[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-advent-of-the-three-calamities":3,"chapter-advent-of-the-three-calamities-advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-417":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Advent of the Three Calamities",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},758802,1005,"Chapter 417: Obsession [2]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-417",417,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep and steady breath to calm my trembling mind. The shock from the situation settled down rather quickly as I analyzed the situation calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is without a doubt my phone.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the model to the wallpaper-A simple white background with a quote in the middle that read; \"Efforts Never Betray you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a quote that came from a book I particularly liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know what this is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknowingly, Pebble had climbed over my shoulder and looked down at the phone in my hand with a curious look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....It's strange. So bright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pebble reached out to touch the screen with its paw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It displayed a surprised expression the moment it noticed the screen change with just the touch of its paw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It changed. How peculiar...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved Pebble's paw away from the screen and started to fiddle with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why is my phone here? And why would Julien of all people have it?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.... No, before any of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tapped onto the screen again and pressed on the images app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would my old photos be there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to see them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Password?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A keypad appeared right after clicking the app. I was surprised, considering that I had never placed such a restriction on my phone before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And since I hadn't done this before, I didn't know what sort of password I needed to input. 'This...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frowning, I stared blankly at the number pad for a few seconds. Then, after a little bit of thought, I decided to try something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't certain if it would work, but since this was the keycode I typically used when needed, I hoped it would do the trick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|| ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the screen unlocked, granting me access to the phone, I felt a brief moment of disorientation, unsure of what to do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I scrolled through the pictures I hadn't seen in so long, my lips began to tremble. \"Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried my best to keep myself composed, but couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the familiar yet distant face to the work documents I hadn't looked at in ages, and then... my brother's face appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked nothing like me-his soft brown hair a stark contrast to my dark ones, and his face carried a gentleness that mine never did, nowhere near as intimidating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...H-haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did my chest hurt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I squeezed my cheeks and shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, shifting my attention to one of the videos, I clicked on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Are you recording?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar voice reached my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one that I hadn't heard in such a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed my lips tightly to stop the trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I... am.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The video was dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I could still distinctly recall the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few flames lit up within the darkness, revealing a small cake resting between two hands beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to Emmet. Happy birthday to you...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A song followed right after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost lost myself in the sight, imagining myself in the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest squeezed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What are you doing? Why aren't you blowing the candles?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ah, right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about blowing but stopped myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want to blow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Blowing it would mean I wouldn't see him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hooo!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness plunged the phone, and the video ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that was left was a dark screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bit my lips, scrolling up to look at the next video.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Good evening everyone-teachers, parents, friends, and most importantly, my fellow classmates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked to my right, toward Pebble while pointing at the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... Look at this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pebble remained quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't really care and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This was his high school graduation speech. Look at him. He was all nervous about making a\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>speech just before. Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made me practice the speech over and over again. He kept going on about forgetting\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his lines, saying stuff like, 'I don't remember the lines. I think I forgot them. Help me! I'm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>going to die!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-ha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It suddenly started to become difficult to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....Pursing my lips, I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The video had ended. I couldn't get enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to see more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Stop recording me! Why are you recording me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Mary is a little lamb~ Mary is a little lamb~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Here, here. Listen to this joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Look at that cow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-This is too bitter! Arkh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-hah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more I watched, the more suffocated I felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to, but couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the videos were stripping me away from my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't stop myself from watching them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I want that. Can you get me that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something warm trickled down the side of my cheek, slowly tracing a path down my skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes started to sting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because I was forgetting to blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't want to blink. It... had just been so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I'm scared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suddenly paused at one of the videos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why don't I remember this one?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel's face was pale, and he sat on the opposite side of a wooden table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Why did you have to leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that's...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What am I supposed to do brother?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was frail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak, almost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could hardly recognize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a closer look, his face was also pale, and his cheeks were sunken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-what? What? Why is he...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-W-hy did you leave me brother? I...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears streamed down Noel's face as he hugged his face with his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...I can't live like this anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, what...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I want to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lost my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was suddenly reminded of a certain vision in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn't be that...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-But I can't die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked towards the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, Noel took out a knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost jumped out with fright. However, before I could even do a thing, he stabbed himself\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Spurt! \".....!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very words that I was about to scream never left my mouth. I felt entirely stripped of my breath as I stood up abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My entire body felt weak, my teeth chattering as I stared at the gruesome sight displayed on\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel, he...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...I can't die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-hu? What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extending his hand, Noel retrieved the knife from his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Spurt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then stabbed himself again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widened at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Spurt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn't stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Spurt! Spurt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stabbed himself repeatedly, blood splattering across the screen as I shook my head in\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, what, stop...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words just refused to leave my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ahhhh!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream echoed across the screen as Noel's eyes turned bloodshot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Die! Fucking die...! Die! Let me fucking die!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued to stab himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My arms shook, the weight of the phone growing heavier by the second. It felt like it was\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>slipping from my grasp, sinking lower and lower as I fought to hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Die!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A-ha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel's rampage didn't stop. He continued to stab himself while blood splattered all over him\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest squeezed tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't do a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was stuck, watching all of it unfold before my very eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want to look, yet I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene before me. In particular,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his wounds which were healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-D-damn it, Damn it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dropping the knife, Noel covered his face with both of his hands. His body trembled while he\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>started to sob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...I can't keep this up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I want to die, but I cannot die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My lips shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Y-you told me, you would save me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I... what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You told me, you would look for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look for you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—....I did everything you asked me to do. I played along. I showed you the game like you told me to. I...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had Camille make the artifacts like you told me to. I....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel's eyes flicked to face the camera, his eyes turning completely bloodshot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Fucking did everything you told me to do!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, wait, wait, wait...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Where the fuck are you!? Ah!? You told me you would save me! Where are you!? I can't keep doing\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>this anymore!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel's scream reverberated loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pierced through the screen, reaching me directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...You lied! You lied to me! You aren't coming to save me. If you did, you would've done so before! But\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>you didn't! And yet... And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel suddenly bit his lips, his screams lowering as his chest trembled, his voice growing\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Why do I keep doing what you tell me to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warm streak ran down Noel's eyes as he retrieved a small mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving towards the phone, he picked it up and inched his face closer to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was now stained with tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—....I don't understand. You never tell me anything. Y-you told me this was for me. For me, but... I'm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>miserable. Come back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Biting his lips, Noel's voice trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...I may not be able to d-die, but I can still feel pain. H-ha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-When they take my blood. I feel it. I'm like a tool for them. A tool to keep them alive... You said you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>would save me from them. Pl-lease hurry. I... can't do this anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood frozen, gazing at the video as I tried to process Noel's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind was blank, but at the same time, several pieces started to fall together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-...I don't know why you want me to record this video and put the phone inside the Astral Mirror, but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'll do it. What other choice do I have? I'm stuck, and you're gone... J-just..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood began to seep from Noel's lips as he bit down too hard. -Don't forget your promise. Y-you need to come save me. I can't hold much longer. Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel took one last look at the mirror before it fell down and the screen turned black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A still silence took over the space as the video came to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pebble's voice reached me from the right, but I couldn't pay attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my lips trembled, realization dawned on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason why I'm here, into this world, and the one behind everything that is happening to me is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oracleus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who sees the past present and future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had seen it all back then. ...Everything that I was doing, was for Noel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To keep the promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To save him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|| ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind blanked, and I lowered to stare at the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all suddenly started to make sense to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I don't know why you want me to record this video and put the phone inside the Astral Mirror, but I'll\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>do it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noel's words echoed in my mind once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone turned off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Wanted my current self to see it. To make me understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....had seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The Seer.\u003C\u002Fp>",1852,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.143Z",1,"novelbin.me","97d13ecd2a0944705d084c62568597471767120bb1175a8180b86067ecb2a842","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-418","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-416",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]