Old People Don’t Hold Hands - Chapter 163



Only Krnovel

Episode 163, Truth (3)

“… … .”

At my words, Nowen just swallowed once.

No special words were added.

I guess he’s being cautious.

What I just said, just by saying it out loud, is a dangerous statement that could bring about great change in this world.

… … Fundamentally, the worlds that continued to repeat within EndWorld were under the control of God.

Because most people inherited something from God and became strong, the structure was such that those who became strong soon gained power.

… … And at the very top of this pyramid of power was a temple.

The saying goes that the manifestors are evil people who covet the power of God, so they should be punished.

It originated from the temple at the very top of the pyramid.

Even if it is a lie without any evidence, the words of the temple are true here in EndWorld… … .

It was considered the word of God and the law.

But are you going to shake the very foundation of this belief?

It may sound dangerous enough.

… … Especially if he is a devout successor who has even changed his last name to the name of a god, like Nowen.

Still, the reason I insisted on telling this story to Nowen and asking him to join me is.

It was because of what he said when he encountered a group of manifesters in the Red Thorn Swamp.

At that time, Nowen clearly said this.

Even if you are a manifester, I think it will be okay as long as you use that power in the right place.

Nowen, thanks to his own ideas of justice, did not seem to blindly believe and follow the words of the temple.

That’s why Nowen is silent now.

I had to tell everything I could.

So that Nowen can change his mind, even if it’s just a little.

“In the Frost Queen’s hallucination, a hall appeared in the city. Do you remember?”

“… … It was such an unfamiliar situation, of course I remember.”

“The phenomenon of monsters rushing into a hall like that is called erosion.”

“corrosion……?”

“Yes, and this will happen in Kargon soon too.”

“… … !”

At my words, Nowen’s face hardened in an instant.

“… … Even if the Frost Queen’s illusions are illusions, and that’s possible, something similar would happen in Kargon. What does that mean!”

“You know the history of Kargon. At first, the hall only appeared in District 5, but now it appears in District 3, and sometimes even District 2… … Now, isn’t the Holy Land the only safe zone?”

“Well, that’s true. What on earth does that have to do with anything… .”

“If things continue this way, won’t there be holes in the Holy Land? Then what will happen after that?”

“… … !”

“Unless you reach the end of the labyrinth, the area where the hole appears will continue to expand. As it grows larger… … .”

“… … .”

“The labyrinth and the city are connected, so the monsters in the labyrinth will come over here.”

In EndWorld, the gods deliberately concealed it, so most worldlines didn’t even suspect it.

This was the only truth that existed in EndWorld.

That is, if the labyrinth is not cleared in time, the world will eventually be eaten by the labyrinth.

Monsters are constantly pouring out due to erosion.

If it is destroyed like that, it will eventually be subjugated to the labyrinth, and will become one of the world lines within the labyrinth that we have experienced.

… … Well, I won’t necessarily go into detail about this process.

It seemed that he believed to some extent the words that if he continued on like this, he would end up in a labyrinth and monsters might appear.

Moreover, since we experienced the erosion phenomenon properly in the Frost Queen’s hallucination, it is even more so.

“The Frost Queen is a figure from an ancient world that has already been destroyed by erosion. That’s why the erosion phenomenon occurred in that hallucination.”

“… … I see.”

“Erosion is literally a phenomenon in which monsters invade the labyrinth in large numbers. Even if you didn’t experience it in the Frost Queen’s hallucination, you probably know how dangerous it is.”

“… … How could I not know? I’ve been to the labyrinth dozens of times.”

“In the Frost Queen’s hallucinations, only spoders and goblins appeared, but stronger monsters will emerge as time goes by. When that happens, Kargon… … .”

“… … We will need those with power. To protect our city.”

“… … That’s right.”

Actually, that was the case in EndWorld too.

The existence of the Manifesters has always been rejected by the Successors, but if there is one time when they can mingle with humans… … .

That’s when erosion from the labyrinth began.

Faced with a common enemy, the monsters in the labyrinth, people turned to the Apparator for help in order to save their lives.

Of course, even if the powers of the manifesters were combined, it would not be enough to stop the erosion of the labyrinth.

And on top of that… … .

First of all, in order to clear the labyrinth as planned, I had to get to the 10th floor before erosion occurred.

That’s because once the erosion begins in earnest, you can no longer enter the labyrinth through the holes in EndWorld.

So, even during the Golden Age, I was barely able to break through to the 10th floor right before erosion started.

… … So the conclusion is, at least it can’t be broken as fast as the gold belt.

As erosion approached, you had to enter the labyrinth and clear it as quickly as possible.

… … Anyway, leaving all these points aside.

What I emphasized to Nowen was simple.

First, as in the Frost Queen’s illusion, the erosion of the labyrinth will occur here.

Second, when erosion occurs, those with power will become desperate.

… … For example, beings like manifesters.

“But, Deklen. If something so terrible were to happen… … , wouldn’t the temple also know about it to some extent?”

“I guess you know. But… … , you won’t try to stop me.”

“If we leave it alone, the city will be destroyed, and yet we don’t stop it? Why on earth… …?”

Nowen looked at me in disbelief and asked back.

I just shrugged.

I also don’t know exactly what the temple’s intentions are.

That’s why Nowen might not believe me.

but…….

That’s what the temples and gods of EndWorld have always done.

First of all, isn’t the boss guarding the upper floors of the labyrinth a god?

They wanted to keep clearing the labyrinth no matter what happened, and they wanted the erosion to continue.

I don’t know why you’re doing that, but…

Judging from the data accumulated so far, it was certain that something was preventing them from clearing the labyrinth.

Actually, throughout playing EndWorld, there are gods as well.

Even the commander of the Seven Legions, the most favored successor among them, has been interfering with me.

… … Of course, the same applies when playing the gold belt.

“But even so, the temple… … , I don’t think so. Oh, no, rather… … , how did you, DeClen, find out about this?”

“… … I can’t tell you that right now. That makes it even harder to believe, but it’s not a lie.”

“But how about the temple… … .”

Still confused by what I said, Nowen closed his eyes and covered them with his hands.

“… … .”

After a long silence, he finally opened his mouth.

“I have a question for you, Declen.”

“… … Please speak.”

“So you’re going to do all this to save the city when the erosion happens?”

……hmm.

Strictly speaking, no.

The reason I wanted to do this was simple.

So that I won’t be executed even if it is revealed by Aizel that I am a manifestation.

… … So, you’re just struggling to survive.

From the moment the labyrinth was eroded, there was no choice to save the world.

Haven’t we experienced countless erosions during the 11 years we’ve been playing EndWorld?

And among them, there were times when I developed affection for a certain world and tried to prevent its erosion.

No matter how hard you try and how much effort you put into increasing the number of successors,

The result was always the same.

All members of the world that could no longer withstand the erosion became extinct.

The world was completely consumed by the labyrinth and disappeared.

… … Oh, by the way, there’s something strange.

When trying to somehow stop the erosion, the movements of the Seongwi 7th Corps Commander, who should be at the forefront of this effort, were slower than expected.

As if wishing for the destruction of this world.

… … Hmm, no matter how much I think about it, there are more than one or two things that are unsettling.

This was especially true with regard to erosion.

Anyway, despite this background, there was only one answer I could give to Nowen.

“Yes, I guess so.”

… … Well, that’s not wrong, is it?

What I really wanted was to clear the 10th floor of the labyrinth.

And if you clear the labyrinth, erosion will stop occurring.

… … Of course, I haven’t checked what happens after you break the 10th floor because of that bastard in EndWorld.

At my words, Nowen avoided eye contact here and there.

Finally he looked at me again.

“… … I still don’t completely believe it, but if it’s for the sake of saving others, I will help you, DeKlen.”

“… … !”

“But I want to impose one condition.”

… … It’s not like it can be done right away.

Because you’re dragging me into something so dangerous.

“If you gain great power for this work, can you use that power for good?”

As I listened to Nowen’s serious words while looking at me, the automatic hunting thing suddenly came to mind.

… … Oh, so that made me feel a little guilty.

Well, there’s something the hunters have always done.

Strictly speaking, can’t we say that hunting for hunters is putting effort into a good cause?

“… … Haha, isn’t that obvious? Of course it would be like that.”

He answered with a calm smile, pretending not to feel any guilt at all.

I asked Nowen to swear an oath in exchange for our trust to continue together in the future.

At my words, Nowen readily swore.

With that perfect ally in mind, I began to speak honestly to Nowen about the current situation.

First, let’s talk about the deal we made with the Apparitionists we met in the Red Thorn Swamp.

“… … Indeed, that’s why you moved alone back then.”

Nowen nodded without saying anything else.

After I finished explaining everything, I talked about my visit to the Apparitionists’ hideout today.

Speaking of the hideout in particular, Nowen’s eyes lit up.

“… … Oh! So there was a hideout like that in the Holy Land? That’s really interesting!”

“… … but the facilities are outdated and need some repairs.”

“Ahem, well, can I come visit you tomorrow?”

“… … Mr. Nowen?”

“Hmm! I guess I’ve done a lot of building work and stuff. I think I can help.”

… … Well, I don’t know how much they’ll welcome the successor, Nowen, there.

“Isn’t this the base for my colleagues who will continue to work together in the future? I want to help them out!”

… … I couldn’t help but nod reluctantly at Nowen’s words, who seemed to have become my ‘companion’ the moment he decided to join us.

Well, I became a leader there.

Let’s just take it for now, okay?

“Let’s go for now.”

“Hmm! Good! How about taking them all while you’re at it? Diana, Biella, … … even that dragon!”

……huh?

Why does this thing seem to be getting bigger and bigger?