Perhaps that was the last question Peter had expected to hear, as he looked noticeably bewildered. Chang-Sun did not fail to notice his expression.
“I’m... not sure what you’re... talking about...!” Peter protested.
“So that’s how you’re going to do it, huh?” Chang-Sun frowned slightly, saying, “I kept wondering why your real name was censored and you used an alias instead.”
“That’s because my true name is still going to be created in a future that hasn’t happened to you, so it’s a violation of the law of causality, naturally...” Peter began.
“No, you called me father, but I’m technically supposed to be a stranger from a different Worldline,” Chang-Sun said; his voice was cold and quiet as usual. “That must mean I’m supposed to be able to hear your true name.”
“Ah, you’re mistaking it for a different reason. I told you this, but I tried to hide my identity as much as possible to change history...!” Peter protested.
“It’s not as if I’ve already decided a name for my future son, so how would I discover your identity?” Chang-Sun cut him off. It sounded as if Chang-Sun was angry in Peter’s ears.
“That must mean there are still a lot of secrets you haven’t told me,” Chang-Sun continued, in the voice of a father reproaching his son.
“What...”
Peter could see his deceased father in Chang-Sun for some reason. Peter’s father had usually been the gentlest man in the world, but had been very strict when he had done something wrong
“What in the world have you offered to Yog-Sothoth?” Chang-Sun asked.
Peter’s father was right in front of him now, so he clenched his mouth, feeling as if all the mistakes he had been hiding right now were being divulged.
“You... offered yourself, didn’t you?” Chang-Sun continued, shutting his eyes.
Peter still could not say anything.
“You offered to be part of Yog-Sothoth’s soul to be his apostle. Yeah, I knew something was strange.” Chang-Sun gritted his teeth.
From what Chang-Sun knew, Yog-Sothoth was not really a kind Outer Celestial. Although he was unusually interested in the Great Universe compared to other Outer Celestials, it was only out of his duty as the borderline’s keeper.
Yog-Sothoth was something like an observer of changes in Eros and Nyx. That was why, despite how he had the capacity to be an Emperor and was greatly influential in both Eros and Nyx, Yog-Sothoth was not socially active. The only thing he was interested in was <Dull Darkness>, the Great Father; the reason why he had volunteered to be an observer was to not miss any changes in the dormant <Dull Darkness>. Such an Outer Celestial had appointed a mere mortal to be his apostle.
Chang-Sun had never met Yog-Sothoth in person, but had met <Deus Ex Machina>. Beings who had risen above Worldlines kept their involvement in the Great Universe to a minimum. Just as humans did not really care about or involve themselves in a society of ants, those beings had no reason to pay attention to mortals. The only time they paid any attention was when their interest was piqued.
‘No, there’s one more scenario where that happens’ Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes. ‘When a mortal pays the right price.’
Yog-Sothoth was less interested in Eros than <Deus Ex Machina> and had lost almost all of his emotions, so his reason had to be the latter. Of course, he would not even blink if an ordinary person offered their soul, as it would be little more than an insignificant speck to him.
‘But Peter said that he was Quirinale’s descendant, so if he can understand the Great Universe’s laws of nature... he’s qualified to make a deal.’
Pneuma and Quirinale were primordial teachings about controlling the laws of time and space respectively. Quirinale had once been passed on to Chang-Sun through Ithaca, so Peter could have access to it as their son.
‘Besides, he’s technically a relative of <Deus Ex Machina>.’
That was why Peter’s true name could not be perceived anymore. Lee ■■ was no longer part of Eros or Nyx, and was simply Yog-Sothoth’s toy. No matter how the future turned out, Lee ■■ could not come back to Eros. Perhaps it would be possible for Cha Ye-Eun to receive salvation and Chang-Sun to change <Fate>, creating a new turning point and a new hope, but even if they had a child, a son named Lee ■■ could not be born anymore because Lee ■■ no longer existed.
In the end, Peter had tried to save his parents by sacrificing himself, but even if he succeeded, he would be bound to Yog-Sothoth and wander for eternity, unable to belong to Eros or Nyx. That was why Chang-Sun had asked who would save Peter’s <Fate>.
Peter stayed silent.
“The reason why I can see you right now is I used Sinmara’s ability to observe timelines, but you can’t meet me or talk with me through any normal method anymore, can you?”
It was the collapse of one’s existence—no, perhaps it could be called elimination from the law of causality.
“Judging from the spatial distortion around you, you’re being erased from Eros much more quickly. The traces you left as Peter will eventually disappear or be forgotten.”
Peter’s lips trembled.
“Even I won’t be able to remember you in the end, so there won’t be anyone to mourn for you. Everyone will be happy at the end of this salvation journey.”
Everyone except for Peter would be happy in the end. A person who had been busily moving in the shadows to save everyone was bound to quietly disappear from the stage, with no one to remember him and no traces recorded in history. It was as if Peter had never existed in the first place. Of course, that was not a problem for Peter, because he had been planning on leaving quietly from the beginning.
“...I can never fool you, Father.” Peter heaved a very long sigh. Although he wanted to feign innocence, he did not want to lie to his father at a time like this. “But there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“No, I’m going to do it,” Chang-Sun said firmly. “I’m going to save you, just like I’m going to save your mother, so hold on.”
“...!” Peter’s eyes widened slightly. Even though he knew that it was impossible, he felt as if his father could do it for some reason.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Badump, badump, badump...
Peter could feel the pulses that were shaking the world. Perhaps he could smile hopefully without any bitterness for the first time. Perhaps he could wish for salvation too.
“...You could at least offer to save me first,” Peter said, finally managing to joke now.
“Your mom comes first.”
“You know what? You were really a fool for your wife in my world too.”
“Call me a devoted husband.”
“That’s what all fools for their wives seem to say.” Peter giggled, turning in the opposite direction before continuing, “It was fun to meet you and speak candidly in the end, Father. I hope you’ll achieve what you want until the end.”
Chang-Sun noticed that Peter did not mention how he hoped Chang-Sun would come for him. Was it because Peter was trying not to have lingering feelings, or that he simply did not care since he was bound to be forgotten in the end?
“What are you going to do from now on?” Chang-Sun asked.
“I’ll continue to wander the Great Universe and time. Or... I may continue meeting other Fathers.”
“Where can I meet you?”
“I’m not sure. There might be some of my preparations you haven’t seen yet,” Peter answered vaguely.
Tap, tap―!
Peter started to walk away from Chang-Sun, the spatial distortion around him worsening. Although he did not stop Peter, Chang-Sun asked many questions.
“Did I play with you a lot when you were a kid?”
“Yeah, you did.”
“What game did we usually play?”
“We played all sorts of games. The land expansion game[1], pog slammers, the marble game, Red Light Green Light...”
“What about hide and seek?”
“We... did.”
“Then let’s play hide and seek,” Chang-Sun said.
Tap!
Peter came to a halt for a moment.
“You’re going to hide, and I’m it. How does it sound?” Chang-Sun suggested.
Those words melted Peter’s heart.
“My ■■, what game do you like the best?”
“Hide and seek! Hide and seek is the best!” ■■ answered fervently.
“Then do you want to play hide and seek with me?”
“Yeah!”
“I’ll count to ten, so hide. One, two...” Chang-Sun smiled with his eyes closed.
“Huh! It’s unfair, Dad! Count slower! I started running just now!”
“Three...”
“Arrrghhh! Not yet! You’re still counting too fast!” ■■ screamed as he stormed out of the living room.
It was a memory that even Peter barely remembered. While he had been hidden in a wardrobe, Peter had peeked at his father, who was wandering around the house to look for him, through a small gap in the wardrobe doors. It had been really fun, and Peter felt as if he was about to hide in the same wardrobe again.
“And I’ll retrieve your name too, so hold on.”
“Truly, you’re...” Peter had a lot of things he wanted to say and thought about saying them, but he held those words back in the end. With a grin, he answered, “Find me quickly, okay?”
“Yeah, I will.”
Pzzz―!
Peter quietly disappeared with a bright smile. Chang-Sun stood still and watched the spot where Peter had disappeared for a long time. As he turned in the opposite direction, he shut his eyes. He had now found out most of the hidden truth that remained and discovered hope for the future, so It was time to go back.
[You have deactivated the Authorities ‘Past-Seeing’, ‘Present-Seeing’, and ‘Future-Seeing’!]
* * *
Whoosh!
The world around him slowly diminished as he returned to reality.
‘...Huh?’ Chang-Sun suddenly wondered. ‘Didn’t I... meet someone?’
It felt as if he had discovered something too important and precious to forget, but he was unable to remember. Chang-Sun tried to recall the reason why he was suddenly feeling a sense of disharmony.
『Master! Are you not done yet?』 Sinmara shouted quickly, bringing Chang-Sun to his senses.
When Chang-Sun looked up, he could see Ubbo-Sathla, whose true form was slowly emerging from a wormhole that almost completely engulfed the sky.
『Fuck!』
『It took forever for us to cut off one tentacle, so how in the world are we supposed to stop them if they come out in their true form like this...!』
Pillars of ice and fire soared from the ground to stop Ubbo-Sathla’s tentacles from advancing any further, but it was not working very well. Both Jin and Sinmara were getting exhausted.
『Twilight―! What in the world are you doing? Get your ass back here and fight if you’re back!』 Bel-Marduk shouted.
Chang-Sun nodded in response and moved. It was the beginning of the 142nd <Extinction>.
1. The raw is ????. It’s a Korean game in which one can obtain land by flicking a stone onto it. ?
Perhaps that was the last question Peter had expected to hear, as he looked noticeably bewildered. Chang-Sun did not fail to notice his expression.
“I’m... not sure what you’re... talking about...!” Peter protested.
“So that’s how you’re going to do it, huh?” Chang-Sun frowned slightly, saying, “I kept wondering why your real name was censored and you used an alias instead.”
“That’s because my true name is still going to be created in a future that hasn’t happened to you, so it’s a violation of the law of causality, naturally...” Peter began.
“No, you called me father, but I’m technically supposed to be a stranger from a different Worldline,” Chang-Sun said; his voice was cold and quiet as usual. “That must mean I’m supposed to be able to hear your true name.”
“Ah, you’re mistaking it for a different reason. I told you this, but I tried to hide my identity as much as possible to change history...!” Peter protested.
“It’s not as if I’ve already decided a name for my future son, so how would I discover your identity?” Chang-Sun cut him off. It sounded as if Chang-Sun was angry in Peter’s ears.
“That must mean there are still a lot of secrets you haven’t told me,” Chang-Sun continued, in the voice of a father reproaching his son.
“What...”
Peter could see his deceased father in Chang-Sun for some reason. Peter’s father had usually been the gentlest man in the world, but had been very strict when he had done something wrong
“What in the world have you offered to Yog-Sothoth?” Chang-Sun asked.
Peter’s father was right in front of him now, so he clenched his mouth, feeling as if all the mistakes he had been hiding right now were being divulged.
“You... offered yourself, didn’t you?” Chang-Sun continued, shutting his eyes.
Peter still could not say anything.
“You offered to be part of Yog-Sothoth’s soul to be his apostle. Yeah, I knew something was strange.” Chang-Sun gritted his teeth.
From what Chang-Sun knew, Yog-Sothoth was not really a kind Outer Celestial. Although he was unusually interested in the Great Universe compared to other Outer Celestials, it was only out of his duty as the borderline’s keeper.
Yog-Sothoth was something like an observer of changes in Eros and Nyx. That was why, despite how he had the capacity to be an Emperor and was greatly influential in both Eros and Nyx, Yog-Sothoth was not socially active. The only thing he was interested in was <Dull Darkness>, the Great Father; the reason why he had volunteered to be an observer was to not miss any changes in the dormant <Dull Darkness>. Such an Outer Celestial had appointed a mere mortal to be his apostle.
Chang-Sun had never met Yog-Sothoth in person, but had met <Deus Ex Machina>. Beings who had risen above Worldlines kept their involvement in the Great Universe to a minimum. Just as humans did not really care about or involve themselves in a society of ants, those beings had no reason to pay attention to mortals. The only time they paid any attention was when their interest was piqued.
‘No, there’s one more scenario where that happens’ Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes. ‘When a mortal pays the right price.’
Yog-Sothoth was less interested in Eros than <Deus Ex Machina> and had lost almost all of his emotions, so his reason had to be the latter. Of course, he would not even blink if an ordinary person offered their soul, as it would be little more than an insignificant speck to him.
‘But Peter said that he was Quirinale’s descendant, so if he can understand the Great Universe’s laws of nature... he’s qualified to make a deal.’
Pneuma and Quirinale were primordial teachings about controlling the laws of time and space respectively. Quirinale had once been passed on to Chang-Sun through Ithaca, so Peter could have access to it as their son.
‘Besides, he’s technically a relative of <Deus Ex Machina>.’
That was why Peter’s true name could not be perceived anymore. Lee ■■ was no longer part of Eros or Nyx, and was simply Yog-Sothoth’s toy. No matter how the future turned out, Lee ■■ could not come back to Eros. Perhaps it would be possible for Cha Ye-Eun to receive salvation and Chang-Sun to change <Fate>, creating a new turning point and a new hope, but even if they had a child, a son named Lee ■■ could not be born anymore because Lee ■■ no longer existed.
In the end, Peter had tried to save his parents by sacrificing himself, but even if he succeeded, he would be bound to Yog-Sothoth and wander for eternity, unable to belong to Eros or Nyx. That was why Chang-Sun had asked who would save Peter’s <Fate>.
Peter stayed silent.
“The reason why I can see you right now is I used Sinmara’s ability to observe timelines, but you can’t meet me or talk with me through any normal method anymore, can you?”
It was the collapse of one’s existence—no, perhaps it could be called elimination from the law of causality.
“Judging from the spatial distortion around you, you’re being erased from Eros much more quickly. The traces you left as Peter will eventually disappear or be forgotten.”
Peter’s lips trembled.
“Even I won’t be able to remember you in the end, so there won’t be anyone to mourn for you. Everyone will be happy at the end of this salvation journey.”
Everyone except for Peter would be happy in the end. A person who had been busily moving in the shadows to save everyone was bound to quietly disappear from the stage, with no one to remember him and no traces recorded in history. It was as if Peter had never existed in the first place. Of course, that was not a problem for Peter, because he had been planning on leaving quietly from the beginning.
“...I can never fool you, Father.” Peter heaved a very long sigh. Although he wanted to feign innocence, he did not want to lie to his father at a time like this. “But there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“No, I’m going to do it,” Chang-Sun said firmly. “I’m going to save you, just like I’m going to save your mother, so hold on.”
“...!” Peter’s eyes widened slightly. Even though he knew that it was impossible, he felt as if his father could do it for some reason.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Badump, badump, badump...
Peter could feel the pulses that were shaking the world. Perhaps he could smile hopefully without any bitterness for the first time. Perhaps he could wish for salvation too.
“...You could at least offer to save me first,” Peter said, finally managing to joke now.
“Your mom comes first.”
“You know what? You were really a fool for your wife in my world too.”
“Call me a devoted husband.”
“That’s what all fools for their wives seem to say.” Peter giggled, turning in the opposite direction before continuing, “It was fun to meet you and speak candidly in the end, Father. I hope you’ll achieve what you want until the end.”
Chang-Sun noticed that Peter did not mention how he hoped Chang-Sun would come for him. Was it because Peter was trying not to have lingering feelings, or that he simply did not care since he was bound to be forgotten in the end?
“What are you going to do from now on?” Chang-Sun asked.
“I’ll continue to wander the Great Universe and time. Or... I may continue meeting other Fathers.”
“Where can I meet you?”
“I’m not sure. There might be some of my preparations you haven’t seen yet,” Peter answered vaguely.
Tap, tap―!
Peter started to walk away from Chang-Sun, the spatial distortion around him worsening. Although he did not stop Peter, Chang-Sun asked many questions.
“Did I play with you a lot when you were a kid?”
“Yeah, you did.”
“What game did we usually play?”
“We played all sorts of games. The land expansion game[1], pog slammers, the marble game, Red Light Green Light...”
“What about hide and seek?”
“We... did.”
“Then let’s play hide and seek,” Chang-Sun said.
Tap!
Peter came to a halt for a moment.
“You’re going to hide, and I’m it. How does it sound?” Chang-Sun suggested.
Those words melted Peter’s heart.
“My ■■, what game do you like the best?”
“Hide and seek! Hide and seek is the best!” ■■ answered fervently.
“Then do you want to play hide and seek with me?”
“Yeah!”
“I’ll count to ten, so hide. One, two...” Chang-Sun smiled with his eyes closed.
“Huh! It’s unfair, Dad! Count slower! I started running just now!”
“Three...”
“Arrrghhh! Not yet! You’re still counting too fast!” ■■ screamed as he stormed out of the living room.
It was a memory that even Peter barely remembered. While he had been hidden in a wardrobe, Peter had peeked at his father, who was wandering around the house to look for him, through a small gap in the wardrobe doors. It had been really fun, and Peter felt as if he was about to hide in the same wardrobe again.
“And I’ll retrieve your name too, so hold on.”
“Truly, you’re...” Peter had a lot of things he wanted to say and thought about saying them, but he held those words back in the end. With a grin, he answered, “Find me quickly, okay?”
“Yeah, I will.”
Pzzz―!
Peter quietly disappeared with a bright smile. Chang-Sun stood still and watched the spot where Peter had disappeared for a long time. As he turned in the opposite direction, he shut his eyes. He had now found out most of the hidden truth that remained and discovered hope for the future, so It was time to go back.
[You have deactivated the Authorities ‘Past-Seeing’, ‘Present-Seeing’, and ‘Future-Seeing’!]
* * *
Whoosh!
The world around him slowly diminished as he returned to reality.
‘...Huh?’ Chang-Sun suddenly wondered. ‘Didn’t I... meet someone?’
It felt as if he had discovered something too important and precious to forget, but he was unable to remember. Chang-Sun tried to recall the reason why he was suddenly feeling a sense of disharmony.
『Master! Are you not done yet?』 Sinmara shouted quickly, bringing Chang-Sun to his senses.
When Chang-Sun looked up, he could see Ubbo-Sathla, whose true form was slowly emerging from a wormhole that almost completely engulfed the sky.
『Fuck!』
『It took forever for us to cut off one tentacle, so how in the world are we supposed to stop them if they come out in their true form like this...!』
Pillars of ice and fire soared from the ground to stop Ubbo-Sathla’s tentacles from advancing any further, but it was not working very well. Both Jin and Sinmara were getting exhausted.
『Twilight―! What in the world are you doing? Get your ass back here and fight if you’re back!』 Bel-Marduk shouted.
Chang-Sun nodded in response and moved. It was the beginning of the 142nd <Extinction>.
1. The raw is ????. It’s a Korean game in which one can obtain land by flicking a stone onto it. ?
