Chapter 268: Real, Fake (3)

Chapter 268: Real, Fake (3)

I have two sets of memories.

One from before the regression, and another from after.

The storylines are vastly different

Yes. It's over.

This memory is from before the regression.

In a coffee shop in the capital, Soliette spoke. There was a scar by her eyes that hadnt been there before.

I was concerned, but my concern was meaningless to her.

So, is it over?

I asked her, a hint of disappointment in my voice. Soliette slightly furrowed her brow.

It's not over for me yet.

Not over? You said you dealt with Knightmare.

As I mentioned Knightmare, Soliettes expression turned bitter. She twisted her lips into a wry smile and ran her fingers through her hair.

Knightmare is an artificial phenomenon.

Artificial phenomenon.

That meant..

It was created.

Knightmare was a being created by someone.

I will pursue whoever was behind it.

At the time, I thought Soliette was broken. I mistook her for seeking another target for revenge, even after her vengeance was complete.

But that wasn't it.

Soliettes revenge was just beginning then.

More importantly, how is your health, Shion?

She was concerned about me. It was probably out of a sense of duty, but it still felt good.

Well... its been a month since the 3 years and 7 months, so 3 years and 6 months left?

But its strange. How can your life expectancy be so specific?

I don't know. They say it's predicted. Because I haven't broken through my limit yet

I sipped my coffee while looking at Soliette. After gulping down her coffee in one go, Soliette stood up.

Where are you going?

To investigate.

Investigate what? Ill help you.

I had connections in the underworld and the slums, so I could help Soliette with her revenge.

I could be of help to her.

Two years later, my help led to her suicide.

I quietly opened my eyes.

Drip, drip.

The sound of rain. The dark interior. The creaking of wooden planks in the old Endex building.

Huuu...

Next to me, I could hear Soliette sleeping. There was a cat beside her.

A cat given by Growl.

...3 years and 7 months.

I murmured softly as I looked at her.

"How could she know.

Its something I cant understand.

But if I were to hypothesize, maybe Soliette overcame the regression.

But is overcoming regression even possible?

And even if it is, why is it that only Soliette remembers parts of what happened before?

Because shes strong enough to overcome it?

Then shouldnt Jade have been the first to overcome it?

...My head."

My temples throbbed.

"Haah...

A deep sigh escaped me.

The current Soliette and the Soliette before regression are different n0ve(l)bi(n.)co/m

Of course, I loved the Soliette from before the regression, but she was never a healthy character.

Beep-beep-beep Beep-beep-beep

Meanwhile, the sun had risen.

"Hey. Soliette.

I poked Soliettes cheek with my finger. She scrunched up her face like crumpled newspaper and opened her eyes.

...What is it?"

"What are you planning to do now?"

...Huh?

She glared at me sleepily, furrowing her brow as if asking what I was talking about.

"What are you going to do now? Theres no Knightmare anymore.

Perhaps my expression was quite stern, as Soliette also sat up.

"Knightmare...

She fumbled with her lips and hesitated.

I finished her sentence for her.

It's an artificial phenomenon. A disaster caused by humans. A creation.

'...Ah.'

Soliettes eyes widened.

"So. What kind of revenge are you going to take?"

I asked her about her plans for revenge.

...I need to find whos behind it

"And then?

What comes next is important.

After finding and punishing those behind it, what will Soliette do? What does she want to do?

Then Soliette looked at the [Bethune] gaming console. She narrowed her eyes almost to slits.

Im going to become a game developer.

...Game development?

"Yes. [Bethune] is under maintenance right now, isnt it?"

The bottle was destroyed, and the souls within spilled out, wrapping around the entirety of Bethune. Because of that, it was currently under forced maintenance.

Probably, it's the process of [Bethune] being incorporated into reality.

"Once the server is up, I plan to create another game inside it. I'd like to meet the developers too.

"Can the team leader take on another operation this time?

If you command it, I'm always ready."

He was at ease.

Director Gedley and the four other team leaders of the same faction werent exactly pleased with his demeanor, but they made an effort to hide their feelings.

Bell Moore thought to himself.

'Maybe I'll dump everything on Shion and hit the club. I heard some celebrities are coming tonight.'

Team leader Bell Moore is always so composed, isnt he?

At Gedleys question, Bell Moore blinked for a moment and then nodded.

Is there ever leisure or anxiety in a mission? I simply do what the direct line commands."

While saying this, Bell Moore thought.

'Ill leave it to that guy Shion for now... Ah. Do I have any credit limit left? Looks like I'll need to swipe for at least three or four bottles of expensive liquor.

On the other hand, Gedley and the four team leaders pursed their lips.

Clearly, the man had a different mindset

However, the extent of his influence has yet to be revealed. No one knows who belongs to his faction.

As can be inferred from his poker face right now, he's a very cunning and quiet guy.

"Alright We'll entrust the operation to Team Leader Bell Moore. Report back after planning."

"Yes."

Gedley stood up first. The four team leaders followed him, and Bell Moore naturally stood up behind them.

"Then you all...

Gedley was about to converse with the four team leaders when Bell Moore, who suddenly interjected, stopped him.

...Do you have something to say, Team Leader Bell Moore?

Bell Moore looked at Gedley silently for a moment. Gedley met his gaze.

Bell Moore's dilemma was as follows:

'Should I ask to borrow a card for operational expenses? I could use that to cover the club expenses.

...If you have something to say, speak up."

It seems we'll need operational funds."

"Operational funds?"

"Yes. A card under a pseudonym would suffice.

...Is that necessary?

"Yes. Theres considerable personal expenditure in carrying out the operation.

In reality, Shion Ascal was using his daily salary for the expenses. The concept of operational funds didnt exist for him.

"Alright First, report the details of the operation, and then well provide the necessary funds."

"Ah, yes."

Bell Moore smirked.

"When are we having the team dinner? Id like to invite Director Gedley.

At that moment, Gedleys expression hardened slightly.

A team dinner. Clearly a suspicious suggestion.

Knowing there might be some trap set up.

Team Leader Collores from the third team grimaced and stepped forward.

...Team Leader Bell Moore. Let's talk about that later. Youve only been here a month, havent you?

"No, why wait half a year for a team dinner when you can have one after a month?

Gedley left without saying a word. The four team leaders followed him. Bell Moore watched them with a peculiar gaze in his eyes.

...Youve got some nerve."

A voice came from behind.

Bell Moore looked in that direction.

It was Team Leader David.

For Bell Moore, David was a bit of an annoyance, a team leader completely out of favor with Gedley. Quite a foolish fellow.

Is this a declaration of war?

Davids bizarre comment left Bell Moore dumbfounded.

Had he completely lost his mind?

...What did you say?

When Bell Moore asked back, David smirked and offered his hand for a handshake.

Bell Moore frowned and put his hands in his pockets, walking out.

Keep the handshaking to yourself.

Ha ha ha ha. Sure.

He seemed satisfied, but he really seemed like someone who had lost his mind. Better to keep his distance.

Bell Moore took out his phone and made a call to someone.

"Hey Shion. Weve got an operation.

Recently, Johanna had been searching for Zia. This bitch hadn't shown up at the Aerial Garden, so Johanna scoured the continent far and wide, but Zia was nowhere to be found.

"Ah... should I kill her.

On the streets of the imperial capital, in the coffee shop [BALANCE] where she had followed the traces of Zia, Johanna heard from an employee that she had already gone somewhere else.

Is this crazy bitch playing games with me now?

Just as heat was rising to Johanna's head, steaming with anger.

Drring Drring

A call came through.

It was Zia.

Johanna hastily answered the phone.

"You fucking bitch!'

She cursed reflexively, just like she used to.

Ah... sister...

"Where are you.

Right now... I'm at the Aerial Garden...

"...Aerial Garden?

Yes... work finished late so...

"Spit it out, quickly!

It finished late... sorry...

A vein popped on Johannas forehead.

"Youre deliberately speaking slowly, arent you. Do you want your tongue cut out? Are you even human if you cant speak ten syllables in 30 seconds?"

No... Ive just... come up to the Aerial Garden... waiting here-

Crack-!

She clenched the phone in her hand. She kicked the phone, now broken in half-the sixth one shed destroyed - and got into her car.

"Back to the Aerial Garden. When I find that bitch, Ill whip her ass... Lets go!'

"Yes!"

The chauffeur also floored the accelerator urgently.