Chapter 86: Promise to the Future (6)

Deep Sea Fish Hunting Specialty Broadcast

EP.86 Promise to the Future (6)

“Ah, my head feels like it’s going to explode. Why is this suddenly turning into a mystery? Why is that guy who’s about to die so confident, and why did he just stick his sword in the ground and leave?”

Elvira rambled in a confused tone.

And for good reason, as it was impossible to grasp what was going on. As she said, Han Siwoo, who they thought had died helplessly in the sea, was now saying things like ‘I knew everything,’ and while that seemed to have led to a good outcome, the current state of the Slayers was far from ideal.

“I know, right? And the fact that he just stuck his sword in the ground and left is quite a spectacle. What on earth is his intention?”

Even his main weapon, ‘World,’ was just firmly planted where he had been sitting before heading to the battlefield, making his intentions completely unfathomable.

Amidst everyone’s confusion, the most perplexed of all was Parang.

‘He knew? How? No, why?’

Having read the original work, she knew that Han Siwoo should be completely ignorant about the sea.

Throughout the original story, he had never shown interest in the sea, nor had he ever entered it. Just like any other hunter story.

So, in fact, when Parang first heard that Hunter Han Siwoo had gone missing in the sea, she was certain he had died.

Because to the ignorant, the sea is such a place.

But now, Hunter Han Siwoo’s words and actions didn’t seem at all like mere bluster to reassure those around him.

Yu Parang’s mental circuits began to spin wildly.

The sea, Han Siwoo, the original work, the Slayers, the changed original work….

‘Could he be… a possessor?’

This assumption could be made. After all, the original work Parang had read only covered up to the end of the main story, and she hadn’t read the side story that was planned for serialization.

And if the ending of the side story was that Han Siwoo and all the Slayers were massacred in the sea….

‘No, fuck. What kind of novel would that be?’

It had been a long time since Parang had cursed like this. No matter how she looked at it, this assumption seemed to cross a line.

‘Sigh…. But….’

The current situation she, Oceanos, and the Slayers were in was also crossing a line, if not completely beyond it.

But still, she wanted to deny that possibility.

After all, it was a story she had loved, and these were people she had cared about. She didn’t want to make such assumptions about how it might have ended.

‘And there’s another logical flaw.’

If Hunter Han Siwoo was a regressor, a possessor, a reincarnator, or whatever kind of being, and if he had known about the events that would unfold in the sea, it would be normal for him to have been involved with the sea in the process of preparing for it.

And if that had happened, Oceanos would certainly have detected it.

After losing Alice, they had become extremely sensitive to others stepping into the sea. If someone as significant as Han Siwoo had tried to do something, they would have inevitably discovered it.

But judging from her companions’ reactions now, there seemed to be no sign of such contact.

If there had really been contact, they would have informed everyone. At that time, they were truly a community of fate, living and dying together.

‘So the assumption that Han Siwoo is a possessor….’

For now, for now, she wanted to rule it out. She didn’t want to think about it.

She spoke to Oceanos, who was still in confusion.

“Let’s keep watching for now. We’re still far from the end of the memory.”

“…Alright. That would be best.”

“There’s no point in discussing it further here.”

The memory flows again, and soon a scene familiar to everyone appears.

As Hunter Han Siwoo returns with Charlotte, an ear-splitting explosion is heard from the pit next to them, and it begins to attack.

The Slayers enter combat mode and successfully eliminate the pit while all members remain unharmed.

After that, as seen in Alexandra’s memory, a swarm of monster fish that seemed to number at least a million attacked Han Siwoo’s group. Titans, ghost ships, krill, and many others.

In a situation that was literally half water, half fish, the Slayers were pushed onto the defensive by the organized army, and eventually, members started to drop out one by one.

Just when it seemed they would be defeated….

“Uuuuaaaaaaah!!!”

Wheeeeee-

Kwaaaaaang!!!

“Oh, so that’s how you can kill those things.”

Without any special strategy, they succeeded in defeating the million-strong army of monster fish through sheer combat power alone.

The remaining members were Han Siwoo, Kang Yuri, Marian, Charlotte, a woman named ‘Albina’ wearing Catholic bishop’s robes, and a woman named ‘Yuki’ in Japanese shrine maiden attire. Six in total.

“Huff… huff… whew….”

Han Siwoo took deep breaths after defeating the last remaining monster fish.

“Huff… whew…. Are you alright…?”

The woman in shrine maiden attire approached him.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just… really tired.”

“It’s not too much. You weren’t fighting at the very front.”

She supported Han Siwoo and examined his body. Sadness clouded her face.

“You have many wounds. I’ll treat you, so it would be best if you get some rest for now.”

Seeing her sorrowful expression, a dark emotion also clouded Han Siwoo’s face.

Parang, who had observed countless expressions in her previous life while painting numerous pictures, couldn’t read the emotion on his face this time.

Sadness, guilt, remorse, sorrow….

It was a subtle expression that didn’t quite match any emotion she tried to attribute to it.

Still, the overall atmosphere was relatively bright.

From their perspective, it made sense.

Although the battle was tough, they had ultimately won, and the members who had dropped out during the fight had escaped rather than died.

From their point of view, they could now surface, reunite with their comrades who had escaped earlier and were receiving treatment, and then calmly analyze what had happened.

In fact, Charlotte and Albina high-fived each other with their tired bodies, and Kang Yuri was quietly lying down next to Han Siwoo.

Considering the situation, it could be called a truly cruel picture.

In contrast to the lightened mood of the Slayers, the atmosphere on Oceanos’ side was heavy.

“Is it coming soon? That eye.”

“Yes. Twenty minutes before death.”

“Xiao, will you be okay?”

Previously, when diving into Kang Yuri’s memory, Xiao had suffered considerably upon seeing the eye in question.

After all, as the caster of the dive skill, the burden she bears is overwhelmingly greater compared to others.

However, she showed a strong will to continue this work, and with Silo’s side doing their best to support her, she was able to appear here again.

In the current reality, Xiao is equipped with no less than thirteen mental support artifacts.

Moreover, each one is at least S-grade. Her mental immunity is now beyond comparison to anyone else in the world.

This is what was meant earlier by the ‘power of equipment.’

As a bonus, each member of Oceanos, except for Xiao, is equipped with one mental support artifact.

Of course, even with such thorough preparations, there were still concerns, so the tense atmosphere couldn’t be completely dispelled.

And in the midst of silence, at one moment.

[ Skill, ‘Waterproof Sanity’ is currently active. ]

“It’s here.”

Along with the message that appeared before their eyes, giving a more ironic feeling than ever before, it appeared.

It starts as a round sphere. A ball. Smooth and floating.

Ball, void, planet, universe, world.

The Slayers, realizing that something had arrived, immediately gripped their weapons and prepared to enter combat.

“Xiao, can you handle it?”

“I’m fine for now.”

“Don’t overdo it, stop immediately if anything feels off.”

“I know. I value my body too, don’t worry.”

Now its form is clearly visible.

A perfect sphere. Like a transparent glass marble, but without any cleanliness, only ugliness remains.

Millions of monster corpses float around like stars. In the center of the most corrupt and disgusting universe, a star that spews out all the evil in the world.

It opened.

Its eyes.

Parang heard the voices of her companions.

“Ugh, it’s still… bearable, more than I thought.”

“Maybe it’s thanks to the artifacts, or because we’ve experienced it once before.”

“Xiao, how are you? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, still…”

“……”

“…………”

Parang felt relieved.

Everyone’s alright.

But why… am I… not…

Her consciousness blurred. It’s harder than before. Why? How come?

[ Skill, ‘Waterproof Sanity’ is currently active. ]

[ Detected strain on status window. Prolonged exposure may cause issues. ]

Dizzy. Nauseating. Want to vomit. Want to open the door and run out screaming. Want to cry to the world, then laugh, then play pranks, then sulk alone, suddenly go wild, then dance again and sing and scratch my back and wrap my arms tightly behind me, then fall into the sea and burn in fire.

Can’t define the emotions. It’s bizarre.

The intensity is much stronger than before. Strong. Strong. Strong.

Thoughts aren’t progressing properly. What to do, what is it, what was I trying to do.

‘……’

‘…………’

Parang’s mind became distant.

“■■ ■.”

“Huuuuuugh!!”

The breath she had been holding without realizing rushes into her lungs.

“Pa, Parang?!”

“Why suddenly?!”

From her companions’ perspective, it’s shocking to see Parang, who had been quiet, suddenly react like this.

“Are you okay? Xiao, quickly stop the memory!!”

“Wa, wait. I’m fine. Let’s keep watching.”

“Are you sure? You absolutely must not overdo it.”

“I know that well. Just,”

Parang paused for a moment.

“Just, I think I was a bit tired. I feel a little queasy, but I can handle it.”

“Phew… Alright. If you say so.”

“Did you see the previous situation?”

As Parang focused her mind on the dive, Charlotte had already transferred to the hive and was lying down, clutching the ring with her eyes tightly closed, as if asleep.

“Ah, no. Let me see it again. Sorry.”

“Okay.”

The memory rewinds,

and that being opens its eyes again.

Ironically, it’s more comfortable than before. Just feeling queasy, with a bit of a headache.

“Why on earth earlier…”

It felt like an incredibly important moment had passed.

However, for now, focusing on the scene before her eyes is the most urgent task. Parang concentrated on the memory.

“Ugh… Arrrgh…”

As soon as it opened its eyes, Hunter Han Siwoo and the Slayers showed immediate reactions.

Expressions of unbearable pain.

They clutch their heads and curl up, or conversely, stretch their bodies out.

Bang!

The camera at Hunter Han Siwoo’s waist explodes, sinking down as debris.

Then suddenly,

Bang!!

The glass ring on his finger bursts, and the golden thread inside flows into his body.

And again.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!

The five remaining rings all break, and golden energy infuses the bodies of everyone, including Charlotte.

“Wh-what? This, h-how did this happen?”

“You’ll see soon, watch closely.”

Dozens of messages appeared and disappeared rapidly before Charlotte’s eyes.

“Ugh… urgh…”

Still clutching her head, but with a more relaxed expression, she calls up her status window with a puzzled face.

[ Status Window: Charlotte Aira ]

[ Personal Skill: Writing Mythology (S) ]

[ What you don’t know chases you. ]

[ What you know helps you. ]

[ Skills ]

[ Waterproof Sanity (S), Ultra-precise Observation (S), Eyes to See the Universe (S)… ]

“Re-recent notifications.”

[ Retrieving recent notifications. ]

[ Your mind has been completely destroyed. ]

[ One-time artifact, ‘Happy Ending’ has been destroyed. ]

[ Your mind has been restored. ]

[ After your mind was completely destroyed underwater, it was restored. You have acquired the skill, Waterproof Sanity (S). ]

[ Skill, ‘Waterproof Sanity’ has been activated ]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Hmm…”

Parang roughly checked the status window and organized the series of events in her mind.

It seems the other Slayers recovered their minds through this route as well.

‘I guess this was roughly how it went…’

However, even she was too disoriented to see the following scenes clearly.

The memory ends with Aira activating the teleportation device, transferring to the hive, hiding her body in a deep space, and then casting a preservation spell on herself.

The dive ended in a somewhat chaotic atmosphere.

“Let’s… let’s rest for a bit…”

Everyone agreed with Parang’s words, and they collapsed inside the water tank.

#

Deep in the ocean.

The seabed, the abyss, darkness.

Standing there alone.

In the distance, something can be seen approaching.

[ Skill, ‘Waterproof Sanity’ has ■■■■*&#4987 ]

[ Error detected. Skill has been destroyed. Unable to activate. ]

[ Run away. ]

[ Run away. ]

[ Run away. ]

[ Run away. ]

[ Run away. ]

Seeing this, a brief, wry smile forms.

“Run away, they say…”

It’s close enough now to be recognizable.

“How could I possibly do that? Nonsense.”

The approaching tentacles are slow.

“Indeed. Utter nonsense.”

Eyes close. Soon, a sense of peace. But comfort is impossible.

Because of that one phrase left unsaid.

Trying to open the mouth, but knowing it won’t reach her.

So, at least as a whisper to oneself, softly.

“Open… your eyes…”

“………”

“……”

“Hey, hey. Hey!!”

“Ah, yes.”

“Sigh, you were thinking about that again?”

“Ah, well…”

The words trail off.

“I knew it. You were thinking about it. It must be tough, but try to shake it off a bit.”

“Sorry. It’s not easy.”

“Sigh… Well, alright… Hang in there. I know it’s not much help to say, but it’s not all over yet.”

“…Thanks. But why did you suddenly call me?”

“Well, nothing much. I was bored, and I saw your expression darkening, so I thought, ‘Ah, they’re at it again’- and decided to chat. You know, once you fall into depression, it’s hard to get out.”

“Ah… Thanks for looking out for me.”

“And I figured you’d be done watching by now. We should start getting to work.”

“It’s a bit faster than expected. But there’s no big problem, right?”

“Yeah. Not yet, at least.”

“That’s good. Thanks as always.”

“No, well… I owe you too.”

“Sigh…”

“…If it’s too hard, take a break. I can do it.”

“No. I’ll do it. I’m not comfortable leaving more to you here. I’d rather it be a bit tough.”

“Well, if that’s what you want, do as you like.”

Silence. Their eyes meet briefly, then turn towards the dark cave exit.

“You know, it’s not really my place to say, but your life is pretty damn extraordinary.”

“As if there’s anyone in this world who… No, I can’t even bring myself to say it.”

Silence again, lips sealed.

Indeed, even to oneself, one’s life seemed a bit too extraordinary.

“Sigh. At least take a few of these with you.”

“I always wonder. Why this shape of all things? Couldn’t they have been made a bit prettier?”

He said, looking at the three Capulus following behind.

“If you don’t like them, don’t take them.”

“No, I’ll take them. Thanks.”

He turned back, looking again at the cave exit.

‘Status window.’

[ Status Window: Han Siwoo ]

[ Personal Skill: Promise to the Future (EX) ]

[ Your last chance has arrived. ]

[ Skills ]

[ Waterproof Sanity (S), Path Pioneering (S), Loyal Friendship (S) … ]

[ Status Ailments ]

[ Regression ]

‘Not even a skill, but a status ailment.’

Isn’t that a bit too ominous?

He, Han Siwoo, quietly swam out of the cave.