Chapter 103

‘…This can’t be happening.’

Cold sweat ran down my back.

I had played this chapter countless times, but a question I didn’t recognize had never appeared before.

‘What do I do?’

Then that means, I really have to read Daddy’s thoughts and answer it.

Otherwise—

Boom boom boom!

Bwooooo—

I’ll die.

The drumbeats from above sounded like a heartbeat.

It wasn’t wrong.

My heart really was pounding like crazy.

Up until now, no matter what kind of danger I faced, I always had the advantage of knowing everything.

Thump thump thump.

But this time was different.

For the first time since entering here, my life actually felt at risk.

‘Calm down, calm down.’

There’s an answer to that question.

If there’s an answer, then there must be a way to find it.

‘Or… is there?’

A pessimistic thought crept in.

At the same time, something felt off, like something was missing.

I quickly turned my head.

‘…It’s gone.’

It’s not there!

In the game, this chapter had three extra lives.

And those lives were represented by candles floating in the air inside the arena.

But—

‘There’s nothing…!’

No matter how much I looked around, there wasn’t even a trace of anything like that.

I had just assumed they’d be there, and since I already knew the questions, I only focused on solving them.

‘Don’t tell me if I fail even once, it’s over?’

Cold sweat ran down my back again.

And at the very last stone, right before escaping?

“…Your Holiness?”

Since I was in Daddy’s arms, he must have noticed the change in me.

For the first time, anxiety flickered across Daddy’s face.

I hadn’t even realized how intently he was looking at me.

“Is something wrong?”

Just as I tried to speak—

[Be silent.]

As if to prevent any discussion, my lips were forcibly sealed again.

Mmph, mmph!

The words I was about to say were swallowed back down.

‘Because it’s the last one, huh.’

It seemed like we weren’t allowed to discuss anything at all now.

And as we got closer to the final stone, the time limit was shorter.

There wasn’t much time…!

‘Think, think! Nemesia!!’

What happens if I die here? It’s not like I’ll revive like in the game.

As countless thoughts rushed in and my vision began to fade white—

[The Pope can do anything!]

[Because you were chosen!]

A system message popped up right in front of me.

‘What? What am I supposed to do with that.’

I frowned at the unhelpful message.

Then—

Game Category [Post][Strategy Guide]

[Monster Encyclopedia 46]

~Paranormal Class~

‘Whispering Stepping Stones’

Grade: Safe

◆ One of the easiest paranormal phenomena, but it depends on how well you know your Guardian

A post suddenly appeared.

And words highlighted in bright color that hadn’t been there before.

No way…

‘You’re saying I already know the answer?’

The system didn’t respond.

Instead—

[Your past ‘Daddy’ is very worried!]

…Right.

The moment I saw that message, the trembling stopped.

A child he had just met minutes ago, who claimed to be the Pope.

And yet Daddy was genuinely worried about me.

And the fact that he was right beside me.

All of it cleared my mind.

‘No way I’m ending it like this.’

Time was running out.

Search everything.

I squeezed my eyes shut, digging through my memories.

Every single line Derek had ever said in the game.

Maybe one of them would fit.

‘Name… name…’

[Speak at the same time.]

Before I knew it, I was gripping Daddy’s clothes tightly.

But I didn’t have time to think about that.

Think, think…!

‘Ah!’

Could it be this?

[3]

[2]

[1]

For a brief moment, Daddy looked at me with shaking eyes.

I held his hand tightly, as if telling him it was okay.

‘It’s okay, Daddy!’

The trembling stopped.

And—

[Names are not merely something to call—]

“—it’s a way to engrave someone into your heart.”

“i-it’s a way to engrave someone into your heart!”

“…!”

Daddy’s eyes widened as if they would tear apart.

“The answer… you didn’t know it this time, did you?”

But there was no time to respond.

Boom!

The drums, cymbals, and trumpet all stopped.

[Trial complete.]

As the earthen statue laughed loudly with its torn mouth—

Its massive eye slowly closed.

Rumble!

The lava on the ground gradually disappeared, returning to normal earth.

And from the cracked ground—

Flaaash!

A pure white light burst out.

The light stretched out like soft threads and wrapped around Daddy.

“This is bad, be caref—!”

Even Daddy, who had stood firm on the spinning stones, staggered.

I quickly grabbed his hand, patting him as if to reassure him.

“It’s okay, Daddy.”

“…What?!”

Daddy’s eyes widened in shock.

I smiled brightly.

This light? There was nothing dangerous about it.

Because it was the reward for clearing the trial.

[Congratulations! ‘Daddy’s’ corruption has been greatly reduced!]

The system message appeared, just as I expected.

‘Of all things… I didn’t expect the last question to be this.’

Even though I got it right, something felt off.

Because—

‘Names are not merely something to call, it’s a way to engrave someone into your heart.’

That line was Derek’s final words when he dies in the game.

‘Seeing how Daddy answered it, it must’ve been something he always carried in his heart.’

But why was a question that never appeared in the game about Daddy’s last words?

It hurt.

“Captain!!”

“Your Holiness!!”

The Azure Holy Knights were already out of the cage, running toward us.

‘It was nice meeting them, but this is goodbye.’

I could tell there was no time to say farewell.

Because Daddy’s figure was gradually fading.

“I’m glad I got to see you like this.”

Our bodies began to float, drifting apart from Daddy.

“You were already someone who tried this hard back then. I’m really glad I got to see it.”

I looked at the bright light like it made me happy.

Once I return, Daddy will be much better.

“But don’t push yourself too hard. I want you to protect yourself too, Daddy.”

It might not mean much now, but I still wanted to say it at least once.

Daddy moved his lips as if trying to speak.

But no words came out, and he grabbed his throat.

Instead, he reached his hand out to me.

I stared at his outstretched hand.

I could’ve reached out too, but I didn’t.

“Don’t worry. We’ll meet again.”

In the game, if Derek becomes your Guardian, at some point you see a portrait of a younger Derek.

One day I’ll see that portrait too.

And for some reason, it came to mind now.

A portrait of a young hero who fought for the world and its people.

I smiled brightly at Daddy.

“The Pope will save the world!”

You too.

I took in every detail of Daddy’s past self before slowly closing my eyes.

‘See you outside, Daddy!’

* * *

When I slowly opened my eyes, there was only pitch black darkness.

‘What? A bug?’

Normally, after finishing ‘Whispering Stepping Stones’, I should’ve returned to where the tin rabbit doll was.

Though it was pitch dark, my vision gradually adjusted.

But no matter how much I looked around, there was no wall, no altar.

“…A room?”

I slowly scanned my surroundings.

It was still dark, but I could see well enough.

It looked like a slightly worn room.

I tried to stand, then froze.

Next to me was a mirror.

Cracks ran all across it, thick and jagged.

A chill ran down my spine.

And when I saw my reflection, my eyes widened.

‘…What is this?’

Long pink hair reaching down to my waist.

Limbs that looked longer compared to my height.

The eye color was still mine.

But—

I looked much older than I remembered.

‘What? I look older than I wanted… how old am I? Thirteen? Fourteen?’

I was touching my face when I froze.

Step.

Step.

Footsteps.

I snapped my head toward the sound.

My eyes widened.

“…!”

W-what is this now?

A figure approached, wrapped in dim darkness like a cloak.

A tall boy.

A robe pulled low over his head, his entire body wrapped in black cloth, making him look like he had emerged from the darkness itself.

I blinked slowly.

‘What? Another paranormal phenomenon? Or… a monster?’

I thought I should stand, but my body wouldn’t move.

“Hello.”

A gentle voice.

But the moment I heard it, I froze completely.

My mouth fell open.

‘Did I… hear wrong?’

At last, the long shadow reached my feet and stopped.

“Ever since the day you saved me, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

Yes.

That soft voice.

It was slightly deeper and rougher than I remembered, but there was no way I wouldn’t recognize it.

How could I not?

The boy standing before me.

The one I loved and cared about more than anyone.

The protagonist of the game—

‘Khan.’

But I couldn’t say a word.

I loved him so much that I even sent him out, determined to take on his fate instead.

‘Why is the protagonist…?’

I couldn’t even blink.

Above his head, ominous letters flickered.

[Faction: Fanatic of the Evil God]

I couldn’t believe it.