SSS-Class Revival Hunter

Chapter 139: The Late Life (1)

The protagonists from stories burnt bright like stars. I wasn't interested in star signs shining in the night sky. The protagonists and the stories they created were my brilliant constellations.

Ah.

The universe held an immeasurable amount of starlight and the stories.

“I want to see a little more of the story.”

I touched starlight without even realizing it.

“Just a little more.”

That was all.

***

Silence fell in the Great Library of All Life. Here, each book held a world. Countless people lived in countless worlds, and each person had a story of their own. Two characters from the same world, same book, looked at each other.

The Constellation Murderer quietly looked down at my orphanage director. “Did you say you were one of the people who killed me?”

“Yes, Mr. Kim Yul.”

“That’s strange.” The Constellation Murderer's voice was devoid of emotion. “My last death is recorded to have happened 153 years, 7 months, and 9 days ago. The name of the person who killed me at that time is the Sword Emperor.”

The Constellation Murderer took out an old notebook. That diary told the story of what had become of Kim Yul. It was also his promise to leave behind traces of his past, never to remember them.

Even though he had been eaten by my Monster Legion Reincarnation, the Constellation Murderer still held onto his old diary, just like how my skeletons never let go of their daggers.

“The Sword Emperor’s appearance recorded in the diary is different from yours. Are you his herald?”

The director didn’t reply.

“From what I understand, the Sword Emperor isn’t the type to apologize or seek an apology from anyone. I conclude that you aren’t the Sword Emperor’s herald, nor are you one of the people who killed me. You have no reason to apologize to me.”

The director seemed to have realized that it was already too late.

“Therefore, I won’t accept your apology. First and foremost, my name is Lefanta Aegim. My title is Constellation Murderer. You called me Kim Yul. However, there is no record of me being called Kim Yul anywhere in the diary. Is it possible that you mistook me for someone else?”

“Mr. Kim Yul.” The director’s voice was trembling. “Kim Yul is the name you had before you were called Lefanta Aegim. It's a name from way back, from your past, before you even got that diary. The world you came from is—”

The Indoor Librarian approached me and muttered, “It’s no use.”

His whisper to me was so low that the Constellation Murderer and the director couldn’t hear.

“I have to admit that this is a heartbreaking sight. One of them is the victim who has been sealed in time, while the other is a bystander whose time has been sealed. Ah, it's as beautiful as a painting...”

I looked back at the Indoor Librarian.

[The Indoor Librarian is in delighted despair.]

The look on the Indoor Librarian was odd. He seemed both sad and happy. In contrast to his plaintive eyes, his cheeks were rosy red. “But, Death King, it’s late in so many ways. The Constellation Murderer can never be saved.”

I stayed silent, waiting to see what he would say next.

“Even if he receives an apology now, it’s meaningless. The Constellation Murderer doesn't remember anything. His appearance and way of thinking are completely different from the days when he was Kim Yul. How can one get an apology or grant forgiveness for something they don't remember?”

I quietly said, “You know that I’m a regressor, right?”

The Indoor Librarian smiled. “Of course.”

“How? Do you also go back in time if I do?”

“No, it doesn’t work that way. Your Returner's Clockwork is so special that not even a Constellation can surpass its majesty. However, like all Constellations, I have an adorable ability.”

The Indoor Librarian snapped his fingers.

Whoosh!

A book flew out—The Story of the City of Ascension. That was the book the Constellation had shown me and the other Hunters when we first set foot in the great library.

“Remember? This is the book that holds your world. Since it hasn’t been destroyed yet, it can’t be called an apocalyptic book.” The Indoor Librarian's eyes took the shape of crescents as he smiled. “Now take a guess. Who do you think I designated as the protagonist of the Story of the City of Ascension?”

“Me.”

“Exactly!”

“And all the events I experience are recorded in that book. That is how you know what Skills I have and when I regress.”

“Aaaah.” The Indoor Librarian grinned and turned the pages of the Story of the City of Ascension. “The kiss of time you shared with Raviel Ivansia... Your love and connection were truly sweet! You solved the problem in a way I never expected. It became my favorite scene. Of course, the trauma you experienced this time is also written in this book. That’s why I made an exception for that human even though he didn’t have a title.”

He was talking about the orphanage director.

Even now, the director was desperately trying to explain to the Constellation Murderer the person he used to be and what he had gone through. However, the Constellation Murderer's face was still expressionless.

“You worked hard, Death King,” the Indoor Librarian said. “You tried your best, but it’s already too late for the Constellation Murderer. No matter how hard the characters try, it’s difficult to reach the best ending. This is just a normal ending for the Constellation Murderer.”

The Indoor Librarian still seemed to experience both happiness and sadness, but his happiness seemed to overwhelm the polarizing emotion.

“This is the only ending that the Constellation Murderer can reach other than the bad ending. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the Constellation Murderer is even aware of it. Your efforts, the director’s regrets... It’s all meaningless. The Constellation Murderer will forever remain as a human weapon that kills Constellations...”

“No matter what I do?”

“Yes, no matter what you do.”

The Indoor Librarian tried to put back The Story of the City of Ascension with slow movements. I reached out and grabbed his wrist, making him flinch.

I stared at him. “If you’re that confident, shall we make a bet?”

“A bet...?”

“I’ll reconnect Kim Yul’s and the Constellation Murderer’s timelines. Just like Kim Yul became the Constellation Murderer, I’ll make sure that the Constellation Murderer becomes Kim Yul. This way, the director might be able to properly apologize to him.”

“What? Didn't you hear what I said? It’s basically impossible...”

I held the Indoor Librarian's wrist tighter. “That is why I’m asking you to make a bet.”

He looked at me, hesitating.

“The Constellation Murderer is one of your favorite characters. I’ll use any means necessary to restore his memories. You can help me. Well, you don't have to go out of your way. All you have to do is help me as much as you did when you sent me to The Epic of Lefanta Aegim.”

The Constellation's eyes narrowed. “What if you fail even if I help you? What will I get?”

“Do whatever you want with me for the next ten years.”

The Indoor Librarian pondered on the possibilities.

“You said you wanted to pluck my eyebrows and cut my fingernails to keep them, right? Do it. I’ll give you whatever you want. I’ll be your toy for ten years, and you can use me to your heart’s content.”

The Indoor Librarian's lip quivered. “To my heart’s content?”

“Yes.”

“A-Are you aware of the gravity of this bet, Death King? It may not look like it, but I’m trying very hard to stay civil in front of you. If I were to do to you whatever I wanted, it would be truly a terrible thing. Just look at the bookmark maids.”

“Are you going to take the bet or not?”

The Indoor Librarian pursed his lips. For a moment, greed stained his eyes. I was also one of his beloved characters, just like the Constellation Murderer. He looked at me like a snake stalking his prey.

Eventually, he swallowed. “I adhere to the principle of non-intervention. It’s different if the character asks me first. That’s why I granted the butler’s wish in the Story of Sormwin Academy.”

He only hesitated for one more second.

“Okay, Death King. I’ll help you. However, if you fail to turn the Constellation Murderer into Kim Yul... I’ll use the next ten years of your life to my heart’s content.”

I walked toward the Constellation Murderer and the director, holding the Indoor Librarian's wrist. The sound of footsteps echoed in the library. Everyone else had been asked to leave, so we were the only ones left.

The Guardian was freaking out.

—Hey. Hey! Zombie, are you crazy? Why would you make a bet like that? Are you betting because you’re sure you’ll win? It looks like you have some wild idea because that silver shorty calls you his bias and worships you. But he’s still a Constellation. A very high-level one! You never know what will happen if you entrust your soul to a bastard like that!

It’s okay. I’m doing it because I’m confident.

For a long time, I thought about the reason the Tower existed. Not everything needed a reason to exist but, at least to me, it seemed the Tower had been built for a clear motive. Thanks to the Tower, the people who had turned away from the outside world were able to start anew.

To restart your life... Some would call it rebirth, while others would call it a fresh beginning. For some, it would mean reunion, even resuming a paused timeline.

“Let’s shoot a teen movie. Starring me, The Constellation Murderer, and the director.”

The two men looked at me. The Constellation Murderer said first. “What do you mean?”

“Constellation Murderer, you’re unable to accept the director’s apology because you lost your memories. You may still think you don’t need them, but if you could still accept his apology, you would not hesitate to do so.”

The Constellation Murderer opened the diary and nodded. “That’s right. Although we only talked for a moment, I can tell the man kneeling in front of me has a very kind heart. He’s righteous. I believe that he wasn’t always upright, but he acquired this trait while enduring life. If possible, I would like to accept his apology.”

I looked at the director. He was still kneeling on the library floor. I said, “Director. If you could apologize to Mr. Kim Yul—”

Without waiting for me to finish, the director immediately answered, “I’m willing to offer my life and soul.”

“Yes, thank you for telling me that.”

I grabbed his wrinkled hand and helped him stand up. Only then did I remember that it had been a long time since I last held his hand. We used to build sand castles at the playground really long ago.

This story became possible thanks to you, Director. Because you didn’t forget Kim Yul, I could be raised in your orphanage. Otherwise, you would have never gotten the chance to apologize.

Kim Yul’s death had shaped the director’s life, which shaped mine. I ended up taking the Constellation Murderer’s life. Though it was difficult, fate had brought the three of us together.

I won’t let this chance slip through my fingers.

Although it was a little late, it was time to repay the favor to the one who had raised me.

“Mr. Librarian.” I held the director's hand tightly and looked back at the Constellation.

The Indoor Librarian was smiling, confident that he would win the bet. “Please speak, Death King, the Hunter I like so much.”

“Me, the Constellation Murderer, and the director; the three of us will clear the next book.”

“Oh!” The Librarian's eyes twinkled. He seemed intrigued. “What can I say... It’s a heartwarming story. Although it's a bit late, you’re going to rewrite the story that connects the three of you. Is that what you’re trying to say? Well, I can arrange that. It’s like an open ending! Our story begins now....”

“No, not like that.”

I extended my free hand and took away the book. I was the protagonist in the ongoing book titled The Story of the City of Ascension.

“I will choose this book for the next stage.”

“Hmm?” The Indoor Librarian tilted his head with a puzzled expression. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. The Story of the City of Ascension is already ongoing. There is no point in making it into a stage and clearing it.”

“You said that I’m the protagonist of this book, so everything I’ve experienced is recorded.”

“Yes...?”

“Please send the three of us to one of the incidents I went through.”

“What incident are you talking about?”

“The trauma.”

The smile disappeared from the Indoor Librarian's face. I looked calmly at the Constellation in front of me. “You said it just now.”

“Of course, the trauma you experienced this time is also written in this book.”

“The trauma ended in tragedy, and the world has been destroyed. Even though it was just an illusion, the Void swallowed the world, ending the story of all the characters. Mr. Librarian, the trauma perfectly fits your definition of an apocalyptic book.”

The Indoor Librarian’s jaw dropped to the floor in shock. He looked up at me. “Death King, you... No way...”

“Send the three of us into the apocalyptic book of Shinseo Middle and High Schools. Of course, the Constellation Murderer is Kim Yul, the director is the class president, and I’m going to be the perpetrator. And allow us to have immersion levels.”

If the Constellation Murderer couldn’t receive his apology because he lost his memories, then all I had to do was get his memories back.

The Inquisitor had been immersed in Lady Goldencup’s life and become her. When I had been immersed in the butler, I became more and more buried in his memories. If the Constellation Murderer got immersed in Kim Yul... Kim Yul’s memories would be transferred to the Constellation Murderer, enabling him to recall his days as a high schooler.

“Mr. Librarian, no, Hamustra.”

Yes, we were a little late, but the story wasn’t over yet.

“Open the book.”

The Indoor Librarian held his breath.