R4STWH - Chapter 149
Chapter 149
I nodded, as that was what I had hoped for.
[First, regarding E-17ACEM, I've already handled the parts I could restore, in consultation with the god of this world. As for your world, E-20FUg, that's still pending...]
He swept his eyes over the piles of trash in the desolate world and asked me, [How much do you want restored?]
“How much is possible?”
[Everything, except bringing life back. There are no witnesses to judge 'miracles' here, so there are essentially no limits.]
“Oh… really?”
[Want to see?]
I nodded with curiosity, and he gave a faint smile before raising his arm. As he slowly swept his outstretched arm from left to right, the scene before me changed as if a painting had been overlaid.
Well-paved roads, streetlights, and towering buildings that seemed to reach the sky.
The cityscape of the metropolis where millions once lived was recreated perfectly.
However, the greenery of the trees along the roads and grass in the parks that I’d seen in old photos was completely absent.
[Something like this, I guess.]
“Wow… It’s amazing. So, this is what it was like originally.”
Neo watched me, eyes wide as I looked around.
[It’s when civilization was at its peak, a time when there were only minor localized conflicts, mostly peaceful, and before the disaster began. Do you like it?]
“It’s nice, but it feels too unfamiliar.”
[Hmm… Then…]
Neo swept his arm across again, and the desolate world reappeared.
The only difference was that far in the distance, the tower, the last city of this world, still stood.
[The time when you escaped the lab. How's this?]
“Ah…”
Indeed, that was before the Evil Dragon appeared, so the inside of the tower was intact, even if the outside wasn't.
“Yeah, that's good.”
Since there was no one else, it would be better to leave it in a form that was meaningful to the four of us: Zero, Baeksa, Yumi, and me.
“But, you know.”
[Hmm?]
“Did you ever tell Elias about my past?”
As the one who brought about the destruction of this world, Neo would know all the big and small details.
He seemed to know that I had spent a long time in the lab before destroying it, so he might have told Elias about it.
However, Neo’s answer was unexpected.
[No. Why would I?]
“Really? Then how does Elias know about that…?”
[Hmm… If you're curious, why don't you ask him yourself? Or check his past if you don't want to do that.]
Check his past? Did that mean Elias learned about my time in the lab in the previous timeline?
‘How could that be possible?’
My confusion deepened, but it seemed unlikely I would get an answer from Neo.
[Okay, so now all that remains is...]
Neo, with his hands back in his pockets, stared at me intently.
[Your world's final quest clear reward.]
…What, I thought he was going to pretend not to notice. As if he could read my mind from my expression, he chuckled.
[I won't break the rules. It's not like I'll get anything back if I don’t give you what’s due.]
“For someone who doesn't get anything out of it, you sure are late in giving the reward, aren't you?”
[That's because you wouldn’t have known what you needed most back then.]
His gaze was as deep and still as a calm lake as he looked at me.
[But you know now.]
In the end, I groaned. If he had lost the bet, shouldn't he have been a little irritated and maybe tried to be petty about not wanting to give the reward?
His lack of reaction made me feel deflated.
“What do you think I'll ask for?”
[What your partner is worried about.]
“……Are you perhaps spying on us in bed?”
I asked, narrowing my eyes, and Neo tilted his head.
[Would you like that? I'm not particularly interested, though.]
“No.”
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. “You guessed right. Elias is worried about my body. Though I didn't realize it, there’s a good chance there’s something wrong. Those bastards in the lab cut my stomach open a few times.”
[His judgment is correct. If things are left as they are, you will have a short life in that world. There’s no way to fix you if those artificial organs cause any problems.]
Hearing Neo’s words, I felt relieved. I almost ended up dying and leaving Elias alone.
“Then, can you fix me?”
[Of course.]
Neo snapped his fingers after his short reply.
Then silence fell.
What?
“Is that…it?”
[That's it.]
Just like that?
Even though I knew it was a dream or hallucination, I looked down at my body unconsciously. Of course, I didn’t feel any different.
However, I couldn't doubt Neo. I acknowledged that there was no reason for him to deceive me and no benefit he would gain from it.
[You can check your inventory for the other items you're supposed to receive as a reward.]
…What, he’s not just fixing my body but giving me items as well? Without me even asking?
[Don't look at me like that. I'm just giving you what you rightly deserve.]
“Hmm… yeah, sure.”
Good things are good things.
[I think all the costs of defeat have been paid. Do you agree?]
“Yes, I agree.”
[Very well. With that, I declare an end to the contract between you and me.]
“Ah, wait a moment!”
Our voices overlapped. Knowing I would wake up soon, I spoke hurriedly.
[What is it?]
I had many questions, starting with the first Saintess, but there was one thing I had wanted to ask all along.
“The job you had. You were having trouble finding a replacement, right? What were you going to do after winning?”
[Why are you asking that?]
“Just curious.”
Neo sighed briefly at my gaze and answered, [I would have gone to see my wife and children. My family, scattered and reincarnated across dimensions. Though no one would remember me.]
If they were scattered across dimensions, did that mean Neo’s world had also been destroyed and disappeared? Since it had been very long ago by Neo’s standards, it must have been at least hundreds of years ago. Maybe even thousands or tens of thousands of years.
I tried to imagine it. What if I were separated from my comrades or Elias and had to wander alone through the dimensions? What if I couldn't go to see them, and even if I was lucky enough to meet them, they didn't recognize me?
Or if the person I loved had created a family with someone else and was living a happy life without me or if I were forced to watch them live a miserable existence?
Would I be able to keep my sanity?
[If there is nothing more you need to ask, I will send you back now. Take care, Ilesha.]
With his last words, my desolate world and Neo's figure faded into the distance. And when I opened my eyes again, it was late at night.
“……”
As I blinked dazedly, the senses that had been dormant with my consciousness gradually awakened.
‘How much time has passed?’
Until I fell asleep, I was in Elias’s arms, but now, he was…
“Ilesha.”
He was looking down at me, wearing only a loosely draped robe.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah. How long has it been?”
“About 8 hours.”
No wonder I wasn't as hungry as before. Not that much time had passed.
“Did you get your reward?”
Elias seemed to already know that I had met with Neo. Given that I usually woke up at the slightest hint of movement, even when in a deep sleep, he must have noticed.
“Of course. I asked him to restore my body as you said, and besides that… he surprisingly gave me a lot.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
He smiled and stroked my cheek.
“Shall we check it out then?”
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