vampire whose every move has been recorded in legend. And I'm supposed to teach her magic? Me?

'Nonsense. My theory may be perfect, but my practical skills are absolute rubbish. I had to drop out because I couldn't even use 0 level illusionary magic even after searching page by page in the teacher's mind.

'I'm not being humble. My talent might not be in magic, but if I show myself being barely able to cast 0 level magic, she could doubt my abilities. I must avoid that at any cost.'

As I was about to refuse her request—

「'Have the money', you say? That wouldn't matter. There's gold to spare…」

Money.

It had always been like that. The metal that blinded people—gold.

A detestable spoil of war that sat on a man's head, spilled his blood by metal then moved onto another's to do the same.

Money was kept close to even a righteous man who despised it.

Even for one as dignified and considerate as me.

Changing my attitude in an instant, I put my fist on my chest.

"I could teach you, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka."

I then held my index finger and thumb into a circle and slightly shook it.

"Ah, but you see. Even as an instructor it's a bit much to teach it for nothing. And as we get to a higher level, the security level starts to rise. Maybe some kind of payment?"

[Do you want me to give you gold?]

"Well, it doesn't have to be gold. Just enough to give me some motivation."

I was saying my thoughts out loud. The regressor clicked her tongue at me. An officer of the State would scold me for filling a different pocket.

But you know what?

A few hundred years ago, bribery was common sense.

[So gold is enough. I understand.]

Creeaak.

The lid of the coffin slightly slid open. From its dark interior emerged a pitch-black hand with something on it and floated towards me.

Whoa, really? You're actually giving this to me?

There really is opportunity in danger. The danger of living with a vampire who's slept away for a thousand years opened an opportunity for me to get the gold of a senior who doesn't know about today's exchange rates!

I controlled my uproared feelings and watched the object that the black hand brought. It was… an extremely precious-looking crown.

'Jackpot.'

I coughed to cover my excessive joy before speaking.

"They look like tomb relics coming out of the coffin like that. Ouch!"

[Stop with the nonsense.]

'Yeah, but you didn't have to throw it at me. What if something as precious as this gets scratched?

I received it with my sleeves to try and not get any fingerprints on it.

'Oh, damn. This feeling… An authentic crown? If this is all real gold, even if the price drops because of alchemy, it would be worth—

'…Wait. Alchemy, a thousand years ago, the gap in technology and that strangely negligent attitude… There's no way.'

I scanned the crown with a slightly doubting mind.

'Ah, how is it that bad hunches are always right.'

"This is fake!"

[...?]

"Now that I think about it, this gold is from before the Alchemic Revolution. It's fake gold! Damn it, how could this be?!"

The vampire was sincerely surprised.

[Gold is gold. How can there be fake and real gold?]

"We defined that a hundred years ago."

[Wh-What? It can't be…]

「Is it perhaps… Was there another change in the world that I was not aware of? Again…?」

I was thinking of letting my anger out at the feeling of being scammed, but after reading her mind, I only felt bad for her. Sure, I lost some possible payments, but the vampire had lost everything.

This is when mind reading is not so great. If I didn't know anything at all, I would have lit her up to the moon and back.

Sigh.

Just my luck.

Just as I was thinking I could get some money out of this—

"You'd be arrested for counterfeit gold. But back when Trainee Tyrkanzyaka lived, knowledge about alchemy was nonexistent, so I'll let this one go. Now, look at this."

I drew a star on the gold with my finger. If it were real gold, there wouldn't be any residue. However, for some reason, it rose up and turned red, as if it had been touched by fire.

"A gold crown is recognizable by its shine and weight. It's probably the third and fourth corners. Hm, it's definitely a result of old alchemy techniques as its alchemy level is very low. Even I could undo it."

I tapped the third and fourth corners then went around the front and back of the crown with my fingernail.

Thunk.

As I pushed some mana into the last line, the gold on the crown flowed off as if it was melting. Soon after, the crown started to change color, revealing a dull and dark metal.

More useful than gold, frequently used, and an excellent mana conductor—mithril. It was definitely a couple times better than gold, but… it was an unfortunately not-so-precious metal because of it.

I placed it on the lectern.

"Mithril is an amazing metal with high mana conductivity. So much so in fact that you could have it mimic every metal in the world through alchemy. And obviously, it was mostly made to mimic gold. But mithril itself was just as rare at the time, so you could get away with mixing it into real gold. So back then, the infamous fake gold—mithril—was released onto the world.

"Then one day, a money-hungry alchemist had a brilliant idea. As making real gold was difficult, he thought of making mithril and turning it into gold then selling it. Well, mithril is just as difficult to make, so it looked like his efforts were in vain."

Unfortunately, it succeeded.

The alchemic pattern was revealed.

Approximately a 3rd level. Any semi-competent alchemist sought out mithril. Although it was at the level of a cottage industry, the steady supply dropped the prices.

Anyone with gold feared this change. They hadn't done anything, but their net worth started plummeting past the halfway mark. Those who got the news early were enraged and tried to analyze the situation to the best of their abilities.

"And as soon as they realized the truth, they shut their mouths and started to sell all the gold they had."

[Why did they do that instead of condemning the alchemists who were creating the fake gold?]

"Because they had to get rid of all the fake gold before everyone else found out. If they condemned them, everyone else would know as well."

[The gold they possessed is fake. They sold it despite knowing that?]

"They sold it because they knew."

The wealth they had been collecting was evaporating in front of their eyes. They would be stupid to do nothing about it. Selling it all away was an obvious thing to do.

[What about those who bought the fake gold thinking it was real? They surely wouldn't have stayed idle about it.]

"Correct!"

'Her ambition to learn is overflowing. She's worth teaching.'

I had a broad smile on my face and opened out my arms.

"It's hard to say outright what happened after. The buyers were enraged, the sellers tried to back out, the two sides fought and raised war. Apparently it was no joke. One historian says that the amount of blood spilled that day was as much as the weight of the gold that went around."

Anyway.

I played around with the mithril crown and continued.

"In short, mithril nowadays is dirt cheap. If you can bargain well enough, you could sell it for the same price as a pile of wood."

Which meant that most of the vampire's wealth was now worth jackshit.

I lamented at the unfortunate prospect, but looked at the vampire with sad eyes at the same time.

Some things like wine, pickled foods, or antiques could rise in price if enough time passed. However, just like providence, should too much time pass, it would rot. A thousand years was too long.

After delaying for quite a while, the vampire spoke.

[From history to alchemy… How do you know all these things? Is it…?]

"Yes. I also learnt these at 'school'."

[Again!]

"Not just alchemy. Math, biology, natural science, languages, magic, mechanical engineering, ballistics, etc. They teach you all this in middle school."

[What is this 'school' place? Is it one where all the talented children from around the world come to learn? Like a sage's tower?]

"No? From fourteen years old to seventeen, anyone who's graduated from primary school with good grades can choose to go."

[Th-That is… mad.]

The shock was so big that the voice from the coffin had become slightly quieter.

Maybe the culture shock was too much.

'I guess she lived in an era where being able to learn something was only available to the upper class. The road of education was thin, rough, and steep. And alongside that, it was short and closed. Even reaching the end, most lamented at the tightly closed door. I wonder if it's gotten better now compared to then.'

"Anyway, do you understand now? It's quite unfortunate. Phew, that was tiring. I'll also have today as a rest day."

[U-Ugh. Wait.]

As if the vampire couldn't accept the changed world, she also asked the regressor to try and get confirmation.

[Shei, is that all… real?]

"...It is all real. But…"

「Even if they do get an education, there aren't many who can learn as proficiently as that man. The State seeks specialization. They get those who have the aptitude in a field of study and dig deep in it. It's abnormal that he can deflect my sword and know alchemy and magic all at the same time…」

'The over-evaluation just because I deflected her sword. Damn. Imagine if I hadn't. I would be treated like an insect. Oh wait, no. My arm would be gone. I would have actually turned into a crawling insect.'

"...It's not as great as he makes it out to be. You would be very disappointed if you actually went there."

The regressor made it out to be trivial.

Well, some places really aren't that special, so I didn't refute it.

The amazed vampire suddenly thought of something and asked.

[Shei, did you also come out of this 'military middle school'? Are you perhaps acquaintances?]

"No, I only graduated from a local primary school."

[Ah, is that so…]

「Hmm… There is a definite difference in the way they talk. There does seem to be an educational gap between them…」

As if being sympathetic, the vampire dragged on the conversation. As the regressor realized the pity behind the vampire's words, she quickly protested.

"I only graduated from a local primary school because I was an orphan and couldn't afford further education!"

[How unfortunate.]

"NO! I mean—I didn't have to go to middle school! It was enough without it!"

[I understand. Do not worry. I will teach you bloodcraft to the best of my abilities.]

"I'm telling you that's not what I meant!"

Sigh.

'I wasn't trying to show off, but it just turned out like this.'

I slid my thumb across my nose.

"Technically speaking, I, too, was an orphan. But I had earned a scholarship. After all, I was number one in the entire year."

"You just shut up!"

"As grains ripen, they bend down, and full pockets stay silent even as they sway… If you really want, I'll be quiet."

"What part of 'shut up' do you not understand?!"

Sigh.

Uneducated bums.

I let out a quiet sigh and didn't speak up like she told me to, but the regressor didn't seem to like even that. She huffed and puffed in anger before pulling out something from an invisible space.

—————

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Translator – aquamage

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

reaperscans.com

reaperscans

REAPER SCANS

Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

[Translator – aquamage]

[Proofreader – yukitokata]

Chapter 18 - Magic Is No Joke

After shouting at me, the regressor stretched out her hand. At that moment her arm was cut off from her elbow.

No, it wasn't cut. Looking at it more carefully, she had cut a hole in space and was putting her hand through the fissure. The upper half of her arm was visible, but the lower half had disappeared somewhere. Like sticking your arm out the window.

The only difference being that the window was a hole in space.

A personal spatial dimension called the 'Pocket'. It was the only one in the world, and the regressor was carrying it.

She rummaged through the spatial fissure and pulled out a round and hard object.

"Yeah! Let's see how well you teach now!"

Tink.

The object came flying at me. I extended my arm in anticipation, and my wrist was forcibly flicked back by the weight. The excessive force sent tremors throughout my body.

'I think that overstretched my ligaments.'

I looked at the regressor after the near-death experience then looked at the treasure that was now in my hands.

I doubted my eyes.

"Oh shit. It's Alchemic Gold. And it's a hyperpure sample with an alchemic value of over ten thousand alkeis. How did you…?"

Back in the day, alchemists would transmutate different materials to their liking. This wouldn't just change the materials' properties, but their value as well. Hence, people would never be able to know how much their material wealth was actually worth. Even gold couldn't keep its value, so it was a time in which everyone doubted and feared their currency's worth.

Then, Alchemic Gold made its appearance.

The resource that was vital in alchemy itself had been turned into a currency with absolute value.

After giving such a valuable item in a helpful manner, the regressor replied with indifference on her face.

"It's my asset."

"All personal belongings should have been taken away when you were arrested."

"It's my spatial dimension item. Since it was in my Pocket, they couldn't have known."

The regressor flatly dismissed it.

The Pocket. It was a treasure that could store all sorts of other treasures that couldn't compare to normal pockets.

Such a regressor thing to be carrying around.

I pressed my nose against the Alchemic Gold and sniffed it.

"It's not a fake… right?"

"Why would I be carrying it around in the Pocket if it was a fake?"

'That's true. The Pocket itself would be worth over a million Alchemic Golds. I wasn't actually doubting it. It was just an expression of surprise. Also, Alchemic Gold itself was already hard to replicate anyway because of the value the material inherently had. After alchemy had been widespread, all nations on the surface used the same method to keep counterfeiting in check.'

Obviously the easiest way to mitigate the issue was to give the material itself value. The most common example was Alchemic Gold, which was made up of materials which in themselves had great value.

Alchemic Gold was used commonly across the world and could be used to create magic circles. If someone had some knowledge about alchemy, they could break it down and use it to make magic tools.

It was the ultimate currency with both modern economic value and material value—Alchemic Gold.

'If it does have an alchemic value of ten thousand alkeis… I could probably recreate all my magic tools the State took away!'

"So, what's your answer?"

I put the Alchemic Gold in my pocket. Then I proceeded to forget about it.

Once Alchemic Gold went into a pocket, all feelings of gratitude would disappear. That was the rule of the backstreets. The saying 'Greed knows no bounds' didn't exist for no reason.

"Oho! To think that this prideful instructor of the State is going to fall to bribery. You are sorely mistaken! By the act of bribery misconduct, I will be confiscating this now!"

After scoffing at me—as if she had heard some nonsense—she grabbed two more from the fissure and waved it in the air.

"If you teach Tyrkanzyaka properly, I'll give you two more."

"On a different note, ever since I woke up this morning, I wanted to teach you all some magic. It just felt like a magic day. So let's learn about magic today."

There was too much money on the line to say that. I immediately stood in front of the lectern and finished the preparations.

During that time, the regressor was constantly trying to convince the vampire on something.

"...Tyrkanzyaka, I've said it before, but it's really that I chose not to go to middle school. It's not that I couldn't. Look at that. Even coming out of middle school, he's easily swayed by some money."

'It doesn't matter what you say. I just need the money to go into my pocket.'

I swallowed my pride, steeled my face, and started the lesson.

"Basically, magic is the act of overwriting the fundamental laws of the universe… You probably didn't understand that, did you?"

All I needed to do was satisfy the vampire's curiosity. It wasn't going to be a boring lesson that starts from the theoretical basics.

'I'll try to explain it as simply and concisely as possible.'

"The most important thing in magic is to establish one's own world. But it's easier said than done, isn't it? You could say that the spiritual and physical body are completely separate worlds. So this is why most middle schools teach magic that mediates the body and unifies the two."

I held my finger up and drew magic into it. I could feel the mana flow up through my veins. I slid my right hand up my left hand then tapped my palm, as if I were playing a drum.

"There will now be a demonstration by the proficient instructor. Now, watch. Set, re, check."

The appropriate movements and chant, and the fruits of the State's rationalism that could manifest magic with just the proper preparations without needing any extensive knowledge in the field.

0 level magic.

"Bolt."

An electric current sparked from my index finger. After releasing the spark, I rubbed it against the back of my arm to discharge it.

"Fahrenheit."

A flame formed on my middle finger. The flame didn't keep its shape and spread everywhere, so I had to extinguish it by waving my finger around.

"Acrus."

My ring finger became covered in ice. It was supposed to gather moisture, but a slight mistake could freeze my finger. I grabbed it with my hand to thaw it.

"Pascal."

Air burst off my pinky finger.

Phew. My life achievement of being the top of my year in middle school—mind reading used—isn't failing me anytime soon.

I extended my arms out and proudly proclaimed.

"Like this. Unifying your body to shoot magic out of your fingertips. The pros being that you don't have to use mental imagery to perform this magic!"

[...Your fingers are bleeding.]

The vampire said as she pointed at my hand. I looked at the fingers I used to perform magic.

The index finger I discharged electricity with was cramping up.

The middle finger I shot flames with was charred black.

The ring finger I froze up had swollen up.

And the pinky finger I shot air with was red and wrinkly.

'Ah, now that I think about it, this hurts more than I thought it would. Four kinds of pain are pulsing through my body, so it's kind of hard to express. But I can't show that I'm in pain. Otherwise, my bluff will fall off.'

So I kept up my act with no change in expressions and spoke.

"Like I said, magic is the act of overwriting the fundamental laws of the universe."

[You did.]

"I just overwrote the laws by mediating my body. On my index finger, the law that static electricity would be more powerfully discharged; on my middle finger, the law that fire would burn at a way lower temperature; on my ring finger, the law that objects are more hydrophilic; on my pinky finger; the law that wind blows stronger than it usually would."

Basic magic that manifested at a local level. This was 0 level magic.

I opened my hand to show the evidence.

"These are the results."

The vampire showed great curiosity.

[It is definitely interesting. But must you always hurt your fingers when performing it?]

"It can't be helped, as I am using my body as the medium. The place where the laws are overwritten happened to be at my fingertips, so it's only natural that it takes the backlash."

I hid my injured fingers behind my back and kept explaining.

"Body mediation magic is incomplete as you have seen. So normally, people look for mediums other than their own body. Such as a staff, wand, or familiar. They say that once you reach the peak of magic, you will be able to mold the laws themselves. But I have never seen it for myself. Also, they say that the more skilled you get, the wider your range of magic gets. And that you will be able to manifest miraculous feats."

As I finished my explanation…

"It's only middle school level."

I'm getting used to the regressor's sharp comments.

I shrugged before speaking.

"Well, that's because it really is just a middle-school-level topic."

"Yeah. Some useless information with an even weaker delivery."

"Because it's the basics. It's like the multiplication tables in math."

"Sure. You covered all the basics, and it's impressive speed and completion for 0 level magic. But for someone like you who can only use body mediation magic, I don't think you can show us anything more than that."

There was a sense of superiority complex in her childish smirk.

No, it can't be. Is the regressor really feeling challenged by me? This is ridiculous. You're a professional life-liver with thirteen lives under your belt. I'm just an amature on this stage of life. If you want to have competition against me, why don't you come at me fair and square on your first cycle?

"Magic isn't my profession or specialty."

"Hmph. Magic isn't my specialty either, but I can use strategy level magic."

"Oh, can you, now?"

"And you're done with illusionary level magic. Heh. I wonder if this is a difference in talent."

Aren't you embarrassed of yourself? Pretending like all the magic you've gathered through your multiple lives was a result of your 'talent'?

Does she have a conscience or not?

"If you really achieved that yourself, then it would be a difference in talent."

I said as I shot a cold glare at her. Then, she shrank away and started to be invocal.

「...Sure, these are skills I got from dying and regressing, but regressing is also a skill. So it should be okay to boast about it! Yeah! Regressing is an ability! Part of my specs!」

Thankfully, she does seem to have a conscience since she's trying to justify herself. People who don't have a conscience don't even try to justify themselves. So in that sense, it seems that she does know embarrassment.

The regressor stopped there and turned to the vampire.

"Tyrkanzyaka. I'll teach you magic. I'd be more competent than that kind of guy."

Then, the vampire carefully asked. As if she had no choice but to ask this unfortunate question.

[But did you not only graduate from primary school?]

"I told you, I didn't go to middle school because I didn't need to!]

[Ah, yes. That is right. It is fine, child. I don't really mind.]

The vampire was trying to be nice. However, she was trying so hard to be nice that the receiver could tell what she was thinking. The regressor's hand shook.

「I… I'm starting to realize why that man was treating her like an old woman.」

I told you so. She's an elder. Be it in a good way or a bad way.

The vampire kept glancing at me and continued the conversation.

[Do you really have to graduate? Can't you just show us here now…]

"Magic is a secret weapon. Something I built for myself from the ground up. While it is my strength, it is also my weakness. I can't just show it to anyone."

[But did he not show us his magic?]

"Don't compare mine to something like that! That was some standard State magic. It's magic that anyone can use with the correct requirements! My magic is unique. High-level magic that only I can use!"

[Ah, hm. I understand, I understand. Now, let us go.]

The regressor stomped out of the room, the black coffin floating along behind her. She kept glancing at me while leaving.

「Magic that anyone can use… Is that not more incredible? Hm. I do not know. I do not know any of it.」

She really spent her years well. Very wise.

「Even so, for a dead woman like me… I wouldn't be able to use even that kind of magic.」

'…Well, I hope you two try your best. The regressor's probably overjoyed to teach magic, even if she disappoints. I'm just glad my work load is reduced… Huh? Wait. I feel like I've forgotten something… Oh yeah, my money! My two pieces of Alchemic Gold!'

I hurriedly ran after them and shouted.

"Trainee Shei! Where's my payment?!"

But all that came back was a tired response.

"Tyrkanzyaka's gonna learn from me. Why would she pay you?"

"You said you'll give me two pieces of Alchemic Gold! Are you going to break your promise?"

"Promise?"

The regressor spun around, looked at me, and smirked.

"Let me give you a piece of advice. No matter who you dealt with or how much you were supposed to get, until that money is in your pocket, it isn't yours."

"What kind of nonsense is that?! If you say that you'll give it, you should give it!"

"Just be satisfied with the first piece. That's worth a fortune on its own… Well, for you, that is."

The regressor left with a smile, walking off cheerfully.

If I were to express her thoughts just then as simply as possible, it would be like blowing a raspberry.

Quite aggravated, I huffed and puffed back into the classroom.

"How dare she trick me!"

'I've always tricked people, but never have I been tricked myself. I even thought about giving them the other half of the content for free! But they changed their minds after hearing all that! I hate these fickle people the most. These people who don't plan ahead and make things up as they go. How can I know anything if your thoughts change from one second to the next?! Predicting a stormy wave on the ocean would be easier than reading that!'

"For me to be hearing those words… Damn it!"

'I don't know why, but I'm doubly pissed off.'

As I slammed the door shut…

"Woof."

…I heard an unsatisfied bark. I turned my head to Azzy who was sulking and shaking her tail while lying on her belly in the back corner.

It was her way of telling me that she was getting bored. I didn't even need to read a dog's mind to know what they were thinking.

I extended my hand in frustration.

"What? What do you want?"

"Woof."

"That's it for today. Go back to your room."

"Woof."

"Why? You think you're the only one who's angry? I'm also quite angry. Also, my fingers hurt, so I'm not in the mood to play with you right now. Go…"

As I was bluntly replying to her, Azzy stood up and slowly came towards me. She kept showing her dissatisfaction as she got closer.

'This fidelity-less animal. You're trying to tell me "I want to apologize even if I've done nothing wrong," huh? You think I'll accept that?'

"Can't you see my fingers? I told you they're hurt."

I scolded her as I showed off my now-multicolored fingers. Azzy looked at them in a weirdly sympathetic way and started to lick them.

"Huh? Are you licking them because they're hurt?"

Azzy kept licking without an answer. Her slick tongue licked up one of my fingers. The warm and soft feeling massaged my digit. As I tried to scrunch my face, I saw her kind gesture and relaxed my face.

"You…"

Animals often licked their injuries. Either to stop infection, because it itched, or because it was the only thing they could do about it.

However, for a conceptual being like a Beast King, the act of licking oneself carried a generalistic healing power. It may not be effective on all injuries, but they said it was more effective than applying a potion.

"You're healing me."

"Woof."

The quietly replying Azzy thoroughly licked my remaining fingers. Even though her nature was that of a dog, she had a human form. Her fleshy tongue dug through every nook and cranny.

People compared anger to a fire. It seemed that they had some basis. As the fingers got wet, the anger within me got extinguished.

Sigh.

'Yeah. What do I even get from being angry?'

I pulled my hand back, a string of sticky saliva stretching between us. The fingers slobbered in spit were healed back to normal in no time.

The greatest enemies of humans were each other, and the dog was the greatest ally. I let out a smirk.

"Alright! So what if you eat some food in secret? It's natural to eat when you're hungry. Food was made to be eaten! Right?"

"Woof."

"Right! Let's have some meat today!"

"Meat?"

Azzy's eyes sparkled. She got up instantly, as if she was never lying down at all.

"Yeah! We'll have meat for lunch!"

"Woof! I like meat!"

"Let's go to the cafeteria!"

"Awoooooo!"

I followed behind the gleefully running Azzy.

'Let's forget about the lost money. If you can effectively break down a piece of Alchemic Gold, you could make a card. If you're lucky, maybe even a piece of enchantment. And the regressor's going to fail teaching her anyway. I'll just take some with interest when that happens.'

I started cooking up a storm after cheerfully heading to the cafeteria.

Just then—

"You fucking mutt! Don't just take the meat!"

"Woof?! Awooooooo!"

'I've come to a decision. The dog food from now on is going to be beans.'

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

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Chapter 19 - With Only My Grandfather's Honor on the Line

Press, press.

While having the best sleep of my life, I felt a heavy weight on my waist. Something was interrupting my sleep. As I scrunched my face and flailed my arms, the pressure on my body went away. Finding comfort again, I fell back to sleep.

Press.

Something heavy laid on my waist again, but it disappeared when I flailed my arms aggressively. I made a satisfied face and went back to sleep.

Press.

It's really pissing me off now. What kind of asshole is getting in the way of my beauty sleep? I should go teach them a lesson.

I twisted my body in the direction of the culprit, grabbed the foot weighing me down, and pulled at it so that it couldn't go anywhere.

'Huh. Why isn't it moving? That's strange. I'm pulling as hard as I can, but it's not budging at all. Where have I felt this thing before?'

The State was a land of concrete and steel frames. Its cities' elements were made up of hard materials; be it buildings, people, or ideology.

There was a time when I walked under a bridge and touched its supports. A very strong pillar made of steel frames and concrete. It's still clear in my mind, the feeling of a structure that can withstand many people and giant carts going over it. It didn't even budge slightly when I kicked it. It was like we didn't even exist on the same plane.

The leg pushing me down was akin to a pier made of steel and concrete; it wouldn't budge. The only difference was that this one felt warm and squishy. Other than that, it had the same strength of a pier.

As I was grabbing the leg while half asleep…

"Arf!"

…It moved with my hand.

Like an adult being pulled around by a child. Not because they were weaker than the child, but because their heart moved with them. In the same logic, the fluffy and squishy foot moved where I pulled it. Then, a large shadow came over my bed.

What appeared before me was a girl with eyes full of curiosity. Messy blond hair along with a huge face made itself known.

I had my shirt reach below my waist, but I don't know if it was to show off my chest or to keep 'that' under control.

A tail was swaying lightly, half-wrapped slightly below my belly. As the girl looked at me, she smiled and tapped my chest with her hand. I was taken aback by the amount of trust and affection the hand had towards me.

'What's this? A girl's suddenly being quite flirty while waking me up. Is it an assassin? Or is my rent due…?'

Feeling threatened, I was about to read her mind until I realized.

'No, it's a dog. The Dog King, Azzy.'

I combed my hair back as I got up from the bed. After waking up, I start regaining my senses. My quiet head filled with white noise as my sight widened like a spreading fog.

As I moved to get off the bed, Azzy swiftly got out of the way.

"You've come to wake me up?"

"Woof!"

"After hearing about how I was going to wake up without the alarm?"

"Woof, woof!"

"Sure. Thanks. You're a good girl."

"Me, good?"

"So good."

"Woof, woof! I'm good!"

From the way she barked and rolled around on my bed in joy after getting a compliment, it became evident that she really was no different from a regular dog. If you considered her nature, she was closest to the 'dog' species.

Yeah, that's right. She's a dog. Not a girl.

I washed my face and got changed. The standard supply shirt was absorbed into the Bio-receptor, then I inserted a new Clothing Packet into my wrist.

For some reason, I had the urge to douse my head with cold water.

Obviously, I wouldn't be able to have such a luxury with the supplied rations. Because the rationed water ran out in my room while I was washing up, I had to move to the other room with my hair still dripping. While the room's bed was folded and the cabinet was destroyed, the tap was fine, so I used this room every time mine ran out of water.

After washing, I lifted my head and saw that Azzy was still prancing around beside me. I wiped myself down with a towel before checking the remaining water.

'There's a bit left. One person's worth of rationed water is too little, but two people's worth is a bit too much. What a State thing to do.'

I poured the remaining water in a cup and gave it to Azzy. She dug her face in and started to lap it.

Even though she was acting as usual, for some reason something seemed kind of off, so I needlessly criticized her.

"Come on, Azzy. You have the biomechanical structure of a human. Please use your hands when drinking from a cup."

"Woof?"

Azzy innocently reacted with a confused head tilt.

"Woof? You call me?"

If she had understood my words, she wouldn't have been a dog.

I let out a sigh as I sat her on my thighs, put the cup on her mouth, and carefully tilted it.

It seemed that she—who was still trying to lap water—was perplexed by the liquid trying to gush into her mouth.

Stop moving away from it.

However, as I grabbed her firmly and slowly patted her to calm her down, she started to relax and drank the water normally.

"Yes. You're doing good. How much easier is that? From now on, try to drink this way. Okay?"

"Woof!"

"Now where…"

'You understand now right?'

I carefully put the cup on the ground. Then, without any hesitation, she knelt beside it, dug her face in, and started lapping water again.

I looked at the wagging tail above her raised backside and mumbled.

"That was really useless."

Azzy stopped drinking and turned her head at my voice. As we made eye contact she made a gleeful face and barked.

"Woof, woof!"

A smile seeped out.

How do humans find comfort in seeing a pure and simple animal?

Was it by feeling superior at the sight of lower lifeforms?

Or was it by reminiscing about their lost purity?

"Whatever."

The reason doesn't matter. The emotional aspect probably comes before the logical aspect anyway.

In the end, if it's good, then that's that.

Azzy finished drinking. I hung the cup back on its rack and headed out the empty room.

"Let's go get breakfast."

"Woof!"

Today's menu was the leftover meat stew from yesterday. There wasn't much meat left, but there should be enough for one breakfast. As for dinner… beans.

I'm sick of eating stew, but it's currently the best option we've got.

"Don't they provide any commodities? I was hoping to get some fresh ingredients."

It's not like there are tens of thousands of people here; only two people, a dog, and a corpse. You could at the very least provide us with something. And one of us is only providing for themselves.

'It's not like they don't know this place exists. Supplies or communications are quite delayed.'

I headed to the cafeteria while complaining.

The fourth floor. Even exaggerating, I wouldn't be able to say the workers' living spaces were remotely 'okay'. The concrete walls had countless cracks where a continuous force seemed to have created a pattern like that of growth rings in a tree. Many lockless doors were spread along the narrow corridor. If you were to suddenly put your weight on the wall, either a door would fling open or the wall itself would shake.

At least the cafeteria is spacious and stable.

The cafeteria was way more spacious than the rooms and was equipped with all the necessary tools at your disposal. Standard-sized pots with many plates, and even a tray to carry them in. They probably thought of making the workers deliver food to the inmates.

"They shouldn't have needed a tray to carry the food. They would have just needed to walk down a couple steps with the food to deliver it."

I shrugged and headed over to the closed pot.

And as I went to lift the pot lid, I felt an unexplainable feeling.

Is it déjà vu? Maybe it's closer to foresight.

'Nah, no way. Again?'

"Can't be. We fought over it yesterday already. There's no way."

I smiled to shake off the foreboding feeling and took off the lid.

Only to be met with the sight of emptiness, as if I were staring into my future.

"You fucking muuuuuuutt!"

My cries filled the cafeteria.

"Do you have the inability to learn? What's the difference between the Dog King and a dog? A dog that's well known for a few tricks in an old town would be a hundred times smarter than you!"

"Awoooooo! It not me! Woof! Woof!"

That was the moment when a sacred war was waged between humans and dogs. The regressor ran over at the commotion only to pinch her forehead before asking.

"What is it now?"

「It's probably the same old thing again.」

'"Same old thing"? Clothes, food, and shelter. The one thing that has a grip on a person's life is food. In other words, this is a problem between life and death!'

I grabbed the pot and stomped over to the regressor, showing her the empty Compressed Can and pot before yelling at her.

"You see this? Usually, you could feed a man for four days with one Can. There's that much food concentrated in there! But because of this fucking mutt, it disappears in a day!"

Azzy's sullen voice could be heard from over yonder.

"It not me!"

"Liar! Who else is here aside from you?!"

"Not me! Not me!"

"If you really are a Beast King, stop repeating the same words over and over again! You sound like a parrot struggling with vocabulary!"

"I'm not parrot!"

"Then convince me otherwise by saying something different!"

The regressor pretended to cover her ears and interrupted our exchange.

"Stop. Both of you, be quiet."

Azzy and I looked at each other and growled. The regressor let out a sigh then mumbled.

"How can you be so sure that Azzy is the culprit? It might not be her."

"Then are you the culprit, Trainee Shei?"

I stared at her with twitching eyes and continued.

"Trainee Tyrkanzyaka is a vampire. She only drinks blood. The remaining humans are you and me. But it wasn't me. I'm not so shameless as to eat it myself and blame it on a dog. And after all, I'm the one who manages the cellar."

「Do you know that you're shameless?」

"If the culprit wasn't Azzy, then logically, it would mean that you—Trainee Shei—would have stolen the food. Do you understand? What you said only made me doubt you more!"

I chucked the pot into the sink and yelled.

"You even have a personal supply of food! You told me that you don't need to prepare any meals! But even after eating your personal luxuries, were you enthralled by the State's soul food that you had to go through the pot in the middle of the night? Is the soul food spawned by poverty only a prize to be shown in your display case?!"

"Prize? That's nonsense. I wouldn't even eat it if you offered it."

"Then be quiet, you bourgeoisie! As I must settle this life-or-death dispute with the mutt!"

"Just wait."

The regressor spoke in an annoyed tone. Chun-aeng, moving by Shei's will, was slowly turning towards me while floating above her head.

I shut my mouth.

Even if it is a life-or-death dispute, I can't afford to die a dog's death.

"What I'm trying to say is that there might be someone else here that we don't know about."

"The idea that the culprit was a being somewhere in here without any of us knowing about them is too opportunistic for my taste."

「...So he's telling me that, while I usually make sound arguments, sometimes I spout nonsense. I really can't understand this man.」

"I'm saying that whether you like it or not, the possibility still exists."

"Well, it might sound reasonable. But…"

Her conjecture had so many holes in it that it had become quite difficult to point out exactly what was wrong.

Are you only capable of this much, dear regressor? I shall enlighten you.

That amidst a seemingly complicated situation, the truth is always the simplest answer.

I pointed my finger at the regressor and made a declaration.

"Trainee Shei, your deduction is wrong."

"Why?"

"This is the Abyssal Prison, Tantalus. A completely isolated space in which no one can easily enter or exit. And you're telling me that in such a place, there is someone who neither I, you, Azzy, nor Trainee Tyrkanzyaka know about that comes out in the middle of the night just to steal some food?"

I let out a deep breath and unraveled my perfect logic.

"I'm dumbfounded. Such a person would not and should not exist."

"I get that it's hard to take in, but what do you mean by 'should not'?"

"If there were such a being, wouldn't it most likely be a ghost?"

"So?"

"That'd be too scary. I don't want to believe that."

The regressor slowly processed what I just said, then her jaw dropped.

That stupid face really fits you.

"So you're telling me… that you don't even want to consider that possibility just because it's too scary?"

I swiftly nodded.

"Yes."

"What the…"

「Are you actually out of your mind? Or are you doing this on purpose?」

'On purpose? What are you on about? Think about it. A regressor with all sorts of tricks, a vampire who could smell your spilt blood from miles away, the Dog King with the nose of a dog, and my mind reading abilities that could see through the regressor's camouflage. You're telling me that there's some being in the cafeteria that none of us can detect? And one whose mind can't be read by me? If there were such a being, we should be running right now.'

「You've made a miscalculation if you think there's nothing here. Tyrkanzyaka and Azzy becoming 'pieces of the end' was caused by an outsider and the fact that 'she' is going to come for 'that' under the abyss. There's also a possibility that 'they' are still here somewhere. How do I explain this…」

…Why is that all so true.

'No, I can't accept such a future. I'm already about to lose it from the people already here. You're telling me that something that is on the level of these monsters still remains here and that there's going to be an outsider breaking into Tantalus?'

「You know what? Nah. I don't need to explain. It's my first time coming into Tantalus anyway. What's there to explain? Let's just leave it to when it happens.」

'It's got to be a lie. It has to be. There's no way.'

I flicked my attention back to Azzy.

"Hey, Azzy. Did you really not eat it?"

"No!"

"You say no, but… Sigh. Why am I even trying to talk with you."

I just felt the ever-present gap between humans and animals and shook my head.

'It wouldn't even matter if I could read this mutt's mind. She would deny it till the very end.'

So there really was only one option left.

To catch her red-handed.

'I've got to catch this mutt the moment she has the pot in her eyes. Then, I can pull it over her. Let's open one more Can. The operation starts tonight, when the day lights are out and the night lights haze the area. At that moment, I'll have this mutt by the collar.'

I twisted my lips in a dismal way and looked down at Azzy, then we locked eyes. It was like both our eyes had lit on fire.

「I can't tell if they're getting along or not.」

The relationship between a human and a dog wasn't that simple. There were good times and bad times.

You just wait and see, mutt.

As I snarled at Azzy, the regressor glanced at me, narrowed her eyes, and stared. Chun-aeng made a slight humming sound, as if reflecting her caution against me.

「Wait. I can sense something over there.」

'Oh, please. Don't. It's actually scary. When you say it like that, it really feels like something's there. And it's a perfectly dark and small place for a ghost to appear. That's the same level as my bedroom. What do I do if I get attacked in my sleep? I don't have a trip alarm. Hmm… I don't have an alarm, but I do have a guard dog.'

I looked at Azzy and spoke rather softly.

"Hey, Azzy. You want to sleep with me tonight?"

Bark!

I guess not.

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

[Translator – aquamage]

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Chapter 20 - Then the Culprit Would Be In Here

In the abyss, it wasn't the setting sun that signified nightfall but the flickering daylights. Whenever the State-standard clock hit 6 o'clock, the artificial lights that tried to imitate the sun glowed red, trying to mimic sundown.

Imitations were limited by the very form of the original. From top to bottom, the rays from the daylights faded down, mimicking the setting sun. Then, the nightlights that were scattered around the abyss would faintly glow, lighting up the inner sides of the buildings.

Copies unavoidably differed from the original; the nightlights were lacking in comparison to the real night sky. Instead of a navy sky dimly lit by the scattered light, the abyss was lit by weak lights. It was an unsettling light that created a shade in the dark; not a nice shine of moonlight and starlight through a fog.

It really didn't compare to the real sunlight that would cover the world with grace.

As the daylights turned off, the corridor's light levels dropped. Now, the mirror that I set up on the door frame only reflected the darkness outside. Also, the light in my room had gone out, so I couldn't continue working. I stopped my work and got up from my desk.

On the desk was a deck of 52 cards. The cards were made all day with the alchemic gold that I had received from the regressor.

'I am a magician. An alchemist who uses cards and pushovers to create money. A deck of cards is my weapon.'

I swiped the desk with one hand. The 52 cards that were scattered across came tidily into my hand in one fell swoop. The square, strong and flexible. The familiar feeling greeted me.

I cut the face-down deck in half and proceeded to shuffle it. The flexible and compliant cards knit nicely together. I shuffled, flipped, twisted, then shuffled again.

Smack.

I placed the well-shuffled deck onto the table.

"Ace of diamonds."

I flipped the top card over. It was the ace of diamonds. It was to be expected. I shuffled it that way.

It had been a while since I had touched a deck of cards, but my skills were as sharp as ever. They had just been waiting to be revealed again.

I nonchalantly picked up the ace of diamonds. The single sharp, red shape displayed itself on one side of the card as if it were claiming it for itself. I pinched the card between my middle finger and thumb then flicked it over. As soon as I opened my hands, the ace of diamonds was nowhere to be seen.

The card's quality and condition were pretty good. I took a deep breath and steeled my heart.

"Now. Shall we go?"

'I would like it if it really was Azzy who stole the food. But if it wasn't… To be able to run away, I must carry at least one weapon of choice.'

I carefully opened the door so as to not make a sound.

The corridor that was enveloped by darkness seemed to absorb even sound. In the day, even if it was quiet, there was a vibrant atmosphere.

However, it was dark and quiet at the moment, fitting of the name Tantalus.

I walked through the deeply long corridor. I felt that I shouldn't make any sound with any footsteps, so I unconsciously tiptoed across.

It didn't take long to reach the cafeteria. I focused my mind to see if there were any minds present there.

'I can't sense even the slightest thoughts. It at least means that no one who's thinking is in there.'

Well, we'll have to see if there's a thoughtless man or not a man at all in there.

I stealthily went into the corner of the cafeteria and grabbed a seat.

'I just need to wait here and jump at Azzy once she tries to eat out of the pot. Or run away if a ghost appears.'

Hunting was the art of waiting in the first place. Even the most glorious hunters were formed by their endurance in patience. I held my breath and stared in focus at the direction of the pot.

A long and boring time passed when my focus was faltering and I was bobbing my head, about to fall asleep.

'I wonder how long it's been.'

I felt a presence outside.

'You fell for it. See? I told you, it's an intruder. What are you on about, "someone being on the inside". I won't ever believe such a baseless conspiracy theory.'

I tensed up, waiting for the perfect opportunity where the prey would be caught in the trap. As soon as they put their hand on the pot, they would be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

'When that happens, I'll get out there swiftly and catch this thief.'

The silhouette that came into the cafeteria scanned the area with glowing yellow eyes and spoke.

"What are you doing over there?"

They came towards me.

Just because I can read minds doesn't make me the master of hiding.

I got up from my seat and pointed at the regressor.

"So it was you. I had expected this outcome."

"What?"

"If you were that curious, you could have just asked for a bite. Did you really have to sneak in here in the middle of the night to do that? Because of your deviation, distrust has spread across us! Distrust is the evil that undermines society. It is like the rust between gears that creates screeching sounds—a distraction, an obstacle! Do you realize the gravity of the deed you have committed?"

"Seriously, what are you talking about?"

The regressor ignored me and turned away.

"If you have nothing to do, at least be quiet."

"You smelt it, you dealt it. How can you feign ignorance after shitting all over this place?!"

"What kind of vulgar talk is that?!"

The regressor looked at me with a gasp after reflexively refuting me.

"Do you seriously think that I came here to steal some food?"

"Just a bit ago, yes."

"In that case—Wait, no! Just a bit ago? You really saw me as your equal?!"

'Yes, you're my equal. We are trapped here together.'

Anyway.

I was reading her mind. Unfortunately, the regressor wasn't here to steal the food. She had come back to the cafeteria at night to check out the presence that was bothering her, which was here when she left before.

I scratched my head and talked to her.

"Then is there really some kind of hidden being in here?"

"Probably. We can't be sure, but it doesn't hurt to find out."

"Ahhh."

I picked up my belongings. When I got up from my seat, I looked at the regressor and nodded.

"I hope you do well."

"...Where are you going?"

"I'm scared, so I'm gonna run."

The regressor looked at me with a stupefied face before asking.

"What happened to 'I'm an instructor of the State with the responsibility of looking after the trainees'?"

"'Trainees' doesn't include ghosts."

"What about me? Are you going to leave me alone when I'm going to investigate the prison?"

"Who told you to investigate? And are you going to stop if I ask you to? What does it matter for me to tell you off if you're going to do it anyway?"

"Come."

「He still talks in an irritating way. And is he being real? No, there's no way. He's surely got to be planning something.」

'I'm not planning anything. If there really is a ghost, I can't read its mind. Therefore, I can't do anything. I'm less than an insect against inhuman beings.'

I walked towards the cafeteria door without looking back.

"Now, I'll be going. Don't forget the ex post facto reports. And if possible, please submit a report according to the sample one."

"Then why don't you just wait and see?"

"Sorry, but it's lights out, so I should go to bed."

"Stop your nonsense and watch from there."

"Huh? Why?"

「That face of vigilance on a powerful man who could deflect my blade… Is there really something that strong hiding here? Or is he trying to throw off my caution? Whatever the reason, let's try going against it. Not that I'm… scared or anything, but just in case, let's leave him in the rear.」

Fear is contagious, so when I showed how scared I was to the regressor, her alertness went up just as much. So much as to think of leaving me in the rear in this situation.

The regressor paused her thoughts and started concocting excuses.

"There could be an intruder in there, feeding off us like a parasite. Then the responsibility of eliminating them is on you since managing the prison is your responsibility. You should be watching out as well."

"That's true. If you confirm that it is an intruder, please do submit an after report. Until then, I'll be in my room."

'Go break a leg. I'll be going now.'

However, just as I was about to walk out the door…

「Hey! I told you to stay! Tsk, let's just throw Chun-aeng at him for now!」

'Please don't. I'll die.'

I spun my body around, walked back into the cafeteria, then stuck closely behind her.

The regressor was grossed out by my sudden change in behavior.

"What are you doing?"

'I can't say that I was scared she was going to persuade me by force. And to be honest, if there really is an intruder like she said. Wouldn't it be far safer to be with her than to be by myself? Currently, Azzy is mad at me, and the vampire wouldn't care because she's a ghost herself. If I exclude the regressor now, the only one left to defend me is myself.'

Even if she is quite untrustworthy.

"Now, take the lead. You're going to go and defeat the ghost! We can't let a mere ghost harass us!"

"You…"

「But… it is reassuring to have someone behind me. Tsk. Even though it's a problem how the person behind me is that man…」

Anyway.

The regressor let me stand behind her as she scanned the area with her glowing yellow eyes.

The third of the Seven Colored Eyes, Golden Eyes. The Fiery Golden Eyes that let you see the unseen.

You really wouldn't be scared of something like a ghost if you had those eyes.

What can I do? Nothing. Except having some popcorn while watching.

'Ah, you want moral support or something?'

"You can do it! Ghosts are just clumps of mana that are left behind after death! Don't be scared. Let's go on! Trainee Shei, your sword can surely cut even ghosts!"

"...Can you be quiet? I can't hear anything because of you."

"You're only using those glowy eyes right now. Just concentrate on sight."

"I'm also listening."

The regressor thoroughly went around the cafeteria. She even checked the storage unit on the shelf that was a bit deeper into the cafeteria. Then, she tilted her head, confusion on her face.

"I don't see anything."

"Hey. What? See, there really was nothing there."

"That can't be right. My gut feelings are usually correct."

'Your gut feelings don't seem too trustworthy. After all, it couldn't see through my bluff.'

Anyway, I couldn't say anything because it was that gut feeling that kept me alive.

"If you can't see anything with those shiny eyes, then there surely is nothing."

"That's strange…"

"Just give up. There's nowhere to hide in this tiny cafeteria. There's only a table for two and a storage unit the size of a small box. Where are you going to look next? It might be different if they could pass through walls."

"Walls?"

I obviously said it sarcastically, but the regressor took it seriously and started to think.

"Yeah. The walls. There's that place. The State's concrete is thick. If it hid there, I wouldn't be able to know."

'At this rate, the conspiracy theory is turning more into an illness.'

I let out a sigh and waved my finger in front of her.

"Hey. So what now? You going to break the wall down? That's destruction of property."

"I won't break it down."

「I'll only cut it.」

The regressor lifted her head, raised her finger, and poked her eye with it.

One of the primary color eyes from the Seven Colored Eyes, Jade Eyes.

The eye that emitted an ominous green light could see through objects. Although, seeing through metals—especially lead—was much harder.

'Harder to see through' meant it would take up a fair bit of space in a section of her vision. Which meant that she could use it to easily find metals underground.

I used my mind reading ability to take a look through her eyes.

I could see in black and white. It was dark and light, as if the world was made up of thin strings that overlapped each other multiple times. The penetrative sight could see through to the inside of objects, and when the regressor's vision was on me, I could see the white bone in my body.

Having my naked body exposed would be embarrassing, but once the skin is off, there is no sense of shame. It's quite strange.

The regressor's sight moved towards the wall. The concrete wall looked like a white straw board, and the steel frame inside it stood out, looking like a net. The regressor carefully searched the wall then found something.

In a section of the wall, there was a small doll-like silhouette. It almost looked like someone had accidentally left a doll in the wall while constructing it.

However, the identity of the doll was…

"Found you. Still some left, are there?"

…A magic golem of the State. A smaller model.

The regressor stretched her hand behind her head and grabbed Chun-aeng. At that moment, the blade was already drawn.

The rapid true strike cut a thin slice off the wall in a flash. The concrete that was cut like a bark from an old tree unravelled like a scroll, covered in dust from top to bottom. A gap appeared.

The regressor pulled the skewered magic golem as it was. The golem's body twitched.

[This individual is strongly requesting that you stop your destructive actions.]

A dull and monotone voice flowed out of the golem. It was the same voice as the one I heard when I first landed in Tantalus.

Captain Avey was it? The Radioman of the State. An emotionless trumpet blower of the State.

The regressor scoffed at the request.

"Should have requested that before keeping a watch on me while hiding like a rat."

[Taking into consideration your destructive and sensitive personality, I concluded that this individual would have already been destroyed even if it had revealed itself first. That conclusion is still valid. Another thing, when this individual sensed that you were near, it stopped all functions. You could conclude that you were not being watched.]

"Yeah. Yeah. Your decisions and requests are all right. Just as expected from the State. Always logical. In saying that…"

The regressor raised her blade again. A spark shot out of its end. Then, a part of the golem's circuit burned, and it made static noises, as if it were screaming.

"I'm going to destroy you now. See you. Hiding in the wall was kind of clever."

[Stop your destructive action immediately. Cease of communications lead to a lack of efficiency.]

"Heh. It's in a hurry. The golem must be nearing its end. Well, it wouldn't matter if there were more. I'll just go investigate every wall here with Jade Eyes."

The regressor seemed awfully joyful for once as she toyed with the golem.

'So I couldn't read its mind because it was a golem. Phew. That's a relief. It was a golem, not a ghost. There's nothing as uneasing as a ghost when it comes to not being able to read minds, but the regressor's here to destroy them for me, so there's no problem. I should just keep watching.'

At that moment…

[I repeat my request. Stop your destructive action immediately. Because of your actions, communications—which include supplies and other related matters—won't be possible. I repeat my request…]

Supplies. That word triggered my thoughts.

'While being trapped here, there's going to be an end to our resources. If Azzy keeps eating away mindlessly, we'll run out of food in no time. The regressor doesn't need anything with all her treasures, but I, on the other hand, need supplies… Now that I think about it, we can't afford to destroy this golem!'

I hurriedly went behind the regressor.

"'Repeat'. That's a word I despise, but I could do it as many times as I want."

The regressor didn't notice me approaching her and continued to be absorbed in her joy in tormenting the golem.

"Me destroying this golem won't do anything to your real body. But the State becomes slightly inconvenienced. That's all I need."

[Warning. Hostile actions will—]

"See you."

Thunk.

At the flick of Chun-aeng, the golem flew into the air. The regressor retrieved her blade and prepared to obliterate the doll. She was in a preemptive stance, full of potential energy.

I approached her from her blind spot, afraid of getting stabbed, and reached out my hand.

"Wait! Stop for a second!"

It was then that my hand touched the regressor's shoulder.

I could see something jump in the corner of my eye. I felt a sudden push that I couldn't react to. Something large was coming at me.

No, it's the opposite.

The world was turning around me and my vision along with it.

It wasn't anything else jumping, but me.

Sky Turner.

Turn.

Sky flipping.

'Huh? A counter? A counter that doesn't need cognitive action, but one that is automatic?'

As I had read that, my body was already heading towards the ground.

—————

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Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

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REAPER SCANS

Omniscient First-Person's Viewpoint

[Translator – aquamage]

[Proofreader – yukitokata]

Chapter 21 - There Is Always Only One Truth

My back fell onto the hard concrete floor.

Or was it the concrete floor that fell onto my back? Well, it doesn't really matter. The fact that it hurts like hell stays the same.

Pow!

The sound of a leather drum bursting echoed.

If any children are wondering what a drum made of human skin sounded like, they can just refer to the sound my back made. My back turned into a human leather drum.

I couldn't scream because all the air had been hit out of me. I endured the pain in silence. Meanwhile, the regressor that threw me looked at her own hand.

「I jumped to reduce the impact…」

'You call that reducing the impact? You're crazy. We consider this an attack.'

「Wow, I executed that absolutely perfectly! Maybe I have an aptitude for judo.」

She thought as she put her thumb up. If I fell wrong, I could have easily died from the impact. To jump on my own… The moment I felt something was off, I was caught off guard and thrown to the ground.

「My Sky Turner is a form of qigong that I specialized in to counterattack. As it's a move ingrained into my body, it activates before I can even think about it. He jumped as he saw it. That was a good response, but…」

'A counterattack ingrained into the body. That's just cheating. I went in through the perfect blindspot, but as soon as I touched her, she performed a perfect throw only seen in artworks. It was the ideal textbook move, so I didn't get folded wrong anywhere. But the shock itself is so great that it's hard to move. It's like my back is being stabbed by a thousand tiny needles.'

「His response was good, but… he didn't feel good in my hands.」

This is why you shouldn't associate with people who've been fighting their way through their lives. To judge people by how good they feel in your hands… Am I a sushi ingredient or something? You disgust me.

I frowned.

"Get your foot off me. Was throwing me to the ground not good enough that you have to step on me?"

"Ah."

The regressor moved her foot off my collarbone. I dusted the footprint off my shirt as I lay on the ground.

"This is your fault. Why'd you touch me all of a sudden?"

"Hmph. You really value your body. How are you going to get through everyday life if all you do is throw people who slightly tap your shoulder?"

"If this is a world full of strangers who grab my shoulder out of nowhere, then I don't need an everyday life."

"Are we strangers? You make me sad."

"...Of course we are. What else would we be?"

"An instructor and trainee. They say to honor your teacher, but to throw them to the ground and step on them? Wow. How sad."

The shock still hadn't fully dissipated, so I couldn't even get up. I continued to lament while lying on the ground.

「Saying that it was his fault for coming at me unprepared… I guess this isn't a battlefield. I did strike first.」

The regressor did feel sorry, albeit very slightly. She replied in a small voice.

"Whoever you might have been, you should have been prepared to face the consequences after getting in my way."

Is she really sorry? Look at how polar opposites her words are compared to her thoughts. I'm gonna lose my mind. If I weren't a mind reader, I would have exploded in anger.

I still feel like I'm going to explode.

"Is this regret? Is this unfair? Did you think that no one would try to stop you after you cut the wall open and tried to cut the golem in half?"

When facing the regressor, you need two logical arguments. Having the tendency to be weak against logical arguments, she's the type of person who would agree to anything that has some kind of ethical point.

「Now that I think about it, that man is an instructor. Which means he's an eye of the State. I was about to destroy this golem without even thinking about this man.」

It's a relief that she understood.

Phew.

「Should I just deal with him right now? I feel like I could get rid of him this time.」

I take it back. It seems that just because we're both human doesn't mean we can understand each other.

Time to change topics.

I started talking to the mini magic golem.

"Hey, Captain Avey."

[Captain Avey speaking. The current situation has been analyzed. I thank you for your actions.]

"No, you know what, stop talking if you don't want to get destroyed."

I stopped the golem from talking. If it continued, it could reveal my identity. Thankfully, Captain Avey quickly caught on. They seemed to realize that I was the only one in the abyss who would help them.

I lifted up the golem while still lying on the ground. It was the size of a small doll, but it was far more solid than one. Its thin metal arms and legs dangled in the air.

"Trainee Shei."

I put on a voice. As the regressor felt a slightly weird glare, I closed my eyes and continued.

"Not only did you cut open the wall and break the golem, but you also assaulted me. Very naturally."

"And?"

"Sure, the wall was already broken, the golem's almost just as broken, and my body was there to be thrown anyway. I won't ask any more. So let's forget about the golem for now."

"Well…"

「Considering there's already an instructor here, it wouldn't matter whether or not the golem stays. They're both dogs of the State. And… it might be better to leave it alone.」

After some consideration, the regressor put away her sword.

"I just need to not be watched by that."

"It won't even if I ask it to. You already saw how it was hiding in the cafeteria earlier. If it wanted to keep a watch on you, it wouldn't have hid itself there. The bourgeois who has four meals a day while the others barely get by with the limited supplies wouldn't come to the cafeteria anyway."

"Hmm."

"If you understand now, please leave."

"What are you going to do here?"

"Now that I know there's a golem remaining, I should make a supply request. Since someone has been stealing all our supplies at night."

"Sure…"

「After deciding not to fight with that man, it's inevitable that some information will slip past me. Let's just wait and see. This might turn out to be a good chance to get some information about that man.」

After nodding, the regressor shot a sharp glare at the golem before turning away.

"Could you ask if they could supply blood as well? It seems like Tyrkanzyka is a bit short on blood after suddenly moving her body."

"I'll check and inform you."

'Who the fuck's going to supply that?'

"I'll be going back to my room now."

"Stay safe."

The regressor walked out proudly, as if she was showing off her leaving stature. Only the golem and I were left in the dark cafete—

Wait.

"Trainee Shei. Didn't you say you were leaving?"

I could feel a surprised thought on the other side of the wall. The regressor replied in excuses.

"I-I was about to go. I was just doing something."

'What, are you trying to eavesdrop?'

I glared at the door. The regressor went away with loud footsteps. I let out a long groan and lifted up the golem again.

"It's been a while. Captain Avey."

[Confirming your survival. You did well to last thi—]

"Wait."

I covered the golem's mouth as I got up from the ground.

Ow, my neck. I'm sure it was my back that slammed on the ground so why does my neck hurt?

I stretched my neck by moving my head every which way then looked into space.

"Is there still something to eat around here? You said you were going back to your room. Why don't you go now."

A blinding darkness. There was a small sway there. As if shocked, the camouflaged regressor held her breath and looked at me with trembling eyes.

「He… saw me? Through Veil of Darkness, which hides even the slightest of movements? N-No, there's no way… He didn't realize last time…」

"Stop fooling around. It's so obvious. Who the heck stomps through the hallway as if they're announcing their departure?"

「Urk, was I really too obvious? But that man shouldn't have any evidence. He's probably just throwing it out there. Let's just feign ignorance for now.」

"Just go away!"

I threw the pot that was on the table. The regressor ducked down before the pot could hit her, and it hit the ground with a clang. The camouflage was dispelled by the sudden movement, so the regressor's eyes met with mine.

The surprised regressor blushed red from the embarrassment.

"U-Uhhh…"

"Trainee Shei. Didn't you just say something about the golem keeping a watch on you? This is the same thing. Eavesdropping on someone while using camouflage is a really bad hobby."

"I-I know. I just…"

"I understand that there are such instances in life. Anyone can be curious or make mistakes. I won't say anything, so just go this time."

"O-Okay…"

「Fuck, fuck, fuck! I should have been more careful about it. I underestimated him because of our previous interaction!」

The regressor went away with her head drooping. I thought she would cover up her embarrassment by lashing out at me, but as a perfectionist, she seemed to feel slightly depressed by her own mistakes. She ran down the hallway, loathing herself.

Watching it all happen, the golem started to talk.

[So you did have abilities.]

"You should know how I made money. It's just some psychological warfare."

[It's a relief that you seemed to be going along well.]

"What? A relief?"

[A new worker was to be put into the next supplies list, but it seems that is not needed. Human resources will not need to be wasted.]

"Ah, you meant in that sense."

The regressor might be a regressor, but the State was also made up of people who were hard to get along with.

They chucked me down here expecting me to die.

"You know the gist of the occurrences down here, right? Then I won't need to explain anything."

[False. I had this unit hidden from Trainee 'Shei'. Observations could not be made outside of the cafeteria.]

"Aha. Is that so?"

'That's some good information. Seeing as how there's information that only I know, I could get some value out of this.'

[If you report any valuable information, I promise to give my absolute support to you.]

'And they're quick to catch on. They recognise their position and my motives to present a trade offer. I do like their efficiency.'

[Do you have any special reports or requests?]

"I have one. I—"

「But I still have another option.」

'Ah, wait a minute. Strangely, I can hear another thought. There's no way. Getting caught twice for the same act makes you an idiot, and thrice makes history. The regressor's offering her name to the history books.

'She renovated a prison cell on the first floor and is now living there on her own accord. I shouldn't be hearing her thoughts if she had actually given up and gone to her room. The reason I can hear her is…'

「Was it my 7th cycle? I learnt the far hearing skill from demi-humans who had really good ears. At the time, I thought it was a useless skill because it picked up all sorts of sounds from every direction. But it might be useful in this situation. Because it's quiet everywhere, I should be able to hear them clearly. Now, let's see…」

"Wait a minute."

I walked over to the pot I had thrown earlier then searched the storage and got another pot.

'Nice, there aren't any cracks and it's in good condition. This should be enough.'

I waited for the perfect time and spun the pots around.

「Although I don't have the ears of a demi-human, if I put my ear against the ceiling… I should be able to make out what—」

As soon as I heard the regressor's thoughts, I slammed the pots together.

Clang!

「!!!!!!」

The round-shaped metal in itself was a great amplifier. Additionally, these pots were made out of alchemic steel, engineered to keep every drop of water in. When the two pots were slammed together with full force, a sound loud enough to ring throughout all of Tantalus was made.

The sound traveled down the corridor and rang through the building. A solemn sound that could rival that of a bell. An echo sustained throughout the abyss.

I waited for the soft echo to cease.

「Ah, ugh… Ah…」

A silent cry came from downstairs. I crouched down and spoke towards the concrete.

"Trainee Shei."

「Ahhh, there's no way…」

"You're not even coming out to ask what that sound was. You weren't eavesdropping on us again, were you? I trust that you weren't."

「...」

You gonna cry? Nah, there's no way. Surely you won't. The feeling of wanting to cry and actually crying are quite different. Even a tearless man weeps in the heart. The feeling of wanting to cry from sadness and embarrassment isn't a rare occurrence.

It's a shame. If I saw her actually crying, I could have made fun of her 'til the end of the world.

Anyway.

"Now that the heckler's been dealt with…"

[How did you know that she was eavesdropping?]

"I told you, it's psychological warfare. She's the type of person to chase after great profits. And because she has a compensation mentality, she's the type of person to chase after it over and over again even after seeing failure, thinking 'It'll be different this time.' She has that personality where she only becomes satisfied after gaining something."

It's all a lie. I read her mind. But even if this is a lie that was made up last second, it makes sense from start to finish.

"And there was nothing to lose. It was a 'zero risk high reward' move."

[Understood. What is the percentage of her eavesdropping again?]

"Honestly, it's a loss for her even if she starts eavesdropping right now. She should have given up while she was ahead. How much more humiliation does she need?"

「…」

The regressor's thoughts ended.

'Ah, is this okay? This level of thoughtlessness usually comes from fainting.'

It might have been too much, but compared to the fear I felt, it was nothing. Mental pain was nothing compared to physical pain.

Anyway, after successfully pulling the rug from under the regressor, I continued my business.

"This golem… has the form of a human. It's the type that shares senses with its user, right? One that you control by syncing your body to it."

[Affirmative.]

"In that case…"

I tapped the golem's body. As the golem reacted, I started to write on its body with my finger. My finger swerved around its chest and stomach.

—I'll write all the important messages on you, so try to understand it. Just reply with a nod.

After the golem's body slightly shivered, it gave a small nod.

'Even if I can read minds, it's better safe than sorry.'

If I was going to communicate like this anyway, why did I slam the pots together?

I just wanted to see the regressor in pain.

"You said you were only in the kitchen, right?"

I pretended to have a normal conversation while writing on the golem.

—I'm pretending to be an instructor here. I lied so I could survive.

The golem gave a small nod. Then it spoke with the speaker in its mouth.

[Affirmative.]

"Then you would have seen me and Azzy eating."

—So can you pretend I'm an instructor as well?

This time, the golem shook its head. As I shot a glare at it, the golem said clearly.

[Not all of it was observed. Like I had mentioned before, this unit was operating in a highly dangerous environment, so it was shut down during the day. Warning. Impersonation and false reporting is a heavy offense.]

'I guess it's replying by adding stuff to the end of its sentences. Well, impersonation of a State instructor is quite the crime. Even in this kind of situation, the State's Radioman is still strict about it.'

"Then it would have been active during the night."

—Then I wouldn't have a reason to protect you anymore. I would also lose that authority. If you don't help me, I can't carry you around.

The golem stopped for a second. It was probably processing the conflicting information between its duty to keep watch and my crime of impersonation.

However, it didn't take long to reach a conclusion. The golem nodded and responded in an even more robotic voice.

[Affirmative.]

'Nice. That's been sorted for the time being. Now, I can just be the man in the middle for the State's authorities and Tantalus while reaping the benefits.'

It was worth getting thrown over. It hurt like hell, but I gained something.

I smiled.

[And…]

After short consideration, the golem continued with a bit of hesitation.

[This unit is linked with my senses. So care should be taken when handling it.]

'What does that mean? I can't read its mind, so I can't really understand it. Is it something important? It seems to be shaking a bit.'

I lifted up the golem again then started writing on its chest and belly with my finger.

—OK. You're telling me that I should only write it out when it's something important, right?

[Urk. You didn't…]

'Huh? That's a weird response.'

The golem shook weirdly, as if it were broken, and talked on its own.

A moment after, the golem flicked my hand away. Even though it was a miniature golem the size of a doll, it was still a State magic golem. Its metal limbs could easily deflect my hands.

[...It doesn't matter.]

'What? What's with this response? I don't get it.'

I didn't realize how unfortunate it was that I couldn't read the golem's mind. I would have been able to read this person's mind and had the upper hand. However, since it was a remote-controlled golem, there was no way to do so. It also had no facial expressions, so I could only guess by its tone of voice.

Is this what it's like for the average person? It's more inconvenient than I thought. It's like buying something for my kidneys.

…Oh, wait.

It did say that it was active throughout the night, right?

Then it should know who stole the food.

'Got you.'

—————

Reaper Scans

Translator – aquamage

Proofreader – yukitokata

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Chapter 1510 - cff

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