..
Wouldn't it be better if I stayed? I can provide you with more help.
— No need.
We have never had any conflict, have we? I can continue to remain silent; I won't affect you or the people around you.
—No need.
Even if you have no interest in immortality, what about reversing time? Are you uninterested in reversing time as well?
—No need.
What exactly do you want?
—What I want, I can take for myself.
It seems we have nothing left to say.
This was the murmur of the "System."
The clear green light gradually faded, turning into flickering points of light, as if it were thinking, or perhaps searching for a way to leave.
Long time no see, Melkior.
—I am not Melkior.
I know, but in another world, your name is Melkior.
—Does Pandora actually have her own consciousness?
"Of course." Pandora told him, "In another world, my brother and I are both your good friends." (1)
—I don't know you.
It's truly heartbreaking, but then again, it's normal." Pandora continued, "In this world, there is no me, there is no my brother. There is no Victoria, no Mom, no many, many people, of course, there is no Melkior whom I know.
——..
I know you are not Melkior, you are his counterpart." Pandora chuckled softly. "There are not many people in this world, there are many people who feel familiar. There is no brother, yet there is another me, there is also another Melkior.
—What exactly do you want to do?
When I passed through the spatial rift, I saw the [Story] of this world. This story has not yet reached its conclusion, but some people's fates are already predestined. In a good all-ages detective story, justice will always triumph over evil." Pandora whispered, "But I am a bad child. I want my friends to live—to live with dignity.
—I am not your friend.
I know, I've always known." Pandora agreed, yet not entirely: "However, you are his counterpart.
—Is the Story over now?
It's almost over," Pandora replied. "How did you find out?
—It would be hard not to notice, wouldn't it?
Murder cases where it's always three out of three, Valentine's Days that occur countless times a year, chaotic seasons and time, teammates' inexplicable loss of intelligence, plotlines and behaviors riddled with bugs, the strange interpersonal relationships of certain people..
So..
—After it ends, will everything return to normal?
It will." Pandora laughed: "But, are you really not going to leave it behind? The system I worked so hard to create won't hurt you.
— No need.
I am one of the fulcrums of the mystery side, you know," Pandora murmured. "Won't you really leave me behind? Wouldn't it be good to try becoming a new god of this world? To some extent, you could control the fates of many people, even the very fabric of this world.
—I only need to control my own destiny.
And.
—This world doesn't need a god.
As a human, it is enough.
There is no need for so-called "plots," nor is there any need for "gods"; humans have their own paths.
Gin is a man so proud it borders on arrogance, but he is not so arrogant as to want to manipulate the fate of humanity.
—If you are truly a visitor from another world, don't you want to go home?
He already knew who Pandora's counterpart in this world was.
Therefore, Gin was also willing to exchange a few words with it.
A long, long silence, but the Silver-haired killer showed not a hint of impatience.
Finally, Pandora answered him again.
..
Returning to the real world once again, Gin assessed his surroundings.
Pandora was indeed full of kindness toward him. The landing site was sparsely populated and was not far from his original location, sparing him the predicament of being thousands of miles away in the blink of an eye.
One had to realize that if it were truly a free international trip, it would likely be quite a shock to the various hostile forces currently watching him.
Gin, who had no intention of causing unnecessary trouble and agitating their delicate nerves, surveyed the surroundings, took out his mobile phone to check the time, then sent an email to Heine.
The plane can be prepared. —— Gin.
A few seconds later, accompanied by the vibration of the phone, the reply appeared on Gin's mobile phone.
It was obvious how much the other party cared about the progress of this matter to reply so instantly. This left Gin not only wondering: Is this guy just having nothing better to do?
So fast? You've already dealt with the "trouble"? — Not well-known No. 2.
Gin: ……
It seemed that even if Heine gave up his codename, he wouldn't accept a new identity so quickly.
However, this was clearly beyond his control; so many people were pushing him upward, including his sister. Heine clearly knew this as well; he was merely being stubborn now.
Solved. — Gin.
Not only was the trouble resolved, but Pandora was even dealt with. However, those things don't need to be spoken aloud; the destruction of one's worldview is best experienced by as few people as possible, otherwise it becomes even more troublesome—and in most cases, he is the one who handles the cleanup.
Gin has no interest in an increased workload.
Your danger level has risen in my heart once again. —Not well-known No. 2.
This Not well-known No. 2 is also an acquaintance, clearly has no intention of concealing his identity.
Very well, the reason why Heine was so concerned about this matter has been found.
Gin did not reply.
The flight is the day after tomorrow. Looking forward to your arrival. ——Not well-known No. 2.
A few seconds later, a new email arrived.
This time, Gin replied with a single "Okay."
Putting away his phone, the Silver-haired killer walked through the streets of Tokyo in the sunset glow.
The weather is beautiful today; I wonder what tomorrow will be like—perhaps it will be summer one moment and winter the next.
However, all of this will soon come to an end.
..
.. I'm afraid I won't be able to go home.
Finally, Pandora answered him again, "But I will leave this world, rest assured."
Gin, everything will come to an end.
Everything will end, he will also leave Japan the day after tomorrow.
-----------------------
Author's Note: (1) For this part of the content, please refer to the Non-responsibility side story in Chapter 100.
..
Refined the origins of the system
This time, it must reach its conclusion as soon as possible!
Actually, it was already nearing its end, but because many plots had not been wrapped up, Gin had not gone to Italy.
Finally, it's almost time to set off!
The main story is also nearing its conclusion, with several side stories featuring various creative ideas that were mentioned before to follow.
Chapter 246: Chapter 224: Workplace Connections are Very Important, Life..
The disposal of Pandora was silent, known to almost no one except the Heine siblings and Gin.
What happened specifically was known only to Gin: strictly speaking, he didn't resolve Pandora; she was simply "dealt with" on her own. Her whereabouts were unpredictable, there was no telling when she might wander back into this world.
—If such a day truly comes, Gin hopes it will be as late as possible, ideally after he is already in the grave, so he won't have to face the mess.
As for the neighboring production missing an important prop? Heh, what does that have to do with him.
Perhaps, just as Pandora said, the story is approaching its end. Gin vaguely felt that the level of abnormality in this world had lessened significantly compared to before. He was not entirely immune to the assimilation of this abnormality; he could only vaguely perceive that something was wrong, he had enough patience to observe such anomalies—after all, he had always been a cautious and meticulous man.
Of course, it could also be because the anomaly was becoming increasingly blatant in the later stages.
Or perhaps, upon receiving what is called the "plot" and witnessing the "plot" actually unfolding with his own eyes, Gin had already realized the strangeness of this world. He did not indulge in self-pity because of his existence within a "Story," nor did he intend to become a marionette of the "Story."
In short, not having to worry about sudden changes in the weather or the timing of the Eight-step jump had clearly lightened his survival pressure significantly.
This trip could already be considered a success; the only loss was perhaps the loss of the system, meaning he would have one less trump card in the future. Even at the end of the conversation, Pandora still tried her best to persuade him to stay with the system. Gin was certainly suspicious, but both emotionally and rationally, he knew that Pandora truly meant well, yet his answer remained the same as always.
No need.
He hadn't had a particularly smooth journey getting to this point, but he had the confidence to keep surviving. Even if he were to fail due to the lack of a System, it would only be because his skills were insufficient.
The date for traveling to Italy was set for two days later. The time remaining was not particularly ample, but considering that enough time had already been delayed, most matters had been settled, these two days would be nothing more than business as usual.
He didn't even need to pack his luggage.
Perhaps it was because he felt relieved after resolving something that had been weighing on him for a long time, or perhaps it was because he knew he wouldn't be returning to Japan for a long time on this trip to Italy, Gin chose a day with pleasant sunshine to stroll through the streets of Tokyo.