Chapter 118: We Know the Ugliness of the World

Hearing Sora's words, Jack nodded with a lonely smile.

"……Why?"

To this, Atalante smiled as if she had given up on everything, her voice trembling as she asked, looking as if she were about to cry at any moment.

"……Why did you……why did you……why……why did you have to use that ability on him now!?"

"Is it because you hate him too much? No matter what, I hate him, I hate him so much I want to kill him with my own hands……did he kill me?"

Atalante demanded of Jack like a child smaller than Jack, as if he were struggling against an unsatisfactory reality, seeking redemption.

I simply cannot believe it.

Just as Sora said, Jack is pure and untainted. Although he fulfilled the wish of "I don't want to die," he doesn't feel pitiful, nor does he want to help; he is merely attracted to the same wish as his own……this is exactly how he feels about the dead. It was assumed from the beginning, but I didn't expect Jack's mode of existence to be automatically activated upon meeting the conditions.

Because if Jack truly has no distinction between good and evil.

As long as it is pure and untainted, not stained by anything.

……If she were meant to be born as a human, but she was never born, if she were an infant as ignorant and innocent as a fairy.

Now, he has no reason to smile so sadly.

So Atalante asked.

Expecting an answer.

I hacked John to death alive like an abortion procedure, crushed and churned him until he lost his human prototype, killed him, and tore and trampled the bond between me and my mother in the most despicable, terrifying, and cruel way. Expecting Jack to have an "evil" that anyone could carry, even though it is not allowed, because he is a "human."

"……I hate it. I cannot forgive it. I hate it."

"We hate that John made our mom sad, hurt, and tried to get us killed."

Jack answered Atalante's question calmly.

They looked down at their own feet, at the scraps of John, gazing down, speaking the human answer Atalante expected.

This is why Atalante's eyes were shining, as if he saw a glimmer of redemption.

I thought we could understand each other precisely because there is "evil."

Atalante believed there was a way to atone for the "sin" of "evil."

……Sora said nothing.

She continued to hug Atalante from behind, as if holding her tightly, as if supporting her.

The face staring at the pool of blood at his feet lifted.

Jack said.

He answered with a terrifying, sad, and lonely laugh.

"……But that is not the reason I killed you."

Denying Atalante's expectations.

I do not deny the existence of hatred and disgust. However, there is no causal relationship between this and the previous actions.

"……We pretended to be lost to contact you, not only because we wanted you to help your mother, but we also wanted to use you to think for us."

To Atalante, who was speechless at not understanding Jack's answer, Jack no longer wore the innocent, childlike smile that wanted to protect, but continued with a lonely, terrifying, adult-like smile.

"……We asked you because we wanted you to stop us."

"Because I wanted you to kill me in an emergency……with those eyes, you could kill all of us……that is why we clung to you."

"！？Why！？Why would you want to die！？Why would I kill you！?"

Jack's answer left him overwhelmed, but at the response of Jack confessing he wished for his own death, his words revived, and he attacked him again.

It was Sora on his back who answered the next question.

"……Atalante. Jack, you see, is no longer a group of innocent Mizuko. These children have acquired both good and evil, and also malice……Abengane gave it to me."

"…………But even so, these children cannot become human. These children came into this world through death from the very beginning, because they were born in the form of 'thoughts of the dead' through death……no matter how much a whale looks like a Fugura, this child is not a Fugura. No matter how close we are to humans, we cannot change our essence. We cannot change the way we were born, nor can we throw it away."

He held Atalante behind him, as if warning him.

Are you advising and persuading Atalante, Sora herself, or both?

"These children are Nen Ability, which automatically activates according to their wish of 'I don't want to die' or 'I want to live,' but that kind of ability……killing is the bad part of humans. Of course, the good parts are also squeezed out and thrown away as excess filth, just like our own soul aura. I already know that putting it into my womb does not mean that this person's wish of 'not wanting to die' has been fulfilled."

"We know that what we are doing is sinful, and if it is not evil, it will not make anyone happy. I know, but these children themselves cannot stop. These children……they know. That is why, even if I had to give up the wish of 'I want to live' and 'I want to be born,' I still clung to me."

"Because……otherwise these children would not be John."

Atalante did not want to hear Sora say that Jack wanted to die, covering his ears while Sora hugged him, but he heard it anyway.

I understand.

I knew who "they" were without even thinking.

And so, the hands that had been covering my ears to listen to Atalante helplessly fell, I moved my head slowly, and tears flowed out.

I moved and saw.

We saw the final moments of John, and the children who were his victims fainted upon seeing the wreckage.

If we had arrived at this town a few days late, if John had grown tired of these children and taken action to get rid of them……then before the children were killed by him, they "did not want to die." When I wished, Jack must have appeared just like today.

Thinking about it now, it is this ability that makes Jack so good at "Ryu," possessing such a wide range.

And because Jack is a Nen Ability without a physical body, he can appear anywhere within the range of the "En" instantly.

Jack never missed the children's desire for life.

However, it cannot be fulfilled according to the requester's wishes. Even if Jack himself has already realized that this is a mistake.

"……Why……?"

Atalante asked while crying.

I don't know who you are asking anymore.

All I know is that even God cannot give me the answer I want.

Jack does not know what Atalante is asking, nor does he know what he wants to know.

So, these words are spoken only because Jack himself wants to speak.

It is like a confession.

"...... I don't remember when we were Together or where we were born. Before we knew it, we were called 'Jack', and in this form, we were in the corner of a town whose name I don't even remember."

As for the boy's name, I am going to be a mother, so I must look like a girl. A fake name?

...... I'm sorry. We are who we are, but we barely know ourselves."

Speaking with a voice as cute as a bell, like a trivial story.

He continues to talk indifferently about where he came from, what kind of person he is, and the evidence that he is not human.

"About ourselves, the only things we know are our name, our desire to live, and that we cannot ignore it.

From the beginning, he knew how to realize the same wish as us, 'I want to live' and 'I don't want to die.'... That is all I know.

Until we met you, Mother, we didn't know or understand anything."

She continues to speak indifferently with an adult's smile, but her ice-blue eyes are brimming with tears, as if she is about to cry at any moment.

Even though I did nothing, I had a Discovery because I was awake, and I obtained happiness and destruction. Mother Abaki quietly talks about what he gained from the meeting.

"Someone could see us before, but most people were big, about the same size as us. As you can see, he played ball with us.

...... But when their 'mothers' came to pick them up, everyone went home.... We don't know what that is.

Someone came to pick them up, why not pick us up?... I don't know what loneliness feels like, but... my mother told us.

'Aren't you lonely?'"

For Abaki, these words were too casual and held no meaning.

It was just Jack seeing his original self again.

This is not for Jack, it is just for me.

I was worried about Jack, who didn't realize he was already dead, and tried to protect him. "I want to be Together with you," I said, grabbing your outstretched hand, "become a mother," this was all for me.

Therefore, he is more sincere than anyone else.

Because she wants to save herself by saving him, and because she wants to be saved, Abaki faces Jack sincerely and becomes his "mother."

This is the reason Jack knows.

How sinful my existence is.

"...... We just want to live, we want to be born, that is all we have, so we don't know or understand anything.

I don't know what loneliness is, what happiness is, what a mother is, or what life is. Even though I don't know, I think everything is fine.

... Everything necessary for life, considered 'filth', was squeezed out and thrown away, turning into pure white. Soul aura, I think, being Together with us means becoming a 'mother', not feeling lonely, and 'living'.

But that's not it. Everything is wrong. We are not 'mothers'. Everything we threw away is 'alive'. You already know, your mother taught you, you gave it to us!!"

………………But we cannot stop. We know that if we knew we were doing this, our mother would hate us and fear us. There is none. Because we were born for that wish, we were born to realize that wish.

That is why... that is why... we did wrong, but we can only do this. When I hear that voice, I can't think of anything.

We... no matter what we know, no matter what we get, even if we have a mother, we..." Jack commemorates the dead.

Jack smiles with a face that looks like it is about to cry, but it is not that he cannot cry, but that he cannot cry.

Even if it is the appearance of a human girl, it is not pure innocence, but human filth. Commemorating the dead, Jack is just that.

I cannot change the way I exist.

"...... Perhaps, if we really didn't want to 'live', if we wanted to say 'I want to die', we could do nothing and die on our own. Because we were born with only one heart, if we deny the meaning of our birth and throw it away, this connection will loosen, and we will be powerless.

... I know this is for the best. I know... I'm sorry.

After all, we don't want to die. I want to live. I cannot throw it away myself."

Because he gained ambivalence, he gained something he could not let go of, even though he hated his own dirty and ugly selfish self.

... Not Atalante, looking at her and crying like a plea for help, but Sora holding her back with his head down. Salvation, the end, likes to ask.

"Because we still want to be Together with Mother! No, we want to be Together forever!

...... Because we love our mother, because she gave us everything we truly wanted,...... because she said she wanted to be Together with us,...... she loves us because you told me......

…………Mother made us hate ourselves, Mother made us know what a sinful monster we are, and although we know how terrible it is to do this......

This world—is very, ugly. Although we know...

…………But even so, we still want to live."

This is ugly and selfish, which is why it is a universal and natural wish.

Even though I know the ugliness of the world and hate my own ugliness, I still cannot let go.

Because I saw it in such an ugly and cruel world. Because I found it.

Something that can shine even in an ugly and cruel world, the warmth, kindness, love, and beauty that can only shine in an ugly and cruel world, things called family, things called love, things called happiness. I cannot let go of my life wish.

This is the reason for my wish.

"...... But we are alive, and we satisfy someone's wish, which means we must, for our own benefit, treat those who have the same wish as us in the worst way. Because that wish is deprived, destroyed, crushed, thrown away, killed......

Because we know it is best not to.

So, please.

Finish us now. So that we will never appear again, all of us, all of us, melted and melted into the deepest depths from which we can never return."

I cannot let go of my own will, so I ask Sora to give me guidance.

Although he looks lonely and seems to have given up on everything, the tears in his eyes show that he has not given up on the wish to "want to live." More tears overflow, and she continues to hug her back... continuing to support Sora, who is asking Atalante, who is about to kneel in a state of helplessness.

"...... Please stop."

"What?"

Sora asks with his face lowered.

"...... Don't kill me. Please... don't kill Jack... those children......"

Atalante used clumsy language to appeal to Sora, like a child, rather than the old-fashioned, rough yet somewhat elegant tone.

An appeal that contradicted Jack's own will.

He insisted on fulfilling Jack's true wish.

"Please... please..."

"Because... those children... just wanted to live... they aren't evil... they are victims... they are victims... so... that is why..."

Sora's embrace loosened, and Atalante turned to cling to Sora's chest. I wept as I continued to selfishly beg Sora for my wish and desire, just like a child.

"... We may be victims. We may be victims."

"But I cannot change the fact that I am a perpetrator. Even if we are not evil, we are guilty. So I must make up for it."

However, Atalante's appeal was rejected and refused by Jack himself, not Sora.

In Jack's view, Atalante's plea was a cold tone, perhaps because he had already made up his mind about Atalante's request, but this only weakened his resolve and made the ending more painful.

Nevertheless, Atalante's hands would not let go.

Still holding Sora, still holding Sora, while shedding tears, while harboring self-loathing enough to make me want to die for my selfishness, while venting the anger that made me want to commit suicide for my powerlessness, hope.

I prayed to someone who was neither a god nor a saint, younger than me, who had been hurt a lot because of my own faults, and who would not have been involved in such an embarrassing incident if not for me.

"-Help."

I don't want you to kill me.

Sora quietly responded to Atalante's request to save Jack.

"Impossible."

Refusing Atalante's wish.

"The only thing I can do for those children is to push them to the furthest end from which they can never return... kill them."

He said he was neither a god nor a saint.

Twisting in despair, he told Atalante, who looked up at Sora in despair.

"Your wish is meaningless; those children cannot be saved, we cannot save them."

Sora denied. Atalante's wish, desire.

With a brilliant smile worthy of the name.

"Because these children have already been saved; we are not the ones who can help them."

Even if I deny it, I will not refuse.

Mocking Atalante's request for salvation, saying: "It is too late now."

Hearing such an answer and smile, Atalante, and of course Jack, widened their eyes...

"... Jack?"

"Salvation" appeared too late.

Even if you don't want it, as long as you wake up, one day you will get it; it is so ugly and selfish, yet so warm and dear. Relief, happiness, but... he came to pick me up.

Yes.

All of this is taken for granted.

"………………Mom?"

It is natural for a mother to worry about her daughter coming to pick her up. Things, love.

Abaki shouted with a face that looked like he was about to cry, a look of relief so intense he was on the verge of tears.

"Jack!"

I called out the name of my beloved daughter and rushed over.

It did not enter Abaki's eyes. Sora, Atalante, and the four children lying there.

Without noticing the pool of blood and human remains under Jack's feet, he rushed over.

"!? Don't come over!"

Abaki should have been hiding behind the platform, lying behind the platform after fleeing from the out-of-control Atalante; Jack did not understand why he was adding to the situation here.

Although he refused, he still made a grimace as if he were the one most hurt.

The lonely, helpless smile was already gone from the young face, and he simply refused Abaki with a look that was about to cry.

Stay away.

Do not notice.

Please remain ignorant.

Because the things refused due to such a wish did not come true.

By the time Abaki was puzzled by Jack's refusal and stopped in his tracks, he took a menacing step forward, making a sound as he stepped.

With the sound of splashing water, Abaki noticed.

I realized what the rusty sound of the water I stepped on was, what was under Jack's feet, what the remains were; it was chilling, and I could see it clearly even in the dim room without lights.

At the same time, Jack felt the blood that usually wouldn't flow receding, and he hugged himself, stepping back as if to escape from Abaki.

While stepping back, I prayed with a silent voice.

Don't look at yourself, don't say anything. Don't do anything.

Don't refuse.

Abaki was at a loss in the pool of blood at his feet, looking up at Jack, who was speechless because he didn't want him to refuse.

I watched his eyebrows press to the limit, and he said.

"Jack! Are you okay!?

Is this not all Jack's blood!? Are you not hurt!?"

Without hesitation, he stepped through a pool of blood and a shattered human corpse, ran to Jack's side in the shortest distance, willingly stained his pants with blood, knelt on the ground, looked at Jack, and first, while confirming that Jack's body was not injured or abnormal, asked.

Once again, when Jack heard his words and actions, his eyes widened.

And while stunned, her lovely lips uttered words.

"... Are you okay?"

Hearing this, Abaki's furrowed brows lost their tension, and she said again with a face that looked like it was about to cry.

"I'm glad... I'm glad Jack is okay..."

"Good... good... wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!! I'm sorry, Jack, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!"

Even though she was about to cry, Abaki still hugged Jack, holding him.

Finally, with tears streaming down her face, she continued to apologize to Jack, crying like a child.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm sorry for killing you, I'm sorry, I was such a terrible mother!"

However, she also seemed overwhelmed by all sorts of things, continuing to hug Jack while crying and apologizing, so Jack looked past Abaki's shoulder at Sora and Atalante, seeking help in an even more incomprehensible manner.

Atalante had been dumbfounded ever since Abaki appeared in that line of sight; he approached Abaki with a hesitant tone, patted Abaki's shoulder, and said: "Slip, so move."

By the way, Sora just looked at me with a smile that made me smile.

After Atalante called her, she finally realized that she was not her daughter.

"Please! Jack did nothing wrong! Whatever Jack does is my responsibility, so I will take all the responsibility, so don't let Jack go!!"

Hearing this answer, I don't know how many times it had happened, but Atalante and Jack widened their confused eyes again.

Only Sora just watched with a smile.

Abaki didn't even ask, "What did Jack do?"

"... How much do you know? Or rather, why did you come here? How did you know Jack was here?"

"I didn't come here because I knew Jack was here.

However, I knew John was the culprit who put 'just in case' on me, so I wanted to stop him before he met John, so that John wouldn't touch Jack. This is the only place I knew, so I just came here."

In Atalante's view, there was nothing to understand, so I widened my eyes and asked Abaki, but the answer made me widen my eyes in shock.

Not only Atalante, but even Jack widened his eyes and asked in horror: "... Mom, did you notice?"

"Jack has no problems at all. I know Jack is good to me and keeps silent.

I only noticed this after hearing Sora say he had 'just in case' news for me.... Except for Jack, John is the only person I've had a relationship with. On the contrary, I hate my own immaturity for not noticing, even though that student of mine performed 'just in case' on me."

Jack stroked his daughter's head, telling her it was okay, while Abaki looked at the bloody remains he had stepped on.

There was no hatred, anger, or disgust in his eyes. Only pity.

There was only pity in Abaki's eyes as she asked a closer question.

"... Is this John's remains?"

Hearing this question, Jack in Abaki's arms trembled in fear.

Atalante also closed his mouth and did not answer.

I don't know the answer.

Judging by Abaki's demeanor, he had already guessed that this was probably done by Jack.

However, even if he guessed it, he might have thought that he killed Abaki in a cruel way because he hurt Abaki, just as Atalante had hoped at the beginning.

I cannot imagine it.

Jack's way of existence deviated from the human way, so much so that Atalante did not know why Sora could understand Jack's way of existence, even though it had already been explained.

Therefore, there is no salvation.

So I don't know how to answer.

If you lie, if you say it wasn't Jack who caused this tragedy, if you tell him it was Jack who caused this Disaster, but that it was because of his love for Abaki, Abaki will continue to live with Jack as a parent and child. You can go.

However, the happiness of a parent and child is a kind of happiness that can be accumulated by the victims who lived as part of "Jack," having suffered the most cruel deaths because they did not want to die.

It is an unforgivable sin, whether as a Hunter, as a human, or for the sake of Atalante's ideal future.

But honestly, this time Abaki rejected Jack out of fear.

No one is bad, there is no such thing as "Evil," but we should be victims and victims, but for the sake of a happy life, we must become perpetrators who create many victims. Cannot be found.

"This is correct."

I cannot find it in Atalante.

She didn't even find it.

"That is the ex-husband of John Wayne Gacy, who was hacked to death alive, his whole body broken, stirred, squeezed, filtered, and his colorless soul... is there.

In Jack's womb. Just like that, by reproducing the way they were born, by placing them in the only place they lived, they fulfilled the wish of 'I don't want to die.'

That is the state of mind of the dead person named Jack. The 'Origin' that Jack cannot Escape, because he was born as Jack, regardless of Jack's own will.

These children exist as long as I am by their side, I will continue to give to the person who has the obvious wish of 'I don't want to die' in the most unwanted way. Jack, the mind of the dead is such an existence."

Sora said.

Looking at the mother and son hugging each other in a pool of blood, she told Abaki about Jack's situation with her usual, inappropriate smile.

As if desperate at this answer, Jack continued to lower his head, his face snow-white, biting his lip, while Atalante immediately roared at him: "What are you talking about!?" No qualification to be angry.

Then Abaki... hugged Jack tighter and looked up at Sora to ask.

"Is that it?"

As if challenging, as if having made up her mind, she looked at Sora with intense eyes and asked.

I looked at Sora, but the person I was glaring at was not Sora. Something further and bigger than that.

Looking forward to the sins he must bear on the path he chose, Abaki asked.

"The only condition for Jack to do this kind of thing is that there is someone by his side who doesn't want to die?

And this child doesn't do it of his own will, nor can he live without it, but when the conditions are met, does he do it himself?"

Atalante did not understand the intention of Abaki's question.

No, I actually have an imagination. But I also know that for Atalante herself, this is nothing more than a dreamlike expectation.

Equally self-righteous, John's ability caused him to lose his sanity, and he screamed selfishly.

It is beautiful and ideal, a difficult and intense way of realization.

"... Perhaps. This child's ability is not something necessary for existence like breathing, but the result of applying his common sense to the world. I don't think there is a need to activate his ability regularly.

However, this child's 'Close to Me' state is within the range of 'Yen'. It was originally a technique for detecting signs using Nen Ability, but its effective range is as large as the entire town."

Sora smiled as he approached Abaki and Jack, looking down at them while answering, and also asking her.

Asking for the answer that Sora had not found.

"... But will you live Together with Jack?"

"Of course."

Abaki answered immediately.

Focus on the path you have chosen, the sins you carry on this path, and the things before those sins.

"... Mom?"

Jack made a trembling sound against Abaki's chest, still held in Abaki's arms.

As if responding to that sound, as if to reassure him, Abaki patted Jack's back and answered.

I answered the path I chose.

"First of all, even if Jack is willing, it is not a reason for me to let this child go, not even a reason to scold Jack. Especially if this child is necessary for life.

If it is my fault that this child did something she didn't want to do, and if she continues to commit crimes, as long as I don't leave, the result will be misfortune, and perhaps we have no choice but to leave. But if that is not the case, unless he leaves me, I will never let this child go!!"

To Sora, this was likely not a solution she could state.

"If you only did such a thing because this child is as interesting as John, I would scold him over and over again, make him stop, and make him pay for his sins.

If this is something this child needs to live... I will definitely find a way for this child to live, rather than doing this. Until I find a way to do so, the sin of the sacrifice this child made is my sin.

Letting my daughter live is a self-sacrifice, so I will carry it all on my shoulders."

Talking about the obvious.

Common sense as a mother.

If you do something wrong, scold me. And make up for it. If there is a sacrifice for survival, I will try my best to Eliminate that sacrifice, but my top priority is my daughter. No matter how selfish he is called, even if he carries a Heavy sin, he chooses to let his daughter live.

Being called a holy mother is not pure enough.

These are the words of a selfish, ugly human mother.

Even so... that is why she...

"And if this child doesn't want to do it, but if the conditions are met, I will ensure the conditions are not met. If I do that, this child can live, right?

If no one around this child thinks 'I don't want to die', then I will save everyone before they think that!! Then no one will complain!?

This way, Jack won't hurt or kill anyone, and this child will live like a normal child!? These children's wish of 'I want to live' will come true!?

If not, tell me!! What should I do to keep these children alive!!"

Beautiful idealism. Cutting through the humiliation that is nothing but empty theory.

What do you specifically do? Can you really bear the guilt of Jack's sacrifice?

Asking the Root and the Hatsu like this, it is easy to face reality. I know it would be better for everyone.

I know, but Atalante cannot say anything. I cannot say it.

Because that is the answer Atalante truly wanted him to say, he wanted him to choose, he did not want him to give up.

"... This answer is enough."

Regarding Abaki's reluctance, in short, "If there is any other way to convince me, if there is any way to let Jack live a happy life, then say it!!", Sora answered with a smile.

I affirm Abaki's answer, they will continue to struggle, trampling on the sacrifices that will be made, just because they don't want to lose themselves after making sacrifices, and also because they don't want to give up their own happiness.

Although he is an ugly self, he never wishes for anyone's misfortune, but because he sincerely wants everyone's happiness, he accepted the answer with a refreshing smile.

She came to this town with the same answer, a natural reaction.

"Not enough."

So Atalante finally answered.

I told Abaki the answer I couldn't let go of from the beginning.

"That is the best."

Once again, a large amount of tears overflowed from both eyes at the same time.

The tears of joy and relief that Wrapped it softened the sharp light of the beast.

Atalante laughed, human love flickering in her eyes.

Watching the two people's smiles, Abaki smiled back a little awkwardly.

Except for the unconscious child, only one person did not smile.

The only one, Jack, still confused, looked up in his mother's arms and asked.

"... Okay?"

I asked if I could stay here.

Tears welled up in the ice-blue eyes, asking if they could continue to live here.

Even though he wanted affirmation more than anything, he couldn't accept it because he understood the sin of the things he had done the most, not to do it, trying to give up, but no matter what, you cannot give up. I smiled gently, answering as if to comfort myself.

"... I want to be Together with Jack.

Don't you want Jack? Don't you want a weak and pitiful mother like me anymore?"

Jack shook his head, explaining why he still couldn't accept Abaki's answer.

"No way! We want to be Together with Mom forever!!"

"... But... but... we... killed someone very important to your mother.... Although we said 'I don't want to die,' we knew that what we did didn't fulfill 'I don't want to die' at all... but... but... we... teeth..."

"No one is more important than Jack."

However, Abaki's response was to hug Jack tightly once again.

He was still trampling on the pool of blood... He once treated him as his own younger brother, loved him, and trusted him; if he hadn't made a mistake, he would be the same as him. "Jack" now. Looking at the boy who might already be that, there was nothing in her eyes but pity.

"Jack, I am not as good a mother as you imagine, nor am I a good person.

I am good to you because you are a good child, and I like you because Jack fell in love with me first.

... Everything, everything, is not for you, but for myself. If Jack is Together with me, I will be happy... So even if it is a child I once cared about, a child I wanted to protect just like you, if he dies, it won't be sadder than the fear of losing you, I don't mind stepping on that corpse. I am frustrated.

I am no different from most of your mothers; I am a cruel and ugly person with an ego that can ignore others' lives for my own benefit."

Hugging Jack, Abaki denied Jack's fantasy about his "mother."

Just like her mother, she was responsible for most of the deaths of Mizuko, and she sacrificed some other things for the sake of things that were important to her... even someone's life. I admit I am a stranger.

I don't think I am that kind of person, but I am reminded that I cannot understand what is under Jack's feet and whose remains they are.

Even my current pity is more like self-defense and self-preservation, "I don't want to be someone who doesn't even sympathize with someone who died so cruelly," rather than for a younger person. A brother once deeply loved. Abaki herself realized this.

After all, Abaki does not feel guilty for her daughter killing John. On the contrary, I am indignant that John made my daughter bear sins she did not have to bear.

No matter how many crimes John committed, when Abaki is just angry because he or her dear Jack was hurt and does not mourn for other victims, Abaki is herself. I don't think of myself as a good person.

So this is just an open question.

Weak and selfish Abaki, knowing full well that giving up is nothing more than a human's struggle against resistance, held Jack tightly and begged him.

"So... stay by my side. I don't like it anymore... The people I thought were my family suddenly disappeared... The days I took for granted suddenly disappeared. I hate it... I hate it...

Jack, I will be strong. I will not give up because I see someone more talented than me.

No matter how many times I am discouraged, I will not give up on my dream and will realize it...

So you are still my daughter... let me be your mom...

No more, no more, no more!! I hate losing Jack! I don't want Jack to disappear from my sight without saying a word like the Chairman and Hisoka!!"

Not at all suitable for Jack. Crying like a child, holding the child, Abaki begged ungracefully, "Don't leave me alone."

It is far from the Virgin Mary; it is in itself too selfish and an ugly ego.

However, precisely because of this, precisely because of herself, and precisely because of her own happiness, she pursued it as purely as possible.

For Jack's sins, he sought Jack's existence.

The desire to live, to be by his side, living Together was too wonderful for Jack.

This is a beautiful love, choosing Jack over anyone else in the world, because his ugly ego has no reason and forces the world to make sacrifices.

"... Mom..."

So Jack cannot let go.

Even if Jack sacrificed everyone, even if he remembered the ugliness of this world again and again, he still held tightly to the shining thing he could not let go of.

To the person who should have decided to let go, he swore never to let go again.

Deciding that no matter how difficult it is, you will walk this path to protect the person you love and the happiness they give you.

The vow and determination pierced Jack's tear glands.

I will, I will, I will!!"

Atalante happily watched the beloved warmth of the mother and son who could not be in Separation while crying, and the hug confirming they were there.

Knowing. This is not the end. This is not the end. On the contrary, it starts from here.

I just decided to walk the path where the ideal turns into reality, it is too harsh, and I haven't started walking yet.

And those who took a wrong step, failed and were hurt, are not just the two irredeemable victims, Abaki and Jack, but also those who happened not to want to die by their side, I know that much.

Except for things caused by himself like John, innocent people like the children of his victims are more likely to become victims.

The affirmation of the path the two of them are walking here means that Atalante and the others are accomplices to the sacrifices Jack will make from now on.

As a Hunter, as a person, for the sake of Atalante's dream, making such a sacrifice is unacceptable.

So, Atalante also made a decision.

Rather than opposing and stopping the path of the two, it is better to cooperate fully to protect it.

Do not become an accomplice. I am determined to make beautiful things, ideals, and dreams come true.

Because I want the presence of Atalante and Jack now to be at the end of the road Atalante has walked.

Even if their wish is an impractical idealistic theory, even if their true intention is to sacrifice everyone in the world to the point of losing one, their true intention is to sacrifice everyone. Because I want to be happy without doing anything.

As a Hunter, as a person, in order to realize Atalante's dream, I have to realize this wish.

"... By the way, Sora. Why are you suddenly holding your head and sitting down?"

With the determination in his heart, Atalante resumed the treatment of the unconscious child, and when Abaki cried again, he suddenly looked at Sora, who was sitting with his head in his hands for some reason, looked at him suspiciously, and asked.

"... No, I would love to erase its existence, but I cannot forget the name of the opponent with the worst influence."

The other one is a person who is one of my natural enemies," the Killer Clown Killer Crown could not ignore the Sora of this name, and asked Atalante while praying: "I hope it's just the same name."

"For now, should I advise Abaki-san not to meet again?"

"Please, talk about it later."

＊＊＊

Around the end of September, Sora walked alone.

I had no other destination or business. However, the weather was nice and cool, so I was just wandering around before lunch.

Just in the middle of such a walk, a call came to the Mobile Phone, and Sora stopped on the roadside where he wouldn't disturb others and pressed the call button.

Sora had no opening remarks, smiled carefree, and began to talk happily.

"Ah, hello, Atalante, long time no see. Is there anything?"

"No, the troublesome things for the time being have passed, so I thought I would report for a while."

Contrary to the cheerful Sora, the person on the other end of the phone, Atalante, responded coldly.

"Regarding John, the conclusion is 'his victims cursed him to death in the spirit of death,' so you can at least confirm the final report, but what else? You will still be asked."

"Abaki can also safely leave the troupe today."

As Atalante explained the "cleanup" of what happened in Grangaslan about half a month ago, another voice joined in.

"Mom said," she reported, "it's hard not to wear rags." Since they determined we died because of John's involvement, it's even harder for us to pretend to be sad, even if we aren't, and I feel bad for the friends who care about us."

She reported the matter of Abaki innocently in a voice that sounded like a ringing bell, and Atalante feebly scolded, "Kora, don't interfere with the conversation."

"Haha, after all, I asked Abaki-san some unreasonable coherence. But, since he left the troupe, will Abaki-san start his full-scale Training there?

Good for you, Jack. Is Atalante a bit disappointed?"

"Yes!!"

"……There is no such thing."

In response to Sora's words, Jack responded with a smile visible on the phone, while Atalante paused to deny Sora's joke.

Hearing the two's answers, Sora laughed again.

"Alright, for now, the troublesome lies are over. Good job, Atalante. I'm sorry for pushing most of the content onto you."

"Don't worry. Initially, this was all my own selfish work, so just following up on John's victims is enough.

Instead, I've caused you trouble."

While responding to the apology with an apologetic tone, Atalante sighed deeply, as if exhaling her own guilt.

For better or worse, she is an impulsive type with a personality that cannot lie, so lying for the past half month has been very anxious for her, even though it was to protect Jack and keep Jack from making sacrifices. I guess so.

As Sora said, the reports and consequences of the Grangaslan incident half a month ago were all lies.

As for the cause of John's death, as Atalante reported to Sora, Sora and Atalante reported to the Hunter Association that "John's victims took revenge on him when he died."

No one questioned this, as the number of corpses in his basement was very convincing.

Except for Sora and the others, the children who were victims and survivors all witnessed Jack, but they did not know about the communication after John was killed, and the trauma of the torture they had experienced so far, and the way they died, they could not provide good testimony. The doctor stopping them was a bad thing for them, but for Sora, it was a blessing.

Of course, the follow-up for the children was appropriate.

Partly because they had been hit by John's Aura for a long time, partly because they had not yet awakened as Nen Ability users, and partly because their Shoko were about to open, they are currently hospitalized in the hospital where they are located, and when they leave the hospital, they intend to take them to a Hunter-approved orphanage, which is also raising Kiyohime's daughter.

Only Pariston asked: "You have been safe and sound for so many years, why take revenge at this time?" Isn't it just because this is a perfect opportunity to lose and weaken?

Besides that, Sora's reaction itself was not a lie, because it was based on the rules of experience Sora had seen so far regarding Dead Spirit. With a smile that could not see the true intention, on the surface, I was persuaded and withdrew.

Honestly, I definitely don't believe it, but I am the type who would quickly change my mind and start something new instead of sticking to the end, so I no longer worry about Pariston. Or rather, Sora has already forgotten him.

As Pariston analyzed, Sora did not take Pariston to heart.

I don't think about destroying his expectations and stifling the stage of tragedy. In Sora's view, this is a very natural thing in life, so there is nothing to consider.

As for John, this is the solution. Even if the report is full of lies, he was indeed the culprit, and nothing will happen again after he dies, so there is no problem.

If Sora's guess is correct, there are probably more people who are cursed for "killing children because they love children" than John himself.

That is why my only and biggest worry is whether his ability is a reminder of the dead, but this is also Jack's ability. "Annunciation Jack the Ripper" is the solution.

Jack's ability, or rather his existence itself, can be said to be a complete form, far from the superior fit of the rooftop Dead Spirit.

By shredding, crushing, squeezing, and filtering all individuals and humans that will be brought into the womb, they make the subject pure and innocent. Soul Aura Conversion into

That is to say, all the negative emotions that should have become the mental Material of the dead were separated from the Aura and thrown away like flesh and blood, and only the Aura was absorbed by Jack, so it is impossible for Jack's deceased thoughts to arise. Even if someone else had this ability, this ability should only have been released after John died.

Jack inadvertently activated his ability, so the most troublesome worries disappeared completely, which is the greatest relief for those who are self-sufficient except for John.

But the problem arises. This is about Jack and Abaki.

Of course, the answer given by Abaki, and the affirmative answers by Sora and Atalante, cannot be recognized by the world.

If they knew what Jack was and what his ability was, there is no doubt they would be identified as an A-Class Dangerous Being (?).

Most importantly, Abaki, Atalante, Sora, and even Jack himself do not want to activate Jack's ability again, except in a situation like John's.

However, the more people there are, the more uncertain it is when Jack's ability will be activated.

It is not "I want to die" but "I don't want to die" that activates it, so it is better not to activate it because of unrealistic complaints, but this is an accident because you don't know when it will happen.

Jack himself is satisfied with the decision to move only Jack away from that crowded town as soon as possible to prevent unfortunate accidents from attracting more helpless accidents.

However, if Jack suddenly disappears, the troupe members who believe Jack is a normal child will worry and make a search request.

I cannot talk about the situation. It is better to be mocked and not believed. In case something goes wrong, Abaki, who has been insulting Jack because of John, will be inexplicably suspected.

Most importantly, the worry when issuing a search report is that Jack will be involved with other Hunters.

If the search is only conducted by the police, Jack can Escape and hide if he wants, but if Hunters are involved, his body is Aura, so if he uses "Zetsu", his existence will not disappear, but he will really disappear. Someone will notice.

If they find out, Jack's status doesn't matter, it's just a "stubborn" person considered dangerous.

So, after consultation between Sora, Atalante, and Abaki, although I am sorry for Jack, Jack was still involved in this matter and let him die.

The way John died is the way he died, so if he died, he would not be able to hold a funeral because he was involved in it, which is natural. Or rather, once the facts related to Nen Ability are made public, it will cause chaos, so most information is kept confidential.

If little information is made public, even if one wants to doubt the testimony of parents Abaki and Professional Hunter Sora and Atalante, there is no Material to doubt. Back.

Furthermore, if Jack died, Abaki could also say "It hurts to think of Jack" and leave the troupe naturally, so this plan was adopted. Jack is in a remote mountain cabin used by Atalante as a Training ground.

First of all, Jack does not have proper adoption, so he does not need any procedures or anything to cover up Jack's death. Since I am involved in a Hunter's case, if it is said that the troublesome procedures here are handled by Sora and Atalante, ordinary people will not doubt and investigate.

Afterwards, in order for Abaki to officially leave the troupe, she pretended to be a "mother who lost her daughter" in the next performance, and managed to do so while feeling strong guilt for the comfort of the troupe members and the audience. Finally today, I seem to be able to Escape safely without anyone suspecting.

Nevertheless, nothing is finished. On the contrary, this is just the beginning.

"I want to do it myself, so it's fine. Or rather, I'm not suitable for teaching 'Nen', so I left the Training of Atalante's Abaki classmate to Atalante, so other troubles have been handled. 'Don't hesitate, leave it to me.'"

Sora followed up on Atalante's apology, and he just replied: "It will be more troublesome to leave it to you."

To this, Sora laughed while saying "hideee!!". No matter how you look at it, this woman knows she is a troublemaker and a booster, but knowing she doesn't want to solve it, Atalante sighed helplessly.

Muttering while spitting.

"……If I rely on you too much, I will not be able to maintain the privilege of being an adult."

In fact, the moment Sora uttered the complaint, Atalante could no longer maintain the privilege of an adult she wanted to protect for the sake of the child's privilege.

I am not pretending. This is nothing more than hypocrisy.

"...... I don't have the confidence to look cool. Even hiding on a remote mountain, he couldn't help but worry about when Jack's Hatsu would trigger, and who triggered it. Even if he continued Ren Training for Abaki and Jack, was it possible to create an ability to narrow the activation range of these children's abilities, and an ability to Seal or stop these children's abilities? A strange place. In that case, the possibility of Jack's very existence disappearing would be even higher.

... It is painful to lie to a teacher. I really want to rely on someone. I want to rely on you."

Once it overflowed, the faint voice began to spill out more and more like a dam breaking.

I could feel the breathing on the other end of the Mobile Phone. Atalante's complaints might have caused Jack to fall into silence with a sense of guilt.

Sora did not answer. He continued to listen quietly.

"We knew from the beginning that the path we chose was a path where we didn't know how to move forward. No, I wonder if this is even a path. It feels like a person flying in the sky.

... Surely, Collision and falling, I thought it would be easier if I just put it aside. If I did that, I might never have to dream again. I know. I knew everything from the beginning.

Atalante continued to say that he wanted to give up what he had chosen by piling up many lies, realizing that he would be hurt and unable to obtain it.

This was definitely Atalante's true intention.

"――――But I still want to spread my wings and fly. I don't want to think of this as an unreachable, unachievable dream."

This is also a fact.

What Atalante did was nothing more than bluffing, but the reason for flaunting this bluff was real.

This is the reason why I chased Jack and Abaki that day when they jumped out of a hole in the Wall to try to escape.

Indeed, his purpose in chasing Abaki was to kill him. However, the true intention behind this was simply wanting to protect Jack's dream.

In order to protect that dream, and to realize it, that day, Atalante tried to fly using the fur of the beast he was wearing.

Atalante patted the head of the silent Jack beside him with an apologetic look and said with a smile.

Through whispering, cleansing, and the wish of pure true intention.

"Know this. If you fail, you fail. If you get lost, you don't find your way. That is what you and Jack learned that day.

However, although I fell, you still protected what I wanted to protect, so this time I will take off without hesitation or failure, and I will continue to fly."

That day, because of my own selfishness and self-righteousness, I was forced to look away, and as a result, I fell, so I think I am glad that I fell. Sora answered Atalante, who told him that he still wanted to fly across the sky even if he had to carry a Heavy load.

"Fly. I want you to continue to fly.

Airships prove that humans can fly without wings, equipped with Iron and gas, right? Flight was dragged out of the ranks of Miracle long ago, so why hesitate?

If you don't know what to do, it means you can do anything, so it doesn't matter. Ignore those who laugh at what you do and call it a daydream.

Do those who say this is a dream because there is no precedent think that the civilization we have now was like this from the beginning? If you go back about 100 years, airships and Mobile Phones were just a daydream, konjac potatoes contain powerful drugs, but they would do their best to disable the ash and eat it. Even if I tell you that you found a way to eat it, you have completely farmed Fugura, there is nothing in this world you cannot do."

"Are you hungry?"

I know you are affirming Atalante's wish, determination, and resolve, but for some reason, the second half of the examples of turning the impossible into the possible were all about food, so Atalante fell into a dilemma again.

Sora answered: "Actually, I am very hungry. I don't know what time it is now, but it is lunchtime here."

I don't know why this woman would casually interrupt a serious conversation, but at the same time, it is also Atalante's fault for calling me without considering the time difference, and I was almost finished with the story.

"Now, this is my report.

I caused a lot of trouble and inconvenience, but I don't think this will happen after this."

Atalante was about to say this to end the story, but before that, Sora said.

"...... Atalante. Relying on adults and being spoiled is a child's privilege, but... I think that regardless of age, relying on each other and being spoiled is a friend's privilege."

Atalante stopped to wait for Sora's answer, then laughed.

Laughing, he said:

"...... Really.

Thank you. But I will still try my best."

He told me that I could still complain to Atalante, and I could rely on him.

Atalante answered happily while listening to these words.

I didn't say okay. But I still want to do my best, so I told him not to rely on Sora.

... I decided not to rely on Sora to fly, so I won't rely on it.

"... So, when I fall, I want you to accept me again. So that I can fly again."

I don't rely on Sora to fly.

However, even if I fail, fall, and tumble, I hope I can spread my wings and fly again.

Rather than wanting to fly together, and not wanting to seek help while flying, I know I am placing a burden on the other person.

But even so, Atalante still wants to fly, and now she doesn't want to give up on a dream that is too far away, so even if she lost her that day, it could never be recovered. I pray for those who continue to move forward.

Sora answered.

"If it is as light as you, I can bear it many times."

Gently accepting Atalante's wish, he hung up the phone.

I know the selfishness of Atalante's wish.

Even so, he accepted this wish not for Atalante.

I think it would be beautiful to see Atalante continue to fly without giving up.

Because Sora also wants to see what Atalante will obtain after continuing to fly.

In the end, both are suitable for you.

But all of this, everyone does it.

Sora, Atalante, Jack, and Abaki are all lumps of selfish and ugly ego, and if you peel off the skin, they are no different from John.

No matter who is unhappy, no matter what sacrifices are made, I will not give up my attachment to the desire for my own happiness.

But there is one thing different from John.

This alone should not be lost. Do not forget.

John wishes someone good luck. Someone else's despair is his goal.

Sora, Atalante, Jack, and Abaki told many lies, knowing it could cause terrible casualties, and decided that even if this possibility came true, even if they trampled on the victims, they would not let go. Yes, but no one wanted it.

I do not wish for anyone's sacrifice or misfortune. No matter how absurd, I truly want an ending where no one is hurt, no one fails, no one despairs, and even nameless people become happy.

We all know that this world is full of selfishness and ugly egos.

But I know that if you peel away that ego, there is something gentle, warm, and beautiful.

So Sora continued to walk.

Dreaming of a future you Absolute want to reach without any specific purpose.

Sora began to walk.

For the dream of living happily Together with the person I love.

"September Edition Reboot" ends here.

Starting from the next time, we will begin the encounter between Sora and Biscuit.