Pick Me Up!

Chapter 294: Incarnation (2) (1)

I opened the Book of Reversal.

Its pages were torn and scratched in places, making the content indecipherable, but I could clearly feel the writhing power within it.

“At first, I thought it was trash.”

It turned out to be far more useful than I had expected.

“Master, please stop.”

“Why should I?”

“I’ve called upon Master Yurnet! If you just wait a little longer, we can take appropriate action and return you to Earth…”

“You’ll send me back to Earth?”

Nisled staggered toward me, visibly shaken.

“I didn’t realize you were so concerned about me.”

“I am your hero, after all. I’ve survived this long thanks to your grace, Master. That’s why…”

“For me?”

“…Yes.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll return to Earth.”

“Then right away…”

“Not now.”

Whooooom!

The light of the dimensional gate beside the Synthesis Altar began to flicker.

It was the pathway to Earth. In less than a minute, it would probably vanish.

Holding the Book of Reversal open, I started muttering under my breath.

‘I can feel it.’

Something—someone—was calling out to me from somewhere.

The moment my hand touched the edge of the book’s pages, light spread across the entire Synthesis Hall.

“If you refuse to listen, I’ll have to stop you by force.”

Nisled kicked off the ground and leapt toward the ceiling.

Her movements were as sleek as a serpent’s. As she darted along the ceiling, a dagger emerged from her hand.

[That won’t do!]

“Guh!”

Iselle, now a streak of light, slammed into Nisled’s side.

Nisled was violently flung backward, spinning through the air.

[Grah! Gehyehyehyeh! Guhhh!]

Crackle! Fzzzt!

Iselle started trembling as if struck by lightning.

The penalty for attacking a hero had activated. Since this was not a case of self-defense or anything similar, the system had come down hard.

Foaming at the mouth, her eyes rolling back into her head, Iselle looked thoroughly rattled.

[Uguh… I’m dying…]

“You didn’t have to step in.”

[But I…]

Even as she writhed on the floor, Iselle glanced up at me.

I smirked and said, “Well, good job anyway. My Number One Subordinate.”

[Heh… hehe…]

“Now, just wait a moment. I’ll be back soon.”

[Got it. I’ll be waiting!]

Bang!

The door to the Synthesis Hall burst open with a deafening crash.

Outside, a group of assassins dressed in black robes and masks stood waiting.

The collapsed Nisled muttered weakly, “…Protect the Master.”

At that moment, shadows took form, and over a dozen assassins charged from all sides.

They attacked from every direction and speed, aiming to leave no room for escape.

“You’re too late.”

There was no need to flee, nor to counterattack.

With force, I slammed the open Book of Reversal shut.

That was enough.

Flash!

A brilliant light exploded outward.

The assassins rushing toward me froze mid-motion, their forms becoming like a slow-motion playback before halting entirely.

I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes.

‘I can’t leave things like this.’

It wasn’t because of my origins.

It wasn’t for Pria or the imperial prince.

It wasn’t even for Eloka or Edis.

It was solely for me.

‘If I left it like this, I’d lose sleep, and I need my sleep.’

What good are expensive houses, delicious food, or fancy cars?

If there’s a debt, I’ll pay it. If there’s a responsibility, I’ll shoulder it.

This was simply about adhering to the principles I had set for myself.

‘So, come out already.’

I opened my eyes.

[Unrecognized dimension detected.]

[Urgent management required! Please summon a supervisor.]

Through the hazy field of vision, a familiar place began to take shape.

I blinked a few times, and the blurry image cleared.

A vast wheat field stretched endlessly before me.

A cool breeze blew through the golden stalks, making them sway gently.

Bzzt.

I glanced to my right.

A holographic message flickered in the air before revealing new text.

[Floor 100.]

[Mission Type: Unknown.]

[Mission Objective: Unknown.]

The 100th floor, huh?

“This is a hassle.”

Clicking my tongue, I started walking down the winding path through the wheat field.

After taking a turn to the right, an all-too-familiar wooden cabin came into view.

“Israthio.”

The young man sitting on a chair outside the cabin stood up.

Wearing simple linen clothes, the man—Phryos—approached me slowly.

“You’ve finally come. I’ve been waiting…”

Thud!

My fist connected with Phryos’s face, sending him tumbling into the wheat field.

Phryos wiped the blood from his mouth and muttered, “…Quite the enthusiastic welcome.”

Shaking my sore wrist, I glanced down at him with an emotionless gaze.

“Didn’t you die on the 80th floor?”

“Yes, I certainly did.”

Phryos stood up, wiping more blood from his lips.

“So what are you, then? A ghost?”

“Half correct. I’m neither alive nor dead. If anything… I’m a memory. A fragment of this land’s essence, you might say.”

“I didn’t come here for riddles.”

I scanned my surroundings.

A small house standing amidst the endless wheat.

‘A piece of land.’

The sanctuary Phryos had created for Pria—a resting place free from any interference.

“To think my little sibling’s fist would grow this strong…”

Phryos chuckled lightly.

“Don’t test my patience. Be grateful I haven’t knocked you out cold.”

“Haha.”

“What, are you expecting me to treat you like an older brother now? So it was all an act, huh? You conniving bastard.”

“I’m not so shameless as to demand that, Israthio.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“As you wish.”

Phryos spat out the blood lingering in his mouth before continuing in a low voice.

“Let’s get to the point. Time is running out.”

“…”

“At this rate, Möbius will soon collapse.”

“I know.”

“In that case, I have a question for you.”

Phryos’s transparent gaze swept over me.

“What is it that you want to do?”

“…”

“Will you return to Earth? Or will you continue this hopeless struggle?”

Before answering, I shot back with my own question.

“Let me ask you first.”

“Go ahead.”

“Did you orchestrate all of this just to keep me here?”

Phryos narrowed his eyes.

“Let me be clear. Even if what I saw was the truth, the Israthio you speak of—or Han, or whoever—died a long time ago. If you expect me to treat you as family, don’t even dream of it.”

“Haha! Of course not, Israthio. I abandoned you when you wanted to remain in Townia. What right would I have to ask for such a thing?”

Phryos smiled faintly.

“To be honest, I never expected you to survive. It was a gamble—a long shot.”

“…Hmm.”

“But not only did you survive, you returned here. Without you, Townia’s story wouldn’t have even begun. It was a dimension doomed by its high difficulty and countless errors.”

“…”

“If not for you, we’d all still be slumbering—me, Pria, the heroes, the ancient beings—all buried in the darkness for eternity. That’s why I acknowledge you. Everything you’ve accomplished was by your own strength, without any help from me.”

Phryos’s smile deepened.

‘He’s spouting nonsense again.’

That insufferable habit of his.

It was clear: this arrogant man had been testing me all along.

If I had died along the way, he wouldn’t have batted an eye.

‘Even if Pria had died, he wouldn’t have cared.’

Who knows? After witnessing this 17 times, I couldn’t even begin to guess what went through his mind.

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!