Chapter 166: In Front of the Abyss, Shallow Water

Thinking back later, there had been a sense of disharmony since that time.

"Kurapika, are you sleepy? Why aren't you taking a nap?"

Neon shuffled cards and proposed to Kurapika, who was yawning unusually.

However, although Kurapika had received the employer's permission—not to be mocked, but to be cared for and allowed to rest—he was quite dissatisfied and still replied, "It's fine," continuing to type on the Computer keyboard.

"You really should do something about becoming a workaholic."

"That's right, if you don't rest, it's hard for us to rest."

"Hey, someone is calling Sora, Sora."

"Oh, right, right, right! I wanted to call you!"

However, Kurapika's selfless service was not considered a virtue and was criticized by his peers.

Kurapika shouted: "Sorry, stop!" I told him to rest once he finished.

After I told him, his slightly gloomy face turned into one of genuine curiosity; he tilted his head and muttered to himself.

"... However, I should have slept for over 5 hours recently, yet today I am inexplicably sleepy."

"That's right. Although your complexion and dark circles have been recovering lately."

Senritsu, the conscience of the Nostrade group who had not joined in the evil deeds earlier, replied with a wry smile and agreed with that monologue.

"Five hours is still not enough healthy sleep."

"Or rather, is it because the body was so exhausted it couldn't perceive the lack of sleep, and now that it has recovered a little, isn't it just complaining because it finally perceives the sleep deprivation?"

However, Squala found a key point in Kurapika's statement and said in surprise, followed by Linsen's realistic guess.

Kurapika agreed with Rinsen's guess, "So that's how it is," and finally honestly admitted that he could not find work like he was doing now.

"Ah, Mr. Kurapika. If you have a dream, please tell me."

Just as Kurapika left the office and headed toward the nap room, Neon's voice rang out at Kurapika's back.

Neon was grinning, holding a thick hardcover book. It was a dream book.

Not only that, on the desk in front of her were the Tarot cards she had shuffled earlier, a palm-sized Crystal Ball, astrology books, and other tools related to fortune-telling.

About two months ago, she learned of the existence of "Nen," and since then, she had been Training to suppress her runaway ability.

Although he did not know it, he had only mastered "Ten" half a year ago, so he had learned the Four Major Principles quite smoothly, and now he had added new restrictions to his runaway ability. Stolen by Chrollo. The Angel's Automatic Writing, the cute ghost writer, we are developing a Prediction ability to replace it.

The fortune-telling items on the table were Collected for this purpose.

Even after learning that her ability was not "fortune-telling" but a Fortune Telling ability, Neon's worship of fortune-telling had not changed.

This is why I know I am in the midst of trial and error, trying to find a way to control my Prediction ability and use it in the form of another kind of fortune-telling that leads others toward a miserable future. The Demon attached to Neon, what she possesses, attached to someone. A faint smile.

It leads others to misfortune, but that does not mean they wish for others to be unfortunate.

It is completely twisted, but it is a Demon born absolutely for the happiness of the master who created it, so it looks happy expecting that it will be used for the happiness of the master and others, even if it looks creepy when viewed from the side, which the familiar Kurapika finds amusing.

"... Understood."

So, starting two months ago, I basically treated Neon with salt, but this time, with a faint smile of the same impression and a soft voice, I accepted her request and left the room.

I still cannot say that I have forgiven her, Neon.

Of course, for the rest of my life, I know I can never fully forgive that poor girl who only wants to be loved, even if I sympathize with her.

She wanted human bodies not because she didn't know what was wrong, but because she wanted to be scolded. This is an act committed with full knowledge of the wrongdoing, so there is plenty of room for sympathy, but it can never be acquitted.

Even so... I think the meeting between Kurapika and Neon was still good.

At first, I hated myself for being flattered by a heretic who treated my kin as playthings, and I kept regretting being here, even though this path was terrible.

I no longer regret it.

Through Neon's connections, I was able to get in touch with some non-Neon Collectors and recovered some Scarlet Eyes.

Every time, he was tormented by the self-loathing he felt when he first joined the Nostrade family, but when he returned to the Nostrade family, Neon was tormented by guilt and self-loathing even more than he was.

Seeing such Neon saved Kurapika's heart, even though he thought it was bad for her.

There is absolutely no heretic in this world who treats their kin as objects with despicable love. Because I can hope that there will be someone like Neon who will convert and mourn for his kin. No matter how many times those expectations are betrayed, Kurapika lives with what he does not want to let go of, even if he is tormented by self-loathing, because he has a girlfriend who does not betray his expectations.

Kurapika no longer regrets meeting Neon.

Although he cannot forgive her, he sincerely hopes she is happy, protecting her without hesitation, without reservation, and without guilt for his kin.

He finds relief from her guilt, but he has no sadistic taste. If it goes too far, Kurapika will feel guilty again, so now she is happy while atoning for her sins, which is the best thing Kurapika did not think of or could do at the beginning.

"... I didn't expect this place to become a place where I could trust and rest."

Kurapika muttered, maintaining a faint smile, and walked toward the nap room, seeing the incredible changes in his mindset and environment since he joined the job.

While listening to the innocent voice of the girl across the room, wanting her to be happy, even though he could not forgive her.

"Speaking of dreams, there's a superstition, right?"

I will consider it later.

Perhaps she had already predicted what would happen next without knowing it.

"You and, you don't regret it, do you? The past itself when I met 'someone'."

The thing Gon stabbed at him made his shoulders tremble with fear, and he raised his face.

I don't know if the distance is far or near. But, even if it is close, it cannot be touched. If you have a Conscience, you cannot touch it.

Merlin's eyes were that afraid.

Accepting Gon's words.

Even though I am afraid, I cannot take my eyes off it. I cannot leave because I am afraid.

His face facing Gon looked more like a child being scolded by his parents than prey being stared at by a natural enemy.

While afraid, he looked at Gon with eyes that seemed to be grabbing something.

Gon does not know.

Merlin's true intentions were finally found and grasped.

The reason I seek "an answer as a human" is surely connected to the past of "someone" who does not regret and cannot regret.

Although I am certain of this reaction, I still do not know, because all the important parts are missing.

So Gon also looked back at Merlin and asked.

Please, do not make me think that we live on the same planet, but further away than the moon.

Gon shouted, if he thought that an ending where they did not understand each other was beautiful, he at least hoped this ending could reach his hands.

"Hey, Mr. Merlin, what exactly did Mr. Merlin do... is it something that cannot be undone?

Even if it is irreversible, now! If he knew what Merlin was doing, what would he think!?"

For a moment, Gon could imagine that "someone." I was able to make a Prediction.

This is why Gon asked. Because I thought, if he were the person I imagined, he would absolutely not agree to Merlin's choice.

And Merlin, of course, does not like those who make their own choices.

Even if he does not understand what is wrong with what he has done, even if he does not understand, even if he only feels amused because it is a thought he did not have, he is definitely not one of those who affirms his own choices, but should prefer those who deny and struggle instead.

When Merlin said "I am a fan of Sora," when he said he wanted to do something for Sora, his gaze was distant, but he was certainly sincere.

When Gon said: "It doesn't have to be there. I will find it." It felt so close that I thought if I reached out my hand, I could reach it.

They leaned in very close, eyes wide open, like, "I can't believe it."

It was as if I had reunited with an old friend with whom I had long parted ways and had long given up on ever seeing again.

If he really likes Sora, if his thoughts about Sora are true, if he and Gon's words are close, if he is that kind of person in the eyes, then I want to believe him.

I cannot believe what Merlin is doing now, I cannot stop believing that my words will succeed.

So shout.

I don't want to regret, so I keep looking away. Perhaps there is no longer a real "answer." However, I pointed out some things that one is not allowed not to face.

"Let Sora die, who doesn't want to die! There is someone who says what Merlin did is right, forgive his past! Merlin says he has no regrets!?"

"!? Go!!"

Just as he stabbed at him, Karna poked his chest and pushed him away.

Immediately after, Karna's body was replaced by Gon's previous position, with withered petals and grass leaves wrapping around her.

"Pah!"

Karna tried to knock off the sticking plants, but no matter how he hit them, the surroundings were not a garden, but a wasteland where the surrounding plants had withered. Then, as if to say the remaining Bullet were endless, they were like iron sand gathering together like magnets, sticking to Karna one after another.

"! Karna! Absolute! That plant is absorbing your Aura!!"

How did Merlin do it, the plants touching Karna regained freshness, grew ivy, stems, and branches, further binding him, and Karna's Aura significantly weakened? And he closed the distance with Merlin in the "Kneading" state.

"If you are going to fight in your original form, I will give you an attack before that." Although it is not clearly defined to the extent of being called a Constraint, it is a Nen Ability that allows you to use your preconceptions. This is why he should do this, but since this is just a suicide attempt against this man, Biscuit does not know that her two disciples were attracted by his true form and attacked Merlin with all their might.

However, Merlin probably knew Biscuit's true form from the beginning, casually waving his cane to block Biscuit's fist.

I know, but this man's appearance and title are truly undeserving; even if he realized he was a fighter, Biscuit continued to strike Merlin with fists like raindrops, and everything Merlin did was to parry and toy with her like a willow, scraping away Biscuit's Aura and stamina.

Even so, I know the other party is not looking at me. I don't even have the confidence to buy time.

Despite this, Biscuit is still struggling. This person should never be refused.

You cannot let this man, whose eyes are filled with intense despair as if to strike you, go find Gon who pointed out that kind of despair.

What he gave to Gon was not even the kind of self-righteous salvation he gave to Sora. I know it is a type of anger similar to a child throwing a tantrum, so I cannot refuse, because it is my duty as an elder, and also because I have the privilege of acting calm when relied upon by the young.

"Mr. Karna! Mr. Karna!!"

"Come on, you damn outsider!!"

While Biscuit was buying time, Gon absorbed Aura, weakening the prey while increasing its binding force. I struggled to open it, but it was just scalding Stone and water.

However, he must have guessed that he was the culprit, and Merlin's anger erupted. Crying and shouting "I'm sorry," the plants wrapped around Karna... some grew thorns, some contained ingredients harmful to the human body like lacquer, and my hands were covered in wounds and swelling. Even so, Killua could not say to Gon, who was still trying to save Karna: "It's useless!"

In fact, not just Sora, even his best friend was angered and hurt by Merlin for reasons humans cannot understand.

However, the huge plants growing around Killua prevented him from even charging, let alone attacking.

"Ah!?"

Killua, who has no interest in gardening, did not realize it, but from the shape, it was like an Ojigisou. Or rather, it might be one of the companions of Ojigisou.

However, while the original Ojigisou should grow horizontally, this Ojigisou was standing. And it was huge. Its stem was taller than Killua's true form Biscuit, so it was almost like a tree, with leaves shaped like bird wings, large enough to Wrap Killua's entire body.

But that was trivial. Killua unconsciously let out a cry in the center of the leaves; if compared to bird feathers, the core of its mouth was wrinkled teeth instead of feathers, and although it did not have any organs that looked like eyes, it clearly recognized Killua as prey, and it drooled, extending its stems like a living creature, bending its waist, and undulating to attack us.

"What is this grass!?"

Killua rushed into something that seemed to fit the game monster category, which could only be considered a type of man-eating plant, not an insectivorous plant.

After all, it is a plant, so Killua had room to use his ability, but Killua forgot that the opponent knew what Killua's ability was and had been using this plant's field.

"What!?"

Killua, not knowing the habits of Ojigisou... this plant was named Ojigisou because its leaves close inward when in the Wind or upon contact, and the movement of this plant makes it look like it is bowing. I made a bad move called an attack.

However, even if one knew the characteristics of Ojigisou, it would be impossible to imagine that Ojigisou would attack itself due to the stimulation of the attack level, so blaming Killua is too cruel.

Although it has animal-like organs and moves like an animal, it is indeed a plant.

There is no sense of pain, so half-hearted attacks have the opposite effect. Even if he or his comrades were electrocuted to the point of Explosion, the remaining thorny stems would grow out, and Killua's whole body would be wrapped by the leaves, rattling.

Ojigisou did not hesitate, because even after he used up all his charge and discharged, he did not know pain.

""Killua!!""

Enveloped by the huge, vicious, cocoon-like plant, Killua's groans and the sound of chewing something from inside, Killua's right arm extended from the leaves and stems of the plant, twitching. The person who was trying to make Merlin focus let out a scream and shifted his gaze away from Merlin.

Merlin, of course, would not let this opportunity pass.

When he blew it with the motion of blowing something on his palm, his Aura turned into a bright yellow flower, unique in shape, like a ball, similar to the fluff of a dandelion.

This is the true flower of the Ojigisou, and of course, this is not just a flower.

Another name for Ojigisou is sensitive plant, and another name is sleeping grass.

When distracted by Killua, many faint flowers fell onto Biscuit's face; the flowers burst and vanished like soap bubbles. Biscuit shook off the flowers on her face, and the flowers shattered. She knelt on the ground.

Gon almost cried out, shouting "Biscuit!!", but no one answered. However, her collapsed profile was peaceful; I felt she was probably just sleeping, so I felt a temporary sense of relief.

"... This is your fault."

But his relief was not appropriate.

"Star's Inner Sea. Stand, Uthaina.

Let me hear your voice from the edge of paradise, where there are many blessings—"

Familiar words like poetry were spun out.

The premonition was overturned. Merlin poked the withered earth with his staff, as if to indicate that the stronger side would make no further concessions, signaling that he did not wish to hold a one-sided advantage.

"—Only the innocent may pass. The forever-closed Utopia, Avalon Garden."

The illusion obstructing reality was covered and painted over by a new illusion.

The devastated land once again became a garden where a hundred flowers bloomed.

It was not clouds, but the sky itself that became cloudy.

But this was a superficial lie.

Merlin spoke, in a paradise that could conceal your heart.

"You look a lot like Jin, your intuition is good, even more callous than 'me'."

Because of the words he asked Merlin, and because of Merlin's anger, Gon identified the current situation—where everyone except himself had been annihilated—as a "sin." Compared to the first time, I was struck by sleepiness, but I still bit my lip and gritted my teeth, my back teeth almost cracking to maintain consciousness. I used my scarred hands to continue picking at the plants still wrapping around Karna.

Hurry and help Karna, and the killer.

Merlin walked step by step toward that child who continued to struggle, not giving up that single-mindedness. Even so, he approached me with a face about to cry, as if to prove he could still move, saying he did not consider "that kind of thing" to be a "sin," looking down on Gon.

"... It would be better if we hadn't met."

Merlin said, prying open his eyelids—which would have closed if not for the pain—and lifted his head.

I could not see clearly because my vision was due to my drowsy consciousness; I had no confidence that I could hear normally.

But--

"You all... I shouldn't have gotten involved with the freak family."

I knew that was a lie.

＊＊＊

"If the result is everything, then the story of King Arthur would not have existed from the beginning."

Looking at the screen, the end of the movie, the one-on-one battle between Mordred and King Arthur... Artoria, Sora replied.

"I tried my best, worked hard, struggled, but in the end, speaking of a king who ruined the country, on the other hand, it should also just mean treating the victorious country as fools. A teacher."

But it is not. In the story of King Arthur, whether it is King Arthur or the Knights of the Round Table, as Kurapika and Umi said, they are full of problems like being completely unable to communicate with each other, having bad habits with women... but everyone wanted to do their part for the happiness of the people. The people knew.

Even if the country perished, some people survived. Some were spared. The survivors knew the thoughts of the dead, what they wanted to protect, and their wishes after death.

Even if the result is not what I wanted, I think the process is precious, so I believe I will do my best. Even if my country disappears, I can be proud of my Root."

I denied Umi's impression that "the process of a tragic result is meaningless."

Umi's "result" seems meaningless because it is just the result of "King Arthur."

This is not meaningless.

This story is related to "now" because everyone is struggling, struggling, struggling.

It is still ongoing.

"This is an arrogant assumption by the author and the reader, that everything ends when the story ends. Even if King Arthur died, even if the country perished, if there are still people alive, the world will continue to exist.

To continue, there is a baton called process. If this process is a baton given by someone who struggled hard, then the person who receives it will have the motivation to work even harder, but I gave up the idea that my results would not be rewarded anyway, and cut corners. In that case, even the person who receives it should get rid of it.

... So this makes sense.

Even if the country perished, there were people who accepted their actions and wishes, supported them, and survived without despair. It is not a story of a foolish king's efforts going to waste, but a tragedy of a hardworking king... it is a tragedy, but it is a story that makes such a king dream of becoming such a knight.

This is not meaningless. Even if the result is a tragedy, if there is happiness in the process, if something is shining... that will surely lead someone to gain happiness in the process beyond the result.

That is why... even if you know what you will end up with, the effort and struggle are meaningful."

Sora's answer was more cruel than Umi's "I wish I hadn't tried harder."

Even if you can see the result where you are ultimately unhappy, this is still like saying you are fighting for the happiness of someone other than yourself.

This is just a beautiful thing. Knowing that you cannot be happy, there are almost no saints who can act for others.

However, despite this, Sora found that way of life, and the meaning he found in that way of life—

"In this sense, is it okay?"

Responding to Sora's words was Killua, not Umi.

I asked with a pained expression, a face about to cry at any moment.

"Even if you don't get rewarded, even if you aren't saved... but, for the sake of others, to become a part of this process, to bring a happy ending to someone you've never met, you are giving up the 'normal' happiness you want!?"

Sora's answer was too serious for Umi's casual impression of the movie, though it was still within the scope of small talk.

But Killua's question did not really fit the current situation.

Asking "this" question to Sora was too unnatural.

However, no one blamed or comforted Killua. I did not question his behavior.

Everyone present, except for the sisters, had the same face as Killua.

He looked at Sora with eyes that had seen something too painful.

Sora himself also smiled.

Unlike them, who had sad faces and even felt phantom pain when seeing such fresh scars, Sora, who should have had these scars, answered with a brilliant smile.

"That is what it means, so it's okay.

If my process is completed by myself, if it has nothing to do with anyone, and is not connected to any place, even if it is a happy ending, it is fleeting and empty, isn't it?"

"I believe that even after I finish, the process and results that lead to something are more valuable than the process of finally ending and becoming nothing.... You can be proud of everything you have survived and fought for, right?"

No matter how painful it is, no matter the result, answer "it doesn't matter" instead of "it's okay."

Choose instead of accepting.

"... Such a life is depressing, but are you giving up on the 'normal' you want most?"

Killua was speechless at Sora's answer and fell into silence, then Leorio asked.

He cruelly pointed out that at all costs, life makes you realize you cannot get what you want most.

Although he gave up, he asked why not give up on the further meaning of the process and results, but this cast a shadow over Sora's smile and did not shake his answer.

"It's not like you're going to give up, Leorio.

Of course, I want 'normal' the most, but I think it's something I can't get.

Because there's no way. If I try to become 'normal', I will use the power that 'normal' doesn't have, do things that 'normal' wouldn't do, sacrifice and trample on those living 'normal' lives, which might be obtained. It's a contradiction from the beginning. To become normal, you have to do unusual things."

He stated bluntly that his wish was like Fugura admiring a bird, and a bird admiring Fugura.

I had no choice but to give up. She knew that if she didn't do that, she would trample on her own desires, but even so, she looked straight at the "normal person" she wanted, Leorio, and answered with something dazzling seemingly seen in her eyes.

"So I didn't give up, I chose. Although I knew from the beginning that this was something I couldn't get, I felt it was dazzling and precious, so I wanted to protect it, even if I couldn't get it."

Besides, isn't this more positive? My desire to become 'normal' means denying my previous 'abnormal' self, the process I went through... I choose to affirm the whole me."

I answered that I did not give up.

It was a sophistry-like logic, but Leorio could not deny it.

Unshakable, carefree, because the brilliant smile said it all.

Leorio could not deny what Killua and Leorio could not find, or what he thought did not exist.

After Leorio was silent, Gon asked.

Anxious, sad, knowing that the answer was either positive or positive, he would be very sad, but he still asked Sora.

"... Hey... Sora... are you happy?"

"Of course."

Answered immediately.

She couldn't find it from the meaning of Killua's question or Leorio's choice, but she asserted that it was definitely here.

Proved it with a brilliant smile.

Pinched the end of the ponytail with her Finger and showed it off.

White hair that had lost its color.

With a smile on her face, I stared at her eyes harder to increase the brightness.

The midnight blue turned into clear sky blue, and beyond that, the azure squinted and smiled.

Sora answered, showing the evidence of returning from the Abyss and the remains of the Abyss itself, things that shouldn't be here and shouldn't be here.

"I am happy. I am happy now. I will always be happy. I don't pretend. I don't pretend. I don't give up."

First of all, you are wrong.

I am not a saint who can commit suicide for others. On the contrary, I use others to affirm my life. I just need others because I want to believe that the process I took and the results derived from it are always meaningful.

So... "here" is certainly interesting, but it's a bit different from happiness. It's interesting, I didn't build anything, it won't go anywhere. Once it's over, that's all there is to it, so I can't say I'm happy here.

I don't regret everything I've done, of course I'm happy, because... that's why..."

Own reality all confirmed, now dream denied.

I know. Admitting that she noticed, she loosened the Finger pinching her hair ends and grabbed them instead.

I picked up the knife I used to peel apples for dessert.

With trembling hands.

She picked it up with pale fingertips as if afraid of something, still smiling unwaveringly.

"So, goodbye everyone. It was fun here."

I smiled and plunged the blade into my chest.

"! What are you doing!!"

A scream-like restrained voice, a hand reached for the knife without hesitation.

At the same time, that hand pushed his back.

I heard a voice.

"... Go... go away... go away..."

"Hmm?"

"!?"

Just like Killua, Karna's entire body was Wrapped in plants, like a pupa or a cocoon.

His lips trembled, and he ordered in a hoarse voice.

Merlin understood and reacted to his words faster than Gon. However, he was trapped in a paradise where only the innocent could gain freedom, and he himself rewrote the laws of the world.

Because of this, in order to help Karna's staff, he looked like he was just attached to Karna. In the cluster of plants that Wrapped Karna.

However... as if to take revenge for the despair he faced, he said the current situation was "your fault," and then followed Karna's instructions to separate Gon and Karna, causing a decisive time difference.

Why did you take such an action?

Merlin himself didn't know.

However, Karna and Gon understood.

Merlin himself was completely unaware of what he believed in, rather than his Prediction, he was counterattacked.

Before Merlin's staff pierced Karna, the cocoon-like vegetation started Burning, and the vegetation devoured and compressed his Qi.

This is Karna's own skill, "Mana Burst (Flame)," but its principle is the same as Killua's Nen Ability to discharge electricity.

Because it is a Transmutation ability, it is one of the skills that even Sora can relatively easily copy by strengthening his body.

However...

"! Are you sure? If Sora converts his Magic Aura into fire, even if he draws it out, he will lose his own life!"

"It's better than being eaten by you; Master would judge it the same way."

Merlin was like a plant rooted in the ground, unable to jump away from the spot, so he temporarily erected a shield to block Karna's fire using the surrounding plants. But Karna immediately returned with an unwavering answer.

Faced with Merlin's guidance and Karna's immediate reaction, Gon's eyes suddenly widened, as if he had been struck by a fatal wound.

As the sense of guilt increased, the sleepiness attacking Gon increased accordingly.

However, Gon did not hesitate to pull out the Stone stuck in his pocket and knock it against his forehead, dispelling the drowsiness.

Even so, Gon did not wipe the blood from his forehead, but instead walked over to Killua, who was surrounded by thorny tree trunks and jagged teeth.

If Karna himself were released, then he would have to help Killua next. With that single-mindedness, he struggled, lamenting his own weakness and helplessness.

Due to the heavy and weak gait, even the aggressive sensitive plants that react to stimuli and attacks did not react to the approaching Gon.

The reason Merlin's face was twisted was because the sensitive plants did not attack him. Mosquitoes.

"... Gon. I can't do it anymore. Give up."

As if Merlin were more hurt than Gon, his face twisted in pain as he issued a final warning.

"... Why do you think Karna hasn't fought me until now? The Magic Aura is partly because he is eating, and partly because he has been supporting Sora while he is half-asleep, so he doesn't fall deeper into the depths of his dreams!!"

Stopping now means Sora cannot be saved! There is no other way; he will fall into an Abyss that even Karna cannot reach, so no matter what you do, it is useless!!"

He pointed out that Karna's actions and his attempt to help Gon were the final blow to Sora, and tried to make them give up.

He claimed this result was for the best, but Karna flatly denied this assertion while peeling off the scorched and Attached remains of the plants.

"... I thought so too. However, it seems the Master still has a guardian."

Someone told me to leave the Master to himself and focus on you; unfortunately, I don't remember who it was... But I certainly remember thinking they were a more trustworthy partner than I am.

Karna's answer made Merlin's face look even more foolish than Gon's.

That face, which seemed to say he didn't know what was happening, turned into realization after a while.

He must have remembered the scene of them he saw with Clairvoyance about a month ago.

"No way—"

Sora and Karna. Even before the two became twisted in their ambivalence, an indelible scar had always existed.

A painful Ghost that will not let go.

Because of regret, one does not ask for a "redo."

This is the reason Sora became a "magician's apprentice."

Unlike Karna, Sora does not know if the "real thing" is there. That is why Sora cannot express it in her own way, and she probably doesn't want it either.

But it is definitely there.

Before the Abyss, I remembered the existence of a girl, continuing to stay there, relying on each other's wishes of "I don't want to forget" and "I don't want you to forget."

I jumped out with the momentum of pushing my back and grabbing it.

Even if I didn't do that, I was acting.

While trembling and afraid, she still smiled so beautifully, she was about to die.

I know what she wants, but I cannot fulfill this wish. Is it worth it?

I know nothing about this.

I am just sticking to my selfishness.

Kurapika did not want Sora to die, so he forcibly grabbed the knife buried in Sora's chest... more accurately, a point just below the center of the collarbone, the blade about 2 cm deep, and pulled it out. He left.

"What are you doing!?"

I shouted with force.

Even if it was just the blade, if you pull out a knife already stuck in the chest, the bleeding will be worse, and there is a danger of causing fatal damage to the blood vessels when pulling it out, but at that moment, danger flashed through his mind.

He didn't even realize he was holding the blade. The wound on my chest hurt more than the pain of tearing the flesh of my fingers and palms.

Just pain, the blood from the chest wound, she cried, not letting her life spill out.

"You idiot!! You shouldn't want to die! Why throw your life away in front of me!? Do you want to kill me!? You promised to kill me, not yourself!!"

It was like asking a question rather than demanding an answer. She just shouted loudly, denying what she had tried to do.

I didn't ask because I wanted to know. For the rest of my life, I would rather not know why she wanted to die.

Kurapika did not ask, nor did he try to find the answer, but instead taught Sora.

I told you, I cannot live without you.

However, Sora looked blank, not knowing if she was listening to the appeal, and said.

"Hmm?"

For some reason, Sora felt puzzled by Kurapika, who had forcibly snatched Sora's fruit knife and thrown it away, accusing her of suicide. Judging by the way I asked back, I heard the story, but didn't understand its meaning.

Kurapika's anger turned from a near-desperate plea to a frustration like Sora's, almost as if he were about to lose control.

"Because I don't want to die.

Absolutely, that Succubus is really terrible. The worst part is that even if you don't understand the human heart, you have a disgusting understanding of where people's blind spots are, and places you can't reach even if you understand them."

Behind him, Sora told him why she wanted to die when she didn't want to die, but for Kurapika, it was all meaningless.

So, Sora, who understood the situation better than himself for the moment, looked blank, and I turned to ask.

"... I have many things I want to ask, but should I say hello first?

Long time no see, Hai. I never thought we would meet again within a month."

"Thank you for your kindness, but I have no desire to see you at all, nor do I have any interest in you; however, you are the only person I can bring along."

"You not only obtained Mana from Sora, but you also Plundered my Mana, so it is too weak to be used normally, but I was lucky enough to be able to create a pass that drew me 'here.' I'm"

Responding to Kurapika's greeting, Haimei pinched the hem of her skirt and lowered her head elegantly and sweetly to express her gratitude, but her response was stiff, and most of what she said was meaningless. I know I don't want to explain things in an easy-to-understand way, because I am not asking for understanding due to my position and circumstances, but I seem to be the type of person who does not express things easily—because of my innate personality, I can understand the explanation.

However, Kurapika, who originally did not seek amiability from her, ignored Haimei's stiffness and asked while organizing his own memories.

Organize and recall your memories.

When I woke up, I was here. I watched this movie for a while without any doubt.

Thinking about it now, I had no doubts about my memories, which were so discordant and contradictory. I thought this was reality, but when I was asked about the ocean, I realized something was wrong.

When I notice this discomfort, I will remember it at the same time.

It is full of discomfort and contradictions, but it reminds me of the time before I interrupted a world that was too convenient and comfortable.

"The ocean. Is this Sora's Dream World?"

As soon as I lay on the bed, I did not resist the oncoming sleepiness, and my consciousness just sank. It felt like I was slowly sinking to the bottom of the water.

Kurapika could not understand anything, nor was he allowed to resist; with just that one sentence, he followed along without objection.

"Sora is calling. Come quickly."

A girl who looked very similar but was different pulled her hand and said. Omokage's eyes, which could not be Copied, were deep blue, very similar to her sister's natural eyes, but unlike her sister's indigo, she reminded her of the night sky, and as her name implied, she was also the deep blue of the deep blue sea. That was the first time I knew it.

Unlike the doll's cold, expressionless eyes, she looked like she was about to cry at any moment.

So I followed along without knowing anything.

The shallow water of " " is the only thing people can touch, even if they are not bodies connected to the Root from the beginning, and even if they are not a Magician.

The outermost layer of the collective unconscious.

In a dream.

From my dream other sky when I traveled into the Dream World, I remembered the words about the vision of the future I had casually spoken on the other side of the door.

"Speaking of dreams, there is a superstition: 'If you dream of someone, that person is dreaming of you,' right?"

I tried using the same glue as Jin's Shotgun in the Inugami arc to use the ojigisou, but it didn't feel inappropriate.

If it were Merlin, I think I could use the shimane grass and the Abyss Martial God normally.

But the rose whip is no good. Not using it might be the easiest to Copy, but don't use it. Because when you use it, it doesn't look like a weapon; it's just that kind of toy.