Chapter 202

You ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍damn writer.

A ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍small light illuminated the surroundings along with words that I did not even know where they were coming from.

Light ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍like an old street lamp illuminating an alleyway at dawn.

Soon, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍a man appeared before my eyes.

A ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍person so familiar that I could not fail to recognize him.

“You ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍are…… who are you?”

That was because that figure was me.

To be precise, it was me before I possessed this world.

The figure of the writer Ji Seokhyeon, who sat in a small room all day writing manuscripts and fighting meaningless battles with readers in the comments.

But something was strange.

The appearance was certainly mine before the possession, but the attire was that of the investigation cadet Ji Seokhyeon staying in this world.

Should I say that two existences were mixed?

The person before my eyes spoke as if he understood my doubt.

─Humans cannot fathom us. They are simply viewing us in their most familiar form.

“Viewing……”

Since I had never seen him, did it mean I could not recognize him?

It was a situation that was not easy to understand, but it was clear that the existence before my eyes was the Avid Reader.

Because the only person who would call me writer was the Avid Reader.

However, regardless of that fact, I was naturally realizing that he was the Avid Reader for some reason.

A feeling as if I had naturally come to know the unknown that I had not acquired.

It was hard to describe.

“What happens to humans when they die?”

─Ho, I thought you would ask why I possessed you into the work first.

“Because what happens next is more important than dredging up the regrets of life.”

The Avid Reader laughed.

Was he mocking me?

Was he satisfied?

Regardless of anything else, was my face that annoying when I laughed?

─Death is that you have reached the end of fate. I am sorry, but I do not know where the human soul goes either.

What?

─The soul could disappear as it is, it could fall into the abyss to pay the price for the sins of life, or it could stay in paradise.

“Does it mean it is not an area you govern?”

─Interesting. Does a creature try to understand the higher world?

In an instant, the surrounding atmosphere cooled down.

Was it because I was facing a higher existence?

My Adam's apple moved on its own.

─There is no need to be scared. I cannot harm someone who has already lost their physical body.

“…….”

─How was the trip?

“Does the trip mean the possession?”

─Yes.

If I were asked how my time in this world was…….

“It was the absolute worst.”

─Hmm?

“What kind of expectations do you have for a human who lived in a world where everyday safety was guaranteed? I was just a fellow who wrote in a dark room. What on earth was I supposed to do in a world where everyone carries a gun? ......No one welcomes the threat to their life.”

─For saying that, you seemed to be doing quite well.

“I was struggling with all my might to survive somehow.”

─Is that so.

“By the way.”

I continued speaking as if I were resigned.

“Shall I ask the reason you possessed me into the work?”

─It is exactly as I wrote in the letter.

“SIGH……. In the end, it means you did it because you did not like the conclusion. But what now? The storyteller has died. No, since you probably didn't like the remake anyway, is it better this way?”

The Avid Reader did not give any answer.

There was no reaction at all.

He was just staring at me.

Was he trying to see through something?

Did a higher existence have some special ability like the Demonic Eye I used?

For example, reading thoughts.

“…….”

Various stray thoughts came to me.

To think I could think even though I was dead.

Eventually, the Avid Reader spoke when I slightly avoided that burdensome gaze.

─I liked it, your story.

What?

─Of course, it was not the story I wanted. To think the protagonist Lee Eunho would fall like that.

What are you talking about now…….

─Well, actually, it was fine no matter how the story flowed. From some point, I was feeling interest in the character Ji Seokhyeon, who crossed the wave called an incident in a bizarre way.

“Character Ji Seokhyeon……”

─So I corrected you to a sub-character. So that you could face a more massive wave. So that you could face a more difficult trial.

“Then the fact that the system message was deleted and that you made me the main character was also……”

─That is right, from that point, I hoped that you would make a new story, not a remake. Another adventure by the protagonist Ji Seokhyeon.

The Avid Reader immediately continued.

─I shall ask you one thing before that. What do you think about the work you wrote?

“The original work?”

─Yes.

“There is nothing to think about. It was all written to make money. As the readers wanted, as they wished.”

─Then I shall change the question. Are you proud of your work?

“That is……”

I could not continue speaking hastily.

Was I proud of my writing?

Confusion arose.

Perhaps I do not want to face the truth.

The fact that I wrote something even I am ashamed of…….

The Avid Reader curled his lips again.

An annoying face.

I made a face as if I were okay.

“Writing gains life through its conclusion. Whether it is a good piece of writing or a bad piece of writing, if you finished it with all your might, you can be proud of it by itself.”

─How pathetic.

“……Well, there are also people like you who are dissatisfied with the conclusion. Pleasure is different for each person. Still, it is not that there is no regret. I think I could write better writing if it were now.”

─Better writing……. Were you not already writing that?

“…….”

Remaking this world.

Although the starting method was different, I was rewriting the original work as he said.

Therefore, the hidden meaning of that question was…….

“It means you are asking if I liked this world.”

─Yes.

“As I said before, to a human of an ordinary world, a world created for the blind pleasure of catharsis is incredibly dangerous…….”

I stopped talking.

Because one side of my mouth had gone up without me realizing it.

I wanted to deny it with my head, but my heart was satisfied with the memories in this world.

Surviving the danger of death, meeting the characters I created, doing the nasty training, killing someone myself…….

Even making the final choice to save Do Minyeong.

─Is that your answer?

Suddenly, his attire caught my eye again.

A figure where the Ji Seokhyeons of the two worlds were mixed.

Could it be that this meant I was permeating this world?

That I liked life in this world more than life in the previous world.

“…….”

Perhaps it was natural.

Life, in which I wrote manuscripts while fighting time every day, was so desolate that I did not want to go back.

The reason I first started writing was that I liked it.

Conceiving a childish fantasy in writing was the easiest way to escape from everyday life.

Perhaps I had a handful of talent, so at some point, I was called by the name of writer, and I was arrogantly full of myself.

But what I faced in that world was undeniable criticism and the unrecognizable limits of talent.

The writing collapsed more and more, my personality became fierce, and before I knew it, my family and friends became distant from me.

When I came to my senses, I was nothing more than a narrow-minded writer who fought with readers in the comments.

All I could do was the rationalization of ‘this is the best,’ a devolved writer.

A foolish writer who drank the fatal poison that choked the life out of his own work.

“…….”

Was the writer Ji Seokhyeon satisfied with his life?

I shook my head alone.

I had no choice but to shake it.

Because at that time, I wanted to run away anywhere.

“Why did you possess me...... into the work?”

─I already gave that answer.

I faced the Avid Reader directly.

“No, you had no choice but to possess me.”

─…….

“At that time, the final manuscript was not published. It was only saved on the computer while being written. I did not even send it to the editorial department. Well, considering your existence, looking into the manuscript would not be a problem, but……”

After I first possessed this world, I thought of several possibilities.

Why on earth am I in this world?

What is the reason the Avid Reader wants a remake?

“Several revisions are needed until the manuscript is published. In that process, the conclusion can change as much as you want. It is a piece of writing I had half-given up on anyway, so what would it matter if the protagonist lived or died? Of course, it could have been published based on the saved manuscript, but that is only a half-baked conclusion that did not go through my hands. Therefore, the original work did not reach a complete conclusion.”

─And?

“But you forced a remake, saying you did not like the conclusion. Isn't it funny? To remake a work that has not concluded……”

The Avid Reader firmly shut his lips.

As if he were waiting for my next words.

“There is only one conclusion that can be reached here. The writer Ji Seokhyeon could not completely finish the conclusion of the work. ......The writer Ji Seokhyeon reached a state where he could not finish the work.”

─…….

“The writer Ji Seokhyeon, in other words, the me of that world...... has already died.”

The only truth I wanted to turn away from among many possibilities.

The fact that I died while only completing the manuscript.

The cause of death must have been overwork.

Because I did not sleep for several days until the last moment I was writing the manuscript.

Until now, I have only treated it as a possibility because it could not be confirmed.

However, the Avid Reader's expression was now proving that my claim was not wrong.

The gaze of watching a pathetic and pitiful person.

It is bullshit.

“The reason you did not let the protagonist Lee Eunho regress was likely in the same vein. Since one regressor, possessor, or reincarnator who can interfere with the work is enough.”

I shouted.

“It was the same that you bothered me with the name of an episode! You thought I would be frustrated by being stuck in a small room in this world again, didn't you! Just how much do you think of me as pitiful! Death is death! Why didn't you just write it in the letter from the beginning! Why didn't you say you were giving me a chance because you felt sorry for my life! Why on earth did you make me have hope that I could live a new life! To me, who lived only in ideals while being separated from reality! Why! Why!”

After I poured out my words, my breathing trembled irregularly.

My heart was full, to the point that the fact that I was dead was overshadowed.

─You are the one who wanted it.

What?

The Avid Reader continued calmly.

─Your regret for the work led you to that place. I simply responded to that wish.

“…….”

─Well, it would be a lie to say I don't have greed for the work, but wasn't reaching this point also your will in the end?

I tried to refute his words immediately, but I did not spit out any words and shut my lips.

Because I struggled more fiercely and enthusiastically than anyone else in this world to escape from the shadow cast on my previous life.

But.

“……What would be the meaning of that. I have already died.”

That effort also went down the drain.

It does not mean I regret the final choice.

It is just…….

A little regret remained, wondering if there was a better way.

─You seem to be misunderstanding something right now. You are not dead.

“……Pardon?”

─I never said you were dead, me. I prepared this space from the start because I wanted to meet you. Of course, it is not an easy task. So I waited. For example, for a moment when you resonate with a massive magical power. Have you still not noticed? Your mana should be returning little by little.

It was true.

As he said, the senses that had vanished were returning.

When I felt the mana for a moment, it was the same as when I used the Moon-Shadow Herb.

The threshold of mana depletion.

“Wait, that alone cannot explain it. I directly collided with the mana of the Great Rift.”

─From a theoretical point of view, it is strange that you are alive. Your body is in cardiac arrest, actually.

“Usually, people call that being dead.”

─Tsk, did the original author already forget? The power of the Vessel of Jealousy is a power that amplifies magic several times over.

“I know that……”

At that moment, it occurred to me.

Just as the magic of the Demonic Being Gen, who attempted the reopening of the Great Rift, was amplified, my ability, which came into contact with Do Minyeong, was also amplified.

Normally, it was a power applied to only one spell, but as the caster, the Demonic Being Gen, vanished, my ability had ended up being amplified.

─Just how much do you underestimate your own power? You were the one who utilized status as a relative numerical value.

It is embarrassing.

It is so annoying because I was so stupid.

“SIGH……. Damn it!”

Before I knew it, the abyss, which depended on the small and soft light, began to disappear gradually.

As if meeting a warm morning, as if waking up from a terrible nightmare.

I asked the Avid Reader, who was fading.

“By the way, what is the reason you tried to meet me?”

Then, the Avid Reader laughed.

In an annoying way, as always.

─Well, should I say it's fan spirit.

“What?”

─I told you, didn't I? There is also my greed in the reason I led you to this place. I thought it would be difficult to meet you if it were not this time.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

─Ah, do not worry that I might interfere with the story. I have taken my hands off since the moment you became the main character.

“That is a welcome thing to hear, but……”

─So go ahead and struggle with all your might. You never know, do you?

Soon, the surroundings were filled with light.

The figure of the Avid Reader completely disappeared.

Only his voice, of which I did not know the meaning, was left.

─Someday…… you might be able to reach where I am.

***

A cold sensation was felt from the floor.

A sticky and unpleasant wind.

The murmuring of people in my ears.

When I regained consciousness and raised my eyelids, the gray clouds, which were not welcome at all, were looking down at me.

And…….

“Ji, Ji Seokhyeon!”

Even Cha Yeri, who was wailing while keeping my head on her knees.

She poured out many words, but I could not understand them at all.

The surroundings were too noisy, and I did not even want to understand because she was saying excessively cringey words.

I quickly rolled my eyes and scanned the surroundings.

Right next to me, Do Minyeong was lying fainted.

Seeing that she had not regained consciousness yet, it seemed it had not been long since I had returned alive.

Also, monsters that had escaped the influence of the Cone Hat of Pride were fighting with hunters for a long time.

Fortunately, thanks to those who had gathered after seeing the reopening of the Great Rift being stopped, the situation was being suppressed quickly.

What happened to An Hwigom, Kim Shinwoo, and Lee Eunho?

I was curious about various other circumstances, but my body did not move at all.

Is this a corpse that only opened its eyes…….

I looked up at Cha Yeri again.

But she was shouting without thinking of stopping.

“Do you know how worried I am! From now on, the moment you disappear at your own discretion, know that I will chase you to the end of hell and kill you!”

A frightening declaration that must be her true feelings.

“…….”

Ah, wait a minute.

I think her tears just entered my mouth.

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